Which tarot to choose to start in 2026: 5 decks compared

In the display case, ten different editions.
All promise to be the right one to start with.
Only five truly are.

To start with tarot in 2026, the Camoin-Jodorowsky Tarot de Marseille remains the reference in France for its pedagogical qualities (booklet, restored iconography, associated training). If your budget is tight, the Conver-Grimaud Tarot de Marseille (1761 reprint) at around €18 is the most accessible alternative without compromising on esoteric quality. The Rider-Waite Tarot is the option to consider if you practice in English or if you want narrative scenes on the minor arcana. Here are the 5 strongest editions to start with, their strengths, their limitations, and how to choose according to your profile.

Transparency note: AURÆN publishes digital products and jewelry, not tarot decks. This article is therefore not a promotion of an AURÆN product — it is based on recommendations circulating in contemporary European tarology schools.

How to choose your first tarot: the 5 key criteria

Before comparing decks, here are the criteria that make a tarot suitable for a beginner.

1. Legibility of the design. A beginner's tarot must have immediately recognizable arcana. Overly stylized editions make learning three times longer. Prioritize proven traditional iconography.
2. Presence of a pedagogical booklet. A clear, well-structured booklet that explains the meaning of each card without drowning you in advanced esotericism. "Box + deck" editions without a booklet should be avoided for beginners.
3. Abundance of reference literature in French. Once you've exhausted the deck's booklet, you'll want to delve deeper. The Tarot de Marseille has the most abundant French-language literature, followed by the Rider-Waite (mostly in English, with French translations).
4. Print quality and durability. A €5 deck wears out in 6 months. A €35 deck lasts decades. For regular practice, investing in a solid deck pays off.
5. Personal visual attraction. A subjective but crucial criterion. If the iconography repels you, you won't pull cards. Better a "less canonical" deck that speaks to you than a "perfect" deck you find ugly.

Comparative table: 5 tarots for beginners

The detailed top 5

No. 1 — Camoin-Jodorowsky Tarot de Marseille

In a sentence: the contemporary French-speaking reference for starting or deepening the classic Marseille.

Why we love it at AURÆN: Philippe Camoin (descendant of historical Marseille cardmakers) and Alejandro Jodorowsky restored the Tarot de Marseille in the 1990s by returning to ancient iconographic sources (after decades where reprints had strayed from the originals). The result: vibrant colors, precise lines, iconography that "speaks" from the very first draws. The accompanying booklet is one of the most pedagogical on the market.

Strengths:

• Highly legible restored iconography
• Solid pedagogical booklet
• Camoin training (online courses) accessible if you want to delve deeper
• Abundant French-language literature around it

Weaknesses:

• Intermediate price (35-45 €)
• Slightly large format for small hands

For whom: you want to invest in a solid deck for the coming decade, you practice in French, you are willing to take the time to learn.

No. 2 — Conver Tarot de Marseille by Grimaud

In a sentence: the budget alternative for those who want the authentic Marseille without paying for the restored version.

Why we love it at AURÆN: this is the most faithful reprint of Nicolas Conver's original tarot (1761), published in France by Grimaud. No modern restoration, no retouching: what you hold in your hand is the historical iconography of Marseille as it circulated in the 18th century. For those who want a "heritage" approach rather than a modern pedagogical one.

Strengths:

• Very accessible price (15-22 €)
• Authentic historical reference
• Compact format, easy to handle
• The edition that many old tarologists still use

Weaknesses:

• Minimalist booklet (requires a complementary book)
• Colors a little duller than the restored Camoin version
• Rougher iconography for first glances

For whom: tight budget, or you want the authentic Marseille with a less guided approach.

No. 3 — Marteau Tarot de Marseille

In a sentence: an "intermediate" alternative between Camoin and Conver, pedagogical and accessible.

Why we love it at AURÆN: Paul Marteau's tarot (late 19th-century edition and recent reprints) is another classic version of the Marseille, less stylized than Camoin-Jodorowsky, more modern than Conver. A good compromise for those who hesitate between the previous two.

Strengths:

• Vibrant and legible colors
• Clear booklet
• Average price (20-28 €)

Weaknesses:

• Less restoration than Camoin (the lines are less faithful to the originals)
• Less authentic than Conver
• Less abundant complementary literature

For whom: you are looking for an accessible modern Marseille without going as far as the Camoin investment.

No. 4 — Rider-Waite Tarot (Waite-Smith)

In a sentence: the Anglo-Saxon reference, and the best entry point if you want narrative scenes on the minor arcana.

Why we love it at AURÆN: published in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith, the Rider-Waite is the best-selling tarot in the world. Its particularity: each minor arcana is illustrated by a narrative scene (the Five of Swords shows betrayal, the Three of Cups a celebration, etc.). This makes learning the 56 minors much more intuitive than on the Marseille (where the minors are just geometric arrangements of symbols).

Strengths:

• Narrative scenes on the 56 minor arcana (intuitive learning)
• Widely available, accessible price
• Abundant global literature (mostly English)

Weaknesses:

• Anglo-Saxon tradition, original booklet in English
• Victorian iconography that can seem dated
• If you practice in French, you miss out on some of the French-speaking richness of the Marseille

For whom: you practice in English, or you want to learn the minor arcana without hassle.

