Tarot cards have fascinated people for centuries. Often misunderstood as simple fortune-telling tools, tarot is actually a symbolic system used for insight, reflection, and guidance. Learning how to read tarot cards is not about memorizing meanings alone—it’s about understanding symbols, intuition, and the story that unfolds during a reading.
This guide explains where tarot comes from, how tarot readings work, what makes them accurate, and how beginners can start reading tarot cards with confidence.
A Brief History of Tarot Cards
Tarot cards originated in 15th-century Italy, where they were first used as playing cards. Some historians believe tarot evolved from games involving suits like coins, cups, swords, and wands, while others trace symbolic influences back to ancient Egypt and early occult traditions.
Tarot remained relatively obscure until the invention of the printing press, which allowed decks to spread across Europe. Over time, tarot shifted from a game into a symbolic system used for spiritual insight and self-reflection.
Today, tarot is valued less for its origin story and more for its ability to cut through emotional confusion and reveal underlying truths.
What Is Tarot, Really?
Tarot is a symbolic language. A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into:
- Major Arcana (22 cards): Life lessons, major events, spiritual themes
- Minor Arcana (56 cards): Day-to-day situations, emotions, challenges, actions
The cards themselves are not magical. Instead, they act as visual triggers that help the reader interpret patterns, emotions, and possibilities related to a person’s life.
How Accurate Are Tarot Readings?
A common question is: How accurate are tarot readings?
The accuracy of a tarot reading depends on:
- The reader’s experience and intuition
- Your openness and engagement
- The quality of interpretation, not prediction
Whether the reading happens online or in person doesn’t change its potential effectiveness. Many people find online tarot readings just as insightful—sometimes even more so—because the distance allows them to relax and open up without pressure.
Tarot does not offer fixed outcomes. Instead, it reflects current energy and possible paths, which can change based on choices and actions.
How Do Tarot Readings Work?
A tarot reading—online or in person—follows a similar structure:
- You focus on a question or situation
- The reader shuffles a deck of 78 cards
- Cards are drawn using a specific spread
- The reader interprets:
- Card symbolism
- Card positions
- Emotional and intuitive impressions
Thanks to chat, phone, video, and tarot apps, tarot readings can now be done from anywhere.
Common Tarot Spreads
Some of the most common tarot spreads include:
🔮 One-Card Pull
Quick insight or daily guidance.
🔮 Three-Card Spread
Often represents past, present, future or situation, challenge, advice.
🔮 Five-Card Spread
Used for deeper questions, timelines, or yes/no clarification.
Different readers use different spreads based on their style and the question being asked.
The Role of Intuition in Tarot Reading
Tarot reading is rarely done without intuition. Most tarot readers combine the cards with other intuitive abilities, such as:
- Empathy: sensing emotional energy
- Clairvoyance: visual impressions
- Clairaudience: hearing symbolic sounds or messages
- Clairsentience: physical or emotional sensations
For example, when a card like The Star appears, a reader may associate it not only with hope and healing but also with emotional sensations or intuitive signals that add depth to the message.
This is why every tarot reading feels unique—even when the same cards appear.
Choosing a Tarot Deck
There are hundreds of tarot decks available today. While some readers prefer decks passed down through generations, others enjoy experimenting with new designs.
For beginners, the Rider-Waite Tarot deck is the most recommended because:
- Its imagery is clear and symbolic
- Most tarot meanings are based on this deck
- It’s widely used by professionals
Other popular decks include the Golden Tarot and modern illustrated decks, but learning one system well is more important than owning many decks.
Can You Learn to Read Tarot Yourself?
Yes—but it takes practice.
Buying a tarot deck and learning basic spreads is a great starting point. However, tarot cards don’t provide answers on their own. They facilitate insight, not dictate truth.
To improve your tarot skills:
- Practice regularly
- Keep a tarot journal
- Read symbolism, not just keywords
- Trust intuition over memorization
Reading tarot is an art, not a formula.
Why Tarot Works for Love, Career, and Life Questions
Tarot is especially effective in situations where emotions, uncertainty, or multiple paths are involved. Common questions include:
- Will my ex come back?
- What does this person feel about me?
- What should I focus on right now?
- What’s blocking my progress?
- What path leads to growth?
Tarot doesn’t tell you what will happen—it helps you understand what’s happening now and how it might evolve.
What Makes a Great Tarot Reading?
A meaningful tarot reading depends on:
- A strong reader–client connection
- Openness and honesty
- Clear intention
- Willingness to reflect
Tarot works best when approached as a conversation, not a command. The reader acts as a guide, and the cards act as symbols that reveal your story—one card at a time.
🔮 Best Websites for Online Tarot Readings
| Website | Formats | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oranum | Chat, video & live streams | Free live tarot streams, real-time video sessions | Watching tarot readers in action and asking questions live |
| Kasamba | Chat & email | Large selection of tarot readers, free intro minutes | Detailed text-based tarot readings |
| Keen | Chat & call | Filters by price, rating, and tarot experience | Structured tarot sessions and advisor comparison |
| MysticSense | Chat, phone, video | Advisor badges, filters, easy search | Flexible tarot consultations with video and chat |
| PsychicBook | Chat only | Focused chat-based tarot readings, clear profiles | Private, written tarot guidance and beginner-friendly sessions |
🪄 Why These Tarot Sites Are Included
🌀 Oranum
Oranum stands out for offering free live tarot streams, allowing users to watch tarot readers in real time and participate in chat discussions.
It’s ideal for users who want to observe a reader’s style before booking a paid session or experience tarot in a live setting.
