A Beginner's Guide to Tarot Reading
Everything you need to know to start your tarot journey, from choosing your first deck to performing your first reading.
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Beginners
Free Interactive Tarot Card Meanings Guide
Welcome to the most comprehensive free tarot card meanings resource available online. Our interactive tool allows you to explore all 78 tarot cards with in-depth interpretations covering upright and reversed positions, symbolic imagery, and practical applications for love, career, and personal growth.
Whether you are a complete beginner curious about tarot or an experienced reader seeking to deepen your understanding, this guide offers the detailed insights you need. Use our daily card feature to receive personalized guidance, search for specific cards, or browse through the Major and Minor Arcana at your own pace. Each card entry has been carefully researched to provide accurate, meaningful interpretations that respect tarot's rich tradition while remaining accessible to modern seekers.
Discover the Wisdom of Tarot
Explore the meanings of all 78 tarot cards. From the mystical Major Arcana to the insightful Minor Arcana, unlock the ancient wisdom that guides your journey.
22
Major Arcana
56
Minor Arcana
78
Total Cards
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Card of the Day
Click to reveal your daily guidance
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Click to Reveal
Major Arcana Cards
The 22 cards of spiritual lessons and life's journey
Minor Arcana Cards
56 cards representing daily trials, tribulations, and triumphs
How to Use This Tarot Card Meanings Guide
Getting Started with the Interactive Tool
Our tarot card meanings guide is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. You can explore cards in several ways: use the search bar at the top to find a specific card by name, browse through the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana sections, or filter Minor Arcana cards by their suit (Wands, Cups, Swords, or Pentacles). Clicking on any card opens a detailed modal with comprehensive information about its meanings, symbolism, and interpretations.
The "Card of the Day" feature provides a unique card each day based on the current date. This can serve as a focus for meditation, journaling, or setting intentions. Simply click the card to reveal your daily guidance, then click again to view the full card details.
Understanding Card Interpretations
Each card in our database includes upright meanings, reversed meanings, keywords, and detailed descriptions of the card's symbolism. Upright meanings represent the card's direct expression, while reversed meanings explore what happens when that energy is blocked, internalized, or manifesting in its shadow form. Remember that tarot interpretation is both an art and a practice—use these meanings as a foundation while developing your own intuitive understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards are in a tarot deck?
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards. These are divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards representing major life themes and spiritual lessons) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards divided into four suits that reflect everyday experiences). The Major Arcana includes iconic cards like The Fool, The Magician, and The World, while the Minor Arcana consists of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles, each containing cards numbered Ace through Ten plus four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King).
What is the difference between upright and reversed tarot card meanings?
When a tarot card appears upright in a reading, it typically expresses its energy in a direct, outward, or positive manner. Reversed cards—those that appear upside-down—often indicate blocked energy, internal processes, delays, or the shadow side of that card's meaning. However, reversed cards are not inherently negative. They frequently invite deeper reflection, suggest looking inward, or indicate that the querent needs to reconsider their approach to a situation. Some readers choose not to use reversals at all, while others find them essential for nuanced interpretations.
Can I learn to read tarot cards on my own?
Absolutely. Many skilled tarot readers are self-taught through study, practice, and developing their intuition over time. Begin by choosing a deck that resonates with you visually and spending time examining each card's imagery. Study the traditional meanings using resources like this guide, then practice with simple one-card or three-card spreads. Keep a tarot journal to record your readings and interpretations. Over time, you will develop a personal relationship with your cards and find that your intuition grows stronger. Reading for yourself and others is the best teacher, and there is no single "correct" way to interpret the cards.
Understanding Tarot Cards
Tarot is an ancient system of symbolic wisdom that has guided seekers for centuries. A traditional tarot deck consists of 78 cards, divided into two main categories: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana cards represent significant life events, spiritual lessons, and the soul's journey through existence. From The Fool's innocent beginnings to The World's completion, these cards speak to our deepest experiences.
Minor Arcana
The 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits: Wands (fire/passion), Cups (water/emotions), Swords (air/intellect), and Pentacles (earth/material). They reflect daily experiences and practical matters.
Reading Tarot
Each card carries meanings that shift based on position—upright cards generally express the card's energy directly, while reversed cards may indicate blocked energy, internalization, or the shadow side of that archetype.
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Read ArticleYour Complete Guide to Tarot Card Meanings
Welcome to TarotCardMeanings.org, your comprehensive resource for understanding the rich symbolism and profound wisdom contained within the 78 cards of the tarot. Whether you are a beginner just starting your tarot journey or an experienced reader seeking deeper insights, our detailed card interpretations provide the guidance you need.
The tarot has been used for centuries as a tool for self-reflection, meditation, and gaining clarity on life's most pressing questions. Each of the 22 Major Arcana cards—from The Fool embarking on a new adventure to The World representing completion and fulfillment—tells a story of spiritual growth and transformation. These powerful archetypes speak to universal human experiences: love, loss, triumph, and wisdom.
The 56 Minor Arcana cards, divided into the suits of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles, illuminate the practical aspects of daily life. Wands represent creativity, passion, and ambition. Cups speak to matters of the heart, relationships, and emotional fulfillment. Swords address the realm of thought, communication, and challenges. Pentacles ground us in the material world of work, finances, and physical well-being.
Each card on our site includes detailed interpretations for both upright and reversed positions, helping you understand the full spectrum of meanings a card can convey. We explore how these ancient symbols apply to modern life, offering insights for love and relationships, career and finances, personal growth, and spiritual development.
Explore our interactive card gallery, discover your card of the day, and deepen your understanding of this timeless wisdom tradition. The tarot is not about predicting a fixed future—it is about understanding the energies at play in your life and empowering you to make informed choices on your path forward.