Learning Tarot is not just a tool — it’s a language of symbols, emotions, and inner truths. For centuries, the 78 tarot cards have whispered guidance to those who dare to listen, offering insight into the hidden realms of self and spirit. But for beginners, the cards can feel mysterious, even overwhelming. Where do you start when each image holds layers of meaning, mythology, and magic?
This guide will help you begin your journey with tarot with clarity and heart. Whether you’re curious about reading tarot cards for the first time or dreaming of creating your own DIY tarot cards, this article will anchor you in both the wisdom and the wonder of this sacred art.
Understanding the Tarot Deck: What Are the 78 Tarot Cards?
Every tarot deck tells a story — not just one, but 78 of them. These cards aren’t just pretty pictures; they’re mirrors, maps, and sometimes megaphones for your inner voice.
Let’s break it down. The deck is split into two realms: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana — just 22 cards — are your big players. Think of them as the main characters in your life’s mythic journey: The Fool who leaps, The Lovers who choose, The Tower that shakes you to the core. They speak of soul growth, of karma, of fate tapping you on the shoulder.
Then there’s the Minor Arcana — 56 cards that capture the texture of daily life. These are the cups of your joy and sorrow, the swords of your thoughts, the wands of your energy, and the pentacles of your work and money. Each suit tells a tale, and every card is a snapshot of something real: a crossroads, a heartbreak, a victory, a quiet turning point.
Learning tarot is like learning a language — one made of symbols, archetypes, and a whole lot of intuition. In fact, if you’re the kind of person who wants to go beyond the keywords and dive into the psychological roots behind the cards, this Tarot Symbolism Guide by Biddy Tarot offers a treasure trove of insights for every single card.
You don’t just memorize meanings — you start to feel the cards. The moment you flip one, it resonates like a tuning fork inside you.
Tarot Cards for Beginners: How to Choose Your First Deck
Picking your first tarot deck is a little like dating. It’s not just about looks — it’s about chemistry. You want a deck that feels like it sees you. Some beginners fall head over heels for the Rider-Waite-Smith — the tarot equivalent of a classic novel: layered, symbolic, and rich in tradition. It’s often the go-to because the imagery is direct, the symbolism consistent, and the guidebooks are everywhere.
But maybe you’re not a “classic novel” kind of person. Maybe you want something quirkier — like a cat tarot deck that meows its wisdom with every draw. Or a celestial-themed set that looks like it fell out of a dream. There are even vintage-style decks that feel like holding a little piece of magic from another era.
So how do you know which deck is “the one”?
Hold it (virtually or in your hands) and ask:
- Does this imagery stir something in me?
- Can I easily tell which card is which, or do I have to squint and guess?
- Do I feel like I could sit with this deck for months — even years — and still learn from it?
If you’re not quite ready to commit, some artists and creators offer printable decks — a low-pressure way to dip your toes in. You can explore, shuffle, and even color them in if you’re feeling crafty.
Ultimately, the right deck is the one that makes your intuition perk up and say, “Yes. That’s mine.”
How to Start Learning Tarot Cards: A Beginner’s Path
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to know all 78 cards by heart before you begin. In fact, trying to memorize them all can leave you overwhelmed and disconnected. Tarot isn’t a test — it’s a relationship. And like any good relationship, it deepens with time, curiosity, and a little daily attention.
So where do you start? Right where you are. One card at a time.
Try this: every morning, ask your deck a simple question — something like, “What energy is walking with me today?” Pull a single card. Before you flip to a guidebook, take a breath. Look closely. What catches your eye? A symbol? A color? A mood? Trust those first impressions. They’re not random — they’re your intuition stretching its legs.
Over time, keep a tarot journal. Nothing fancy — just a notebook where you jot down your thoughts, draw the cards, or scribble meanings. Pair it with a guidebook you love. If you’re looking for a solid online reference to build your understanding of each card, check out the Labyrinthos Tarot Card Meanings List — it’s a beautifully organized walkthrough of all 78 cards, grouped by suit and arcana, and super accessible.
You can also organize your learning by suits. Spend a week with the Cups — track how emotions show up in the cards and in your life. Next week, turn to the Wands and notice where your energy rises or burns out. Bit by bit, the patterns will start to sing.
And once you’re ready, play with spreads. Start small: a one‑card pull, then a three‑card spread — maybe past, present, future, or mind, body, spirit. It’s less about the layout and more about listening to what the cards are trying to say.
Let it be an exploration, not an exam.
