How to Read Tarot Cards for Beginners

If you’ve enjoyed my series of posts about psychic abilities, you might already know that one of my favorite ways to practice psychic abilities is by using tarot cards.

If you think that reading tarot cards is only for those with gifted talents, then you might want to think again. Everyone is able to open their higher senses and connect with their consciousness ( or you might call it as God, The Universe or  Higher Intelligence) and tarot is just one of many ways to do so.🌟🌟

Whether you can establish a connection or not depends on how you develop your own psychic abilities or your connection to your higher self, not because tarot cards have some kind of mysterious power.

In this post, I’ll share some fascinating insights into how tarot can benefit us on our spiritual journey and provide some tips from my personal experiences on how to read tarot cards for beginners.

So, let’s get started!

How to read tarot cards for beginners

How Tarot Cards Provide Insights and Information

Have you ever been amazed by the accuracy and detail that tarot readers can reveal about your life? Or perhaps you’ve tried reading tarot cards for yourself and experienced the profound insights they can offer. 

The beauty of tarot lies in its versatility and personal nature. It’s fascinating how the same cards can take on different meanings each time you draw them. Each reading is unique to the individual, as the cards speak to our individual experiences and circumstances. 

Sometimes, it’s not just the symbolism, but even the colors and emotions evoked by a tarot card that hold the key to understanding and realization.

There are many explainations for this, we will look at some popular reasons here:

A Mirror to the Soul

Tarot cards act as mirrors to the depths of our subconscious minds, reflecting our thoughts, emotions, and innermost desires. 

As we draw the cards, they bring forth the energies and influences present in our lives, shedding light on aspects that may have remained hidden from our conscious awareness.

Especially when we do a tarot reading, we usually ask to be in a state of calmness and relaxation. This helps our subconscious to be open and not hidden by fear or outside pressure.

The cards then gently encourage us to confront our fears, dreams, and challenges, guiding us towards self-awareness and emotional healing.

Intuitive Connection:

When we engage with the cards, we tap into our innate intuition and higher consciousness, allowing us to interpret the messages they convey in a way that resonates uniquely with us.

This personalized approach enhances the insights and guidance we receive, making each tarot reading a profoundly personal and transformative experience.

Embracing the Present and the Future: 

Tarot cards provide not only insights into our current situations but also glimpses of the potential paths that lie ahead. As we shuffle the deck and draw the cards, we receive glimpses of the energies shaping our future and the choices available to us.

How Tarot Cards can take a look into future events

The state of your current energy will have a direct influence on which cards get pulled out ( this could be an indication of the Law of Attraction ), and yes, your current energy also influence on how you will interpret  a card.

When you get a reading from a tarot reader, a tarot reader often try to tune in to your current energy field.

Sometimes, they might ask you to touch the deck or even pull the cards yourself. This way, they can tap into the information that comes through your energy field.

By connecting with your energy, the tarot reader can gain insights and intuitive impressions that help them interpret the cards in a way that resonates with you personally.

It’s like they are picking up on the vibrations and emotions that surround you, allowing them to offer guidance and interpretations that are more tailored to your specific situation.

There is an energy field around our body

According to scientific research, our brains do produce electrical activity and weak magnetic fields, which can indeed be measured using EEG and MRI techniques.

EEG (Electroencephalogram) records the electrical signals generated by the brain’s neurons, while MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of internal body structures. 

Additionally, our energy field can extend up to 5 meters around our body.

Tarot readers are skilled at reading the subtle cues and energies that we emit, and this enables them to provide more meaningful and relevant insights

Step by Step of how to read Tarot Cards for beginners

Choosing Your Tarot Deck

The first step in your tarot adventure is selecting a deck that resonates with you. 

I advise everyone should start up with the original tarot deck which is the Rider Tarot decks.

This deck is filled with symbolism and meaningful images, yet it’s not overly complicated.

In my opinion, this deck maintains a sense of neutrality as it doesn’t heavily lean towards any specific religion or belief that could conflict with yours and potentially distract you

However, you should always listen to your intuitions and go with whatever resonates with you.

Tarot decks come in various designs and themes, so choose one that speaks to your intuition and aligns with your energy. Whether you prefer the classic Rider-Waite deck or a more modern and artistic variation, the key is to connect with the cards on a personal level.

For beginners, one deck is more than enough to start your journey with tarot. Take your time to get to know the deck and experience it fully.

Below are my collection of tarot decks and I have been practicing tarots for about 3 years:

Some tips to  cleanse and purify your new deck

Clear Your Own Energy

Before working with a new tarot deck, it’s essential to clear your own energy. Take a few deep breaths, meditate, or practice any grounding technique that helps you release any negative or stagnant energy.

