Learn Tarot
Everything You Need To Know To Start and Advance Your Tarot Journey
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The Fool's Journey
What Is Tarot?
Tarot is a card deck that consists of 78 cards; each card has its own unique artwork and symbolism. For centuries tarot has been used as a tool to communicate messages from the spiritual realm. The deck is divided into 2 main categories; the major arcana and the minor arcana. The major arcana represents significant life events and lessons. The minor arcana represents everyday life situations, people, and emotions.
If you’re still trying to figure out what tarot is, think of it as a book and each page has a different story that speaks on energies and lessons that we all can learn from at some point in our lives. A lot of people believe that the tarot holds the secrets to life, in Latin arcana actually means secrets.
How Tarot Works
Tarot has a language that is made up of signs, symbols, and synchronicities. When the cards are drawn (especially with intention) you can find that the stories each card tells reveal pieces, situations, and people within our lives. Psychologists have said that the tarot can reveal our subconscious insights.
There are many different ways to use and read tarot. For people who have spiritual gifts or are interested in exploring, tarot can be used to enhance, develop, and maintain intuition. Anyone from any background or belief system can use and interact with the tarot. There is also no initiation process to become a tarot reader. The true gold of it all is within the way we communicate and connect with the tool itself.
The History Of Tarot
The tarot deck originally surfaced in various parts of Europe during the 1400s as a playing card game called Tarocchi. The person known for assigning each of the meanings to the tarot cards is known as Etteilla. Etteilla’s birth name was Jean Baptise Alliete. He was a French occultist and researcher who made significant contributions to the tarot. The tarot system we know today was created by Pamela Coleman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite in the early 1900s. The two Golden Dawn members created a western version of the Italian tarot card deck Marseilles Tarot. This deck was displayed in The British Museum in the early 1900s introducing tarot to a new culture and audience. The collaboration between Coleman and Waite expanded awareness of what tarot is and ultimately established our current-day tarot system.
The Major Arcana
The tarot deck is made up of 78 cards, 22 of them are the major arcana and the other 56 cards are the minor arcana. The major arcana cards represent life lessons, divine interventions, karmic influences, and big archetypal themes or situations when they come up in a reading. Click the names below to learn more.
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The Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana are the other 56 cards of the tarot deck. These cards express everyday life events, people, and places. The Minor Arcana is made up of four suits representing the four elements and their corresponding energies. Each of the suits includes 14 cards labeled ace-10, pages, knight, queen, and kings. The pages, knights, queens, and kings are called the court cards
The Court Cards
Tarot Images by Mahgony Tarot
The Pages
The Pages are usually messengers. They are young, immature, innocent, inexperienced, and willing to learn. Their energies speak about fresh starts, learning new lessons, and studying. The pages often are seeking or looking out for what they should do with their gift or which way they should go next; for this reason, when a page appears in a reading there is always an energy around needing support and guidance. The pages carry a passive energy. They are receptive and open-hearted. Pages also offer loyalty, enthusiasm, and new ideas.
Tarot Images by Mahgony Tarot
The Knights
The knights are usually teenagers. They are passionate goal goal-oriented and confident. The knights represent change, challenges, and quests. Each of the knights are in the middle of their own “fool’s journey” filled with obstacles and tests designed specifically for their own personal growth and self-transformations. The knights carry an active energy. They are energetic, powerful, and can be hard to control. They can also tend to be single-minded and need a direct passion or goal to focus on due to their immaturity. The knights offer forward movement and action towards goals. When you see a knight know that they have a message from the page and the time is coming to move forward and take action.
Tarot Images by Mahgony Tarot
The Queens
The queens are the feminine energy of the suites. They carry a passive energy and are receptive, Nurturing, compassionate, and intuitive. The queens usually have had a past of hardships and darkness they’ve overcome. They tend to be busy, involved, and always willing to help. The queens are way more complex than they seem; they work their magic behind the scenes and use surprising levels of strength to protect, nurture, and defend their loved ones. Personal connections are very important to them and they need loyalty, discretion, and authenticity for them to fully show up in their power. When a queen card shows up, she is offering connection, wisdom, and mentorship. The queens exude the essence of long-term endurance and effort.
Tarot Images by Mahgony Tarot
The Kings
The kings are the masculine energy of the suites. They are the masters of their domains. They are leaders who’ve proven themselves on the battlefield of life. The kings carry an active energy, they are assertive and commanding. The kings make decisive and final decisions. They delegate everything but their responsibilities and can sometimes be inaccessible. They offer solutions, connections, and answers. They need understanding and respect when it comes to their many demands on time and energy in order to stay in their power. When the kings appear in a reading it could be time to decide on a new direction or explore a new path.
