Chapter 1 of 8
Welcome to Tarot
Begin with a question, an image, and one small moment of reflection.
About 3 min read · Practice at your own pace
In this chapter Understand the three ingredients of a reading and make your first connection between an image and a question.
On this page
What a reading includes
Perhaps you have admired tarot cards for a while. Perhaps you have tried a digital draw and wanted to understand it better. You can begin wherever your curiosity has brought you.
Tarot offers a collection of symbolic images to explore. Some people include it in a spiritual practice; others use it for reflection, conversation, or creative work. You can bring your own beliefs and curiosity.
In this guide, a reading has three ingredients:
- A question: something you want to give your attention to.
- A card: an image and a set of common themes to explore.
- An interpretation: a possible connection to your circumstances.
A reading cannot verify another person’s feelings or establish what will happen. Keep your knowledge of the situation close by, and seek any facts or advice your decision needs. Looking up a card’s meaning is part of learning.
Your first small reflection
Let’s begin with The Star. We have deliberately chosen it for this study exercise. You can use the image below without drawing a card of your own.
The Star, shown in InnerSigns’ card artwork. Look for one detail that catches your attention.
InnerSigns card libraryIn this InnerSigns illustration, a figure kneels beside water and pours from two vessels beneath a sky of stars. Notice where your attention goes: perhaps to the water, the vessels, or the large star.
Describe one thing you can see before deciding what it means. “Water is flowing from both vessels” is an observation. “This reminds me of caring for something” is a personal association. You can write both, keeping them separate.
The Star is commonly associated with hope and renewal. With that theme in mind, consider this question:
What would support a sense of renewal today?
You might think of returning to an enjoyable activity, making room for rest, or reconnecting with someone. These are possibilities to consider. You can also leave the question open.
Try it yourself
You have practiced a basic reading skill: connecting an image and a common meaning with a question. You can return to this exercise whenever you want a simple place to begin.