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If you are new to Tarot, you may be feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start. Don't worry - you are not alone. Tarot is a powerful tool for self-exploration and insight, and the first step to unlocking its secrets is understanding the basics. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Tarot, from the history and origins of the cards to the various spreads and techniques you can use to interpret them. You'll also learn how to care for and store your Tarot cards, and the best Tarot decks to get started with. With this knowledge, you can begin to unlock the power of Tarot and gain insight into your life and the world around you.

The History of Tarot

Tarot is a form of divination using cards. These cards are believed to possess the energy of the universe, allowing the reader to receive messages from the divine. Tarot has a long history. Historians believe it began in ancient Egypt as early as 2000 B.C., but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it gained popularity in Western culture. Tarot cards are used to communicate messages between the seeker and the divination’s spiritual realm, or between the seeker and a skilled practitioner. Tarot decks come in a variety of styles, each with its own symbols and intended meanings that are specific to the deck.

Major and Minor Arcana

The Major Arcana (sometimes called the “trump cards”) are 22 cards with a very different symbolic meaning from the Minor Arcana (sometimes called the “pile cards”). The Major Arcana consists of cards from 0 to 21, which depict significant themes and events in the seeker’s life.

For example, the Fool card, which depicts a person looking at the universe for the first time, symbolizes the stage of life when we are exploring our passion and curiosity for the world. The next card in the Major Arcana is the Magician, which depicts a person in pursuit of knowledge and new experiences. This theme continues with the Hermit, who is seeking solitude and introspection, and the Tower, a person who is experiencing a troubling event and trying to make sense of it.

The Minor Arcana consists of the remaining cards in the deck, comprised of wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. Each card has its own specific meaning, though each suit has an ace, cards for 2 to 10, page, queen, and king. The suit of wands represents passion, drive, and energy. The suit of cups represents emotion, creativity, and intuition. The suit of swords represents your assertion, power, and thoughts. The suit of pentacles represents your material possessions, wealth, and career.

Different Tarot Spreads

Tarot spreads are the different ways in which you can use a single deck of Tarot cards. While many people use the traditional layout of 22 cards, there are also many other types of layouts you can use. Some of the best Tarot spreads for beginners include:

Three-Card Spread

This spread is often seen as the go-to for beginners and those who want quick guidance. To do this spread, you’ll need to draw three cards out one at a time. Place the first card to your left, the second in the middle, and the third to your right in front of you. Each of these positions has a meaning that you then interpret the card you chose to go along with. The left card is your past, the middle your present, and the right your future. You can use this spread to ask questions you want an answer to or for guidance on how your life is going.

Five-Card Spread

This spread builds upon the three-card spread, as you add two more cards to create a cross. This spread is most commonly used in love or career readings. The positions of the cards represent you, your partner, your relationship, and its light and dark aspects if you are doing a love reading. For a career or any other type of reading you would like to do, adjust the meaning of the positions to your situation.

Once you become more comfortable with your reading ability and understanding, you can advance to other spreads that tend to be a little more difficult, such as:

The Wheel of Fortune Spread

A variation of the layout in which the cards are grouped into three rows of four cards each. This layout is often used to reflect a person’s life path or the events that have shaped a person’s life. For example, a person who fell in love and got married is often reflected in the layout as a card placed in the second row. The third row is filled with cards that represent the person’s spouse or significant other, family, friends, etc.

The Celtic Cross Spread

This spread is done by forming the shape of a cross with 10 cards. These cards cover many things, such as strengths, hopes, past, present, future, and more. This spread can be used for practically any kind of reading.

Card Reading Techniques

When reading a Tarot card, you don’t have to go straight to the interpretation section. It’s best to take a few moments to let your intuition guide you. When you first pick up a Tarot deck, sit quietly and let your hands guide you as you concentrate on your breathing. As you inhale, imagine yourself drawing your energy upwards, and as you exhale, imagine yourself drawing your energy downwards. This will help you maintain a calm and centered state.

Another technique you can try is the breathing exercise used by Tarot teachers and readers. This involves breathing in and out while imagining that you are drawing your breath in and out through your third eye or forehead. This will help you keep a clear and unbiased mind as you make your tarot card selections.

As far as drawing techniques, you can do whatever you are most comfortable with. Most people tend to shuffle the deck between their hands, either picking cards from certain places within the deck or letting cards fall out as they shuffle.

Best Tarot Decks for Beginners

When it comes to picking a Tarot deck for beginners, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, pick a deck that is easy to read. You don’t want to waste time trying to decipher a difficult deck. Also, make sure that the cards in your chosen deck are standard, as these will be easier for beginners to understand. There are even decks that write out the meaning on each card, which could be extremely useful in helping you learn.

When picking a Tarot deck, you can either go for a popular deck or pick a more obscure one. Popular decks are easier to find and are more affordable, but more esoteric decks may have a more profound meaning for you, depending on your personality. Popular decks are also easier to learn with, as you will find them in many Tarot shops.

Questions to Ask When Reading the Cards

When you are reading the cards, you should ask yourself the following questions while gazing at the images: What do the cards show me? How do the cards show me? What do I need to learn or change about myself to be happy?

When you are done with the card reading, you can journal about your insights, or draw a picture that represents your Tarot reading. This journaling can help you process your insights, and can also be used to guide you on your next Tarot reading.

Tips for Interpreting Tarot Cards

Let the cards guide you

If you find yourself getting stuck, just take a step back and let the Tarot cards guide you.

Don’t overthink it

The cards are not telling you something the universe is going to do; they are telling you something about yourself.

Ask for guidance

When you are interpreting a card, ask yourself “what does this card tell me about myself?” Then ask yourself “what should I do to overcome this challenge?”

Stay focused

When you are interpreting a card, don’t get distracted by other things going on in your life. Keep your mind focused on what the card is showing you.

Conclusion

When you are ready to start learning Tarot, you will find that it offers a wealth of insight into your life and the world around you. Tarot is a powerful tool for self-exploration and insight, and the first step to unlocking its secrets is understanding the basics. When you are using Tarot as a tool for self-exploration, it is important to remember that the cards do not tell you what is going to happen or what you need to do. Instead, they show you what is happening in your life and what you need to work on to make it a happier place. When you are ready to start learning Tarot, it is best to pick a deck that is easy to read. This will make the cards easier to understand and will help you start off on the right foot.