Numerology In Tarot
Understanding the Number themes in tarot can be a helpful way to learn the Minor Arcana quickly. Here are a tip and keywords to help you understand numerology in tarot.
Tip: Even numbers talk about stability and Uneven numbers talk about change
0- New Journey, Full Circle Moment, Fresh Start
1 (Ace)- The beginning, a new opportunity
2- Choices, Balance, Partnerships
3- Creativity, Groups, Growth, Action Towards Idea
4- Progress, Structure, Stability, Manifestation
5- Change, Challenge, Instability, Conflict
6- Communication, Cooperation, Harmony, Getting Back On Track
7- Reflection, Assessment, Knowledge
8- Mastery, Action, Accomplishment
9- Fruition, Attainment, Fulfillment, Completed Idea
10- Completion, End Of Cycle, Reflection On Completion, Renewal
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The Wands
This is the suite of passions and desires. The Wands rule over the Spiritual World of the tarot. Its element is Fire. Zodiac signs associated with The Wands are Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius. This suits the theme of advice is to take action. When reading time in tarot, The Wands represent Days because of their association with fire; fire burns fast. The season associated with The Wands is Spring.
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The Cups
This is the suite of love and emotions. The Cups rule over the Emotional World of the tarot. Its element is water. Zodiac signs associated with The Cups are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. This suits the theme of advice is to listen to your intuition. When reading time in tarot, The Cups represent months because of their association with water; the months flow with the moon. The season associated with The Cups is Summer.
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The Swords
This is the suite of material communication and intellect. The Swords rule over the Intellectual World of the tarot. Its element is Air. Zodiac signs associated with The Swords are Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini. This suits the theme of advice is to make plans. When reading time in tarot, The Swords represent Weeks because of their association with Air; air flows fast. The season associated with The Swords is Autumn/ Fall.
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The Pentacles
This is the suite of material possessions and work. The Pentacles rule over the Physical World of the tarot. Its element is Earth. Zodiac signs associated with The Pentacles are Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn. This suits the theme of advice is to use your common sense. When reading time in tarot, The Pentacles represent Years because of their association with Earth; growth takes time. The season associated with The Pentacles is Winter.
Astrology In Tarot
Tarot In Astrology is a super rabbit hole to dive into. Honestly, there is a lot I’m still learning about astrology in tarot, I do know that understanding the zodiac and tarot associated can help create more accurate readings and messages for yourself and others. This is what I’ve learned so far:
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Each of the 12 zodiacs has its own tarot card that is associated with the energy of that sign.
Aries- The Emperor
Taurus- The Hierophant
Gemini- The Lovers
Cancer- The Chariot
Leo- Strength
Virgo- The Hermit
Libra- Justice
Scorpio- Death
Sagittarius- Temperance
Capricorn- The Devil
Aquarius- The Star
Pisces- The Moon
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Just like the zodiac different planets are also associated with different tarot cards:
The Sun- Sun
The High Priestess- The Moon
The Magician- Mercury
The Empress- Venus
The Tower- Mars
The Wheel of Fortune- Jupiter
Saturn- The World
Uranus- The Fool
Neptune- The Hanged Man
Pluto- Judgement
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The Minor Arcana suits are associated with the elements and their corresponding zodiac signs.
Cups- Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces
Wands- Leo, Sagittarius & Aries
Pentacles- Virgo, Capricorn & Taurus
Swords- Aquarius, Libra & Gemini
The court cards can also represent the elements; the card can represent a person’s zodiac sign within a reading but it can also be influenced by the element associated with the court card:
Pages - Earth
Knights- Air
Queens- Water
Kings- Fire
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Time In Tarot
There are a few ways you can interpret time in tarot. You can look at the symbols for seasons, the number can represent days, weeks, months, and years, and specific tarot cards are associated with the the zodiac signs. Here are some things to look for when looking for a time gauge in your reading.​
The 4 suits are all associated with different seasons of the year.
Wands are associated with the Spring season.
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Cups are associated with the Summer season.
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Swords are associated with the Fall/Autumn Season.
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Pentacles are associated with the Winter season.
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The suits can be used with the numerology of tarot to estimate a more definitive time. Each of them symbolizes a different time frame:
Wands represent days.
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Swords represent weeks.
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Cups represent months.
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Pentacles represent years.
