What does tarot mean? A complete guide for beginners: how it works, how to read the cards, and their hidden meanings

Tarot is a set of 78 symbolic cards, divided into Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, used for introspection, guidance, and personal development. It does not predict the future absolutely, but reflects the energies of the present and offers clarity on decisions and possible paths.

The Tarot is not just a game of images, but an alphabet of the soul. Each card has a voice, a message, and a vibration that connects to our daily experiences. The 78 cards of the deck are divided into two complementary worlds: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Together, they tell the story of the inner journey of man – from great existential challenges to the seemingly mundane gestures that define our daily life.

The Major Arcana – the red thread of transformations

The 22 cards of the Major Arcana are like gates through which we pass at decisive moments in life. They do not speak of fleeting events, but of fundamental lessons and universal archetypes.

• The Fool (0) opens the dance: innocence, courage, freedom, unforeseen beginnings. He is the pure energy of possibility.

• The Magician (I) brings the power of manifestation into our hands: the four elements on the table remind us that we have the resources necessary to turn dreams into reality.

• The High Priestess (II) watches over mystery and intuition: she reminds us to listen to the inner voice.

• Death (XIII) is not the end, but the necessary threshold of transformation: what closes makes way for rebirth.

• The Sun (XIX) brings joy, authenticity, and clarity after a journey full of trials.

• The World (XXI) completes the circle: integration, harmony, unity.

Viewed together, the Major Arcana make up the so-called "hero's journey": each of us passes, at a symbolic level, through these stages.

The Minor Arcana – the mirror of everyday life

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana capture life in its details: emotions, relationships, conflicts, work, responsibilities, dreams, and disappointments. They are divided into four suits, each linked to an element of nature:

• Wands (Fire) – will, passion, the desire to create. The Ace of Wands ignites the spark of inspiration, while the Tens teach us the lesson of assumed responsibilities.

• Cups (Water) – emotions, love, relationships. The Ace of Cups opens the heart, while the Five of Cups shows us how loss can also be the beginning of healing.

• Swords (Air) – thoughts, decisions, mental conflicts. The Ace of Swords brings clarity, while the Nine of Swords confronts us with the fears that keep us awake at night.

• Pentacles (Earth) – the material world: money, work, stability. From the financial opportunities of the Ace to the abundance of the Ten, the lesson is about patience and solid construction.

The Minor Arcana is the bridge that makes tarot more relatable to daily life. If the Major Arcana mark the major crossroads, the Minors describe how we move day by day on the path.

How they are read together

When they appear in a spread, the Major Arcana indicate inevitable events or lessons, while the Minor Arcana detail the context, emotions, and practical decisions. Together, they form a complete picture: the general framework and the details that color it.

Thus, the meaning of tarot cards is never fixed, but alive and fluid. They do not say "what will be," but "what is present" and "what paths open up."

In conclusion

The Major Arcana is the skeleton of the tarot, the red thread that carries us through the great lessons and transformations of life. Each card of the 22 arcana is an archetype, an inevitable stage in each of our inner journeys.

The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, is the mirror of everyday life, with its small dramas and joys, with work and responsibilities, with love, emotions, and decisions that define our daily life. Together, they form a complete language: a code of the soul through which we can decipher both the great existential themes and the subtle nuances of everyday life.

Although at first glance they seem just illustrated cards, tarot is much more than paper and ink. It is a centuries-old language, an alphabet of symbols that speaks to us beyond words. Each tarot deck is a small work of art, a miniature visual universe where history, spirituality, and psychology meet.

What tarot cards are

A complete deck has 78 cards, divided into Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. They are not random: each image is carefully constructed, with colors, gestures, objects, and symbols conveying a subtle message. When you look at them, you don't just see drawings, but a story about life and about yourself.

Some decks maintain the traditional design, with classic images dating back to the Renaissance. Others modernize the language of tarot: there are cards with mythological, artistic, psychological, or even futuristic themes. However, regardless of form, the basic structure remains the same - a map of the soul and its journey through existence.

How to choose your first tarot deck

The first deck is chosen not only with the mind but also with the heart. It is the tool through which you will begin the dialogue with symbols, so you must resonate with the images.

• Rider–Waite–Smith – the most recommended for beginners. The clear illustrations and obvious symbolism make it accessible for learning. It is considered the "universal language" of tarot because most guides refer to it.

• Tarot de Marseille – classic and sober, used for centuries. It is more difficult for beginners but ideal for those attracted to tradition and history.

