Tarot Reading for Beginners

I still remember the first time I picked up a tarot deck. I was sitting cross-legged on my bedroom floor, half-curious, half-nervous, like I was opening a door into something ancient and secret. The cards felt weighty in my hands, not just physically, but energetically. I didn’t really know what I was doing (and if I’m honest, I still don’t always), but something about the images, the rituals, the quiet moments they created… it just felt right. Like listening instead of speaking. Like letting your soul take the wheel.

If you’ve been feeling drawn to tarot but aren’t sure where to begin, this little guide is for you. No pressure, no rules set in stone. Just a gentle intro to something that’s helped me feel more grounded, intuitive, and connected to myself and the unseen.

What is Tarot?

Tarot is a tool for self-reflection, not fortune-telling (although, sometimes, the timing is spooky). A standard deck has 78 cards, each with its own meaning and symbolism. They’re typically broken into two main parts:

  • The Major Arcana (22 cards): These are the “big themes” in life - think identity, transformation, spiritual growth, the deep stuff. Cards like The Fool, Death, or The Lovers.

  • The Minor Arcana (56 cards): These are more everyday, moment-to-moment things. They’re split into four suits - Cups (emotions), Wands (energy/creativity), Swords (thoughts/conflict), and Pentacles (material world).

But honestly? When you’re starting out, you don’t need to memorise all that. What matters most is learning to feel into the cards and trust your own interpretations.

Choosing Your Deck

There’s an old myth that your first tarot deck has to be gifted to you, but I think that’s kind of outdated. You can absolutely buy your own deck. In fact, it can be a really special moment to choose one that speaks to you.

Go for something that makes your heart flutter a little. That might be a classic Rider-Waite deck (very beginner-friendly and symbolic) or something a bit more whimsical, illustrated, or diverse. You want to feel drawn to it. Like it's an extension of your inner world-your personality.

How to Start

You don’t need candles, crystals, or a velvet cloth to start reading tarot (though, if that’s your vibe, go for it!). What you do need is presence - a moment of stillness to tune in and listen. Here’s a very simple way to begin:

1.   Find a quiet moment. Sit down somewhere peaceful, take a few deep breaths, and centre yourself.

2.   Shuffle the cards. Think about what you want guidance on. You don’t need a fancy question. Even something like “What do I need to know about today?” works beautifully.

3.   Pull a card (or a few). Trust your instinct - cut the deck, fan it out, or just pull from the top. There’s no wrong way.

4.   Reflect. Look at the card. What stands out? What emotions or memories does it bring up? Then check the guidebook (most decks come with one) to see the traditional meaning. How does this apply to your journey? Cultivate a practice of self-reflection and self-assessment.

You might want to journal about what comes up, or just sit with it. Let it simmer. Let your thoughts take you on a journey of what it means to yourself.

Some Beginner-Friendly Spreads

  • One-Card Pull: Great for daily check-ins or quick clarity.

  • Past / Present / Future: Lay out three cards and reflect on how your situation has evolved.

  • Mind / Body / Spirit: A lovely way to do a little energetic scan of how you’re feeling.

Try not to overthink it. The beauty of tarot isn’t about getting it “right”… it’s about what you see, feel, and need in the moment.

My Top Tips

  • Start a tarot journal. Write down your daily card pulls, what you think they mean, and what ends up unfolding after you’ve completed a reading. Over time, you’ll build your own relationships, your own meanings, with the cards.

  • Go slow. You don’t have to know all 78 cards off by heart. Let them become familiar like friends. Learn through experience.

  • Pull cards for yourself like you would a friend. Gently, lovingly, without judgement.

  • Don’t freak out about “scary” cards. Cards like Death or The Tower can look intense, but they’re often just about big change, release, or transformation. Not literal doom.

  • Trust your intuition. If a card gives you a certain vibe, even if it’s not in the book, listen to that. Tarot is deeply personal.

Final Thoughts

Tarot is like a mirror. It won’t tell you what to do or make decisions for you. But it will reflect what’s already stirring in your subconscious. It gives language to the liminal. Sometimes, just pulling a card makes me feel held, like something bigger is looking out for me, gently nudging me back into alignment.

If you’re drawn to it, that’s your sign. You don’t need to be psychic or “spiritual enough.” Just open. Curious. Willing to sit with the mystery.

So go slow. Light a candle if you want. Shuffle the deck with your sleepy morning hands or while the sun’s setting. Let the cards become a quiet friend in your pocket. You might be surprised by how much wisdom they unlock… not from the universe, but from within you.