If you’re just starting your tarot journey, this tarot reading guide for beginners will walk you through everything you need to know — from understanding your deck to interpreting spreads with confidence. Think of it as a beginner tarot card reading roadmap that helps you connect with your intuition while learning the basics.
Understanding Your Tarot Deck
What Is a Tarot Deck?
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards, divided into:
- 22 Major Arcana → representing life lessons, archetypes, and spiritual themes.
- 56 Minor Arcana → everyday situations, emotions, and practical matters.
Suits & Court Cards
The Minor Arcana contains four suits:
- Wands → creativity, inspiration, ambition.
- Cups → emotions, relationships, intuition.
- Swords → thoughts, challenges, decision-making.
- Pentacles → money, career, material stability.
Court cards include Page, Knight, Queen, King, which often symbolize personality types, life roles, or stages of development.
Upright vs Reversed Cards – What They Mean
- Upright → direct, active, positive, or outward expression of energy.
- Reversed → blocked, hidden, internalized, or shadow expression.
Some readers choose not to use reversals at first, while others embrace them for depth.
Choosing & Caring for Your Deck
How to Choose the Right Deck
The best deck is one that resonates with you.
- Trust your intuition when choosing artwork and symbolism.
- Beginner-friendly options: Rider-Waite-Smith, Modern Witch Tarot, Light Seer’s Tarot.
Cleansing, Charging & Connecting with Your Deck
Before your first reading, cleanse and charge your deck to remove stagnant energy:
- Leave under moonlight 🌙
- Use incense or sage
- Place crystals like clear quartz nearby
- Meditate with the deck in your hands
Bond with your deck by handling it daily, pulling cards, or journaling your impressions.
Setting Intentions & Asking Questions
Why Clear Intention Matters
Tarot reflects your energy — unclear questions often give unclear answers.
How to Formulate Good Questions
- Open-ended questions → “What lesson can I learn from this challenge?”
- Yes/No questions → quick checks but less detail.
Basic Spreads & Layouts You Should Start With
One-Card Pulls
Perfect for daily guidance, journaling, or reflection.
Three-Card Spreads
Simple yet powerful. Variations include:
- Past – Present – Future
- Mind – Body – Spirit
- Situation – Advice – Outcome
Celtic Cross
A 10-card spread ideal for deeper questions. Beginners can try it once they’re comfortable with smaller layouts.
Shuffling, Drawing, & Layout Rituals
Techniques for Shuffling & Cutting the Deck
Common methods: overhand shuffle, riffle shuffle, or mixing cards on a table.
Drawing Cards Intuitively vs Randomly
- Pick cards that “jump” out of the deck.
- Or cut and draw systematically.
Position Meanings & Spread Context
Remember that position changes meaning. A “future” card reads differently than a “challenge” card.
Interpreting Cards — Imagery, Symbolism, and Intuition
Observing Imagery
Colors, expressions, objects, and landscapes all add depth.
Symbolic Elements
Look at numbers, suits, and archetypal symbols.
Balancing Traditional Meanings with Personal Intuition
Guidebooks are helpful, but don’t ignore your own impressions. Tarot is a dialogue between traditional symbolism and your intuition.
Upright vs Reversed — How to Handle Reversals
Do You Use Reversals? Pros & Cons
- Beginners often stick to upright cards.
- Reversals add nuance and shadow perspectives.
How Reversal Changes Meaning
A reversed card may show blocked energy, delays, or the hidden side of a lesson.
When Reversed Cards Appear Frequently
Could signal recurring patterns, resistance, or an emotional blockage.
Reflection & Recording Your Readings
Keeping a Reading Journal
Record each spread, your first impressions, and later reflections.
Noting Patterns, Recurring Cards, Emotional Responses
Spotting repeating themes validates your intuition and growth.
Tips to Improve Your Tarot Reader Skills
- Practice daily with single-card pulls.
- Study deeply — focus on one card per week.
- Join communities online or locally to share insights.
Common Beginner Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
- Asking vague or confusing questions.
- Over-reliance on guidebooks.
- Ignoring intuitive nudges.
- Fearing “negative” cards (Death, Tower, Devil — these often show transformation, not doom).
Summary & Quick Start Checklist
✅ Choose a deck that resonates with you.
✅ Cleanse and connect before readings.
✅ Set clear intentions/questions.
✅ Shuffle, cut, and draw with focus.
✅ Interpret with both tradition and intuition.
✅ Record readings to track growth.
✅ Practice consistently.
FAQs About Learning Tarot
Q1: How long does it take to learn tarot?
It depends on practice. With daily card pulls and journaling, you can feel confident in 2–3 months. Mastery comes with years of practice.
Q2: Do I need psychic abilities to read tarot?
No. Tarot is about intuition, symbolism, and reflection — not supernatural gifts.
Q3: Should beginners use reversals?
Optional. Many beginners start upright-only, then add reversals later.
Q4: Which tarot deck is best for beginners?
Most teachers recommend Rider-Waite-Smith, but any deck that resonates is fine.
Q5: Can I read tarot for myself?
Yes — self-readings help you build confidence, though it’s important to stay objective.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to read tarot cards is like learning a new language: it blends structure, symbols, and intuition. With patience, practice, and self-trust, any beginner can become a confident tarot reader.