Can Anyone Learn to Read Tarot Cards?

For centuries, many people have sought divine guidance from the tarot. This ancient mystical practice is steeped in the art of divination, insight, and psychic ability. Many of us are fascinated by the powerful forces at play with tarot cards. Often, these mystical elements seem impossibly esoteric and beyond the realm of mortal understanding.  

Fortunately, we are the key masters behind tarot card readings. Our ability to dabble in the mystical arts is our saving grace. Gurus recommend an insatiable appetite for knowledge, plenty of patience, and a deep understanding to unlock the power of the tarot. The accuracy of a tarot card reading hinges upon the reader’s professionalism, experience, and authenticity.

Like any expert practitioner, intensive study, practical application, and a deep appreciation of the mystical arts are sacrosanct. With the right approach and attitude, anyone can fine-tune their abilities as a tarot card reader. Card divination is an art form; it requires synchronicity with mystical elements and oneness with the universe. 

Once you have attained the desired status as a tarot card reader, you can perform readings for those seeking metaphysical guidance. Of course, it’s essential to partner with a spiritual advisor or Reiki master for guidance.

First Things First – Get to Know the Cards

Every tarot card deck includes a combination of cards – 78 cards, to be precise. These are divided into two groups – the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana comprises the first 22 cards in the deck. These signify important life events. Get to know them – they are important. 

The balance of cards in the deck represents Minor Arcana. These cards are geared towards day-to-day issues. A skilled tarot card reader understands precisely what each card means. It’s imperative to commit all of the cards to memory. This is a time-consuming process, but it’s inextricably intertwined with your success as someone who dabbles in the mystical arts.

Recall that the Major Arcana includes 22 cards. These cards deal specifically with critical thematic elements in real life, archetypes, and significant life events. Interestingly, these cards start with card number zero through card number 21. The following table includes all Major Arcana cards in a traditional tarot card deck:

Major Arcana Tarot Cards

Card Number	Name	Meaning
0	The Fool	Fresh starts, innocence, life adventures, youthful outlook
1	The Magician	Belief in oneself, skillfulness, tapping into potential
2	The High Priestess	Intuition, inner clarity, reflective awareness
3	The Empress	Nurturing, beauty, affection, emotional balance
4	The Emperor	Authority, power, stability
5	The Hierophant	Spiritual mentorship, divine insights, customs
6	The Lovers	Emotional bonds, essential decisions, commitment
7	The Chariot	Perseverance, achieving goals, personal success
8	Strength	Inner courage, resilience, overcoming adversity
9	The Hermit	Self-reflection, wisdom, thoughtful solitude
10	Wheel of Fortune	Life transitions, shifts in fortune
11	Justice	Fairness, moral order, legal matters
12	The Hanged Man	Letting go, transformation, delayed action
13	Death	Endings and new beginnings, transformation cycles
14	Temperance	Balance, serenity, fulfillment
15	The Devil	Temptations, hardships, fear-based constraints
16	The Tower	Collapse, unstable structures, revelations
17	The Star	Inspiration, recovery, renewed optimism
18	The Moon	Subconscious emotions, secrecy, depth
19	The Sun	Joy, clarity, positive direction
20	Judgment	Awakening, self-improvement, evolution
21	The World	Completion, achievement, destiny

Minor Arcana Tarot Cards 

Interestingly, the Minor Arcana focus on daily issues, circumstances, and realities. They are no less significant than the Major Arcana. A good mystic understands how to give sage advice when navigating the Minor Arcana. 

There are four suits in the Minor Arcana. These include all elements – air, earth, water, and fire. Each is associated with swords, pentacles, cups, and wands. Each suit contains cards from Ace through 10, including four majestic cards from the Royal Court – the page, the knight, the queen, and the king. These suits signify a unique aspect of life, notably:

• Wands signify creativity, determination, and passion.
• Cups symbolize relationships with friends and family, intuition, and emotion.
• Pentacles are associated with the natural elements, the material world, and stability.
• Swords are directly tied to human intellect, mental capacity, and communication channels.

As with all learning pursuits, it’s imperative to use professional guides and resources to decode the mystical power of the tarot. The Internet is peppered with expertly crafted rulebooks, interpretations, and understandings of tarot cards. These guides serve as markers for providing clarity and comprehension. Many novices attempt to focus on the prescribed meaning of cards without tapping into their gut feeling about the cards. 

It’s best to go with what the card means to you. You can always cross-reference your understanding of the cards with an expert guidebook on reading tarot cards. If you interpret the cards differently from what the guidebook tells you, identify the divergence and correct it accordingly. It is a time-consuming process since many novice tarot card readers misattribute the symbolism of one card for another. Like any vocation, practice makes perfect.

You can adopt many different spreads for tarot card readings, including the Celtic Cross tarot spread, yes/no readings for beginners, or the basic three-card spread. As you go, you will find your niche in this fascinating field of divination, prognostication, and metaphysical analysis. It is always about understanding the cards, sensing frequencies and energy levels, and attributing the correct meaning to every card in the Major and Minor Arcana.