So you are interested in learning to read the tarot? There are many reasons you may be drawn to the tarot, perhaps you are interested in using tarot as a tool in your psychic sessions, or maybe you are feeling lost in life and searching for answers or direction.
maybe you have always been drawn to tarot and played with them as a child, or you could be a complete beginner, just loving the visual aid.
No matter why you are here, we are all here to gain a deeper understanding of the tarot.
So where do we begin? If you have picked up a tarot deck, you will notice the number of cards. 78 to be exact. Each card with its own interpretation and visual queues.
I've always been drawn to the tarot and remember being into anything 'Woo Woo' throughout my entire life. I've been practicing the tarot for the last 5 years and I'm still learning every day.
So I'm not going to lie, it's not easy and it's not quick, it takes time, and trust in your intuition.
So here are my top 10 tips for learning the Tarot:
Number 1 : Practice - As I like to tell my kids, practice makes perfect - the more you practice, the better you become. Draw a card for yourself every day! Write down the message you get from the card, read the tarot reading and see if it is a similar message. I recommend Brigit Esselmont, Founder of Biddy Tarot Books as a great source for learning the meanings of the cards.
Number 2 : Journal - keep a journal of the cards that you pull each day, it's a great way to keep track of the cards and when you look back you may see patterns.
Number 3 : Divide the cards into sections - major arcana - court cards and the suits, then begin only with the mayor arcana. Take out the suits, and the elements and just use the main cards, until you are familiar. Trust me, it's much less daunting.
Number 4 : After you are familiar with the major arcana - start on the court cards - the Pages (Messengers), the Knights (Action), the Queens and the Kings.
Now, these court cards are also character cards and can reflect yourself or the people in your life. The best way to remember the characteristics of the queens and kings is to relate them to people in your life. it is more relatable and helps you connect with the card.
Number 5 : Now we get to the suits- Pentacles, Cups, Swords, Wands.
These suits relate to different elements -
Pentacles are the earth element - career, finances, money, everyday life.
Cups are the water element - feelings, emotions and relationships.
Swords are the element of Air - intellect, belief systems, and truth.
Wands are the fire element and are our passions, inspirations, and creative energy!
Having a better understanding of the elements helps us gauge the cards better.
Number 6: Numerology - The numbers on the cards have their own meaning as well, and understanding what they are, gives another element to the cards.
1 – (Aces) New beginnings, opportunity, potential
2 – Balance, partnership, duality
3 – Creativity, groups, growth
4 – Structure, stability, manifestation
5 – Change, instability, conflict
6 – Communication, cooperation, harmony
7 – Reflection, assessment, knowledge
8 – Mastery, action, accomplishment
9 – Fruition, attainment, fulfilment
10 – Completion, end of a cycle, renewal
Number 7 : Read the cards for your friends and family. This is the best way to learn, to practice with others. This is what I did when I started getting into the cards, and it reaffirmed that I was on the right track and helped me form a stronger connection with the cards and my intuition. I was not perfect and I still had a lot to learn but it helped shape me into the reader I am today.
Number 8 : Look at the visuals on the cards, the cards all have messages in the pictures - the colours, themes, elements and depictions all mean something. What do you feel when you look at the card, does it make you happy, sad, or confused?
Number 9 - Trust! This is a big one. If you don't trust yourself, you will feel it in the reading. You may not get the right information and messages. If you are reading for others the most important thing is to trust yourself, you don't need to know all the cards and their meanings to use your intuition and listen to your senses and the messages that are coming through.
Number 10 : Allow yourself TIME! Learning anything new takes time and patience, don't take it too seriously, have fun with the cards, play with them, and use them in everyday life!
So these are my top ten tips for learning tarot! Ultimately it all comes down to trusting yourself and listening to your intuition.
I will share more tips, ideas and tarot card meanings over the coming weeks!
Jen