lntroduction

W elcome to the magicai world of tarot, my friend. l'm so happy you've added
Kawaii Tarot to your coliection. Based loosely on the traditional Rider-Waite
deck, Kawaii Tarot uses abstract, systematic symbolism and coordinating colors and
numbers to iliustrate a story of your very own.Whatever your experience with reading
tarot, Kawaii Tarot can help you on your journey.
lf this is your first-ever deck, this book will help you to start reading tarot. You don't
need to know a lot to dive into meaningful readings for yourself and your friends. Refined
throughout centuries and touched by many people and cultures, tarot is designed to tap
into our natural intuition.
Kawaii Tarot can help you build a solid foundation of knowledge that you can also
use to explore other decks. 1 created Kawaii Tarot because as beautiful as the decks
1 had were, something in them was not clicking for me. 1 struggled to find the true
connection I wanted with my cards. 1 realized eventualiy that intricate art has never
been my thing. As a young girl, 1 began learning Web design and development through
kawaii forums with other girls my age ali around the world. We would create very smali
pixel art and illustrations based on cute characters, and that's how I fell in love with art
in this modem world. Kawaii Tarot is very much a part of me, and l'm glad something
about its cute magic resonates with you, too.
My personal journey with tarot began at early age, when my mother took me to read­
ings.But I didn't understand fully until I was older.Dona María, a witchy family friend, was
my first introduction. 1 remember sitting in her candlelit woodshed, sweeping my eyes
over ali the crystals and herbs and the paintings of Catholic saints staring down at me.
She would ask me what I wanted to know ...and I never knew what to say. Could a pack
of playing cards even tel1 me anything?
Years later, 1 sat at my cleared desk-apartment lit by phone-with a pack of new
Rider-Waite tarot cards. This time I knew what to ask. After just one time of shuffling,
asking, and laying out the cards, 1 was in love. Though I never studied the history much
(a person could study tarot for a lifetime and stili never know ali there is to know), 1 knew
they were for me.
The origin of tarot is a mystery. Whatever you believe ...
whether they have origins as alchemy or as simple playing cards,
whether they carne from Egypt, from Spain, or from above or below,
whether they are a divination tool or an intuition compass,
tarot has roots deep in history.
The symbolism on the cards is cute but rich, containing many common life themes.
The cards teli a story we ali know-the hero's journey from nothing to completion.As
the heroes of our own stories, we can use tarot to help us uncover insight to live happily,
in balance, and purposefuliy. 1 hope Kawaii Tarot can help you on your journey.

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 Elements of Tarot
Tarot can be said to have a long and mysterious history. For our purposes here,just know
that the system behind the cards is connected deeply to alchemy, numerology, astrology,
Jungian archetypes, Egyptian philosophy, and other schools of thought focusing on
universal qualities.
You, too, can read tarot accurately and intuitively-you don't need any special psychic
abilities. Your guide is your subconscious/intuition, something in each and every one of
us. Our subconscious. though we ignore it throughout most of our lives, holds profound
wisdom that we create through our past experiences. lt affects everything we do, and
tarot is a way to connect to it for insight.
When reading tarot. allow yourself to relax and be open to what feels right to you. This
is the way you'II find meaning in your readings.
However you interpret the cards, someone else could interpret them differently. Out
of ali the possible interpretations, you can choose a specific one that aligns with the
reality you recognize through your inner lens. That's the personal aspect of tarot.
The cards also have a universal story, telling of coliective moments, concepts, and
experiences humans have experienced throughout history and today. Tarot taps into
the coliective unconscious to create life patterns we recognize. There are 78 cards in
most tarot decks. The cards contain ali of life's themes, coliected over years and years
of human experience.
A tarot reading is typicaliy simple-it involves a reader, who knows how to interpret
cards. and a querent, someone looking for answers. After the querent shuffles and cuts
the deck, the reader chooses a few cards to lay out in a spread.

