First Tarot deck

[Azath]

Hello!
I am about to buy my first Tarot deck. I am considering this purchase very deeply and have some questions. Firstly, what can Tarot give me? I have heard about reading Tarot in order to get some advice or an overview on the situation, as well as psychological image of myself or others. Are these common reasons for practiciong Tarot? I am asking this because, when thinking of the Tarot, I target on this kind of reading. Moreover I would also like to develop spiritually using Tarot.
The next question is which Tarot to choose? I am considering mostly Rider-Waite deck or Thoth Tarot. Which one would you recommend? I am also totally open to other suggestions.
As far as my occultistic interests go, I find Thelema as the path I will probably follow, however I still remain open due to my small knowledge. There are many disciplines, such as sigil magick, Goetia and Enochian Magick I want to embrace.
As the question about the deck goes, I would also like to ask about the book, which may be helpful for me. What could you suggest?

[Desecrated]

Firstly, what can Tarot give me?

Understanding and confusion.

I have heard about reading Tarot in order to get some advice or an overview on the situation, as well as psychological image of myself or others. Are these common reasons for practiciong Tarot?

Yes, it can be used both for divination and for self studies. Jung used them to get in contact with his own unconsciousness, and many other occult users has picked up on this idea.


I am asking this because, when thinking of the Tarot, I target on this kind of reading. Moreover I would also like to develop spiritually using Tarot.

You can use the cards for communication with the spirit side.


The next question is which Tarot to choose? I am considering mostly Rider-Waite deck or Thoth Tarot. Which one would you recommend?

I'm a big fan of the rider-smith, and a big hater of the Thoth deck, so for me it is a given to get the rider. But there is actually a good reason for it as well. Almost every book and beginners guide, YouTube video and website starts with the rider Waite deck.If you get that one you will have the most available material to your disposal. The Thoth deck is seen as a more advanced deck and you won't see many beginners guides.

If you have to possibility, go and lock at some decks. sometimes you'll find something that just speaks to you and it can be something you didn't even consider buying in the first place. I recently got the Golden universal tarot and I'm loving it. And I usually hate modern decks.



As the question about the deck goes, I would also like to ask about the book, which may be helpful for me. What could you suggest?

Huson - mystical origins of the tarot
Decker and Dummet - A history of the occult
Katz and Goodman - Secrets of the Waite smith
Yoav ben dov - The Open Reading

And if you do decide to go with the rider Waite Smith deck, the big commemorative set comes with two books. Waite's own pictorial key and than a biography about Pixie smith. It's a really good starting point.

[Napoli]

Firstly, what can Tarot give me?

Understanding and confusion.

So true [lol] .

[chowderpope]

I second the Rider-Smith recommendation. The colors are bright, the symbols are apparent, and personally, I find that it speaks to me more than the other decks I own (Thoth and Hermetic)

[Azath]

I have purchased the Magickal Tarot of the Golden Dawn deck. It had caught my attention, after I looked on some decks, due to the artistic front end it had and the whole kabbalistic tradition which I am fond of. There is also a book added, written by Chic and Tabatha Cicero which I have been reading and have found it really interesting and clear, even though memorising the whole tree of life is not that easy, particularly if you have many duties. But thank you for advices. I really fell in love with that deck and hope I will work with it well.

[Urscumug]

I second the Yoav ben Dov open reading for the book (that references his own "tarot de marseille"-like set) but that could be used with any set.

[blindwake]

The one I have is called "Golden Universal Tarot". It's pretty much a rider-smith deck except the cards have a lot of foil. I was thinking about getting a Thoth deck at one point, until I noticed that Crowley has his own special symbols for things, which can make Thoth hard to understand.

[chowderpope]

I'm jealous, I want to check out the Golden Dawn tarot. I'm also interested in the Marseilles deck and the modified Marseilles that Eliphas Levi directed. All interesting stuff but those dang decks are expensive.