Tarot For Beginners by Lisa Boswell

Tarot For Beginners
- Lisa Boswell -
“Welcome to the Tarot For Beginners free guide!
My name is Lisa Boswell, and I specialize in teaching

diviners like yourself how to make more detailed
predictions.
I have been reading Tarot ever since I was 7 years old. I

am Romany Gypsy, and many of my family members are
also fortune-tellers (think crystal ball readers and dream
interpreters).
My Tarot journey began when I started ‘borrowing’ my older sister’s Tarot deck. After a
couple of years I acquired my own and I have been obsessed with divination ever
since!
Although my family are diviners, I pretty much had to teach myself how to read Tarot.
For the rst decade, all I had to assist me on my Tarot journey was my deck and the
one small guidebook that came with my cards.
Everything else I learned about Tarot, I had to discover through trial, error and lots of
practice readings.
As I was left to my own devices, it took me a very long time to gure out Tarot. For
page one
example, I had been reading Tarot for ten years before I discovered what a reversal
was!
However, I have no regrets. I believe that, when learning the basics, less is always
more. Too many Tarot books and beginner resources confuse the budding Tarot
reader and overwhelm them with information. I’m not going to do that.
Through this guide, I’m going to teach you just enough to make sure you know the
basics of Tarot reading, so that you can learn what you need to know to be able to
read Tarot and leave the rest.
Because I self-learned Tarot, I know what it is like to feel overwhelmed. That’s why I
created this guide just for budding diviners like yourself. If you ever get confused
over the meaning of a Tarot-related phrase, just come back to this guide.
By saving and printing this guide you can refer back to it again and again. If you’re
unsure how to save or print your guide to your iPhone or tablet, don’t worry as there
is a useful walkthrough on the next page.
Finally, I want you to keep in mind that learning Tarot will be one of the best things
you ever do. By reading Tarot, you can:
• Read Tarot for yourself or others
www.DivinationAndFortuneTelling.com
fi

fi

• Predict whether or not something is likely to work out
• Get advice on how to overcome your issues
• Make better choices
• Make predictions for your love life, career, business, health, spirituality, nances,
family, pets, friendships, and pretty much any other subject you can think of!
Good luck on your Tarot journey. And, if you would like to go further than the basics,
feel free to check out my Tarot course, The Tarot Immersion or sign up for the free
workshop at the very end of this guide.
I look forward to further assisting you during this adventure.
Happy divining,”
Lisa xx  
page two
Print & Save Instructions
Click the little shelf Click on the iBooks To print, open the Click to print! If you
icon on the bottom icon. This will save document in the do not wish to print,
of the screen. the download to iBooks library and you can just re-
your iBooks app. click the shelf icon. access it from your
iBooks app.

fi

The Basics
I’m super excited to get started on teaching you how to read Tarot cards, so let’s get
to it!
I’m pretty sure that, as a budding Tarot reader, you’re going to have a lot of questions
about how Tarot works, what Tarot is, and how you can get started reading Tarot
cards. Therefore, for this section of this guide, I’m going to give you the very basics of
Tarot.
From my experience as a full-time divination teacher, I know there are several

questions that potential Tarot readers have when they’re learning Tarot. Therefore, this
section is going to be formatted in a Q and A style, and it will answer all the questions
I know you’re just dying to ask.
“Can anyone read Tarot?”

YES! Anyone can read Tarot, especially if you have a strong interest in developing
your Tarot skills. However, I will say that not everyone wants to learn how to read Tarot.
You have to have some level of commitment and desire to read Tarot. So, if you feel as
page thr
though you’re committed and ache to learn Tarot, you’re good to go!
“Do you need to be psychic to read Tarot cards?”

I believe that everyone is psychic and anyone can develop their psychic abilities. To
read Tarot, you don’t have to consider yourself to be psychic – but just like all
creatures, you already are a little bit psychic!
That being said, you don’t have to have super strong psychic abilities to be able to
read Tarot. Believe it or not, Tarot will actually improve your psychic abilities! So, you
don’t have to worry too much about the strength of your psychic skills.
“Is Tarot dangerous or evil?”

No, Tarot is not dangerous or evil. I’ve never been possessed yet!
“Is it true that you can’t buy your own Tarot deck?”
No! This is another urban myth of Tarot. It’s not true that you shouldn’t buy your own
Tarot deck. In fact, the opposite is true.
It’s better if you do buy your own Tarot card deck. If you purchase your own deck, you
will instantly begin to form a bond with your deck and get used to its energy. It’s
much more desirable if you go out of your way to hunt down your own deck than
waiting on someone else to do it for you!
“Do I need any special equipment to be able to

read Tarot cards?”
No! To be able to read Tarot, all you need is a Tarot deck. There are some optional
extras you can pick up on the way including:
• Tarot Bags • Incense
• Wooden Storage Boxes • Crystals
• Tarot Mats • Journals
Keep in mind that all of the above items are all optional extras and are not required in
order to have a thriving Tarot practice.
If you’re going to invest in anything (other than your Tarot deck) I recommend that
page four
you purchase somewhere safe to store your deck and a journal so that you can record
your readings. Anything after that is in no way essential.
“Which Tarot deck should I buy?”

