Often, when people decide to learn tarot, it seems simplistic—you learn the meanings of each card, shuffle, lay a few down in a pretty pattern and they will form a cogent reading. It’s not until you delve deeper that you realize how complex the system of tarot really is. Here are some tips to help you explore tarot card interpretations and to make you a better reader.

1. Learn the Basic Meanings

I have encountered many people who think learning each card’s message is unnecessary. They tell me airily, “Oh, I don’t need to learn all that stuff. I’m psychic.” That may well be, and for the occasional, truly gifted reader, it might work. However, they are few and far between. The rest of us have to rely on our own insights. It helps that there is a common tarot understanding to give structure to your understanding. In other words, the essential meaning of the card is universal. So learn the basics. These tips should help you develop your readings to provide more depth and useful information.

2. First Reactions

Never dismiss your first emotional reaction upon seeing a card. It is always valid. Disappointed? Then study that card in depth. Scary? Why does it make you feel that way? Are you making assumptions? Explore ALL the meanings; they are never all negative or all positive.

3. Look at the Images—Really Look at Them

Familiarity with a deck means we often take the images for granted. Look at them each time with a fresh eye. In that way, you will learn to apply the imagery to the question. Look at the juxtaposition of any people in the cards. Are they interacting? Turning away from each other? Avoiding each other’s gaze? What about the weather? What color is the sky? Are the trees being blown by an autumn gale? How might that affect your interpretation of the card?

4. Analyze for Repetition and Number

Do you keep seeing the same card appear in readings, even for other people? Then know that it is important to you, the reader. Take time to study the card in depth—it has personal meaning for you. How about when three or four of the same numbered cards turn up—and don’t forget to count Majors in as well? Why might the number five be dominant in a reading? Or how about three Queens? What could that mean for your client? What if most of the cards in the spread are Swords, or Cups? How would that affect your interpretation of the cards?

5. Incorporate Elemental Dignities

Have a look at Elemental Dignities as demonstrated by Paul Hughes-Barlow on his site Super Tarot. This is a fascinating subject that teaches how the suits help or hinder each other. For example, in a three-card reading where there are two Cups and one Wands, then water (emotions) will dominate fire (action). The Wand card, however strong it appears, is weakened.

Think of the game, Rock, Paper, Scissors but with the elements of the tarot.

6. Incorporate Numerology

Knowing the spiritual progression of numbers is always useful in interpreting tarot. In the tip above, where I mentioned the number five… more than two cards numbered five (including the Hierophant) means that the seeker is facing an inordinate number of challenges, or even one enormous challenge that overshadows all other aspects of his life. If the outcome card is a ten, then it means that the current phase is ending and another reading will be necessary. Knowing your numbers will help you tremendously.

7. Find the Story Thread

Every tarot reading tells a story, even a one-card reading. Several cards will offer you a more complex story and it is your job to find the thread and give it a little tug. This can be difficult until you have lots of reading practice under your belt. I find it helps to get the client involved—very often they will offer a clue almost accidentally. The Celtic Cross is an excellent story-telling spread.

8. Use a Journal

Any time you have a breakthrough, an insight or learn a new aspect of a card — write it down. Any time you have trouble with an interpretation, write it down. These brief notes are extremely helpful to your future self, believe me. Use a tarot journal for study, recording, and analysis.

9. Understand the Archetypes

The Major Arcana are based on archetypes—they are universal templates that appear in all cultures and societies and go back to the time of Plato, who first identified them. Later Karl Jung refined them in more detail.

The archetypes in tarot represent the life stages we all pass through. There isn’t enough scope in this article to go into this fascinating subject, but you, as a tarot reader, would do well to assimilate some knowledge of the archetypes. You may never have to refer to them in your readings, but understanding the Majors and what they really represent will add great depth to your interpretations.

10. Symbolism

All tarot decks incorporate symbolism. A symbol is a pictorial depiction of something else (think of traffic signs)—although that doesn’t mean you will automatically know what it is. Some tarot symbols are based on quite obscure mythology or spiritual concepts. It is worth exploring some of the more common ones, such as color, the appearance of birds, trees, animals, etc.

11. Traditional vs Modern

Tarot readers of past times had a different idea of the meaning of tarot cards. It also depended on which occultist held the most sway. Obviously, times change and therefore some of the old meanings have no place today. However, it is interesting to delve back into time to compare old and new, so set aside a period of study and do just that. Having yet another layer of meaning is always useful. I’d recommend Mary Greer’s Tarot Reversals because not only does she give both upright and reversed interpretations but also the old traditional meanings.

Note the above is an affiliate link and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through it.

12. Delve Into Your Own Life

As you get older, your life experience increases accordingly. If you find that a card or a group of cards reminds you of a situation in your own life, then use the experience in your reading. You don’t have to reveal the source to your client. In the same way, other readings that you have done in the past may also resurface. It’s safe to say that all human experience is universal, i.e. the things that have happened to you also happened to many others. Pay attention when a memory bubbles up—it will be relevant.

Whether you use just one or two of these suggestions to improve your tarot card interpretations or build all of them into your tarot study, you will find your effectiveness as a reader improves with each level of understanding.

Never stop looking; never stop learning.

A previous version of this article was originally published by the author at Psychic Elements.

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