Been wanting Golden Thread Tarot forever… that minimal gold-on-black look is perfect for new moon work. But the price? Ouch. Could literally buy three other decks for what they’re charging for simple gold printing on plastic cards. So I put it off every time I came to choose another deck.
Caved last month during the waxing crescent (felt right for a new deck). Okay, they’re worth it. The cards have weight to them, and that gold catches candlelight during evening readings like nothing else. Sometimes you’re paying for the vibe, not just cardstock. Anyone else think Golden Thread Tarot lives up to the hype or did I just drink the Kool-Aid?
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Honestly? I would go for this one instead, it’s cheaper and has holographic cards. I’ve never really understood the appeal of the original “golden Tarot” if it’s just some old-school artwork and yellow cards.
This is also original RWS but… better. Much better.
I started teaching my sister tarot last month, and the Golden Thread app has really helped her out. The guided readings feature is great for understanding card meanings without feeling overwhelmed. She enjoys tracking her daily card pulls in the app to notice patterns in her emotions over time. It seems to have boosted her intuition faster than when I learned using just books.
The deck is beautiful (though I guess that is personal preference), but the app’s learning tools make it less daunting for beginners. My niece watched us with the shimmering gold cards and is already curious about learning too.
There’s actually a couple of decks now calling themselves the “golden” Tarot but the original is images like this:
I believe what most people think when they think golden cards these days is more something like this with gold foil:
Hey, just a heads up about the Golden Thread deck…
It’s pretty minimalist compared to traditional decks. You might have a harder time with the Celtic Cross spread as a beginner since there aren’t as many visual cues to work with. I’d suggest starting with three-card spreads instead. The deck’s simple design works better when you’re not trying to juggle ten cards at once.
Once you get comfortable with smaller spreads, then maybe try the Celtic Cross. But honestly, some people never click with this deck for complex readings.
I’ve been using Golden Thread’s plastic cards for about a year now.
The environmental aspect bothered me at first, but they last forever compared to paper decks. The cleaning thing is nice too, spilled wine on mine during a reading last week and just wiped it off. Try that with paper cards.
I’ve tried their app version before getting the physical cards. I’m pretty picky about decks and wanted to make sure I’d actually use it before spending the money.
The minimalist design really does strip away distractions. When I use Golden Thread, the messages come through clearly without all the visual clutter getting in the way.
I had a reading yesterday that stood out and because there’s no color, you have to rely more on what you feel from the cards instead of what you see. It makes you work differently with them. Something about you getting this deck during the waxing crescent seems big. Maybe there’s some deeper work coming up for you.
Labyrinthos has made something special with this deck, and Tina Gong’s art really captures ancient wisdom in a modern way. It’s also super photogenic, making it perfect for Instagram (if that’s what you’re after). Every card spread is like its own little piece of art.
Look, my most expensive deck was $70 for the base edition. I’ve ended up getting two plus some bonuses for $140 on Kickstarter, then dropped another $40 on expansion packs to complete the collection from the guidebook.
The weird part is how people will spend $7 on coffee every day without thinking twice, but then spend months debating whether a $60 tarot deck is worth it. That’s literally just 8-9 coffees.
I mean, a deck you’ll use for years versus your daily caffeine fix? Our priorities are kind of backwards. Most of us probably have that much in unused gift cards or loose change in our cars anyway. If a deck is calling to you, just get it.
The gold-on-black aesthetic reminds me of the Visconti-Sforza deck from 15th-century Milan.
The way they used gold leaf wasn’t just decorative; it made readings feel special. The same thing with my Golden Thread deck during last week’s full moon reading. That metallic shimmer helps me reach that intuitive zone faster than my paper decks.
It seems like those Renaissance folks knew that precious materials could really help the practice.
I got this deck when it first came out and use it all the time now. When you find one that just works for you, it makes such a difference.
I love the art style, especially how the gold catches the light. The simple design keeps me focused instead of getting distracted by busy artwork.
Two years in, and they’re still in great shape. I just handle them carefully. They feel good to work with, too, neither too thick nor too thin. If you’re on the fence, maybe try the app version first? Golden Thread and Labyrinthos both have it. That way you can see if you like the imagery before spending money on the physical deck.
I tried their app first and kept getting reversals and heavy cards every single day, like the digital version was just negative for no reason. Nothing like what was actually happening in my life.
The physical deck has been way different for me. More balanced readings, and I do like the gold edges when I’m handling the cards. If you can’t decide, you could download the free app to check out the artwork first. But don’t judge the physical deck by the app, they’re not the same at all.
Yeah the gold on black is pretty striking. Started working with it recently and noticed how the colors work together, the contrast reminds me of sun and shadow. I’ve been getting clearer reads with it, especially in candlelight, like you said.
Did some winter solstice spreads and they felt more focused than usual. The black gives it that mysterious Saturn vibe and the gold keeps things grounded somehow.
I’ve been experimenting with using my Golden Thread deck specifically for shadow work during the dark moon phase, and the way that black background literally swallows the light, except for those gold lines, creates this perfect mirror for exploring hidden aspects. The minimal design strips away distractions so you can’t hide from what the cards are revealing, which makes those evening readings you mentioned even more intense! I like being able to read the negative space between the gold lines as part of the interpretation, really good for deep introspective spreads.
I ended up putting a lot of my deck collection into storage after getting the Golden Thread. It quickly became my go-to deck. There’s something about how those gold lines reflect light that makes even a quick morning draw feel special. It’s the only deck I reach for when I need some quick clarity. When a deck makes you forget about the others, you know it was worth the price.
I haven’t worked with that specific deck, but I’m in the same boat as others here. Spent $90 on a deck myself with no regrets, so if you want it, get it.
ust make sure you buy from the creator or publisher directly. I’ve seen too many people end up with counterfeits. The cardstock is usually terrible, the images look faded, and sometimes cards are missing. Such a letdown when you’re excited about a new deck. If you can find the authentic one, it’s worth it.
But trust your gut on this.
Yeah, I don’t know about the old one with the same name but using the modern versions with the actual gold foil or holographic images is really good for readings on social media.
Quick note if you’re planning to use these for group readings, the cards hold up well but that gold detailing needs some care. I’ve noticed with mine that too much humidity or leaving them in direct sun can make the gold parts look a bit dull over time.
Maybe grab a protective pouch? I just store mine somewhere cool and dry. Nothing fancy, but it keeps them looking nice when I bring them out for readings.
