Begin Your Tarot Journey Today

The allure of the tarot, with its rich symbolism and ancient wisdom, has captivated seekers for centuries. Perhaps you’ve felt the pull, gazing at the intricate artwork of the cards and wondering if this powerful divination tool could offer you clarity, guidance, or even a deeper connection to your intuition. Starting your tarot reading journey might seem daunting, with a vast deck of 78 cards and a sea of interpretations. But rest assured, the path to becoming a tarot reader is one of personal discovery, patience, and a willingness to listen to the whispers of your inner knowing. As of June 26, 2025, the interest in self-discovery and intuitive practices has surged, making now an opportune moment to explore how to start tarot reading and unlock the profound insights this ancient art offers. This guide is crafted to demystify the process, providing you with a clear roadmap to begin your own tarot practice, whether for personal insight or to share with others.

Understanding the Essence of Tarot

Before you even touch a deck, it’s crucial to grasp what tarot reading truly is. It’s not about predicting a fixed future or casting spells; rather, tarot is a mirror to your inner world and the energetic currents surrounding you. Each card, from the Major Arcana’s archetypal journey to the Minor Arcana’s depiction of daily life, carries layers of meaning. These meanings are influenced by the card’s imagery, its position in a spread, and most importantly, your own intuition and the energy of the question being asked. Think of the tarot as a language, a symbolic dialogue between your conscious mind and your subconscious, guided by universal archetypes. The goal of a tarot reading is to illuminate possibilities, offer perspectives, and empower you to make informed decisions aligned with your highest good. It’s a tool for introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Choosing Your First Tarot Deck

The first tangible step in your tarot journey is selecting a deck. This is a deeply personal choice, and there’s no single “right” deck to start with. The most important factor is that you feel a connection to the artwork and the overall energy of the deck.

Popular and Beginner-Friendly Decks:

• The Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Deck: This is arguably the most influential tarot deck in modern history, created by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Its clear, narrative imagery in the Minor Arcana makes it incredibly accessible for beginners. The RWS system forms the foundation for many other decks, so learning it provides a strong base. Many people find the classic imagery to be timeless and deeply resonant.
• The Universal Waite Tarot: A modern reimagining of the RWS deck, this version offers updated colors and a slightly softer aesthetic while retaining the original symbolism. It’s a great bridge for those who find the RWS a bit dated in its visual style but want the foundational understanding.
• The Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot: Another variation of the RWS, this deck features brighter, more vibrant colors that can enhance the emotional impact of the cards. Some find the increased luminosity makes the imagery pop and feel more engaging.
• The Golden Tarot: This deck by Mary Hanson-Roberts draws inspiration from the RWS but features a more painterly and ethereal style. The imagery is beautiful and often imbued with a sense of gentle magic, making it appealing for those drawn to softer aesthetics.
• The Connolly Tarot: Created by Hildegard Humphries and John Connolly, this deck is also based on the RWS system but offers a more detailed and often whimsical interpretation of the imagery. The cards feel rich and full of story, which can be very helpful for developing intuitive interpretations.

How to Connect with a Deck:

When browsing decks, hold them if possible. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Shuffle the deck (even if it’s new and sealed) and draw a single card. What is your immediate feeling or thought about that card? Does the artwork speak to you? Does it feel like a deck you could have a conversation with? Trust your gut feeling. Many readers also recommend purchasing a deck that resonates with you rather than receiving one as a gift initially, as this can foster a stronger personal bond. However, if you receive a deck as a gift and feel a connection, embrace it! The key is resonance.

Getting to Know Your Tarot Cards

Once you have your deck, the real work begins: learning the cards. This is a journey of study, meditation, and practice, not memorization.

Understanding the Structure:

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main sections:

• The Major Arcana: These 22 cards represent significant life lessons, spiritual archetypes, and major turning points. They tell a story of the soul’s journey, often referred to as the Fool’s Journey. Cards like The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Emperor, The Lovers, Death, and The World are powerful indicators of profound influences.
• The Minor Arcana: These 56 cards are divided into four suits, much like playing cards:
  • Wands: Associated with passion, creativity, energy, ambition, and inspiration. They often relate to our work, spiritual pursuits, and drive.
  • Cups: Represent emotions, relationships, love, intuition, and creativity in a more emotional sense. They speak to our heart’s desires and connections.
  • Swords: Symbolize intellect, thoughts, communication, challenges, and mental clarity. They can indicate difficult truths, conflicts, or mental struggles.
  • Pentacles (or Coins): Pertain to the material world, finances, health, security, and physical reality. They are grounded and practical, reflecting our tangible experiences.

