Man, lemme tell ya, finding good tarot cards in Chicago ain’t just walkin’ into Target and grabbin’ a pack. Nah, if you’re like me, you want somethin’ with a bit of soul, a bit of history maybe. I got into tarot a few years back, kinda stumbled into it when I was just feeling a bit all over the place, you know? Just wanted some kinda guide, somethin’ to make me think differently about stuff. Started with a cheap deck online, but it just felt… flat. Like, mass-produced plastic. I knew I needed to actually find a deck, somewhere real.
My Initial Stumbles Around Town
So, where do you even start with something like that in a big city? My first thought, typical me, was to hit up the big bookstores. You know, Barnes & Noble, places like that. They had ’em, sure, a whole section. But again, it was just the usual suspects. Waite-Smith decks, some Rider, nothing that really called out to me. It felt more like a textbook section than a spiritual one. I picked up a few, thumbed through ’em, but just put ’em back. It wasn’t the vibe I was lookin’ for.
Then I tried the more “hippie” style shops I knew existed, places that sold incense and crystals. Usually, they’d have a small shelf of decks. Better, definitely. You could feel a bit more energy in those places. I remember walkin’ into one place in Lincoln Park, the air thick with patchouli. They had maybe five or six different decks on display. I chatted with the lady behind the counter, she was super sweet, knew her stuff. She showed me a couple of indie decks, which was a step up. I almost bought one, but something in my gut just said, “Keep lookin’, you haven’t found the one yet.”
Digging Deeper: The Real Hunt Begins
That’s when I decided I needed to get serious. I wasn’t just browsing anymore; I was on a quest. I started askin’ around. Not just random folks, but people who seemed like they’d know. I hit up some local art markets, talked to vendors, especially those selling witchy jewelry or handmade stuff. One lady, she was selling these amazing stone pendants, looked at me and just smiled. “You gotta go to the real shops,” she said. “The ones that don’t advertise, the ones you just find.”
That got me thinkin’. So I started exploring neighborhoods I didn’t usually hang out in. Walkin’ around, just payin’ attention to the little storefronts. That’s how I started piecing together where the good stuff was hiding. It’s not always on the main drag, sometimes it’s tucked away.
My Go-To Spots for Tarot Decks
Alright, so here’s where my real experiences come in. After a lot of legwork, I zeroed in on a few types of places that really delivered. These ain’t just stores; they’re experiences.
- The Dedicated Occult/Metaphysical Shops: These are the goldmines. I found one place, totally unassuming from the outside. You walk in, and it’s like a different world. Books on every kind of magic, herbs, candles, and then, the decks. Not just a shelf, but whole display cases. They have everything from the super traditional to really niche, artistic decks. The people who work there? They live this stuff. I spent like an hour there just talkin’ to an old guy about different deck symbolism. He knew the artists, the history, everything. That’s where I found my current favorite deck, a beautifully illustrated one I’d never even heard of online. It just felt right in my hands.
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Vintage and Antique Markets with Specific Vendors: This was a surprise find for me. I was just wandering through an antique market one weekend, you know, just lookin’ at old furniture and records. Then, in one corner, a booth completely dedicated to spiritual stuff. Old books, crystals, and boom – a small collection of really unique, sometimes even
out-of-print tarot decks.
These often come with a story, sometimes they’re even used, which some people don’t like, but I felt it added character. I actually found an old French deck there once, really ornate, a bit worn, but it felt powerful. It’s like these decks have absorbed all these other energies from their previous owners. You gotta dig, but it’s worth it.
- Independent Bookstores with a Spiritual Bent: Not all independent bookstores are created equal for this. Some are just general literature. But others, you can tell from the moment you step in, they curate their inventory. They’ll have a section not just for “self-help” but for “esoteric studies,” “mythology,” “divination.” And that’s where the tarot decks hide. They tend to carry more thoughtful, often ethically sourced or independently published decks. These places usually have a real community feel, too, like little hubs for people interested in deeper stuff. I’ve seen workshops advertised there, even some local readers. It’s always good to find a place that supports the wider community, not just sells stuff.
What I learned through all this is that finding the “best spots” isn’t about a list you pull off the internet. It’s about the hunt, the feel, the connection. It’s about walkin’ into a place, breathin’ in the air, and seeing if a deck just calls to you. Online is convenient, sure, but there’s no substitute for holding a deck, shufflin’ it, feeling the card stock, seeing the artwork up close before you commit. It’s a journey, man, and Chicago’s got some real gems if you’re willing to go find ’em.
