Tarot card reading is among the divinatory practices that can be mastered gradually. To learn how to read Tarot cards, you will need to get an idea of how different types of Tarot spreads work and how one should interpret them in the right way.
To all the people interested in Tarot card reading, I have carefully selected the topics that a beginner might find useful. The issues that will be discussed throughout the article are listed below.
To learn more about the topics listed above, read on this ultimate guide on how to read Tarot cards.
Before spreading and interpreting Tarot cards, it is important to know some of the key facts about the Tarot deck. Here is all you might need to know.
The History of Tarot Cards
Tarot cards were first seen in the 15th century in Italy. The Tarot decks were gradually spread to France and Switzerland during the Italian Wars. At that time, Tarot cards were used for playing various games.
Later in the 18th century, cartomancers started to use the Tarot deck for divinatory purposes. One of the first Tarot decks used for occult practices dates back to 1789 and was referred to as “Etteilla.”.
How Many Cards Are in the Tarot Card Deck?
There are 78 cards in a typical Tarot deck used for divination. The cards are further categorized into two sets: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana comprises 22 cards, which are used for uncovering greater and more substantial secrets. These secrets are typically linked with spiritual and karmic aspects of life. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana do not fall into suits.
On the other hand, the Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards that are categorized into 4 suits of 14 cards. These cards are used for uncovering less substantial aspects of life, such as day-to-day events.
What Can Tarot Cards Tell Me About My Past, Present, and Future?
People usually think that Tarot readings are typical predictions. Instead, Tarot readings can provide information about the past, present, and future of a person. It can be used for forecasting various future occurrences as well as exploring the inner soul of an individual.
Tarot cards give you some feedback on day-to-day activities as well as help you with improving the quality of your life.
Do I Have to Be a Gifted Psychic to Interpret Tarot Card Readings?
While there are psychic practices that not everyone can acquire, Tarot reading techniques can be learned and mastered through continuous practice. Even if you are not gifted with supernatural powers, you can still interpret the readings by following straightforward instructions.
What Are the Meanings of the Major Arcana Cards?
The Major Arcana cards consist of 22 individual cards without suits. These cards can help us with uncovering greater aspects of our lives. Typically, the Major Arcana cards provide information about our spiritual state.
The Major Arcana cards are considered as the foundation for the deck. Therefore, some of the Tarot readings might only involve the Major Arcana cards.
The meanings of the 22 Tarot cards from the Major Arcana are provided below.
| Major Arcana Card Name | Meaning in Upright Position | Meaning in Reverse Position |
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What Are the Meanings of the Minor Arcana Cards?
In contrast with the Major Arcana cards, the Minor Arcana cards are used to uncover less important day-to-day aspects of life. 56 cards of the Minor Arcana fall under 4 suits of 14 cards: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
The meanings of the 56 Minor Arcana Cards are provided below.
Meanings of the Minor Arcana Cards – Wands Suit |
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| Minor Arcana Card Name | Meaning in Upright Position | Meaning in Reverse Position |
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Meanings of the Minor Arcana Cards – Cups Suit |
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| Minor Arcana Card Name | Meaning in Upright Position | Meaning in Reverse Position |
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Meanings of the Minor Arcana Cards – Swords Suit |
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| Minor Arcana Card Name | Meaning in Upright Position | Meaning in Reverse Position |
| Two of Swords |
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| Three of Swords |
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| Four of Swords |
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| Ten of Swords |
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Meanings of the Minor Arcana Cards – Pentacles Suit |
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| Minor Arcana Card Name | Meaning in Upright Position | Meaning in Reverse Position |
| Two of Pentacles |
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| Seven of Pentacles |
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| Ten of Pentacles |
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What Are the Different Types of Tarot Spreads?
Before interpreting the readings, you will need to select one of the Tarot spreads and spread your cards using the right technique. Each Tarot spread is used to answer questions related to the specific aspect of life.
Some of the most common Tarot spreads include:
Considering the specific question you are thinking of, you should decide which Tarot spread and cards to use. Carefully selecting the Spread type will make the readings much more accurate and reliable.
5 Tips on How to Master Tarot Card Reading Techniques
There are several factors that you should always consider while interpreting Tarot card readings. Some of the most essential tips for Tarot reading are provided below.