Honest Comparison

Best Tarot Deck for Beginners

Choosing your first tarot deck is consequential — the deck you start with shapes how you learn the entire system. This comparison covers four frequently recommended options, each evaluated on the criteria that matter most for new readers.

Disclosure: The Tarot of Leela is one of the decks compared here. We've done our best to be honest about both its strengths and limitations.

How we're comparing

Learning curve

How quickly a new reader can form intuitive connections with the imagery

Symbolism clarity

Whether symbols are visible, labelled, and explained somewhere accessible

Companion materials

Built-in or widely available books, apps, and guided resources

RWS compatibility

Whether mainstream beginner content (books, YouTube, courses) applies to this deck

The decks

#1

Rider-Waite-Smith

A.E. Waite & Pamela Colman Smith · 1909 · Hermetic / Golden Dawn

The original fully-illustrated tarot deck and the industry standard. Nearly every learning resource, book, and course references its imagery. If you learn RWS, every subsequent deck becomes easier to read.

Pros for beginners

  • ✓Universal reference point — almost all beginner books use RWS imagery
  • ✓Pictorial scenes on every card (including number cards) make meanings accessible
  • ✓Enormous community, YouTube tutorials, and free resources available

Considerations

  • –Vintage illustration style feels dated to some learners
  • –No companion app or structured digital learning included
  • –Symbolism explained only through books or outside resources
Verdict: The safest beginner choice purely for ecosystem depth. Best paired with a structured course.
#2

Thoth Tarot

Aleister Crowley & Lady Frieda Harris · 1943 / published 1969 · Thelema / Hermetic Kabbalah

A deeply esoteric deck drawing from Kabbalah, astrology, alchemy, and Thelemic philosophy. Abstract geometric paintings by Frieda Harris. The most symbolically dense deck in wide circulation.

Pros for beginners

  • ✓Profound symbolic depth rewards long-term study
  • ✓Astrological and Kabbalistic attributions are explicit on the cards
  • ✓Respected in ceremonial and advanced occult traditions

Considerations

  • –Abstract Minor Arcana — no pictorial scenes, just geometric patterns
  • –Requires prior knowledge of Kabbalah and Hermetic systems to use meaningfully
  • –Not compatible with RWS-based learning materials
Verdict: Not recommended for absolute beginners. Best for readers who already have a foundation and want deeper esoteric study.
#3

Modern Witch Tarot

Lisa Sterle · 2019 · RWS-based / Contemporary

A modern reimagining of the RWS deck by artist Lisa Sterle. The same compositional structure and symbolism as RWS but with diverse, contemporary characters in modern settings.

Pros for beginners

  • ✓RWS-compatible — all standard beginner materials apply directly
  • ✓Diverse representation makes characters more relatable for many readers
  • ✓Fresh visual language that feels accessible rather than archaic

Considerations

  • –Still no dedicated learning app or structured curriculum
  • –Some traditional symbols are updated in ways that can confuse RWS learners
  • –Smaller community than RWS for finding deck-specific guidance
Verdict: A strong choice for beginners who find classic RWS imagery off-putting. Functionally equivalent for learning.
#4

The Tarot of Leela

This deck

Thiago Miglioranzi Moura · 2025 · RWS-based / Sacred Geometry

An independently created RWS-based deck with sacred geometry, sigils, and mandalas layered into every card. Comes with the Leela app — a purpose-built companion with AR card scanning, Leela Academy interactive lessons, a symbolism explorer, and quizzes for all 78 cards.

Pros for beginners

  • ✓RWS-compatible — all standard beginner materials apply
  • ✓Built-in AI app explains every symbol and provides structured lessons for all 78 cards
  • ✓Free interactive academy (Leela Academy) included — quizzes, flashcards, symbolism explorer
  • ✓Physical and digital learning work together through AR card scanning

Considerations

  • –Newer deck with a smaller community than RWS or Modern Witch
  • –Sacred geometry overlays add visual complexity not present in standard RWS
Verdict: Best choice for beginners who want structured, built-in learning alongside the physical deck.
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Quick summary

DeckRWS-compatibleBuilt-in appBeginner-friendly
Rider-Waite-Smith✓ Yes✗ No✓ Yes
Thoth Tarot✗ No✗ No✗ Not recommended
Modern Witch Tarot✓ Yes✗ No✓ Yes
The Tarot of Leela✓ Yes✓ Yes✓ Yes + guided learning

What buyers say about Tarot of Leela as a learning deck

"The deck comes with an AI app to help learn the meaning behind each card." — Lavonne, verified buyer
"The website/app is a fantastic resource and the artwork on the cards is absolutely beautiful." — Rowan, verified buyer
Read all 46 reviews →