The Tarot Decks I Return to Again and Again

The one thing people don't often mention to new Tarot enthusiasts is this: once you begin your Tarot journey, you can quickly become an avid Tarot deck collector. And if this isn't you... I genuinely admire your self-restraint.

Over the course of my thirty-plus years of reading Tarot, I've purchased many decks... and I mean many decks. Just as quickly as I've acquired them, I've also let quite a few go. I'd estimate that somewhere between a quarter and a third of my collection has been released, returned, gifted, or donated over the years.

Sometimes a deck and I simply don't connect. Sometimes a deck's theme is so wonderfully specific—Halloween, Christmas, or another niche—that it doesn't find a regular place in my everyday practice. And on rare occasions, a deck arrives only to let me know I'm merely the courier and its real owner hasn't met it yet. Who knew I was the Tarot version of FedEx?

Every Tarot reader has them.

The decks that rarely stay on the shelf for long. The ones with edges worn smooth from years of shuffling. The ones that settle comfortably into your hands like they've always belonged there. The ones you reach for almost instinctively because they've earned your trust, reading after reading.

While I love exploring new artwork, fresh interpretations, and creative takes on the Tarot, there are a handful of decks I return to time and time again. These aren't necessarily the rarest, the newest, or even the most beautiful decks I own.

They're simply the ones that feel trusted and familiar.

And I'm no different than anyone else when it comes to my top five Comfort Decks... The decks I reach for time again.

Light Seer's Tarot by Chris-Anne

Why I keep coming back...

The Light Seer's Tarot was one of the very first decks I purchased after coming off a Tarot deck spending hiatus. (Yes, even seasoned readers sometimes need to step away from adding another deck to the collection!)

This deck brings a gentle vibrancy to the metaphorical table. It feels like meeting up with that one friend who invites you to go dancing in the rain and reminds you to let go of the worries of the world—even if just for a moment.

Whenever I am reading for a client, this is consistently one of the decks I reach for because it delivers insight in a compassionate and gentle manner while still encouraging honest reflection.

Reads Like...

A gentle, go-with-the-flow mentor.

I reach for this deck when...

I'm looking for a softer energy, compassionate guidance, and answers that invite reflection rather than force a conclusion.

Perfect For...

• Intuitive readers

• Creative readers

• Readers who enjoy modern interpretations of traditional Tarot symbolism

• Those looking for a deck that feels warm and approachable

My Favorite Thing About This Deck...

The figures honor the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition while bringing their own unique individuality and expression. It feels familiar enough to provide a foundation while still offering a fresh perspective.

Radiant Waite Tarot

Why I keep coming back...

There are days when my practice doesn't need a lot of fanfare. Days when I am mentally, emotionally, or spiritually exhausted and I don't need a deck that asks me to dig deeper—I need a deck that reminds me of what I already know.

That is when I reach for the Radiant Waite Tarot.

This deck brings me back to the basics. It reminds me that sometimes, in the whirlwind of living, we can always return to the beginning and walk the path again with fresh eyes.

As you read earlier with the Light Seer's Tarot, I love a vibrantly colored deck, especially because I often use color as one way to interpret the energy and feeling of a reading. The Radiant Waite brings that familiar Rider-Waite-Smith imagery forward with renewed clarity and warmth, allowing me to reconnect with the symbols that built my Tarot foundation.

Reads Like...

A classic Tarot teacher.

I reach for this deck when...

I want familiar Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism without needing to spend extra mental energy decoding the imagery. Sometimes the greatest wisdom comes from returning to the language we already understand.

Perfect For...

• Beginning readers

• Readers returning to the Tarot after time away

• Tarot students learning Rider-Waite-Smith symbolism

• Anyone wanting a refreshed version of a classic tradition

My Favorite Thing About This Deck...

It brings the Rider-Waite-Smith images to life with greater clarity while honoring the original symbolism. It feels familiar without feeling stagnant—a reminder that classic wisdom can continue to shine in new ways.

Rhythm and Soul Tarot

Why I keep coming back...

