Getting Started with Tarot (the "Aese Way")

Originally published May 8, 2025, on Ko-Fi.

This post requires a disclaimer: These steps, suggestions, warnings, and bits of advice are based largely on personal experience. Tarot and other forms of divination are extremely diverse practices. Please do not take this post as a definitive work or point of authority. You should read widely, study your own cards, do the work of practicing with divination, and think about your wants and needs on your own before wholly subscribing to any method.

Okay, disclaimer done! Let's talk tarot.

When you're just getting into tarot for divination purposes, it's really daunting. 78 cards to memorize -- and then you have to memorize them upside-down? And then you have to figure out how they fit together when they're drawn. And then there's the task of making it make sense. There's a lot to learn and a lot of sources to draw from, often with different or conflicting advice.

I get questions from time to time about how to get started or how to get better, so here you are: my hat in the ring with ideas to get you started reading tarot.

I'm dividing this post up into sections that represent steps to dipping your toes into tarot reading. This is an extremely basic overview for total beginners.

Step 1: Picking a Deck

First things first, you gotta pick your tool. Digital decks or tarot apps are fine to use if you don't have the money for a physical deck, but I would suggest avoiding their generative AI features. You want to learn and think for yourself, not rely on a bot to do your thinking for you.

My suggestion is to choose a deck that you think you'd like to use. You're going to be looking at this thing a lot, so it's important that you're not forcing yourself to use a deck you dislike. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is a classic; a lot of sites and posts you find online use it as the primary reference for their guides. For your first deck, I'd probably suggest going with something that isn't super abstract. I would also personally suggest getting a deck with full art on all cards, not what's called a pip deck (a deck where the Minor Arcana cards just have a representation of the suit, sort of like a deck of playing cards).

Basically, pick one that you like and that makes sense to you, art-wise. It doesn't have to be purchased for you unless that's a tradition you want to adhere to. It's not universal.

Step 2: Pull 'Em Out and Look at 'Em

What you're going to do is sit down in front of a flat surface with a notebook and writing implement (or your preferred writing program, or a loose piece of paper, or whatever). Pull the deck out of its box. The deck will probably come with a booklet, which is sometimes referred to as a "little white book" or "LWB." Give it a skim if you want, but otherwise, set the booklet aside.

Don't shuffle or mix the cards up yet. Flip them over and get a good look at the art. Just kind of admire them for a minute and get a basic gist of their style and themes.

Once you get to the end, do it again, this time slower. In your notebook, jot down the name of the card and your immediate thoughts. Observations about the card's art, the figures in it, features in the background, the way it makes you feel, that sort of thing. You're not doing analysis at this point, you're getting a first impression of the cards.

Once you get to the end, do it again, this time even slower. Now, analyze. Think about color theory: Why is the sky yellow, why is this figure's hair black, why are those flowers red? What could the symbolism mean? If there are actual symbols, what do they mean? Look them up if you need to or jot them down for future research. Consider where your eye is drawn on the art and why. What do you think the figures could represent? This is where you're analyzing the card's art. Really take your time here. Do it in several sessions if you have to.

You're attempting to guess the meaning of the card, yes, but you're also applying your personal experiences to the card in front of you. In doing this, you're already creating your own unique lens through which you will eventually divine from these cards.

It's extremely cool.

Okay, so now, you've got your upright card meanings… now, do all of these steps upside down. You can do this at the same time as the upright meanings or do it afterwards. Either is fine based on your preferences. I don't think it makes much of a difference.

After you've got your analysis all written out, now go look at the book. Compare your notes to the "official" meanings. If something is different, consider why that is. Did you misinterpret the art, or do you just have a different perspective? It's up to you whether you want to use the booklet's definitions or your own -- or blend them together into a beautiful combination.