Tarot Cards Meaning: The Symbolism Behind the Images
Tarot is a visual language — rich, layered, and deeply symbolic. Each card is like a dream image: part story, part mirror.
Take The Lovers. Sure, it can point to romance. But it’s also about alignment — with another, yes, but also with yourself. It asks: are your choices coming from love or fear? Are your actions matching your values?
The Tower? That card gets a bad rap. But sometimes, the only way to rebuild something true is to let the false structure fall. It’s the spiritual “clean sweep” — messy, yes, but freeing.
Then there’s The High Priestess. She doesn’t shout — she whispers. She invites you to go inward, to trust what you sense but can’t quite explain. She’s the card of dreams, secrets, the mystery beneath the surface.
Even the colors and postures in the cards speak volumes. A raised sword might signal tension or clarity. Overflowing cups often mean emotional fullness. And the number of each card? That’s no accident — numerology threads through tarot like a quiet current.
Modern decks only deepen this language. Today’s artists are reimagining the tradition with inclusive imagery and fresh symbolism. These unique voices keep the tarot alive and evolving — and help each of us see ourselves in the cards.ness with diverse illustrations, unique tarot cards that bring fresh voices and aesthetics to the tradition.
Designing or Finding Your Own Aesthetic
These days, tarot decks come in every flavor — ethereal, gothic, minimalist, ancestral, futuristic. The deck you choose (or create) is more than a tool. It’s your companion, your altar in 78 pieces. It should feel like it belongs to you — visually, emotionally, maybe even spiritually.
Maybe you’re drawn to soft watercolors that whisper, or bold collages that shout. Maybe you want a deck that speaks to your cultural roots, your queerness, your dreams. There’s no one right look — only the one that makes your intuition lean in.
And if nothing out there feels quite right? Make your own.
That’s the beauty of DIY tarot — you don’t need to be a pro artist, just someone with vision. You can use photos, magazine clippings, digital design, or hand‑drawn symbols. What matters is that each card reflects your inner world.
Want to try? Here’s a gentle way to begin:
- Pick a theme: lunar cycles, old Hollywood, Slavic folklore, your personal healing journey…
- Choose imagery that resonates with each archetype — The Moon, The Fool, The Empress — as you see them.
- Write the meanings on the back to deepen your learning.
- Use sturdy cardstock or print your designs at a local copy shop.
For a clear, heartfelt step‑by‑step on turning your vision into a deck, check out this 10‑step guide to creating your own tarot deck — it’s practical, inspirational, and full of real-world tips.
Learning tarot doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to feel like you.
Reading Tarot Cards: Intuition + Structure
Here’s where the real magic begins — when structure and intuition start to dance.
Yes, traditional meanings matter. Yes, spreads have their logic. But the tarot isn’t a machine — it’s a mirror. Some days it speaks in whispers, some days in riddles. And some days… it hands you The Tower when you just wanted a little clarity about dinner.
As you read more, you’ll notice:
Certain cards show up over and over again — your “stalkers.” They’re not random. They’re tapping on your shoulder with a message you haven’t fully heard.
Meanings deepen with time. The Three of Swords might start as “heartbreak,” but years later, you’ll feel its lesson about compassion and boundaries.
Eventually, reading for others becomes reading for yourself, and reading for yourself becomes soul work. You’ll pull a card and feel it land in your body.
And remember: tarot doesn’t shout. It invites. Leave room for silence between the cards.Tarot is a conversation, not a command. Allow space for silence, reflection, and symbols to settle.
Final Thoughts: Tarot as a Spiritual Companion
Tarot isn’t a trick or a test. It’s a relationship — with symbols, with stories, with your own evolving self.
Some days, you’ll feel clear and connected. Other days, the cards will make no sense — and that’s okay. They’re still working, still echoing in your psyche.
Whether you’re collecting cat tarot decks because they make you smile, printing a free starter deck on your office printer, or just pulling The Lovers and wondering why it keeps appearing — trust the process.
Begin with curiosity. Stay with devotion. And let the cards speak in their own time.
And if I may offer something from my own path: tarot has never once given me a “wrong” answer. It’s challenged me, yes. It’s called me out. But it’s also held space for me in moments when no one else could. It helped me hear myself — really hear myself — when my mind was noisy and my heart was tired.
So here’s what I hope for you: that the cards become not just a tool, but a companion. A ritual. A language your soul remembers.
Want to start today? Try this:
- Choose a deck that stirs something inside you.
- Pull one card. Just one.
- Ask: What do you want me to know right now?
Then listen. That’s all tarot really is — a conversation between you and the unseen.
Let the dialogue begin.ve.