There are many different types of decks you can use for divination. There are Tarot
decks, Lenormand decks, Oracle decks, Kipper decks… the list goes on. Therefore, it
can sometimes be easy to purchase the
wrong type of deck accidentally.
For ease, I recommend that you purchase a

Rider-Waite-Smith (sometimes simply called
Rider-Waite) Tarot deck. This is a classic Tarot
deck that will get you familiar with the
structure of Tarot, get you used to the
symbolism of Tarot. It is just a good all-
around beginner’s deck. Then, in the future,
when you get more con dent, you can
expand your collection.
The reason why I recommend the Rider

Waite-Smith deck to begin with is because
there are some deck creators who have
fi

renamed certain elements of their decks (we will look at this in more detail later in this
guide). Obviously, this can be confusing, so if you’re just starting out, you should stick
to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck until you’re more con dent with reading Tarot. You can
buy a deck from Amazon or any reputable mind-body-spirit shop.
“What are reversals and should I use them?”
The Magician Upright The Magician Reversed
Reversals are the name given to Tarot cards that appear upside down. Readers who
read with reversals shuf e half of the cards with them upright and the other half with
page five
them reversed. They assign different meanings to the cards that appear upside down.
Usually, these meanings are negative (but not always).
It is not essential that you use reversals. In fact, I recommend that you don’t as they
can become confusing – and besides, you don’t honestly need them. That’s just my
opinion, but your readings will probably be better (and less confusing) without them.
“How should I care for my deck?”

There are no hard and fast rules for how you should care for your Tarot deck. There
are no ‘best’ ways, but I can give you a little bit of direction!
It’s best if you put your Tarot deck in its own special Tarot bag so that it doesn’t get
damaged. You can keep your deck in the box or you can decide to take it out.
A lot of older readers feel that your deck should be wrapped in pure silk, or that you
should try to obtain a silk Tarot bag. You don’t have to use silk, but this can add to the
‘special’ feeling of your cards.
Some readers opt to keep their deck in wooden Tarot boxes with crystals or ‘powerful’
herbs. If you’re into crystals, magic, and/or witchcraft, you may want to have a think
about what types of things you would like to store with your Tarot cards. However, this
isn’t essential (I currently don’t store anything at all with my cards).
fl

fi

Another point is that a lot of people like to ‘cleanse’ their decks after readings.
Usually, deck cleaning consists of passing your Tarot deck through some incense
smoke or leaving them out to ‘charge’ under the full moon. Cleaning your deck isn’t
essential (I prefer to let the energy in my decks build up), but it’s a practice that a lot
of Tarot readers like to do.
“Well, which deck practices do you recommend?”

One Tarot deck practice that I strongly recommend is to form a relationship with your
deck. I feel it’s very important to have a personal relationship with your cards – carry
them with you, sleep close by them, handle them often, and don’t let other people
play or read with them. Your deck should feel like yours and nobody else’s. Having a
bond with your deck will make your readings more accurate.
“What is shuf ing?”

In divination, the name given to the act of mixing your cards up is known as ‘shuf ing’.
You should shuf e your cards before you lay them out in a spread. Shuf ing will
randomize your cards.
“If I am reading someone else, should they be the
page six
person to shuf e?”
You may just be starting out with reading Tarot, but you probably have plans to one
day expand into reading other people. One question that comes up time and time
again with my students is this: who shuf es. Is it you (the diviner/reader), or is it the
person you’re reading for (the seeker)?
This comes down to personal preference. Personally, I don’t like other people
touching my cards, so I always shuf e the cards for the person I’m reading. However, I
know some very good readers who like the seeker to ask their question, shuf e the
cards, and then hand the cards over to the reader; the reader then lays them out and
interprets them. As I said, it’s purely about personal preference, but again, I don’t like
other people touching my cards.
“How do I know when I have shuf ed enough?”

There is no such thing as shuf ing too much, or not enough. You have to trust that the
right cards appear in the right position at the right time.
With that being said, some readers like to shuf e their decks a set number of times
before they lay their cards out in a reading. For example, you may decide to shuf e
fl
fl

fl

fl

fl

fl
fl
fl

fl
fl

fl
fl

your cards twelve times before laying out your reading.
If you’re a beginner, I recommend that you pick a number of times to shuf e for each
reading and stick to that number. Then, in the future when you feel more con dent,
you can stop shuf ing when you feel like it. As a general rule, if you’re getting bored
during the shuf ing process, your cards are shuf ed enough!
“What is the ‘top of the deck’?”

