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The Structure of Tarot: Arcana & Suits

Understanding the structure of a tarot deck is essential for any beginning reader. A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards organized into two primary divisions: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. This organizational system provides a framework for interpreting cards and deepens your understanding of their meanings.

The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards (numbered 0–22) that represent significant life events, archetypal figures, and spiritual themes. These cards are considered the "big mysteries" of the tarot and often indicate major turning points, lessons, and transformative experiences in a reading. Each Major Arcana card carries profound symbolic weight and speaks to universal human experiences. When a Major Arcana card appears in a reading, it typically suggests something of particular importance is at play.

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana comprises 56 cards divided into four suits, mirroring the structure of a standard deck of playing cards. These suits are:

• Wands – representing creativity, passion, and action
• Cups – representing emotions, relationships, and intuition
• Swords – representing intellect, communication, and conflict
• Pentacles – representing material matters, work, and abundance

Each suit contains 14 cards: ten numbered cards (Ace through 10) and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King). The numbered cards, also called "pips," tell a story within each suit as they progress from Ace (new beginnings) through 10 (completion or culmination). The Court Cards represent personalities or archetypal energies that can represent people or aspects of yourself.

Why This Structure Matters

This organizational framework serves a practical purpose. When you're learning tarot, grouping the cards by their arcana and suits helps you recognize patterns and themes. The Major Arcana cards often form the spine of a reading's narrative, while the Minor Arcana provides detail, context, and nuance. Understanding that Wands relate to fire and action, while Pentacles ground you in material reality, allows you to interpret card combinations more intuitively.

Building Your Practice

As you begin your tarot journey, spend time getting to know the structure by familiarizing yourself with all 78 cards. Don't feel pressured to memorize everything at once. Instead, pull cards daily and journal about what resonates with you personally. Your intuition is your best resource for learning tarot—the deck is a tool that helps you access your own wisdom and reflect on life situations more clearly.

Start by studying the Major Arcana's overarching themes, then explore each suit of the Minor Arcana. As you develop your personal relationship with the cards through consistent practice, the structure will become second nature, and you'll be able to read with greater confidence and insight.

Reading the Major Arcana

Understanding the Major Arcana

The Major Arcana forms the foundation of any tarot reading practice. These are the first 22 cards in a Tarot deck that represent significant life events, archetypes, and spiritual themes. Unlike other cards in the deck, the Major Arcana cards carry substantial weight and meaning—they signal that something important is happening in a person's life, whether that's a major shift, something new emerging, or transformation of the old.

The complete tarot deck contains 78 cards split into two sections: the Major Arcana (22 cards) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards). Understanding the Major Arcana is essential because these cards often indicate pivotal moments and deeper spiritual lessons, rather than everyday situations.

What Makes Major Arcana Special

When Major Arcana cards appear in a reading, they demand attention. Each card represents an archetypal energy or universal principle—think of them as characters and forces in the story of human experience. These aren't random illustrations; each card embodies specific symbolic meanings that have been refined over centuries of tarot tradition.

The Major Arcana cards progress through a narrative journey, sometimes called "The Fool's Journey," which traces a spiritual path from innocence through experience to wisdom. This structure helps readers understand not just individual card meanings, but how cards relate to one another and to larger life patterns.

Approaching Major Arcana Interpretation

Here's what's crucial: tarot is not fortune-telling—it's coaching. As tarot expert Lori Dyan explains, the practice is designed to help you gain insight and perspective, not to predict an inevitable future. The Major Arcana cards work as mirrors for reflection and tools for understanding your situation more clearly.

When interpreting Major Arcana cards, keep these principles in mind:

• Trust your intuition. Your intuition is your best resource for learning tarot. While traditional meanings matter, your personal connection to each card is equally important.
• Consider the context. The same card can have different implications depending on the question asked, surrounding cards, and your own life circumstances.
• Embrace the symbolism. Each Major Arcana card contains rich symbolic imagery. Spend time studying the visual elements—colors, objects, figures, and their relationships.
• Remember it's a tool. Tarot cards are tools for personal growth and self-reflection. The real healing work happens through your own insights and actions, not through the cards alone.

Building Your Practice

Start by learning the meanings of each Major Arcana card individually. Familiarize yourself with traditional interpretations, but don't feel confined by them. As you work with your deck, you'll develop a personal relationship with each card's energy.

The more time you spend with the Major Arcana, the more comfortable you'll become with their deeper meanings and how to interpret them in readings. Your expertise will grow through practice and exploration, allowing you to read the energy of each card with confidence and authenticity.

Reading the Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana forms the foundation of practical tarot reading. With 56 cards divided into four suits, these cards provide detailed context and everyday insights that bring the larger themes of the Major Arcana to life. Understanding the Minor Arcana is essential for any beginning tarot practitioner.

