If you're new to tarot, you don't need perfection. You don't need to be psychic. And you definitely don't need to memorize 78 meanings before you begin.
What you need is a calm process you can repeat—so tarot becomes a practice, not a performance.
Focus: A repeatable, beginner-friendly tarot reading process.
Perfect For: First-time readers, anxious overthinkers, and anyone rebuilding intuition.
Intention: "I read tarot with curiosity and self-trust."
What Tarot Is (and What It's For)
Labyrinthos describes tarot as an interplay between universal symbols and the intuitive understanding of each reader, and suggests beginners gain confidence by approaching tarot with a system. In other words: tarot is a language. You learn it over time.
Labyrinthos also states they don't believe tarot tells the future in a way that removes agency; instead they frame tarot as a tool that helps you explore yourself. Whether you read tarot spiritually, psychologically, or both, this is a grounded way to start: use tarot for reflection, clarity, and next steps.
Tarot Deck Structure (in Simple, Non-Overwhelming Terms)
Most classic tarot decks have:
- Major Arcana (big themes, turning points, life lessons)
- Minor Arcana (daily life, relationships, emotions, thoughts, choices)
The Rider-Waite® deck specifies a 78-card total with 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. You don't have to memorize that today—but it's helpful to know tarot has a structure, and structure creates consistency.
The Beginner Reading Formula (5 Steps You Can Repeat)
Step 1 — Set Your Space (30 Seconds)
Put your deck in front of you. Take one breath. You're not summoning anything complicated—you're creating a container for clarity.
Focus: Calm and presence.
Intention: "Show me what I need to know, gently."
Step 2 — Ask a Question Tarot Can Actually Answer
Beginner-friendly questions are usually:
- Open-ended (not yes/no at first)
- Focused on you (what you control)
- Grounded in growth (not fear)
Examples:
- "What energy is influencing this situation?"
- "What do I need to know to make a wise choice?"
- "What is the most supportive next step for me?"
Step 3 — Shuffle With Soft Focus
Hold the question lightly. If you grip too tightly, you'll read too tightly.
Step 4 — Pull 1–3 Cards
Start small. You'll get clearer answers and build confidence faster.
Step 5 — Interpret in Layers (This Stops Overthinking)
Use this order:
- The image: What do you literally see?
- The feeling: What emotion does it evoke?
- The story: What might the card be saying in this position?
- The takeaway: One sentence you can apply today.
Biddy Tarot describes releasing the pressure to memorize and instead using techniques that free you to interpret using inner wisdom. That's exactly what this layered method supports.
Tarot Spreads for Beginners (Start Here, Not With a 10-Card Layout)
Biddy Tarot emphasizes that a three-card reading can give clear insight and that you can go deep with just three cards. Labyrinthos also explains that spread layout helps you intuitively feel meaning and relationships between cards.
Try one of these:
One-Card Pull (Daily Clarity)
Question: "What energy should I embody today?"
Three-Card: Situation / Advice / Next Step
- Card 1: What's happening
- Card 2: What supports me
- Card 3: My next gentle step
Three-Card: Mind / Body / Spirit
Use this when you're scattered and want to come back to center.
What to Do When You Get a "Scary" Card
If you pull a card that spikes anxiety, don't panic-pull five clarifiers.
Try this instead:
- Name the emotion: "This card makes me feel ___."
- Ask a supportive question: "What is this protecting me from?" or "What is this helping me notice?"
- End with one grounded action: a boundary, a conversation, a pause, a plan.
Choose a Deck That Makes Learning Easier
The Crow Tarot deck is infused with Rider-Waite symbolism and is ideal for beginners, with 78 cards and an 88-page guidebook.
FAQ
Do I need to memorize tarot meanings to start reading?
No. Biddy Tarot describes letting go of memorizing and learning to interpret with inner wisdom.
What's the simplest spread for beginners?
A one-card pull or a three-card spread. Three-card readings can still go deep.
How do I interpret tarot cards without overthinking?
Use positions + one sentence per card + one final takeaway. Then stop pulling more cards.