Spreads
A tarot spread is a way for tarot card readers to physicaliy place the cards in a certain
layout that wili help interpret the card meanings for the querent. When you ask the
cards a question and lay them out in a spread, you wili receive an answer in the form of
themes. Each position in a spread has its own meaning, as does each card.
An example spread is Past/Present/Future.

This is one of the simplest tarot layouts. Shuffle the cards once or twice and lay the
top three cards in your deck in this pattern. Then flip the cards over one at a time. Note,
nonjudgmentally, how each card makes you feel.

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1. Past
This is behind you. lt could be far away or
just passed or now passing away.
2. Present
This is the center of the situation now.
3. Future
This is the influence that's coming into
action soon.
Reversed Cards
You have the option to bring reversed cards
into your readings for nuanced meaning.
Reversed cards are essentially "upside
down" cards. They generally represent an
imbalance in the energy of the cards. For
example, the Two of Cups reversed could
mean a negative meeting with a new
person, as opposed to the meaning of a
positive meeting when the card is upright.
Reversed cards can also add detail to
your reading, but they can also feel over­
whelming to interpret and may even add
more doam and gloom to your answers
than you were hoping for, so don't feel as if
you have to bring them into your readings.
lf you'd like to add reversed cards to
your deck, take half your deck and turn it
upside down. Then shuffle the two stacks
of cards together a few times.
Major Arcana
The tarot is divided into two parts: the
major arcana and minar arcana.
The major arcana are easy to differen­
tiate because the cards, numbers 0-21,
usually have a character. These are some­
times called the trump cards because
they carry more weight than the minar
arcana. They usually signify divine energy
or larger forces at play.
The tarot is sometimes known as the
Fool's journey. Represented by the number
3
O, the Fool is ali of us. The Fool is excited to
go on a journey, sometimes so excited she
doesn't watch her step. The major arcana
are the Fool's divine journey (as opposed
to day-to-day life, which is what the minar
arcana represent).
Let's start at the beginning.
Card O: The Fool
The Fool is excited to go on his journey,
not aware of the risks and downfalls
coming to him.
Card 1: The Magician
The Magician is the Fool's teacher and
sparks her inquisitive nature.
Card 2: The High Priestess
The High Priestess is another teacher
who implores the Fool to use intuition
before jumping into situations.
Card 3: The Empress
The Empress is the Fool's mother figure
and creator.
Card 4: The Emperor
The Emperor is the Fool's father figure,
showing the importance of authority and
discipline.
Card 5: The Hierophant
The Hierophant demonstrates to the Fool
the importance of tradition.
Card 6: The Lovers
The Lovers represent a crossroads the
Fool encounters between her current
path and a new lave.
Card 7: The Chariot
The Chariot teaches the Fool about
making up his mind, keeping the course,
and making victory non-optional.
Card 8: Strength
Strength is a strong figure who demon­
strates to the Fool the power of quiet
confidence.
Card 9: The Hermit
The Hermit encourages the Fool to
seelude herself and think introspectively
of all these lessons.
Card 10: The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune is when the Fool
realizes life is made of cyeles. Nothing is
ever the end.
Card 11: Justice
Justice teaches the Fool how to be rational
and fair.
Card 12: The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man is when the Fool
decides to turn upside down and inspect
life from a different perspective. The Fool
is changed by this experience.
Card 13: Death
Death elears out the old and brings in the
new, originally to the dismay of the Fool,
but then he sees the inherent value in
death.
Card 14: Temperance
Temperance shows the Fool how to put
opposites together to create a third,
powerful, balanced force.
Card 15: The Devil
The Devil is a dark figure who brings to
light the addictions the Fool has been
subjecting herself to.
Card 16: The Tower
The Tower is the collapse of everything
the Fool previously thought. lt brings
despair but also a chance to start anew.
Card 17: The Star
The Star represents the quiet healing
period of the Fool.
Card 19: The Sun
The Sun is a bright new beginning.
Card 20: Judgment
Judgment is when the Fool learns self-for­
giveness and how to move on.
Card 21: The World
The World is the final turn of the cyele.
The Fool is complete. The world is hers.
Suits
The rest of the cards are known as the
minor arcana. Each minor arcana card is
part of one of four suits, which represent
an aspect of life, such as career or leve.
Pentaeles
Pentaeles are coins and represent earthly
circumstances like money, family, and
health. Historically, the Pentaeles repre­
sent the working elass.
Cups
Cups are the flowing of emotion, internai
and externai, as well as relationships.
Wands
The Wands are a symbol of moving up
in the world, no longer having to worry
about only day-to-day life, and being
able to focus more long term where you
will spend your time and energy. Wands
represent personal growth and career.
Swords
The Swords contain great change and
swift movement. Life purpose and spir­
ituality are two of the core principies
of Swords, as are business and higher
thinking. The Swords are representative of
the ruling elass.

