🧭 The Myth
“Real tarot readers use the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.” “If you use anything else, you’re doing it wrong.” “It’s the only valid system.”
🕵️♀️ Where It Came From
Historical dominance: RWS became the default thanks to mass printing and guidebook saturation.
Teaching convenience: Most beginner resources are RWS-based, so it’s often the first deck people meet.
Cultural inertia: Once something’s everywhere, it starts to feel like law.
💡 The Reality
The RWS is influential - not mandatory. It’s like vanilla ice cream: foundational, familiar, and a base for a million variations. But you’re absolutely allowed to prefer chocolate, rainbow ripple, or something with glitter and emotionally unstable unicorns.
🍦 Tarot Comes in Many Flavours
Thoth
Marseille
Pixel art decks
Cat decks
Video game decks
Soft watercolours, bold Afro-futurism, shadowy gothic vibes…
If it speaks to you, it works.
🧭 Yes, RWS Is a Good Starting Point
It’s well-documented
Most modern guidebooks are RWS-based
The symbolism is easy to explore
But “good starting point” doesn’t mean “only valid option.” Some readers never touch RWS again. Others treat it like a nostalgic old friend. You get to choose.
👀 What Should You Use?
A deck you connect with
One you’re curious about
One that doesn’t make you go, “ugh, why are all the court cards white men in hats?”
Use what works. Change it later. Or don’t. Tarot is a tool, not a religion. You don’t need a licence - just a little spark.
🧠 Reader Prompts
What was your first deck?
Have you ever ditched RWS for something wilder?
What deck makes you feel seen?
✨ Final Thought
The “right” deck is the one you’ll actually pick up and read with. Whether it’s RWS, Cat Tarot, or a collage of memes and moonlight - if it makes sense to you, you’re doing it right.
