Getting to know a new tarot deck

Working with a new, unfamiliar tarot deck is a bit like getting to know a new person. While different cultures have standards of politeness or rituals around introductions, nearly everyone responds well to someone showing an interest in who they are, where they’re from, and what they’re interested in. And really taking the time to chat with someone outside of your usual circles can open up all kinds of new ideas, questions, and pathways to understanding, just as working with a new tarot deck can provide all kinds of alternative interpretations for the cards.

Remember that reading tarot, like learning a language, takes time. And meeting a new tarot deck can open up new possibilities, interpretations, and connections, as every new artist pulls us into their unique vision of the cards. No matter how experienced you are with the tarot, each deck can bring unique insights, and can also challenge us in surprising and delightful ways. If your practice is feeling stagnant or your tarot sessions are leaving you craving more, getting to know a different tarot deck — an activity that Moonlight makes fun and easy to do — can invigorate your practice, and encourage you to see and connect with the cards in brand new ways.

So how do we get to know a new deck? Think about what you do when you’re introduced to a new person: what you need, what you ask, what you feel. Do you shake hands? Are you a hugger? Does eye contact feel comfortable, or uncomfortable? Are you someone that enthusiastically introduces yourself, or do you prefer to let others approach you? Do you ask a lot of questions, or would you rather listen? Do you jump head first into new relationships, or are you someone that loves a slow burn? These same principles can be applied to your tarot decks, and can help you develop a personal routine for working with new decks that feels comfortable and joyful for you. 

Design your own deck interview spread.

For some, tarot spreads provide a very comfortable container for getting to know a new deck. Beth Maiden’s six-card deck interview spread includes positions for strengths and limits, potential lessons, ways to collaborate, and possible outcomes of working together, and is a very relationship-oriented spread that works for tarot and oracle decks. You could also design your own deck interview spread, with more or fewer positions depending on your preferences. Ask the cards questions like: What do you want me to know about you? or What do you like to talk about? Think about questions you might ask a new friend, someone you hope to spend more time with. How can you translate that intention to your new deck? 

Which patterns do you notice in the cards you are drawn to?

For others, engaging with the cards in a less structured way may be more appealing, and more useful. Go through the deck and pull out cards that stand out, cards that intrigue you, cards that scare you, cards that you love, and cards that you don’t always easily connect with. Note any themes in color, texture, shape, design, energy. Which patterns do you notice in the cards you are drawn to, and in those that feel more out of reach? Group cards together by element, suit, number, vibe. What stories might these cards have to tell? What emotions do they provoke? What ideas or inspirations could they offer?

You can also spend time literally talking to your cards. Introduce yourself, and talk about your tarot rituals, your journey, your explorations. Tell the cards what drew you to them, what you love about them, what you want to learn about them. What do you hope to discover about yourself by using this deck? What do you hope that these cards might have to teach you? What might you uncover or create together? How might you evolve alongside this deck?

Think bigger. What kind of music might this deck listen to? When you look at the artwork, when you consider the energy, what rhythms or instruments or melodies come into your mind? Do any lyrics or songs immediately feel like they resonate with this deck? Consider other mediums, characters, stories, images, flavors, scents, textures, places. What else does this deck remind you of? Where do individual cards bring you? Let this deck into your world, and make the effort to step into its world too. What energy does this deck have to offer? How does it make you feel?

Chat with this deck alongside your friends, and see what comes up.

You can also introduce this deck to your friends, and let them get to know one another. Reading in pairs or groups is an amazing way to gain new insights into the cards, ask questions, and make discoveries that you might not have otherwise – and as you get to know a new card set, you may find that your friends and trusted reading companions have a completely different perspective on these cards. Which archetypes are you each drawn to? What do you like about them? Where might this deck challenge everyone in different ways? Chat with this deck alongside your friends, and see what comes up. How might this deck spark unique conversations, discoveries, explorations? What kind of companion will this deck be for you and your reading groups? And if the deck ultimately doesn’t feel like the right fit for you, is there someone in your circle that really vibes with it?

Try a 4-card spread for a new deck.

Have a new deck that you’re itching to try out right now? Grab your cards, shuffle them well, and draw four cards for the following spread. Or, pull up Moonlight and use a deck you haven’t tried before.

I’ve done a short sample reading using this spread to give you an idea of how it works, using the beautiful Gothmancy deck (which is brand new to me).

"Getting To Know A Deck" Spread

Card 1: What is your general vibe or energy?
Card 2: What are your strengths?
Card 3: What are your limits?
Card 4: What should I know about our relationship?

Card 1 — The Devil. Honestly, I laughed when I saw the Devil pop up in this first position. The Devil is a card that is so intensely personal to each reader, one that can be incredibly polarizing — but for me, the Devil in this position tells me that this deck is going to call me on my shit, push me to take some risks, and perhaps encourage me to take a walk on the wild side. This is not a deck to ignore, and these readings are going to pack a punch. But these cards will also be brutally honest with me, and if I’m able to navigate that energy and listen to the wisdom here, this deck can be incredibly helpful in my ongoing work. 

Card 2 — King of Cups. A card I love dearly, the King of Cups is a card of community care, flowing compassion, and not being afraid to take necessary steps towards healing, change, or recovery. This is a deck that will have a lot of space for emotion, even if those feelings are heavy, complex, or murky, and these cards may help me make sense of how I’m feeling.

Card 3 — Nine of Pentacles. While this deck might be comfortable navigating choppy waters or deep dark mysteries of the heart, it might be less good for practical advice when it comes to the more physical, tangible aspects of life. The Nine of Pentacles is a card of stability and support, independence and security, so for me, this is going to be a deck that’s better for tackling internal challenges rather than external issues. 

Card 4 — The Fool. When it comes to working with this deck, I’ll be well-served to approach readings with fresh eyes, to not make assumptions, and to be open to a completely new (and potentially unexpected) journey. The Fool for me is about tapping into desire, being open to possibility, and preparing to step into a new version of self — and in this position, the Fool tells me that when it comes to the Gothmancy deck, to be open to new dreams and be willing to look at things from a fresh, authentic perspective.

Getting to know a new tarot deck takes time, no matter how long you’ve been reading. Be patient as you deepen this relationship, and be sure to give as much as you get, opening yourself up to the deck as you get to know its secrets. What might this deck want to know about you? What can you gift to it? How can you share aspects of yourself, and create an intimate and generous connection with these cards?