In a pile of cards, the top of the deck is the card with its back facing upwards.
page seven
For example, on this In this image, her right Finally, as you can see,
picture, the woman has hand (with the bracelet) the woman is correctly
her hand on the top is facing the bottom of pulling a card from the
card. The bottom card the deck. Her left hand top of the deck with her
in this deck is the one is touching the top of right hand in this
that touches the table. the deck. picture.
This information is important because you should pull your cards from the top of your
deck after shuf ing.
Some readers go through their deck, selecting cards at random. They may take a card
from the top, a card from the middle, a card from near the bottom, etc. I think doing
this causes confusion and can make you second-guess the accuracy of your readings.
Instead, you should always take your cards from the top of the deck - this will ensure
that you are not left wondering whether or not you have selected the ‘right’ card from
the ‘right’ place.
fl
fl

fl

fl

fl

fi

Tarot Structure
Tarot has a very speci c structure. Tarot’s structure is what separates true Tarot cards
from other methods of cartomancy, such as Oracle or Lenormand card reading.
There are 78 cards in a Tarot deck. Any less and you’re not working with a Tarot deck.
While some deck creators choose to create an extra card(s) and include them in their
deck, these extra cards are usually not used in Tarot readings. Tarot readers either
collect extra cards or use them as bookmarks.
Tarot decks consist of two different types of cards. These card types are known as the
Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. In Tarot, there are twenty-two Major Arcana cards
and fty-six Minor Arcana cards.
page eight
The Major Arcana re ect major life events. The Major Arcana speaks of – or predicts –
events that are hard to control because they’re the result of destiny or fate. Although
the situations of the Major Arcana can sometimes be avoided, it’s more challenging to
do so when compared to the Minor Arcana. However, don’t worry, as this can also
mean that destiny is on your side.
The Minor Arcana are more likely to re ect day-to-day events. Situations that are
predicted with the Minor Arcana are somewhat easier to control. That isn’t to say that
you can always avoid what will be revealed with the Minor Arcana, but it’s easier to do
so than it is with the Major Arcana.
Although you will have more control with the Minor Arcana cards, fate may not be
working for you as hard as it is if you have lots of Majors.
fi
fl
fi

fl

The Minor Arcana is further split into four suits, which are called Wands, Cups, Swords,
and Pentacles (sometimes called Coins). In the above graphic, the names of these
suits have been short handed to W, C, S, and P.
There are fourteen cards in each suit; the numbered cards, which are numbered from
Ace to Ten, and the Court cards, which are the Page, Knight, Queen, and King of the
page nine
suit. The numbered cards represent events and the Court cards represent people.
All of the cards can predict events, feelings, or situations in love, career, business,
health, and more. However, the meanings of the suits can generally be interpreted as:
• Wands represents energy • Swords represent trouble
• Cups represent love • Pentacles represent money
Finally, keep in mind that some modern deck creators have renamed certain deck
elements. In the Wild Unknown Tarot deck, for example, the Queens are called
Mothers, the Kings are named Fathers, the Knights are named Sons, and the Pages
are called the Daughters.
The renaming of elements in some decks is one of the reason why I feel you should
stick to a more traditional deck. In the future, you can branch out and try modern
decks when you become comfortable with Tarot.

Tarot Card Meanings
In Tarot decks, it is traditional for the cards to be numbered in Roman numerals,

even in more modern decks. Don’t worry – this is something you’ll get used to as
you become more familiar with Tarot.
Also, in some Tarot decks, Justice is numbered VIII (eight), and Strength is numbered
XI (eleven). This doesn’t really make any difference to the Tarot meanings.
0 - The Fool I - The Magician II - The High Priestess
page ten
You will leap into the This will be a time of Your psychic abilities are in
unknown. Have fun and manifestation where your development. You must
take risks. Keep in mind thoughts become things. use your intuition at this
that others may not take The Magician is usually a time as some information
this matter too seriously ‘yes’ for all questions is hidden from you
III - The Empress IV - The Emperor V - The Hierophant
This will be a time of You will nd yourself Tradition, religion, and

abundance. Pregnancy is a socialising with in uential belief will play a role in this
possibility. Be careful not people who can help with matter. The Hierophant is a
to ‘mother’ or suffocate this matter. Try not to be good card for predicting
those who do not need it too bossy or domineering marriage, baptisms, etc.
fi
fl

VI - The Lovers VII - The Chariot VIII - Strength
There will be mutual love You will be very Care and strength is
between two people. determined to succeed in required here. This matter
Someone will make a very this matter. Sometimes, will leave you shouldering
important decision that will The Chariot can predict a a lot of responsibility well
impact this matter desire for revenge into the future
IX - The Hermit X - The Wheel of Fortune XI - Justice
page eleven
You will feel lonely in the Your luck is beginning to Everyone involved in this
future. The Hermit predicts turn and good fortune is matter will get exactly what
that you will need to spend going to be on your side. they deserve. Justice can
time by yourself in order to The spirits of your also predict attendance to
process past events ancestors have your back court and legal issues
XII - The Hanged Man XIII - Death XIV - Temperance
If you’re waiting around This situation is going to Your ancestors are

now, you will still be come to a natural watching over you, giving
waiting around in the conclusion. Eventually, you daily guidance. In the
future. Sometimes, this your feelings will change future, you will nd peace
card predicts illnesses enabling you to move on with this matter
fi