The Four Suits and Their Meanings

The Minor Arcana is organized into four distinct suits, each representing a different element of nature and area of human experience:

• Cups – Associated with water, emotions, relationships, and the heart
• Pentacles – Associated with earth, material matters, finances, and physical well-being
• Swords – Associated with air, intellect, communication, and conflict
• Wands – Associated with fire, creativity, passion, and action

Each suit contains 14 cards, numbered from Ace through 10, plus four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King). This structure mirrors traditional playing cards, making the system approachable for beginners.

The Role of Minor Arcana in Readings

While the Major Arcana represents significant life themes and spiritual lessons, the Minor Arcana serves a crucial function: providing context to understand how these larger forces play out in your daily life. Think of it this way—the Major Arcana shows the "big picture," while the Minor Arcana reveals the specific details of your situation.

For example, if a Major Arcana card appears in a reading about transformation, Minor Arcana cards help clarify whether that transformation involves your finances (Pentacles), relationships (Cups), thoughts and decisions (Swords), or creative pursuits (Wands). This layered approach gives you richer, more nuanced insights.

Getting Started with Minor Arcana Reading

As a beginner, the three-card spread is an excellent way to practice with Minor Arcana cards. This simple spread provides insight into your past, present, and future—or any three-position layout that interests you. Start by:

1. Shuffling your deck with intention, focusing on your question
2. Drawing three cards and laying them out in order
3. Identifying the suits and numbering in each position
4. Interpreting how the suits relate to your specific question

This foundational practice helps you develop familiarity with each suit's energy and meaning.

Intuition and Personal Interpretation

Remember that tarot is not fortune-telling—it's a tool for self-reflection and coaching. Your intuition is your best resource for learning. While guidebooks provide traditional meanings, the real power of tarot comes from how the cards resonate with your personal understanding and the person you're reading for.

As you work with the Minor Arcana, don't memorize meanings rigidly. Instead, spend time with each suit, noticing the progression from Ace (new beginnings) through 10 (completion). Pay attention to how the court cards represent different personalities and energies. Let the visual elements of your deck speak to you, and trust that your interpretations will deepen with practice.

Spreads, Positions & Reversals

When beginning your tarot practice, understanding spreads, positions, and reversals is essential to interpreting the cards meaningfully. These three elements work together to create a framework for your readings.

Understanding Tarot Spreads

A tarot spread is a specific arrangement of cards laid out in a pattern. Each position in the spread carries its own meaning and contributes to the overall message of the reading. The spread you choose should match your question or intention.

For beginners, it's important to avoid overwhelming complexity. While the Celtic Cross is popular, it contains ten positions and is actually quite advanced. Instead, start with simpler spreads like:

• 3-card spreads (Past-Present-Future, or Situation-Action-Outcome)
• 5-card spreads (which offer slightly more nuance without becoming unmanageable)

The beauty of spreads is that while card meanings should be learned carefully from guidebooks, you should let your intuition guide you with positions and spreads. This means you don't need to rigidly memorize every spread—you can create your own positions based on what makes sense for your question.

The Power of Positions

Positions are the individual locations in a spread where cards are placed. Each position has a designated meaning that frames how you interpret the card drawn there. For example, in a three-card spread, the first position might represent the past, the second the present, and the third the future. In other spreads, positions might represent different aspects like "what you need to know," "hidden influences," or "potential outcome."

When you draw a card, its meaning is refined by its position. The same card in different positions can convey different messages. Learning to read positional meanings helps you provide specific, relevant guidance rather than generic interpretations.

Working with Reversals

Reversals occur when a card appears upside-down during a reading. Not all readers use reversals—it's entirely optional—but understanding them adds depth to your practice.

When a card is reversed, its qualities are typically diminished, underdeveloped, or blocked. For example, an upright Ace of Cups suggests new love energy, while a reversed Ace of Cups might indicate that this potential exists but faces obstacles, or that the energy hasn't yet fully manifested.

One key principle when reading reversals: use your intuition. If a reversed card could be interpreted in two different ways that both fit your reading, decide which resonates most with the overall message. You might even present both possibilities to the person you're reading for, allowing them to choose what feels true.

Even challenging cards like The Tower can become positive when reversed—suggesting that destructive energy is diminished or that you're moving past a difficult transformation.

Bringing It Together

Start your practice with simple spreads and clear positions. Learn the upright meanings of cards thoroughly using guidebooks. Then, gradually experiment with reversals as you grow more confident. Remember that intuition and the guidebook work together—be strict with card meanings, but flexible with how spreads and positions shape those meanings for your unique readings.

Building Your Personal Practice

Developing a meaningful tarot practice requires intentionality, consistency, and self-reflection. Unlike learning tarot intellectually, building a personal practice means creating sustainable habits that deepen your connection with the cards and develop your intuitive skills over time.

Establishing a Consistent Routine

The foundation of any personal practice is regular engagement with your tarot deck. This doesn't require hours each day. Begin with a commitment that fits your lifestyle—whether that's a daily three-card draw each morning, weekly spreads on a designated day, or monthly readings for reflection. Consistency matters more than duration. When you work with your cards regularly, you become familiar with their imagery, meanings, and how they speak to you personally.

Create a dedicated space for your practice. This doesn't need to be elaborate—a corner of your desk, a shelf, or a drawer works perfectly. The key is having a designated area where you keep your deck and can sit undisturbed for readings. Many practitioners find that a consistent physical space helps them enter a focused, receptive mindset.

Journaling and Reflection

Journaling is one of the most powerful tools for deepening your practice. After each reading, write down the cards you drew, the question you asked, and your initial interpretation. Note what struck you about the cards, what symbols caught your attention, and how the reading felt. Over time, these journals become invaluable resources showing patterns in how cards appear in your readings and how your intuitive understanding evolves.

Review your journal entries periodically. You'll notice recurring cards, themes, and how past readings unfolded in your life. This reflective practice strengthens the bridge between intellectual card knowledge and intuitive wisdom.

Developing Personalized Meanings

While learning traditional card meanings is important, your personal relationship with each card matters equally. As you work with your deck, certain cards may resonate differently with you than their standard interpretations suggest. Honor this. If the Tower feels less destructive and more liberating in your readings, note that. Your deck will develop its own language with you through consistent practice.

Experiment with different spreads—from simple three-card layouts to more complex patterns. Try spreads that address different life areas: creativity, relationships, career, personal growth. Some spreads will click with you immediately; others you might abandon. Let your practice evolve naturally.

Setting Intentions and Boundaries

Begin each reading with a clear intention. Are you seeking guidance, processing emotions, exploring a decision, or simply checking in with yourself? Clear intentions focus your energy and help you interpret cards more meaningfully.

Also establish boundaries. Decide how often you'll read for yourself and others. Some practitioners avoid reading when emotionally charged. Others have rules about reading for the same question within a certain timeframe. These guidelines prevent tarot from becoming compulsive or replacing necessary professional help.

Patience and Trust

Building a genuine practice takes time. You won't become an expert in weeks. Trust the process. Every reading—even confusing ones—teaches you something. The cards you find difficult often hold the most valuable lessons. Approach your practice with curiosity rather than pressure to "get it right."

Your personal tarot practice is uniquely yours. It reflects your intuition, values, and spiritual path. Nurture it with consistency, honesty, and compassion.

Ethics, Boundaries & Space in Tarot Reading

Understanding Your Ethical Foundation

As a tarot reader, you hold a position of trust and influence with the people you serve. Ethical practice is not optional—it's foundational to responsible tarot work. Ethics in tarot reading means approaching your practice with care, respect, and integrity. This protects both you and your clients from harm, confusion, and unrealistic expectations.

Your ethical framework should address several key areas: you should avoid giving medical or legal advice, making definitive predictions about death, or presenting tarot as a substitute for professional help. However, beyond these standard guidelines, many experienced readers develop their own unique ethical boundaries based on their values, comfort level, and the specific needs of their practice.

The Power of Clear Boundaries

Boundaries are lists of things you will or won't do in your practice, and they serve a critical function: they keep both you and your clients safe. Without clear boundaries, your work becomes exhausting, your clients may develop unhealthy dependence, and misunderstandings about what tarot can provide will flourish.

Professional boundaries are particularly important if you read for clients. Start by clearly communicating your boundaries at the very beginning of your relationship with a client—before the first reading. Tell them explicitly what they will receive from a reading, what topics you won't address, how long sessions last, and how often they should book follow-ups (if at all). When clients know your parameters upfront, they have more confidence in you and are less likely to feel disappointed or misled.

Setting Sustainable Limits

One of the hardest parts of boundary-setting is protecting your availability. It's tempting to be accessible all the time—responding to messages at midnight, fitting in emergency readings, or blurring the line between friendship and professional service. This approach leads to burnout. Instead, decide on specific times when you're available for readings, how clients can contact you, and what constitutes an emergency (spoiler: most tarot questions aren't emergencies).

If a client needs more information than fits in one session, they can book another reading rather than you over-delivering in a single session. This keeps your energy sustainable and your work valuable.

Creating Your Personal Ethics Statement

Take time to reflect on your own values and limits. Beyond the universal ethical standards, what makes you uncomfortable? Some readers won't read about relationships obsessively, others avoid readings about timing, and some decline to read for minors. These personal boundaries are valid and important.

Document your ethics and boundaries—whether in a written statement for clients or simply for your own clarity. This clarity helps you decline requests confidently and prevents you from compromising your integrity under pressure.

The Bigger Picture

Remember that tarot is a tool for reflection and insight, not certainty. Your role is to facilitate self-awareness, not to be an oracle of absolute truth. By maintaining strong ethics and clear boundaries, you honor tarot's actual power while respecting the autonomy and wellbeing of everyone involved.