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TAROT BASICS
7 min read
Beginner

Tarot 101

How tarot works, what spreads do, and how to ask questions that get useful answers.

What is Tarot?

Tarot is a tool for reflection, not fortune-telling. The 78 cards act as mirrors, helping you see situations from new angles and access your own intuition.

The cards don't predict fixed futures — they illuminate patterns, possibilities, and blind spots you might not see on your own.

The Deck Structure

A standard tarot deck has 78 cards in two groups:

Major Arcana (22 cards)

Big life themes and spiritual lessons — The Fool, The Tower, The Star, etc. When these appear, pay attention. They point to significant turning points or deep psychological processes.

Minor Arcana (56 cards)

Day-to-day experiences across four suits:

  • Wands — action, passion, creativity, willpower
  • Cups — emotions, relationships, intuition
  • Swords — thought, conflict, truth, decisions
  • Pentacles — material world, money, health, work

How Spreads Work

A spread is a layout where each position has a meaning. The position gives context to the card that lands there.

Single Card

Quick daily insight or answer. Good for simple questions.

Three Card

Past/present/future or situation/challenge/advice. Versatile and readable.

Celtic Cross

10-card comprehensive reading for complex questions. Takes practice.

Asking Good Questions

The best tarot questions are open-ended. They invite exploration rather than demanding yes/no answers.

Avoid

  • "Will I get the job?"
  • "Does he love me?"
  • "When will X happen?"

Try

  • "What do I need to know about this opportunity?"
  • "What's blocking connection in this relationship?"
  • "How can I move forward with X?"

Reading Reversals

When a card appears upside-down, it's called a "reversal." There are several ways to interpret them:

  • Blocked energy — the card's meaning is present but stuck or frustrated
  • Internal expression — the energy is turned inward rather than outward
  • Lessened intensity — a softer or weaker version of the upright meaning
  • Shadow side — the unhealthy extreme of the card's energy

Some readers don't use reversals at all. Find what works for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Tarot reflects, it doesn't predict — use it for clarity, not certainty
  • Major Arcana = big themes; Minor Arcana = everyday situations
  • Open-ended questions get more useful answers than yes/no questions
  • Your intuitive response to a card matters more than memorized meanings

Try This

Pull a single card with this question:

"What do I need to pay attention to today?"

Don't look up the meaning immediately. First, notice: What catches your eye in the image? What feeling does the card give you? Then check the meaning and see how your intuition compares.

Common Misconceptions

  • "Tarot predicts the future."
    Tarot shows possibilities based on current patterns. The future isn't fixed — your choices shape it.
  • "The Death card means someone will die."
    Death almost always represents transformation, endings that lead to new beginnings, or necessary change. It's rarely literal.
  • "You need psychic abilities to read tarot."
    Tarot is a skill anyone can learn. It develops your intuition over time, but you don't need special powers to start.