I am wondering whether the Rider and Thoth decks are still the most commonly used for serious Tarot use?

Question

I used the Rider early on. In the Sixties I began using Crowley's Thoth deck. I've never used either deck as entertainment.

Answer 1

I think that the Rider deck is the most used for beginners as a teaching deck. I have one and have used it for years. I have a collection of various decks and most are based on the Rider deck. I have no real experience with the Thot deck. Most other readers that I know deal with the Rider deck or some type of theme deck that is based on the Rider. I also do not use it for entertainment purposes. So my guess would be that the Rider is the most used.

Answer 2

Most card readers begin with Rider-Waite Tarot.

I think this is because the Rider-Waite Tarot is a classic Tarot deck, perhaps the most well-known in the Western world.

It's easy to get a copy, even most mainstream bookstores sell them, and many guides for it have been written.

I'd guess that after about a year, or sooner, readers either stick with it, or move on. Haindl is also a popular deck, since it has symbols from many religions, and philosophies.

In Western Ohio, the Witches' Tarot is pretty popular in most of the occult / pagan book stores.

I've also seen a do it yourself / make your own tarot book.

And I want to also say that I don't know quite what you mean by "Serious" Tarot reader. Perhaps you mean Professional? Not party game / parlor entertainment?

Answer 3

I use the Rider-Waite deck. I have never even heard of the Thoth deck.