Unlocking the Magic of Tarot: A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Tarot Cards

Are you ready to unlock your intuition and tap into the mysteries of the universe? Look no further than the world of tarot cards! Tarot has been a popular divination tool for centuries, captivating the minds and hearts of people all around the world. And the best part? Anyone can learn how to read tarot cards, regardless of background or experience level.

Learning to read tarot cards can offer a wealth of benefits, from gaining deeper insights into your own life to tapping into your intuition and developing your personal growth. By learning about the cards and their meanings, you can open up a whole new world of self-discovery and connection with the universe.

In this beginner’s guide to reading tarot cards, we’ll guide you through the basics, from choosing a deck to doing your first reading. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to improve your skills, we’ve got you covered. So grab your cards and get ready to dive into the world of tarot – it’s sure to be an exciting journey!

Basic Tools You’ll Need to Begin Reading Tarot Cards

Now that you’re ready to dive into the world of tarot, let’s talk about getting started! Here’s what you’ll need:

• A tarot deck: Many types of tarot decks are available, so it’s important to choose one that speaks to you. Some popular beginner options include the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the Wild Unknown deck, and the Modern Witch Tarot deck. Find out more about choosing your perfect tarot card deck here.
• A guidebook or online resources: While it’s important to trust your intuition when reading tarot, it’s also helpful to have a guidebook or online resources to refer to. These can help you learn about the meanings of each card and different spreads to try. See our guides
• An open mind: One of the most important things you’ll need when reading tarot is an open mind. Tarot can offer insights and guidance that may not always be immediately clear, so it’s important to approach each reading with curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Understanding the Meaning of the Cards

Now that you have your deck and are ready to start your journey into tarot, it’s time to understand the cards themselves. Tarot cards are divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards representing major life events and spiritual lessons. These powerful cards often depict archetypal figures like the Fool or the High Priestess. There are 56 cards in the Minor Arcana, categorized into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each of these suits represents a unique area of life and provides valuable insights into specific situations and challenges.

When reading tarot cards, paying attention to the symbols and meanings within each card is important. For example, the Sun card represents vitality, energy, and positivity, while the Tower card signifies unexpected change and upheaval. Learning about the different symbols and meanings within the cards can help you interpret them more accurately.

While it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the meaning of each card, it’s also important to connect with the cards’ energy intuitively. This means trusting your instincts and allowing the cards to guide you toward insights and guidance that may not be immediately obvious. Some tips for connecting with the energy of the cards include:

• Meditate with the cards. Get creative! Here are a couple of examples:
  • Take a few moments to meditate with the cards before a reading.
  • Focus on your breath and visualize the cards’ energy flowing into you.
• Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking yes or no questions, ask open-ended questions that allow for more nuanced and complex answers, such as, “What is blocking me from achieving my goals?” Or, “How can I find greater clarity in my life?”
• Trust your intuition: If a particular card stands out to you or you feel a strong pull towards a certain interpretation, trust your intuition and go with it.

Relax and have fun with it! You will learn more about each card every time you do a reading. When you do a reading for yourself or friends, it’s perfectly fine to consult the guidebooks or other resources as you go.

Remember, tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth. By connecting with the cards’ energy and interpreting them intuitively, you can gain deeper insights into your life and the world around you.

Preparing for a Tarot Card Reading

Before you start doing readings, preparing yourself and your space is important. This can help create a sacred and focused atmosphere conducive to divination. Some things you might want to do include:

• Grounding yourself: This can be done through meditation, deep breathing, or visualization. Here’s a quick visualization: Imagine a beautiful light moving slowly down through your body and out the bottoms of your feet into the center of Mother Earth, rooting and grounding you to her wise and nurturing energy.
• Clearing your space: You can do this by lighting candles, burning sage or incense, using a cleansing spray, saying a prayer, or ringing chimes or bells.
• Setting an intention: Before each reading, take a moment to set an intention for what you hope to gain from the experience.
• Choose a spread to use: Some popular spreads for beginners include the three-card spread, the past-present-future spread, and the Celtic Cross spread.

With these tips in mind, you’re on your way to becoming a tarot pro. Remember to trust your intuition and approach each reading with an open mind – the universe has plenty of insights and guidance to offer you!

Now it’s Time to Do a Reading

Now that you have a basic understanding of the cards, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice and start doing readings! Here are some simple steps to conduct a reading:

1. Shuffle the deck: Before you begin, take a few deep breaths and focus your awareness on the reading. Shuffle the deck while considering the question or situation you want to gain insight into.
2. Select the cards: There are many ways to select the cards. Here are 2 of our favorite methods:
   • When you feel ready, cut the deck into three piles with your non-dominant hand and re-stack them into one pile. From there, select the number of cards you need for your chosen spread.
   • Once you feel ready, spread the cards in front of you into a line. Take your time and focus on your question and the first position in the spread. Allow your intuition to guide you to choose one of the cards. Repeat this for each position, laying them face down in the appropriate position as you go.
3. Lay out the cards: Place the cards face down in the order and position required for your chosen spread.
4. Interpret the cards: Now that you have them laid out, it’s time to interpret them! Turn the cards face up one at a time, reading each card before you turn up the next. Then you can read how the cards relate to each other.

Here’s an example with a simple three-card spread:

1. The first card represents the past regarding your question or situation.
2. The second card represents the present or what’s happening now.
3. The third card represents the future or where things are headed in the near future.

When interpreting the cards, pay attention to each card’s symbols, colors, and overall feeling. Think about how they relate to the question or situation at hand, and consider how they interact with each other.

Once you feel comfortable with the basics, you can try many other spreads, such as the Celtic Cross or the Relationship Spread. Don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own spreads that work for you!

Finally, it’s important to remember that your intuition and creativity are key when doing readings. Trust your instincts and allow the cards to guide you toward insights and guidance that may not be immediately obvious. Tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth, and with practice and patience, you can unlock its full potential.

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of this beginner’s guide to reading tarot cards! We hope you’ve learned some useful tips and tricks for starting your tarot journey.

Remember, tarot is not just about predicting the future but also about self-discovery, personal growth, and intuition development. By connecting with the cards’ energy and interpreting them intuitively, you can gain valuable insights and guidance to help you navigate life’s ups and downs.

If you’re just starting out, don’t worry if you don’t get everything right at first. Tarot is a journey; like any journey, it takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and trust your intuition. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn and grow through the cards with persistence and dedication.