XV - The Devil XVI - The Tower XVII - The Star
You will be manipulated by This matter is going to lead There is hope for this
something (or someone) in to catastrophe. Nothing matter. You will get what
the future. The bond you good will come of this path you want from life but you
have with this thing will be as it is doomed for may not get it exactly how
hard to break complete failure you expect
XVIII - The Moon XIX - The Sun XX - Judgement
page twelve
The future of this matter is You are going to be very This situation is going to
uncertain so you must take happy in the future. Expect transform you as a person.
it a day at a time. Be careful success. Any stress you’re Whether all goes well or
that you’re not only seeing currently experiencing will fails, all will turn out exactly
what you want to see be cleared up eventually how it is supposed to
XXI - The World Ace of Wands II of Wands
The world is a positive card A creative solution to this You will be in a partnership
predicting good results. problem will present itself. in the future. Although you
You may travel to far away You will be given the will be successful, your
places. This cycle will end opportunity to move a achievements will feel
and a new one will begin matter forward hollow

III of Wands IV of Wands V of Wands
In the future, you will work Your home will become You will have to ght for
as part of a team. Be your sanctuary. In the the things you want well
prepared to explore other future, you will live with into the future. This matter
possibilities, people, and your partner (if you do not is going to cause drama in
places already live together) your personal relationships
VI of Wands VII of Wands VIII of Wands
page thirt n
You may have to battle for Other people are going to Expect news regarding this
a job or relationship, but attack you because of your situation in the near future.
you will be victorious in the actions, thoughts and Are you waiting on
end. Your enemies will not feelings. Be prepared to someone contacting you?
outsmart you defend yourself You’ll hear from them soon
IX of Wands X of Wands Page of Wands
This situation is going to Your burdens will not ease. There is an enthusiastic
put you directly in harms This matter may be hard person who is going to
way. You are at risk of now, but it will become help you. They are a friend
sickness or injury. Remain even more challenging in who is fun to be around
alert and guard yourself the future and always on your side
ee
fi

Knight of Wands Queen of Wands King of Wands
Someone will rush into You will be focused on An individual with an

things without thinking of your friendships and not extreme personality will
the consequences. They work, love, or con ict. become a key feature in
will quickly breeze in and However, you will be your future. They have lots
out of your life feeling ambitious of hobbies and interests
Ace of Cups II of Cups III of Cups
page fourt n
In the future, you will Both your romantic You will attend lots of
experience the rst stages relationships and platonic parties in the future either
of love. Sometimes, this friendships are going to be solo or with someone else.
card can predict the birth perfect. You will nd your There will be reason to
of a baby ‘other half’ celebrate
IV of Cups V of Cups VI of Cups
You’re going to be bored A disconnection will You will return to a

with this situation in the impact this situation. There situation from your past.
future. You’re currently not is a break-up or separation Expect an ex-lover or ex-
exploring all options that in your future. This may or friend to come back into
are open to you may not be for a long time your life
ee
fi
fi
fl

VII of Cups VIII of Cups IX of Cups
You will not be able to This situation/person will Congratulations! All of

progress past this point never give you what you your wishes are going to
unless you make some want. Walking away is the be ful lled. You will get
tough decisions. Take only thing that will lead to everything you have ever
action now eventual happiness wanted
X of Cups Page of Cups Knight of Cups
page fift n
You will achieve your There is an emotional An alternative situation or
fairytale ending. Your person who can tip the person is going to present
family life, romances, and scales in this matter. This you with an opportunity. Is
friendships will bring you individual is empathetic to this person is too good to
contentment your cause - they like you be true?
Queen of Cups King of Cups Ace of Swords
You will be focused on A loving, empathic person Drama stemming from this
your romances and not will be a key player in your issue will arise in the future.
your career, friends, or future. This individual You will have to act
drama. Make sure the right prioritizes their family and forcefully if you want to
people have your loyalty romantic relationships claim your desires
fi
ee

II of Swords III of Swords IV of Swords
You’re going to be locked This situation is going to In the future, this situation
in a stalemate with cause you a lot of will come to a pause,
someone, unable to move emotional pain - expect giving you the time you
forward. Con icts will not heartache. In delity is a need to reevaluate your
be resolved strong possibility life. You need to rest
V of Swords VI of Swords VII of Swords
page sixt n
You will be defeated by a Travel is on the cards. You Beware of theft! Someone
competitor who will rub will explore new ground. will try to steal something
their victory in your fact. Alternatively, you will either from you. Or, will you be
This beating will leave you move on or move forward the person to steal from
feeling embarrassed from a situation them?
VIII of Swords IX of Swords X of Swords
You will be tied to a Anxiety and stress will A situation or relationship

situation, unable to move overwhelm you in the will end in complete ruin.
or escape. Feelings of future. Expect to You will feel ‘stab in the
restriction may be caused experience many sleepless back’ by people you
by your mindset nights thought you could trust
ee
fi
fl

