Tarot for Beginners: How to Read Tarot Cards
Tarot looks mysterious, but learning it is simple when you take it one step at a time. This guide walks you from your first deck to your first reading in five steps, in plain English, with a practice card you can draw right here.
What is tarot (and what it isn’t)
Tarot is a deck of 78 illustrated cards. Each card has a picture and a set of meanings. You shuffle, draw some cards, and use the images and meanings to think about a question or situation.
Here is the honest version. Tarot began as a card game in 15th-century Europe and became a tool for reflection and divination later. There is no scientific evidence that tarot predicts the future. What it does well is give you a prompt: a picture to react to, which can bring up thoughts you already had. Many people find that useful for journaling, decisions and creative ideas.
| Tarot is… | Tarot is not… |
|---|---|
| A set of images for reflection | A proven way to predict the future |
| Easy to start with just one card | Something you must be gifted to learn |
| A habit you build over time | A substitute for professional advice |
Step 1: Choose your first deck
For a first deck, pick one with clear, detailed pictures on every card, including the number cards. The most common choice for beginners is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (published in 1909) or a modern deck based on it. Most books and online guides, including this one, use its system, so you can follow along easily.
- Pictures on all 78 cards. Decks with only symbols on the number cards are harder to learn from.
- A guidebook in the box. It helps with the first weeks.
- A look you like. You will stare at it a lot.
- A comfortable size. Large cards are hard to shuffle.
See our picks in the best tarot decks for beginners.
You can start today with the practice card below. When you want a real deck, read our guide first so you pick one that is easy to learn from.
Some links on our deck and book pages are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Step 2: Learn how the deck is built
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards in two groups. Learning this structure first makes everything else easier. (For the full breakdown, see how many cards are in a tarot deck.)
| Group | Cards | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | 22 | Big life themes and turning points, from The Fool (0) to The World (XXI) |
| Minor Arcana | 56 | Everyday events and feelings, in four suits |
The Minor Arcana has four suits. Each suit has 14 cards: Ace to 10, plus Page, Knight, Queen and King (the court cards).
| Suit | Element | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Wands | Fire | Energy, ambition, creativity, action |
| Cups | Water | Emotions, love, relationships, intuition |
| Swords | Air | Thoughts, truth, conflict, decisions |
| Pentacles | Earth | Money, work, health, the practical world |
Some decks swap a few names, for example Coins for Pentacles. The themes stay the same.
Step 3: Start with the Major Arcana
Do not try to learn all 78 cards at once. Start with the 22 Major Arcana. They carry the strongest images and the clearest stories. The cards run as a journey, starting with The Fool, who stands at the start of something new, and ending with The World, which means completion.
Learn each card in three parts:
- Look at the picture. Who is there? What are they doing? What colours do you see?
- Learn two or three keywords. For example, The Sun: joy, success, clarity.
- Connect it to your life. Where does that feel true for you right now?
Our tarot card meanings guide lists all 22 with upright and reversed meanings and a yes or no lean. Try it with the practice card below.
Practice: pick a card and test your eye
Step 1 · Choose
Take a breath, think of a question or just your day, and tap the card you are drawn to.
Step 4: Try a simple spread
A spread is a layout where each position has a meaning. Start small. You can learn a lot from one and three cards.
One-card draw
Shuffle, draw a card and ask: What do I need to know today? Write down what you see and feel. This is the best daily habit for a beginner, and it is what the practice tool above does. For a quick answer to a specific question, try our free yes or no tarot reading.
Three-card spread
Three cards, three positions. The classic version is past, present and future, but beginners often find a situation-based version more useful.
Read the cards as a short story, not as three separate answers. See our three-card tarot spread guide for more layouts, and our full list of tarot spreads.
Step 5: Do your first reading
Ask a clear question
Good questions are open and about you. Try “What should I focus on this week?” instead of “Will he text me?”. Avoid questions about what other people think or will do.
Shuffle and draw
Shuffle for as long as you like while you think about the question. Then cut or fan the deck and draw your cards from the top, one at a time. Lay them face down, then turn them over in order.
Read the cards together
Look at the whole spread before you read any single card. Ask what story the images tell together. Notice repeats, such as several cups or lots of Major Arcana cards. Then use your keywords for each card. Write down your reading, and look back at it in a week.
Your first-week checklist (tick as you go):
How to read reversed cards
A reversed card appears upside down. You have two simple options:
- Ignore reversals. Read every card upright. This is the easiest way to begin, and many experienced readers do it.
- Read reversed cards as blocked or softened. The same meaning, but delayed, internal or out of balance. Reversed Strength, for example, can mean self-doubt.
Pick one approach and stay with it for your first month.
Common beginner mistakes
- Trying to memorise all 78 cards. Learn the Major Arcana first, then one suit at a time.
- Relying on the guidebook for every card. Look at the picture first, then check.
- Asking the same question again and again. Draw once, then sit with the answer.
- Reading Death or The Tower literally. Death usually means change or an ending, not physical death.
- Treating a reading as a fact. Use it to think, not to decide for you.
- Giving up after a few days. It feels strange at first. A few minutes daily is enough.
Best books and decks to learn from
A good guidebook saves you a lot of time. Look for one that explains each card with its picture and gives example spreads. Read our best tarot books guide and the best tarot decks for beginners for our recommendations.
Some links on our deck and book pages are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Tarot for beginners FAQ
Is tarot hard to learn?
No. You do not need to memorise 78 meanings on day one. Start with the 22 Major Arcana cards, use keywords, and let the pictures help you. Most beginners feel comfortable with simple readings after a few weeks of practice.
How do I start reading tarot cards?
Choose a deck with clear pictures, learn how it is built, study the Major Arcana, and practise with a one-card draw each day. Then move to a three-card spread. The five steps in this guide walk you through it.
Do I need to be psychic or spiritual to read tarot?
No. Tarot is a set of images and ideas that help you think about a question. You do not need special gifts. Many people use it as a simple reflection tool.
Can I buy my own tarot deck, or must it be a gift?
You can buy your own. The idea that a deck must be gifted is a tradition some people like, not a rule. Choose a deck you enjoy looking at.
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana has four suits of 14 cards each.
Should I learn reversed cards at first?
It is fine to skip them. Many readers learn the upright meanings first and add reversals later. Skipping them is easier and still gives you full readings.
How often should I practise?
A few minutes a day works better than one long session a week. Draw one card in the morning, write down what you see, and check back in the evening.
Is tarot accurate at predicting the future?
There is no scientific evidence that tarot can predict the future. Treat it as a tool for reflection and decision-making, not a source of certain answers.
Keep exploring
- All 22 Major Arcana: tarot card meanings
- Free yes or no tarot reading
- Free numerology calculator
- Mercury retrograde dates 2026-2027
Tarot is a tool for reflection and entertainment. It cannot predict the future and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal or financial advice.