How to Read Tarot Cards: A Complete Beginner's Guide to Unlocking Your Intuition
What if you already have access to a powerful tool for self-reflection, decision-making, and personal growth, one that's been used for centuries but requires zero psychic ability?
Tarot reading isn't about predicting the future or mystical powers. It's a practice of connecting with your intuition and gaining fresh perspectives on life's questions. And the growing numbers back this up: according to Pew Research, nearly 1 in 3 Americans have explored tarot or astrology, while tarot searches on Etsy jumped 282% in 2025.
Yet most beginners quit within weeks. They get overwhelmed by memorizing 78 card meanings, confused by contradictory interpretations, or intimidated by seemingly "gifted" readers online.
This guide changes that approach. Instead of rote memorization, you'll learn a practical framework for tarot reading that prioritizes intuition over rigid rules. Whether you're seeking personal guidance, looking to develop a daily mindfulness practice, or simply curious about what all those cards actually mean, you'll leave with everything needed to start reading immediately.
Here's what we'll cover: understanding your deck structure, a step-by-step tarot reading process, beginner-friendly spreads, and how to develop your unique tarot reading style over time.
Ready to begin your tarot reading journey? Let's start with the foundation, what tarot reading actually is and how it works.
What is Tarot Reading?
Tarot reading is the practice of using a 78-card deck as a tool for self-reflection, decision-making, and accessing your intuition. Each card features symbolic imagery that you interpret to gain insights into questions, situations, or personal challenges.
The practice originated in 15th-century Europe as a card game before evolving into a divination and self-development tool over centuries. Modern tarot reading balances psychological insight with spiritual guidance, making it valuable whether you approach it from a secular or mystical perspective.
What tarot is not: fortune-telling that predicts fixed outcomes. A reading reveals possibilities, influences, and perspectives, not guaranteed futures. The cards don't dictate your path. They illuminate it, helping you make more informed, aligned choices.
This distinction matters because it shifts the power from the cards to you. You're not passive recipient of a predicted fate but an active participant in creating your outcomes, using the cards as a mirror for your own wisdom and intuition.
Understanding Your Tarot Deck
Every tarot deck contains 78 cards divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Understanding this structure is your first step toward confident readings.
The Major Arcana: Life's Big Themes
The 22 Major Arcana cards represent significant life themes, archetypal experiences, and major spiritual lessons. Think of these as the "big plot points" in life's story, falling in love (The Lovers), experiencing transformation (Death), finding inspiration (The Star), or navigating upheaval (The Tower).
When Major Arcana cards appear in a tarot reading, they usually point to important, larger-scale issues at play. These aren't everyday concerns but deeper patterns and life phases.
Key cards to know:
- The Fool: New beginnings, taking leaps, trusting the journey
- The Magician: Manifestation, resourcefulness, power to create change
- The High Priestess: Intuition, hidden knowledge, trusting your inner voice
- The Empress: Nurturing, abundance, creative expression
- The Emperor: Structure, authority, stability and rules
- The Lovers: Relationships, choices, alignment of values
- Death: Endings, transformation, letting go (not literal death!)
- The Tower: Sudden change, upheaval, revelation of truth
- The Moon: Illusion, intuition, subconscious patterns
- The Sun: Success, vitality, clarity and optimism
The Minor Arcana: Everyday Situations
The remaining 56 cards form the Minor Arcana, representing daily life, practical matters, and the everyday situations that appear in tarot reading. These cards divide into four suits, each connected to an element and area of life:
| Suit | Element | Focus | Best Questions For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wands | Fire | Action, creativity, passion | Starting ventures, motivation, goals |
| Cups | Water | Emotions, relationships | Love, friendships, emotional decisions |
| Swords | Air | Thoughts, decisions | Making choices, conflicts, clarity |
| Pentacles | Earth | Money, work, home | Finances, career stability, planning |
Each suit contains:
- Ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) showing different aspects of the suit's energy
- Four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) often representing people or personality traits
Choosing Your First Deck
The Rider-Waite-Smith deck, first published in 1909, remains the recommended starting point for beginners. Its imagery is deeply embedded in tarot tradition, and most learning resources reference these specific illustrations. Working with Rider-Waite makes it easier to cross-reference meanings as you learn.
