Reddit reviews Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot Deck

The Smith-Waite Centennial, the smaller tinned edition. I adore this deck. It consistently amazes and surprises me. I love the muted colors and the faux antique look of the deck. I like the tinned edition because it's smaller (about the size of a standard playing card), which makes it easy to shuffle and handle and easy to use for larger spreads when you don't have a lot of room, which I often don't. It also makes it easier when reading for other people, since I like to have them shuffle the cards a bit before the reading, and a lot of people have trouble shuffling larger cards when they aren't used to it. The metal tin makes it really easy to tote around too. I just wrap a rubber band around it and pop it in my bag without worrying about any damage to the cards. There is also a larger, standard size edition, which I would recommend over the tinned edition if size isn't a factor for you because it makes it easier to enjoy Smith's lovely artwork.

Forgot to add this - my other fave, and one I only use to read for myself at the moment, is the Druidcraft Tarot. Will Worthington's art is so lovely.

I have a copy of the Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot that has a pretty solid stock and is about a centimeter wider than the standard issue RWS. The colors are more subdued, almost like the cards were treated with a tea wash, but I rather like it. Definitely look at some pictures or even watch some videos on YouTube as some people really dislike the change in color. Personally, it's the reason I got the deck in the first place. Also the card backs are a lovely teal-mint color with a white rose (the same as the one adorning the flag of the Death card).

https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Waite-Centennial-Tarot-Games-Systems/dp/1572817623/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?keywords=rider+waite+tarot+deck&qid=1573107039&sprefix=rider+&sr=8-15

I've heard this deck, the Pamela Colman Smith Centennial Deck, is very good quality. You can buy the deck alone, or as a boxed set. Don't buy the version in a tin, it is (allegedly) a smaller deck printed on cheaper cardstock.

This is a reprint of the original Ryder-Waite deck illustrated by Pamela Smith. It is very traditional.

https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Waite-Centennial-Tarot-Games-Systems/dp/1572817623

https://www.amazon.com/Pamela-Colman-Smith-Commemorative-Set/dp/1572816392

You can find Ryder Waite or Ryder Waite Smith decks for next to nothing, but quality of cardstock is usually pretty low on cheap decks. If cost isn't an issue, I recommend either the Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot or the Pamela Colman Smith Commerative Set. These are the same deck, but they are produced by a reputable card maker using higher quality materials.

update: given how many people have shown an interest in tarot from this post, here's a quick rundown *(and I'm by no means an expert so don't hesitate to add or correct me if I'm wrong)*:

one of my friends did a reading on me a few months ago, and I felt more seen in those 10 minutes than I have in years of prayer and priesthood blessings — this is not going to work for everyone but if you're like me and looking for a healthy replacement for Mormonism but not too interested in organized formal religion, it's worth checking out.

for those who know nothing about tarot:

there are normally 78 cards in a deck (basically a 52-card deck but the suits are different, plus each suit has a knight as well making 56, plus 22 major arcana). each card represents a different message, and when you shuffle and arrange the cards in certain ways (called "spreads"), it spells out a story that can be used to tell the future or divine supernatural knowledge (it's believed that shuffling the cards allows supernatural forces to pull out specific cards so you get the message they want you to get), or for me it's just a nice helpful secular meditation practice that I do about once a week or so.

I bought the Smith-Waite deck (link to Amazon), which is very standard and most tarot decks are based on it — but you can get really any deck that appeals to you. they're all the same 78 cards, just different art which helps you look at the messages in the cards in different ways.

I also have Book of Tarot by Danielle Noel, which is a very helpful guide to beginners to tarot. she herself definitely believes in it as a supernatural way to access divine truth, but she also is good about allowing people to take her resource as seriously or casually as they want.

for people who are even more casual about it: the Golden Thread app (on iOS and Android) is a helpful resource, both for helping the reader understand their cards, or also for a digital reading in case the person doesn't have access to a deck.

some of the responders on my post have offered to do readings via internet — I'd rather do so in person, but if you're ever in Provo/Orem area don't hesitate to message me (I'm new to Reddit and not sure how to open my messages) and I'd love to meet up for a in-person tarot reading.