Tarot for Beginners: How to Read Tarot Cards in 7 Days
Day 1: Choose Your Deck & Understand Structure
Start with the classic Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck—it is the most widely used, best-documented, and easiest for beginners. Its rich symbolism forms the foundation for most modern decks.
Spend today familiarizing yourself with the deck structure: 78 cards total—22 Major Arcana (numbered 0-XXI) and 56 Minor Arcana (four suits of 14 cards each: Ace through 10 + Page, Knight, Queen, King). Shuffle the deck, hold the cards, and set a personal intention for your tarot journey.
Day 2: The Major Arcana — Cards 0-X
| Card | Keywords |
|---|---|
| 0 — The Fool | New beginnings, spontaneity, free spirit, leap of faith |
| I — The Magician | Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action |
| II — The High Priestess | Intuition, unconscious, mystery, inner voice |
| III — The Empress | Abundance, nature, fertility, nurturing |
| IV — The Emperor | Authority, structure, stability, father figure |
| V — The Hierophant | Tradition, spiritual guidance, education, conformity |
| VI — The Lovers | Love, harmony, choices, values alignment |
| VII — The Chariot | Determination, victory, willpower, control |
| VIII — Strength | Courage, inner strength, compassion, patience |
| IX — The Hermit | Solitude, soul-searching, inner guidance, contemplation |
| X — Wheel of Fortune | Cycles, destiny, turning points, luck |
Day 3: The Major Arcana — Cards XI-XXI
| Card | Keywords |
|---|---|
| XI — Justice | Fairness, truth, cause and effect, law |
| XII — The Hanged Man | Surrender, pause, new perspective, letting go |
| XIII — Death | Transformation, endings, change, transition (rarely physical death) |
| XIV — Temperance | Balance, moderation, patience, purpose |
| XV — The Devil | Attachment, materialism, shadow self, bondage |
| XVI — The Tower | Sudden upheaval, revelation, awakening, chaos |
| XVII — The Star | Hope, renewal, inspiration, serenity |
| XVIII — The Moon | Illusion, fear, anxiety, subconscious |
| XIX — The Sun | Joy, success, vitality, celebration |
| XX — Judgement | Rebirth, inner calling, absolution, reckoning |
| XXI — The World | Completion, accomplishment, travel, integration |
Day 4: The Minor Arcana — All Four Suits
| Suit | Element | Domain | Court Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wands | Fire | Action, passion, creativity, career | Page, Knight, Queen, King |
| Cups | Water | Emotions, relationships, intuition, love | Page, Knight, Queen, King |
| Swords | Air | Intellect, conflict, truth, communication | Page, Knight, Queen, King |
| Pentacles | Earth | Material world, finances, health, work | Page, Knight, Queen, King |
The numbered cards (Ace-10) tell a story of progression within each suit. For example, the Ace of Cups is new love or emotional beginning; the Ten of Cups is emotional fulfillment and family harmony. Court cards can represent people in your life, aspects of yourself, or situational energies.
Day 5: Basic Spreads
One-Card Draw: The simplest spread. Shuffle, ask a question, draw one card. Perfect for daily guidance. Practice with our free Tarot Reading tool.
Three-Card Spread: Past / Present / Future. Or: Situation / Obstacle / Advice. Versatile and quick.
The Celtic Cross (10 cards): The most comprehensive traditional spread. Covers: present situation, challenge, past, future, conscious goal, unconscious influence, advice, external influences, hopes/fears, and outcome. Save this for after you have mastered the simpler spreads.
Day 6: Intuitive Reading & Reversals
Your intuition is as important as memorized meanings. Before looking up a card's definition, spend 30 seconds noting what you feel from the imagery: colors, symbols, figures' postures, your emotional reaction. This practice builds your unique reading voice.
Reversed cards: Some readers use them, some don't. Reversals can indicate: blocked energy, internalized meaning, delayed manifestation, or the opposite of the upright meaning. As a beginner, you can choose to read all cards upright until you are comfortable with basic meanings.
Day 7: Practice Readings & Journaling
Do a reading for yourself every morning. Write down: date, question, cards drawn, your interpretation, and what actually happened that day. Over time, your tarot journal becomes a personal reference—showing which interpretations proved accurate and how your intuitive language develops.
Practice reading for others. Start with friends who are supportive and understand you are learning. The best way to build confidence is through real readings. Try our online tarot reader for digital practice anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone learn tarot?
Yes. Tarot is a skill like any other—it requires study, practice, and patience. While some people have natural intuitive gifts, anyone can become a competent reader with consistent practice. There is no special "gift" required.
Do I need to be gifted my first deck?
This is a common myth. While receiving a deck as a gift is lovely, buying your own is perfectly fine. What matters is your connection with the deck, not how you acquired it. Choose a deck whose artwork resonates with you.
Can tarot predict the future?
Tarot does not predict a fixed future. It reveals current energies, potential outcomes, and guidance for navigating your path. Think of tarot as a compass showing possible directions, not a GPS giving you a single route.
How is tarot different from Bazi or astrology?
Tarot is interactive and moment-specific—it answers your current questions. Bazi and astrology are fixed at birth and show lifelong patterns. They complement each other: Bazi/astrology for life strategy, tarot for daily guidance and specific decisions.