• Thoth Tarot – created by Aleister Crowley and illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris. It is profound, laden with astrological and cabalistic symbols, suitable for those seeking a more mystical dimension.

• Modern and artistic decks – there are thousands of variants: with feminine themes, animals, nature, fantastic universes, or even minimalist. They are perfect if you feel drawn to a particular visual or symbolic style.

Practical tips for choosing a deck

1. Listen to your intuition – if a deck "speaks" to you through images, it's probably the right one.

2. Consider the clarity of symbols – at the beginning, simple and expressive images will help you learn faster.

3. Get informed – read reviews, see images online, compare styles.

4. Choose quality – a well-made deck lasts over time, and good paper makes a difference in the shuffling ritual.

The welcoming ritual

When you receive your first deck, turn the moment into a small ritual. Open the box with respect, touch the cards, look at them one by one, and let the images convey emotions to you. Many readers recommend sleeping with the deck under your pillow for a night or noting your first impressions in a journal. This simple gesture creates your personal connection with the deck.

A tarot card read alone is like an isolated musical note. But when multiple cards are placed together on the table, they create a melody – a spread. The tarot spread is the art of choosing a specific pattern of card arrangement to answer a question or to understand a situation.

Each spreading method has its own energy: some are short and clear, suitable for daily decisions, others are extensive and deep, like mirrors of the soul.

Simple spreads for beginners

For someone just stepping into the world of tarot, it's best to start with short methods, where few cards give a concise answer.

• A single card – ask: “What is the energy of my day?” or “What do I need to learn from this situation?”. A card is a direct advice, a beam of light that clarifies the present moment.

• The three-card spread – probably the most well-known. The three positions can be interpreted as:

  • past – present – future

  • problem – obstacle – solution

  • mind – body – soul
    This method is ideal for beginners because it is simple yet rich in answers.

• Yes or No – sometimes, questions are very clear. In this case, a short draw, with a single card or three, can suggest whether the energy is more favorable or restrictive.

Complex and advanced spreads

As you become more familiar with tarot, you can explore more elaborate spreads that provide an overview.

• The Celtic Cross – the queen of spreads. The 10 cards laid in a cross and column offer a broad view of a situation: past, present, future, obstacles, hidden resources, and possible directions. It has been used for hundreds of years and remains one of the most powerful interpretative structures.

• The relational spread – two or more cards for each partner, plus one central for the connection between them. It can show the dynamics of a relationship, blockages, and potential for evolution.

• The astrological spread – 12 cards arranged in a circle, like the astrological houses. It analyzes each area of life: love, work, health, spirituality.

• The yearly spread – 12 or 13 cards, one for each month, outlining the major themes and lessons of the coming year.

How to choose the right method

There is no single recipe. Your question dictates the spread. If you need a quick answer, choose a single card or three. If you want to explore in depth, go for the Celtic Cross or more extensive spreads. It's important to formulate your question clearly, as if you were opening a door to inner wisdom.

In conclusion

The tarot spread is not just a technique, but a dance of symbols. Simple methods offer you clarity for the present, while complex spreads become detailed maps of the soul and your path. In the hands of a careful reader, each spread becomes a story that gently guides you towards understanding and balance.

We live in a world where almost everything moves into the virtual space - from meetings and shopping to meditations or spiritual consultations. Tarot is no exception: today we can draw cards online, through apps or dedicated platforms, or we can turn to readers who offer remote consultations via video call or chat. The question is: does online tarot work the same as traditional tarot?

How online tarot works

There are two main forms of online tarot:

1. Automated apps and websites - you choose a spread, click on "cards," and the system shows you the meanings. They use random generators to "shuffle" and "draw" the cards.

2. Live consultations with a tarot reader - via Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, or other platforms. Here, the cards are drawn either by you (if you have a deck at home) or by the reader, who explains the spread to you in real-time.

Both options can be useful, but the experience and depth differ greatly.

Advantages of online tarot

• Accessibility - you have access to readers from all over the world without leaving home.

• Comfort - you can do a spread anytime from your phone or laptop.

• Anonymity and privacy - for many, online reading is easier to accept than face-to-face.

• Variety - there are hundreds of apps, virtual decks, and readers specialized in various fields (love, career, personal development).

Disadvantages of online tarot

• Lack of direct touch with the cards - for some, the physical experience of shuffling and choosing is essential.

• Variable quality - automated apps are limited, and not all online readers are professionals.

