Image by Debbie EM from Pixabay
What do you really need to start learning tarot? Are there tarot accessories you absolutely have to have?
The truth: all you NEED is a deck.
That’s non-negotiable for obvious reasons. Though, I will say, I’ve seen some good card readings using a traditional playing deck. It’s not as pretty to look at, and it doesn’t have the Major Arcana or all the cards of the traditional tarot suits.
But this example shows you one true thing: the cards are just a tool. They help you focus your intuition. But learning tarot doesn’t mean you have to buy all the latest accessories or spend a lot of money.
That being said, there are a lot of fantastic tarot accessories you might like to explore. Some of them serve purposes like helping you raise your vibration or keeping negative energies away from your deck. Some are just fun. Today we’re going to dive into the different tarot accessories and why they’re used.
Types of Tarot Accessories
Outside of the tarot deck you choose, there are a few things you can use to connect, raise your energy, and protect your deck:
- Tarot Cloth. A tarot cloth is used to give you a field to lay out the cards. Practically, it protects them from the table (or floor or ground) surface. You can choose colors and designs that mean something spiritually, for example purple is used for psychic work and light blue to connect with the divine.
- Tarot Bag. Often made of velvet or silk, a tarot bag is a great option when you travel with your cards. More importantly, it protects your deck from picking up unwanted energy.
- Tarot Box. I use both a tarot bag and a tarot box for my everyday deck. It gives me a pretty place to store them when I’m not working with them, and it just makes me happy.
- Other Divination Tools. Many card readers use a second divination method to flesh out their readings. I’ve been playing with runes lately, but other tools might include a pendulum or oracle cards.
- Crystals. You can use crystals to meditate before reading, or simply to keep with you to benefit from their properties. Some good options: Clear quartz for purifying and clarity (and one I’d choose to cleanse a deck of residual energy). Amethyst for psychic connection. Amber improves intuition but it’s also good for balance and to remove negative energy. Tiger’s eye or citrine might be great options if you’d like a boost of confidence to trust your intuition.
- Candles. I’m a big fan of candle magic and use it often. You might light your candle before the reading to meditate and give you a focal point to connect. You can use white or a color that corresponds with your intention.
- Incense and Scents. I’ll often use spell candles or scented candles, but incense is nice, too. Patchouli and Sandalwood are both used for psychic work. I favor Dragon’s Blood incense which has protective properties but is also used for meditation, plus it smells amazing.
- Books!!! There are a lot of amazing books on tarot, and I highly recommend reading widely.
What Do You Need to Buy When Learning Tarot?
I’m going to be super-honest. I have a lot of tarot-related things: print books, digital books, multiple tarot decks, a tarot bag, a few boxes, tarot cloths, runes, oracle cards, crystals, candles for miles, oils, incense… you get the idea. Some people like to treat themselves with cute shoes or the latest technology. I splurge on witchy stuff and books.
You don’t need any of these things to read cards. You can buy whatever makes you happy and feels right with your practice.
When I took my first steps on my journey in tarot, I was 15 years old. I started with one deck of cards and the companion book I bought with it. That book became so dog-eared the pages fell out of it every time I picked it up.
I kept the cards in the cardboard box they came in until the box fell apart. And my first tarot bag wasn’t fancy… I cut up a pair of old dress pants and used the material to stitch my first bag.
Today, I love the little extra things that set the atmosphere and have become part of my tradition. They help me get in the head space to connect with my intuition when I read cards. But you don’t NEED those things…
I can, and have, done readings on a plain folding table with nothing but a deck of cards.
Your Tarot Deck and Companion Resources
While I use the Rider-Waite-Smith version when I discuss the cards, I do that because it’s the most widely used. There are loads of free resources on that deck, which makes it a good starting point.
As far as what you need to buy right away, that depends on your budget and wants. You can start with a deck and use free online resources to learn card meanings. If you buy a deck that is not based off the Rider designs, it’s always a good idea to get the companion book and use any resources that come with your deck.
I think you gain a lot from reading different books on tarot. There are all sorts of crossover things you can learn, too. Dip into how tarot correlates to astrology if you like that type of thing. Or learn more about the history of tarot.
Feel free to use our tarot meanings resource page as a quick guide, and we’re adding full posts on individual cards, like The Fool and The Magician. But don’t stop there. Find books that resonate with you and make sure you read multiple resources to start to develop your own feel for what each card means.