Enter the mysterious and exciting world of Tarot through this guide specially designed for beginners. Discover how to use the 78 cards of this sacred deck as a tool for prediction and connection with hidden knowledge. Learn about the Tarot Card Meanings, symbolism and stories woven into each card, and how they trigger reactions in your subconscious to reveal unimaginable connections. Demystifies the belief that Tarot predicts the future and instead discovers how it can be a source of reflection, reaction, and conscious response.
A centuries-old practice, Tarot has captivated people around the world with its ability to reveal hidden knowledge through divine messages. This ancient tradition uses a deck of 78 cards as a prediction tool, allowing those who have learned and connected with their deck to obtain answers to a wide range of questions.
Whether performed for oneself or others, Tarot reading triggers the subconscious, bringing forth connections that would otherwise remain invisible. Tarot cards, imbued with symbolism and wrapped in stories, awaken internal reactions that invite you to reflect, react, and respond consistently.
It is important to note that the Tarot does not grant the reader the ability to foresee the future, but rather provides an opportunity to explore the deeper aspects of one’s psyche. Through this experience, both readers and consultants can find guidance, understanding, and clarity in their lives.
WHAT ARE TAROT CARDS?
Each card in a deck has its own unique images, and the deck as a whole is divided into two categories: the major and minor arcana.
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, ranging from the numbers 0 to 21 that tell “the fool’s journey.” In short, it is an archetypal story of life. The Minor Arcana is made up of the four elements (fire, air, water, and earth, represented by wands, swords, cups, and pentacles respectively) and count upwards from ace to 10 and then through four court cards (page, horse, queen, and king). The Major Arcana is said to represent major life-changing events, while the Minor Arcana generally represents people, feelings, and everyday occurrences.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF TAROT?
Tarot cards are believed to have originated in the 15th century in Europe, more specifically Italy, and the deck was originally called Tarocchi. The cards quickly gained ground in many other European countries after the French conquered Milan and Piedmont in 1499. The Major Arcana, formerly called trump cards, were custom-made and painted for wealthy families, including several decks that were created for the Visconti family in Milan. The oldest surviving cards are the 15 Visconti-Sforza tarot decks commissioned by Duke Filippo Maria Visconti between 1418 and 1425, meaning that people have been learning to read tarot cards for over 600 years.
WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF TAROT?
While we know that tarot cards were used in aristocratic society, their original purpose is still not fully known. Whether it’s family heirlooms to pass down to closest relatives, just a fun personalized set of cards, or something in between. Over time, tarot cards became symbolic predictive tools. Their use has expanded far beyond their original purpose as they help us with spiritual guidance and self-reflection.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAROT AND ORACLE CARDS?
Tarot decks must consist of exactly 78 cards made up of 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. They must also include four different suits. In the traditional Rider-Waite deck, these are pentacles, swords, cups, and wands; However, some decks use different representations of these same four elements. Tarot will always include court cards (traditionally page, knight, queen, and king), although some decks swap pages for princesses or other minor changes to the creative direction of the deck.
While oracle cards are used in a similar way, that is, as a self-reflection tool, there are fewer rules. A deck of oracle cards can include any number of cards and meanings.
HOW CAN I LEARN TO READ TAROT?
Tarot as a divination tool is intended to give clarity to the person for whom it is read. You may read for yourself, you may read for someone else, or you may have someone else read for you. To learn how to read tarot, it is important to start by understanding the meaning behind each archetypal card. As much as we learn words before we start putting sentences together, knowing the meaning of the cards individually will guide you as you read them in tarot card readings.
HOW ARE TAROT QUESTIONS ASKED?
When asking questions about your tarot deck, it’s important to first set an intention. Try something like: “I call on my spirit guides of the purest and highest intention to give me messages of clarity for every question asked from here on out.” From there, ask tarot questions that are both specific and non-specific. A specific question would be: “Should I move forward with the new job I was just offered?” or “Am I really falling in love?”
As you study tarot, learn which cards represent yes or no within the deck to answer your own “yes/no” questions. However you choose to ask your tarot questions, just make sure it’s always done with sincere intentions and a level of respect for the guidance you’re seeking. Each answer will be shown through the cards, but it is important to understand that tarot is not information written in stone. You always have free will and the power to change your approach to life, whether to continue or deviate from the path you are currently on.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CLEAN THE TAROT?
