Tarot for Beginners: How to Start from Scratch

Tarot is a system of 78 cards that has been used for centuries as a tool for reflection, self-discovery, and accessing intuition. For those just starting out, the good news is straightforward: you don't need a special gift, an esoteric background, or years of study to take your first steps. All it takes is a deck, a willingness to observe, and an open eye for the symbols each card carries.

Executive Summary

• Tarot is made up of 78 cards divided into Major Arcana (22) and Minor Arcana (56).
• For beginners, the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot is the most recommended starting point thanks to its rich imagery and abundant learning resources.
• Start with simple spreads — 1 to 3 cards — before moving on to more complex layouts.
• Keeping a tarot journal accelerates learning and deepens your connection with the deck.
• Tarot is a reflection tool; it does not replace therapy, medical advice, or rational decision-making.

What is tarot and what is it used for?

Tarot emerged in 15th-century Europe as a card game and was gradually incorporated into Western esoteric traditions, especially from the 18th century onward. Today, it is widely used as a symbolic mirror of the human psyche: each card evokes archetypes, emotions, situations, and behavioral patterns that help us see more clearly the moment we are living through.

Contrary to what many people imagine, tarot does not "predict the future" in a deterministic way. It offers perspectives, opens up questions, and invites reflection — functioning in a way similar to a coaching session or a guided journal. The card doesn't dictate what will happen; it suggests energies and patterns that deserve attention.

Remember: tarot is a tool for self-knowledge and reflection. Its use does not replace professional mental health, medical, or legal support.

The structure of the deck: Major and Minor Arcana

Understanding the organization of the 78 cards is the first concrete step for anyone who wants to learn tarot. The deck is divided into two main groups:

Major Arcana — the 22 great lessons

The Major Arcana run from number 0 (The Fool) to number 21 (The World) and represent universal archetypal forces — moments of great transformation, deep learning, and life cycles. These are the most symbolically "weighty" cards and tend to indicate the central themes of a reading.

• The Fool (0): the start of a journey, spontaneity, a leap of faith.
• The High Priestess (II): intuition, mystery, the inner world.
• Wheel of Fortune (X): cycles, change, destiny in motion.
• The Tower (XVI): sudden upheaval, revelation, rebuilding.
• The World (XXI): completion, integration, fulfillment.

Minor Arcana — everyday life across four suits

The Minor Arcana consist of 56 cards divided into four suits, each associated with an element and a dimension of human experience:

Suit	Element	Area of life	Keywords
Wands	Fire	Work, passion, projects	Action, creativity, drive
Cups	Water	Emotions, relationships	Feeling, intuition, love
Swords	Air	Mind, conflict, decisions	Thought, clarity, challenge
Pentacles	Earth	Finances, body, the material world	Stability, resources, reality

Each suit has cards numbered from Ace to 10, plus four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King, which represent personalities or ways of engaging with the world.

How to choose your first tarot deck

Choosing a deck is a very personal step, but there are practical criteria that are especially helpful for beginners.

Rider-Waite-Smith: the classic for beginners

Created in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot is the global reference for those just starting out. The reasons are simple:

• All 78 cards feature illustrated scenes, making intuitive reading much easier.
• It is the foundation of most books, courses, and study materials available.
• It comes in dozens of editions and is easy to find worldwide.

Other beginner-friendly decks

• Tarot de Marseille: older and more geometric; great for those who prefer a traditional, intuitive approach.
• Modern Witch Tarot: a feminist, contemporary reimagining of the Rider-Waite, very popular among young adults.
• Everyday Witch Tarot: light-hearted and playful illustrations, with a system close to the Rider-Waite.

Tip: if possible, browse through the deck before buying (or look at images of all the cards online). Choose one that makes your eyes "light up" — a visual connection makes intuitive learning much easier.

Where to begin: your first practical steps

Having the deck in your hands is exciting, but it can bring up that classic question: "Now what?" Follow a simple sequence to keep from feeling lost.

1. Get to know the cards in a playful way

Before memorizing meanings, spend a few days simply looking at the cards. Draw one each day, observe the image, and jot down what you feel and what it evokes in you. This exercise develops intuitive reading and builds a genuine relationship with the deck.

