How to Read Tarot Cards

Introduction: Tarot reading is a powerful tool for self-reflection, spiritual guidance, and understanding the complexities of life. Whether you’re curious about the future, seeking clarity on a situation, or simply interested in exploring a new form of divination, learning how to read tarot can be an enriching experience. This guide will walk you through the essentials of tarot reading, from understanding the cards to performing your first spread.

Step 1 Understanding Tarot Card Meanings:

Before diving into reading, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the tarot deck. A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into two main sections:

The Major Arcana (22 cards): These cards represent significant life events and spiritual lessons. Cards like The Fool, The Empress, and The Tower fall under this category and often indicate profound shifts or insights. (read more about the meanings of the Major Arcana)
The Minor Arcana (56 cards) – Reflect everyday experiences and emotions.
Each Minor Arcana suit corresponds to an element:
- Cups (Water) – Emotions, relationships, intuition
- Swords (Air) – Thoughts, intellect, challenges
- Wands (Fire) – Passion, creativity, action
- Pentacles (Earth) – Finances, career, stability

📖 Advanced Learning: Read more about the tarot elements and how to interpret them in a reading The Elements in Tarot | Fire, Water, Air, & Earth

Step 2: Choosing the Right Tarot Deck

Picking the right tarot deck is a crucial first step in your journey. With so many options available, it’s important to choose a deck that feels right for you.

Traditional vs. Modern Decks

Most beginners start with the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, as it’s widely used and has clear imagery. Our Solis Divinity Tarot Decks even include printed meanings on each card to make learning easier.

What to Look for in a Beginner-Friendly Tarot Deck

If you're just starting out, consider these factors:

✔️ Clear Symbolism - Choose a deck with detailed illustrations that help you interpret meanings intuitively.
✔️ Guidebook or Printed Meanings - A good guidebook or on-card meanings can simplify the learning process.
✔️ Card Size & Feel - Some decks are large and harder to shuffle; find one that’s comfortable in your hands.
✔️ Personal Connection - The deck should resonate with your intuition. If you feel drawn to it, that’s a good sign!

Popular Beginner Decks

- Rider-Waite-Smith – The classic, widely recommended deck.
- Solis Divinity Tarot Deck – Designed with printed meanings for effortless learning.
- The Modern Witch Tarot – A contemporary take on tarot with inclusive imagery.

Step 3: How to Shuffle and Connect with Your Deck

Before diving into a reading, it’s important to cleanse and connect with your tarot deck. This helps remove any lingering energy from manufacturing, handling, or previous readings, ensuring your cards are attuned to your personal energy.

Cleansing Your Tarot Deck

Cleansing helps reset your deck’s energy, making readings clearer and more accurate. Here are a few simple ways to do it:

Knock on the deck three times – This is an easy method to clear stagnant energy.
Smoke cleansing – Use sage, incense, or palo santo to pass your deck through the smoke.
Moonlight charging – Leave your deck under the full moon to absorb fresh, intuitive energy.
Crystal cleansing – Place a selenite or clear quartz crystal on top of your deck overnight.

💡 Pro Tip: Regular cleansing keeps your deck feeling fresh and responsive, especially if you read often or for others.

Shuffling Your Deck

Shuffling is more than just mixing the cards—it’s an energetic exchange that allows your energy and intuition to guide the reading. There’s no single “right” way to shuffle, so experiment and find what feels best for you.

Common Shuffling Methods:

✅ Overhand Shuffle – Holding the deck in one hand, use the other to pull small sections of cards from the top to the bottom. Simple and great for beginners!
✅ Riffle Shuffle – Like shuffling playing cards, this creates a good mix but can bend delicate cards.
✅ Pile Shuffle – Spread the cards on a flat surface and swirl them around, then gather them back into a deck. This is a great cleansing method too!
✅ Intuitive Shuffle – Let cards “jump” out naturally or feel when to stop.

💡 Tip: If a card falls out while shuffling, take note—it might be an important message!

