Understanding Tarot Cards – A Beginner’s Guide to Tarot

Tarot cards are rarely seen as tools for insight. Most often they are regarded as something that tells you what’s your future like. But that doesn’t do justice with the beauty and wisdom of Tarot cards. 

What are Tarot cards

Tarot cards are usually a deck of 78 cards used for divination, self-reflection and gaining insights into the different areas of life. Each card holds symbols, imageries and meanings that can be interpreted to provide guidance and a deeper understanding of situations. 

Each of the 78 cards in a deck represent different energies, moods and situations. Because each card is also depicting a life event or a situation, they can also be used as a powerful companion in therapy and counselling.

The tarot is merely a tool, more like a mirror of the soul. It shows the psyche, the subconscious beliefs, fears and hopes. This is one of the reasons why when asking a particular question, the tarot can also bring up insight into other areas of life that aren’t really being explored. 

“Tarot is more than a tool for divination; it is a tool for self-discovery. It clearly reflects what we are on the inside and what issues are we facing in our day-to-day lives. When I bought my first tarot deck, I was going through a lot of turmoil in my life. Tarot gave me guidance and revealed my strengths and weaknesses which helped me a lot. It inspired me to have patience and faith in the Divine. These two precious things can help you overcome any situation in life. When we face tough times, the first casualty is our patience and faith. Tarot re-affirms our faith that bad times do not last forever. There is always a sunrise after darkness. Every dark period is a learning experience and a time for spiritual growth. Tarot is the wisdom which helps us to walk through the night into the daylight.” – www.DivineInnovations.org

Anyone can learn Tarot

This is a question that many seekers ask, “Can I learn Tarot?” To which my answer always is

“Anyone can Learn Tarot”. 

Learning tarot is not just for predicting future. Tarot cards are also a companion in your journey of life. They can be a source of comfort, truth, clarity, support and most importantly, hope. 

All you need to learn tarot is to have a deck of cards and the passion to learn.

In my experience, learning tarot has also been an opportunity and a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual evolution. This has been true for many students as well who have learnt it. If you are a student of life, there is no better companion than a deck of tarot cards.

Getting started

The sheer number of cards (78) can feel daunting at first. But you don’t really have to memorise them if you understand what story they tell.

Pick a deck that suits you or you are drawn to. It doesn’t have to be the most common or uncommon one. If you are a beginner, prefer a deck with images that are more detailed like the Rider-Waite deck as it will be easier to understand the cards and images. 

Make sure you love your tarot deck. If it doesn’t resonate with you or speak to you, it is not for you, Choose another one.

The Structure of Tarot

A tarot deck is divided into 2 parts – Major Archana and Minor Arcana. 

There are 22 Major Arcana cards that are thematically significant and show the main events in a person’s life or stages of a person’s spiritual evolution and archetypes.

The 56 Minor Arcana cards are further subdivided into four suits, each with a different energy of the four elements in the form of – Cups, Wands, Swords and Pentacles. These cards depict the everyday life situations, experiences and challenges. They are like bricks in the wall of a house. 

Each card has a different interpretation and takes on a new meaning when pulled in conjunction with other cards. 

Interpreting Tarot cards

Here are a few tips that can help you get started on reading tarot cards. 

1. Intuition

There are 2 things that you need in order to read tarot cards – Intuition and Interpretation. While interpretation is something that you learn either from a teacher or a book, intuition is something that you can develop or hone through practice and meditation. Learn to clear your mind so that you can easily hear that still small voice within.

Before reading tarot cards, relax and make sure you in tune with yourself. Meditating or taking a few deep breaths can help you clear your mind. 

Ground yourself before any energy work including reading cards. 

2. Symbolism and Interpretation

Each card can have layers of meanings depending on the surrounding cards as well as the position in the spread. So study the cards, don’t try to cram the meanings. Each card has a story to tell. Listen to it.

Understanding and knowing the symbolism in the cards also goes a long way in enhancing your knowledge about the cards. 

3. Effective questions

Knowing what and how to ask questions is as important as knowing how to read the cards. Its best to ask open-ended questions instead of a yes or no. 

For example instead of asking “when will I find a partner?”,  you can ask, “How can I attract a partner?” Or “What stops me from attracting love?”

4. Tarot Card spreads

Spreads are specific arrangements of cards that can help reveal information and provide insights into different aspects of life. The most common spreads are the Three-card spread or the Celtic Cross. Use one that will help you gain insight in an easy manner.

5. Trusting yourself

After you have shuffled the cards and pulled them, trust your instincts and your first impression of the card before diving into the meaning of it. Notice the thoughts and feelings that the card evokes. 

Remember, there is no “correct” way of reading and interpreting the cards. You are a channel when doing a reading. Trust the answers that come through you.

Few Tarot Books to help you get started

1. Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners by Joan Bunning, a complete course on how to use the tarot cards for personal guidance 

2. The Tarot Bible by Sarah Bartlett, teaches you everything you need to know about tarot 

3. Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea, with unique insight to help you to connect with your higher self.  

4. Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, considered to be an authority in the field of tarot

5. Tarot Predictions for 2023 for 12 Sunsigns by Meetu Sehgal