2. Study the Major Arcana first

With just 22 cards, the Major Arcana form a smaller, more symbolic set. Focus your attention on them before diving into the 56 Minor Arcana. Associate each card with an archetype, a color, an emotion, or a situation from your own life — this makes learning far more concrete.

3. Start with simple spreads

Forget complex 10- or 15-card spreads at the beginning. Start with 1 to 3 cards, which already offer plenty of room for reflection without overwhelming the beginner.

• 1 card: "What is the energy of my day?" or "What do I need to pay attention to right now?"
• 3 cards: Past / Present / Future — or Situation / Obstacle / Advice.

4. Keep a tarot journal

Record each reading: the date, the question, the cards that came up, what you felt, and your interpretation. Over time, the journal reveals patterns, growth, and a deepening of your readings. It is the most underestimated learning tool — and one of the most powerful.

5. Use reliable books and resources

Some highly recommended starting points for tarot literature:

• Learning the Tarot, by Joan Bunning — didactic and progressive.
• 78 Degrees of Wisdom, by Rachel Pollack — the "bible" of modern tarot.
• The booklet that comes with your deck — often overlooked, but useful for getting started.

How to do a tarot reading: step by step

A well-conducted reading begins even before you flip the first card. The inner state of the person asking influences the quality of the reflection that tarot can offer.

1. Create a calm space: turn off notifications, take a few deep breaths, and bring your attention to the present.
2. Frame a clear question: favor open-ended questions like "What can I learn about…?" or "How can I handle…?" over closed yes/no questions.
3. Shuffle with intention: there is no right way — shuffle however feels natural, keeping your question in mind.
4. Draw the cards: use whichever method you prefer (cut the deck, draw from the top, or choose intuitively).
5. Observe before opening the book: look at the image and feel what it communicates. Only then refer to the traditional meaning.
6. Record everything in your journal.

Note: avoid doing multiple readings on the same topic in the same day hoping for different answers. Tarot works best as an invitation to reflect rather than as an oracle to be questioned until it "gives the right answer."

Common mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)

• Trying to memorize everything at once: learning tarot is gradual. Focus on a few cards at a time.
• Relying too heavily on the book: the book is a support, not a rulebook. Your intuitive reading is equally valid.
• Fearing "negative" cards: cards like The Tower or The Devil are not curses — they are invitations to recognize patterns that are calling for transformation.
• Consulting tarot when you're in a highly charged emotional state: when we are anxious or desperate, we tend to interpret the cards in a distorted way.
• Not recording your readings: without a journal, readings fade from memory and learning slows down considerably.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special gift to read tarot?

No. Tarot is a symbolic system that anyone can learn. Intuition develops with practice, just as with any other skill — it is not a prerequisite for starting, but a natural result of ongoing study and observation.

Can I buy my own deck, or does it have to be a gift?

You can — and should — buy your own deck. This is a popular belief with no basis in serious tarot traditions. What matters most is that you connect with the imagery and feel comfortable with the deck you choose.

How often should I do readings?

There is no fixed rule, but for beginners, a daily one-card draw (as a morning or evening reflection) is a great starting point. Avoid compulsive consultations on the same topic, as this tends to create more confusion than clarity.

Can tarot tell me what will happen in the future?

Tarot does not predict the future in an absolute sense. It maps tendencies, energies, and patterns based on the present moment, helping you make more conscious decisions. The future remains open to your choices — and it is precisely that openness that makes tarot a tool for empowerment, not resignation.

What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards?

Tarot follows a universal structure of 78 cards divided into Major and Minor Arcana. Oracle decks, on the other hand, are free-form: they can have any number of cards, any theme, and do not follow a standardized system. Both are valid, but tarot offers a more structured system of study for those who want to deepen their knowledge.

Conclusion

Starting with tarot is, above all else, beginning a more honest conversation with yourself. You don't need to be an expert, have years of practice, or believe in anything blindly — all it takes is curiosity, a deck in your hands, and a willingness to look inward. With gradual study, a dedicated journal, and an open mindset, you'll find that the 78 cards have a great deal to say about who you are and what you're going through right now.

Why not start today? Choose your first deck, draw a card, and write down what it stirs in you. Tarot is already waiting to be discovered — one card at a time.