Beserk Guide to Tarot Cards 🔮✨

We've all been there, forever looking at the amazing artwork on Tarot and Oracle cards and thought "I would love to learn Tarot, I just don't know where to start".

Well, that was me a few years ago! And while it may seem like a daunting task, it is actually easy for anyone to start learning. So if you are a Beginner Tarot Reader (or want to be), this is the blog for you!

First we must acknowledge that tarot reading is a very personal and healing practice. Reading cards, whether for yourself or for others is not meant to cause any stress or harm. Instead it should be used as a tool to point out ways for you to heal your inner world and align that with your outer experiences.

Once you've found your footing with card reading, you can start to use your personal experience to interpret the symbols and meanings of different layouts, to make card "sentences" (multiple cards interacting with each other). And then with even more time and practice your own interpretations on the cards will be moulded into how you read.

A Quick History of Tarot

The idea of Tarot is a really old game and divination tool from about the 15th century. The standard deck we see today was developed by a man named Rider Wait, who commissioned Pamela Colman Smith to illustrate and interpret the symbolism. You will likely see references the "Rider Wait Deck" or "Rider Wait-Smith Deck" a lot as you start to learn more about tarot. Personally, I like to acknowledge that Pamela did most of the work in this creation and should always be referenced as such with the Smith name.

This was the original Tarot Cards as we know them today, created with influences from mythologies, beliefs and religions from all around the world. With newer decks today continuing to reference the symbolism, imagery and composition of the Rider Wait-Smith Deck.

So What Are The Cards and What Do They Mean?

A Tarot Deck is made up of 78 cards, with each symbol on the card having it's own meaning to be interpreted as the reader see's it. I know this sounds overwhelming but bear with me, it gets easier. We've created a downloadable cheat sheet for you, with the simplified meanings of each card - all organized into their own categories which you can refer back to as often as you need! Available in both Dark & Light themes for printing and viewing on our Downloads Page here,

The Tarot Deck can be broken up into Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, and the Minor Arcana is then broken up into 4 suits - Pentacles, Swords, Wands and Cups. Within the suits you will start to pick up on patterns as well. But let's start with the Major Arcana first shall we.

Major Arcana

Major Arcana cards will generally represent large milestones happening in your life. If you pull out 5 cards and 4 of them are Major Arcana, you have a lot going on. The story starts with card number 0 The Fool - innocence's and naivety starting a new chapter. The Fool will travel through cards 1,2,3,4 etc. Learning different lessons along the way some positive and some negative, ending on card 21; The World - which is everything working together always. Looping back to the fool because life is made up of chapters.

These cards are all very different from each other (it's worth checking out that cheat sheet for each meaning) but they have some similar symbolism like water, fire, snakes, crowns etc.. The numbers of the card can bring some significance if you follow numerology or you keep seeing the same numbers pop up a lot for you. 

Minor Arcana

Minor Arcana cards are similar to a standard playing card deck, they all have an Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Page (instead of Jack), Knight, Queen and King. Times this by the four suits (again just like a standard deck of cards) and you have a tarot deck!

So what are the four suits and what do they mean?

Pentacles; or sometimes 'Coins' is connected to the earth element, the physical body and possessions or wealth. 
Swords; is connected to the element of Air, it represents the mind, thoughts, ideas and intellect. As we all know, you can have light and dark states of mind so this suit goes both ways. 
Wands; connected to the element of Fire. Represents action, will power, courage and speed. (like and unstoppable fire)
Cups; connected to the element of Water. Represents emotions and feelings. It is your heart and soul. 

Now what about the card number or value?

All the Aces represent the bringer of something. Example, the Ace of wands the is bringer of action, luck and fiery passion. The Ace of Cups is the bringer of new feelings, and paths connected to the heart. Ace of Pentacles is the bringer of something physical, and so on. 

Two is generally related to two paths before you. Sometimes coming together like in the two of cups or sometimes internal to make a decision between two paths like in the two of swords. 

Three represents communion, working together. Except the three of swords, that's just straight up heartbreak. Sorry.

Four is about starting to learn from past mistakes, but it is just the start of the learning - we are not so wise to have reached 10 just yet. Each 4 card has an upside and down side to it. For example, 4 of cups depicts showing gratitude for what you have built so far, but not noticing the other aspects of your life to be grateful for. Whereas the 4 of swords represents great focus and sharp intellect, but can also mean you need to take some rest, and not forget about your body. 

