Cutting Through The Clutter: Tips and Tricks for Learning Tarot

Tarot is by far one of the most popular forms of modern divination, but it's often regarded as confusing by those who first attempt to learn it. With seventy-eight standard cards included in a deck, there are a myriad of meanings, techniques, and activities that are associated with reading Tarot. To help cut through the confusion, here are some tips and tricks for learning to read Tarot!

Misconceptions and Myths

"Tarot Is A Closed Practice"

Let's get one thing straight: Tarot is not a closed practice. That's a myth, plain and simple. The idea that only certain groups can read Tarot has been making the rounds lately, but rest assured it's completely false. Tarot is not a closed practice belonging to the Romani or any other group, despite WitchTok's attempts to convince you otherwise. The earliest known practice of "Tarot" was a secular card game popular in 14th Century France and Italy. The origins of Tarot as a divination system are difficult to definitively trace, but one thing is for certain: anyone can learn to read Tarot.

The Expectations of A Tarot Reader

New Tarot readers are often held back by the ideas others hold of them. They may think that they absolutely have to read Tarot for others or that they have to turn their Tarot practice into a business, or alternatively, that they are only allowed to read for themselves. But guess what? That's all wrong! Tarot can be a practice that you only do for yourself. You never have to monetize your Tarot reading if you don't want to. Only reading for yourself does not invalidate you as a Tarot reader. Conversely, you are fully allowed to read for others if you feel called to do so. Your Tarot practice is yours. Explore and embrace Tarot on your own terms, the way you feel comfortable.

Additionally, you don't need to be psychic or a medium to be able to read Tarot, and you don't need to be religious or practice witchcraft to read Tarot. Everyone is capable of learning to read Tarot, regardless of psychic ability.

"Tarot Tells The Concrete Future," or "Tarot Encourages Fatalism"

Tarot can be used as a predictive tool, but it can only give you insight into your current path. If you get a reading that you don't like, just take action to change your path! If you get a reading and find that your relationship is likely to break down due to lack of communication, start communicating! Tarot provides you with one possible outcome, albeit the most likely. There are always ways to remedy 'negative' outcomes. Your Tarot deck cannot determine your choices for you. Free will absolutely exists within Tarot and you have the agency to alter your course at any time after you receive a reading.

"Your First Deck Needs To Be Gifted To You"

Nope! This one's more of a superstition than a major misconception, but it's still false. You're fully allowed to buy your own first Tarot deck. If it's a tradition you think is cool and want to uphold, go ahead! There's no harm in it; just know that you do have the option of purchasing your first deck yourself.

Intuition Versus Tradition

Another debate currently making the rounds right now is on "intuitive" Tarot reading. To put it simply, intuitive Tarot readers rely purely on their own gut-feeling definitions of the cards rather than their established esoteric meanings. The Tarot cards do have nuanced and complex 'textbook' meanings that have been used for decades. There's nothing wrong with the technique of intuitive reading, at face value, but it has led to some rather unreliable readings (no, the Seven of Swords does not mean that your ex is coming back to you). Intuitive Tarot reading can be helpful to gain a personal connection with your deck's imagery, but in my opinion, relying purely on intuition only gives you access to one type of tool when you could be using the whole tool box. There is merit to intuitive Tarot reading, but not as an exclusive method of reading.

Reading Tarot Reversals

Reversals are another aspect of Tarot reading that garner somewhat conflicting opinions. For those that are unaware, a 'Reversal' is when a Tarot card is drawn from the deck upside down. Reversals can be treated differently from their upright counterparts, but reading Reversals are more a matter of personal preference than anything else. Some readers choose to read Reversals as an inversion of their upright meanings or as an aspect of the reading that needs to be treated with more significance. Others simply ignore Reversals. Whether you choose to read Reversals is just a matter of personal choice and reading style. If the concept makes sense to you, then utilize it! Reversals can serve to add more depth to your readings, but ignoring them won't inherently hinder your reading process.

Tips and Tricks

Study the "Textbook" Meaning

The first way to start to learn Tarot is simply to study the established meanings of the cards. Each individual card has several basic but nuanced meanings that can be interpreted based on the situation you're reading on. Sites like Biddy Tarot or Labyrinthos provide in-depth but easy to digest meanings of each of the cards, as well as other tips and tricks for those learning Tarot. Additionally, one of the creators of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, A. E. Waite, wrote and published a guidebook to the meanings of the Tarot entitled The Pictorial Key To The Tarot. I personally have found his writing to be very helpful to learn the established, traditional meanings of the Tarot.

Study The Correspondences

Tarot incorporates a slew of outside influences, including numerology, astrology, mythology, and magic. Studying each system of influence, both independently and in relation to the Tarot, can increase your understanding of the nuanced meanings of the cards. A reading with multiple ten cards, for example, can indicate that a cycle is closing out and the next steps need to be taken.

Trust Your Intuition

Reading intuitively can be an extremely helpful exercise in progressing as a Tarot reader. To read intuitively, simply pull a card, study its artwork, and listen to what your intuition is telling you. What do you notice about the postures of the characters? What do you notice about the animals and other symbols? What meaning does the art indicate to you, personally? Does the card seem to tell a story? Additionally, take notice of the colors and the numbers, and any writing on the card, and any feelings or messages that you feel when looking at the card.

Read Frequently

'Practice makes perfect' is the Tarot reader's motto. Reading at least semi-frequently, for yourself or for others, can greatly increase your reading ability and confidence. I personally try to read for myself at least once a week, and I've noticed a great uptick in my abilities since instituting the habit.

Experiment With Different Methods

Tarot reading is a greatly personal process, so there's no real 'right' way to read. Experimenting with different methods of reading, shuffling, interpreting, and delivery can be exceptionally helpful. You can try using different spreads or just letting the cards talk to you; you can try shuffling at different increments or at different points in the reading; you can record your readings or write them out. Finding your own personal reading process and style can take time, but finding your Tarot reading 'voice' is essential if you plan to pursue reading Tarot professionally.

Experiment With Different Decks

There are hundreds of Tarot decks available for purchase right now, each with their own unique art styles and presentations; depending on the artist, some are more minimalistic and others are more elaborate. Your personal response to the art work of your deck can serve to help or hinder your reading process. If you prefer complicated symbolism over simplistic designs, you probably won't have a very satisfactory reading experience with a minimalist deck. Find a deck (or decks!) with art work that you love and connect with and it will greatly improve the clarity of your readings.

Additional Reading and Resources

Tarot really is a skill that can only be developed by actually practicing it, but here are some sources that I've found helpful during my learning process!

Da'at Darling