Welcome to the Tarot. I am glad to introduce you to this powerful tool for self-discovery, personal growth, and authentic alignment with your spirit. Tarot is the first of the magics to enter my world. My first deck was the Modern Witch Deck, (I did receive it as a gift for those of you familiar with that lore). I would like to introduce Tarot as a tool that tunes into the dial that is your intuition and wisdom already within you, not so much future predicting. If that sounds good this guide will walk you through tarot basics, empowering you to unlock your intuition and spiritual path, and a little bit of personal experience.
What is Tarot? Understanding the Basics of Tarot Cards
A Quick Overview of Tarot Card Structure
A tarot deck consists of 78 cards, each designed to illuminate a piece of your life story.
Here’s the breakdown:
Major Arcana (22 cards): Represent major life themes, spiritual lessons, and transformative moments. Think of these "Newspaper Headlines" for your life.
Minor Arcana (56 cards): Divided into four suits that reflect the day-to-day challenges, joys, and decisions that shape your life.
Wands or Rods (also representing the fire element or south)
Swords (also representing the element of air or the east)
Pentacles (also representing the element of earth or the north)
Cups (also representing the element of water or the west)
Together, these two groups form a narrative—guiding you through cycles of growth, reflection, and renewal.
The Symbols and Meanings Behind Tarot Cards
Every tarot card is a visual story, rich with symbols, colors, and imagery. While traditional in-depth meanings are valuable, non are as important as your personal associations. Learning tarot is a balance of studying its structure and trusting your intuition. Over time, the cards will start to speak directly to your soul.
When You Examine Your Tarot Cards ask Yourself:
What does the image on a card make you feel?
What words stand out to you when you read someone else's interpretation?
How does it relate to your life experiences?
How to Read Tarot Cards for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
Why I Favor Tarot Over Oracle Decks: Diversity in Teachers
While there are many beautiful oracle decks available, each with its own wisdom and charm, I must admit my bias toward the Rider-Waite Tarot deck and tarot in general. Oracle decks, especially those with clear and direct messages printed on the cards, can be powerful tools for quick insight. I often purchase oracle decks for that very reason...there’s not a lot of heavy lifting to receiving the message.
Tarot, however, has captured my heart because of its rich history, intricate (and even Christian) symbolism, and the depth it invites us into a world of infinite exploration. Each card in a tarot deck serves as a multifaceted teacher, offering layers of meaning that evolve as you grow in your practice. The diversity of interpretations and teaching styles among tarot readers ensures that this journey remains dynamic and alive. As a Scorpio Moon, I live for the probing, lifelong study that is my relationship with the Tarot. Its variety of structures, archetypes, and stories allows for a deeper connection with your intuition and spirit. That can only be offered by taking in a variety of perspectives, interpretations and teaching styles.
Getting Comfortable with Your Tarot Deck
Your tarot deck is more than a tool—it’s an extension of your energy. Start by forming a connection:
Choose a deck that resonates with you, whether it’s the classic Rider-Waite-Smith or an artistically unique deck.
Spend time shuffling and meditating with your cards, or pull a single card daily to get acquainted.
Develop a ritual of care for your deck either cleansing it with sunlight, tucking it into a safe space or under a crystal to rest, or charging it in the moonlight.
Learning the Card Meanings
Start simple. Release expectation. Choose one thing to learn a day.
Here are a few approaches:
Focus on the Major Arcana start with the Fool and follow his journey through the Magician all the way to The World.
Pull a Card a day and study your energy. This is what I did. I was fine with having an underdeveloped understanding of some cards with an overdeveloped understanding of others.
Work with the Elements The four suits in the Minor Arcana correspond to the elements. Pick one suit to study and learn its connection to the element it represents.
Journal write the down the card you are studying for the day and the events of that same day and intuitively connect the dots to the you read definitions or images you see.
