What kind of tarot deck would suit a fri
Question
What kind of tarot deck would suit a friend who isn't into anything witchy?
Answer
A Rider–Waite–Smith deck is the right default — the imagery is mostly people, weather and ordinary objects, so nothing in it asks your friend to believe in anything. Most beginners' resistance to tarot is really resistance to the *framing*, not the cards.
| Deck | Why it fits / doesn't |
|---|---|
| Rider–Waite–Smith (any modern edition, e.g. a standard 78-card deck) | The default. Symbolic but explainable, and there are decades of free explanations if a card puzzles them |
| RWS with a plainer look — no gold foil, no zodiac border, matte cardstock | Same cards, less "occult shop" feel; the cheapest fix if the artwork is the sticking point |
| Marseille (classic, 78 cards) | Less symbolism, more plain scenes; reads as "old illustrated cards" rather than mysticism — but nearly no scene detail, so it's a poor first deck |
| Rider–Waite "mini" / pocket size | If it's a conversation object, not a study tool; fine for a single card a day |
| Lenormand, oracle decks, playing-card tarot | Only if they want something lighter — but these are different systems, not "simplified tarot" |
Two things that make it stick for a non-believer: run it as *before / now / what's next* rather than past-present-future (same three cards, different furniture), and let the reading be about their actual question, not about the cards' reputation. No candles, no altar, no incantation needed — if they want that later, that's their choice, not the deck's price of entry.
One caution: they're still the one who decides what they believe about the cards. The reading can describe a worry and the conditions it's under, but it can't tell your friend whether a job, a person or a move will work out — that part needs someone who can see the real document, contract or situation.