Unlocking Mysteries: Beginner’s Guide to Tarot

by | Oct 21, 2023 | Tarot & Cartomancy

Welcome to the fascinating world of tarot! Imagine a journey through time where ancient wisdom meets modern insight. In this beginner’s guide to tarot, we will explore the evolution, structure, and use of tarot cards, unraveling the mystique that surrounds this ancient art of divination.

Prefer to read? Full text available below the video!

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The Evolution of Tarot

Tarot was born in the intricate tapestry of the 15th century Italian Renaissance and has since evolved, captivating minds and hearts across continents and centuries. Initially, it was merely a card game; however, by the 18th century, it had transformed into a profound system of divination.

Today, tarot is not just about predicting the future; it has become a tool for introspection, self-reflection, and guidance, especially treasured in our fast-paced digital age.

Tarot is an intricate, multilayered system that relies on symbolism and intuition. Each card in the deck holds a unique meaning, often associated with archetypal images and narratives that resonate deeply within our collective unconscious. The beauty of tarot lies in its ability to reveal truths that are often hidden beneath the surface, providing valuable insights into our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

A personalized tarot reading is a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation, allowing us to connect with our innermost selves in a profound way.

The tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana represents significant life events and spiritual lessons, while the Minor Arcana reflects day-to-day happenings.

Combining intuition with knowledge of these symbolic meanings can create an enlightening narrative about one’s current situation or future possibilities.

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The Structure of the Tarot Deck

The Structure of the Tarot Deck

A standard tarot deck is a universe in itself, a magical cosmos crafted in 78 cards. Each card is a window into a world of possibilities and profound wisdom. The tarot deck is divided into two main sections:

Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, each symbolizing a fundamental aspect of human experience, from “The Fool,” representing the beginning of our journey, to “The World,” symbolizing completion and fulfillment. These cards delve into our spiritual evolution, life lessons, and the grand themes that shape our existence.

Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana comprises the remaining 56 cards, divided into four suits: cups, pentacles, swords, and wands. Each suit correlates with an element: water, earth, air, and fire, respectively, reflecting our day-to-day experiences.

The Four Suits

Here’s a detailed look at each suit and what they represent:

SuitElementRepresents
CupsWaterEmotions and relationships, the realm of the heart.
PentaclesEarthMaterial aspects, work, and the tangible world.
SwordsAirThoughts and intellect, the power of the mind.
WandsFirePassions, creativity, and the fire that drives us.

Each suit is further divided into 14 cards, from Ace to 10 and four court cards: the page, knight, queen, and king. These cards paint a picture of our evolving journey in each aspect of life.

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Using Tarot Cards

Using Tarot Cards

Using tarot is a deeply personal journey. It’s not about predicting the future but rather a tool for introspection, self-discovery, and growth. To use tarot effectively:

  1. Shuffle your deck: As you shuffle, focus your thoughts on a question or topic you want guidance on.
  2. Draw cards: Trust your intuition on the number of cards to draw. If a card falls out while shuffling, take that as a sign.
  3. Use spreads: A spread is a specific layout of cards providing a framework for your reading. Each position in the spread represents a different aspect of your question or situation.

Example of a Three Card Spread

  • First card: Represents the past, showing what led you to your current situation.
  • Second card: Reveals the present state of affairs.
  • Third card: Suggests a potential outcome or path forward.

The cards don’t dictate your future; they illuminate possibilities, offering fresh perspectives and insights.

Six Card Spread

  • Fourth Card: This card may indicate unseen influences, hidden potential, or challenges you’re facing.
  • Fifth Card: Represents your aspirations or the best possible outcome for the situation.
  • Sixth Card: Suggests a course of action that will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

Remember to cleanse your deck after each reading to clear any residual energy from previous readings. Treat every reading as unique and never compare them; each one stands alone in its interpretation and guidance.

Don’t forget to take note of the cards you’ve pulled in each reading, as they can reveal patterns or recurring themes over time.

10 Card Spread

  • Seventh Card: Reflects your personal power and how it influences the situation.
  • Eighth Card: This card represents external influences, such as individuals or events that may impact your current situation.
  • Ninth Card: Represents hopes or fears that are directly related to the situation at hand.
  • Tenth Card: This final card provides a potential outcome based on all other factors considered in the reading.

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Interpreting Tarot Cards

Interpreting Tarot Cards

Interpreting tarot cards is an art, a dance between knowledge, intuition, and personal interpretation. The cards speak in a language of symbols, and it’s up to us to decipher their messages.