Each suit contains ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) and four Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The numbered cards depict the progression of energy within that suit, while the Court Cards represent different personalities, approaches, or stages of maturity related to the suit’s themes.

Methods for Learning:

• Study the Meanings: Begin by familiarizing yourself with the core meanings of each card. There are countless books, websites, and apps dedicated to tarot. Start with one or two reliable resources. Don’t try to absorb everything at once; focus on understanding the essence of each card.
• Daily Card Draw: This is perhaps the most effective way to build a relationship with your deck. Each day, draw one card and meditate on its meaning. How does it relate to your day? What message might it hold for you? Keep a journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and any synchronicities. This practice helps you internalize the card’s energy and develop your personal interpretation.
• Journaling: A tarot journal is invaluable. Record your daily draws, readings you perform for yourself or others, your interpretations, and how the outcomes align with the readings. This creates a personal reference library and helps you track your progress and insights.
• Meditation and Visualization: Spend time meditating on individual cards. Look at the imagery, notice the colors, symbols, and characters. What emotions does the card evoke? What story does it tell you? This deepens your intuitive connection to the card’s message.

Learning Tarot Spreads

Spreads are the frameworks used to lay out the cards for a reading. They help to organize the cards and provide a structure for interpreting their messages in relation to a specific question.

Essential Spreads for Beginners:

• The One-Card Spread: The simplest and most fundamental spread. Draw one card to answer a specific question, get a daily affirmation, or gain insight into a particular situation. It’s perfect for quick guidance.
• The Three-Card Spread: This is a versatile spread that can be used in many ways. Common interpretations include:
  • Past, Present, Future
  • Situation, Action, Outcome
  • Mind, Body, Spirit
  • You, Your Path, Your Potential This spread offers a concise yet comprehensive overview.
• The Celtic Cross: While a more complex spread with ten cards, it’s a classic for a reason. It provides a detailed look at a situation, covering the present, challenges, aspirations, influences, and potential outcomes. Many beginners find it beneficial to learn this spread early on, as it’s widely used and covers many facets of a query.

How to Approach Spreads:

When learning a spread, start by understanding the meaning of each position. For example, in a Past-Present-Future spread, the card in the "Past" position represents what has led to the current situation, the "Present" card shows the current energy, and the "Future" card indicates the likely outcome if current energies continue. As you gain experience, you can adapt spreads or even create your own.

Developing Your Intuition

Tarot is a collaborative effort between the cards, the reader, and the querent (the person asking the question). Your intuition is the bridge that connects these elements.

Cultivating Intuitive Awareness:

• Listen to Your Gut: When you look at a card, what’s your first, unedited thought or feeling? Don’t dismiss it because it doesn’t align with a book definition. Your intuition often picks up on subtle energies and personal connections that books can’t convey.
• Pay Attention to Synchronicities: Notice recurring numbers, symbols, or themes that appear in your readings or in your daily life. These are often subtle nudges from the universe.
• Practice Mindfulness: Being present in the moment enhances your ability to access your intuition. Meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature can all help quiet the mental chatter and open you to inner guidance.
• Trust the Process: As you practice, you’ll start to notice patterns in your own interpretations. Trust that your intuition is developing and becoming more reliable. It’s okay to be wrong; learning from mistakes is part of the growth process.

The Art of Asking Questions

The quality of your tarot reading is directly related to the quality of your questions. Vague questions yield vague answers.

Crafting Effective Questions:

• Be Specific: Instead of "What about my love life?", try "What do I need to understand about my current approach to romantic relationships?" or "What energy am I bringing into my dating life this month?"
• Focus on "What" and "How": Questions starting with "What" and "How" tend to be more illuminating than "When" or "Will I?". For example, "How can I best navigate this career challenge?" is more empowering than "Will I get the promotion?".
• Frame Positively: While tarot can address challenges, framing questions in a positive or growth-oriented way can lead to more constructive insights. Instead of "Why is my boss so difficult?", consider "What can I do to improve my working relationship with my boss?"
• Avoid Yes/No Questions: Unless you’re using a specific spread designed for them, try to ask open-ended questions that invite exploration.

