5 Ways to Read a Tarot Card

Tarot cards can be a fun and interesting way to learn more about yourself and what's going on in your life. In this post, we'll talk about how to interpret a single tarot card within a tarot spread in multiple different ways.

The Tarot Basics: A Review

Before we dive in, let's cover some basics. A tarot deck usually has 78 cards. These cards are divided into two groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana has 22 cards that represent big life events, while the Minor Arcana has 56 cards that deal with everyday issues. Each card has its own meaning, but how do you figure out what it means in your reading? Let's find out!

If you’re still a bit confused about what tarot is and the type of tarot decks, check out the post below where I go into detail about it.

What is Tarot?

Learn about how a tarot deck is structured and the different types of tarot decks.

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Method 1: Look at the Card’s Picture

One of the easiest ways to start interpreting a tarot card is by looking at the picture on the card. What do you see? Are there people, animals, or objects? What are they doing? How do they look? Happy, sad, busy, calm? The picture can give you a lot of clues about what the card means.

For example, if you see a card with a person holding a big cup, it might mean they're feeling full of emotions or ready to share their feelings with others.

Method 2: Read the Card’s Name

Each tarot card has a name. Sometimes, the name can tell you a lot about its meaning. For example, the card "The Sun" usually means happiness, success, and bright new beginnings. On the other hand, a card like "The Tower" might suggest sudden changes or challenges.

Think about the name and how it relates to the situation you’re asking about. If you're doing a reading about your school life and you pull "The Sun," it might mean that good things are coming your way at school.

Method 3: Consider the Card’s Position

When you do a tarot reading, you usually lay out the cards in a specific pattern called a spread. Each position in the spread has its own meaning. For example, in a three-card spread, the first card might represent the past, the second card the present, and the third card the future.

If you draw a card like "The Fool" in the past position, it might mean that you recently started a new journey or adventure. In the present position, it could mean you're currently feeling carefree and ready to take risks. In the future position, it might suggest that a new beginning is on the horizon.

Method 4: Trust Your Intuition

Your intuition is like a gut feeling or a little voice inside that helps guide you. When you look at a tarot card, pay attention to what your intuition is telling you. Do you feel happy, worried, excited, or calm when you see the card? These feelings can help you understand what the card is trying to tell you.

For example, if you see "The Lovers" card and feel a sense of joy, it might mean a happy relationship or partnership is important in your life right now.

If you’re just starting out, pick up a free copy of my intuitive tarot guide below to get you started with keywords, tarot spreads, and worksheets to help you start your tarot journey.

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Method 5: Use a Tarot Guidebook

Most tarot decks come with a guidebook that explains the meanings of each card. If you're stuck or unsure, you can always look up the card in the guidebook. It will give you detailed descriptions and different ways to interpret the card.

Let's say you draw "The Hermit" and you’re not sure what it means. You can check the guidebook, which might tell you that "The Hermit" represents a time of reflection and seeking inner wisdom.

Putting It All Together

Now that you know a few different methods to interpret a tarot card, try using them together. Look at the picture, read the name, consider the card’s position in the spread, trust your intuition, and check the guidebook if you need extra help.

Remember, tarot reading is a personal and intuitive practice. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Have fun and enjoy the journey of discovering what the cards have to say!