18 Card Spread

  • Eleventh Card: This card represents your subconscious mind and how it might be influencing your decision-making process.
  • Twelfth Card: This card symbolizes the energies or forces that are working for you in the situation, helping to facilitate your goals.
  • Thirteenth Card: This card gives insight into what is not yet known, revealing hidden truths or aspects of the situation that have yet to come to light.
  • Fourteenth Card: This card embodies your immediate future, providing a glimpse into upcoming events or circumstances.
  • Fifteenth Card: This card serves as a warning or piece of advice, offering guidance on how to avoid potential pitfalls or obstacles.
  • Sixteenth Card: This card signifies the overall outcome if the current path continues unchanged – it is often seen as a prediction, but remember that our actions can always alter this trajectory.
  • Seventeenth Card: Lastly, this card represents an underlying theme or lesson to be learned from the situation at hand. It often provides insight into deeper emotional or spiritual aspects, grounding the rest of the cards and providing a bigger picture perspective. This card can also serve as an important reminder to consider how past experiences and lessons learned can be applied to current circumstances, paving the way for personal growth and development.
  • Eighteenth Card: If used, this optional card may provide additional clarity or depth to the reading – it could represent hidden factors at play, unexpected influences, or even potential opportunities that may arise.

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Understanding Tarot Spread

Understanding Tarot Spread

Understanding a tarot spread requires deep intuition and thoughtful analysis. Each position within the spread represents a different aspect of the situation at hand. For example, the first card might represent your past, while the second could represent your present situation and the third may predict future outcomes. The fourth card may reveal personal feelings or subconscious thoughts related to the question you’ve asked.

Additional cards can provide more nuanced insights – for instance, they can reflect external influences, hopes or fears around the situation, possible outcomes, and guidance or advice from higher powers. It’s important to remember that each card’s meaning can be influenced by its position in the spread, as well as by the cards adjacent to it.

Furthermore, each card within a Tarot deck has specific symbolism and meanings attached to it; understanding these can often help provide clarity during interpretation. For instance, The Fool may signify new beginnings or taking risks if placed in future positions while being indicative of naivety or foolishness when placed in past positions.

Tips for Beginners

  • Start with simple one or three-card readings.
  • Remember, the ultimate interpretation of a tarot card is a deeply personal and intuitive process.

Tarot is a journey of self-discovery, a key to unlock the door of our inner world. Each reading unfolds a new layer of your inner self, offering a fresh perspective. Dive into this mesmerizing world and remember, the cards don’t predict the future; they provide insight into the present and guidance for the future.

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FAQ’s: Unlocking Mysteries: Beginner’s Guide to Tarot

What is the history of tarot cards?

Tarot cards originated in the 15th century Italian Renaissance as a card game. By the 18th century, they transformed into a system of divination and have since been used for introspection, self-reflection, and guidance.

How is a standard tarot deck structured?

A tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and Minor Arcana (56 cards). The Minor Arcana is further divided into four suits: cups, pentacles, swords, and wands.

What do the Major and Minor Arcana represent?

The Major Arcana represents fundamental aspects of human experience and spiritual evolution. The Minor Arcana reflects day-to-day experiences and is divided into four suits, each associated with an element and aspect of life.

How do I use tarot cards?

Shuffle the deck while focusing on a question or topic, then draw cards. Use tarot spreads, specific card layouts, to provide a framework for interpreting the cards in the context of your question or situation.

Can tarot cards predict the future?

Tarot is not about predicting the future but providing insights into the present and guidance for the future. The cards offer fresh perspectives and illuminate possibilities.

How do I interpret tarot cards?

Interpretation is a mix of knowledge, intuition, and personal connection to the card’s symbols. It is advisable for beginners to start with simple one or three-card readings to understand the card’s messages better.

Is there a specific way to draw tarot cards?

There’s no set number of cards to draw. Trust your intuition. If a card falls out while shuffling, consider it significant.

How do I start with tarot reading?

Begin by shuffling the deck and focusing on a question. Draw cards and use a tarot spread to interpret them. Remember, it’s a personal journey of self-discovery, introspection, and growth.

How do the four suits of the Minor Arcana correlate with elements?

Cups correlate with water (emotions/relationships), pentacles with earth (material world/work), swords with air (thoughts/intellect), and wands with fire (passions/creativity).

How do I connect with the images on the tarot cards?

Understanding tarot is not just about memorizing meanings. It’s about connecting with the images on a visceral level and letting your intuition guide you. Each card’s symbols, colors, and figures tell a part of the story.

😇Get Your Free Personalized 3 Card Tarot Reading Here ➡️ 3 Card Tarot Reading.

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Brianna Cartwright, MSEd,
is an experienced spiritual counselor and author. more

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