This was an unexpected surprise topic, and it’s been a fun one to consider in depth (thanks to Imogen of Sapling Tarot). I’ve learned a lot from collecting tarot and wanted to share more of my thoughts in a blog post (because a 53 minute video just wasn’t enough!). Most of all, I just want this information to be helpful, in some way. You may not agree with every aspect of my perspective, but I am glad that this conversation is happening so that we can all learn from each other.
Here’s the YouTube playlist with all the responses to this tag I could find.
In their introduction, Imogen talks about feelings of shame, defensiveness, and pride, when it comes to discussing our tarot collections. I want to touch on these and add joy and fulfillment, too.
Prompts:
1. How long have you been collecting decks?
I’ve been collecting almost from the time I started learning tarot in 2020. I was out of work, having sold a business, and had about a 6 month period where I was unemployed. I needed something to focus my mind and enrich myself; tarot was that. I didn’t intend to become a collector, didn’t even know that more than the Waite Smith deck existed at first, but I soon found TarotTube, and deck reviews and walkthroughs. This was helpful for someone living in a rural area, without a metaphysical shop nearby.
But the ease of purchasing online and the influence of watching a lot of other people gushing over decks or celebrating their latest hauls is a two-edged sword. Compounded with that, starting my own channel made me feel like I needed to create new content constantly, and deck walkthroughs are some of the easiest content to make and perform well. This had me chasing a lot of different goals and buying a lot of things that I ultimately didn’t want. I used to buy decks and other tarot-related items just to be able to talk about them on the channel. Now I’ve realized I can just use a screenshot instead.
2. What kind of collection do you have? (Minimal, utilitarian, aesthetic, historical, etc.)
My collection has gone through many iterations, and for a while it was looking more like a museum of specific styles of tarot. I went through phases and interests, collecting intensively in specific categories, then moving on. After re-evaluating my personal goals for working with tarot and having any kind of collection, I’ve scaled it back. Now I would say it is an intentional cross-section spanning cartomantic history and modern styles. I aim for a “best representative example” rather than focusing on one specific time period or style. There’s a split between utilitarian and collector items, though I can, and do, read with most of my collection. The collection includes a mix of time periods, aesthetics, and moods, all to my own taste. I don’t own any classic or historic decks that I don’t enjoy the look of.
3. Are you a “completionist”?
Not generally. For a while, I went down this road and realized how unsatisfying it was. I decided I wanted to have a “best representative example” instead, which is its own kind of completion. I also accidentally end up “completing” in the sense of having deck-related swag for a few specific publications. For example, for The Fifth Spirit Tarot by Charlie Clair Burgess, I have the deck itself, the larger guidebook, a matching spread cloth, post card, book mark, and wallet case. For the Heironymous Bosch Tarot, I traded for an independently printed first edition that came with a bag, spread cloth, enamel pin, and matching face mask (it was produced in 2020).
4. How do you store / organize your collection?
I started with a bookshelf but found the shelves too deep and low – I couldn’t see what I had. My partner graciously built me some very shallow shelves that sit on top of the bookcase, so now I can display the card packs like little books with the spines showing. I like being able to see everything at once. It keeps me honest, and keeps me from wanting new and shiny things all the time. I also have a small purgatory / to-sell shelf in a nearby closet.
5. What is your favorite thing about your collection?
I am proud of how well I’ve managed to curate my collection over six years. What started out as a grab-bag of anything that caught my eye is now much more carefully considered. I don’t have very many decks that are similar to each other – each one has its own function, style, symbolism, or historic relevance. Having access to a wide variety of art to suit any question, mood, or person I might want to read for is a luxury. Over time, discovering that cross-section idea has been rewarding, and I especially love that many decks tick multiple boxes. For example, the Tarot of Mystical Moments has imagery influenced by Victorian children’s books, Art Deco, and Steampunk. I get to have this single deck instead of feeling compelled to buy one for each of those styles.
6. What is your least favourite thing about, or something to improve, your collection?
I do have some decks I don’t read with. I’m not sure if it’s a “problem” but occasionally I wonder why I have them.
7. What is the biggest category of your collection?
Tarot: 73 decks
Within this are historic decks in the Marseilles and Italian patterns, Rider Waite Smith classics and clones, as well as several that nod to RWS but have very different imagery. I also have a little group of continental decks that don’t fit either the common historic or modern RWS symbolism, but do their own thing (Cosmic Tarot and Crystal Tarot are examples). And I have four Marseilles + playing card hybrid decks. I have no Thoth-influenced decks that I’m aware of.