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Using Spreads
A Spread is a template that a reader uses to interpret the cards in conjunction with its spread position, the influence of each card can bleed into the meaning of the cards around it. When using a Spread the cards paint a story that can provide insight into our lives. This is a great tool to use when you are trying to answer a more complex question and when you’re trying to analyze different perspectives of a situation. Spreads can give very detailed guidance and behind-the-scenes information depending on your question. You can also design your own spreads and make them specific to you. I’ve created a few spreads below that you can try or remix.
Reading Tarot For Yourself
Having your own personal tarot practice can aid in your spiritual growth, elevation, and enlightenment. It allows you to learn yourself and develop a strong internal relationship. Here are some tips and tricks that I use and have found extremely helpful when I’m reading for myself.
Tarot is fluid and nothing is set in stone. Try thinking of your deck as a homegirl or guy that you go to when you need a little advice. Recognize that each deck has its own energy and that energy has its own set of ideas, judgments, and opinions. You don’t have to agree with or accept everything you receive from the tarot. In fact, I encourage you to really be intentional about the questions you ask your deck and observe the messages you receive rather than act on them.
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It’s okay to set boundaries with your deck. Letting your deck know exactly how you’d like to receive messages from them can enhance the quality of the relationship between the two of you. A simple example of this would be, as you shuffle your cards you’d tell the cards that you’d like to receive only one card as the answer.
You can not control the message. If your deck keeps bringing up something you don’t want to talk about, it’s best you just take a break and do something else. In my experience, though we may not want to hear or acknowledge it at the time, the first answer you receive is mostly the most accurate and it doesn’t matter if you understand it or not. Some messages take longer than others to fully understand and grasp. Be patient with yourself and your process.
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Record your messages. This is literally the only way to fact-check yourself when it comes to reading interpretations. Don’t sleep on the power of reflection. You can be simple and keep a journal or get a little fancy and video or audio record your readings. It’s one that to receive a good message from me but when you receive a good message from yourself, it just hits different.
Let your freak flag fly. Don’t be afraid to trust your intuition before you trust anything or anyone else. Self-validation is your secret weapon.
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Tarot as a tool is honestly best used for self-development and spiritual elevation, and not so much for peering into other people’s lives. Make the world better by focusing on your own spiritual growth, journey, and problems.
Learn A Little More
Spiritual Maintenance
Cleansing & Protecting Yourself and Spiritual Tools
Keeping a clean space and setting positive intentions will enhance the impact and quality created in all aspects of your life. We all have different ways to cleanse and protect our energies, there is no right or wrong way to cleanse and protect your energy. I genuinely believe that what really matters is the intention you set while doing the cleaning, protection, and reading. How you feel, what you desire, the thoughts you have is way more important than any physical act. If you’re looking for where to start with cleansing and protection, here are a few tips. Also note that this is my opinion and it is ok if you feel differently.
Meditation or Journaling- Finding a way to become clear about your thoughts, feelings, intentions, and needs is a way to clean your brain. Some people work best being still and meditating and others just need to get it. Try both to see which makes you feel more in control and clear in the mind.
Smudging, Herbs, Oils, and Crystals are all great resources for cleansing and protection.
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Let your freak flag fly. Don’t be afraid to trust your intuition before you trust anything or anyone else. Self-validation is your secret weapon.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Treating yourself, space and spiritual tools as sacred will always keep you within a certain level of protection. Definitely do research within your belief systems to find more protection practices.
Practices To Try
The best way to advance your skills is to practice and spend time with your deck. The more you use the better you understand the way it communicates. Here are some practices I use, feel free to remix them and add your own sauce:
Adding Tarot Time To Your Daily or Weekly Routine
The best way to get better at tarot is to spend time with it. Incorporating a card pull into your daily routine or weekly reading is the easiest way to learn tarot and get better.
Create A Tarot Journal
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It has been very beneficial in my journey to have a place where I can record all of my card interpretations, signs, and symbol meanings. It’s almost like having my own spiritual dictionary. I suggest you try it out, there are a lot of ideas and inspiration on Pinterest.
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Create Your Own Spreads
Get creative and try creating your own spreads and share them with your friends.
Read With Friends
Have a little party. Grab some wine, snacks, and your deck, and invite the friends you trust over to give each other reading and share intuitive thoughts and knowledge.
Tools & Resources
The best way to advance your skills is to practice and spend time with your deck. The more you use the better you understand the way it communicates. Here are some practices I use, feel free to remix them and add your own sauce:
All the card meanings, in one place.
Take the quiz and see how much you know.
Play Tarot Games & Flex Your Skills
Activities you can do at home, with your deck; no matter how much you know
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