If you’ve ever felt a pull toward tarot but weren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. These tarot basics are the fast track to understanding a vast system of wisdom, and set you in the right direction for learning the tarot like an ace.

I’ve been reading tarot for over 20 years, privately, at psychic fairs, Renaissance festivals (those were such a blast!), and through my website, where I love sharing insights with curious souls like you.

When I first started learning tarot, I quickly realized it wasn’t about predicting the future. It’s about enhancing who we are, tapping into deeper awareness, strengthening intuition, and making more empowered choices. That’s the real magic.

In this article, I’m breaking down tarot basics in simple, clear terms, the same way I wish someone had done for me when I was starting out.

You’ll meet the Major and Minor Arcana, get familiar with the suits and court cards, and learn a few tricks to make your tarot sojourn a lot less overwhelming (and a lot more fun). Ready to decrypt the mysteries of the tarot without getting lost in the weeds?  Let’s dive in.

“Tarot is less about predicting your future and more about having a deeper conversation with your own soul.”

The Cards: A Friendly Introduction

When I first started working with tarot, one of the first things I had to wrap my head around was this: The tarot deck is divided into two parts, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

Sounds fancy, right? It is, and it isn’t. Let’s break it down together.

“Arcana” simply means “secret” or “mystery.” (Not so scary when you think about it.)

And when you hear the word “occult” floating around in tarot conversations, just remember: it only means “hidden.” That’s it. No dark forces. No scary stuff. Just the idea that there’s more to life than meets the eye, and tarot is one of the best tools for exploring those hidden layers.

Major Arcana: The Heavy Hitters

The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards, starting with 0-The Fool and ending with 21-The World.

These cards are big deals. They don’t mess around. When a Major Arcana card pops up in your reading, it’s shining a spotlight on major life lessons, soul-level truths, and pivotal moments.

Think of them like the lead actors in a blockbuster movie; without them, the story just doesn’t hit as hard.

Minor Arcana: The Everyday Heroes

Meanwhile, the Minor Arcana (all 56 cards) zooms in on the daily grind, the smaller choices, the passing emotions, the quick shifts that eventually shape your bigger journey.

They’re divided into four suits, each with its own “personality.”

Here’s the quick lowdown about tarot basics of the minor arcana:

• Wands (fire): When you see Wands, it’s all about inspiration, creativity, action, and things that light you up inside.
• Pentacles (earth): This is the suit of material things, money, home, work, and everything that builds a solid foundation.
• Swords (air): Swords get you thinking. They stir up mental clarity (or mental clutter), communication, and sometimes conflict.
• Cups (water): Cups swim into your readings when emotions, relationships, intuition, or dreams are trying to get your attention.

Getting to Know the Court Cards

Then there’s the royal family, the Court Cards.

Each suit has its own Page, Knight, Queen, and King. These characters often represent real people in your life, or parts of yourself that are stepping up to the microphone.

Here’s my take on the Court:

Pages: The Learners

Pages are just getting started. They’re wide-eyed, curious, and eager to figure out who they are.

When a Page shows up, think “beginner energy”, someone who’s learning the ropes and maybe making a few impulsive (but endearing) mistakes along the way.

• Vibe: Playful, Curious, Willing, Trusting
• Age: Children or those young at heart
• Gender: Any

Knights: The Action-Takers

Knights aren’t sitting around waiting for life to happen; they’re out there charging after it.

Knights bring boldness, drive, and sometimes a bit of recklessness. They know what they want, and they’re not shy about chasing it down.

• Vibe: Idealistic, Determined, Bold
• Age: Young adults or anyone feeling that “on a mission” energy
• Gender: Often masculine, but not always

Queens: The Nurturers

Queens know how to handle their kingdom, and they do it with a mix of intuition, empathy, and no-nonsense wisdom.

When a Queen shows up, it usually signals nurturing energy, emotional intelligence, creativity, and the ability to keep everything (and everyone) from flying off the rails.

• Vibe: Compassionate, Strong, Wise, Protective
• Age: Mature women or nurturing leaders of any gender
• Gender: Primarily feminine, but flexible

Kings: The Leaders

Kings have been there, done that, and bought the kingdom.

They symbolize wisdom earned through experience, power used to protect, and resources that have been built and safeguarded over time.

Kings show up when leadership, protection, or long-term vision is front and center.

• Vibe: Powerful, Strategic, Protective, Fatherly
• Age: Older, wiser souls (usually 40+)
• Gender: Primarily masculine, but again, energy matters more than biology

Quick Tip:

At first, it’s tempting to assume every Court Card is about a real person in your life. Sometimes that’s true. But sometimes, that Page or Knight isn’t about your annoying coworker, it’s about you learning something new, taking a risk, or finding your voice. Stay open. Lean into your intuition.

What About Reversals?

Just when you have all the card meanings down pat, the reversals kick up. These are the cards that show up upside down and make you wonder what in the world the universe is trying to tell you.

Here’s the deal about tarot reversals:

When a card is reversed, it usually means the energy is blocked, delayed, weakened, or needs a second look.

It’s like getting a flashing yellow light instead of a green one. “Proceed, but pay attention.”

You’ll find reversal meanings on my website, but if reading reversals feels overwhelming right now, skip them.

Seriously. Many readers (myself included) started by reading only upright cards.

You can always circle back and add the juicy layers of reversal meanings once you’re ready.

Final Thought: Tarot is a Conversation

Learning tarot basics isn’t about memorizing a rigid system. It’s about opening a conversation with yourself, and maybe with something bigger than yourself, too.

The cards aren’t judging you. They’re offering insights, nudges, mirrors, and sometimes, a much-needed reality check. So go easy on yourself as you learn. Stay curious. Stay playful. Stay willing to be surprised.

And above all, trust the wisdom that’s already inside you. Tarot just helps you hear it a little more clearly.

Mighty brightly,

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