The Complete Guide to How to Do Tarot (2026 Update)

The Elemental Language: Your Foundation for How to Do Tarot

You are sitting in a quiet corner of your room, the soft glow of a single candle flickering against the wall. The air carries the faint, grounding scent of cedarwood or perhaps the crisp, clean smell of a brand-new paper deck. You hold the cards in your hands—78 tiny windows into your own soul—and for the first time, you feel the weight of their potential. Your heart thumps once, twice, as you wonder: Am I ready to hear what they have to say? This is the sacred pause before you learn how to do tarot, a moment where your curiosity meets your intuition.

Learning how to do tarot isn't about memorizing a textbook or becoming a "psychic" overnight; it is about building a bridge between your conscious mind and your deeper gut feelings. Many beginners feel a shadow of fear—the worry that they will draw a "scary" card or interpret a message so incorrectly that they manifest a bad outcome. We are here to dismantle that fear. Tarot is a mirror, not a crystal ball. It doesn't tell you what will happen; it tells you what is happening inside you right now so you can make better choices for your future.

As you begin this journey, remember that the cards are tools for self-discovery and psychological reflection. They provide a structured way to look at the patterns of your life, from the fiery bursts of a new crush (Wands) to the heavy, grounded reality of a career shift (Pentacles). By grounding yourself in the elements, as seen in the table above, you start to see the world not as a series of random events, but as a dance of energy that you have the power to navigate.

Selecting and Cleansing Your First Tarot Deck

Choosing your first deck is the first act of self-attunement. While tradition once whispered that your first deck must be a gift, modern practitioners know that the best deck is the one that speaks to your visual language. For most beginners learning how to do tarot, the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system is the gold standard because its rich, illustrative symbolism provides immediate narrative clues. When you look at a card, you should feel a resonance—a sense that the art is telling you a story before you even look up the definition.

Once you have your deck, cleansing it is a vital ritual to clear the 'static' of manufacturing and shipping. This isn't just mystical; it’s a psychological reset that marks the cards as yours. You might choose to:

• Pass the cards through the smoke of incense or dried sage to 'clear' the air.
• Place a piece of clear quartz or selenite on top of the deck overnight to reset the energy.
• Simply knock on the deck three times with your knuckles, a physical gesture of waking up the cards and your own focus.
• Sort the cards in their original order (Major Arcana first, followed by the suits) to re-establish a sense of structure.

From a psychological perspective, these rituals act as 'priming.' By performing a cleansing act, you are telling your brain to transition from the mundane worries of the day into a state of focused, intuitive reflection. This transition is crucial for effective readings because it lowers your internal noise, allowing your 'system 1' thinking—the intuitive, fast-processing part of your brain—to take the lead over the analytical, often self-critical 'system 2' mind.

The 78-Card Blueprint: Major and Minor Arcana

The tarot is divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Think of the Major Arcana as the 'Big Life Lessons'—the heavy hitters like Death, The Lovers, and The Sun that represent significant spiritual turning points. The Minor Arcana, conversely, represents the 'Daily Details'—the mundane struggles, joys, and interactions that make up our week-to-week existence. Understanding this 78-card structure is key to mastering how to do tarot without feeling overwhelmed.

• The Major Arcana (22 Cards): This is 'The Fool’s Journey,' a sequence that mirrors the human path from innocence to enlightenment. When these cards appear, the universe is pointing to a macro-level theme in your life.
• The Minor Arcana (56 Cards): These are divided into four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles). They mirror the common challenges of human life—from the intellectual battles of the Swords to the emotional overflows of the Cups.
• The Court Cards: Within the Minor Arcana, you’ll find the Page, Knight, Queen, and King. These often represent people in your life, different facets of your own personality, or specific levels of maturity in a situation.

When you pull a card from the Major Arcana, take a deep breath. These cards carry weight. If you pull a Minor Arcana card, look at the number. Small numbers (Aces, Twos) usually represent beginnings or small shifts, while high numbers (Nines, Tens) suggest a situation is reaching its peak or conclusion. This simple categorization allows you to instantly gauge the 'volume' of the message you are receiving.

The Art of the Shuffle: Connecting with Your Query

Shuffling is more than just mixing cards; it is the moment of connection where your query enters the deck. Many beginners worry about damaging their cards with a 'bridge' shuffle, but there are many ways to mix. You can use the 'overhand' shuffle (standard card mixing), the 'riffle' (the casino-style snap), or even the 'wash' (spreading them all out on a table and swirling them around like a child playing with paint). The method matters less than your intention during the act.