If you own the tarot deck you are reading, keep your deck clean and treat it with care. Cleanse your deck with sustainably harvested sage or palo santo, bathing it in the aura of cleansing crystals such as clear quartz or selenite, or placing cards under moonlight. This helps clear the energy of previous readings and any influences that do not come from a pure space; As a divination tool, tarot cards can absorb energy from the people who use them, so any past reading or spiritual entity trying to get through, cleaning helps your deck maintain energetic integrity to ensure a more accurate reading of tarot cards.
WHAT ARE TAROT CARD READINGS?
The position of the cards that you place on the table for reading is called a “tarot spread,” which means that the cards are placed in a specific order and location, and each placement has its own meaning. Two of the most common tarot readings include:
Past, present, future: a spread of three cards in which the cards are placed with the leftmost (and first) one representing the energy of the past, the middle one representing what is currently happening in the present, and the further to the right represents the energy of the future.
The Celtic Cross: A 10-card spread that begins with two cards in the middle overlapping each other. These first two cards represent:
- The central focus of the person for whom it is read.
- What is helping or hindering this present focus?
- The cards are then placed clockwise around these two center cards, starting from the bottom, then left, top, and right. Its meanings are:
- The subconscious (below);
- The recent past, or events leading up to this moment (left);
- The upper path or destination (up);
- What lies ahead, or the near future if you stay on your current path (right).
- Four cards are then drawn from the right side of this central area from bottom to top. They are:
- The questioner, that is, the person for whom it is read and their energy.
- Energy and external influences and/or environment of the interrogator.
- The hopes and dreams of the questioner.
- The final result.
Most readers will say that the locations of the Higher Path/Destiny Card (#5) and the End Result Card (#10) are interchangeable if the questioner is willing to follow their intuition to move forward, since destiny is the best possible outcome, and the final outcome is what can happen given the culmination of other cards and their circumstances.
These two tarot spreads are used by both beginning readers and seasoned professionals and serve as a great foundation for those learning the practice. As with many things, it is important to learn the basics of tarot reading before getting creative and branching out into your own unique style, which will come with time, practice, and experience. Once you’re ready to get creative, you can even connect tarot cards to your zodiac chart.
WHICH TAROT CARDS REPRESENT WHICH ZODIAC SIGNS?
Although they are not intrinsically intertwined, there is a long tradition of placing astrological influence on each tarot card. This helps to get more accurate readings over time and identify the people whose energy is shown in a reading. Each suit is said to be associated with an element of the zodiac, so:
- Wands = fire sign energy;
- Cups = energy of the water sign;
- Pentacles = energy of the earth sign;
- Swords = energy of the air sign.
Each zodiac sign can also be seen in the Major Arcana cards. There is a slight discrepancy between readers and what sign they assign to each Major Arcana card:
- Aries: The Emperor or The Fool
- Taurus: The Hierophant or The Empress (Ruler Venus)
- Gemini: The Lovers or The High Priestess (both showing duality)
- Cancer: Temperance, The Chariot, or The Moon (Planetary Ruler)
- Leo: Strength
- Virgo: The hermit; secondary: The Maiden in Strength;
- Libra: Justice; secondary: The Empress (Venus ruled);
- Scorpio: Death
- Sagittarius: Judgment, or Temperance
- Capricorn: The devil
- Aquarius: The star or The Hanged Man
- Pisces: The Moon
The World card and The Wheel of Fortune also represent and show images of the four fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), so it is important to keep in mind that they all share influence over these two cards.
WHAT IS THE MOST POWERFUL TAROT CARD?
Each of the 78 tarot cards has a different importance for each person who interprets them. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana are said to be representative of major life-changing events compared to the 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, which are more indicative of emotions, people, and everyday experiences.
For this reason alone, we can say that one of the Majors is more likely to be the objectively more powerful card. This list below of basic tarot card meanings can help you narrow down your decision on which one has the most importance to you:
CRAZY:
The first card of the tarot. The beginning and the end of everything, a rapid change that requires a leap of faith. The Fool card, sometimes called Idiot, represents infinite possibilities and potential, something no other card could accurately represent.
