13 Things Thursday: Tarot and Oracle Edition
My 13 favorite tarot and oracle decks
I thought it might be fun to do a 13 Things Thursday with lists, and I thought I’d share some of my favorite tarot and oracle decks. I’ve included some pictures with each deck so you can tell me which ones you like best. Most of the images are from the product page I linked, but if not, image credits are included in the caption. The pictures also make the post too long to read in an email, so you’ll have to read in the browser or Substack app to see the full post. Enjoy!
Rider Waite Smith (RWS): This is a classic for a reason, and most tarot decks today are based in this tradition. If you’ve seen tarot on TV, you may be familiar with these images. It’s also sentimental to me because the yellow box RWS with the plaid backs was my first deck ever. I learned with this imagery and symbolism, and it’s always my go-to whenever I need a quick, straightforward answer. I have multiple versions, and my favorites are the Smith-Waite Centennial edition in a tin, the C.S. Tarot, a gorgeous recoloring by Conrad Steyn, and of course the pocket-sized plastic version I made on Make Playing Cards. I also have a special place in my heart for the Reflective Tarot, a holographic Radiant Rider Waite that I carry everywhere.
This Might Hurt Tarot: I fell in love with the modern, inclusive imagery combined with traditional symbolism. The first time I saw the Ace of Cups card, I gasped at how gorgeous it was. I love the relatable characters and how easy it is to read. This is one of my favorite decks for beginners who don’t resonate with the medieval, less diverse images in the RWS.
Light Seer’s Tarot: This was another one that just blew me away with the amazing artwork. The images are modern and very intuitive to read, evoking the traditional meanings in a new way.
Superlunaris Tarot: In my opinion, this one is underrated and not talked about enough. I have the linen edition, and the cards are like works of art on canvas. It has a dreamy, yet grounded quality that really speaks to my intuition.
Morgan Greer: I’ve heard this deck referred to as a “modern classic,” and I couldn’t agree more. It has such a fun, colorful, 1970s vibe, which I love. The zoomed-in expressions combined with RWS symbolism are perfection. While this is available in standard tarot size, I have the pocket-sized tin version.
Aquarian Tarot: This is another modern classic drawn in the art deco style. It’s retro, yet timeless. If mid-century modern were a tarot deck, I think it would look like the Aquarian Tarot. There are some departures from the classic symbolism, but it still works well and reads intuitively. Like the Morgan Greer, I have the pocket size in a tin.
Tarot De Carlotydes: I was so attracted to the artwork on this one. It has a whimsical, funny energy, and the backs are gorgeous! I love how it draws on stories and characters from various cultures to build on traditional meanings. Also, the smaller size and flexible cardstock is so comfortable to shuffle.
Fountain Tarot: This one was a slow burn for me. I got it somewhat early in my tarot journey because it was beautiful, but the images stumped me at first. For that reason, I almost sold it. I came back to it after I became more intimately familiar with the cards and their meanings, and it gives me amazing reads every single time. I’m so glad I gave it another chance!
Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot: I started using this tarot deck in the summer thanks because of the nautical, beachy aesthetic, and I kept using it for even longer than I thought. It has a sense of humor, yet doesn’t pull any punches in a reading.
Roots and Wings Oracle: I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous watercolors in this deck and the simple structure of an image and a keyword. Many times I feel like I have to look up an oracle card in the guidebook to fully grasp its meaning, but this one is different for me. The images are intuitive all on their own, and while I can look up the keywords in the included pamphlet, it’s not necessary.
Boho Spirit Oracle: This is another one that I come back to time and again, for many of the reasons above. The simplicity of the images and captions makes it very intuitive to read. You can get more context from the guidebook, but it reads well without it. It’s fun and quirky, but calls you out when needed.
Angel Guide Oracle: This was one of my first oracle decks, and still one of my favorites to this day. Having grown up Catholic, angels were familiar to me. The images and concepts felt approachable and immediately resonated, so it’s very comforting for me. The guidebook is also nice to use as a companion.
Sacred Destiny Oracle: This is newer to my collection, and so far I’m really enjoying it. Much like some of my other favorites, it has a simple image and keyword. I’m still getting to know it, so the guidebook gives interesting background as to why the images are associated with the keywords.
Which one of these decks catches your eye? If you work with tarot or oracle cards, what are your favorite decks? Let me know in the comments!