Hey everyone, I’ve been expanding my collection lately and wondering what unique decks you all are working with these days? My collection is really growing, so I’m looking for some unique ones that we haven’t all seen 100 times before. I got both of the mermaid tarot decks that were posted yesterday (can’t wait for them to arrive), but I’m really into having decks that suit the kind of reading I’m doing.
I started with just a basic starter deck, but recently got into some really artistic ones like the Wild Unknown and the Mystic Mondays. The artwork totally changes how I connect with the cards. I know some people think yes/no readings are too simplistic, but honestly, I find they work amazingly well with any deck, especially the more abstract artistic ones, where the imagery can give you that instant gut feeling for your answer.
The most unusual one I’ve come across was a holographic deck at a local shop that literally sparkled different colors depending on the angle. Has anyone else seen decks with special printing techniques like that? I’m particularly interested in decks that break away from traditional RWS imagery but still maintain that intuitive readability. Would love to hear about any hidden gems in your collections or decks on your wishlist that really stand out from the crowd!
Ooooh great question! Personal choice (and the decks you resonate with) will come into this, but there are so many weird and wonderful unique decks you can add to your collection.
Personally I like ones that have a proper focus on the Tarot and don’t just try to use a popular design to sell in the shop, but there are some middle grounds.
Hermetic is an odd one (literally), but it’s not weird for the sake of being weird. It’s a unique deck and it can be hard to read because of that. It comes with a booklet, but I would call it one of the more… unique decks for experienced readers.
‘Unique’ is pretty subjective, it’s like asking for the best Marvel movie without specifying if you’re Team Cap or Team Iron Man! Could you narrow it down to a specific style or theme you’re drawn to? I mean, what counts as unique really depends on your perspective.
Probably if you want something unique then you’re looking at Oracle cards since they have some extra flexibility in design but if you want the traidtional cards with a different style these are pretty surreal looking:
The Zombie Tarot might be delightfully bizarre to some, while others find the Housewives Tarot hilariously odd, and then there’s stuff like the Pizza Tarot that’s just pure quirky fun.
Just a tiny heads up, some of those specialty printed decks cost about as much as a small car payment. But hey, who needs groceries when you have holographic cards, right?
I’ve been diving into indie creator decks lately, and the creativity is mind-blowing. There’s this video showcasing small-batch decks from Etsy artists that really showed me how unique themes like fungi, insects, or even coffee can create surprisingly deep reading experiences that mainstream publishers would never touch.
I recently discovered IL Meneghello’s Italian Renaissance-style decks during last week’s new moon, and the traditional artwork combined with gold foil accents creates this incredible energy that makes even simple yes/no readings feel like consulting with old Italian masters.
Something like this is unique without going to… gummy bears (sorry, but I hate that we have decks like this).
The craftsmanship reminded me why I started exploring heritage reproduction decks, they bring such a different vibe compared to modern holographic ones, especially when the waxing moon amplifies their historical wisdom.
Sweet soul, have you tried circular decks? Pretty cool and unique most people won’t have seen them before.
The Motherpeace Tarot flows like water in your hands, its round cards spinning messages that rectangular decks cannot capture. When you shuffle them, they move between your palms like moon phases, revealing not just upright or reversed, but infinite degrees of meaning. Trust yourself when a deck calls to you, sometimes the most unexpected ones become our deepest teachers.
Oh wow, for unique decks you HAVE to follow indiedeckreview, they showcase the most amazing indie decks I’ve never seen anywhere else! I was going to suggest the gummy bears, but looks like someone beat me to it haha. I’m new to collecting decks as I like to go slow and only ever get a deck that speaks to me personally.
The Parrott Tarot completely surprised me when I first picked it up, those extra mentor cards (82 cards total!) gave me such specific guidance during a career reading that I accurately predicted my friend would get promoted through a mentorship program, which happened exactly two months later.
The correspondences printed right on the cards make intuitive connections jump out immediately, especially when you’re doing quick readings. It’s become my go-to deck when someone needs advice about learning or growth situations because those mentor cards add a whole new dimension that traditional court cards sometimes miss.