Performing Your First Reading

Once you feel a basic understanding of the cards and spreads, it’s time to do your first reading.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Set Your Intention: Before you begin, take a moment to center yourself. State your intention for the reading – for example, "I intend to receive clear and helpful guidance for my highest good."
2. Prepare Your Space: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. You might light a candle, burn incense, or play soft music to create a sacred atmosphere.
3. Formulate Your Question: Clearly articulate the question you wish to ask.
4. Shuffle the Deck: Hold the deck in your hands, focusing on your question. Shuffle the cards in a way that feels natural to you. Some readers cut the deck, others shuffle until it feels right.
5. Cut the Deck: After shuffling, cut the deck into three piles from left to right and then reassemble them, usually by placing the rightmost pile on top of the middle pile, and then placing the leftmost pile on top of that.
6. Lay Out the Spread: Draw the number of cards required for your chosen spread and place them face down in the designated positions.
7. Interpret the Cards: Turn over each card one by one. Look at the imagery, consider the core meanings, and most importantly, listen to your intuition. How do the cards relate to each other and to the question? Think about the story the spread tells.
8. Synthesize the Message: Bring together the individual interpretations into a cohesive message. What is the overall advice or insight the cards are offering?
9. Record the Reading: Jot down the cards drawn, the spread positions, your interpretation, and any subsequent events or feelings. This is crucial for learning and tracking.

Practicing and Refining Your Skills

Learning tarot is a lifelong journey. The more you practice, the more nuanced your interpretations will become.

Tips for Continuous Growth:

• Read for Others (with permission): Once you feel more confident, offer readings to friends or family who are open to it. Remember to always ask for their consent and to approach the reading with respect and clarity. Start with simple spreads and simple questions.
• Study Different Interpretations: Explore various books and resources to broaden your understanding of card meanings. Different traditions and authors offer unique perspectives.
• Attend Workshops or Online Courses: If you feel drawn to it, consider formal training. Many experienced tarot readers offer workshops or online courses that can deepen your knowledge and practice.
• Join a Tarot Community: Connecting with other tarot enthusiasts can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities to share insights and learn from each other. Online forums and local groups are great resources.
• Reflect on Past Readings: Periodically review your tarot journal. What patterns do you notice? How have your interpretations evolved? This self-reflection is key to growth.

A Personal Anecdote:

I remember my first reading for a friend who was struggling with a career decision. I chose the Three-Card Spread: Situation, Action, Outcome. The cards were The Hierophant (Situation), the Nine of Swords (Action), and The Star (Outcome). My initial thought was, "Oh no, the Nine of Swords is a difficult card!" It represents anxiety and despair. However, focusing on the "Action" position and my intuition, I realized it wasn't about the outcome being despair, but the action or state needed to move forward involved confronting anxieties, perhaps by seeking counsel or facing a difficult truth. The Hierophant suggested a need for established wisdom or guidance, and The Star offered hope and inspiration for the future. My interpretation was that she needed to seek guidance from a mentor or a trusted source (Hierophant) to confront her anxieties and fears about her career path (Nine of Swords), which would ultimately lead to renewed hope and clarity (The Star). She later told me she had been feeling overwhelming anxiety about making the wrong choice and that seeking advice from a former professor had been incredibly helpful, just as the cards had suggested. This experience solidified for me that tarot isn't about predicting doom, but about understanding the energies at play and how to navigate them.

The Ethical Considerations of Tarot Reading

As you develop your skills, it’s important to approach tarot reading with integrity and ethical responsibility.

Key Principles:

• Confidentiality: Always maintain the privacy of those for whom you read.
• Empowerment, Not Dictation: Your role is to offer guidance and insight, not to dictate someone's life choices. Empower the querent to make their own decisions.
• Honesty and Clarity: Be honest in your interpretations, even if the cards present challenges. Strive for clarity and avoid jargon that the querent might not understand.
• Boundaries: Know your limits. If a question falls outside your scope or comfort zone (e.g., medical or legal advice), suggest they consult a qualified professional.
• Respect: Approach each reading with respect for the querent, the cards, and the process.

Embracing the Journey

Starting tarot reading is an invitation to embark on a deeply personal and rewarding spiritual path. It’s a journey of self-discovery, intuition building, and connection to ancient wisdom. With patience, practice, and an open heart, you can unlock the profound insights that the tarot holds. Remember that every seasoned reader was once a beginner, and the most important tool you possess is your own unique intuition. So, choose your deck, learn the language of the cards, and begin to read the stories they have to tell you. The universe is waiting to communicate.