• Risk of superficiality - a quick online spread can be treated as a game, losing the dimension of deep introspection.

• Energetic connection - some practitioners believe that the bond between reader and consultant is stronger when they are in the same room.

How to choose the best online tarot experience

• For beginners - free apps are useful for learning card meanings and familiarizing yourself with symbols.

• For serious questions - turn to an experienced tarot reader with recommendations and positive reviews.

• For personal development - combine both worlds: use apps as a daily exercise and book online consultations for more complex situations.

In conclusion

Online tarot can be a valuable ally in the inner journey, as long as you use it with discernment. Technology opens doors, but it does not replace the depth of symbols. Whether you choose an app or a live consultation, the key is the same as in traditional tarot: the clarity of the question and the willingness to look into the mirror of the soul.

Any journey into the world of tarot begins with an essential choice: which tarot deck to use? Each deck has the same skeleton of 78 cards, but the visual language, artistic style, and atmosphere differ greatly. The image is what opens the dialogue with the subconscious, making the choice of a suitable deck the first step towards an authentic experience.

Rider–Waite–Smith: the most popular deck for beginners

Created in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, this deck is considered the modern standard of tarot. Each card has clear illustrations, full of easily decipherable symbols.

Why is it recommended for beginners?

• Narrative images – each card tells a simple visual story, making interpretation more intuitive.

• Abundant resources – most books, courses, and guides use Rider–Waite as a model.

• Versatility – suitable for questions related to love, career, personal development.

Today there are hundreds of artistic reinterpretations of this deck, but the basic structure remains the same.

Thoth Tarot: depth and esotericism

Created by Aleister Crowley and illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, the Thoth deck (published posthumously in 1969) is considered one of the most complex and symbolically rich.

What makes it special?

• Occult symbols – cabala, astrology, alchemy.

• Intense color palette – the colors and shapes induce an almost mystical visual experience.

• Advanced interpretation – more challenging for beginners, but extremely rich for advanced practitioners.

Thoth is often preferred by those seeking a more esoteric and profound approach to tarot.

Marseille Tarot: the classic European tradition

One of the oldest decks (17th century), the Marseille tarot has simpler and more geometric images, without detailed scenes in the Minor Arcana.

• Classic – retains the medieval atmosphere of tarot.

• Schematic Minor Arcana – requires a good understanding of numerological symbols.

• Beloved by traditionalists – many readers consider Marseille the "pure essence" of tarot.

Other modern and alternative decks

Today, the diversity of tarot decks is astounding:

• Osho Zen Tarot – oriented towards meditation and self-discovery.

• Angel Tarot (Doreen Virtue) – gentle images, positive messages.

• Dark Wood Tarot or Gothic Tarot – suitable for those drawn to mystical or dark aesthetics.

• Feminist, queer, ecological tarot – contemporary reinterpretations that give voice to diversity and new archetypes.

How to choose the right deck for you

• For beginners – Rider–Waite–Smith remains the best option.

• For advanced study – Thoth and Marseille are recommended.

• For personal connection – let yourself be guided by images: a good deck is one that "speaks" to you.

In conclusion

Each tarot deck has its own "personality." Rider–Waite–Smith is the beginner's friend, Thoth is the strict teacher, Marseille is the pure tradition, and modern decks bring new voices and creative inspirations. The choice is not definitive – many readers collect multiple decks and use them depending on questions and mood.

If tarot is a structured system with clear rules and a fixed architecture of 78 cards, oracle cards represent the free universe of intuition. They do not have a standard structure, are not limited to arcana or suits, and each deck is a world in itself, created by its author and illustrator.

What are oracle cards

An oracle card set can have 20, 44, or even 100 cards. Each comes with unique images and messages – some inspired by angels, totem animals, deities, sacred plants, or motivational affirmations. Unlike tarot, where each card has multiple levels of meaning, in oracles the interpretation is more direct, more intuitive, and more personalized.

• Each oracle deck has its own theme – for example, “Archangels,” “Animal Power,” “Messages of Light.”

• Clear and concise messages – often a single sentence or affirmation.

• Focus on inspiration – oracles convey support and encouragement rather than complex analyses.

Key differences between tarot and oracle cards

1. Structure – Tarot has 78 cards (22 Major Arcana + 56 Minor Arcana), oracles can have any number of cards.

2. Complexity – Tarot is deeper, with multiple symbols, numerology, and archetypes. Oracles are simpler and more direct.

3. Learning – Tarot requires study and practice; oracle cards can be used immediately, without prior knowledge.

4. Usage – Tarot explores complex situations, providing a map of energies; oracles give inspirational messages, encouragement, or confirmations.

