Tarot Newbie? Start Here: Your Magical Journey Awaits
Welcome, dear seeker, to the mystical world of tarot! If you’ve ever been intrigued by the sight of a beautifully illustrated deck or felt a magnetic pull toward the unknown, you're in the right place. Whether you’re drawn by curiosity, a desire for insight, or the need to add a dash of magic to your daily life, tarot is a tool that’s here to guide, not mystify. Let’s dive in!
The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck drawn by Pamela Coleman Smith
What *Is* Tarot Anyway?
Tarot is essentially a deck of 78 cards, each brimming with symbolism, archetypes, and meaning. It’s an ancient tool that has been used for centuries to gain insight into the self, the universe, and the journey of life. But let's get one thing straight—tarot isn't some mystical fortune-telling device that will predict your future down to the last detail (sorry, no winning lottery numbers here). Instead, tarot is like a mirror reflecting the inner workings of your mind, heart, and spirit. It helps you tap into your intuition, offering clarity and guidance when you need it most. They say tarot encompasses every human emotion possible within its 78 cards. There is no way to prove if this is really true, but it makes tarot a fabulous tool to creatively psychoanalyze any situation.
What Tarot Is *Not*
Let’s bust a few myths right off the bat. (You can also read my blog about 10 tarot myths not to fall for, by clicking HERE):
Tarot isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about understanding the present so you can make empowered choices.
Tarot isn’t “woo-woo” nonsense. It’s a practical tool for introspection, decision-making, and self-discovery. A bit like self-therapy through art, mixed with creative writing and psychology. If however you yourself happen to be woo-woo (I sure seem to be~I love getting weird), then as a tarot reader you can bring your own intuitive touch to your work with tarot.
Tarot doesn’t require you to be psychic. All it asks is that you listen to your inner voice—the one that often gets drowned out by the noise of daily life. This inner voice is innate~we are born with it and use it all the time without realizing it. To hone in on that inner voice and have awareness within it, is very powerful for self-confidence & self actualization. The cards present to us ideas that we then discuss with our own inner knowing, making connections and deeper understandings on situations.
Tarot isn’t evil or cursed. These cards aren’t out to get you—they’re just paper and ink, until you infuse them with your energy and intention. Tarot like most things is a tool. Will you use it to empower? Or to insight fear? If you believe in energy then you would understand why the kind of energy we bring to tarot readings, it will mirror back to us in some form. Approach tarot with curiosity, and a growth mindset, and meaningful messages will soon follow. ~>
Ps. Just to cover all bases here… it is possible to stumble upon a cursed tarot deck. But all objects have the potential to be cursed by someone with the intention and the powerful emotions it requires to successfully curse objects (or places or people). Most cursed objects are boring everyday things like toys, photos, jewelry, etc. anyways, so you will never know if an item has negative energy attached to it until you bring it into your life. My advice? Buy your tarot deck new. Problem avoided!
The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans
Getting Started: Your First Steps on the Tarot Path
1. Choose Your Deck:
The first step is to find a tarot deck that resonates with you. The most popular choice for beginners is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck because its imagery is rich and full of symbolism. However, there are countless decks out there, from whimsical to dark, traditional to modern. Pick one that “speaks” to you.
I personally started with the Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans because I was drawn to the animal imagery and the subtle rainbow color scheme. Over time I have come to truly love the Rider-Waite-Smith deck by Pamela Coleman Smith, for its well thought out details, and its long standing influence within the divination community. It’s a classic for a reason. If you become a tarot collector like me, you will come to find a deck for every mood you wish to conjure up. There is a deck for everything, which is so much fun! But to learn tarot, I advise you start with one deck that you love, and really get a feel for the images and symbolism, before adding more options to your headspace.
2. Get Acquainted:
Once you’ve got your deck, spend some time getting to know it. Shuffle the cards, study the imagery, and see what feelings or thoughts each card evokes. The more you handle your deck, the more attuned you’ll become to its energy. This is a great time to figure out how you want to store your deck, how you want to shuffle its cards, how you’d like to treat it, and to set intentions on what kind of working relationship you would like to have together. Pull some cards and give yourself a faux reading before you even know any traditional card meanings. See if you can conjure information just from the visuals. This is a great way to practice personal intuition.
3. Learn the Basics:
Tarot has two main components: the Major Arcana (22 cards representing significant life events and spiritual lessons) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards dealing with day-to-day matters). Don’t worry about memorizing all the meanings at once—start with the Major Arcana and gradually explore the Minors. You can use a tarot guidebook or find resources online to help you understand the traditional interpretations.
