How to Interpret Tarot Cards
How to Interpret Tarot Cards
Learning to read Tarot can seem daunting at first, but with a bit of time and practice you can easily become familiar with the basic card meanings, & then quickly begin to create your own intuitive interpretations.
Start by getting a good grasp on the basic meanings of each card. Then delve into each section of the deck, exploring themes and symbolism. The main Sections are:
The Court Cards
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<Explore The Deck to Learn the Card meanings
The Major Arcana
Learning the Major Arcana Meanings is especially important. These are the first 22 numbered cards, starting with The Fool and ending with The World. These are the main characters of the deck and represent the larger, more important events or themes in a reading. Some of these Archetypes appear similar at first, such as the Hierophant and Emperor, take some time to get to know each of them carefully.
The Major Arcana play out a story, known as “The Fool’s Journey”
The Fool is our main character, he is heading in the world out to begin his journey towards enlightenment. He is young, naive, foolish and carefree. He meets the various others characters along the way, each one with a lesson for him to learn.
When you draw a card in a reading, think of it as a character with a message to share.
The Fool is your eager companion, urging you to start the next adventure in your life. Stop overthinking and take a leap!
The Magician wants you to know that you are a powerful creator. You have the ability to manifest your own reality by utilizing the tools you have at your disposal.
The Empress has a message of nurturing and growth. This is the card of fertility, receiving abundance and connection with nature.
Put Each Card into Context
Consider how the messages you draw relate to the reading at hand. For instance, if you are doing a reading for someone hoping to start a small business, the Empress would be a very positive card to draw, as it suggests and growth and creativity. It also reminds you that it will take care and nurturing for this project to grow and flourish.
A love reading that draws the Death card might seem ominous at first glance, but it is not.
It does not generally indicate that someone will die, although it could indicate a breakup. More often though, this card is pointing to an ending of one phase of the relationship, and a renewal. A fresh way of relating to one another, it could mean the death of old patterns that are not serving.
The Minor Arcana
The minor Arcana are divided into 4 suits, Cups, Wands, Swords & Pentacles. There are 10 numbered cards and 4 court cards in each suit.
To begin reading the minor arcana it is useful to understand the significance of these suits and numbers.
The 4 Suits: Cups, Wands, Swords & Pentacles
Cups = Water. They symbolize emotions, relationships, and creativity.
Wands = Air. They represent inspiration, energy, and passion.
Swords = Fire. They signify intellect, challenges, and communication.
Pentacles = Earth. They denote material aspects, finances, and practical matters.
Learning the characteristics of each suit is essential for interpreting Tarot card readings accurately.
In Tarot, each number carries its own unique significance and meaning as well.
Ace: Represents new beginnings, potential, and opportunities.
2: Signifies balance, partnerships, and decisions that need to be made.
3: Symbolizes creativity, growth, and collaboration with others.
4: Indicates stability, security, and laying a solid foundation.
5: Represents change, challenges, and adaptability to new situations.
6: Symbolizes harmony, cooperation, and finding balance in various aspects of life.
7: Signifies introspection, spiritual growth, and seeking inner wisdom.
8: Indicates power, action, courage or success.
9: Represents fulfillment, spiritual enlightenment, and reaching the end of a cycle.
10: Symbolizes completion, achievement, and the culmination of a journey.
Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King
Each court card brings a unique energy and personality to a reading as well, offering insights into different aspects of a situation or individual.
Pages represent new beginnings, fresh ideas, and youthful energy.
Knights embody action, drive, and progression.
Queens symbolize nurturing, intuition, and emotional depth.
Kings represent leadership, authority, and structure.
To read Tarot intuitively, start by connecting with the imagery on the cards. In the Rider Waite Smith Tarot, the minor arcana are pretty easy to understand at first glance. As each card illustrates it’s meaning so well.
The Seven of Wands for example shows a young man defending himself from an onslaught of attackers. He has the upper hand though, as is shown by his position, above the attackers. This card indicates the that which you may be facing challenges, you will become have the advantage, and can expect to be victorious in your endeavors. Wands indicate some kind of action or endeavor. 7 means growth, you are becoming stronger.
The Eight of Cups shows a figure walking away from his cups. Hes spent time stacking them, but now is moving on. Probably towards something better. So in a reading, consider if there is something that you or your client may be moving on from. Something that is no longer needed. Cups suggest this is an emotional mattter. 8 suggests this action takes courage, but that it will ultimately lead to success.
Combined meanings
Finally, consider your cards in combination with each other and the Narrative they create.
For Example:
When the Devil and Hanged Man cards are combined in a Tarot reading, it signifies a situation where one is feeling trapped by their own limitations and fears. It suggests a need to break free from negative patterns of thinking or behavior that are holding them back. This combination urges the individual to pause, reflect, and let go of attachments that no longer serve their highest good. It's a call to release control, embrace change, and seek a fresh perspective to move forward positively.
Putting the cards together in this way takes practice, so start with simple two or three card spreads. As you gain skill and confidence, move on to larger spreads such as the classic 10 card celtic cross.
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Always remember, there is no right or wrong way to read the cards. The Intuitive feeling you get from a reading is usually the right one.