I noticed you mentioned your collection is really growing, please remember it’s perfectly okay to pause and deeply connect with the decks you have before adding more.
I’ve seen so many readers feel overwhelmed when they accumulate too quickly. That said, have you considered the Santa Muerte Tarot?
Despite its intense imagery (it’s not as bad as it looks when you first see it), it carries big messages about transformation and healing, though I always recommend cleansing it thoroughly before first use since the energy can be quite heavy.
I recently stumbled into this whole world of vintage-inspired decks, and I fell down the rabbit hole. There’s something about historically-rooted designs like the Mucha Tarot or Pagan Otherworlds that gives readings this ancestral depth you just don’t get with modern minimalist decks. My experience with them anyway.
This has become my go-to for deeper shadow work because those ancient imagery patterns somehow tap into something primal that makes the messages hit differently than contemporary artistic interpretations.
If you want unique but you want a more modern take then my gamer side would suggest this. I don’t know if I’d personally use them in a serious reading but I have them in my collection since day 1.
Why not explore how different cultures bring their own magic to tarot?
You could start by looking into the Japanese Wa Tarot - it beautifully weaves traditional tarot wisdom with Japanese folklore and spiritual elements. This gentle fusion opens a doorway to understanding Japanese cultural narratives in a whole new way. Even just learning about one culturally specific deck can add surprising depth to your understanding of tarot as a whole.
The Celestial Tarot by Kay Steventon taught me that decks can completely reimagine traditional correspondences, instead of following standard astrological associations, it creates its own unique system linking constellations to each card.
It’s a unique style and opens up entirely new layers of meaning. Be cautious when purchasing the authentic U.S. Games version, which comes in a navy blue box with Steventon’s name. A generic knockoff is circulating that lacks the depth and artistry of the original.
what feels wonderfully quirky and intuitive to me, like my Gummy Bear Tarot that makes me smile during readings, might just seem silly to someone else, which is why trusting your own gut feeling when a deck calls to you is so important!
Has anyone else experienced how different decks call to us as the seasons turn, like the Wheel of Fortune spinning through its eternal cycle? when autumn arrives, I’m naturally drawn to grounded decks like the Herbal Tarot, while spring awakens my connection to luminous decks like the Starchild Tarot that practically radiate with fresh energy.
ground yourself between switching unique decks, especially those with intense visual effects or unusual materials. I find that holding a clear quartz for 30 seconds helps reset my energy before moving from a holographic deck to a more traditional one.
I’d be curious about why people collect decks like this. Is it just for the asthetics or does it change how you do the readings?
I’ve started pairing my unique decks with specific herbal teas to deepen the connection! My holographic deck pairs beautifully with lavender tea for clarity readings, while earthy decks like the Herbcrafter’s Tarot work wonderfully with grounding blends like dandelion root. For moon phase readings with my silver-accented deck, I brew mugwort tea beforehand, the combination creates such a dreamy, intuitive atmosphere that my readings flow effortlessly.
Hey! You might want to check out some of the historical tarot decks out there. They’re amazing and quite different from what we usually see today. The Etteilla system is particularly interesting with its own unique symbolism and card meanings.
Also worth exploring is the Minchiate deck, one of the ones I use personally.
Though (fair warning), both of these decks might require a bit of extra research since they diverge from standard tarot structure. If you’ve been doing this a while and you want to add something to your arsenal then go for it, if you’re just getting started then I’d maybe stick with something like the gummy deck. They’ll look cool but not really change what you’re doing with them.
For contemporary options, there are some amazing creators pushing boundaries too. Terra Volatile is one I’ve been working with lately, it actually introduces an entire fifth suit, plus the artwork is stunning. They also include alternate cards you can substitute in, which adds a really cool customizable element.
Edit: Oh, I should mention, if you go the historic route, try to find good companion books or resources since the interpretations can be quite different from modern RWS-based systems!
Edit 2: Another thought, the Terra Volatile deck I mentioned is great for readers who want something fresh but don’t want to completely abandon familiar tarot structures. It builds on tradition rather than replacing it entirely.
The Orbifold Tarot uses sacred geometry instead of traditional imagery, and as the cards revealed during my morning draw, even abstract shapes can speak volumes.
