Tarot Cards have been used for a very long time as divination tools. I recommend anyone interested in (learning) reading cards have at least some working knowledge on the history of tarot. It can help understand what uses cards have, how they can be used, and how reading can differ from one reader or another.
Aside from the differences between card readers, there are also many detailed differences between tarot decks. There is a tradition, for example, that Wands represent Fire and Swords represent Air. This tradition, however, is not the only one to exist. In a lovely deck titled Celtic Dragon Tarot, this order is reversed. Some believe that Golden Dawn purposefully put the cards out with the suit to element reversed; others believe this tradition is correct. Regardless, the point is that different decks have different meanings and associations that can be large and small. Read with your deck, not against it.
There are several things to keep in mind when reading cards and learning to read them: numerology, the elements, astrology, and the images of each card. For a while, reading cards might feel like grabbing something from a bag off each of these categories and then sticking them together to form a card interpretation. While you’ll certainly learn about each card, it might not be the best method. Instead, something like that offers a route toward memorization that handicaps intuition and personal connection to cards.
Although I, and many others, have certain phrases we associate with certain cards (or pairs of cards), these are not meant to stand in for a full interpretation. An example might be that when the Page of Cups and Page of Wands are together, the phrase “dark rival” comes to mind. The 5 of Cups might be linked to the word “divorce.” And likewise, the Major Arcana card, Death may call to mind “transformation.” These key words are not bad, but it’s important to understand that a card is much more than a word or phrase. Sometimes, that word may apply and sometimes it may not.
Cards must also be read in connection with one another. Aside from one-card readings, it’s important to draw connections between cards that are drawn or “pulled”. This is where most of the reading becomes either relatable for the querent, or problematic. Connecting cards can be intuitive, it can be aided by Spirit(s), or it can simply be relating aspects of a card to that of another. This is what separates good readers from outstanding readers. Good readers get caught up in card meanings and associations, outstanding readers go with the flow and listen, they tune-in to the cards, the querent’s energy, and what’s going on in their own energy to read and tell a story—the story the cards present.
Understanding tarot also comes from realizing and understanding how tarot functions as a language and as a story. The language behind tarot we’ve already discussed a bit. It can be found in the numerology, elements, astrology, and images represented on or by each card. Each of these may seem it’s own ‘language,’ but when they are put together they come to be the language of tarot. Each card carries all of these parts. Perhaps it is easiest to focus only on the symbols like pentacles and coins, or water, moon, animal. But, symbols are not the only foundation of tarot. One must also learn the meaning of the numbers to accurately depict the language on a card. 1 is newness, 5 conflict, 10 completion and so on. It’s easy to say Strength is Leo and so it’s the Sun. But what about the 4 of Cups? 4 is stability, and Cups are emotions. But that does not tell the story of the 4 of Cups. Language is important, but it is not the complete encapsulation of a card.
A deck I recommend to learn about how planetary associations are related to each card is the “Patch Tarot Deck.” It can be found as an app, online, and can also be purchased as a physical deck. This deck labels every card with astrological correspondences. (I have no affiliation with it.)
Now that we’ve touched on the importance of language, on what should be learned about the cards to understand them more fully, it’s time to talk about the place of “Story” in tarot reading. While each card tells a story, so does each suit (and the Major Arcana), and so does the deck as a whole. The easiest way to begin unravelling the story of the cards is to spend time with them.
Grab a card–any card–and look at it. See what’s going on in the picture. See how the characters are interacting, are they facing each other? Facing away (from you)? Are they involved in tasks? What expressions are they wearing? What colors are in the background? Does it look like they’re making a mistake? Are they “winning” (does it cost something)? Etc.
You can also lay out all the cards to a suit and see how the cards progress. From the Ace of Cups where a chalice overflows with positive emotion, to the 2 of Cups where two people are brought closer together, to the 3 where a harmonious family/friends scene is shown, to the contemplative 4, and the clashing out-of-balance 5, etc. See how the cards move from one to the next. (Numerology will be helpful here especially.) Look of the Major Arcana as well, watch as the cards go from the Fool to the Magician (what a transition!), to the Hanged Man, to the Tower, and to the Sun, follow the cards to Judgement and The World. What if you were a spectator walking through this world of drawings and characters? What story would you come away with? This is what the cards give to you.
