A Beginners Guide To Learning Tarot ꙳

Tarot is a powerful tool for self-reflection, providing insights into our thoughts, emotions, dreams, & desires. It is a system of divination & spiritual exploration that utilises a deck of cards known as the Tarot deck. Each Tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana & the Minor Arcana.

The origins of the Tarot are shrouded in ambiguity, obscured by the passage of time & the blending of myth & legend. While some argue for an ancient lineage dating back thousands of years, others assert that the Tarot as we know it today only began to take shape in the late Middle Ages.

can anyone read tarot?

While Tarot is often associated with divination & fortune-telling, its potential extends far beyond mere prediction. Tarot is not a rigid set of rules or fixed interpretations, & is not limited to the spiritually inclined. It is a dynamic tool that invites anyone to tap into their innate wisdom & connect with the depths of their subconscious mind. Each card acts as a doorway into a vast realm of possibilities, where our intuition can guide us towards insightful revelations of the past, present or future. While you may discover the common card meanings in the pages below, remember to always listen to your inner voice & allow it to guide you towards interpreting the cards in a way that resonates with your own unique perspective & experiences.

How To Perform A Tarot Reading:

Here is a simplified guide on how to do a Tarot reading:

  • Prepare Your Space

    Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can focus without distractions.

  • Ask Your Question

    Before beginning the reading, set a clear intention or question in your mind. This will provide guidance and focus for the reading. Try to keep your questions open-ended.

  • Shuffle (&/or Cut) the Cards

    Concentrate on your question while you shuffle. You may also choose to cut the deck into smaller piles & reorder them.

  • Draw Your Cards

    Once you feel ready, you can begin drawing cards. You can choose a single card or a specific Tarot spread - such as a simple three-card spread (past-present-future) or a more complex spread like the Celtic Cross.

  • Interpret The Cards

    Start by observing the imagery, symbols, & emotions evoked by each card. Reflect on how they relate to your intention or question. Consider the card's traditional meanings, but also trust your intuition & personal connection to the cards.

  • Create The Story

    Once you have finished your card interpretation, decipher the relationships & connections between all the cards in your spread. Look for patterns, contrasts, or recurring themes.

  • Reflect & Take Action

    Take a moment to reflect on the insights gained from the reading. Consider how they resonate with your current situation or question. Identify any actions, steps or changes you may want to implement based on the guidance received.

  • Express Gratitude

    Close the reading with a moment of gratitude. Thank the Tarot deck, & your higher self for the insights & guidance provided. You may also wish to cleanse your deck before safely storing it away.

Tarot Spread

Three-Card Spread

The Three-Card Spread is one of the most popular & straightforward Tarot spreads. It offers a concise & insightful snapshot of a situation or question by examining topics such as the past, present, & future aspects or mind, body & spirit, & so forth.

Always remember: if a situation or question remains unclear after the initial cards are drawn, you may choose to draw one or more clarifying cards to shed additional light on the matter. These cards can offer further details, perspectives, or guidance to enhance the understanding of your reading.

Tarot Spread

Celtic Cross Spread

The Celtic Cross Spread provides a comprehensive analysis of the various aspects surrounding a situation. It allows for a deep exploration of past, present, future, internal, & external influences, offering valuable guidance & understanding. Interpreting this spread requires careful observation of the relationships between the cards. As a result of its complexity, the Celtic Cross Spread is often recommended for those who have developed a certain level of familiarity, confidence & experience with Tarot reading (but don't let that stop you from giving it a go!)

Tarot Spread

5-Card Spread

The 5-Card Spread is particularly useful when you want a focused & concise reading that provides specific guidance or answers to a particular question, or even for a general monthly or overall reading. It can bring more insight than a Three-Card spread, but is far more straightforward than the Celtic Cross spread. Because of this, it is suitable for both beginners & experienced readers due to its simplicity & versatility. It can be adapted & modified based on individual preferences, making it a useful tool for gaining clarity & guidance in various aspects of life.

Tarot Tips:

꙳ Value your own impressions of the cards over someone else's. You may want to look at your cards & decipher your own meaning before looking into the common interpretations (you may be surprised how closely they align!) Just make a start rather than worrying about memorising.

꙳ Draw a daily card from your deck & let it speak to you. Not only will you gain insight for your day ahead, but you will also be able to practice your tarot knowledge. Don't feel as if your have to perform an elaborate card spread, a simple one will work just as well.