Smudging

Use white sage, palo santo, or other cleansing herbs to smudge your tarot deck. Light the herb bundle or stick and let the smoke surround the deck while setting your intention to cleanse and purify it.

Crystals

Place a clear quartz crystal or selenite on top of the deck overnight to absorb any negative energy and promote clarity and positivity.

Moonlight Bath

Leave your tarot deck under the light of the full moon to cleanse and charge it. The moon’s energy is known for its purifying properties.

Salt Cleansing

Surround your deck with a circle of sea salt or bury it in a small bowl of salt for a few hours. Salt is believed to absorb negative energy.

Visualization

Hold the deck in your hands and visualize bright white light enveloping it, cleansing away any unwanted energy.

Sound Cleansing

Use a singing bowl, chimes, or a bell to create sound vibrations that cleanse the deck. Move the sound around and through the cards to purify them.

Intention Setting

While holding the deck, set your intention for its use. You can also meditating with your tarot deck.

Visualize it as a tool of guidance and positivity, free from any past energy.

Elemental Cleansing

Pass the deck through the four elements – Earth (bury it in a bowl of salt or soil), Air (fan the cards through the air), Fire (pass the cards through the flame of a candle), and Water (spritz the deck lightly with water).

Get to know the cards (essential step in how to read tarot cards for beginners )

Before diving into individual card meanings, familiarize yourself with the tarot’s structure.

The deck is divided into Major Arcana (representing significant life events and spiritual growth) and Minor Arcana (depicting everyday experiences and emotions).

Each suit in the Minor Arcana corresponds to different elements – Cups for emotions, Wands for inspiration, Swords for intellect, and Pentacles for the material world. 

This is a clip that explaining briefly the meaning of each tarot card in The Rider deck:

My suggestion is that before reading all the meanings of the cards, you should spend some time turning to each card, looking at it, and getting your first impression of it. You can write down your initial impressions of each card.

While it may seem overwhelming to learn the meanings of all 78 cards and in fact, you don’t need to do that.

Then you can proceed to read the meanings provided with the cards. By feeling the cards before actually reading their meanings, you can get a true sense of how each card feels to you and avoid being influenced by the guide book’s interpretations.

You can start with the Major Arcana, as these cards carry potent and overarching themes.

Then, gradually move on to the Minor Arcana. Don’t rush; let your understanding of each card develop organically.

Reading tarot is not at all about memorizing definitions but about tapping into your intuition. Trust your instincts when interpreting a card’s message. Pay attention to the imagery, symbolism, and how it relates to your question or situation.

Intuition will lead you to profound insights that books alone cannot provide.

When it comes to reading tarot cards, there is no right or wrong way to interpret them.

Each person’s connection with the cards is unique, and your interpretations may differ from the traditional meanings or how others see them. Tarot is a personal experience that relies on your intuition and connection with the cards.

Establishing a Ritual

It helps to create a sacred space for your tarot readings. 

You can lighting candles, burning incense, or playing soft music can help set the mood and create a meditative atmosphere.

This ritualistic approach allows you to attune to the energies around you and invites a deeper connection with the cards.

Asking Clear Question

Before drawing cards, formulate clear and specific questions or say in another way, set up clrealy your intentions for the reading.  

Type of Card Spreads and Interpretations

When it comes to doing tarot card spreads, there are numerous methods, and it’s all about following your intuition and what feels right for you. Sometimes, I may get a strong urge to draw an additional card because I sense there’s more to the message that the cards want to convey to me. Trusting those instincts is a key part of the tarot reading experience.

If you’re just starting with tarot and looking for some popular and easy card spreads, here are a few suggestions to try out:

Three-Card Spread: This simple spread involves drawing three cards. The first card represents the past, the second card the present, and the third card the future or the potential outcome of a situation.

Daily Card Pull: Each day, draw a single card to receive guidance, inspiration, or a focus for the day ahead.

Reflect on the card’s meaning and how it relates to your current situation.

Celtic Cross Spread: This classic spread is more in-depth and involves ten cards, offering a comprehensive look into a situation or a question.

Each position in the spread holds specific meanings, giving you a broader understanding of the circumstances.

You can take a look at the illustration of Celtic Cross Spread below:

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I hope you find my post of “how to Tarot Cards for Beginners” helpful .

Tarot is a versatile tool that adapts to your needs, so have fun experimenting and allowing the cards to reveal their insights in their own unique way!