Are you committed to unraveling the mysteries of your future? Or, do you indulge in tarot for fun? No matter the reason, there is one thing we can all agree on; the tarot deck has a lot of cards.

As a beginner, you will need to learn the name and meaning of each card. That is the only way you can begin to understand what the cards are trying to show you. Of course, learning everything can be intimidating for anyone, especially if you’re just starting out. That’s where we come in.

We have laid out everything you need to know. We will cover everything from how many cards there are in a deck to what each card means. You can learn how to read tarot cards.

Most people will be using the Rider-Waite standard tarot card deck. However, there are different types of tarot card decks on the market. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you get a Rider-Waite deck or a Thoth tarot deck. Your deck likely consists of 78 cards.   

Every single card is unique, with its own imagery and meaning. Moreover, you will draw multiple cards in a single reading, and you have to combine their meaning for divination. Furthermore, these cards have two categories, i.e., the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a tarot card deck. Also known as the trump cards, these cards focus on the bigger picture during divination. Additionally, the Major Arcana tarot cards can be arranged from 0 to 21 and depict the fool’s journey.

The Fool (Card 0) is the first of the 22 Major Arcana cards and represents the beginning of a journey. Also, it stands for child-like carefree ignorance and means that you are starting a new journey. Moreover, during this journey, you will likely learn things that will help you grow.

The Magician card, number 1, stands for manifestation and willpower. Therefore, seeing this card during your reading usually means that you can pass whatever hurdle you are facing. 

If you see the High Priestess during your readings, it means that something is afoot. Hence, you need to listen to your instincts before proceeding, even though the obstacle may not be obvious. The card represents wisdom and intuition.

This Major Arcana card stands for femininity, nurturing, and creative prowess. Thus, the appearance of this card means that you should turn to your nurturing side. That can include nurturing your children, yourself, a project, or something else that is close to your heart. 

The Emperor represents authority and leadership, in contrast to the Empress’s stands for a more gentle approach. Therefore, seeing this card means that you need to reach your goals through a structured approach.  

The Hierophant stands for tradition and morality. The card shares a link with spiritual matters and has a lot to do with your religious and ethical beliefs. Thus, its appearance in a tarot reading suggests that you need to return to the more traditional ways instead of being innovative.

As the name indicates, this tarot card is about your love life. It shows that you have to make a big decision in your relationships. However, you mustn’t be hasty, as the easiest option may not be the right one. Think carefully and then make your decision. 

If the Chariot shows up in your tarot spread, it is time to act. The card is usually a herald of triumph. Therefore, it signals that you must act now to overcome whatever obstacle you face. 

As evident by its name, the Strength card signifies strength and courage. Just like the Chariot, the card represents your ability to overcome obstacles. However, this Major Arcana card also says that you should use your compassion to tamper that strength to help others.

The Hermit appears when you need some alone time to focus on introspection. Furthermore, this quiet introspection will help your personal growth and help you achieve spiritual enlightenment. 

One of the more favorable Major Arcana tarot cards, the Wheel of Fortune, signifies good luck. The card shows that everything is working out in your favor at the cosmic level. That could mean unexpected opportunities and strokes of good fortune. Hence, you should be on the lookout for any boons from the universe. 

The Justice card stands for fairness and karma. So if you have been facing any injustices in your life, this is the time for you to get justice. It also means that you need to be careful while making decisions. Therefore, you need to ensure that all your decisions are fair and maintain a balance. 

This Major Arcana card represents a time in your life when you need to be patient. The card stands for sacrifices and letting go. You don’t get everything in your life, and sometimes, you must simply surrender to unfortunate circumstances. However, the sacrifice could be good for you in the long run. 

The Death tarot card may seem morbid, but the card carries a more symbolic meaning. Just like death is a door for new beginnings, this card signifies the start of a new phase. Thus, the current stage in your life is ending, and you need to start moving forward with your new life.

Temperance means moderation, and the Temperance tarot card warns you against going to extremes. Furthermore, it means the situation in from of you is complicated and requires deliberation. Hence, you need to think before acting and handle the situation carefully. Take the expression, slow and steady wins the race, to heart.

The Devil seems like a bad card to get during readings. That’s because it shows you that you are engaged in some unhealthy habits. That could mean being addicted to something. Even social media or fitness can be harmful if taken overboard. Thus, this card is a wake-up call for the reader.

Getting the Tower tarot card can seem like some major bad luck. The card signifies tragedy, sudden massive change, and upheaval. It means that everything in your life will go up in flames, and you have to prepare to pull through this tragedy. The process will be painful, but it is also an opportunity to cut out the rotten parts of your life. 

The Star tarot card usually shows up during the reading after a person has experienced trauma. The card signifies healing and self-love. The healing is spiritual and will give you a new purpose to continue with your life. Furthermore, you will connect with your inner self and the divine. 

The Moon card signifies delusion and risks. The card often appears as a warning to readers to say that not all is as it seems. Therefore, you need to dig deeper and find out what’s really present underneath. You need to trust your gut and be more intuitive.  

The Sun tarot card signifies happiness and fertility and is a sign of good news. So even if you have been having a hard time, you can be sure that there is happiness to come. Happiness can be in the form of success in your projects or other good news.

Judgment and karma are very close. The Judgment card means you need to reflect on your past and the decisions you have made. If you have wronged someone or done something wrong, now is the time to correct it. Furthermore, if you have been wronged, it may be time to forgive and let go.  

The last card in the Major Arcana, The World, is a good card to see in your tarot readings. It means success in your endeavors. The card signifies the end of a project. You have accomplished whatever it was that you set out to do. The previous phase of your life is over, and you are all set to start a new chapter. 

In the second category of the tarot deck, there are 56 Minor Arcana cards. Where the Major Arcana shows the bigger picture for a person, the Minor Arcana cards deal with day-to-day events. 

The Minor Arcana cards give more context and meaning to the Major Arcana tarot cards. Thus, Reading the major and Minor Arcana cards together in a tarot reading gives the complete message. 

The 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits. The suits are Wands, Cups, Pentacles, and Swords and each suit has fourteen cards. Moreover, different suits represent one of the four elements. Thus, you need to keep these elements in mind while you read tarot cards.

The fourteen cards are the same in each suit. They start with an Ace, nine numbered cards (2-10), and the four court cards. Furthermore, the court cards include the Page, Knight, Queen, and the King. The suits roughly resemble normal playing cards.  

The Suit of Cups is connected to water and deals with emotions. The tarot cards in this suit deal with any emotion you might experience, whether love or rage. Thus, they indicate what you feel and how you might react to various events.

Representing the Earth, this suit deals with the material world. The suit represents all the wins and losses you will face in your finances and career. Thus, If you have questions regarding the economy or other more material things, this is the suit you use. 

Fire burns hot and is unpredictable. As representatives of this element, the cards in the suit of wands act as catalysts toward actions. They deal with a person’s creativity and intuition. The Wands cards also depict a person’s beliefs and values. 

The final suit in the tarot deck, the Suit of Swords, is associated with air. The element is associated with communication and mental clarity. Hence, the suit depicts how your thoughts manifest themselves. 

That concludes our short intro to a standard tarot deck. Now that you know what all 78 cards stand for, you can start your reading sessions. Use both the Major and Minor Arcana cards to see what the future holds for you. You can refer best tarot card sites to know more.

The tarot deck may seem like a playing card deck, but it can be so much more. Thus, it is up to you to use it for divination or fun. Of course, practice makes perfect. Thus, you should get in a ton of practice before you can get really good at reading the cards.