8. What is the smallest category of your collection?
Oracle: 7 decks. I prefer oracles that are simple and image-oriented with minimal or no text.
Playing Cards: 6 decks, a mix of historic and modern styles.
Lenormand: I just recently found some inspiration to study Lenormand this year. I have 2 decks to learn with.
9. Do you have a “holy grail” in your collection? Favorite / best? The one you’d save?
My own grails include the Llewellyn production of the Gaian Tarot; the University Books Pamela Coleman Smith / Arthur Edward Waite Tarot from 1960, the first full-color RWS to be printed in the U.S.; and UTarot 2022, an oddball promotional deck designed for the board of a medical engineering company, with art by Ralph Steadman (you may know his work from the illustrations for the book Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas). Grails for others might include some of the OOP historic decks and Japanese tarot.
10. Do you ever wish your collection was bigger, smaller, or is it complete?
I’d like my collection to be smaller but I’m not sure that’s possible with the cross-sectional nature of it. When I reassessed at the end of 2023 I was really pleased with how it had evolved. In 2024 I only bought one deck – not as part of an intentional low-buy year, I just felt sated and didn’t want anything else. I’ll probably always collect and see a bit of change, but I want this to be a slow and carefully-considered process.
11. How often do you declutter your collection?
When I was deep into collecting (2021 and 2022) it may have been every quarter or so. Eventually, I tried to get off the binge / purge cycle I found myself in. A lot of channels seem to continually promote this behavior and I find it to be unhealthy for me to watch. Now I give myself a very long purgatory period, which may not be long enough. I regret selling my cheap facsimile of the now-OOP mass-produced Tarocchi Perrin, but that’s how it goes sometimes.
12. Do you ever get envious seeing other people’s collections?
I used to, but not so much now. I find I can generally talk myself out of a lack/wanting mindset and just experience vicarious joy when I see others enjoying their collections. Instead, I can ask: “What deck in my collection serves that purpose?” and generally point to something I like even better than what is being shown.
13. Who on YouTube has the best collection video(s)?
I’m not watching this type of content very much, but I think Juli (Peekaboo Rose) and Kati (Moonflower Moments) and Robyn (Robyn’s Reflections) talk about their collections in a thoughtful way and have good photography.
14. What’s some advice you’d give to a future/new deck collector?
Motivations for Collecting
You will lose money collecting decks. Just know this going in to the process, or as you find yourself drawn to amass more and hunt for rare or out-of-print items. If I could go back in time, I’d have told myself to make a wishlist, then buy 5-10, then spend a good amount of time (at least a year) using them, start figuring out what you like, what you actually want. At the end of that year, figure out why you want a collection, what you hope to get out of that and what you want to collect. In other words, is this just going to be a “big pile of stuff I like” (which is fine if it brings you joy) or do you want to consider your resources (money, time for reviewing and shopping, space for storage) and think about specific categories or styles to focus on?
Try not to get sucked into popular / FOMO cycles. There will always be more decks coming out. There will always be a better deal, a first edition, a more complete set. In particular, Lisa Papez had good advice on collecting rare, OOP decks: if it were republished tomorrow, would you still be happy that you spent $$$ to find a copy? In the video I use the Blood Moon Tarot as an example. Originally this deck came out on Kickstarter; there was buzz and some varying reactions when it was finally sent to backers. I didn’t like the look of it at first. I gave it another look a few months later, and it went on the “had to have” list, but I didn’t want to overpay for a second-hand copy. I wasn’t sure I’d ever find one, and had to be OK about that. Someone traded me for theirs, and I enjoyed working with it but didn’t like the card stock so didn’t use it as much as I’d been expecting. Then recently, U.S.Games published a reformatted version of the deck, borderless and with larger cards. It’s even better than the original. I’m so glad I didn’t overpay for a first edition.
As I’ve said, having a TarotTube channel can be an additional temptation trap. Think about your goals for starting a channel, and stick with them. Don’t get sucked into doing reviews and walkthroughs if that’s not your goal. Find ways to use the collection you have rather than buying to make content.