꙳ Keep a journal of your tarot work. Offer readings for yourself or others & jot down your insights.

꙳ The true magic & wisdom reside within you, not in the cards. Always remember that they are tools to help you access your own inner knowledge & intuition.

꙳ While there are many beautiful & modern tarot card decks, we suggest beginners start with a Rider-Waite tarot as their very first deck. This will make interpretations & learning far easier.

꙳ We recommend cleansing any new card decks before using them.

꙳ Pay no mind to common myths. Tarot cards don't need to be given to you as a gift, don't have to be only spread with your left hand or wrapped in silk, to work.

꙳ When reading tarot, you should pay attention to your environment & inner state. Try to remain open, calm, focused, alert & respectful throughout.

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The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each representing significant archetypal energies & universal themes. These cards hold deep symbolic meanings & represent major life events, spiritual/karmic lessons, milestones & transformative experiences.

*Coming Soon: Discover in-detail meanings of each Major Arcana Card!*

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana cards - divided equally between 4 suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles) - provide more detailed insights into daily or short-term situations, offering guidance & perspectives on various aspects of our everyday lives. Each suit represents concerns with different aspects of the human experience. It can prove helpful in the long-run to not only understand the hidden language of the suits, but also of the numbers & court positions:

Suits

  • Wands

    Associated with fire. This suit deals with passion, creativity, inspiration, activism, action, ambition, self-development & ideas.

  • Cups

    Associated with water. This suit deals with emotions, intuition, emotional well-being, matters of the heart, relationships, & connections.

  • Swords

    Associated with air. This suit deals with intellect, matters of the mind, justice, communication, mental clarity, thoughts & perception.

  • Pentacles

    Associated with earth. This suit deals with material possessions, wealth, resources, career, physical health & home.

1 4

Court Cards

  • Pages

    In Tarot, the Pages represent youthful energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, & the beginning stages of a new endeavour. They symbolise the potential for growth, learning, & exploration.

  • Knights

    In Tarot, the Knights symbolise action, movement, drive, & progression. They represent the energetic & dynamic aspects of our lives, reflecting our motivations & ambitions towards our goals.

  • Queens

    In Tarot, Queens represent feminine energy, nurturing, wisdom, & emotional intelligence. They embody qualities of compassion, empathy, & gentleness - inspiring us to embrace our inner power, grace & intuitive abilities.

  • Kings

    In Tarot, the Kings represent masculine energy, leadership, authority, & mastery. They embody qualities of strength, confidence, & responsibility - inspiring us to take charge, make decisions, & be assertive.

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Number Cards

  • 1 (Ace)

    New beginnings, potential, possibility, purity & the start of something new. They indicate a time ripe with creative, emotional, intellectual, or material opportunities waiting to be explored and harnessed.

  • 2

    Duality, balance, partnership, harmony or opposition, choices, & cooperation. They signify the initial stages of a situation or relationship, where two opposing forces come together & interact.

  • 3

    Growth, expansion, manifestation, creative expression, teamwork, & decisive action. They represent interaction & communication with others, as well as the progress of ideas, projects, & situations.

  • 4

    Stability, security, rest, consistent effort, material/physical realisation, discipline & effort. They symbolise a solid & secure framework upon which further growth & progress can be built.

  • 5

    Obstacles, change, challenges, & disruptions. They symbolise a period of transition, where unexpected events or conflicts may arise, prompting growth & new perspectives.

  • 6

    Harmony, resolution, & the potential for successful or unsuccessful outcomes based on your actions. The Sixes remind you to cultivate gratitude & appreciate the blessings in your life. They signify cycles of growth.

  • 7

    Introspection, evaluation, assessment, self-growth, search for truth & spiritual growth. They symbolise a period of reflection, where you may delve into deeper meanings & explore your internal & external world.

  • 8

    Determination, resilience, personal power & a realistic perspective. They reveal where you have the potential to harness your inner strength & manifest your desires.

  • 9

    Fruition, culmination, attainment, reflection, everything coming together & enlightenment. They symbolise the last stage before completion & fulfilment, where you may reflect on your journey & gain deeper understanding.

  • 10

    Endings, transitions, outcomes, rewards, consequences, & the opportunity to begin again. They symbolise the end of a cycle or phase, & the potential for transformation & fresh starts.

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