Tarot cards have fascinated seekers of wisdom for centuries, offering a mirror into the subconscious mind and a framework for exploring life's biggest questions. If you have ever felt drawn to tarot but were not sure where to begin, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start reading tarot cards with confidence.
What Is Tarot and How Does It Work?
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards divided into two main groups: the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Major Arcana represents major life themes and spiritual lessons — cards like The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, and The World. The Minor Arcana deals with day-to-day situations and is divided into four suits: Wands (fire, action), Cups (water, emotions), Swords (air, thoughts), and Pentacles (earth, material matters).
Tarot does not predict the future in a deterministic way. Instead, it works as a tool for reflection and intuition. When you draw cards, you are tapping into your subconscious awareness of patterns and possibilities. The imagery on each card serves as a symbolic language that your intuitive mind can interpret.
Choosing Your First Tarot Deck
The most popular deck for beginners is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, created in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Its imagery is rich, intuitive, and has become the standard reference for most tarot guidebooks. Other excellent beginner decks include the Modern Witch Tarot, the Light Seer's Tarot, and the Everyday Tarot. Choose a deck whose artwork resonates with you — you will be spending a lot of time looking at these images, so a personal connection matters.
Getting to Know Your Cards
Before you attempt any readings, spend time with your deck. Pull out one card each day, study its imagery, and write down what you notice: the colors, the figures, the symbols, and how the card makes you feel. This daily practice builds a personal vocabulary with your deck that goes far beyond memorizing textbook definitions.
Start with the Major Arcana. These 22 cards tell the story of The Fool's Journey — a narrative arc from innocence (The Fool, card 0) through various life experiences and challenges, culminating in wholeness (The World, card 21). Understanding this journey gives you a framework for interpreting any Major Arcana card in context.
The Major Arcana at a Glance
Here is a brief overview of all 22 Major Arcana cards:
- The Fool (0): New beginnings, spontaneity, a leap of faith. - The Magician (I): Manifestation, skill, willpower. - The High Priestess (II): Intuition, mystery, inner knowledge. - The Empress (III): Abundance, nurturing, creativity. - The Emperor (IV): Structure, authority, stability. - The Hierophant (V): Tradition, spiritual guidance, conformity. - The Lovers (VI): Love, choices, alignment of values. - The Chariot (VII): Determination, willpower, victory. - Strength (VIII): Courage, patience, inner strength. - The Hermit (IX): Introspection, solitude, inner guidance. - Wheel of Fortune (X): Cycles, destiny, turning points. - Justice (XI): Fairness, truth, accountability. - The Hanged Man (XII): Surrender, new perspective, letting go. - Death (XIII): Transformation, endings, rebirth. - Temperance (XIV): Balance, moderation, patience. - The Devil (XV): Bondage, materialism, shadow self. - The Tower (XVI): Sudden change, upheaval, revelation. - The Star (XVII): Hope, inspiration, renewal. - The Moon (XVIII): Illusion, fear, the subconscious. - The Sun (XIX): Joy, success, vitality. - Judgement (XX): Reflection, reckoning, inner calling. - The World (XXI): Completion, integration, accomplishment.
Understanding the Minor Arcana
The 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits of 14 cards each (Ace through Ten, plus four Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King).
- Wands correspond to the element of fire and relate to passion, inspiration, ambition, and career. - Cups correspond to water and relate to emotions, relationships, love, and intuition. - Swords correspond to air and relate to thoughts, communication, conflict, and truth. - Pentacles correspond to earth and relate to finances, health, home, and material security.
The numbered cards (Ace through Ten) follow a progression: Aces represent new beginnings in that suit's domain, and the energy builds and evolves through to the Ten, which represents completion or culmination. Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) can represent people in your life, aspects of your own personality, or stages of development.
Your First Tarot Spread: The Three-Card Pull
The simplest and most versatile spread is the three-card pull. Shuffle your deck while focusing on your question, then draw three cards and lay them left to right:
1. Card One (Past): What has led to the current situation. 2. Card Two (Present): What is happening right now. 3. Card Three (Future): Where things are heading based on current energy.
You can also use this layout for other frameworks: Situation / Challenge / Advice, or Mind / Body / Spirit. The beauty of the three-card spread is its simplicity and flexibility.
How to Interpret Cards in a Reading
When you turn over a card, start with your gut reaction. What is the first thing you notice? How does the card make you feel? Then look at the details: What is the figure doing? What symbols stand out? What colors dominate? Next, consider the card's traditional meaning and how it applies to your question. Finally, look at how the cards relate to each other — do they tell a story? Are there patterns in suits or numbers?
Working with Reversed Cards
Reversed cards (cards that appear upside down) add nuance to a reading. A reversed card can indicate blocked energy, internalized qualities, delays, or a less intense version of the upright meaning. For example, The Sun reversed might suggest temporary setbacks in finding joy, or an inner happiness that has not yet manifested externally. Many beginners choose to read only upright cards at first, adding reversals once they are comfortable with the basics.
Tips for Better Readings
1. Create a ritual space. Light a candle, take a few deep breaths, and set an intention before each reading. This helps you shift into a receptive state of mind. 2. Ask open-ended questions. Instead of asking "Will I get the job?" try "What do I need to know about my career path right now?" Open questions yield richer readings. 3. Keep a tarot journal. Record every reading: the date, your question, the cards you drew, and your interpretation. Review your journal periodically to track your growth. 4. Trust your intuition. Guidebooks are helpful, but your personal connection to the imagery is what makes a reading meaningful. 5. Practice regularly. Even a daily one-card pull keeps your skills sharp and deepens your relationship with your deck.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Avoid re-drawing cards because you did not like the answer. The cards reflect the energy of the moment, and repeatedly asking the same question muddies the reading. Also avoid reading for yourself when you are in a highly emotional state — strong emotions can cloud your interpretation. And do not panic over "scary" cards like Death or The Tower. Death almost never means literal death; it signals transformation and the end of one chapter so a new one can begin.
Taking Your Practice Further
Once you are comfortable with three-card spreads, explore more complex layouts like the Celtic Cross (a ten-card spread that provides deep insight into any situation). Study the connections between tarot and other systems like astrology, numerology, and Kabbalah. Each card in the Major Arcana has astrological and numerological correspondences that add layers of meaning.
You can also practice reading for friends and family. Reading for others challenges you to articulate your interpretations clearly and builds confidence. At Arcanum, you can explore our interactive card encyclopedia to deepen your understanding of each card's symbolism and meaning.
Tarot is a lifelong practice. There is always more to discover, more layers to uncover, and more wisdom to gain. Start where you are, be patient with yourself, and let the cards be your guide on a remarkable journey of self-discovery.
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## Further Reading
- [Tarot Spreads for Career and Finance: Using Cards for Business Decisions](/blog/tarot-spreads-career-finance-business-decisions) - [Minor Arcana — Complete Guide to Suits, Numbers, and Court Cards](/blog/minor-arcana-suits-numbers-court-cards) - [How to Ask Tarot Questions — Get Better Readings with the Right Questions](/blog/how-to-ask-tarot-questions-get-better-readings)