That said, the best deck is ultimately the one that speaks to you. If traditional Rider-Waite imagery doesn't resonate, explore modern interpretations that maintain the same symbolism but with fresh aesthetics. Browse deck images online, visit a local shop to handle cards in person, or notice which decks catch your eye in social media posts.
Trust that pull. Your connection to the imagery matters more than following someone else's recommendation.
How to Read Tarot Cards: A Step-by-Step Process
When Maya first bought her tarot deck in September 2024, she did what most beginners do, she spent weeks memorizing card meanings from a little white booklet. Every time she tried to read, she'd frantically flip through the book, feeling disconnected and frustrated. The cards felt like a test she was failing.
Then she learned a different approach: trust her first impression, reference meanings second. Within two weeks, she was giving herself daily readings that actually felt meaningful.
Here's the process that transformed her experience.
Step 1: Set Your Intention
Before touching your cards, get clear on why you're reading. What question do you want insight on? What energy are you bringing to this tarot reading session?
Good questions are open-ended and focused on you rather than others. Instead of "Will I get this job?", try "What do I need to know about pursuing this position?" Instead of "Does my ex still love me?", try "What am I still learning from that relationship?"
Take a few deep breaths. Some readers like to hold their deck briefly, "clearing" it by imagining any stale energy releasing. Others say a short affirmation or simply state their intention aloud: "I'm seeking clarity on my career path."
Do what feels right. There's no wrong way to prepare if it helps you focus.
Step 2: Shuffle and Select
There are many shuffling methods, overhand shuffle, riffle shuffle like playing cards, or simply mixing cards on a flat surface. Choose what's comfortable and practical for your hands.
As you shuffle, keep your question or intention in mind. When you feel ready, stop shuffling and cut the deck (split into two piles and restack) or simply begin pulling cards.
For most spreads, you'll pull cards one at a time from the top of the deck. Some readers fan the cards face down and select intuitively, while others deal directly from the shuffled stack. Both approaches work.
Step 3: Lay Out Your Spread
Your spread is the arrangement of cards you've pulled. Each position in the spread has a specific meaning, providing context for how to interpret that card.
We'll cover specific spreads in the next section, but the key principle is this: position meaning modifies card meaning. The Three of Swords in a "past influences" position suggests past heartbreak, while the same card in "advice to consider" might suggest acknowledging emotional pain rather than avoiding it.
Lay cards one at a time, placing them face down first. Some traditions recommend turning cards over in the order they were laid out; others suggest revealing all at once. Either approach is fine.
Step 4: Begin Your Interpretation
When Maya first started reading, she'd immediately reach for her guidebook the moment a card appeared. But here's what she learned: your first impression usually holds the most insight.
Look at the card. What catches your attention first? A specific symbol? A facial expression? A color? What's the overall mood of the image? Notice your immediate emotional or intuitive response.
Ask yourself: How does this card's energy relate to the position meaning and your question? Don't worry about traditional meanings yet, just respond to what you see.
Then consult resources for deeper insight. Reference the card's traditional meanings, notice symbols you might have missed, and consider how these layers add to your tarot reading.
Trust what resonates and set aside what doesn't. Your reading is valid even if it departs from book definitions.
Step 5: Read Card Combinations
Individual cards have meanings, but the magic happens in how they interact. Notice relationships between cards:
- Repeated elements: Multiple cards from the same suit or numbers appearing across cards
- Visual connections: Colors, symbols, or figures that relate across cards
- Story flow: How does the narrative progress from card to card through the spread?
These combinations often reveal nuances and insights that single-card meanings miss.
Step 6: Synthesize and Reflect
Once you've considered individual cards and their combinations, step back and consider the reading as a whole. What's the overall message? What themes recur? What's the guidance emerging from the spread?
This is where journaling becomes invaluable. Writing your tarot reading forces you to articulate insights, notice patterns, and create a record you can revisit later. Date your entry, note your question, list the cards drawn, and write your interpretation.