Card 18: The Moon

The Moon shows the Fool that most of his
troubles are illusions fabricated in the mind.

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 Numbers
The minor arcana are further split into pip
cards numbered ace through ten. Each
of these starts with a number, which
represents a certain energy.
ln general, the even numbers repre­
sent stable times (mostly peaceful, some­
times stagnant), while the odd numbers
are times of action (mostly positive, but
sometimes representing actions outside
of one's control; i.e., difficult times).
Each pip card relates to the coordi­
nating major arcana card as well. For
example, the Five of Swords relates to
card 5, the Hierophant.
Zero (the Fool)
Unlimited potential.
One
One is the spark of action with a strong
independent spirit and inventive ideas. A
willful leader, this number can also signify
impulsiveness and egotism.
Two
Two represents cooperation and choice.
As the first stable number, it can also
mean a standstill or drowning in details.
Three
Three is self-expressive, creative, opti­
mistic, and fun. Three is a magicai number
in many societies, representing abun­
dance and completion.
5
Four
Four is about a strong sense of logic and
order, discipline and organization. On the
negative side, four can sometimes lack
imagination.
Five
Five is quick-thinking, curious, and
exploring. Five is similar to one in that it
stands for new, visionary ideas, but the
difference is, five can also be a symbol of
restlessness and roadblocks.
Six
Six, the restoration of peace and harmony,
is generous and humanitarian.
Seven
Seven is an impatient seeker of knowl­
edge, eager to know ali it can know.
Scientific and inventive, seven can be
aloof with hidden motives as well as a
perfectionist.
Eight
Eight is the number of strength, business,
and power. An executive character, eight
can also be a workaholic that mismanages
money and suffers from stress.
Nine
Nine is a friendly number, coming from a
place of self-knowing, comfort, and spir­
itual strength.
Ten
The number ten is made of the numbers
one and zero together and so brings new
changes with an element of luck.
 Court Cards Colors
Kawaii Tarot uses a colar system to repre­
Court cards can be actual people in the sent different elements.
querent's life, themes, or internai ener­
gies. Remember that although we use
Marzipan
male and female pronouns for these
The yellow tone stands for money and
cards, they can represent any gender.
earthly possessions.
Kings and Queens
Kings and queens represent the mastery Aqua
of the coordinating suit. They can be oi der The green-blue in Kawaii Tarot represents
or authoritative people in the querent's intellect.
life.
Knights Thistle
Knights stand for hard work and the Lavender represents sentimentality or
willpower to achieve. They may just be using your heart.
starting their career.
8/ush
Pages The soft red in Kawaii Tarot means drive
Pages are newfound passion and enthu- and passion.
siasm. These character cards can also
signify childhood or children.

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 Tarot Spreads
Here are several popular spreads suitable for use by both beginners and experts.

One-Card Spreads

When it comes to tarot reading, more cards are not always better. Sure, the more
cards you lay out, the more faceted your reading becomes, but the simplest effective
tarot reading is the one-card draw.
lt goes like this: shuffle once or twice, then pick a card while concentrating on your
query. You'II get the information you need right now. A one-card tarot reading may not
seem like a lot, but it can stimulate higher thinking and the right course of action.
Of course, you can ask anything, but a simple question is best. The one-card draw is

*
amazing for daily meditations. Some examples of what you can ask are

*
Where should I direct my energy right now?