Connecting with Your Deck

The more you use your deck, the stronger your connection becomes. Here’s how to deepen your bond:

Hold your deck daily – Shuffle, touch, and spend time with it.
Draw a daily card – Ask, “What energy should I focus on today?” and reflect on the meaning.
Sleep with your deck near you – Place it under your pillow or on your nightstand to strengthen your energetic link.

By regularly working with your tarot deck, you’ll develop confidence in your readings and a deeper intuitive connection to the cards.

Step 4: How to Read Tarot Cards & Interpret the Answers

Now that you’ve connected with your deck, it’s time to start reading your tarot cards! Whether you’re reading for yourself or someone else, following a structured approach helps you feel more confident and intuitive in your practice.

1. Set Your Intention

Before drawing any cards, take a moment to breathe, ground yourself, and focus. Setting an intention aligns your energy with the reading and creates a more meaningful connection.

Light a candle or incense to create a sacred space.
Hold your deck in your hands and take a few deep breaths.
Silently or out loud, state your intention: “I seek clear and honest guidance.”

2. Ask a Clear Question

The quality of your tarot reading depends on how you frame your question. Open-ended questions encourage deeper insight, while yes/no questions limit the depth of your reading.

✔️ Good Questions:

“What lesson do I need to learn from this situation?”
“What energy surrounds my current challenge?”
“What should I focus on to move forward?”

❌ Avoid Questions Like:

“Will I get a job next week?” (Tarot offers guidance, not exact fortune-telling.)
“Does my crush like me?” (Instead, ask “What do I need to know about this connection?”)

3. Choose a Tarot Spread

A tarot spread is a layout that organizes cards to provide clear insights. Beginners can start with simple spreads before exploring more advanced ones.

One-Card Pull (Daily Guidance): A quick way to gain insight into the energy or theme of your day. Example: “What energy should I embrace today?”
Three-Card Spread (Past – Present – Future): A simple layout that shows how your situation has evolved over time. Example: “What led to this situation? Where am I now? What’s the likely outcome?”
Situation – Challenge – Advice Spread: Great for decision-making and problem-solving. Example: “What’s my current situation? What’s blocking me? What action should I take?”

💡 Want to explore more tarot spreads? Check out our Tarot Spreads Guide.

4. Interpret the Cards

Once you’ve drawn your cards, take time to analyze them carefully.

Look at the card’s imagery. What symbols, colors, or emotions stand out?
Consider the traditional meaning. If using a deck with printed meanings, refer to those. Otherwise, consult a guidebook.
Relate the card to your question. A love-related card in a career reading might symbolize passion for your work.
Trust your intuition. What is your gut feeling telling you?

🌟 Example Interpretation:
🔹 You Ask: “What energy should I focus on today?”
🔹 You Draw: The Empress
🔹 Interpretation: The Empress represents nurturing, creativity, and abundance. Today is a good day to focus on self-care, express creativity, or embrace a nurturing role.

5. Reflect and Journal Your Reading

Keeping a tarot journal is one of the best ways to track patterns, strengthen intuition, and deepen your understanding of the cards.

📖 What to Write in Your Tarot Journal:

The date and tarot spread used.
The question you asked.
The cards drawn and their meanings.
Your initial thoughts, feelings, and insights.
Any recurring themes or patterns over time.

💡 Want to start a tarot journal? Read our Tarot Journaling Guide.

Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

❌ Overthinking Every Card → Trust your intuition.
❌ Memorizing Instead of Feeling → Tarot is about connection, not just knowledge.
❌ Asking the Same Question Repeatedly → Accept the message you receive.

Practice Regularly:

Like any skill, reading tarot improves with practice. Start by doing readings for yourself, and as you gain confidence, offer readings for friends or family. The more you work with the cards, the more intuitive your readings will become.

Conclusion: Learning how to read tarot is a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. While it might seem overwhelming at first, with patience and practice, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the cards and how they can guide you in life.

Written by Aleksandra Rewak, a passionate tarot reader and spiritual guide helping others unlock their intuition through tarot. As the creator of Solis Divinity Tarot, I believe that tarot should be accessible, intuitive, and empowering for everyone whether you're a beginner or a seasoned reader.