Tarot Reading for Beginners: 17 Tips to Master in Less Than 30 Days

Ready to start your tarot journey? Learn the easy way to read Tarot cards intuitively by starting with the basics.

Before you learn to master the art of tarot card reading, you must be knowledgeable on the topic to answer these basic questions of tarot.

Once you have the answers packed down, you will be able to proceed with effortless ease and be on your way to becoming a professional tarot card expert!

17 Questions Every Beginner Tarot Card Reader Should Know

What is a tarot reading?

For many of us, we grew up with preconceived ideas of what a parent, elder, friend, or society taught us. It instilled in us that a "tarot card reading" means a woman dressed in gypsy clothes sits at a small table in a candlelit room, foretelling impending doom.

However in this article, we'll take a look at where Tarot cards come from, what they mean, and how a deck of cards can possibly tell you anything about yourself and your loved ones.

When and where did tarot originate?

The first documented pack of tarot cards were recorded between 1440 and 1450 in Milan.

The word Tarot derived from the Italian word Tarocchi. Tarot decks were exclusively known as Trionfi during the early fifteenth century. In the 16th century, a new game played with a standard deck, but sharing a very similar name (Trionfa) become popular very quickly amongst local card players.

Is tarot card reading easy to learn?

Oftentimes most people think that it takes years to learn tarot. That couldn't be further from the truth. If you want, you could master tarot in just two short hours.

If you're just starting to learn how to read Tarot cards, it might seem like there is A LOT to absorb if you try to learn all of these systems at once! Don't add any pressure trying to get every reading or message right immediately, or you’ll find yourself becoming quickly overwhelmed.

But learning Tarot doesn’t have to be hard, complicated, or stressful.

Stick to simple spreads, meanings, and techniques. In no time you will notice that your confidence grows immensely when you keep it simple.

Can Tarot cards predict the future?

To put it simply, Yes! Each individual Tarot card represents an energy or situation in life.

It's up to the tarot reader and the one seeking answers (the querent) to look deeper when it seems as though the cards aren't telling the truth or predicting the future. Nonetheless, tarot cards will always tell the truth, even if you don't want to hear it.

What do the tarot cards consist of?

A standard tarot card deck always consists of 78 cards in total. It is split up into two parts. The two parts are known as the Major arcana and the Minor arcana (Also having 16 Court cards).

The court cards are known as the Kings, Queens, Knights, and the Page.

How many cards are represented in the Minor arcana and the Major arcana?

• Minor arcana consists of 56 cards.
• Major arcana consists of 22 cards.

What are the suits of tarot?

There are four suits in the 56 cards that make up the Minor arcana. They consist of swords, cups, pentacles, and wands. Each suit in the Tarot deck represents an element too.

What are Court Cards and what do they represent?

Tarot court cards represent an element as well.

• Kings = element of Air
• Queens = element of Water
• Knights = element of Fire
• Pages = element of Earth

• King of Pentacles, King of Wands, King of Cups, King of Swords
• Queen Of Pentacles, Queen Of Wands, Queen Of Cups, Queen Of Swords
• Knight Of Pentacles, Knight Of Wands, Knight Of Cups, Knight Of Swords
• Page Of Penacles, Page Of Wands, Page Of Cups, Page Of Swords

What are the elements of the suits in Tarot?

• Swords = Air (Intellect, Communication)
• Pentacles = Earth (Stability, Physicality)
• Cups = Water (Emotion, Feeling)
• Wands = Fire (Inspiration, Spiritual)

What does each suit represent?

• Swords: symbolize power, protection, authority, strength, and courage (air is the element that is closest to spirit).
• Pentacles: symbolize matters of security, wealth and stability.
• Cups: symbolize matters of emotions and relationships.
• Pentacles: symbolize matters of security, wealth, and stability.
• Wands: symbolize the energy of movement, creativity, ideas, invention, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Can you buy your own tarot deck?

Yes you can. There's no reason that you shouldn't be able to. It's all about reading the energy the cards bring and interpreting it for yourself.

Is every tarot deck the same?

No they are not. Tarot decks differ by culture so to speak. Italian decks are different in terms of suit names than the modern day deck. There are tons of tarot decks, and plenty more popping up every day since they are easily accessible to create online. You can even create a deck if you so choose.

How do I choose the right tarot deck?

You just choose whatever works for you. There are also tons of options and styles that will make any deck special for you. Anything from romance decks, lover decks, classic decks, to decks of different shapes. It really is endless with there being over 200 decks to date!

Are Tarot Cards, Tarot Card Readers, and Readings Bad or Evil?

Firstly, one should recognize that Tarot cards are made in a "factory" using colored inks and cards. They are put into boxes, and then arrive with retailers who sell them to the public.

Tarot cards themselves are a product. At no stage do the cards pass through a process where people put curses on them or immeasurable blessings of love. That is a false tale spread by people who choose to live in fear.

Keep in mind, the person doing the reading is the one "trained" in offering guidance for a translation service.

In my opinion it is the reader that “sees” the energies in the cards, and translates all of that into words that create a story that can be easily understood by the querent.

What does it mean to cross watch in tarot?

Cross-watching is when you read about or watch videos for the person you are interested in. It can be sometimes confusing, and can cause more stress. You are free to read or view any videos and take what resonates with you, but if it doesn’t sound like it is your person, the message might not be for you. If this is the case don’t try to make it fit.

Why is there numerology in tarot cards?

You must understand the numerological aspect, which will help define the cards easier, and make your reading more precise.

Have fun with tarot by using this additional aspect of Tarot knowledge, and enjoy the number meaning references below.

What are the number meanings of tarot cards?

• 1 or Ace: Beginning and Ending, Infinite, Unity, Limitless, Action, Motivation, Driven, Positivity, Opportunity
• 2: Partnership, Balance, Duality, Communication
• 3: Creativity, Intuition, Mystery, Time
• 4: Stability, Achievement, Practicality, Endurance
• 5: Passion, Expansion, Travel, Change, Conflict, Unpredictability, Motion, Adventure
• 6: Growth, Protection, Nurturing, Harmony, Cooperation
• 7: Healing, Understanding, Awareness, Mysticism, Reflection, Knowledge
• 8: Abundance, Intention, Opportunity, Action, Mastery
• 9: Influence, Intellectual Power, Vision, Fruition, Fulfillment
• 10: End of a Cycle, Renewal, Completion, Closure