How to choose between tarot and oracle

• For deep introspection and analysis → tarot is the ideal tool.

• For daily motivation and quick messages → oracle cards are suitable.

• For combined practice → many readers use both in the same spread: tarot as a detailed map and oracle as the final encouraging message.

Popular examples of oracle cards

• Angel Oracle – spiritual messages and protective guidance.

• Animal Spirit Oracle – the symbolic power of animals.

• Work Your Light (Rebecca Campbell) – focused on spiritual awakening and feminine intuition.

• Sacred Rebels Oracle – for creativity and authenticity.

In conclusion

If tarot is an organized library of the soul, oracle cards are free poems that offer you inspiration and solace. There is no wrong choice: sometimes you need the depth of tarot, other times the simplicity and light of the oracle. Used together, they create a complete experience – analysis and intuition, structure and freedom.

Often, when people hear the word "tarot," they think of fortune-telling, predictions about the future, or a mysterious practice. But beyond the clichés, tarot is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal development, even used in therapeutic contexts. In this framework, it does not offer verdicts but creates space for reflection, clarity, and inner healing.

Tarot as a Mirror of the Soul

In therapy, tarot is not seen as a magical tool but as a symbolic mirror. When you look at a card, your subconscious projects emotions, fears, desires, and memories. For example, if you draw the "Tower" card, it may trigger a discussion about the fear of change or moments of crisis. If the "Star" appears, it can connect you to hope, to the belief that there is light after darkness.

How to Use Tarot in Personal Development

• Tarot Journal – draw a card each day and note what emotions and thoughts it awakens in you. Over time, you discover patterns and blockages.

• Therapeutic Spreads – a simple spread ("what I feel now – what I have to learn – what I can do") helps clarify difficult situations.

• Introspection Exercises – the therapist or coach can use a book to open a conversation, similar to art therapy techniques.

Tarot and psychology

Many modern psychologists and therapists view tarot as a projective tool, similar to Rorschach tests or storytelling techniques. The symbols and images do not provide fixed answers but invite the person to express their inner experiences. In this way, tarot becomes a bridge between the rational and emotional, between the conscious and subconscious.

Carl Gustav Jung, the father of analytical psychology, spoke about archetypes – universal patterns found in myths, fairy tales, and dreams. Tarot, through the Major Arcana, offers exactly these archetypes: the Hero (the Fool), the Master (the Magician), the Mother (the Empress), Death (transformation). Working with these symbols means working directly with the collective unconscious.

Benefits of tarot therapy

• Emotional clarity – see situations from a different perspective.

• Releasing fears – confront shadows in a safe and guided space.

• Developing intuition – learn to listen to your inner voice.

• Symbolic healing – processing pains through images brings relief.

• Self-awareness – discover repetitive patterns and learn how to transform them.

In conclusion

Tarot therapy is not about “predicting the future,” but about understanding the present. It is a process where the cards become a mirror, language, and inner guide. Practiced alone or with a specialist, tarot opens doors to introspection and helps you turn crises into growth opportunities.

Tarot is not just a set of 78 cards, but a visual alphabet of the soul. Each image, each symbol, each arcana opens a gateway to self-understanding and to dialogue with what is invisible, yet real.

The Major Arcana remains the skeleton of the tarot, the red thread that carries us through the great lessons of life: love, loss, transformation, rebirth. In contrast, the Minor Arcana is the mirror of the everyday, capturing the small joys and challenges, practical decisions, work, relationships, and daily dramas. Together, they form a complete map – both of the spiritual path and of everyday life.

In the digital era, tarot reinvents itself: whether you practice it online, with a virtual deck, choose to explore tarot therapy, or let yourself be inspired by oracle cards, the essence remains the same – introspection, clarity, and the power to listen to your inner voice.

For beginners, the key is not the perfection of interpretation, but constant practice . A book a day, a journal of symbols and the patience to observe how these messages reflect in your life. Tarot does not write your destiny, but shows you the inner path, reminding you that the power to choose is always in your hands.

And, perhaps most importantly, tarot is an invitation to responsibility and awareness: it does not take away your freedom, but shows you how to live it fully.

🔮 Therefore, whether you view tarot as a spiritual tool, a psychological exercise, or a form of symbolic art, it remains a mirror of the soul and a subtle guide for those who have the courage to seek answers.