No. 5 — Thoth Tarot (Crowley-Harris)

In a sentence: advanced hermetic tarot, to be reserved until you have a few months of practice.

Why we mention it: often requested. The Thoth Tarot, designed by Lady Frieda Harris under the direction of Aleister Crowley in the 1940s, is a symbolic masterpiece that integrates Kabbalah, alchemy, and astrology into its iconography. Beautiful, but not suitable for a true beginner: the symbolic richness requires months to even partially understand.

Strengths:

• Iconography of exceptional plastic beauty
• Extraordinary symbolic depth (Kabbalah, astrology, alchemy)
• For those who already practice Marseille or Rider-Waite, it's a door to deeper study

Weaknesses:

• Much too dense for a true beginner
• Specialized esoteric vocabulary (requires background knowledge)
• Icons sometimes confusing (arcana have different names: Death becomes "Transformation," etc.)

For whom: you have been practicing for 6+ months and want the next step.

Which tarot to choose according to your profile

If you are a complete beginner

First choice: Camoin-Jodorowsky. The pedagogical booklet is the best on the market, the restored iconography is immediately legible, and you will have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge with the Camoin training if you want to move to the next level.

If your budget is very tight

Conver-Grimaud. At €18-22, it's a very modest investment for an authentic deck. Supplement with a reference book (Alejandro Jodorowsky, La voie du tarot; Florence Patry, Tarot de Marseille pas à pas).

If you primarily practice in English

Rider-Waite. The global literature is vast, and the narrative scenes on the minors facilitate learning.

If you want to learn the minor arcana easily

Rider-Waite again, for the same reason.

If you already practice and are looking for a second deck

Depending on what you already practice:

• You practice Marseille (Camoin) → go for Rider-Waite (another complementary tradition) or Thoth (esoteric deepening)
• You practice Rider-Waite → go for Marseille (Camoin or Marteau) for the French-speaking tradition

5 mistakes to avoid when buying your first tarot

1. Buying the cheapest one to "test"

A €5 deck is actually more expensive: it wears out quickly, the printing is mediocre, the booklet is non-existent. You will abandon it and buy another. It's better to invest €18-25 from the start.

2. Choosing a too personal or stylized tarot

"Cat Tarot," "Witch Tarot," "Celebrity Tarot": very cute, but the iconography deviates so much from traditional codes that you learn a private dialect rather than the common grammar. For beginners, stick to recognized traditions.

3. Buying without holding the deck in hand

Visual attraction matters. If possible, go to an esoteric shop to see and touch before buying online. Otherwise, look at detailed photos of the cards (not just the box).

4. Immediately wanting a "beautiful" collector's tarot

A limited edition or collector's tarot at €80 is no more effective for learning. Save that for a gift to yourself in two years, when you really know what you're looking for.

5. Believing that the legend of the "gifted tarot" forbids purchase

You can buy your own tarot, it's even recommended. The myth of the "tarot must be gifted to work" is a modern legend with no traditional basis.

AURÆN Transparency Note

AURÆN publishes digital products (calendars, ebooks, printable kits) and jewelry and sacred objects. We do not manufacture tarot decks. This article therefore does not promote an AURÆN product — it is based on recommendations circulating in European tarology schools and on an honest evaluation of the editions currently available in France.

The tarot and oracle decks we offer (selections of solid third-party editions) are gathered in the tarot collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most used tarot in France?

The Tarot de Marseille in all its variants (Camoin, Conver, Marteau) remains the dominant school in France. The Rider-Waite is consulted but remains secondary in classic French-speaking tarological culture.

How long does a tarot deck last?

With daily use (daily draw) and normal care (protective pouch, clean handling), a quality tarot deck lasts 10 to 20 years. Signs of wear are part of the practice — experienced tarologists' old tarots are often worn at the corners, which is considered a sign of authentic practice.

Should you "purify" your tarot before the first use?

Not mandatory. Some traditions recommend passing the deck through incense smoke (sage, palo santo) or placing it on an amethyst or a rock crystal for a night. This is a symbolic ritual of appropriation, not an obligation.

Tarot or oracle to really start?

If you want to get into cartomancy gently without investing in a long learning process, the oracle is more accessible. If you want a lifelong tool for fundamental decisions, the tarot. See the complete guide on the difference between tarot and oracle.

Which tarot to choose if I am attracted to the sacred feminine?

Several contemporary tarots fit into this movement: Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans, Modern Witch Tarot, Tarot of the Divine Feminine. Beautiful but deviate from canonical traditions. AURÆN advice: start with a classic Marseille (Camoin), then add a sacred feminine tarot to your practice after 6-12 months for the "inspiring" layer.

The right tarot is the one you will actually take out of the box tomorrow morning.
Not the prettiest in the display case.
The one that will reach out to you when you ask yourself a question.

Tarot is a symbolic reflection tool. It does not replace therapeutic follow-up, medical advice, or assumed personal decisions.

Written by the AURÆN team.
AURÆN is a French house that creates spiritual companions — lunar calendars, ebooks, printable kits, jewelry, and sacred objects. Our content is based on European esoteric traditions, classical lithotherapy, and Western astrology, without claiming scientific truth. For any questions about sources and practices, contact us.
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