Embarking on a journey with Tarot can be both exhilarating and daunting. In this guide, we'll navigate through the initial steps to help you lay a strong foundation for your Tarot practice. Here's a breakdown to streamline your initiation into the world of Tarot:

Don't Be Intimidated.

Don't let intimidation cloud your Tarot experience. Understand that Tarot is a continuous journey rather than a fixed destination. If you ever feel overwhelmed, take a step back and realign your focus. Tarot should empower, not overwhelm.

Grab a Deck

Everyone needs a good deck to start with. With so many options out there, it can be confusing what to get, and you may be tempted to get a deck that looks cool... but may not be great for a beginner. In general, you will "connect" with a deck eventually (and will more than likely buy several other decks), but for the purposes of learning, I highly recommend you start with a deck that uses the original illustrations by Pamela Coleman Smith (typically referred to as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck). There are some great decks available that use these illustrations.

The reason behind this recommendation is because of the specific details that Smith added to each of her cards. Everything in the card from colors to symbols to the direction the figures are standing was done with reason. Using a "modern" deck will mean you lose out on many of the symbolic representations of the original illustrations (although they may offer new perspectives of their own).

Here are a few recommendations from Amazon; however, I also recommend supporting your local metaphysical shop or even checking out Barnes & Noble (my local store has a larger collection of cards than our local metaphysical, although most of them are stored behind the checkout counter):

• [Recommended] The Rider Tarot Deck - the classic deck ($19.97 on Amazon)
• Classic Tarot - comes with a drawstring bag ($17.97 on Amazon)
• The Original Tarot by MagicSeer - borderless cards, comes with black velvet drawstring bag ($14.97 on Amazon)
• Tarot Vintage - has an "antique" look but the same illustrations ($26.95 on Amazon)
• A.E Waite Holographic Tarot - has a holographic sheen on the cards ($14.97 on Amazon)
• Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot - recolored, refined, very popular ($20.19 on Amazon)

Grab a GOOD Reference Guide

Your Tarot deck will usually come with a small booklet which may be enough to get you started; however, there are MUCH better resources. I recommend purchasing a book rather than looking up meanings online because it's VERY easy to get distracted when searching online. A good, physical guidebook will help keep you in your moment.

I also want to explain that you do not need a book to read Tarot. Intuition is a big part of the process. Once you understand the elements, (fire, water, earth, air) and basic numerology, you can get an idea of what the card is about, not to mention looking at Pamela Coleman Smith's amazing illustrations, without needing to look up the meaning. Even still, I recommend a good guide to help you learn about the Major Arcana and court cards, as they can be perplexing for many people.

• [Recomended] The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings - Brigit Esselmont (of Biddy Tarot) ($33 on Amazon)
• The New Tarot Handbook: Master the Meanings of the Cards - Rachel Pollack ($15.95 on Amazon)
• Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom - Rachel Pollack ($19.98 on Amazon) - this book can possibly be a difficult read for some

I would also like to recommend two fantastic podcasts which were foundational in my understanding of the cards. Both are available on most podcast platforms.

• Root Lock Tarot: a well-organized walkthrough of the 78 cards of Tarot and how to understand them. Introduces the element/number system of reading of Tarot.
• The Tarot Diagnosis: less about the meaning of a specific card than about using Tarot as a way for personal healing. It's hosted by a therapist (although earlier episodes were co-hosted) and was very influential in my own use of Tarot for self-improvement.

Learn to Ask The Right Questions

Tarot, as we teach at Kaizalchemy, is intended to be used for clarity and guidance. In this line of thinking, learning to ask the right questions is important. We do not use Tarot as a predictive tool (fortune-telling, mind reading, etc.) as these often lend themselves to skewed interpretations and anxiety.

Tarot is best used as a tool for reflection, to help explore your inner conflicts and desires. Your questions should be framed in such a way that forward movement is possible, using open-ended questions instead of something that is Yes/No or date-oriented.

Your question should give you a sense of empowerment and clarity, and you should leave the reading feeling inspired and informed, not heavy and anxious. If you do feel anxious about the reading, you may want to consider how you are framing your questions.

Some examples of useful questions are:

1. What do I need to know about my current path or journey?
2. How can I best overcome the challenges I'm facing right now?
3. What lessons can I learn from my past experiences?
4. What aspects of myself do I need to focus on developing or nurturing?
5. How can I improve my relationships with others?

Get Comfortable With a Few Spreads

Tarot spreads serve as blueprints for organizing and interpreting card layouts. They provide an "outline" for your story. I recommend starting out with a single card daily draw: "What does the Universe need me to know about today?" This will not only provide some insight for the day but also help you to get acquainted with each of the cards without being overwhelmed.

Once you feel comfortable, you can progress to using a tarot spread that suits your situation. Most beginners start with a single daily card or a 3-card spread. However, the spreads are intended to help you find the information you need. You can find plenty of examples online or you can even create your own; there is no magic in the spreads, they are just to organize your story.

Card spreads typically range from 1-10 cards, but can include more, can incorporate clarifiers (cards that expand on the meaning of a card), can use a shadow card (drawn from the bottom of the deck and gives an underlying "vibe" or focus for the reading), and the like.

Truthfully, the layout of a spread doesn't really matter - they can be horizontal, vertical, in a triangle, in a circle - you do you. They are often created in a way to show a flow of energy or are based on imagery of some sort. Here are some easy three-card spreads you can use for readings (personal or for others):

• Past, Present, Future: This spread provides insights into the past, present, and future aspects of a situation or question.
• Mind, Body, Spirit: This spread focuses on the different aspects of a person's being, providing insights into their mental, physical, and spiritual states.
• Situation, Action, Outcome: This spread helps explore a specific situation or question by examining the current situation, suggesting an action or approach, and revealing the potential outcome.
• Problem, Solution, Advice: This spread is useful for identifying a problem, finding potential solutions, and receiving guidance or advice on the best course of action.
• Opportunity, Challenge, Lesson: This spread highlights the opportunities available, the challenges that may arise, and the lessons to be learned from a situation or question.
• Strength, Weakness, Advice: This spread helps assess personal strengths and weaknesses, and offers guidance on how to navigate a situation or achieve a goal.

Go With What You Know

If we are working with the premise that the Universe is only going to give you things you can work with, then you should always feel confident in your ability to read the cards. Sometimes the cards will instantly make sense, and sometimes you'll be left scratching your head. And that is 100% A-OK. Note the card and its position in the spread and keep it in the back of your mind. Think on it. Talk it over with friends. It will eventually make sense.

I also recommend that you do not begin reading Tarot with Reversals (where the cards are pulled upside down). If you pull a card and it's upside down, just flip it around. Don't get me wrong - there is DEFINITELY a place in Tarot for Reversals. But if you are serious about learning Tarot, you should work on getting a good understanding of the upright cards before tackling reversed interpretations.

Create an Environment for Reading

Make sure that you are in the right frame of mind for doing a reading. Taking some time to do some deep breathing exercises, meditation, or whatever calms and centers you will be helpful for doing a reading. If you are not in the right headspace, don't try to do a reading; it will only confound you. When reaching out for guidance and understanding, be humble and approach your request in gratitude.

After I do a reading, I often take a photo of the cards I pulled for future reference. From there, I recommend taking the time to journal if you have the time and think about the meaning of the cards in relation to your question.

Tarot is a great skill to have for so many reasons. It is a great tool to help you step out of yourself and look at your world from an unbiased perspective and set you on a path for positive change.

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