The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to the Tarot

Join me on this journey of self-discovery and let’s explore together.

Ready to learn tarot and start reading the cards for yourself but not sure where or how to begin? Like most esoteric topics, there are many different voices, sources, tools, and theories. I have been reading & teaching tarot cards for 25 years, and let me tell you a secret: you will create your own methods and tricks. Start simple, get the basics, and then flow in your own way from there. So, here are the basics. Let’s get you started.

Oracle vs Tarot

Firstly, decide if you’re going to use tarot or oracle cards (the majority of this content focuses on tarot BTW). Tarot is stricter, more rigid. There are ALWAYS 78 cards, split into the minor and major arcana and four suits, with the same meanings and similar symbolism. Learn tarot once and you can pick up any deck and use it. Oracle, however, is tarot’s freestylin’, I’ll-do-my-own-thing-thanks sister. Every deck is different (no set volume, meaning or symbolism of the cards). Each card is an individual so it works well for one-card draws but not for creating more complex spreads and detailed reads.

Getting your first deck.

When you know which type of card divination you want, decide where to go. Obviously, Amazon has hundreds of decks but why not browse the indie market too? Indie decks are often crowd-funded, are manufactured in small runs (so you’re getting a limited edition), can be self-published, and therefore you’re supporting an artist instead of ~the machine~.

Your Cosmic Co-Pilot

Tarot is an ally, a coach, a mentor. A truthful, comforting, and hopeful confidant which will provide you with decisions, guidance, predictions, insight and awareness, all without judgment. The cards have been evolving for over 500 years, so they contain a great deal of human wisdom. There’s nothing new under the sun, it’s all been seen and done before. Come home to tarot and learn from that repository of experience.

The System

But tarot does have rules, okay? There is a system (which, in time, you will come to love as it provides structure). Every deck will have a minor and major arcana (22 and 56 cards respectively, the minor is all about humdrum everyday life stuff, and the major is the life changing, outside force stuff), four suits, alignment with astrological elements, planets, and numerological associations. But, phew, one step at a time. I know it’s a lot.

First step? Choose your deck.

Browse our magical HOF collection of tarot decks.

I hope you liked my little guide. Remember you can download the full guide packed with all the essential information you need to start your Tarot journey with a Supreme Sorceress membership.

Wishing you love and mystical blessings,