The Tarot Handbook: Meanings, Spreads, and Predictions
Tarot is more than just a set of illustrated cards—it’s a guidebook to life’s mysteries. Each card carries symbolic meaning, and when arranged in a spread, the cards work together to reveal patterns, insights, and possibilities. This handbook will introduce you to the basics of tarot card meanings, common spreads, and how tarot can be used for predictions and guidance.
Part 1: Tarot Card Meanings
The Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana represent life’s big themes, spiritual lessons, and turning points.
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The Fool (0): New beginnings, risk, potential.
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The Magician (I): Manifestation, skill, resourcefulness.
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The High Priestess (II): Intuition, hidden knowledge, mystery.
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Death (XIII): Transformation, endings leading to renewal.
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The World (XXI): Completion, fulfillment, wholeness.
Tip: Think of the Major Arcana as the “chapters” of life’s story.
The Minor Arcana
The 56 Minor Arcana focus on everyday events and emotions. They’re divided into four suits:
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Cups: Emotions, love, relationships.
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Pentacles: Work, money, material security.
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Swords: Thoughts, challenges, conflicts.
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Wands: Creativity, ambition, inspiration.
Each suit runs from Ace (beginnings) through 10 (completion), followed by four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King.
Part 2: Tarot Spreads
Simple Spreads for Beginners
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One-Card Draw: Quick insight or daily focus.
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Three-Card Spread: Past, Present, Future (or Situation, Challenge, Advice).
Intermediate Spreads
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Five-Card Cross: Gives a broader view of influences around a situation.
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Horseshoe Spread: Reveals past influences, present issues, obstacles, advice, and outcome.
Advanced Spreads
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Celtic Cross (10 cards): A classic spread for deep exploration of a question, covering everything from external influences to possible outcomes.
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Year Ahead Spread (12 cards): One card for each month, providing a roadmap for the year to come.
Tip: Spreads act like sentences—each card position is a “word” that shapes the story.
Part 3: Predictions with Tarot
Tarot doesn’t predict a fixed destiny—it reveals possibilities shaped by current energy, choices, and patterns. Predictions in tarot are best understood as guidance, not absolute certainties.
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Love Predictions: What energies influence your relationships, or what patterns to watch for.
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Career Predictions: Insights into opportunities, challenges, and potential directions.
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Life Predictions: Guidance about personal growth, spiritual lessons, or cycles unfolding.
Reading Predictions Responsibly
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Avoid yes/no thinking—tarot thrives on nuance.
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Frame questions to empower: “What can I do to attract healthy love?” instead of “Will I find love soon?”
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Remember: The future is flexible. Tarot shows the most likely outcome if nothing changes.
Part 4: Practical Tips for Readers
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Connect with the Cards: Spend time studying each one, noticing symbols and colors.
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Trust Intuition: Your first impression often reveals the most relevant message.
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Keep a Tarot Journal: Record spreads, cards, and insights—you’ll notice patterns over time.
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Respect Ethics: Read with compassion and avoid fear-based interpretations.
The tarot is both a map and a mirror. Its meanings give you language for life’s experiences, its spreads provide structure for reflection, and its predictions point toward paths you can choose—or change.
By learning the language of tarot, you gain not just a tool for divination, but a companion for self-discovery, clarity, and empowerment.
