So, you’ve decided that you want to learn how to read tarot cards, either as a professional tarot card reader like me, or as a hobby. You’ve purchased a deck and have unraveled all 78 of the cards, but have no idea of where and how to begin.
Does this sound like you? If so, then my blog, and this post in particular, will provide five easy tips to help you make your first steps towards becoming adept at tarot card reading.
Learn the Tarot Card Meanings Using the Little White Book
If you’re new to tarot reading, then you may have seen the acronym the ‘LWB.’ This acronym stands for little white book, which refers to the small, white guidebooks that are included within tarot card decks. These days, modern tarot cards are more sophisticated, so the LWBs are usually not little or white, but the gist still stands.
Whenever you crack open your new tarot card deck, you should read through the guidebook whether you are a beginner or an expert. Usually, an introduction to the creator(s) of the deck is provided followed by simplified definitions of each card. Some LWBs provide additional information like examples of tarot spreads, astrological references or even sample reading questions.
It is not necessary for you to read the supplemental information, however, as a beginner tarot reader, you should read through every card meaning and attempt to memorize them for a strong foundation.
Develop Your Own Meanings
Once you have absorbed as much information as you can from the tarot deck’s guidebook, it’s time for you to define the cards how you see fit.
Before I decided to become a professional tarot card reader, I was a chemist in the middle of training for perfumery school. For the olfactive test, I had to learn the scent profiles of over 1,000 natural and synthetic raw materials (think varieties of lemons, roses, lavender, etc).
And because perfumery is an age old profession, there are official descriptions of these scents. However, much like chefs, every perfumer has a unique smelling palette. So, it was imperative to define and describe scent profiles in my unique way to pass the exam.
The same applies to learning the tarot. Once you’ve built foundational understanding of the cards, you the have to work on a personal understand of them.
For example, the World card is seen as positive conclusion to a life cycle. However, for my romance readings, I see this as a long distance relationship or closure/the end of a relationship, depending on the surrounding cards.
Using the LWB definition of this card would not result in knowing when a client’s relationship is coming to an end. You can read tarot card books for this or learn on your own with tips from the next section.
Tricks for Developing Tarot Card Meanings
Create Keywords
Look at the imagery and use a journal to write to at least three keywords per card. This method is best if you want to become a quick tarot reader for psychic hotlines. Alternatively, you can purchase a deck that has keywords written on them already.
For example, I have seen new tarot readers get stumped with this card combination:
These two tarot cards seem to contradict each other if we use only the LWB definitions. Because my keyword for the 9 of Swords is ‘anxiety’ and ‘socializing’ for the 3 of Cups, I can quickly tell that the person I’m reading has social anxiety. With just two simple keywords, I discovered a topic that could take 30 minutes to discuss in a private session.
Personalize the Cards
Chances are that you’ve experience relationship woes and job issues. So when you read for yourself, remember the cards you received for a specific scenario. Once you see this card pattern for others, you can reliably guess that they are facing the same situation you did when you initially saw those cards or card combinations.
For example, whenever I see the 7 of Swords paired with the 8 of Pentacles, I know that the client is being sabotaged or deceived at work.
Pictorial Associations
This method is helpful when it comes to the minor arcana, especially the court cards. With this learning method, I look for placement, facial expressions and surroundings to tell the story.
For example, there are four Knight cards. According to the LWB, the only difference between these four are their elements or suits (sword/air, wand/fire, pentacle/earth or cup/water).
However, looking at the artwork for these knights tells a different story:
Here, all the Knights ride a horse, however, the Knights of Swords and Wands rush outward while the Knights of Cups and Pentacles walk inward.
The Knight of Sword is galloping with a raised sword. The Knight of Wands sits atop a bucking horse and it looks like he’s attempting to stop. The Knight of Cups is self-assured, walking securely enough to hold a cup steady. While the Knight of Pentacles does not seem to be moving at all.
There is more information you can glean from the imagery in the background, but this is just an example of simple messaging you can gather from artwork alone.
Join a Tarot Reading Community
If you aren’t a fan of being self-taught, then that’s okay! The tarot community is huge, especially now that you can connect online with people from all over the world.
There are many resources for you to learn how to become a tarot card reader:
- Visit a Learning Blog
- Website/App of the Tarot Deck Creator
- Facebook Tarot Groups
- Subreddits for Tarot Questions
- Free and Paid Tarot Courses
- YouTube
- From Established Readers
- Local Metaphysical Shops
If you prefer to create keywords to learn how to read tarot cards, then I recommend finding a quick and easy Youtube video to learn from.
This 90 minute video from The Insightful Intuitive goes over all 78 cards in a little over 90 minutes.
However, if you prefer a more interactive environment, then a tarot forum, Facebook group or other community site is the better way to go. As a member, you can ask questions, discuss interpretations and exchange readings for feedback.
A great site to do this on is Biddy Tarot. Biddy has an exhaustive section dedicated to tarot meanings as well as a tarot reader community that allow you to read for others in exchange for feedback.
Another way to do this is the visit the website of the tarot deck creator. Because every tarot deck artist has their own interpretation of the cards, the chances are high that they will have a library of definitions and spreads to choose from.
A popular example of this is Labyrinthos. They have a small selection of tarot and oracle decks with an accompanying app and website for learning.
Also, on my Instagram page, I post a weekly tarot tip for readers who want to go beyond the basics.
The choices are nearly endless, so choose based on your preferred way of learning.
Build Up Your Confidence
Now that you’ve gotten your feet wet, it’s time to start reading! Some beginners prefer to experience first then learn afterwards, while others take time to grow their knowledge. Neither route is wrong as long as lessons are learned.
Read Tarot Cards for Family and Friends
Once you’re ready, start reading for family and friends. Make sure you know that they are open to tarot card readings first. When you know that they are, ask if you can practice with them.
Read Tarot Cards Within a ‘Psychic Circle’
From there, graduate to joining a ‘psychic circle.’ Depending on the group’s rules, you should be allowed to exchange readings for feedback on your accuracy. Again, Biddy Tarot is great for this, but you can still find others on Facebook, Reddit, Discord or within your city if you prefer a physical location.
Use Your Tarot Cards Every Day
It is important to immerse yourself within the tarot, especially if you want to be a professional tarot card reader. Try picking a card every day. You can meditate on it or write in your journal about it. This way, you interact with your tarot cards every day even if you aren’t reading.
Choose Tarot Cards With Artwork That Resonates
As I wrote in my first blog post, I did not start learning with the Rider-Waite tarot deck. I chose The Enchanted Tarot, a difficult deck to learn from. I did this because the artwork spoke to me.
And now, my favorite tarot card deck is The Wild Unknown by Kim Krans, another difficult deck to learn from!
I’ve found that when you’re inspired by the artwork, you are more motivated to use and learn from the deck. So if the traditional Rider-Waite deck does not resonate with you, then don’t feel bad. Look for a deck that makes you happy to learn.
Hopefully these five tips have given you the confidence to start learning how to read tarot cards. If you have any questions, drop a comment below and please feel free to contact me. I don’t bite, I promise!