The Art of Reading the Tarot

Do I have to memorise the meanings of all 78 cards?

Absolutely not. Mindlessly memorising definitions kills intuition. Encyclopaedic knowledge is not the same as the wisdom of the Tarot. Instead of learning things "by heart", try to understand the story told on the card.

The best way to learn is to keep a Tarot Journal. Write down your spreads and note the associations that come to mind when you look at the picture. Over time you will notice that your personal definitions work better than the ones in books. Remember: the cards are only a tool - the key to the answer lies in your subconscious.

Can I read the cards several times for the same question?

We strongly advise against it. This is one of the most common traps. If the cards did not give a clear answer the first time, it is a sign that the situation has not yet become clear, or... that you don't like the answer and are looking for another one.

Forcing an answer (asking again and again) brings energetic chaos. The cards will start to show contradictory information, reflecting your anxiety rather than the truth. Respect the first spread. If you don't understand something, take a photo, write it down and come back to the interpretation in a few days. Sometimes "I don't know" is the most honest answer.

Does a reversed card mean misfortune?

Many beginners panic when they see a card "upside down". There is no need. In the world of esotericism there are no coincidences, but there is no absolute doom either.

There are two schools of thought. One says that a reversed card has the opposite meaning. The other (which we recommend) assumes that the energy of the card does not change. Reversal may only suggest that this energy is blocked, delayed or experienced internally rather than externally. Do not treat a reversed card as a bad omen, but as a hint that this aspect needs more attention or "unblocking".