What Is Tarot?
Tarot is an ancient practice of divination that uses a deck of 78 symbolic cards to gain insight into questions about life, relationships, career, and personal growth. Far from being about "fortune telling" or predicting a fixed future, tarot is a powerful tool for self-reflection and guidance that helps you tap into your own inner wisdom.
Think of tarot cards as mirrors that reflect back the energies, patterns, and possibilities present in your life. Each card carries archetypal meanings that can speak to universal human experiences. When you draw cards in response to a question, you're creating a conversation between your conscious mind, your subconscious wisdom, and the symbolic language of the cards.
The beauty of tarot lies in its ability to offer perspective during times of uncertainty, help you explore different options, and encourage deeper self-understanding. Whether you're seeking clarity on a specific decision or simply want to check in with yourself, tarot provides a structured yet intuitive framework for exploration.
Understanding Your Tarot Deck
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Understanding this structure is essential for learning to read tarot effectively.
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent major life themes, spiritual lessons, and significant events. These cards often indicate important turning points or deep psychological processes. Think of them as the "big picture" cards that address life's most profound questions.
The Major Arcana begins with The Fool, representing new beginnings and infinite potential, and ends with The World, symbolizing completion and fulfillment. This sequence, known as "The Fool's Journey," tells the story of spiritual evolution and personal growth.
Some key Major Arcana cards include:
- The Magician - Personal power and manifestation
- The High Priestess - Intuition and hidden knowledge
- Death - Transformation and endings that lead to new beginnings
- The Sun - Joy, success, and positive energy
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards divided into four suits: Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles. These cards deal with day-to-day experiences, practical matters, and the various aspects of human life.
Each suit has its own elemental association and focus:
- Cups (Water) - Emotions, relationships, spirituality, and intuition
- Wands (Fire) - Creativity, passion, career, and personal growth
- Swords (Air) - Thoughts, communication, conflict, and mental challenges
- Pentacles (Earth) - Money, material possessions, health, and practical matters
Each suit contains cards numbered 1-10 (Ace through Ten) plus four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The numbered cards often represent different stages of experience within that suit's domain, while court cards can represent people in your life or different aspects of your own personality.
Preparing for Your First Reading
Before diving into your first tarot reading, it's important to create the right foundation. This involves both practical preparations and cultivating the proper mindset.
Choosing Your First Deck
While there are hundreds of tarot decks available, beginners often benefit from starting with a classic deck like the Rider-Waite-Smith or its modern variations. These decks feature detailed imagery that makes learning card meanings more intuitive.
When selecting a deck, consider:
- Artwork that resonates with you personally
- Clear, detailed imagery that tells a story
- A guidebook that provides comprehensive card meanings
- Standard tarot structure (78 cards with traditional suits)
Trust your intuition when choosing—the deck that calls to you is often the right one to start with. You can always expand your collection as you become more experienced.
Creating Sacred Space
Creating a peaceful, focused environment enhances your tarot practice. This doesn't require elaborate rituals—simply find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted and can focus on your reading.
Consider these elements:
- A clean, flat surface for laying out cards
- Comfortable seating that allows you to see the cards clearly
- Soft lighting (candles can create a contemplative atmosphere)
- A notebook for recording insights and interpretations
- A cloth to place under your cards (optional but many readers enjoy this)
Some readers like to begin with a simple centering practice—a few deep breaths, a moment of silence, or a brief intention-setting. This helps transition from everyday consciousness into a more receptive, intuitive state.
Basic Steps for Reading Tarot Cards
Learning to read tarot is like learning any new language—it takes practice, but following a structured approach will help you build confidence and skill.
Shuffling and Drawing Cards
Begin each reading by formulating a clear question or intention. Avoid yes/no questions; instead, ask open-ended questions that invite exploration: "What do I need to know about...?" or "How can I approach...?" or "What energies surround...?"
While shuffling, hold your question in mind. There's no "right" way to shuffle—some people prefer the riffle shuffle, others like to mix the cards more gently. Shuffle until it feels right to stop, which might be anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes.
To draw cards, you can:
- Cut the deck and take cards from the top
- Fan out the cards and select those that draw your attention
- Draw cards from different positions in the deck
- Let cards "jump out" during shuffling
Trust whatever method feels natural to you. Your intuition will guide you to the cards meant for your reading.
Interpreting the Cards
Once you've drawn your cards, lay them out according to your chosen spread. Before diving into book meanings, take a moment to simply observe:
- What's your first impression of the cards?
- What imagery stands out?
- What emotions do the cards evoke?
- Are there any obvious connections between the cards?