THE FORCE:
Literally translating into power and inner strength, the Strength card asks the questioner to dig deep into their reserves of power and push forward so that they can overcome anything that stands in their way.
SUN
The happiest card in the tarot deck, represents positivity and optimism. Without a doubt, a bright future lies ahead when this card is drawn.
DEATH:
As with happy, positive beginnings, sometimes a new life is born from the end of something else. Although it rarely indicates a physical death, the death card can signal an end that will eventually lead to a new beginning for the questioner. This archetype of the phoenix rising from the ashes is important and powerful, and it is something that cannot be avoided in life. Once death is accepted, it can act as a powerful catalyst for change and transformation.
THE WORLD:
When this card is drawn, know that there is an undeniable sense of wholeness for the questioner. This card indicates that a cycle has ended and that all is well for the questioner. This card makes the pause before the next chapter an important moment in time and usually represents achievement, fulfillment, successful conclusions, and the infinite possibilities that can arise from it all.
WHAT ARE THE MEANINGS OF TAROT CARDS?
Although not all cards may be the most powerful, they all have undeniable importance. See below for the meaning of the 78 tarot cards, starting with the 22 cards of the Major Arcana and then breaking down from Ace to King of the four suits (cups, wands, pentacles, swords).
- The Fool: New beginnings, taking a leap of faith, new possibilities lie ahead, a new journey is about to begin.
- The Magician: Using all your past experiences to create a new future, alchemizing your reality, taking confident action forward.
- The High Priestess: Intuition, gaining knowledge and power, secrets coming to light, spiritual insight, mystery ahead.
- The Empress: Divine Femininity, reception, creation, pregnancy, nurturing herself or those around her or being nurtured and cared for, a new opportunity is underway, abundance.
- The Emperor: Divine Masculinity, stability, security, ambition, power, authority figure or entering a position of authority, promotion.
- The Hierophant: Tradition, marriage, religion, higher education or learning, seeking guidance from wise figures or elders to complete a task.
- The Lovers: Temptation, commitment, balancing masculine and feminine energy, being at a crossroads and needing to make a clear choice, partnerships (romantic or business).
- The bandwagon: moving forward, positive momentum forward, motivation, leaving the past behind to move towards the future, determination, fame, harnessing confidence, and feeling confident in your path.
- Strength: Triumph over a difficult or prolonged situation, self-sufficiency, overcoming temptation or stagnation, internal mastery.
- The Hermit: Solitude, time alone, taking a break from others to clearly hear your own inner voice, withdrawal from society, reflection, self-awareness, soul searching, meditation, or retreat.
- Wheel of Fortune: drastic change, destiny, luck, good luck on your path, things that take a 180-degree turn from what you are currently experiencing (or have experienced in the past), aligning with your purpose superior.
- Justice: Fairness, legal issues, contracts being signed, responsibility, karma, law, and order, restoring balance in a chaotic situation.
- The Hanged Man: Change of perspective, last test of surrender, breaking old patterns, seeing things from a new perspective, letting go, a period of waiting (suspension), the liminal space between stages of life, waiting, the sacrifice.
- Death: The cycle of life-death-life, the phoenix rising from the ashes, increased self-awareness caused by loss or endings, grief, abandonment of attachments, rebirth, intense and sudden change.
- Temperance: Balance being restored, symbiosis, equal give and take in a situation, divine intervention that could not have been created through your own action, patience, and building a home.
- The Devil: Obligation, hedonism, addictions, patterned thoughts and behaviors that need to be controlled, living in a state of fear, feeling trapped, needing to deal with the parts of your subconscious that govern your life negatively.
- The Tower: Sudden destruction, breaking old patterns and belief systems that no longer serve a positive purpose, sudden endings, danger, catastrophic events, renewal of your life, destroying everything so you can start from scratch, leveling the Foundation.
- The Star: Keep faith, hold on to hope, fertile new land, inspiration, believe in a better future, feel blessed by the universe, and dreams fulfilled.
- The Moon: Confusion, not everything is as it seems, deception, illusions, insecurity, being dishonest with oneself, following things blindly.
- The Sun: Good fortune, positive outcomes, prosperity, happy outcomes, abundance, success, childlike joy, enlightenment, enlightenment in a once confusing or mysterious situation, marriage, achievement.
- Judgment: Resurrection, facing a situation head-on, dealing with karma or past situations, renewal, call to life, resolving complex situations.
- The World: Completion, end of a cycle, successful conclusions, rest before starting a new chapter, a situation that closes the circle, travel, infinite possibilities.
Ace of Cups: New beginnings in love, creating a deep romantic connection, creativity, birth, a girl can predict.
Two of Cups: Love, soulmates, divine partnership, creating deep bonds of friendship, togetherness, perfect harmony, and sense of togetherness.
Three of Cups: Celebration, group efforts, weddings, third-party situations, co-collaboration, reconciliation of a past relationship.
Four of Cups: Boredom, melancholy, lack of enthusiasm, an ever greener grass complex, comparison, missing the point, a great awakening.
Five of Cups: grief, sorrow, loss, sadness, emotional pain, a good omen that love awaits you in the future (since there are two cups left standing).
Six of Cups: Past life connections, nostalgia, childlike joy, someone returning from the past, memories, reunion, sweetness, kindness, gentleness, ease, simplicity.
Seven of Cups: Illusions, deceptions, the need to choose, discernment is needed in a situation, decision paralysis or indecision, many ideas and inspiration to the point of being overwhelming.
Eight of Cups: Leaving a situation behind, getting away from something emotionally draining, abandonment, escapism, time for a change, breakups, taking a break.
Nine of Cups: Wish fulfillment, overindulgence, greed, happy associations, dreams coming true, contentment.
Ten of Cups: long-term relationships, building a family, home, fairy tale endings, things ending better than you could have imagined, achieving your desires.
Page of Cups: Express true feelings, affection, sweetness, innocence, tenderness, love letters, romantic messages that arrive, and good news in progress.
Knight of Cups: A romantic suitor, who follows his heart, lets himself be led by his feet, receives an offer or apology, and uses discernment for possible deception or sweet words.
Queen of Cups: Psychic visionary, an emotional or loving woman, prone to deep or overwhelming emotions, melancholic, deep and intuitive insights that come and help you clear your future.
King of Cups: Clarity, emotional balance, intuition, emotional maturity, devotion, a socially celebrated and accepted man.
Ace of Wands: A new and passionate beginning, a bright future, a new business or family, could predict the conception or birth of a baby, good news.
Two of Wands: Partnership, letting go of the past to move forward with a new decision, collaboration, moving forward, leaving something behind.
Three of Wands: Manifestation, old seeds that were planted in the past bearing fruit, patience, exploring the world, traveling, reaching opportunities, and teamwork.
Four of Wands: marriage, home building, alignment with your path and purpose, connecting with the right people, sense of belonging, matching the frequency of what you want in life, alignment.
Five of Wands: Competition, argumentative conversations, disputes, disagreements, conflict, others fighting over you or a shared idea, resistance.
Six of Wands: Victory, culmination, celebration, being or feeling admired by others, achievements, moments of glory, arrogance, and success goes to your head.
Seven of Wands: Courage, defending your honor, negotiation, defensiveness, lack of communication, high-risk situations, dedication to a path or project.
Eight of Wands: Travel, communication, rapid changes, vitality, and the arrival of letters or emails that change the course of your life.
Nine of Wands: Obstacles, pressure, delays, persistence needed for the current situation, a test of faith, illness, or injury that puts you out of commission.
Ten of Wands: Burdens, fatigue, stress, hard work, achievement, finishing a hard or tedious project, ending a cycle of taking on too much, and letting go of obligations or responsibilities.
Page of Wands: Courage, embarking on a journey, enthusiasm, spiritual teachings or educational opportunities, impulsiveness, excitement, excitement, of new ideas.
Knight of Wands: Power, passion, energy, lust, adventure, an upcoming trip, meeting someone who opens your eyes to a new way of life.
Queen of Wands: Ambition, confidence, lust, a strong-willed woman (either entering into this energy or meeting someone outside who has this presence).
King of Wands: Authority, incoming changes, successful or prosperous future ahead, a man in leadership, becoming a person of importance to others.
Ace of Pentacles: New opportunities with work or money, new income or income streams, successful investments, good fortune, inheritance, stable foundations being built, new job or business.
Two of Pentacles: bring balance, release stress, stop overworking, transition, ups, and downs, you are supported in making a difficult decision.
Three of Pentacles: Building a solid foundation, working with others or collaborating, learning from others, planning, and long-term goals.
Four of Pentacles: Greed, closed-mindedness, fear of loss, unwillingness to share success or financial gain.
Five of Pentacles: Feeling left out or rejected, poverty, dark night of the soul, loss, lack of resources, comparison to what others have, someone acting cold.
Six of Pentacles: Balance, paying off debt, sharing wealth, combining finances with another for a house or project, giving without expecting anything in return, philanthropy, support, unity, and community.
Seven of Pentacles: Investments or investing your time/energy in someone or something, planning, patience, the beginning of something that will grow, long-term goals, commitment, stability, and building a solid foundation.
Eight of Pentacles: Hard work, learning, work or employment being a main focus, learn now for your future, discipline, diligence, tedium or monotony.
Nine of Pentacles: Independence, finding your niche, entrepreneurship, embarking on your own path, achievements, prosperity, freedom, wisdom.
Ten of Pentacles: Generational wealth, large sums of money, unexpected financial benefits, financial security, stability, a happy family life, prosperity.
Page of Pentacles: Good news comes, the ability to grow, learn new life lessons, be a young student, goal setting, loyalty.
Knight of Pentacles: Reliability, stability, patience, slow progress in the right direction, tortoise and hare complex, things may seem bleak or backward, but they will prosper later.
Queen of Pentacles: A motherly, loving figure, a well-paying job or promotion coming your way, financial security, opulence, luxury, and spending more time connecting your mind, body, and spirit.
King of Pentacles: A mature and grounded energy, building an empire, being at the top of your career or industry, power, prosperity, discipline, abundance, and being in a position to give back to others.
Ace of Swords: New contracts that are signed, new thoughts or ideas that arrive that change the course of your life, connecting and communicating with new people, clarity, truth, inspiration, pure and undeniable power.
Two of Swords: Confusion, being at a crossroads, indecision, stalemate, limited communication, making a difficult or scary decision.
Three of Swords: Heartbreak, breakup, despair, infidelity, pain, rejection, love triangle, poor health.
Four of Swords: Need to rest before the universe makes you rest, a much-needed rest, rest, recovery, vacation, solitude, temporary peace.
Five of Swords: Cowardice in conflict, pride, serious loss, defeat, unnecessary arguments, gossip, suspicion, jealousy, there is a snake in your inner circle.
Six of Swords: Moving toward better things or people, healing, moving forward, leaving behind a tumultuous past, relief, spiritual guidance, travel.
Seven of Swords: Deception, either someone is deceiving you or you are deceiving yourself, lying, manipulation, dishonesty, lying, theft, enemies, espionage, and cunning behavior is afoot.
Eight of Swords: Victimization, anxiety, being trapped in the mind and causing unnecessary suffering, your thoughts are out of control, shame, slander.
Nine of Swords: Sleepless nights, mental anguish, insomnia, despair, anxiety, fear, stressful environment, and external experiences make you question yourself.
Ten of Swords: End of a cycle, betrayal, stabbing in the back, total ruin of a situation, martyrdom, the worst is over.
Page of Swords: Espionage, stalking on social networks or being stalked, gossip, curiosity, rebellion, exams or studying for something, immaturity, needs to mature.
Knight of Swords: An aggressive figure, quick to jump to conclusions, entering as quickly as leaving, knee-jerk reactions, hasty decision-making, and rash behavior.
Queen of Swords: A cold figure, someone who has a hard outer shell but is extremely sensitive underneath it all, divorce, logic, righteousness, bitterness, an authoritative figure, who gets straight to the point.
King of Swords: An intelligent figure, with seriousness, majestic behavior, ongoing research, control over one’s emotions, ability to think rationally in difficult situations, and inventive and clear thinking are needed for a situation.
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