If you’re interested in learning tarot, congratulations! The world of tarot is broad enough to keep you interested for decades, yet easy enough to allow you to gain a working understanding of the cards in a relatively short period of time.
While there are many ways to learn tarot, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and struggle if you follow the following suggestions.
10. Don’t fixate on Doing it right
As you get to know different tarot readers, you’ll discover that there are many effective ways to read the cards. Some readers are intuitive, which means that they tend to use the card images to stimulate their imagination in a reading. Others do cold readings using fixed, memorized meanings for each card. Both methods can work extremely well.
If you decide to stick with tarot, in time you’ll soon discover your own style. Give yourself permission to learn, grow, experiment and try different methods. Be easy on yourself. Before you know it, your confidence in your own personal technique will grow.
9. Throw away the Little White Book
The Little White Book (LWB) is the small pamphlet that comes with most tarot decks. Some provide interesting background information. For learning tarot they are worse than useless.
Ignore the little white book completely if you want to learn to read the cards.
8. Choose one good tarot book
While many tarot books are not that good, and some are next to worthless, there are others that are pure gold. Here are two examples:
- Step by Step Tarot by Terry Donaldson (to give you confidence)
- The Devil’s Picturebook by Paul Huson (to put you in the mind of the cards)
If you want an advanced book with current and historical meanings for each of the cards, Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul Huson will serve you well in all stages of your tarot journey.
7. Don’t read a lot of different books (at first)
If you look online or at the bookstore, you’ll find a jubilee of tarot books. Not only don’t you need these books, but purchasing them is a big mistake as you try to make sense of tarot. Don’t give in to the temptation to buy a lot of books. You’ll tend to get distracted, which will slow down your progress in learning the cards. The seeming differences between authors may damage your trust in your own abilities. Finally, too many of these books are marginal at best. Reading a lot of books will waste your time. See the next item.
6. Learn a keyword or key phrase for all 78 cards
As legendary tarot guru Le Fanu has said, memorization has fallen far out of favor. While this may be true for others, you can choose to go against fashion. Following this one tip will jump-start your ability to read effectively with the cards.
Keywords in and of themselves are only a small portion of the meaning of any particular card. When chosen well they act as seeds growing inside you. Each one will become a tree of knowledge and associations linked with its particular card. Keywords serve the same function as training wheels in learning to ride a bike. When you learn to ride, the training wheels go away. Same with the keywords.
Remember always that tarot is alive. The meanings for cards change, develop and grow.
5. Keep a tarot journal
Start a journal used only for your tarot learning. Some people use a 3-ring notebook with pages for each card. Others use a simple spiral. Whatever is easiest and works best for you will be just fine. Include realizations, dreams related to the cards, quotations from your one tarot book, sketches and anything else that strikes your fancy.
4. Do a daily draw
More days than not you should pull a card out of your deck. If you miss a day, let it go and start again when you remember. Think about the card during the day. Keep the card with you if possible. Meditate on the image. Write about it in your journal.
3. Engage the spirit of tarot
Whatever you may believe about how it works, there is an order and intelligence behind tarot. While the cards themselves are paper, the life behind them is something more. Befriend the tarot. Treat tarot with respect, and it will treat you with respect.
2. Carry your deck with you
Get used to glancing through your deck in spare moments. Put them on the table next to you when your working at the computer. Keep them in your bag. Put them under your pillow when you sleep, or on the table next to your bed.
The time you leave your cards behind will be the time you regret not having them.
1. Learn from those who know
Aeclectic Tarot Forum is a friendly community of tarot people. The Using Tarot Cards area can be a source of wonderful information for you as a new tarot reader.
Wishing you great happiness, adventure and success on your tarot journey. Alec Satin
Creative Commons Image: Tarot Guy by Binary Bliss
Note: This article was previously published at goodtarot. Melissa has a new site at goodtarot.tumblr.com
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I am student of tarot. I have Terry Donaldson’s book as well as Lady Loreily’s book for study and guidance. Am practicing and teaching Tarot for past more than five years and was happy to note validation of my views from you article.
I have nowhere found explaination on the 78 number of Tarot cards. Why 78 cards, why not more or less.
I also find difficlt to accept the connections made beteen Tarot cards and Astrological symbols like Areis, Libra, Canccer etc.
Hi, thanks for sharing, its interesting, would love add a point, “Don’t be afraid to speak what your mind wants to say while reading, it will be more relevant and more connecting ” thanks Payal
Alec,
Thank you for posting this–it makes me feel like I’m on the right track! I began my tarot study a few months ago (having discovered the Noblet by chance), and I’ve naturally begun to do several of the things listed. Even though I haven’t given anyone a reading–I haven’t dared–I now find myself wanting to carry the cards wherever I go. I feel like my first reading is waiting just around the corner . . .
Best,
Ross
Alec,
Great tips. I’m a big fan of both keeping a journal and doing daily draws.
You are also right when you suggest carrying a deck with you at all times, especially when you identify yourself as a reader. I have had to learn this from the moments when I didn’t have a deck on me (how could I not have the tool of my trade on my person?!). Other times, I’ve had a deck with me, and a person asked for a reading on the spot.
I would add, though it probably goes without saying, to get a deck you will want to work with daily. Be certain it appeals to you, as it will become your most trusted friend and confidante (my Pictorial Key Tarot fills that role for me).
Another fine post.
Blessings,
James
http://www.himm-online.com
Hi James! Yes, agreed. Something special happens when we find one deck that we carry with us most of the time. Glad you found the Pictorial Key Tarot. Use it in good health.
Alec
what a lovely collection of simple, easy yet profoundly effective tips!! Thank you! I would also add, Do Not Be Afraid To Read the Cards Wherever You Go!!! the Universe will convey ONLY the messages your client is READY to receive, so even if you are not sure how much you know: you ARE in the right place at the right time!!
Hi Victoria,
Excellent tip. It’s a big step to self-identify as a tarot reader. Part of this means keeping your cards with you so as to be ready to read. Wonderful things happen when we create the space for them to do so. There are many opportunities to read if we’re willing.
Thanks for your comment!
Alec