Memorization may have gotten us through school, but for most of us, it’s not a realistic or fun way to learn anything. The best way to truly remember the energy of each card is to see yourself and your life experience within each one. You can do this through self guided questions. For example, you read that The Fool is all about being a clumsy beginner with a hopeful heart. You can ask yourself: “When have I taken a leap of faith in my life? When did it work out for me? When didn’t it work out like I hoped? What is my experience with calculated risks? What do I want now that will require a leap of faith on my part? How can I get comfortable with being uncomfortable as I start a journey towards a new way of living?” Etc. Ect. Etc….I really could keep going. But the main point here is that you must relate to the cards on a personal level, to really get what each one is about.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice:
Practice takes time. More time than you wish it did, I’m sure (listen I GET it). So please be patient and kind with yourself. This is a journey, and most tarot readers will tell you that even as professionals, there is always more to learn and new ways to interpret the cards. What this means is that this is (probably) a life long relationship which will change and grow as you change and grow. Allow yourself the time and play it requires to know all the cards.
Here are some ways to practice:
Pull a card each day and reflect on its meaning. How does it relate to your day, your thoughts, or your feelings? (“Ugh, today is such a Three of Swords day” or “Omg my boss is giving total Emperor vibes right now” or “I want to strengthen my trust in divine source, I could really use some High Priestess energy”. See what I mean?
Keep a tarot journal to track your daily draws and any insights you gain. Over time, patterns and themes will emerge, deepening your understanding of the cards. Often things that don’t make sense in the moment will become clear as time unfolds.
Read different books on the subject so you can see various ways in which each card is interpreted. What is similar? What is new or fresh?I suggest a mix of old-school and modern books to get a wide understand of how tarot can evolve.
Have a professional tarot reader read your cards so you can see how they go about it. Tarot reading is an art form so everyone does it differently, even if the core meanings might be the “same”.
Follow a tarot teacher online who you vibe with and participate with their content to understand their unique way of approaching tarot.
Read for yourself to the best of your ability. And/or read for imaginary people.
Trade readings with another total newbie if you’re lucky enough to have one in your immediate circle.
Once you’re feeling brave enough, read for trusted friends and fam. It’s okay to “uhhhh” and “hmmm” and to stumble, to feel like you’re making stuff up, and to eventually go blank and have to turn to a book. It happens to all of us. This is what practice is all about. You have to kinda suck for a good while (sorry) before you start to get the hang of it. Connections will come with repetition.
Reading for Yourself: Trust Your Intuition
When you’re ready to start doing readings for yourself, remember this golden rule: **Trust your intuition.** The cards are a guide, but your inner wisdom is the key to unlocking their messages. Here’s a simple spread to get you started:
The Daily Draw: Pull one card to represent the energy of the day. Look for it during your day, and/or reflect upon it at the end of the day.
The Three-Card Spread: Shuffle the deck and lay out three cards—one for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. This is a great way to gain insight into a situation or decision.
The “You Are Here” Spread: Pull a card to represent where you are right now, another for where you’d like to be, and a third for what’s standing in your way.
Don’t get too hung up on traditional meanings especially at first; notice what each card makes you feel or think. Your personal interpretation is just as valid as any book definition. The real goal is to gain insight, not to memorize a definition.
Where Can Tarot Take You?
Tarot is a lifelong journey, and where you take it is entirely up to you. Some people use tarot for daily guidance, while others turn to it for big decisions or spiritual growth. You might find yourself exploring deeper aspects of tarot, such as card combinations, reversals, or even creating your own spreads.
Within tarot you can find connections to numerology, astrology, the Bible, the Kabbalah, and much more. If any of these areas are of interest to you, in time you can add extra layers to your readings. And who knows? You might even feel called to read for others professionally, sharing your gift of insight with those who need it most.
✨ Tips and Tricks for Tarot Success:
Don’t Overthink It: Tarot is as much about feeling as it is about thinking. Don’t stress if you don’t “get” a card right away—sometimes, the meaning becomes clear later.
Stay Grounded: Before a reading, take a few deep breaths, and center yourself. A clear mind makes for clearer readings.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of asking yes/no questions, try asking things like, “What energy should I embrace today?” or “What do I need to know about this situation?”
Be Patient: Learning tarot is like learning a new language—it takes time. Be kind to yourself as you practice and grow.
Have Fun: Tarot is a magical tool, but it’s also meant to be enjoyable. Let yourself be playful and curious.
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Final Thoughts
Tarot is a wonderful ally in your journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and insight. Whether you’re drawing cards daily or just dipping your toes into the tarot waters, remember that this practice is here to serve *you*. Embrace the magic, trust your intuition, and let the cards be your guide.
Welcome to the world of tarot, dear newbie—I think you’re going to love it here. ✨
-Soni Graves 🖤
