Tarot for Beginners: How To Start Reading the Cards with Confidence
- Megan Phoenix
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Have you ever been curious about tarot but felt overwhelmed by all 78 cards, complicated spreads and endless interpretations? If so, you're not alone.
Many people are drawn to tarot because they want guidance, clarity, or a deeper connection to their intuition.
The good news is that tarot doesn't require psychic abilities or years of study to get started.
Tarot is a tool that helps you tap into your own inner wisdom and see situations from a new perspective.
Whether you've just purchased your first deck, have been admiring tarot from afar or maybe coming back to tarot after a break, this beginner's guide will help you take your first steps into the fascinating world of tarot.
What Is Tarot?
Tarot is a deck of 78 cards that can be used for self-reflection, spiritual growth and guidance. Each card contains symbolic imagery that tells a story and carries specific meanings.
The tarot deck is divided into two main sections:
The Major Arcana
The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, beginning with The Fool and ending with The World. These cards represent major life lessons, spiritual growth and significant events.
Some examples include:
The Fool – New beginnings and taking a leap of faith
The Magician – Personal power and manifestation
The High Priestess – Intuition and inner wisdom
Death – Transformation and change
The Star – Hope and inspiration
When Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, they often point to important themes or lessons unfolding in your life.
The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana contains 56 cards divided into four suits:
Cups – Emotions, relationships and intuition
Pentacles – Money, work and the physical world
Swords – Thoughts, communication and challenges
Wands – Creativity, passion and action
These cards tend to reflect everyday situations and experiences.
Choosing Your First Tarot Deck
One of the most common questions beginners ask is, "Which deck should I buy?"
The truth is that the best tarot deck is the one you feel drawn to.
Many readers start with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck because it is widely used and most tarot books reference its imagery.
However, there are countless beautiful decks available featuring different artistic styles and themes.
And honestly, I never felt drawn to that deck so haven’t used it. And I’ve been using tarot cards for more than 30 years.
When selecting your first deck, ask yourself:
Do I connect with the artwork?
Can I easily understand the images?
Does the deck make me excited to learn?
Trust your instincts. If a deck speaks to you, it's likely the right one for your journey.
And don’t be afraid to change decks. I was using a borrowed deck at first, but I didn’t feel drawn to it at all. It almost seemed like listening to someone speak in a foreign language. I wanted to know what it was saying, but I just couldn’t. I found the right deck for me not long after.
Connecting with Your Deck
Once you receive your deck, spend some time getting familiar with it.
You might:
Look through each card one by one
Notice which cards stand out to you
Journal your first impressions
Sleep with the deck near your bed
Carry a card or the whole deck with you during the day
Touch, feel and shuffle the deck
There is no right or wrong way to bond with your deck. The goal is simply to become comfortable with the cards and their energy.
Personally, I like having my cards near me. I also take them out and just shuffle them from time-to-time. It really feels like connecting with old friends when I use my main deck.
How to Do Your First Tarot Reading
Many beginners think they need to memorize every card's meaning before doing a reading. Thankfully, that's not true.
Start simple.
Take a few deep breaths and focus on a question or area of your life where you'd like guidance. Shuffle the cards and pull one card.
Ask yourself:
What do I notice first in the image?
How does this card make me feel?
What message might this card have for me today?
Before reaching for a guidebook, spend a few moments trusting your own observations. Your intuition is an important part of a tarot reading.
Afterward, compare your impressions with the traditional meanings to gain additional insight.
I honestly don’t really use the guidebook or follow whether a card is reversed or not. I go with my feelings and interpretations. And remember, sometimes your first impressions are the most insightful and accurate.
A Simple Three-Card Spread
When you're ready to move beyond a single card pull, try this easy three-card spread.
Past – Present – Future
Card One: Past influences
Card Two: Present situation
Card Three: Possible future outcome
This spread helps you see how events may be connected and provides a broader perspective on your situation.
Remember, tarot does not predict a fixed future. Instead, it reveals possibilities based on your current path and empowers you to make informed choices.
Trusting Your Intuition
One of the greatest gifts tarot offers is the opportunity to strengthen your intuition.
As you work with the cards, you may notice that certain symbols, colors or details catch your attention. Sometimes your personal interpretation will reveal an insight that isn't listed in any guidebook.
That's perfectly okay. Trust it!
Tarot is a conversation between the cards, your intuition and your life experiences.
The more you practice, the more confidence you'll develop in your own interpretations.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Every tarot reader starts somewhere and making mistakes is part of the learning process.
Here are a few things to avoid:
Asking the Same Question Repeatedly
If you don't like the answer you receive, resist the urge to keep pulling cards for the same question. This often creates confusion rather than clarity.
Becoming Dependent on the Cards
Tarot should be a tool for guidance, not a replacement for your own judgment and decision-making. Don’t feel like you have to use tarot for everyday decisions.
Fear of Certain Cards
Many beginners worry when they pull cards such as Death, The Tower, The Devil, or the Ten of Swords.
These cards are not necessarily negative. Often they represent transformation, necessary endings, breakthroughs or opportunities for growth.
Trying to Memorize Everything at Once
Learning tarot is a journey. Focus on understanding the cards gradually instead of trying to memorize all 78 meanings immediately.
Tarot is a personal journey. No two people will have the same experience. Trust your journey.
Keeping a Tarot Journal
One of the fastest ways to improve your tarot skills is by keeping a tarot journal. You can use the same journal you use for other witchy topics or have a dedicated journal just for tarot.
Record:
The date
The question asked
The cards drawn
Your interpretation
What actually happened afterward
Over time, you'll begin to recognize patterns and deepen your understanding of the cards.
Your interpretations of certain cards may be very different than the traditional meaning, but it could be right for you and your journey.
A journal also helps you track your personal relationship with tarot and document your spiritual growth.
Final Thoughts
Tarot is not about predicting every detail of the future. It is a tool for self-discovery, reflection and empowerment. The cards can help you explore possibilities, uncover hidden perspectives and strengthen your connection to your intuition.
If you're just beginning your tarot journey, be patient with yourself. Every experienced reader started exactly where you are now: with curiosity, a deck of cards and a willingness to learn.
Trust the process, listen to your intuition and allow the cards to become a trusted companion on your path of personal and spiritual growth.
The magic isn't just in the cards. It's within you!
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