Tarot for Beginners: How to Read Tarot Cards

What Is Tarot?

Tarot is a deck of 78 cards used for divination, self-reflection, and spiritual guidance. Each card has rich symbolism — figures, colours, numbers, and scenes that tell a story. When you do a tarot reading, you’re not just “predicting the future” — you’re using the cards as a mirror to reflect your current situation, your hidden strengths, and the energies at play in your life.

Tarot has been around for over 600 years. It began as a card game in 15th-century Italy, and evolved into a divination tool in the 18th century. Today, tarot is one of the most popular spiritual practices — used by witches, therapists, and spiritual seekers worldwide.

The Tarot Deck: Major and Minor Arcana

The Major Arcana (22 cards)

The Major Arcana cards represent major life themes and spiritual lessons. From The Fool (new beginnings) to The World (completion), these cards tell the story of the human journey. When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it signals an important life lesson or turning point.

The Minor Arcana (56 cards)

The Minor Arcana deals with everyday events and challenges. It’s divided into four suits:

• Wands: Passion, creativity, action, career
• Cups: Emotions, love, relationships, intuition
• Swords: Thoughts, conflict, truth, challenges
• Pentacles: Money, work, health, material world

How to Start Reading Tarot

Step 1: Get a Deck That Speaks to You

There are thousands of tarot decks — from the classic Rider-Waite to modern art decks. Choose one whose artwork you’re drawn to. You’ll be looking at these cards a lot, so pick a deck you love.

Step 2: Connect With Your Cards

Before your first reading, spend time with your deck. Shuffle it, look at each card, sleep with it under your pillow. This “charges” the deck with your energy. Tarot works best when you have a personal connection with your cards.

Step 3: Learn the Basic Meanings

Don’t try to memorise all 78 cards at once. Start with the Major Arcana and the four suit meanings. As you read more, you’ll develop your own relationship with each card. A guidebook or app is helpful when you’re starting out.

Step 4: Do Simple Readings

Start with a one-card draw. Pull one card each morning and ask: “What do I need to know today?” This builds your familiarity with the cards without the pressure of a complex spread.

Easy Tarot Spreads for Beginners

One-Card Draw

The simplest spread. Ask your question, shuffle, and draw one card. Perfect for daily guidance and quick answers.

Three-Card Spread: Past, Present, Future

The most popular beginner spread:

• Card 1 (Past): What’s influencing the situation
• Card 2 (Present): Where you are now
• Card 3 (Future): What’s coming next

Mind, Body, Spirit Spread

• Card 1 (Mind): Your thought patterns
• Card 2 (Body): Your physical state
• Card 3 (Spirit): Your spiritual guidance

Our Past, Present, Future tarot card stand is the perfect companion for this spread — display the three cards beautifully on your altar or desk.

Common Tarot Card Meanings

Card	Meaning
The Fool	New beginnings, faith, adventure
The Magician	Manifestation, power, action
The High Priestess	Intuition, mystery, inner wisdom
The Empress	Abundance, nurturing, creativity
The Lovers	Love, harmony, choices
The Devil	Attachment, addiction, materialism
The Star	Hope, inspiration, healing
The Sun	Joy, success, vitality

Tarot Tips for Beginners

Trust your intuition. The book meaning is a starting point. If a card feels different to you, follow your feeling.

Don’t fear “bad” cards. Death, The Devil, The Tower — these aren’t literally bad. They represent transformation and necessary endings.

Pull cards for yourself first. Don’t start reading for others until you’re comfortable with the cards.

Journal your readings. Write down the question, the cards, and what you felt. Over time, you’ll see patterns.

Shuffle however feels right. There’s no “correct” way to shuffle. Cut the deck, fan it out, spread it — whatever works for you.

Customer Stories

“The past present future tarot stand is beautiful. I pull three cards every morning and arrange them on the stand. It’s become such a lovely ritual. The natural wood finish is high quality and the stand is solid.” — Alice K., London

“I bought the sun rose quartz necklace to wear during tarot readings. The sun card is my favourite and the rose quartz adds loving energy. It’s beautiful quality and I get compliments on it all the time.” — Beth S., Brighton

“As a tarot beginner, having a physical stand for my daily three-card draw makes the practice feel so much more intentional. This stand is simple but beautiful. Highly recommend for anyone who does daily readings.” — Laura T., Oxford

Your Tarot Journey Begins

Tarot isn’t about predicting the future — it’s about understanding yourself more deeply. Each reading is a conversation with your intuition, your higher self, and the energies around you. The cards are a tool — the real magic is in you.

Explore our divination tools and tarot accessories to begin your tarot journey.