Tarot Crash Course: Learn the Meaning of Tarot Cards

Tarot is one of the oldest forms of divination and is said to help you get to know yourself. But what do those mysterious tarot cards mean anyway? Here you will find a start!

Tarot has been around since the Middle Ages and probably comes from Northern Italy. You could see the past, present, and future with it. Since then, countless variations of the game have been made. No one agrees on the tarot meaning either, meaning tarot cards can be interpreted in countless ways. So how do you start when you want to  learn cards reading? Don’t worry, here you will find a brief overview of the card types and which symbolism you can count on. You will also receive playful tips to learn the scenes by heart.

The Meaning of Tarot, Wicca, and Esotericism

Tarot is an Esoteric Art, which means that this knowledge is only available to the initiated. This mysterious or hidden knowledge quickly brings to mind witchcraft. That is why they are also called Wiccan Tarot cards.

What a Tarot Deck Consists

Most tarot sets consist of 78 cards. Of these, 22 cards belong to the Major and 56 cards belong to the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards contain numbered cards, each with its own scene. The Minor Arcana is more like the standard deck and has four types of symbols: Staves, Swords, Coins, and Cups.

Tarot Meaning – Cards of the Major and Minor Arcana

The Latin word arcanum means “secret”. So you have big and small mysteries in the tarot game. Both sets would give a different perspective on the situation you are asking about. The Major Arcana contains well-known archetypes that depict the path of personal growth. The little secrets give advice in everyday situations. The number cards are about things you can handle yourself and the court cards about how you do that and who gets involved.

Symbolism and Explanation Tarot Cards Meaning

There are incessantly many interpretations of tarot imagery. New sets are also still being designed that display the symbols in their own way. Below you can read which signs you encounter in the standard tarot.

Gods, Goddesses, and Saints in the Tarot

The tarot is full of references to religious traditions and mythology. For example, the Empress would resemble the Greek goddess of agriculture Demeter and the High Priestess would resemble her daughter Persephone. You will also find references to Egyptian figures such as the Sphinx, Isis, and the Ankh symbol. There are also Christian signs such as the Archangels and the Devil. According to Kabbalists, tarot meaning is also a good representation of the Sefirot or Tree of Life, the Jewish system for delving into mystical life lessons.

Four Elements in the Minor Arcana

The four signs of the Minor Arcana are said to be connected to natural forces. For example, rods stand for the element of fire and thus for daily undertakings and enthusiasm. Swords mean air or mental activities and, according to tarot fans, say something about your plans and thoughts. Coins are associated with the earth element and more tangible things such as food, money, and work. Finally, the Chalices very appropriately stand for water power, which tells something about emotions, relationships, and creativity.

Astrology in the Major Arcana

Astrology and Tarot are both a way of divination. They also use the same four elements, which is why many astrologers also like to pull a card to understand a horoscope. Also, some cards from the Major Arcana would be connected to signs from the astrological zodiac, for example the Emperor with Aries and the Star with Aquarius.

Tarot Meaning Cards with Nature

On many tarot cards you will find flowers, trees and food from all over the world. From pomegranates, Lotus Flowers and lilies to palm branches, wheat fields and sunflowers. You also see many universal phenomena, such as the Rainbow, Moon, sun and Stars. Of course they are not there just for decoration, you understand that.

Path of Life in the Major Arcana Tarot Cards Meaning

According to many tarot readers, the order of the Major Arcana has an important meaning, as they are said to show the journey of personal growth. The set starts with the number 0. This is the Fool who doesn’t care about anything and overlooks a lot. The first five cards would symbolize our deepest drives, followed by cards 6 through 12 about self-knowledge. According to experts, the last nine cards are about your personal destiny or life’s mission.

Which Tarot Cards to Buy and Types of Tarot Cards

Tarot decks come in all shapes and sizes. The Rider Waite Tarot and Crowley Tarot by Aleister Crowley are the most famous. You can buy these standard tarot cards to learn the basics, but there’s no stopping you from picking out a special set. Map readings are all about symbolism. So if you have a better understanding of the Celtic Cross or Osho Zen Tarot: go for it. Or choose the Tarot of Love, as long as it appeals to your imagination!

Meaning Tarot Cards and Exercises

You can find all kinds of guides to learn how to play tarot. There is therefore an extensive collection of tarot readings. The standard three-card spread is the most popular. This is a good basis for mastering the symbolism, but you can also exercise your intuition in another way:

• Draw a Day Card
• Meditate with a Map
• Put a Map on your Bedside Table

Drawing a Tarot Day Card

Choose a quiet time of day and ask the deck an open question aloud or to yourself. For example, what helps you today or how best to deal with a certain situation. Draw a card and let it sink in before looking up information about it. According to experts, there is a greater chance that the cards will give you insight on their own than from a book.

Meditate with a Card

Meditation is also a great way to connect with the image and its meaning. You can do that with the drawn day card, but also with a random card that you have no insight into. Closing your eyes for a moment can sometimes help you to reveal a blind spot!

Put a Card on your Bedside Table

Do you like dreams? Then try drawing a card before you get into bed. Concentrate on it like meditation and who knows, maybe your subconscious will get to work for you while you’re snoring!

How to Get to work as a Real Fortune Teller

When you have fully mastered the tarot card meaning, you may even be able to lay tarot cards for others. You could also try other ways to tap into your intuition like using a Crystal Ball, or Pendulum Dowsing. There are plenty of ways to reveal the mysteries of the universe!

What Does Tarot Tell You?