Return to these journal entries weeks or months later. You'll be amazed at how readings clarify with time and hindsight.
Looking for practice opportunities? Resources like Biddy Tarot and Labyrinthos offer daily practice features for building consistency and confidence with your tarot reading.
Essential Tarot Spreads for Beginners
A spread is simply a specific pattern for laying out cards, with each position carrying defined meaning. Starting with simple spreads builds confidence before tackling complex layouts.
One-Card Daily Draw
Best for: Daily practice, specific questions, quick guidance
Layout: Single card
Position meaning: The answer to your question or guidance for your day
This deceptively simple tarot reading spread is incredibly powerful. Each morning, draw one card with an intention like "What energy should I be aware of today?" or "What do I need to focus on?"
In the evening, reflect on how the card's themes showed up in your day. Over time, this daily practice builds your relationship with your deck and deepens your understanding of each card through lived experience.
Three-Card Spread (Multiple Variations)
Best for: Quick insight on specific situations, decision-making, understanding past-present-future dynamics
Layout: Three cards in a row
Common position meanings:
Past-Present-Future: What led to this situation, what's happening now, what's likely if current path continues
Situation-Challenge-Advice: What's going on, what's blocking progress, what action to consider
Option A-Option B-Outcome: Compare two choices and their likely results
The beauty of three-card spreads is versatility. You can adapt position meanings to any question, making this your go-to spread for most situations.
When Alex was deciding between two job offers in early 2025, she used the Option A-Option B-Outcome format. The reading revealed:
| Position | Offer | Cards Showed | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option A | Higher salary | Financial gain but less fulfillment | Declined |
| Option B | Lower salary, aligned values | Long-term satisfaction, purpose | Accepted |
She chose the position aligned with her values and hasn't looked back.
The Celtic Cross
Best for: Comprehensive readings, complex situations, deeper exploration
Layout: Ten cards in specific positions (cross and staff formation)
This is probably the most famous tarot spread, but it's not beginner-friendly. The Celtic Cross provides detailed insight but requires comfort with both card meanings and reading card combinations.
Save this spread for when you've built confidence with simpler layouts. There's no rush, experienced readers regularly return to one- and three-card spreads because they're often sufficient.
Creating Your Own Spreads
As you gain experience, you'll develop intuition for what kinds of questions benefit from what kinds of layouts. Don't be afraid to create custom spreads for specific situations.
Moving houses? Create a five-card spread with positions like: What I'm leaving behind, What I'm bringing forward, Challenges to anticipate, Opportunities to embrace, Overall guidance.
Making a difficult decision? A spread with positions for: Head vs. heart, Short-term vs. long-term considerations, What I'm not seeing, Outcome of each choice.
Your spreads don't need to be traditional or sanctioned by anyone else. If they help you find clarity, they're working.
Understanding Reversed Cards in Tarot Reading
Some tarot readers interpret cards differently depending on whether they appear upright or reversed (upside down) during a tarot reading. Reversals can indicate blocked energy, internal rather than external expression, or weakened/intensified card energy depending on context.
Here's the thing: You don't have to read reversals, especially as a beginner. Many accomplished readers work exclusively with upright cards and find the practice completely satisfying.
If you're curious about reversals, start simple. When a reversed card appears, first read it as if upright. Then consider: How might this energy be blocked, internalized, or calling for attention inward rather than outward?
For example, upright Three of Swords typically represents heartbreak or grief. Reversed, it might suggest moving through grief, releasing pain, or emotional healing already underway.
Notice that reversed meanings aren't simply opposites. They're nuanced variations that add depth rather than flipping the meaning entirely.
Take the pressure off. Use reversals if they intrigue you. Skip them if they complicate your reading practice. There's no tarot police enforcing rules.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Learning tarot involves trial and error, but awareness of common pitfalls can accelerate your progress.
Memorizing instead of intuiting: New readers often treat tarot reading like vocabulary study, attempting to memorize all 78 card meanings before doing a single reading. This approach kills confidence and connection. Start reading immediately, referencing meanings as needed. You'll learn cards through practice, not pre-study.
