The Swiss Deck

Quite possibly, the most widely known deck of the sequential variety is the Swiss Deck. Its vintage woodcut style and French text is familiar to all tarot enthusiasts and readers. It is a very popular starter deck among novices.

Click to see detailed images from the Swiss Deck

Sequential decks abound, many set to certain historic or cultural motifs:

Click to see detailed images from the Chinese Deck Click to see detailed images from the Ukiyoe Deck

The Rider-Waite Deck

The mother of all starter decks (since its inception) remains the symbolic style Rider-Waite. Admittedly, when I read for others with my sequential Prediction Deck, it is the Waite images I will refer to for evaluation of a spread (I'll often look up the card in a book if it's one I have not come across sufficiently to memorise it. Once I see the card itself, I usually put the book down).
Waite-style decks come in all sizes and colour schemes:

Click to see detailed images from the Rider-Waite Deck Click to see detailed images from the Universal Waite Deck

The Rider-Waite deck has even inspired parodies:

Click to see detailed images from the Wonderland Tarot Deck

With Waite in mind, many decks have been created in assorted exotic or cultural motifs. They manage to retain the integrity of Waite's imagery while being true to the intended style:

Click to see detailed images from the St. Petersburg Deck (cardback shown here) Click to see detailed images from the Olde English Deck


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