Page of Swords Knight of Swords Queen of Swords
A sharp (and often nosey) Beware as there are You will be focused on
person is spying on you. aggressive, possibly even con ict. This situation will
They may cause trouble, so dangerous people leave you feeling hurt and
be mindful of what you involved in this situation. betrayed causing you to
share with others Avoid violence want to harm others
King of Swords Ace of Pentacles II of Pentacles
page sevent n
An intelligent but An opportunity is going to Money and time are going
emotionally detached present itself. You will start to be in low supply. You
person will be a key feature a new job or business. will have to carefully
in your future. He deals Expect to invest time or balance your work life with
with facts, not feelings money into this matter your personal life
III of Pentacles IV of Pentacles V of Pentacles
In the future, you will learn You (or someone in your Money is going to be tight.
how to better deal with this life) will hoard all of their Poverty is a strong
situation. You should learn resources. This person possibility. While this will
new skills from a course, does not want to share be dif cult, you will be in
mentor, or therapist their money or energy this situation with others
fl
fi
ee

VI of Pentacles VII of Pentacles VIII of Pentacles
People are going to freely All that you are working You are going to have
share their time, money, hard for now will pay off in mastery over this situation.
knowledge and resources the future. Soon, you will Other people will view you
with you. They may be enjoy the fruits of your as an expert and trust the
doing this out of obligation labor advice you give them
IX of Pentacles X of Pentacles Page of Pentacles
page eight n
Life is going to be You’re going to gain Someone will require the
abundant for you. Soon, wealth that will bene t time, money and attention
you will purchase a house, several generations of your of you or your lover. What
car or expensive family. You may enter or impact will this have on
decorations for your home start a family business your life and relationships?
Knight of Pentacles Queen of Pentacles King of Pentacles
You will be able to depend In the future, you will be A successful person with
on someone who is slow focused on your career, lots of resources will be
moving but always reliable. staying well away from part of your life in the
This person has a lot to drama. You will have an future. They are traditional
offer you abundance of time and often set in their ways
ee
fi

Tarot Card Meanings
Tarot cards are read in what is known as ‘spreads.’ Tarot spreads are layouts in which
you place your cards. The cards are then interpreted based on the traditional card
meaning and the spread position.
Spreads can be as small as two cards or as large as using the full Tarot deck. Some
spreads cover multiple life areas (love, career, health, etc.), while other spreads might
only be designed for one life area.
Spreads that read life areas and your future in general are known as ‘general’ spreads.
Although general spreads are rather popular, the most common Tarot spreads are
those that are designed for a speci c question or life area.
Before you lay out your spread, you should set your intention. For example, in your
head or out loud, ask, “What is going to happen with regard to X”? You should write
down your question before you perform your reading to help you cement your
question and so that you don’t second-guess what your question was about!
I recommend that before your readings, you ask your ancestral spirits for assistance.
page ninet n
Ask them to reveal to you all that you should know and to help you get the best
results possible. Again, this can be out loud or just in your head.
You can have a pre-reading ritual or just jump into your readings. However, I will say
that having some type of ritual can make your readings feel more special, important,
and powerful, so you should eventually develop one. Personally, I always burn
sandalwood incense or oils. I like sandalwood because it’s a sacred wood. I
recommend that you develop a ritual of your own. Setting your own Tarot ritual is
something I go over in The Tarot Immersion. Once you’ve gone through your ritual,
you can perform your reading.
While shuf ing your cards, you should think of the question that you want to know
more about. Keep the question rm in your mind as you shuf e and lay out your
cards.
Once you have performed your reading, it’s a good idea to record the results. I like to
photograph my readings on my phone. Most readers keep some kind of Tarot journal.
In your journal, you should record your goal for the reading, the spread, the date,
where you performed the reading, and any astrological information if you’re into
astrology.
I’ve included some journaling worksheets within this PDF that you can print off and
use during your Tarot practice.
fl
ee

fi

fi

fl

So, now that you know how to record your readings, let’s jump into a basic Tarot
spread! The Past, Present, Future Spread is the most basic Tarot spread. This spread
predicts (you guessed it) the past, present, and future of your life, or of a life area that
you would like to know more about (for example, your love life).
To perform this spread, you will perform your reading as previously instructed and
then lay your cards out from left to right. Here’s how the cards should be laid out:
1 2 3
The rst card (1) represents what has happened in the past with regards to this
situation. The second card (2) symbolizes the present, and the third card (3) predicts
what will happen in the future.
Now, let’s say our seeker, Melyssa, wishes to know the past, present, and future of her
page twenty
life in general. Here are her cards:
In the past, Melyssa has had a very hard time, especially when it comes to money.
Historically, she has not had a lot of resources. Financial lack was a major theme of her
past.
At present, Melyssa’s luck is beginning to turn. She is starting to see a change in her
fortune, and (because her past was not very rosy), the changes she is experiencing are
for the better.
Finally, in the future, things are looking good for Melyssa. It looks like she is going to
be nancially stable. She will pass items from one generation to the next.
Feel free to give this spread a go using the worksheets on the following page. You can
also design your own spread with the help of the second worksheet.
fi
fi

Past, Present, Future Spread
Date Time Location
Tools Used Spirits Petitioned Notable Astrology
The Past The Present The Future
Tarot Journal Worksheet

