What is Tarot
Tarot is a system of 78 symbolic cards used for self-discovery, meditation, and receiving answers to important questions. Tarot does not predict a fixed future—it reveals tendencies, hidden motives, and possible paths for the situation to develop. Each card is an archetype, a symbolic image resonating with the collective unconscious of humanity.
Structure of the Tarot Deck
A standard Tarot deck consists of two parts:
Major Arcana (22 cards)
From 0 — The Fool to XXI — The World. These are the “great themes” of life: love (The Lovers), justice (Justice), transformation (Death), enlightenment (The Star). The Major Arcana describe archetypal situations and profound spiritual lessons. When they appear in a spread, it signals that the topic holds karmic or fateful significance.
Minor Arcana (56 cards)
Four suits of 14 cards each (from Ace to Ten + 4 court cards). Each suit corresponds to an element:
- Wands (Fire) — energy, ambition, creativity, career
- Cups (Water) — emotions, relationships, intuition, love
- Swords (Air) — intellect, conflicts, decisions, truth
- Pentacles (Earth) — the material world, money, health, stability
Explore our complete Tarot card library with detailed descriptions of all 78 cards.
How to Choose Your First Deck
For beginners, the classic Rider—Waite—Smith (RWS) deck is the best choice. It is the most widely used deck in the world, and most books and courses are based on it. Its illustrations are intuitively clear—each card features a narrative scene that helps memorize its meaning.
Tip: Do not believe the superstition that the first deck must be a gift. Buy the one that visually appeals to you—the connection with the imagery is more important than tradition.
First Steps: How to Do a Spread
Preparation
- Find a quiet place free from distractions
- Formulate your question clearly but openly (not “yes/no,” but “what do I need to know about…”)
- Shuffle the cards in any way that feels comfortable
- Draw the required number of cards
One-Card Spread (Daily Card)
The simplest spread for beginners. Each morning, draw one card with the question, “What is important for me to know today?” Record its meaning in a journal and compare it with the day’s events in the evening. After a month, you will intuitively understand most of the cards. Try an online Tarot spread.
Three-Card Spread
The most popular spread for specific questions:
- Card 1 — Past (the cause of the situation)
- Card 2 — Present (current state)
- Card 3 — Future (where the situation is heading)
Variations: Situation — Obstacle — Advice. Or: Mind — Heart — Action.
Celtic Cross (10 cards)
A classic large spread for in-depth analysis. It includes: the central theme, obstacle, conscious and subconscious influences, past, future, the querent’s position, environment, hopes and fears, and the outcome. We recommend mastering it after 2–3 months of practice.
How to Read the Cards: Basic Principles
1. Observe the Imagery
Before consulting a book, describe what you see: colors, figures, their poses, emotions. Your first reaction is often more accurate than memorized text.
2. Consider the Context
The same card can mean different things depending on the question. The Ten of Swords in a love spread indicates a painful breakup. In a career spread, it suggests burnout and the need for a reset.
3. Pay Attention to the Suit
If many Cups appear in a spread, the theme is emotional. Many Swords indicate conflicts and decisions. Many Pentacles relate to material matters. Many Wands suggest a time for action.
4. Reversed Cards
Beginners are advised to work only with upright cards at first. Reversed cards add nuances (blocked or excessive energy) but complicate interpretation early on.
Tarot and Astrology: Connections
Each card of the Major Arcana is linked to a planet or zodiac sign:
- Emperor — Aries (leadership, structure)
- Empress — Venus (beauty, abundance)
- High Priestess — Moon (intuition, mysteries)
- Wheel of Fortune — Jupiter (luck, expansion)
- Tower — Mars (destruction of the old)
- Star — Aquarius (hope, inspiration)
- Moon — Pisces (illusions, subconscious)
By knowing your natal chart, you can understand which arcana resonate with you most strongly.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Drawing cards again if the answer is unpleasant—the first card is always the most accurate
- Divining on the same topic daily—allow the situation to unfold
- Fear of “scary” cards—Death signifies transformation, The Tower represents liberation from illusions, The Devil reflects awareness of dependencies
- Ignoring intuition in favor of book meanings—the book provides a framework, but your feeling is always primary
Next Steps
After mastering basic spreads, we recommend:
- Study all 78 cards through daily practice with the “Daily Card”
- Keep a Tarot journal to track insights
- Try an online Tarot spread with automatic interpretation
- Combine Tarot with the Matrix of Destiny for deeper analysis
- Enroll in the ASTRO HUB course, where Tarot is studied alongside astrology
