🃏How to Start Reading Tarot (Even If You’ve Never Touched a Deck) + FREE CheatSheet
Welcome to the world of tarot — where intuition meets ancient symbols, and each card tells a story that’s waiting to unfold. If you’re a beginner witch or curious spirit just starting your journey, this guide will walk you through exactly how to begin reading tarot cards with confidence, clarity, and a sprinkle of magic. ✨
No gatekeeping. No memorising 78 meanings. Just you, your deck, and your intuition.
🃏 What Is Tarot, Really?
Tarot is more than fortune-telling. It’s a mirror. A tool of self-discovery. A trusted companion in your spiritual practice.
At its core, tarot is a 78-card deck rich with archetypes, elemental symbolism, and emotional depth. It’s used by witches, mystics, and everyday seekers to reflect on life’s questions, uncover hidden truths, and set aligned intentions.
Unlike oracle cards, tarot follows a structured system — and that’s part of its power. Once you understand the basics, your readings become a language of their own.
✨ The Structure of a Tarot Deck
Every tarot deck (traditionally) contains 78 cards, split into two main sections:
Major Arcana (22 cards)
These represent big life themes, turning points, and spiritual lessons — like The Fool, The Lovers, and Death (don’t panic — it’s about transformation, not doom!).
Minor Arcana (56 cards)
These are the day-to-day energies and practical insights. They’re split into four suits, each with its own elemental and symbolic meaning:
- Cups (Water) – emotions, intuition, love
- Wands (Fire) – action, passion, creativity
- Swords (Air) – thoughts, truth, challenges
- Pentacles (Earth) – money, body, stability
Each suit includes:
- Numbers 1–10 (the journey)
- Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King (people, energies, roles)
🌙 → Download your free Tarot Cheat Sheet to keep all of this at your fingertips. Perfect for your grimoire, journal, or altar space.
🌿 How to Choose Your First Tarot Deck
Forget the myth that someone must “gift” you a deck. If you’re drawn to tarot, you’re already called.
Here’s how to find the right deck for you:
- Go with artwork that pulls you in
- For beginners, the Rider-Waite-Smith system is easiest to learn with (but don’t let that limit you)
- Cleanse your deck when you bring it home — smoke, sound, salt, moonlight, or just your intention
- Sleep with it near you. Hold it. Shuffle it. It’s your new magical ally.
🔮 How to Read Tarot (Without Memorising Everything)
You don’t need to know all 78 meanings by heart. You need to connect. Here’s how:
- Ground + Shuffle – Breathe, centre, and mix the cards however feels right.
- Ask a Question – Open-ended is best (e.g., “What energy do I need to embody today?”).
- Pull a Card (or Three) – Start with just one if you’re nervous.
- Look, Feel, Reflect – What stands out? Colours? Symbols? How do you feel?
📓 Keep a tarot journal to track your cards and insights. Patterns will emerge. Confidence will grow.
💫 Easy Tarot Spreads for Beginners
Start with these simple layouts before diving into Celtic Cross territory:
🕯 1-Card Pull
→ For daily energy, focus, or insight
🌘 2-Card Spread
→ Obstacle + Advice or You + Them
🌒 3-Card Spread
→ Past – Present – Future, or Mind – Body – Spirit
Bonus: Try a Moon Phase Spread to align your readings with lunar energy (especially potent around the new moon or full moon — just like in our Witch’s Almanac).
📖 Tarot Journaling: Your Secret Weapon
Journaling unlocks the deeper layers of tarot. Here’s what to write:
- The question you asked
- Cards you pulled
- First impressions
- Keywords (use your cheat sheet!)
- Real-life reflections or feelings
Over time, this becomes your personal tarot lexicon — and trust me, it’s more powerful than any book.
🧹 Common Beginner Fears (and Why You Can Ignore Them)
“What if I do it wrong?”
You can’t. Tarot is a conversation, not a test.
“I pulled a scary card — am I cursed?”
Not at all. Cards like Death, The Tower, or Ten of Swords show transformation, endings, or clarity. Think of them as your shadow teachers.
“I’m not psychic — can I still read tarot?”
Yes! Tarot isn’t about being psychic — it’s about being present and curious.
🌕 Ready to Begin?
Your tarot journey starts now, not after you’ve memorised every card. All you need is a deck, your intuition, and a little daily practice.
✨ Download your free Tarot Cheat Sheet — a beautifully illustrated beginner-friendly reference you can print and tuck into your grimoire or altar journal.
And remember: The cards don’t tell you what to do. They reflect what you already know. Trust yourself.
📌 Pin this post for later — your future self will thank you! 🌙