So when you read, bring this knowledge with you. Start slow. Take the pressure away and sit and look at your cards. Read their language and read the story they are showing you. From one card to the next. Pick out themes that stand out in Major Arcana cards and ones that stand out between multiple cards. Make note of these. Make note of repeating numbers, astrological associations, and more. Being able to connect cards may take time, but this is what brings your reading a level up. After that, it’s about degree of understanding and intuition.
You may not understand everything in the moment, that’s okay. Bring a notebook and write things down, especially patterns! If you have any experiences like a vision or a spirit speaking, etc. you should write that down as well. Even if you just have a feeling about what a card means or could mean, put that down too. This will really help you when you look back to see how you’ve progressed, but also when you look back to see how accurate your reading was. Tarot can be used in many ways, only some of which include predictions, but accuracy comes in many forms.
Some Add-Ons
Clairaudience
Some people may call this intuition, others may call it hearing Spirit(s). The truth is, sometimes it’s one, sometimes it’s the other, and sometimes it’s both. Regardless, the following applies.
When you “hear” something during a reading, write it down! These tidbits of information can be incredibly helpful and often are useful in connecting the dots between cards. If you’re naturally good at this type of “hearing,” it may happen more often than for others. Whether you are or aren’t, taking a breath when you’re caught up in meanings or trying to draw a connection and taking a step back from the cards can help loosen your mind and allow you to “hear.” No matter if you’re doing an evocation and know who gave you the words, or alone with your deck, write down what you hear! You can dissect and analyze it later.
Clairvision
Sometimes when you’re reading you may get a “vision.” Pay attention to it. Close your eyes (unless you already have another method you prefer) and watch the vision until it ends. Just watch. When it’s over, that’s when you should write it down. Write down details before you write down the big picture as those will be the first to fade from your mind. Even if a detail is really loud and stands out, write down a word or phrase before moving on.
You may not understand something in the moment, that’s okay. Sometimes they will make much more sense later. The more you experience things like visions, the more you’ll be able to understand them in the moment and for clarity. When you read cards, bring a notebook in case of these experiences, but also simply to catalogue your readings. When you look back, it’ll be really amazing to see how you’ve progressed. Visions will likely be related to what you’re reading cards about if not the cards themselves.
While a bit morbid, I’d like to give an exaggerated example for clarity. Here’s my example spread: you pull The Moon, 7 of Swords, Death, and the 4 of Wands . You may interpret this as emotions and confusion of choosing a path lead to deception and transformation, ultimately the confusion clears and you gain stability. That’s a decent, basic interpretation. Now, if you see a vision of say, someone you know laying in a pool of blood on the grass in front of their house, that should change your interpretation. You might now interpret, The Moon brings confusion of emotions which ties into the 7 of Swords’ deception and thievery, something goes wrong and Death becomes literal death after which you find stability. This “stability” may be a literal house, it may be money, or anything else.
Visions, should you have them, should become the focus of a card set. Trust them. (This paragraph is for people experienced in visions, not people who’ve never experienced and don’t understand them.)
I’ll close by saying the Moon is an interesting, fascinating card with many interpretations. The 7 of Swords does not herald death, it’s about mischief and betrayal. Death, I have only had mean literal death twice and it was about the same human. And the 4 of Wands is generally a lovely bright card. Do not expect people to die when you pull the Death card. That’s not what it was really meant for and that’s not something that usually occurs. A reader can go a whole lifetime and never have anyone die because of that card, I’ll bet it’s common. If you ever feel scared of a card, I have 2 suggestions. The first is to Take A Break. Hide your decks away and stop reading for a period of time, something substantial to you (a month or two for example). The second is to take that card out of your deck, it’s not something I recommend and in-fact advise against because it feeds fear and restrains your potential, but your safety and well-being comes first.
So, a long section, but something that should be addressed with visions. They are not all sunshine and flowers, and so I thought we should talk about a darker aspect. I don’t think it’s addressed enough honestly.
Understanding a deck, or tarot at large, is a skill that comes before using tarot. They can be learned side-by-side, but be cautious of becoming too reliant on the “white book” so to speak. Next in Tarot will be how it can be used!