Beginner’s Guide to Tarot: Keywords, Symbols & Easy Interpretation
## Unlock the Secrets of the Cards: A Beginner's Guide to Mastering Tarot Keywords, Symbols, and Interpretations
✨ Need clarity or direction? I offer honest tarot readings in English — online or in Mexico City.
👉 Book a session → https://ripecolor.com/collections/tarot-reading
Are you drawn to the mystical allure of Tarot, but feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information? You’re not alone. For many new readers, the journey starts with a beautiful deck… and the pressure to memorize 78 card meanings. That’s where many people stop.
But here’s the secret: Tarot isn’t about memorization. It’s about connection.
This post will help you decode the Tarot using simple keywords, visual symbols, and intuitive practice — so you can start reading with confidence, not confusion.
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🃏 **Major vs. Minor Arcana — What You Need to Know**
**Major Arcana (22 cards):** Life’s big spiritual lessons. Think The Fool, The Lovers, Death, The World. These cards speak to major turning points or soul themes.
**Minor Arcana (56 cards):** Day-to-day experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Divided into 4 suits:
- **Wands (Fire):** Action, creativity, purpose
- **Cups (Water):** Feelings, love, intuition
- **Swords (Air):** Thoughts, conflict, clarity
- **Pentacles (Earth):** Money, health, stability
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📚 **Why Keywords Are Your Best Friend**
Each Tarot card has a vibe — keywords capture that.
Examples:
- **Ten of Swords:** Rock bottom, betrayal, painful ending
- **The Star:** Hope, healing, future vision
- **Reversed Two of Cups:** Miscommunication, disharmony, emotional distance
You don’t need to know everything. Just a few key words per card will unlock powerful insight.
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🔍 **Symbols Add Depth to Every Card**
Your deck is full of visuals — nothing is random.
Some classic Rider-Waite symbols:
- **Mountains:** Obstacles or perspective
- **Water:** Emotions, subconscious
- **Clouds:** Mystery or divine insight
- **Animals:** Archetypes (dog = loyalty, snake = wisdom)
The more you notice, the deeper your readings go.
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💫 **Try This Simple Spread for Practice**
**Three-Card Reading:**
- Card 1: Current energy
- Card 2: Challenge or what to focus on
- Card 3: Outcome or guidance
Look at keywords. Then, go deeper into the imagery. Your intuition will take over.
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📘 **Want a Pocket Guide for All 78 Cards?**
Check out **Tarot Decoded** — a digital guide with:
- Upright & reversed keywords
- Symbol explanations
- Interpretations that help build your intuition
Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a clear, confidence-boosting reference.
👉 Get it here:
https://ripecolor.com/collections/meditation-and-books/products/shadow-work-tarot-workbook
(Yes — it’s bundled with the Shadow Work Workbook too, if you want both!)
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The path of Tarot is a journey. You don’t need to know it all today.
Just start — the cards will meet you exactly where you are.
– Jeffrey Goldstein
https://ripecolor.c
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How a Tarot Reading Can Help You Make Decisions
Can Tarot Really Help Me Make a Decision?
Yes — but not by telling you what to do.
A tarot reading won’t say “Take the job” or “Leave the relationship.” Instead, it shows you:
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What’s influencing you
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What fears or desires are present
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What energy surrounds each option
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What you’re not seeing clearly
The goal isn’t control — it’s clarity.
Why Is It So Hard to Decide?
Because decisions are rarely just logical.
They’re emotional. Energetic. Tied to identity and fear. Sometimes you're not choosing between Option A and B — you're choosing between comfort and growth, fear and freedom.
Tarot helps you name the real decision behind the surface one.
What Kinds of Questions Can I Ask?
Instead of asking:
Should I do this or not?
Try:
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What is the energy surrounding this opportunity?
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What lesson is present in this decision?
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What will I learn if I choose this path?
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What am I avoiding in making this choice?
These open questions give the cards space to speak honestly.
What Will the Cards Show?
The cards reflect what’s already happening inside you — your resistance, your longing, your truth. A good reading won’t push you. It will help you recognize the path you already feel but haven’t fully claimed.
Sometimes, you’ll hear what you already knew. That’s confirmation. And that’s powerful.
Want Help Seeing Clearly?
✨ I offer intuitive, honest tarot readings designed to help you cut through confusion, reconnect to your intuition, and make decisions with confidence.
📘 Want to start decoding the cards yourself?
Explore the Tarot Cheat Sheet and Reversals Guide
📺 Watch sample readings and decision spreads here:
👉 Ripecolor Tarot Channel
📌 Share or revisit this blog:
👉 Ripecolor on Pinterest
Looking for Honest Tarot Guidance? Here’s What to Do
Wondering what really happens in a tarot reading? Learn what to expect, how it works, and how an honest session can bring clarity and grounded insight.
Why Shadow Work Feels Hard (and How Tarot Makes It Easier)
Shadow work is hard because it’s real. Learn why it brings up so many emotions — and how tarot offers a safe, symbolic way to work through what arises.
Jeffrey Goldstein
Author