Drawing of Spread My Question
Date, Time & Day
Deck & Tools Used
My Interpretation
Tarot Dictionary
While I have given you all you need to know to begin reading Tarot, there will be
some words that creep up on you during your Tarot journey. Therefore, as an added
bonus, I’m giving you my ‘Tarot Dictionary’ below, which you can refer to if one of
these words pops up.
Before you read through this dictionary, I should point out that it’s not essential to
know these things if you want to read Tarot. However, I’m going to cover them here so
that, when you happen to come across them, you’ll be prepared!
Aleister Crowley: Aleister Crowley was an occultist who was active during the turn of
the 20th century until his death in 1947. Crowley founded the religion Thelema and
created The Book of Thoth Tarot deck.
Ancestral Work: For your Tarot readings, you can work with your ancestors just as
you would with spirit guides. I recommend ancestral work over other forms of spirit
work.
page twenty-thr
Arthur Waite: Arthur Waite (known as A.E. Waite) was an early member of The
Golden Dawn and the creator of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck.
Cartomancy: Cartomancy is the name given to divination using cards. Playing card
divination, Tarot, Lenormand, Oracle, and Kipper decks are all forms of cartomancy.
Celtic Cross: The Celtic Cross is a famous Tarot spread that’s often used by Tarot
readers. A Celtic Cross spread has either ten or eleven positions, depending on the
reader.
Charging (Deck): Some Tarot readers believe that leaving your deck under the full
moon or in a box with crystals charges the deck and makes it more powerful.
Coins: Coins is another name for the Pentacles suit.
Correspondences: Some Tarot readers believe that Tarot corresponds to aspects of

astrology, the Kabbalah, and even crystal healing. For example, The Emperor card is
associated with the zodiac sign Aries, while The Devil corresponds with Capricorn.
Crystals: Crystals are believed to attract certain things into your life. For example,
rose quartz is believed to attract love, while lapis lazuli is believed to increase psychic
development. Some Tarot readers keep crystals nearby to strengthen their readings.
Diviner: Diviner is the name for a person who practices divination, fortune-telling,
and/or seeks the advice and assistance of spirits during readings. It’s another name
for a reader or fortune-teller.
Etteilla Tarot: Etteilla is an old-fashioned method of reading Tarot with an Etteilla

deck and Etteilla meanings. While this is technically a Tarot deck (it has Wands, Cups,
Swords, and Coins suits), several of the Major cards are different, although many of
the card meanings are the same. If you’re new to Tarot, don’t worry about accidentally
purchasing an Etteilla deck and not a ‘normal’ Tarot deck; you have to be looking for
an Etteilla deck to nd one.
General Reading: A general reading is a Tarot reading that’s performed without a

speci c question. General readings look at the seeker’s life in general.
Golden Dawn: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was an occultic organization
that was devoted to the study of divination, magic, and the paranormal. They were
most active during the end of the 19th to the early 20th century. Their teachings
heavily in uenced Western Esotericism and, ultimately, Tarot.
Grade: In Tarot, a grade is similar to a suit, but it re ects the level of the Minor cards.
Aces, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, Sixes, Sevens, Eights, Nines, Tens, Pages, Knights,
Queens, and Kings are all of the different Tarot grades.
Illustrated: ‘Illustrated’ is another word for a scenic deck. Illustrated decks depict a
scene on the Minor Arcana cards.
page twenty-four
The Rider Waite Smith deck (on the left) is an
illustrated or ‘scenic’ deck. The image gives clues to
the meaning of the card.
By contrast, the Visconti Tarot (right) is unillustrated.

It’s Seven of Pentacles only depicts the coins.
Interpretation: In Tarot, the term ‘interpretation’ is often used interchangeably with

the term ‘meaning,’ but they are actually different. A card meaning is what the card
symbolizes on its own, but technically, an interpretation is what a card means when
the meaning is combined with the spread position. However, don’t stress too much
about this, as everyone uses the word ‘interpretation’ to mean a meaning, and it still
makes sense!
Journaling: A Tarot journal is like a Witch’s Book of Shadows but for Tarot. In your
Tarot journal, you can record your readings. When recording your readings, you can
include the date of the reading, the spread used, where the reading was performed,
the time of day, what your question was, which incense you burned, candles used,
spirit petitioned, your interpretation, the deck you used, any important astrological
information (for example, if you performed the reading doing a full moon) – pretty
much anything you feel makes a difference to the accuracy of your Tarot readings.
fi
fl

fi

fl

This Tarot For Beginner’s Guide includes printable worksheets that you can use in
your Tarot practice. Feel free to print this guide and use them!
Kabbalah: The Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish magical religion. Many Tarot readers
believe that the Majors in a Tarot deck are based on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
Kipper: Kipper is a German method of cartomancy. A Kipper deck includes thirty-six

cards and depicts matters of life; for example, there are Marriage and Illness cards.
Kipper is a different system from Tarot, and it is not essential to read Kipper to read
Tarot, but it’s good to know that they’re different.
Layout: A layout is another name for a spread, but ‘spread’ is more common.
Lenormand: Lenormand is another method of cartomancy. Lenormand uses thirty-six