I am strictly anti-memorization when it comes to tarot cards. I'm of the opinion that you get a more powerful understanding within a reading when you're interpreting the art in front of you with your own mind rather than someone else's definitions of what "should" be correct. Plus, using this method means you don't have to feel bad about forgetting the "official" meaning of a card. It gives more flexibility to the reader to interpret, which does have its downsides (twisting meanings to a desired outcome being the foremost issue).

Of course, this is entirely subjective. I've met diviners who do excellent work by reading directly from their decks' booklets, so your mileage may vary.

Additional reading: This excellent post by @windvexer answering a question about memorizing card meanings and an alternate method for learning them.

Step 3: Blending Multiple Cards' Meanings

Okay, so you've got your deck -- check. You've done your analysis of each card -- check.

Now, sit down with your deck and notes, and draw pairs or trios. Take note of their individual meanings. Consider what the cards have in common and how they oppose each other. How are they interacting?

If two cards have similar meanings, it could be a harmonious pairing that strengthens that particular meaning. And if that's the case, does that aspect of the cards overshadow everything else the cards could mean? Or are there additional meanings in the background?

On the other hand, if the cards are strong opposites, it suggests conflict between the two, or perhaps an imbalance between their aspects. Does one card seem to dominate over the other, or are they in a stalemate? For example, a Major Arcana card typically "feels" stronger than a Minor Arcana card, and it may overshadow the Minor's meaning; whereas two Major Arcana cards would typically be an "even match," so to speak.

A pair could match well in one way but conflict in another; it's important to think in layers, too. Consider the different ways the cards fit together -- your first impression probably isn't the only possibility.

Repeat this a handful of times until it starts feeling natural.

Step 4: Asking Questions

As it does start feeling natural, try sprinkling in questions. This is where you're going to start applying those card meanings to material situations.

Go for things you'll be able to answer in a short period of time or even immediately. I would strongly suggest writing down all of your tarot readings, including and especially the ones that end up being incorrect. Jot down the cards you drew, what their assigned meanings are, and how they could apply to the situation at hand. Make a prediction if you're feeling bold.

A personal favorite is drawing a couple cards before watching a movie -- avoid all spoilers and go in without prior knowledge, do a quick reading about how the story will develop or even end, and then enjoy the movie. Come back to the reading to see what you got right, what you got wrong, and what you may have misinterpreted with hindsight. Write down those thoughts, too; they're important.

Don't worry if the meanings of the cards shift or morph as you practice. That's normal!

If you find that your answers are routinely incorrect or that you're consistently misinterpreting cards, that's also normal when you're getting started. Consider this ask I answered awhile ago about being wrong in divination. I also wrote a post about troubleshooting divination that might come in handy, but the gist is to consider:

Are you anticipating a particular answer before you draw cards?: Personal feelings, hopes for a particular answer, and fears surrounding a situation can skew your reading results. This happens to even experienced diviners! Don't be discouraged about it. Take note of your biases before drawing the cards and then account for them in the reading -- and learn when to ask someone else for a reading if it turns out you're just too close to get an accurate answer.
Is the question you're asking phrased well? (For example, are you asking a yes/no question when an open-ended question would do better?): Learning how to phrase a question for divination is, in my opinion, just as important as learning card meanings. Some tools aren't suited for certain types of questions. And, remember, watch your phrasing when it comes to fishing for answers. You're likely to get the answer you're looking for, not the one that's truest.
Are you struggling to apply cards' assigned meanings to the situation at hand?: This is, I think, the hardest part to learn. Especially when a card doesn't seem to match the question at all! Part of the issue may be getting too specific or fishing for answers with your questions; be a little more general and see if it helps while you're practicing. If this is a consistent problem, I would suggest returning to your notes. Jot down categories of questions like "love," "career," "knowledge," "happiness," "barriers," and anything else that comes to mind. Write out how each card might apply in each category, and don't skip any -- especially the ones that don't "match."
Are you struggling to get into the "right headspace" for divination?: Try moving to a new location. Light some candles or incense if you like them. Set out a nice cloth. Have a cup of tea. Do a little incantation to set the mood. Sometimes, a little theatricality is all you need. Check in with yourself about your physical and emotional needs, too: Are you hungry, tired, thirsty, upset? Prep for divination by doing a little self care and see if it helps.

