How-to Guides · 5 min · 2026-07-29
This article explains how to interpret Tarot cards through a practical example. The author, a Tarot novice, shares how to use intuition and knowledge to read complex decks, especially when the cards appear in reversed positions.
Tarot is not only a forecasting tool, but also a means for deeper exploration of situations and people. This article will guide you on how to approach and interpret the cards in a meaningful way. In practice, begin with the position's job, then let the card image sharpen the answer.
Before you begin: - Identify the question clearly - Choose a suitable deck (Rider-Waite-Smith is a good choice for beginners) - Choose a deck of cards that suits your question - Quiet the mind and open the door to intuition
Advantage position: Represents control, skill, and transformation. Card readers have strong adaptability.
Reverse position: Loss of control; What seems like success is actually just an illusion. Resources are depleted, capabilities are reduced.
Advantage position: Confident leader, high capacity, recognized power.
Reverse position: Abuse of power, bad management. The reader may feel tired, want to escape the situation, or have become too ambitious and beyond his abilities.
Favorable position: Happiness, satisfaction, achieving the desired things.
Reverse position: Awakening from a dream; realize that what is pursued is only virtual. People may be putting too much pressure on themselves to make money, ignoring warnings from spirit. At work, this can indicate overworking on multiple projects at once.
Convenient location: Peaceful, warm, safe and predictable.
Reverse position: Stable but no progress. People can be overtaken by competitors by focusing on maintaining the status quo instead of growing.
Main meaning: Persevere, defend territory, endure a long battle. The person is in a defensive position, tired but still trying to maintain. Maybe waiting for outside support.
Favorable position: New opportunities, success, and joy from inner achievements.
How to understand: Not necessarily the best results, but brings satisfaction to the participants.
Reverse position: Losing guidance, feigning wisdom, providing misleading advice. People may feel confused and pulled in the wrong direction.
Reverse position: Loss of stability; difficulty keeping a job or getting promoted. There may be unwanted changes or lack of stability in career. When several cards repeat a theme, treat the pattern as emphasis rather than certainty. For a cleaner reading, translate the symbol into one observable choice or behavior. If the card feels abstract, ask what it changes in the next small decision.
Popular decks: - Horseshoe: 7 cards, ideal for questions that need comprehensive guidance - V-shaped (Figure V): Focus on basic questions with fewer cards
In the horseshoe deck:
1. Card 1 (Past): Background and events leading up to the current situation 2. Card 2 (Present): Current state or feeling 3. Card 3 (Future): Growth without change 4. Card 4 (Yourself/Answer): Best advice or solution 5. Card 5 (External environment): External factors affecting the situation 6. Card 6 (Obstacles): Challenges to overcome 7. Card 7 (Final Result): Conclusion if all factors are considered For a cleaner reading, translate the symbol into one observable choice or behavior.
The explanations in books may not always be appropriate for your particular situation. Allow your intuition to speak and combine it with basic knowledge.
When the card appears upside-down, it usually indicates: - The negative side of the card - Energy is obstructed - Things that need to be reconsidered or have been ignored
Look at the entire deck, not just the individual cards. Themes and models that will be featured: - Are there too many reversed cards? - Are the weak sets (Cup, Tree, Sword, Money) balanced? - What major cards (Major Arcana) appear?
The best way to learn is to draw cards every day, record your cards and interpretations, then review them after a few weeks to see patterns and improvements.
Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and deeper learning. The key is to combine knowledge, intuition, and openness. Don't draw conclusions hastily; Please take the time to read deeply into each card and its context.
Reference: adapted and edited for Melaap — read alongside your own spread context.
Read deeper
Reading note: Check these meanings against the cards beside them before settling on one keyword.
Source: Zhihu
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