I am becoming interested in this too. Different designs do have different meanings because the artist/ designer adds or removes or in some way changes elements through symbolism.

You will probably become comfortable with a particular deck but it might be interesting to use one you are less comfortable with: it might have messages for you that you are avoiding.

Some cards will feel more comfortable, You notice this?  I read with the Osho Zen tarot cards, cuz they feel right for me.  I also learned the way Rev suggested.  I would take one card a day and meditate on it, write what I felt, kept it in  a book.  Do you have any decks that you like more than  the others....for any reason?

it can be confusing, but it depends if your working intuitively or from a 'book'.  the meanings are varied, but if your gift if true, the answers should be roughtly the same. why don't you try to read two sets of cards for someone and see if they come up with the same meaning?

Thanks for the responses. I am still just beginning to explore this. I looked at a few decks in the few shops that sell them in the area where I live but I can't say that the decks actually spoke to me.

I am fascinated with the idea that though the different decks are all legitimate because they reflect transformation and new insights that somehow, like shells on the beach, one set will actually speak to one.

Years ago a neighbour approached me and gave me a set of Tarot cards and said they were meant for me. To my surprise when I laid the cards out for myslf and friends they told me stories which I could impart to them, some-one borrowed my cards and went on a retreat with them, the cards never came back and no other pack has felt as comfortable as that one did, and I have never seen another like it and have no idea the name of the pack ( the search is still on) my friends have not understood that the cards they supplied for their reading did not speak to me and would have to  try use the meanings only in context of position, and rather decided not to do readings 'cos they were no longer fun. Hence I now use MB's and am happy with their interpretation. Everything should flow.....