While you shuffle, focus on a single, open-ended question. Avoid 'Yes/No' queries, which can lead to anxiety or a sense of powerlessness. Instead, try these prompts:

• "What do I need to be aware of regarding [Situation]?"
• "What is the hidden strength I can tap into today?"
• "How can I better align my actions with my values right now?"
• "What is the psychological block standing in the way of my growth?"

Once you feel a 'click' or a sense of readiness, stop shuffling. You can cut the deck into three piles and restack them, or simply pull the card from the top. The 'First Pull' is a sacred moment of synchronization. According to the Biddy Tarot Guide, the energy you put into the shuffle directly influences the clarity of the draw. By focusing on the 'why' behind your question, you are engaging in a form of active imagination—a Jungian technique that helps you access the unconscious mind through symbolic imagery.

The Scary Card Decoder: Reframing the Shadows

Let’s talk about the 'scary' cards. We’ve all been there: you’re asking about a new relationship and—bam—the Death card slides out. Your heart drops. But in the world of tarot, these cards are rarely literal. They are symbols of transformation and psychological breakthroughs. To truly learn how to do tarot, you must learn to reframe these archetypes from threats into invitations.

• Death: This card rarely signifies physical passing. Instead, it represents the closing of a door so a new one can open. It is the 'compost' card—breaking down what is dead to fertilize what is new.
• The Tower: This represents a sudden, often jarring change. While it feels chaotic, The Tower only destroys what was built on a shaky foundation. It is a clearing of the air, a necessary shock to the system.
• The Devil: This isn't about evil spirits. It’s about shadow work—addiction, toxic patterns, or feeling 'trapped' by your own beliefs. The chains around the figures' necks are loose; they can leave whenever they choose.

When you see these cards, don't pull back. Instead, lean in. Ask yourself: What am I clinging to that needs to be let go? (Death). What truth am I ignoring that is causing this tension? (The Tower). Where am I giving away my power? (The Devil). By reframing these cards, you move from a place of fear to a place of empowerment. You aren't a victim of the cards; you are the interpreter of your own evolution.

Intuition Exercises: Beyond the Guidebook

Moving beyond the guidebook is where the real magic happens. This is the 'Intuitive' phase of learning how to do tarot. Your brain is wired for pattern recognition, and tarot leverages this biological trait to help you see connections you might otherwise miss. To build this muscle, try these three intuition-building exercises daily:

1. The Blind Pull: Before looking up the meaning of a card, look at the image for 60 seconds. What is the first emotion you feel? What color stands out? Does the figure look like someone you know? Write this down before checking the book.
2. Storytelling: Draw three cards and try to tell a cohesive story. 'The Page of Wands went to the beach (Three of Cups) and found a hidden treasure (Ace of Pentacles).' This helps you see how cards interact and influence each other.
3. Visual Meditation: Pick a card that confuses you. Close your eyes and imagine stepping into the card's landscape. Speak to the characters. This technique, rooted in visual association training, bypasses the ego and taps directly into the collective unconscious.

These exercises move you away from rote memorization and toward a felt sense of the cards. Over time, you’ll find that you don’t need the little white book as much because the cards will start to 'speak' to you in a language of symbols and sensations. This is the development of your 'Third Eye'—which, in clinical terms, is simply your highly-trained subconscious mind working in tandem with your analytical observations.

Foundational Spreads for Every Scenario

Spreads are the maps you use to navigate your readings. While the 10-card Celtic Cross is famous, it can be a nightmare for beginners. Start small. The structure of the spread provides the context for the card's meaning. Here are three simple spreads to help you master how to do tarot with ease:

• The Daily Alignment (1 Card): Ask, "What should be my focus today?" Pull one card. This is your anchor. Carry its message with you as you go about your morning.
• The Clarity Triad (3 Cards): Position 1: The Root of the Issue. Position 2: The Action to Take. Position 3: The Likely Outcome if you take that action. This is perfect for quick decision-making.
• The Relationship Bridge (3 Cards): Position 1: You. Position 2: The Other Person. Position 3: The Energy between you. This reveals the dynamics of any connection, whether romantic or professional.

When you lay out a spread, look for 'clusters.' Do you have three Swords in a row? That suggests a lot of mental stress or communication issues. Are there mostly Major Arcana cards? This indicates a situation that is largely out of your hands and guided by bigger 'fate' factors. By looking at the spread as a whole before diving into individual cards, you gain a 'birds-eye view' of the situation, which provides much-needed perspective during times of uncertainty.