Having a background in music, I love a Tarot deck that celebrates truly American music like Jazz, Blues, and Rock. There is a sense of nostalgia and down home warmth with Rhythm and Soul Tarot. While many decks can feel esoteric and third-eye opening, this deck delivers grounded and rooted readings. It celebrates Tarot without pretension, reminding us that profound wisdom can often be found in ordinary conversations, shared stories, and lived experience.

Reads Like...

A no-nonsense Tarot auntie.

I reach for this deck when...

I want a reading with no frills or lofty philosophy—just an honest dose of truth, even when it's a hard pill to swallow.

Perfect For...

• Lovers of American musical traditions

• Readers who appreciate direct, practical guidance

• Anyone drawn to the cultural richness and storytelling traditions reflected in the deck

My Favorite Thing About This Deck...

Rhythm and Soul Tarot celebrates the rich legacy of African American culture and its immeasurable contribution to the musical landscape of the United States. Every card feels like an invitation to honor the stories, resilience, creativity, and wisdom that continue to shape American music and culture.

Mermaid's Tarot

Why I keep coming back...

At my very core, I am a water baby. I am a sea enthusiast. I am a landlocked merfolk. I love being near the ocean and all the magic and splendor it shows. Dame Darcy's Mermaid Tarot is a celebration of the sea in the form of old school sailor tattoo art. The Mermaid Tarot also pairs beautifully with the ocean-inspired Oracle decks I often incorporate into my readings, creating a full experience of waves, intuition, and hidden depths.

Reads Like...

A contemplative Tarot guide inviting you into the depths

I reach for this deck when...

I want to reconnect with the mysterious, calming, and powerful energy of the ocean—especially on days when I am seeking deeper truths and trusting the wisdom of my intuition.

Perfect For...

• The Oceanographer or Marine Biologist

• The Ocean Witch

• The Tacky Hawaiian-Shirted Guru

My Favorite Thing About This Deck...

The artwork, hands down, is my favorite thing about this deck. Dame Darcy creates a world that feels both whimsical and deeply layered, delivering beauty, nostalgia, and oceanic mystery all at once.

Everyday Witch Tarot

Why I keep coming back...

I firmly believe that magic is very much alive, but we're so accustomed to looking for big, sparkly moments that we often forget magic happens in the mundaneness of living. The Everyday Witch Tarot is there to remind us of exactly that.

You may have noticed a thread weaving through each of these decks: I tend to gravitate toward vibrant artwork. This deck is no exception.

The Everyday Witch Tarot gives us a glimpse of magical living in the day-to-day—finding the Hierophant in our yoga class, The World while kicking our feet up during a picnic by the sea, and countless reminders that extraordinary moments often hide within ordinary life.

Reads Like...

A whimsical witchy friend

I reach for this deck when...

I need a reminder that magic is constantly being created all around me—and that sometimes the most profound moments are the ones we almost overlook.

Perfect For...

• The Witchy Tarot Reader

• The Magic Believer

• The Embodied Tarot Practitioner

My Favorite Thing About This Deck...

The size of the original deck is one of my favorite features. It's comfortable to hold, easy to shuffle, and travels beautifully—making it a deck I never hesitate to toss into my bag when I'm on the go.

Final Thought

When people ask me what my favorite Tarot deck is, my normal answer is: whatever deck I am working with at the time. It is rarely a simple question to answer.

Like accessorizing an outfit, my Tarot decks all fulfill a role and purpose when I choose them. Some decks invite me into deep reflection and shadow work, like a black diamond necklace. Others invite me into whimsical, colorful exploration, like an AB crystal set of earrings. And still others open my intuition and invite glamorous reflection, like my favorite purple sequin gown.

Perhaps that is what makes a comfort deck. It isn't necessarily the newest release or the flashiest artwork. It is the deck that invites you to come back to the table time and again—whether it has been five days or five weeks—because it is ready to meet you exactly where you are.

If you haven't found your comfort deck yet, don't fret. Keep working, keep shuffling, and keep experimenting. The Tarot deck that is meant to comfort you will find its way into your hands, but you have to be willing to find it in return.

And when you do, you'll know. The cards will feel familiar, and before you know it, you'll be reaching for that deck almost instinctively.

When that happens, you'll know you've found a trusted friend rather than just another Tarot deck.

Question for you: What is your comfort Tarot deck? Leave a comment below, and I will see you next time, magical being.

—Stella B.