*
How can I best ... ?
What challenges must I overcome to ... ?
Another way to read cards is to assign a name to the card before you draw it. For
example, if you were asking about your day ahead and your question was "Where
should I focus my energy?" you could name the card

* *
* *
Situation Strength

* *
Action Weakness

* *
Outcome Advice

* *
Context Mind

* *
Feelings Body

*
What's working Spirit
What's not working

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 Three-Card Spreads

Three-card tarot spreads are great for getting a general answer to a simple question.
They can be a way to get an overview of the situation, so that you have a better idea of
what your big question should be. Three-card spreads are also good for quick practice.

*
Some examples are below.

*
Past/Present/Future

*
Opportunity/Obstacle/Potential

*
Problem/Cause/Solution

*
Situation/Action/Outcome

*
Opportunities/Challenges/Outcome

*
You/The Other Person/The Relationship

*
Strengths/Weaknesses/Advice

*
Option 1/0ption 2/0ption 3

*
Option 1/0ption 2/How to Decide

*
Mind/Body/Spirit
Stop/Start/Continue

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 Elemental Spread

Have you ever felt like you had a problem all figured out, and yet you couldn't get rid of
it? Sometimes it's hard for us to zoom out of our own lives. For better ar worse, focus
is like a flashlight-if you're shining it on one aspect of your situation, you're not seeing
the other aspects. That's where the Elemental Spread comes in. With card positions for
(1) Earth (physical), (2) Air (mental), (3) Fire (willpower), (4) Water (emotion), and (5)
Spirit (what you need to restore balance), it will show you where the imbalance of your
situation is. lt may not be where you think.

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 The Empress
Creation • Nature • Nurture
y The Empress
Reversed
Overdependence • Self-harm •
The Empress encourages you to create
and bring something new to the world. Creative block
Generous and devoted, the Empress
The Empress reversed can come up when
represents stable ground and a profound
you are facing a creative block. You may
sense of security. ln the case of preg­
be missing the key element of personal
nancy or new ventures, the Empress is a
inspiration in what you are trying to
positive sign.
create. This card reversed can mean you
As the motherly figure of the tarot, the
are overly dependent on others' ideas of
Empress asks that you be patient. Give
what you should do. Be confident in your
your ideas time and room to grow. Nurture
own intuition.
and give to what you love. The High
ln a relationship reading, the Empress
Priestess is a dose advisor of the Empress,
reversed can signify trouble finding a way
though the Empress makes much more
to express feelings. lt could be that you
use of her five senses than of her intuition.
don't feel safe telling the other person
Card 3 represents a completion and mate­
how you really feel, or that you are being
rial manifestation of the duality presented
overprotective of someone you love. Be
by the High Priestess.
mindful and realize that smothering with
The Empress is represented by a heart
affection creates unrealistic standards
and the female symbol. This card is very
and an unfair imbalance. ln either case,
loving, giving, and nurturing. The Empress
nurturing requires space to breathe.
also signifies abundance, especially of
material things and real-world experi­
ences. Life can be bountiful with a kind and
generous spirit.
The number 3 is a magicai number
that brings a sense of realization and
fulfillment to any reading. lf you receive
the Empress in a reading, look to other
cards for direction. Cards that represent
newness may be a sign of blessing in
regard to career or finances. lf you see a
Page, such as the Page of Cups, this card
may be a sign of a pregnancy.