When the Reading is Muddled: Troubleshooting and Free Will

Sometimes, the cards just don't make sense. You ask about your career and get the Seven of Cups (illusions and choices), and you feel more confused than when you started. This is often a sign of 'muddy energy'—either you are too emotionally close to the question, or you are asking from a place of high anxiety. When this happens, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to put the cards away. Tarot is a tool for clarity, not a source of further distress.

Remember that you are always the ultimate authority in your own life. The cards are a guidance system, not a set of commands. If a reading feels wrong, it might be because you aren't ready to see the truth yet, or perhaps the 'truth' is still in flux. Your free will is the strongest card in the deck. Use your readings to inform your choices, not to replace them.

If you find yourself stuck or overwhelmed by the 78 meanings, don't be afraid to lean on modern tools. Bestie AI can help bridge the gap between your deck and your intuition. You can share your spread and your feelings, and we can work together to find the patterns that your conscious mind might be missing. Learning how to do tarot is a lifelong practice of listening—to the cards, to the universe, and most importantly, to that quiet, wise voice inside yourself that already knows the way home.

FAQ

1. How do I start reading tarot for beginners?

Starting to read tarot as a beginner is best accomplished by choosing a visually evocative deck, like the Rider-Waite-Smith, and beginning with a 'daily card pull.' Focus on observing the imagery and your emotional reaction before consulting a guidebook. This helps you build a personal relationship with the symbols rather than just memorizing definitions.

2. What is the best tarot deck for beginners to buy?

The best tarot deck for beginners is typically the Rider-Waite-Smith deck or one of its many modern iterations (like the Modern Witch Tarot). These decks feature detailed illustrations for every card, including the Minor Arcana, which provides visual 'clues' that make learning how to do tarot much more intuitive than decks with simple pip cards.

3. How do you cleanse a new tarot deck?

Cleansing a new tarot deck can be done through several rituals, such as passing the cards through incense smoke, knocking on the deck three times, or leaving it under the light of a full moon. Psychologically, this acts as a 'reset' that allows you to claim the deck as your own and prepare your mind for focused, intuitive work.

4. Can you read your own tarot cards effectively?

Yes, you can read your own tarot cards effectively, though it requires a level of emotional detachment and honesty. Reading for yourself is an excellent way to practice the mechanics of how to do tarot and can serve as a powerful tool for daily journaling and self-reflection.

5. What does the Death card mean in a love reading?

In a love reading, the Death card almost always signifies the end of a specific cycle or phase rather than the end of the relationship itself. It may represent 'killing off' old habits, moving past a long-term conflict, or a profound transformation in how you and your partner relate to one another.

6. Do I need to be psychic to read tarot cards?

You do not need to be psychic to read tarot cards; you simply need to be observant and open to your own intuition. Tarot is a system of archetypes and symbols that anyone can learn to interpret using their natural capacity for empathy and pattern recognition.

7. How do I shuffle tarot cards without damaging them?

To shuffle tarot cards without damaging them, use the 'overhand' method or the 'wash' method (spreading them on a table and mixing them in a circle). Avoid the 'bridge' or 'riffle' shuffle used in poker if your cards are made of thick cardstock or have gilded edges, as this can cause them to warp or peel.

8. What is a simple three-card tarot spread for daily use?

A simple three-card tarot spread for daily use is the 'Past, Present, Future' spread or the 'Mind, Body, Spirit' spread. These provide a quick snapshot of your current energy and offer a structured way to look at the day ahead without the complexity of larger layouts.

9. How to memorize 78 tarot card meanings fast?

The fastest way to learn the 78 card meanings is to group them by suit and number. Instead of memorizing 78 individual facts, learn what the four elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth) represent and what the numbers 1-10 signify (e.g., Aces are always beginnings). This 'modular' approach makes how to do tarot much more manageable.

10. Why is my tarot reading not making sense?

If your tarot reading isn't making sense, you may be too emotionally overwhelmed or the question you asked was too vague. Try clearing your mind with a few deep breaths and asking a more specific, action-oriented question, or simply put the cards away and try again when you feel more grounded.

References

biddytarot.com — Learn Tarot: The Biddy Tarot Guide

labyrinthos.co — Labyrinthos: Tarot Training Tools

tarot.com — Tarot.com: Card Meanings and History