Step 5: Practice with Others

You've done some questions for yourself, divined about movies and TV shows, done a little troubleshooting, and you're feeling more confident about the card meanings! Now, take what you know and ask someone else if they'd let you practice on them.

This can be a really daunting thing. I mean, what if you're wrong?? What do you do then??? First of all, no one gets angry at a beginner for being off unless you're pretending to be all-knowing and perfectly accurate (don't do that). Second of all, if they do get angry, they're the asshole here, not you.

I would suggest reading for either people you know and trust or within a community of people who are also diviners/magical practitioners. Ideally both! Discord servers are really good for this sort of thing. Or, if you prefer, you can make a post on your social media/forum of choice asking for guinea pigs.

The key here is to be honest about being a beginner and wanting practice. Ask for feedback. Some folks require it, but that's a personal preference. Do them as publicly-posted asks or in DMs, whichever is most comfortable.

Set rules. Decide what kinds of questions you will and won't answer. Make your boundaries clear and then enforce them. Ideally, choose questions you've practiced with already or go for general readings, at least at first. Branch out as you get more comfortable.

When you ask for feedback, make sure your querents know they're allowed to say negative things about the reading. They should say whether something was wrong, didn't make sense, didn't apply, or could be improved somehow. Take praise with humility and critique with grace. It's part of getting better.

If you're not sure how to put a practice request out into the world, see what others are doing. Check out experienced diviners' posts offering readings. Heck, look at other beginners'. Read through their rules. See how they do their readings. Don't lift their style or their words wholesale, but it's okay to borrow aspects you find appealing or that you think would suit you. Be inspired.

Step 6: Keep Doing It

Tarot is like any other skill. To get good at it, you have to practice. You have to stretch your muscles. It's not enough to just think about it or wish you could be better at it. You have to pick up the cards and draw them.

Over time, you'll develop a style that's unique to you. You'll discover your strengths and how to leverage them to the best possible result. You'll learn your weaknesses and how to account for or improve them.

Remember that your style of divination doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Keep practicing, take notes, learn from your mistakes. And then, y'know, keep doing it.

Step X: Caveats

A list of caveats, disclaimers, and reminders, because there's nuance in them there hills:

You do not ever have to read for other people if you don't want to.
Anyone can learn tarot. You do not have to have a "gift" to learn how to read tarot cards or perform other divination.
On the other hand, some people will have an easier time learning tarot than others. It's the same as having an affinity for math or reading quickly without effort or having a naturally muscular physique. If you have a natural inclination for tarot, that's wonderful! Don't let it go to your head.
And on one more hand, there are some people who will never "master" tarot. For some folks, it just doesn't mesh. To them, I suggest trying different tools. If tarot doesn't work for whatever reason and you really want a divination tool, try runes, pendulums, scrying, playing cards, casting lots, bone throwing… There are tons of tools and methods out there. Tarot is popular, but it doesn't have to be for everyone.
Some folks read clearly for themselves and not others. Some folks read clearly for others but not themselves. You'll have to practice to see which you are.
My method is very thorough, meticulous, and most certainly not for everyone. You may find more success in memorizing the guidebook that came with your deck than interpreting the art without it. Do what works for you, etc., so on, so forth
The most required disclaimer to this entire thing is that I learned tarot with a spirit's assistance. I used a version of these steps while I was learning, but it was a very different experience. It was a deal that I made when I was ~19 years old and definitely didn't understand what I was getting into. Asking for help from spirits, especially ones you know already, is both enriching and convenient. Consider it as an option, just… y'know, maybe no pacts until you know what you're getting into. Or do what you want, I'm not your dad.

Step Shilling: Shilling

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Thanks for reading! Extra thoughts and questions are always welcome in the comments below or in my askbox over on Tumblr.