Tarot can be a fascinating and rewarding spiritual practice. It can even have some practical benefits.
That said tarot’s complexity can also be intimidating.
If you’re interested in exploring tarot readings, but are not sure where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. This post will introduce you to some basic tarot card meanings to get you started on your journey.
Of course, it is impossible to provide an exhaustive discussion of tarot in a single post. Entire books have been written on this subject!
What this post will provide, however, is a basic overview that will get you started as you explore tarot more deeply.
So let’s get into it. Here are some tarot card meanings you’ll want to familiarize yourself with.
Understanding what tarot is (and isn’t!)
As is the case with many spiritual practices, there are many misconceptions surrounding tarot. Perhaps the most common of these is that tarot readers use tarot cards to predict the future.
While some readers do believe that tarot can hold clues to the future, many others insist that the cards are more useful for providing guidance about making decisions.
Additionally, it is important to recognize that tarot is more of an art, rather than a science.
Reading tarot is both a subjective process, and a skill that must be developed. Gaining insight into what the cards are trying to say will require dedication and patience.
Learning how a tarot deck works
Before you can start practicing with tarot readings and spreads, however, you must first understand the composition of a tarot deck.
A full tarot deck contains 78 cards. These cards are broken down into 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.
A closer look at the Major Arcana
While all 78 cards are important, the Major Arcana are considered the “keys” to interpreting tarot. They represent the primary experiences and emotions that all humans encounter.
When exploring the Major Arcana, it is essential to pay attention to the symbolic meanings of these cards. The tarot card meanings are not always what we might first assume them to be.
For instance, a well-known card in the Major Arcana is The Fool. This card, rather than signifying carelessness or stupidity, represents simplicity and innocence.
The devil is another card in the Major Arcana is widely misunderstood. This card usually signifies ego, or disruption, rather than something evil, or demonic.
The purpose of the Minor Arcana
In contrast to the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana play a supportive role in tarot readings.
As mentioned earlier, reading tarot is an art. Tarot card meanings vary widely, and have different interpretations.
The Minor Arcana play an important role in sorting out these interpretations.
The tarot card meanings of the Minor Arcana provide extra context to help the tarot reader interpret the Major Arcana in a given spread. By paying attention to the Minor Arcana, the reader can better understand what the cards are trying to say.
Tarot card meanings of the Minor Arcana
When learning basic tarot card meanings, it can be helpful to consider the Minor Arcana.
This is partly because the 56 Minor Arcana are broken down into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
Each of these suits has multiple meanings associated with it. For instance, pentacles are often thought to address topics ranging from finances to health and faith.
Like in a standard deck of cards, tarot cards are further broken down in each suit. In tarot, these denominations are called Aces, Number cards (2-10), the Page, the Knight, the Queen, and the King.
The different denominations of tarot cards have connections to numerology, astrology, and other spiritual practices. Understanding these connections can help readers in deciphering their meanings.
Trying basic spreads
The four suits of the Minor Arcana, along with the 22 Major Arcana, all have different meanings. Furthermore, each card has multiple meanings and interpretations that vary based on context.
Not to mention, the meanings become even more complex when you consider the nuances of the different card denominations.
With this wide variety of meanings, it can be very difficult to understand what the cards are saying, or what they mean for you. The possibilities seem just about infinite.
This is why one of the most important ways to learn about the basic meanings of tarot cards is to practice using them. While a single card on its own has many potential meanings, learning how to read the card in relation to other cards will help you begin to understand how these meanings manifest.
Choosing a deck
First, before you can try out your first spread, you need to get a tarot deck.
This might seem obvious, but keep in mind that not all tarot decks are created equal. There are dozens of decks available, all with slightly different styles and illustrations.
It’s important to choose one that appeals to you, and that you feel connected to.
Before doing a spread
Once you’ve chosen a deck, it’s important to spend some time with it. Remember, each deck is unique, so you should look over the cards, and understand how this particular deck displays the Major and Minor Arcana.
Then, when you are ready to try a spread, make sure to carefully handle, and shuffle the deck. This charges the deck with your energy, which is an important part of the process.
Understanding how spreads work
When you do a tarot spread, you lay out a certain number of cards in a specific order, and in certain positions. Within the spread, each card represents something different.
For instance, consider a simple, three-card spread.
In this spread, the first card would represent the past on whatever situation or topic you are considering. The middle card represents the present, and, as you might have guessed, the final card represents the future.
Again, while the cards do not necessarily have predictive powers, they can help you meditate on, and think through a situation.
For instance, you might do a three card spread regarding your relationship with your significant other.
The first card might indicate problems or successes you’ve had in the past. The middle card would give insight into your current situation. The final card would help you understand what you must work on in the future.
Practicing reading tarot cards in simple spreads like this will help you to gain a deeper understanding of their meanings. With a little time and patience, you’ll be able to appreciate the various interpretations of your tarot cards.
How did you start learning the basic meanings of tarot cards? What was most helpful for you? Let us know in the comments!
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