🔮 Kasamba
Kasamba features many tarot readers with detailed profiles and user reviews.
New users can often receive 3 free minutes plus a 50% discount on their first paid session.
This platform is well suited for those who want in-depth written tarot interpretations.
🔍 Keen
Keen offers a large pool of tarot specialists with filters for price, rating, and experience.
Users can choose between chat and phone readings, making it a strong option for those who prefer a structured search process.
✨ MysticSense
MysticSense combines chat, phone, and video tarot readings.
Advisor badges and highlighted specialties make it easier to find a suitable tarot reader.
It’s a good choice for users who want flexible communication formats.
🔮 PsychicBook
PsychicBook focuses exclusively on chat-based tarot readings, creating a private and distraction-free experience.
With clear advisor profiles and an easy-to-use interface, it’s especially appealing to beginners and users who prefer written tarot guidance they can revisit later.
📌 Quick Tips for Choosing a Tarot Website
- Want to watch tarot in action? → Oranum
- Prefer written tarot readings with reviews? → Kasamba or PsychicBook
- Want to talk to a tarot reader by phone? → Keen or MysticSense
🧠 How to Choose a Tarot Site Based on Your Needs
📍 By Communication Type
- Video readings: Oranum, MysticSense
- Text-based messages: Kasamba, PsychicBook
- Phone & chat: Keen
📍 By Budget
- Affordable first sessions: Kasamba, PsychicBook
- Flexible pricing filters: Keen
📍 By Experience Level
- Beginners (with clear reviews): Kasamba, MysticSense, PsychicBook
- Deeper or live interpretations: Oranum
Tarot Card Meanings Table
Major Arcana
| Card | Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The Star | Hope, healing | Loss of faith |
| The Moon | Dreams, illusion | Avoidance, denial |
| The Sun | Clarity, optimism | Confusion, pessimism |
| Judgement | Awakening, acceptance | Self-doubt |
| The World | Completion, success | Delays, unfinished business |
| Death | Transformation, release | Resistance to change |
| Temperance | Harmony, balance | Imbalance, impatience |
| The Devil | Attachment, addiction | Freedom, release |
| The Tower | Sudden change | Fear of letting go |
| The Lovers | Union, connection | Disharmony |
| The Chariot | Momentum, determination | Stagnation |
| Strength | Courage, endurance | Insecurity |
| The Hermit | Inner wisdom | Isolation |
| Wheel of Fortune | Cycles, change | Delays |
| Justice | Truth, balance | Unfairness |
| The Fool | New beginning | Fear of change |
| The Magician | Manifestation | Disconnection |
| The High Priestess | Intuition | Ignoring inner voice |
| The Empress | Love, creativity | Creative block |
| The Emperor | Authority, power | Powerlessness |
| The Hierophant | Tradition, teacher | Rigidity |
Suit of Wands
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Inspiration | Doubt |
| Two | Planning | Lack of direction |
| Three | Growth | Delay |
| Four | Celebration | Returning to joy |
| Five | Competition | Conflict resolution |
| Six | Victory | Delayed success |
| Seven | Defense | Giving up |
| Eight | Fast movement | Slowing down |
| Nine | Persistence | Burnout |
| Ten | Burden | Exhaustion |
| Page | Adventure | Impulsiveness |
| Knight | Passion | Hesitation |
| Queen | Confidence | Creative block |
| King | Leadership | Abuse of power |
Suit of Cups
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | New love | Emotional exhaustion |
| Two | Partnership | Separation |
| Three | Celebration | Overindulgence |
| Four | Apathy | Emotional withdrawal |
| Five | Grief | Healing |
| Six | Nostalgia | Living in the past |
| Seven | Choices | Illusion |
| Eight | Moving on | Avoidance |
| Nine | Fulfillment | Excess |
| Ten | Happiness | Disharmony |
| Page | Emotional openness | Immaturity |
| Knight | Romance | Disappointment |
| Queen | Compassion | Emotional distance |
| King | Emotional balance | Boundary issues |
Suit of Swords
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Clarity | Confusion |
| Two | Indecision | Manipulation |
| Three | Heartbreak | Healing |
| Four | Rest | Anxiety |
| Five | Conflict | Resolution |
| Six | Healing journey | Stagnation |
| Seven | Strategy | Paranoia |
| Eight | Restriction | Liberation |
| Nine | Anxiety | Despair |
| Ten | Ending | Resistance |
| Page | Curiosity | Gossip |
| Knight | Truth-seeking | Aggression |
| Queen | Honesty | Criticism |
| King | Authority | Control |
Suit of Pentacles
| Card | Upright | Reversed |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | Opportunity | Scarcity |
| Two | Balance | Overload |
| Three | Collaboration | Burnout |
| Four | Security | Materialism |
| Five | Lack | Avoidance |
| Six | Generosity | Conditional giving |
| Seven | Patience | Impatience |
| Eight | Hard work | Exhaustion |
| Nine | Independence | Greed |
| Ten | Legacy | Loss |
| Page | Growth | No plan |
| Knight | Stability | Stagnation |
| Queen | Nurturing | Self-interest |
| King | Abundance | Arrogance |
Final Thoughts: Learning to Read Tarot Cards
Reading tarot cards is about connection, symbolism, and awareness. The cards are tools, not answers themselves. They help reveal patterns, emotions, and choices that already exist within you.
Whether you’re learning tarot for yourself or seeking guidance from an experienced reader, the process is deeply personal. With practice, patience, and an open mind, tarot becomes less about prediction and more about clarity, empowerment, and self-understanding.