Five is the half way point! If you thought life was going so well, 5 is where it humbles you to remember it can't be all dandelions and sunshine. Don't fret though, because there is more to this story - it's not nearly at the end yet. 

Six is coming out the other side of 5, over the half way point and charging towards the finish line. Victory, generosity, new paths and sweet nostalgia. 

Seven is overwhelm. Overwhelming thought, decisions, actions and possibilities. Usually this card is telling you to focus in. Remember your original goals and ideas so you can make it to the end. 

Eight is movement, something is happening - possibly quickly, possibly not. There is a lot happening in the eight cards, with a mix of good and bad possibilities. 

Nine is a lot! Having a lot, doing a lot, thinking a lot, feeling a lot - there's so much going on, but you're so close to the goal!

Ten is ultimate fulfillment and abundance, more than you could have imagined. With the 10 of wands (actions and possibilities) this can be overwhelming, but with the 10 of cups (feelings and emotions) this is great happiness. 

Pages (the version of Jacks in a tarot deck) are all the messenger of something. Something or someone is about to come into your life. What they will bring depends on the suit of the Page - ideas (swords), opportunity (wands), wealth (pentacles) etc.. 

Knights are on a horse which means they are fast or can represent fast movement in time or distance. They are movement and change. 

The Kings and Queens, represent the ultimate masculine or feminine forms of each suit. 
Neither is better than the other and they both have strengths and weaknesses. Working with them both equally in tandem is generally the goal. If a King of Pentacles comes out for you, it usually means you are stern and smart with your wealth, however you might be too stubborn and fixed upon gain and should channel more of the queen who is grateful and generous (sometimes to a fault). 

Let's Put It Together!

Okay now you have some patterns to look out for. Use this to get started, as you learn the card meanings and how to read the symbols. When you begin to master this art, you start to find your own twist and interpretation of the cards. This can be based on your beliefs, experiences and life so far - which is where it can become such a personal art. An example might be the symbol of the snake. Some religions would see this as a symbol of blasphemy and manipulations. While others would see the snake as adaptable, quiet and in touch with the earth. 

Another example is the Devil card. I personally see the Devil card as less a symbol of negativity, affliction betrayal and addictions but more a symbol of pleasure, fun and living in the moment. Very much the don't wait for 'what comes after' reminder. The Devil is hurt however, shunned and broken hearted, so it can fall into addictive habits and that's the warning of this card for me. Enjoy yourself, just not too much. But this card might hold a different meaning for you in your life, and that's absolutely okay!

As far as Tarot spreads go, there are a million variations for a million different readings and things you might be searching for. For beginners I would say the best way to start is keep it small and simple. Maybe two or three cards to get your bearings. These cards could represent past, present and future or where I'm going, what obstacles to look out for, what is my super power along the way. And then over time you can slowly build on that, and ask more complicated questions as you learn and grow with your practice. 

In the end, how you read the cards, how you lay out your spreads, when you choose to connect with and listen to your cards, and when you don't. It's all up to you. There is no exact science, no right or wrong way. That is the fun of being a divination reader, and learning to hear and trust your intuition more fully.

Remember that the cards are here to help you, always. So don't get caught up in the negativity of a particular card or reading. It has been said by some readers have said they have different decks for different reasons, because some cards come out more "sassy" and blunt than others. Getting the right tool for the right task, so to speak.

The most recent Tarot Deck I added to the collection, was the Killstar Tarot Deck which is pictured throughout the blog - I got the Black & Silver version but it's also available in a Black & Gold version too. This deck so far been very enthusiastically helpful for me personally, and the skeleton artwork is always a reminder that we are all the same deep down, and that we are not here forever. Which is something that I really like, but might not be right for everyone.

Luckily we have a whole range of many different Tarot and Oracle Decks featuring all different kinds of art styles and subject matter! From the earthy vintage style of the Wild Earth Tarot Deck designed by artist Coni Curi to the beautifully colourful and illustrative animals in the Woodland Warden Tarot Deck designed by artist Jessica Roux. Or back to the darkness of the Macabre Tarot Deck, also available in a pocket sized version for travel! It's about finding the deck, or decks that call to you and align with your practice!

Plus we also have a range of books covering the practice of Tarot & Oracle (in much more depth) as well as other spells and practices for the witchy or spiritually inclined.

I hope this helps you on your Tarot Card and Oracle journey, I believe if it's meant to find you that it will 🖤 Best wishes, Lucy & The Beserk Team xx 

P.S. Don't forget to download our handing card guide on our Downloads Page here!