Tarot for Beginners: Tips for Memorizing Tarot Card Meanings

It takes certain empathetic skill to read tarot, but it also requires effort to memorize the tarot cards. This can prove a daunting task. If you're an adult, it's likely been decades since you've had to memorize vocabulary or times tables. However, you can apply the study skills you learned as a student to effectively memorize tarot cards.

Reference a Reliable Guide

To learn the meanings of each of the cards without attending class or hiring a teacher, you should use a simple but reliable book. Such a book should provide basic overviews and keywords for each card while also employing examples of interpretations and card layouts.

Books truly geared towards beginners will also use multiple popular tarot decks as examples, recognizing the fact that the reader may not have selected a deck yet. Annie Lionnet's "The Tarot Directory" fulfills these criteria.

Before studying the tarot book, read through it without worrying about memorization to absorb the general information.

Create and Study Flash Cards

Make your own flash cards. You may do this by creating your own index cards or by purchasing a second tarot deck (to avoid copyright infringement). If you do this, simply place the 'answer' side of your flash card to the back of the tarot card.

If you are using blank flash cards and are not yourself an artist, write the name of a tarot card (such as "four of swords") on the blank side of the card. You may wish to draw representational items on the card (stick figures and swords) to connect the image with the card. Include key elements as defined by your reliable study guide.

On the lined side of the card, write the name of the card again at the top. List also the keywords, key elements, interpretation and reverse card meaning.

Flash Card Example

Here is an example of the flash cards you can make for study. Your reverse side of the flash card should include:

• Name of card: The Fool

• Keywords and phrases: Beginning of new phase of life; chance; openness

• Meaning: The Fool represents chanciness and development of character. He's made the choice to move forward, but may be youthfully unaware of the risks that rest on the horizon. The fool represents forward motion and lack of convention. This card represents the new opportunities you may face and the challenges that come with them.

Other Helpful Cards

Consider also adding in other flash cards. Examples include important elements and symbols you may forget, such as wands or crones. As many decks are themed, you may find yourself mostly familiar with the representations on the card, but may need to learn a few.

Create flash cards for anything you have difficulty remembering and insert it into the pile of flash cards.

After studying each flash card, use your flashcards to test your knowledge of the tarot. When you feel fairly confident, enlist the help of a friend or family member who will test you with the cards. Once you are confident with the cards, attempt a test reading, but keep your reference guide near in case you require help.