Reading for yourself too soon: Some traditions advise against self-readings because objectivity is challenging. Others say self-readings are essential practice.
The truth lies in between. You won't develop objectivity except through practice, and self-readings are the most accessible practice available. Just be aware that you might project desired answers onto cards, especially for emotional questions.
Rigid interpretations: Believing there's one "correct" meaning for each card limits your readings. Cards have traditional meanings, yes, but also personal meanings that develop through your relationship with your deck. Both are valid.
Over-reliance on guidebooks: Reference books are tools, not authorities. They provide context and traditional interpretations, but your intuitive response to card imagery matters just as much. If a book meaning doesn't resonate, it's okay to set it aside.
Not setting clear questions: Vague questions produce vague readings. "Will I be happy?" is hard for cards to address meaningfully. "What would help me feel more fulfilled in my current job?" gives tarot something specific to work with.
Fear of being "wrong": There's no certification for tarot reading. No test you're passing or failing. Your interpretation is as valid as anyone else's, especially for your own readings. Trust yourself and your tarot reading journey.
Want structured guidance for your practice? A tarot journal helps track patterns and insights over time. Document your questions, cards drawn, and interpretations to watch your tarot reading skills grow.
Developing Your Tarot Practice
Consistent practice transforms tarot from an interesting concept to an integrated part of your life and decision-making. Here's how to build lasting practice.
Daily card pulls: Even a single daily draw creates powerful momentum for your tarot reading practice. Five minutes in the morning or evening keeps you connected to your deck and steadily builds card familiarity.
Practice readings for friends: Once you're comfortable with self-readings, offer tarot reading practice to trusted friends. They bring questions you might not consider and provide feedback on what resonates. Frame these explicitly as practice, it takes pressure off and invites collaboration.
Study one card at a time: Instead of attempting to memorize all 78 cards, focus on deeply understanding one card per day to strengthen your tarot reading foundation. Pull that card daily, notice your responses, research its meanings across different sources, and pay attention to how its themes show up in your life.
Join tarot communities: Online forums, local meetups, or social media groups provide opportunities to share readings, ask questions, and learn from others' perspectives. Just be aware that there are as many opinions as readers, trust what resonates for you.
Track your progress: Your tarot reading journal isn't just documentation, it's evidence of your growth. Revisit old entries and notice how your understanding deepens, how you notice card combinations you missed before, how your confidence grows.
Be patient with yourself: Tarot reading is a lifelong practice, not a skill to master in weeks or months. There's always more to learn, more depth to discover. That's part of what keeps the tarot reading journey engaging.
Conclusion
Your tarot reading journey isn't about becoming psychic or memorizing hundreds of fixed meanings. It's about developing a relationship with a symbolic language that helps you access your own wisdom and intuition.
We covered the deck's structure (Major and Minor Arcana, four suits), a step-by-step tarot reading process, beginner-friendly spreads, and how to develop consistent practice. More importantly, we've explored an approach that prioritizes your intuition over rigid rules and personal insight over fortune-telling.
The only thing standing between you and your first meaningful reading is... doing it. Pull a card. Notice what you see. Trust your response. That's it.
Your tarot journey begins not with knowledge but with practice. Shuffle your deck, ask a question, draw a card. Start there.
Ready to deepen your practice? Explore comprehensive resources like Biddy Tarot's card meanings guide for detailed interpretations of all 78 cards to enhance your tarot reading skills.
Key Takeaways
- Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and intuition, not fortune-telling or fixed predictions
- The 78-card deck divides into Major Arcana (life's big themes) and Minor Arcana (everyday experiences in four suits)
- Effective reading follows six steps: set intention, shuffle, select, lay out spread, interpret intuitively, synthesize meaning
- Start with simple spreads (one-card daily draws, three-card layouts) before advancing to complex arrangements
- Consistent practice through daily draws, journaling, and gradual study builds confidence and skill over time
- Trust your intuition first, reference traditional meanings second, your relationship with your deck is uniquely yours