Understanding Common Tarot Spreads
Spreads are the arrangements of cards during a reading. Beginners can start with these:
Daily Pull: Draw one card to set an intention or reflect on your energy.
Three-Card Spread: Represents past, present, and future.
My Take on the 3 Card Spread:
What am I magnetizing?
What is a slow soulful response?
What am I learning? or What is my soul teaching my ego?
Each position in a spread holds unique meaning, so take your time to observe how the cards interact.
How to Trust Your Intuition When Reading Tarot Cards
Reading Beyond the Surface
While card meanings provide structure, your intuition is the real magic. Pay attention to subtle details and be willing to ask probing questions.
What emotions does the card evoke?
What symbolism stands out to you?
Do any memories or thoughts arise while viewing the card?
Are you experiencing any feelings in your body and you come to conclusions?
Did any immediate thoughts register?
The Power of Journaling Your Readings
A Tarot Journal is an invaluable companion on your tarot journey.
Use it to:
Track your readings and reflections.
Note recurring cards or patterns.
Explore deeper meanings and personal insights.
Common Tarot Myths and How to Navigate Them
Debunking Tarot as Fortune-Telling
Tarot isn’t about predicting an unchangeable future; it’s a mirror reflecting your current energies and offering guidance. By interpreting the cards, you gain clarity on the present and insight into possible paths forward. Because I believe in free will I believe that a predictive reading can even change the trajectory of your life because you have the power to say "I will not let that come true" or "That cant possibly come true" then you can push away both positive and negative energies presenting into your readings.
Reassuring First-Time Tarot Readers
Do not worry about getting it wrong. Tarot is a journey of exploration. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel in your readings and the more you will unfold. You literally can't do it wrong. Do what feels good and true to you. Tarot is a tool for self discovery which means you get to determine the way the tool is used by you.
Approach each day knowing you are learning you and you will do great!
How to Use Tarot for Personal Growth and Spiritual Guidance
Daily Tarot Practice for Clarity and Insight
A daily tarot ritual can ground you and set the tone for your day. Try this simple practice:
Pull one card each morning.
Reflect on its message and write about it in your Tarot Journal.
Use the card’s energy to set an intention for your day.
Using Tarot for Decision Making and Self-Reflection
When facing a tough decision, tarot can help you access your subconscious. Ask open-ended questions like:
What energy surrounds this decision?
What do I need to release to move forward?
How can Erin Bright of Alchemy & Art Enhance your Tarot Journey?
A Personalized Tarot Reading with Erin Bright
Whether you’re seeking clarity or exploring new possibilities, my personalized tarot readings can guide you. Together, we’ll uncover the insights you need to move forward with confidence and alignment.
The Alchemy & Art Tarot Journal
I am kind of obsessed with creating learning guides, it is a passion of mine to curate good communication...its probably why I became a teacher in the first place. (yes, I have a Masters in Secondary Education and over 10 years experience in the classroom and now I do this...)
I believe that teaching a loose framework and producing a strong syllabus is the most important part of "step one" to learning something new. Learning is just like building a puzzle, any person is more equipped if they have a picture of the net results. So my Tarot Journal is designed to be exactly that. If you are a beginner this should be your loose framework of the meaning of all the cards which I expect you to out grown and as you become a seasoned reader (or already are one) this is a place for you to return to as a place to track your synchronicities.
If you are curious as to how I developed the Journal check out this blog.
As you embark on your tarot journey, remember that tarot isn’t a destination—it’s a practice, a personal exploration, and an ongoing conversation with your intuition. Each reading, each card, offers a moment of clarity, a chance to discover something new about yourself and the world around you. I encourage you to embrace the diversity of teachings and interpretations that resonate with you, and explore the symbols, meanings, and energies that draw you in.
Ultimately, tarot is a tool for empowerment. Do with it what authentically empowers you.
If you're ready to take your practice further, I’m here. Whether through personalized tarot readings or my specially curated Alchemy & Art Tarot Journal, I can support you on your unique journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
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