Shopping Tips
Beware of counterfeit decks! The markets are flooded with them and you’ll find them on all sites: new listings, used trade groups, eBay, Etsy, even in retail stores (I was once compelled to point out to a local retailer that she was selling counterfeit decks – she said “I just got these from my regular distributor”). There are ways to spot fakes. QR codes on the outside of the box are a dead giveaway. Weird alignment, fonts, over-saturation, and missing or extra markings on the packaging and cards are other indicators. If you’re not sure, and especially if the price seems “too good to be true” pass it up.
Trading is a great way to get hold of OOP decks or swap low-price MM decks that aren’t worth anything on the used market. As of a few years ago, most trade groups were on Facebook Marketplace. I’m not sure where those have gone or if they’re still on Facebook because I closed my account.
Sometimes big collectors or estates will sell off rare / OOP items, often listed on their own websites. Knowing other collectors is a good way to get tipped off to these opportunities.
In addition to eBay and Etsy, Goodwill Online can be a good way to find weird and OOP decks in the U.S., but it’s a mixed bag, and you often have to buy an entire group of decks to get the one you’re after. Decide for yourself if you’re willing to pay for more than what you want, and what you’ll do with the extras. I have found that there’s been more interest in Goodwill Online than when I first found it, but there are still good deals to be had.
On eBay, finding decks that are mislabeled, or sold as part of mixed lots can be a good way to find hidden treasure without overpaying. Also, look at “sold” auctions for the title of your target deck to see what people are actually paying – usually much less than listed “buy now” prices. Sometimes you just get lucky – time of year, descriptions, number of days a listing has been active, and pictures can all influence the price of an auction or what a seller is willing to take for an offer.
Online auction sites in other countries, particularly Japan, used to be a secret weapon but with eBay finally opening to the Japanese market in 2023, it seems like things have changed. Still, Mercari, Yahoo! Japan, and Rakuten may be worth checking out.
If you can’t find a recently OOP deck for a price you want to pay, be patient. Publishers and even indy artists change their minds and reprint or sell the rights to be reprinted. Also, lusted-after OOP deck of today will not necessarily be the one that people are talking about in a year; prices on the OOP market fluctuate wildly.
For historic decks, Lo Scarabeo’s Anima Antiqua series is affordable and collectable. These series generally do sell out, even with print runs of 3,000.
When buying new, look for pre-orders / Kickstarters at early bird prices. If it’s a popular title and you don’t like it, you can more easily re-sell within the first year of release. After that people may forget about the deck and lose interest.
Cautionary Tales and Suggestions
I spent HOURS shopping and hunting auctions. The downside of collecting isn’t just about money but time, frustration, and suffering in a “lack” mentality. I’ve started cultivating the “satisficer” mentality that Mixtress Rae talks about. As a check-in, you can ask yourself: How do you feel when you’re window shopping, when you’re making wishlists, when you’re clicking “buy now”? Check in with your mind and body. Is collecting making you happy and calm, or anxious and miserable? Don’t conflate excitement with happiness, satisfaction, contentment; excitement is fleeting and leads us down a road of repeating behavior. Satisfaction and appreciation for what we have stabilizes our long-term happiness.
You can set a limit on your collection if you want to, if it helps you feel better and more content. This can be in the form of a number in total, or limits on specific types of decks. My own limit is based on storage and display space: if it doesn’t fit, I’ve got to skip it or let go of something else.
Don’t be quick to get rid of things. Emmay the Grey mentions this, too. You might acquire something new and then not click with it immediately because it may not be that deck’s “time”. You might discover something about the deck, your reading style, or your preferences, or yourself later that changes your understanding or ability to use that deck. You acquired the deck for a reason (unless it was a surprise gift) so give it a nice long chance to hang out and get to know each other. I have sold or traded and then reacquired 2 decks and regretted selling 1 recently; I’ve also come around on a few decks I didn’t think I liked, including:
Mamanmyuki Tarot – My mom tried to give me a copy of this Conver redraw when she bought hers four years ago; I glanced at it and passed it over. Then a few weeks ago I was looking through her collection and remembered it; fortunately she still had her extra copy. I can now appreciate the gentle faces and the rich colors of this historic-inspired tarot.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot – This was early on in the Insight Editions IP series of themed tarots. It’s a story I adore (Disney making a movie about the dangers of cultural appropriation is a killer mood), and I know the soundtrack backwards and forwards. What I didn’t appreciate at first was the way the scenes on the cards appeared misaligned with classic interpretations. I assumed the card scenes had been chosen hastily on about 10 of the cards, and it bugged me. So I did a quick and somewhat negative review for YouTube, then gave my copy away. A week or so later, someone left a detailed comment on my video, explaining how the cards actually did interpret the story well, and drawing my attention to details I’d missed. I regretted getting rid of this deck, and fortunately managed to trade for another copy.