17
 The Chariot
Willpower • Victory • Opposite forces
The Chariot is the triumphal card of the
tarat. To be victorious, you must have
unwavering confidence in your cause and
never lose focus on your purpose. This
card holds a lot of energy, though not in
every direction-for the Chariot, the only
way to go is forward and toward success.
The Chariot is a praud, commanding
figure. When the Fool meets the Chariot,
he has a discussion of what willpower
means. Being in contrai is what the Fool
most desires. The Chariot assures the
Fool that developing an inner contrai will
allow him to triumph over his enviran­
ment. But remember, the Chariot says,
success is only the beginning and not the
end of the goal.
The Chariot often represents the union
of opposites-like the sun and the stars.
Pull ali the energy of your life, whether
help or obstacle, into one force toward
victory: that is the message of the Chariot.
ln a reading, the Chariot is a sure
sign of upcoming and earned success.
Although it may be a struggle, this is time
to develop confidence and contrai. Your
drive will be rewarded by divine forces.
The Chariot has aggressive energy that
cannot last forever, so consider this time
more of a sprint than a marathon. Make
victory non-optional. The Chariot is a
positive sign in health and work.
21
The Chariot Reversed
Lack of control • Aggression • Ego
Even when not upright, the Chariot is
always a sign of victory. lf you receive the
reversed Chariot in a reading, it could be
a sign that a lack of confidence is what's
blocking your success. This card reversed
can also suggest that you feel you have
lost contrai of your life, like you are not the
one driving anymore. lt's time to tighten
the reins. Change what you can in your
life thraugh discipline and willpower.
What you can't change is not worth your
worry.
The Chariot reversed may also suggest
that you should relinquish contrai and be
more comfortable with spontaneity and
new experiences. This card is a burst of
strang energy that cannot last forever.
Letting someone else steer will result
in better health for you. The Chariot
reversed could also signify that you
waited too long to make a decision.
 Strength
Courage • Caim • Compassion
Strength is quiet. lt's dealing calmly with
frustrations when what you really want to
do is lash out. lt's molding situations over
time, knowing that you can endure. lt's
love and forgiveness. This card can serve
as compassionate reminder not to give up
although your circumstances may seem
wild and out of contrai.
After the Fool meets the Chariot and
hears the message of power through
self-direction, she goes forward in her
journey with absolute, uncompromising
victory in mind. Eventually the Fool grows
tired of the tire in her belly. That's when
the Fool finds Strength. Pure, innocent,
yet firmly grounded, Strength shows us
the calmer side of power. While card 7
represents strength directed outward,
Strength is about the power of the inner
spirit to influence and overcome anything.
Represented by a tame lion, Strength
is about honoring and mastering animal
nature through warmth and gentleness.
Although fear may seem unruly and
uncontrollable, that's really what makes
it powerless.
Receiving Strength in a reading is a
sign that even though you may feel your
situation is unwieldy, you are the one in
contrai. Whether you are trying to tame a
situation or force, remember to give more
gentleness than you receive or else you
will never get anywhere new.
22
Strength Reversed
Self-doubt • Ungratefulness • Weak Love
Strength reversed signifies weakness.
You may be doubting your own journey
and feeling vulnerable. Remember that
you do have inner strength to call upon.
Reconnect with the Chariot's lesson of
self-confidence to feel balance.
ln love readings, Strength reversed
can be a positive sign that love is going
well, though it may be imbalanced. Are
you overestimating the strength of the
love you're receiving? Maybe it's time to
reflect on why. Be careful, and don't push
for something that doesn't come natu­
rally to the other person. The message of
Strength is patience and tolerance.
This card reversed can also mean that
aggression is an issue for you. You need
to take steps to learn how to contrai your
raw emotions, or you will hurt someone
you love.
 The Hanged Man
Limbo • Vision • Perspective
The Hanged Man represents an important
shift in perspective and consciousness. lt
may appear when the querent is feeling
vulnerable. lt's a positive sign that you
should step into the unknown and let it
change you.
The Fool walks away from Justice
thinking of the karmic balance of the
Universe. She sits by a tree and ponders.
Soon she becomes overcome by thoughts
and in an effort to clear her mind, she
climbs the tree. Before she can realize
what she is doing, she is hanging upside
down on a tree branch by her legs. ln this
temporary and reversed state, she asks
herself, "What lasts?" While trying to
answer the question of what to grasp, she
finds a small window between the spir­
itual and material, and the Fool reaches
enlightenment.
This card can represent a feeling of
finding peace in being able not to take the
events of the world too seriously. lf you
get this card in a reading, suspend your
sense of time to try out different perspec­
tives.
26
The Hanged Man Reversed
Confusion • Ego • Criticism
The Hanged Man reversed symbolizes
the sarne things as the upright card,
although something may be blocking the
energy, such as confusion or bad advice.
Reversed, the Hanged Man can be a
sign that you are too confident in a choice.
You may feel like you're the only one who
"gets it." What you may not realize is that
the criticism you are facing is not saying
to choose one thing over another, but
rather that you should explore and be
open to what could be great opportuni­
ties. This isn't a card about life, death, or
choices but about suspension.
The Hanged Man reversed can also
signify that you are placing too much
importance on material wealth and not
enough on your spiritual self. When the
Fool hangs upside down, she notices
that coins have fallen out of her pocket,
but she's okay with it. The Hanged Man
reversed can show up when physical
goods are controlling your life.
 Death
End • Loss • Transition
Death is one of the few cards that can
terrify. Does it mean literal death? Death
just means an ending, although some­
times it can mean human mortality. But
it's more likely to be old objects, ideas,
or relationships that have gone. Death
isn't necessarily a negative card-it could
represent the end of a job that isn't right
for you. But if the dose is bittersweet in
this situation, remember that mourning is
a natural part of death. Something new
is coming.
The Fool is reinvigorated and at last
ready to continue his spiritual journey.
That's when he runs into Death. Death
tells him not to fear. "A part of you has
died, but this is natural." Death clears the
old and makes way for the new. Repre­
sented by a sickle, Death symbolizes the
need for us to prune to keep growing.
What is new may not replace the lost, but
it will give you reason to carry on.
27
Death Reversed
Resistance • Being stuck • Bad habits
Death reversed indicates a resistance to
change or a difficult transformation. lt can
also mean you are hanging on to "dead"
things long after they are needed-such
as someone who begins biting his nails
to soothe the stress of a school semester
but continues to bite his nails after the
classes have ended.
lf you get reversed Death in a reading,
it is a sign of an imbalance. lt bears
repeating that this card is usually not
about the dose of physical life. lt's about
change followed by renewal. ln career
readings, give consideration to changing
jobs, fields, or roles. Don't ignore feelings
of being stuck.
 Temperance Temperance Reversed
Balance • Moderation • Melding lmbalance • Lack of vision • Excess