Next, consider the traditional meanings. Start with the basic keywords for each card, then expand into how those meanings might relate to your question. Remember that card meanings are guidelines, not rigid rules—your personal intuition and the specific context of your question should always be part of your interpretation.
Pay attention to:
- Symbolism - What symbols appear and what might they mean to you?
- Colors - Bright colors often indicate positive energy, while darker tones might suggest challenges or hidden aspects
- Direction - Which way are figures facing? This can indicate focus or movement
- Numbers - Each number carries its own meaning that adds depth to interpretation
Simple Spreads for Beginners
Starting with simple spreads allows you to focus on learning card meanings without being overwhelmed by complex layouts.
One-Card Draw
The single-card draw is perfect for daily practice and quick insights. Draw one card while focusing on a specific question or simply asking, "What do I need to know today?"
This practice helps you:
- Become familiar with individual card meanings
- Develop your intuitive connection to the cards
- Create a daily mindfulness practice
- Track patterns and themes over time
Spend several minutes with your card, exploring both its traditional meaning and your personal response to it. Notice how the card's message unfolds throughout your day.
Three-Card Spread
The three-card spread is versatile and manageable for beginners. Common interpretations include:
- Past, Present, Future - Understanding the timeline of a situation
- Mind, Body, Spirit - Gaining holistic perspective on your well-being
- Situation, Action, Outcome - Exploring how to approach a challenge
- What to Release, What to Embrace, What to Expect - Guidance for moving forward
When interpreting a three-card spread, look at each card individually first, then consider how they interact with each other. Do they tell a story? Are there conflicting messages that need to be balanced? What overall theme emerges?
Developing Your Tarot Intuition
While learning traditional card meanings is important, developing your intuitive connection to tarot is equally crucial. Your intuition is what transforms a card reading from mere memorization into genuine insight.
Here are ways to strengthen your tarot intuition:
- Daily practice - Even five minutes daily with a single card builds familiarity and confidence
- Journaling - Record your readings and return to them later to see how accurate your interpretations were
- Meditation - Spend time quietly contemplating individual cards without referring to their meanings
- Storytelling - Practice creating narratives from the imagery you see in the cards
- Personal associations - Notice what each card reminds you of from your own life experience
Remember that intuition develops over time. Don't worry if you don't feel immediately "psychic" or if some readings seem unclear. Like any skill, tarot reading improves with practice and patience.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from common pitfalls can accelerate your tarot journey and help you develop healthy reading practices from the start.
Over-relying on guidebooks: While guidebooks are helpful resources, don't let them replace your own intuitive impressions. Use them as starting points, not final authorities.
Asking the same question repeatedly: If you don't like an answer, resist the urge to keep shuffling and asking again. Instead, explore why the answer might be difficult to accept or ask a different question that addresses your underlying concerns.
Reading only for yourself: It's tempting to focus exclusively on your own questions, but practicing with friends (with their permission) helps you develop objectivity and different perspectives.
Expecting prediction rather than guidance: Tarot is most powerful when used as a tool for self-reflection and decision-making rather than fortune-telling. Focus on "how" and "what" questions rather than demanding definitive predictions.
Being afraid of "negative" cards: Cards like Death, The Devil, or Ten of Swords aren't necessarily bad omens. They often indicate necessary changes, challenges to overcome, or situations that are ending to make room for something better.
Ignoring your first impression: Your immediate response to a card is often the most accurate. Don't talk yourself out of initial insights in favor of more "logical" interpretations.
Next Steps in Your Tarot Journey
As you become comfortable with basic tarot reading, you can expand your practice in numerous directions:
Learn more complex spreads: Explore spreads like the Celtic Cross or specialized spreads for relationships, career questions, or spiritual guidance.
Study tarot correspondences: Deepen your understanding by learning about astrological, numerological, and elemental associations with the cards.
Explore different decks: Each deck offers unique perspectives and artistic interpretations that can enrich your practice.
Join a tarot community: Connect with other readers through local groups, online forums, or social media communities to share experiences and learn from others.
Consider reading for others: Offering readings to friends and family (always with their consent) helps you develop your skills and gain confidence in your interpretations.
Study the history and philosophy of tarot: Understanding tarot's rich history and various philosophical approaches can deepen your appreciation and practice.
Remember that tarot is a lifelong journey of discovery. Each reading teaches you something new, and your relationship with the cards will continue to evolve as you grow and change. Be patient with yourself, trust your instincts, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning this beautiful and profound practice.
The path of tarot offers endless opportunities for growth, insight, and spiritual development. With dedication, practice, and an open heart, you'll find that tarot becomes not just a divination tool, but a trusted companion on your journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment.