Easy Tarot for Beginners

Learning to read the tarot can seem like a daunting task, but beginners should know that
while it takes time to develop nuanced skill, there are some pretty easy ways to jump in and
learn what you need to know to get started.

In this series of posts, I’ll be exploring the minor arcana. Many people tackle this subject by
attempting to learn the elemental properties of the four suits and the numerological
associations of the numbered cards. These methods are a great foundation and vital to a more
complex understanding of the cards, but what if there was a simpler, faster way to learn the
minor arcana without rote memorization? Well, there is:

Learn the story.

Each minor arcana suit tells a story, and the meaning of every card within that suit depends
on the cards that came before it. When you understand how the story of the cards unfolds, it’s
easier to understand what they mean. The story the tarot tells in its imagery is often called the
“Fool’s Journey,” so we’ll follow the adventures of the Fool through the minor arcana.

Now, let’s explore the story of the Pentacles:

1. An unexpected gift is presented to the Fool, a resource they did not have before which
will help them acquire even greater opportunities—if they are able to use it wisely.

2. The Fool, through a little trial and error and good old-fashioned experience, must now
determine how this new resource fits into their old life. Until they do, they are left
uncertain how to manage their affairs.

3. Once they’ve got it figured out and once again mastered their own affairs, the Fool
realizes that larger success will require a little help: Therefore, they begin to use their
resources in a collaboration with others in pursuit of accomplishment.

4. And success does come, but the inexperienced Fool proves unprepared. Hoarding
their newfound treasure, the Fool retreats from their own collaborators (indeed, from
everyone), fearful of losing what they had worked so hard to attain.

5. Alas, all things go, even the things we hold on to the tightest. The Fool learns this for
themselves as they find their stagnant hoarding has resulted in the very loss they
feared.

6. Once again, the Fool realizes that when starting from the bottom, a little help is
necessary; this time, however, they must learn humility in order to ask for it as they
have no resources of their own to trade. The experience teaches them an important
lesson: Better to share one’s wealth than hold on to it too tightly, and better to help
others for the knowledge that we ourselves often need the very same altruism.
 7. Having received some much-needed help, the Fool begins to rebuild their life from
the ground up. Although it is encouraging to see progress, it is also frustrating that the
progress must be slow. The Fool’s patience and dedication are tested.

8. Finally, the Fool regains what they had lost (and more)—not by hoarding already
gotten wealth, but by actively creating it. This takes hard work, but over the course of
rebuilding, the Fool has learned to revel in mastering the task at hand as much as in
receiving the reward.

9. And rewarded the Fool is: Having let go of their fear of loss and learned to trust their
own abilities (as well as the compassion in both themselves and others), the Fool is
now able to enjoy the product of their hard work and difficult experiences.

10. Finally, at the end of their difficult, but ultimately successful, journey, the Fool
realizes that the greatest thing wealth and opportunity can purchase is not temporary
pleasure, but a lasting legacy. Thus, they begin to invest the resources they have
accumulated over their lifetime into a legacy of their own.

Now, let’s explore the story of the Cups:

1. A new stirring of emotion arises for the Fool, one that feels positive and full of
potential.

2. The Fool meets another person and recognizes that they, too, share this wonderful
feeling! Deciding that they must be kindred spirits, the Fool forges a connection.

3. Over time, the Fool’s family of kindred souls begins to grow even larger, and they
celebrate their union with friendship, revelry, and good times.

4. After a while, the Fool realizes that despite the festivity and kinship, something
crucial is missing. As a result, they grow disillusioned with what once made them
happy and begin to isolate themselves.

5. Unfortunately, the Fool remains withdrawn for too long, and their family of kindred
spirits begins to disperse. The three cups that were lifted in revelry before are now
spilled, and although some connections still remain, the Fool is too bereaved and
regretful to enjoy them.

6. Having learned a profound lesson, the Fool begins to reminisce fondly about earlier
times, finding solace in the happy memories. Now unburdened, the Fool is moved to
share their newfound sense of simple peace with others.

7. Having their head so often in the clouds, however, soon leads the Fool to a place
where they are perhaps a bit too optimistic, seeing a number of opportunities for
emotional fulfillment that may not actually be there (or, if they are, will almost
certainly not pan out the way the Fool imagines).
 8. The Fool learns their lesson the hard way, discovering that sometimes, some things
really are too good to be true. Having learned the value of happiness and deciding to
finally seek what will truly give them emotional fulfillment, the Fool leaves behind
what they know in search of a more meaningful life.

9. And a meaningful life they find, having discovered the secret to long-term happiness:
Self-care and self-satisfaction. After all, if you don’t care for and love yourself, how
can you care for and love others? Thus, the Fool spends some time fulfilling
themselves rather than seeking fulfillment elsewhere.

10. Finally, the Fool achieves the happiness that eluded them earlier: Now that they know
how to care for themselves, they are finally able to devote themselves to a new
family, knowing at last that happiness does not come from what others can offer you,
but from giving others what you have to offer.

Now, let’s explore the story of the Swords:

1. The Fool has a fresh idea, sudden epiphany, or creative inspiration, or receives new
information that prompts these.

2. A contrary idea or information appears to challenge the first; denial and/or an uneasy
stalemate result.

3. A new, third idea or piece of information breaks the denial/stalemate and causes much
mental distress and anguish for the Fool.

4. A time of intellectual rest occurs in order to provide mental solace after the anguish
the Fool has experienced in the 3 of Swords.

5. The disillusioned Fool then decides to look out for themselves—often at the expense
of everyone else. (”They hurt me, why should I care about them?”)

6. The Fool begins to grow weary and wistful and decides to let go of their painful past,
to mourn for what could have been but move forward nevertheless.

7. Though they have now reached their destination and moved on, the Fool can’t quite
shake old, out-for-myself-only habits: They just know better than to get caught!

8. Inevitably, this kind of living catches up with the Fool and they begin to feel trapped
within their own web of loneliness, deceit, and self-sabotage.

9. The Fool begins to spiral into fear, guilt, and despair; nightmares and catastrophizing
thoughts begin to manifest.
 10. The Fool reaps what they have sown, having been stabbed in the back; they have now
hit rock botto

Keep in Now, let’s explore the story of the Wands:

1. A new opportunity for success and spiritual fulfillment presents itself to the Fool, if
they are willing to work for it.

2. The Fool decides that they are willing, and since they are at the beginning of their
journey and have the world in their hands, they must decide what direction to take
their newfound inspiration.

3. Having chosen a direction and begun their enterprise successfully, The Fool begins to
reap their first successes.

4. Success is now assured, and the Fool rejoices at their accomplishment—not only in
their enterprise, but in their quest for independence.

5. Now that The Fool is successful, others rise to challenge them.

6. Yet, The Fool emerges triumphant! They retain their crown and others look to them
for leadership; The Fool has been tested and proven themselves worthy.

7. However, the Fool soon learns that being on top isn’t easy: The Fool can’t satisfy
everyone, and they must learn to hold their ground when they make the decisions they
feel are best.

8. The Fool is almost established now and their hustling days are coming to an end, but
there are still things they need to get done themselves while they still have the energy.

9. The Fool is growing weary, but they cannot rest: They must be prepared to both
defend their empire and make the final push toward greatness.

10. The Fool has now achieved everything they ever dreamed of, but with success comes
the incredible burden of maintenance that they must now bear.

mind that there are many ways to interpret the cards; as tarot readers, in a way we are also
storytellers, and the story will inevitably change in small ways as each new storyteller tackles
the tale. How do you relate to this story? Does it seem accurate to you? Have you had any of
these experiences, or have you had other experiences that seem to fit the cards (and story)
better?