Antique Anatomy – I went back and forth for 2 years on this, never quite ready to commit to a purchase. Then a friend gave it to me. In-person, it’s even more beautiful than on screen, and after reading with it at an event (where it was the most popular choice among querents) I came to appreciate the imagery and symbolism very much. I would not have made these discoveries if I’d bought the deck for myself; having a gift from a dear friend made me want to really give it a chance, and reading for others enhanced my appreciation of it.
Tarot of Cat People – I picked up a vintage copy because the artwork is cool and a peer group were reading the expanded guidebook together, which was a fun social project. Even after studying the guidebook, I still find the deck cold and hard to read with, but the artwork is beautiful and unique, and I don’t want to regret letting it go prematurely, so I’m hanging on to my copy for a while.
You’ll go through cycles of collecting and not – it’s ok to rest, to miss out. After frantically building up a big collection, then pairing it back, I bought 1 tarot deck in 2024 and 1 in 2025. Both had been on my wishlist for a very long time. I missed out on some beautiful decks, and that’s ok. Sometimes something better comes along. Now I have an attitude of skepticism when I see new decks coming out. Do I really want this? Why?
To support periods of not collecting, take breaks from watching reviews and deck parades on TarotTube, receiving Kickstarter alerts, etc. If you enjoy reading, spend time doing readings, deep studies, taking classes, working through a whole workbook or card-by-card journal prompt list. On social media you can participate in some of the social hashtags that aren’t about buying, like DROPM78 or Tarot Advent. Remind yourself that shopping and reading are two different activities, and making videos is also a separate activity.
As Emmay says, think about your motivations for buying from a lot of angles, learn what’s important to you, and learn from your mistakes. What do you really enjoy. Why? What about that particular deck or artist makes reading effective and fun?
By self-examining like this, I’ve learned my own likes and dislikes: card stock and shuffle-ability are VERY important. If I have a strong aversion to even one card in a deck, I won’t use it. Though there are exceptions, I generally like people in my decks, and I prefer them to be active, not sitting or staring straight at me. I’m not an animal deck person. It took me years to figure out that I can’t do myth & legend decks, or other heavily themed decks, if I don’t already know the myths or themes inside and out. I have no motivation to learn about non-tarot subjects through the tarot. When I see a deck with the characteristics I don’t prefer, I rejoice! I can avoid temptation while enjoying someone else’s love of that thing.
Once you have a sense of your own likes, dislikes, and collecting priorities, take time to carefully evaluate new decks coming out. Here are some personal examples coming up from Lo Scarabeo:
Jane Austen Tarot (February 2026)
Pros: I have been interested in owning a “literary” deck for a while – could this be the one? I love the author, and I’m very familiar with her novels and all the minor characters. I wouldn’t have to learn the stories. Lo Scarabeo has high production value and reasonable prices. I watched a walkthrough and like the borderless card design.
Cons: I’m not sure if I understand or agree with all the associations. Will it bother me that the minor suits mix up characters from different novels rather than sticking with one story? The art style is a bit saccharine for my taste; it reminds me of Victorian children’s books.
Chromatica Tarot (June 2026)
Pros: I got very excited when I first saw the preview for this while searching for something else on Llewellyn’s website. It seems to be a very cool rendition of tarot in a Bauhaus, graphic style and I love the color palette and symbolism on the few cards that I’ve seen.
Cons: I like the sample cards but they’re all triumphs, and the deck description says it’s RWS-leaning. I’m not sure I’ll like illustrated pips in this style; I’d prefer the artist create Italian or Marseillse pattern pips instead, I find minimalist RWS decks difficult to read because the lack of imagery can be either boring or opaque. I’ll have to see a full walkthrough of this deck and and give it some more thought.
I hope my perspective is helpful, whether you’ve been collecting for a while or you find yourself being drawn into it more recently. Ultimately, I do think we could all get along fine with about 5 decks, but it’s fun to have a variety to work with and find inspiration from. I’d love to know how you view your own collection and your motivations for tending and refining it.