cards and depicts symbols with special meanings such as Clover, Snake, and Ring. It is
believed by historians that Lenormand evolved from tea leaf divination. Although
there are some cards with similar names as some Tarot cards (e.g. Tower, Stars, Moon,
Sun), they are not the same thing, and you don’t need to know Lenormand to read
Tarot.
Majors: It is typical of Tarot readers to shorthand the name ‘Major Arcana’ to just
page twenty-five
‘Majors.’
Minors: It is typical of Tarot readers to shorthand the name ‘Minor Arcana’ to just
‘Minors.’
Negatives: When Tarot readers say that a reading looks negative, they mean that the
outcome doesn’t look good and that the spread in general includes lots of cards that
are not all sunshine and rainbows. Some spreads have positions that symbolize the
negatives in a situation
Non-Scenic Deck: When readers talk about a non-scenic deck, they are referring to
decks that do not depict a scene on the Minor Arcana. So, instead of the Five of
Wands showing people ghting, on non-scenic decks, it would only depict ve wands
with no other image giving clues to the card’s meaning.
Numerology: Some people assign magical meanings to numbers. For example, the
number one represents beginnings, while the number ten symbolizes completions.
This practice is known as numerology. Most numerologists assign special signi cance
to cards based on their understanding of numerology.
Oracle Cards: Oracle cards are cards that give holistic or self-help advice. No two
Oracle decks are the same. Oracle cards are not the same as Tarot cards, but they’re
just as popular in terms of the number of people who use them.
Outcome: In Tarot spreads, the ‘outcome’ position is generally another word for the
future.
fi

fi

fi

Pamela Colman Smith: Pamela Colman Smith was the artist who was commissioned
by Waite to create the Rider-Waite-Smith deck under his instruction.
Pip: Traditionally, the ‘pip’ cards are the Minor Arcana cards, which are numbered
from Ace to Ten. The Court cards are not pip cards. However, sometimes ‘pip decks’ is
another name for non-scenic Tarot decks. In modern times, the term ‘pip’ isn’t usually
used to describe non-scenic decks or cards, as the term has fallen out of fashion.
Positives: When Tarot readers say that a reading looks positive, they mean that the
outcome looks good and that the spread in general includes lots of cards that are
favorable. Some spreads have positions that symbolize the positives in a situation.
Prince/Princess: Some modern decks have replaced the Knights with the Princes and
the Pages with the Princesses. This is not the industry standard, but it’s becoming
more common. I recommend that you use a Rider-Waite deck, as this renaming can
be confusing.
Querent: The querent is another word for the seeker. The querent or seeker is the
person who is getting the reading. If you are reading your own fortune using your
Tarot cards, you are both the reader/diviner and the seeker/querent.
Reversal: A reversal is a Tarot card that lands upside down; these cards have special
page twenty-six
meanings, which are usually more negative than when cards appear upright. Tarot
readers who use and read reversals intentionally reverse half of their Tarot deck when
performing readings. Just over 20% of Tarot readers use reversals, but they are not
essential, and I recommend that you don’t use them.
Rider-Waite-Smith: The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck is a scenic deck that was

designed in the early 20th century by Arthur Waite and painted by Pamela Colman
Smith. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the most widely used Tarot deck, and many
modern decks are based on the scenes depicted in the Rider-Waite-Smith version.
Rods: ‘Rods’ is another name for the Wands suit.
Scenic Deck: A Tarot deck is considered scenic when the Minor Arcana cards depict a
scene, not just two Pentacles, ve Swords, or ten Cups. The scenes displayed on
scenic decks match the card’s interpretation. For example, the Two of Cups depicts
two lovers because the card predicts good relationships.
Seeker: The seeker is the person who is getting the reading from the reader. If you
are reading cards for yourself, you will be both the seeker and the reader.
Self-Published Tarot Deck: A Tarot deck is self-published when the creator publishes
it themselves without a contract from a major deck creator. Often, these decks are
crowd-funded through Kickstarter or Indigogo, but not always.
Signi cator: In Tarot, the signi cator card is a card (usually a Court card) that’s pulled
fi