Temperance is balance but in a When Temperance appears reversed in a

different way from what we may be reading, it may be a sign that you are not
used to. Trusting that life is made of planning for the long term in a respon­
the right elements, Temperance simply sible way. Temperance brings a message
"tempers"-that is, it melds different of moderation-sometimes taking less
aspects together, like fire with water. of what you want so that you can meet
Temperance is a determined willingness your goals. You must be more methodical
to make things work for you even when in how you mix the elements of your life.
they seem to be working against you. Too much of a good thing is still too much.
The Fool meets Temperance by a Because Temperance is associated
serene lake, a much-needed sight after with the sign of Sagittarius, Temperance
encountering Death. With fire in her reversed can also mean approaching or
hand, Temperance appears to be another blocked energy and time that are remi­
destructive force. lnstead, Temperance niscent of this sign: vibrancy, inquisitive­
brings the fire to the water. She creates a ness, and excitement. The best way to
third element: steam. ln that moment, the make roam for this energy is to embrace
Fool realizes it's not about good or bad, freedom and to stay honest.
pleasurable or painful. Every element
has properties that can be used to one's
advantage.
Temperance is a positive card to get as
a creative person or in a career reading.
Although you may be feeling lost about
the next step, Temperance reminds
you to keep a steady head and think of
the possibilities available to you. Have
faith that the life you've created has the
elements you need to evolve. lt's just a
matter of putting them together in the
right amounts.

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