The Rider-Waite-Smith is easily the most popular Tarot deck, having sold by far the most copies as well as having inspired countless clones and other RWS-styled offshoots. The RWS is the easiest deck for beginners to pick up and use right away without much need for study. This deck departs from the occult tradition of pip cards in favor of easy-to-interpret scenarios pictured on the Minor Arcana. The elimination of elemental dignities in favor of using reversals simplified it even further. The RWS delivers blunt readings that are difficult to misinterpret. The vast majority of readers learn how to use this deck first.
The Surrealist Tarot is an unorthodox deck with a unique twist of humor. This deck does not rely on the customary structure of the RWS nor the Thoth structure, but instead employs a set of 12 core Majors based on the LaVey Personality Synthesizer. The LPS is a brilliantly practical system of classifying personality types based on criteria such as mentality, body type, and ego (shown by choice of automobiles). Card images are reminiscent of everything from Star Trek to Super Mario Bros.
A very dark deck, The Diary of a Broken Soul is a gateway to the dimension of Jahanam, rendered from the visions of Ash Abdullah's 3-year soul search. Jahanam is a mysterious world that shadows the commonly perceived mundane reality. In Jahanam thoughts and ideas are tangible and emotions have faces. This is a sublime and dark deck about personal therapy, encouraging the often painful process of exploring the unconscious in order to dig up and face your deepest fears.
The Langustl Tarot relies on both Crowley's and Waite's Tarot methods, along with a combination of other systems such as astrology, kabbalah, and numerology. Stephan "Langustl" Lange's simplistic style of art is vibrant with life, using brilliant color and contrast to portray the feelings of each card. This deck is certainly approachable for a beginner, but of course a better understanding of the systems the deck employs makes for deeper readings.
Bifrost is an occult Tarot deck rooted in Thoth/GD tradition, also influenced by the teachings of several of those who followed in Aleister Crowley's footsteps and mystical teachings from all corners of history. This deck was designed for those who have a strong appreciation for the highest mystical traditions, as well as an acceptance of new spiritual understandings. Despite the modernized and easy to recognize symbolism that departs from the old occult style of Thoth, this deck's controversial nature makes it potentially difficult for beginners. Those who are not prepared to deal with uncomfortable revelations should probably not use this deck.
The Tarot de Marseilles and the Visconti-Sforza are decks which pre-date the adoption of Tarot by occultists. The Marseille was produced in the 1800's by Heraclio Fournier. The Visconti-Sforza dates back to the 1450's. These decks were originally intended for the popular trick-capturing card game of Tarot, also known as Triumphs or Tarocchi. Readers who prefer these ancient designs could be called Tarot purists, who appreciate the cards' special place in history. |