fi
fi

out of a Tarot deck before the reading and placed on the table. This card does not
come up randomly; the reader must go through the deck, nd the card they are
looking for, and remove it from the deck.
The signi cator card represents the seeker and is usually selected based on their
appearance, question, or astrology (different readers have different systems of
selecting signi cators). You do not have to use signi cators, and the use of this
technique has fallen somewhat out of fashion. The vast majority of Tarot readers do
not use them, and many readers don’t even know what signi cators are.
Signi er: A signi er is another name for a signi cator.
Smudging: Smudging is the process of cleaning and clearing an area before or after
a reading with the use of smoke. Not all people who smudge are Tarot readers, and
not all Tarot readers smudge, but many do as part of their pre or post-reading rituals.
Spirit Guides: Spirit guides are guides that the reader feels helps them with their
readings. Spirit guides can be ancestors, people who once lived on earth, gods,
goddesses, mythical beings, animal spirits, or any spirit that is supernatural in nature.
Spread: A spread is a design for the way in which you lay out Tarot cards. Each spread
page twenty-seven
has particular positions that affect the meanings of the cards.
Suit: The Minor Arcana of Tarot is separated into four sections called the suits. In
Tarot, there are four suits: Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles.
Tarot De Marseilles: Sometimes called the Tarot of Marseilles, the Tarot De Marseilles
is a non-scenic Tarot deck that has been in circulation since the 1400s. Although there
were other Tarot decks around at the time, the structure of the modern Tarot has been
taken from the Tarot of Marseilles.
Tarot Ethics: Most Tarot readers develop their own code of ethics for their Tarot
readings. For example, some readers will not read people who are not present, but
some will. Some readers will not read pregnant women, but some will. What your
ethics are depends on your personal preferences and what you value as a reader.
Thoth Tarot: The Thoth Tarot is a deck that was created by the occultist Aleister
Crowley. The Thoth Tarot re ects aspects of Crowley’s religion, Thelma.
Trumps: Trumps is another name for the Major Arcana cards of the Tarot.
Unillustrated: ‘Unillustrated’ is another name for a non-scenic Tarot deck.
Visconti-Sforza Tarot: Most commonly called the Visconti Tarot deck, the Visconti-
Sforza Tarot deck is the oldest surviving Tarot deck. It is an unillustrated Tarot card
deck.
fi

fi
fi
fi
fl

fi

fi
fi

fi

Learn More!
Congratulations! You now know everything you need to

know in order to perform Tarot readings.
Now, it’s time to attend a more advanced training…
I’ve taught thousands of students how they can become con dent Tarot readers. This
beginner’s PDF is just the rst step – there’s so much more to discover.
page twenty-eight
The Tarot Course is not your run-of-the-mill Tarot training. This course contains all of
the elements you need to perform con dent, detail-orientated Tarot readings.
Claim your spot here:
Find Out More!
fi
fi

fi

Tarot For Beginners by Lisa Boswell

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Tarot For Beginners by Lisa Boswell

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Tarot For Beginners

My name is Lisa Boswell, and I specialize in teaching

I have been reading Tarot ever since I was 7 years old. I

• Read Tarot for yourself or others

• Predict whether or not something is likely to work out

• Get advice on how to overcome your issues

• Make better choices

I look forward to further assisting you during this adventure.

From my experience as a full-time divination teacher, I know there are several

“Can anyone read Tarot?”

“Do you need to be psychic to read Tarot cards?”

“Is Tarot dangerous or evil?”

“Do I need any special equipment to be able to

• Tarot Bags • Incense

• Wooden Storage Boxes • Crystals

• Tarot Mats • Journals

“Which Tarot deck should I buy?”

For ease, I recommend that you purchase a

The reason why I recommend the Rider

“What are reversals and should I use them?”

The Magician Upright The Magician Reversed

“How should I care for my deck?”

“Well, which deck practices do you recommend?”

“What is shuf ing?”

“If I am reading someone else, should they be the

“How do I know when I have shuf ed enough?”

your cards twelve times before laying out your reading.

“What is the ‘top of the deck’?”

• Wands represents energy • Swords represent trouble

• Cups represent love • Pentacles represent money

Tarot Card Meanings

In Tarot decks, it is traditional for the cards to be numbered in Roman numerals,

0 - The Fool I - The Magician II - The High Priestess

III - The Empress IV - The Emperor V - The Hierophant

This will be a time of You will nd yourself Tradition, religion, and

VI - The Lovers VII - The Chariot VIII - Strength

IX - The Hermit X - The Wheel of Fortune XI - Justice

XII - The Hanged Man XIII - Death XIV - Temperance

If you’re waiting around This situation is going to Your ancestors are

XV - The Devil XVI - The Tower XVII - The Star

XVIII - The Moon XIX - The Sun XX - Judgement

XXI - The World Ace of Wands II of Wands

III of Wands IV of Wands V of Wands

VI of Wands VII of Wands VIII of Wands

IX of Wands X of Wands Page of Wands

Knight of Wands Queen of Wands King of Wands

Someone will rush into You will be focused on An individual with an

Ace of Cups II of Cups III of Cups

IV of Cups V of Cups VI of Cups

You’re going to be bored A disconnection will You will return to a

VII of Cups VIII of Cups IX of Cups

You will not be able to This situation/person will Congratulations! All of

X of Cups Page of Cups Knight of Cups

Queen of Cups King of Cups Ace of Swords

II of Swords III of Swords IV of Swords

V of Swords VI of Swords VII of Swords

VIII of Swords IX of Swords X of Swords

You will be tied to a Anxiety and stress will A situation or relationship

Page of Swords Knight of Swords Queen of Swords

King of Swords Ace of Pentacles II of Pentacles

III of Pentacles IV of Pentacles V of Pentacles

VI of Pentacles VII of Pentacles VIII of Pentacles

IX of Pentacles X of Pentacles Page of Pentacles