Tarot Starter Guide

When I first felt the call to try Tarot, I didn’t know what to expect. I bought a deck and jumped into it blind, feeling my way around any way I could. I ate up everything I could find: guide books, youtube videos, podcasts. But there’s so much more to Tarot than just understanding the cards themselves, and I learned those through a lot of trial and error.

If you’re interested in getting started, here are a few things to remember.

Do it for the right reasons: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to try something simply because it sounds cool, but it’s important with something like Tarot to do it for the right reasons. When you practice Tarot, you open up a portal for spirit guides, ancestors and other astral entities to come through. If you are an empath or a budding psychic medium, Tarot is an amazing way to open up and explore your gifts. But you have to be careful. I wasn’t ready for my gifts to open so fast, and it was startling (more on this another time!). Of course, I wouldn’t change my experience for the world, but it’s still important to understand the power behind a divination tool like Tarot.

Picking the right deck: Once you feel called to try out Tarot, picking the right deck is the next step. Take some time to explore decks online, or even better, in a local shop. I recommend not being seduced by pretty, minimal decks. They’re beautiful, but learning from scratch from such a minimally designed deck can be challenging. Try the original Smith-Waite deck, or if that doesn’t resonate, maybe the Wild Unknown (my first, and always my favorite!). You’ll have better luck learning and gaining a deep understanding of the cards when they are powerfully designed.

Clean your cards: The most important advice I’ve ever been given has been to regular clean my Tarot deck, and to keep them in a safe, clean spot in your home. If you are doing readings for other people, it’s so important to sage your cards or bless them between readings. Sometimes excess energy from a powerful session can get stuck in the cards, and can impact the next reading. Treat your cards with respect and keep them all together, neatly in a box or on a shelf. I keep mine stacked in their original boxes with selenite on top, and I always make sure to give them a good smudge before and after I use them.

Create a ritual: Start practicing a ritual around your Tarot readings. When I’m feeling extra witchy, I like to take a shower, rinse off and bless my coffee table, set out my crystals-and my intentions-light my favorite candle (Boy Smells in Cinderose) and press play on my Tarot playlist (making sure to mute all notifications on my phone so I’m not interrupted). Creating your own ritual around readings is such a fun and relaxing way to get into the zone and practice some self-care.

Get a Tarot reading from a professional: Help out your local mystic and get a Tarot reading! What better way to practice and strengthen your skills than to see how others do it. Let them know that you’re getting into Tarot yourself, and I’m sure they’ll impart some of their wisdom to help you on your journey.