Exercise One: Learning Each Tarot Card

This exercise is designed to aid in learning the meanings and symbolism of tarot cards, specifically the Major Arcana cards and the four Minor Arcana suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles). Each card is analyzed through a series of questions that consider its appearance, personality, relationship to various aspects of life (such as work, love, and money), and potential meaning in a tarot reading. By answering these questions, you will gain a deeper understanding and connection to each card, which can aid in interpreting it in readings. This exercise can be done for each card in a tarot deck or used to focus on specific cards of interest.

Learn the Major Arcana Cards

Pick a Major Arcana card from a tarot deck and answer the following questions:

• 1. First impressions of the card: What is your initial reaction to this card? What stands out the most to you?

• 2. If it was a person, how would it be? Imagine the card as a person. What kind of personality traits would it have? How would it act? What kind of energy does it exude?

• 3. At work, how is it? How does this card relate to a work environment? Is it a good card to have in a career reading? Does it suggest a particular field or profession?

• 4. In love, how is it? What does this card say about love and relationships? Is it a good omen for a new romance or does it indicate challenges in a current relationship?

• 5. How does it deal with money? What does the card suggest about financial matters? Does it signify prosperity or financial struggles?

• 6. Does it remember someone you know? Does the card remind you of anyone you know personally? It could be a friend, family member, or acquaintance.

• 7. My own conclusions: Based on your responses to the previous questions, what do you think this card means overall? How would you interpret it in a tarot reading? What insights did you gain from examining this card?

Learn the Minor Arcana Cards

This exercise can be applied to the minor arcana cards as well, with different questions tailored to the specific suit or element of the card. Here are some example questions:

Wands (Fire):

• 1. First impressions of the card: What is your initial reaction to this card? What stands out the most to you?

• 2. If it was a person, how would it be? Imagine the card as a person. What kind of personality traits would it have? How would it act? What kind of energy does it exude?

• 3. At work, how is it? How does this card relate to a work environment? Is it a good card to have in a career reading? Does it suggest a particular field or profession?

• 4. In love, how is it? What does this card say about love and relationships? Is it a good omen for a new romance or does it indicate challenges in a current relationship?

• 5. How does it deal with money? What does the card suggest about financial matters? Does it signify prosperity or financial struggles?

• 6. Does it remind you of a situation in your life? Does the card remind you of a particular situation or challenge you're facing in your life right now?

• 7. My own conclusions: Based on your responses to the previous questions, what do you think this card means overall? How would you interpret it in a tarot reading? What insights did you gain from examining this card?

Cups (Water):

• 1. First impressions of the card: What is your initial reaction to this card? What stands out the most to you?

• 2. If it was a person, how would it be? Imagine the card as a person. What kind of personality traits would it have? How would it act? What kind of energy does it exude?

• 3. How does it relate to emotions? How does this card relate to emotions and feelings? Is it a good card to have in a reading about emotional issues?

• 4. In love, how is it? What does this card say about love and relationships? Is it a good omen for a new romance or does it indicate challenges in a current relationship?

• 5. How does it deal with intuition? What does the card suggest about intuition and spiritual matters? Does it signify a strong connection to the subconscious or heightened psychic abilities?

• 6. Does it remind you of a person you know? Does the card remind you of a particular person in your life who embodies the energy of this card?

• 7. My own conclusions: Based on your responses to the previous questions, what do you think this card means overall? How would you interpret it in a tarot reading? What insights did you gain from examining this card?

Swords (Air):

• 1. First impressions of the card: What is your initial reaction to this card? What stands out the most to you?

• 2. If it was a person, how would it be? Imagine the card as a person. What kind of personality traits would it have? How would it act? What kind of energy does it exude?

• 3. How does it relate to intellect and communication? How does this card relate to our thoughts and communication? Does it suggest analytical thinking or strategic planning?

• 4. In love, how is it? What does this card say about love and relationships? Is it a good omen for a new romance or does it indicate challenges in a current relationship?

• 5. How does it deal with conflict and challenges? What does the card suggest about facing obstacles and overcoming challenges? Does it signify resilience or struggle?

• 6. Does it remind you of a decision you need to make? Does the card remind you of a particular decision or dilemma you're facing in your life right now?

• 7. My own conclusions: Based on your responses to the previous questions, what do you think this card means overall? How would you interpret it in a tarot reading? What insights did you gain from examining this card?

Pentacles (Earth):

• 1. First impressions of the card: What is your initial reaction to this card? What stands out the most to you?

• 2. If it was a person, how would it be? Imagine the card as a person. What kind of personality traits would it have? How would it act? What kind of energy does it exude?

• 3. How does it relate to money and practical matters? How does this card relate to finances and practical matters? Does it suggest abundance or scarcity?

• 4. In love, how is it? What does this card say about love and relationships? Is it a good omen for a new romance or does it indicate challenges in a current relationship?

• 5. How does it deal with the physical world? What does the card suggest about our relationship to our bodies and the physical world around us? Does it signify health and well-being or materialism and greed?

• 6. Does it remind you of a possession you own? Does the card remind you of a particular possession or material object that holds significance in your life?

• 7. My own conclusions: Based on your responses to the previous questions, what do you think this card means overall? How would you interpret it in a tarot reading? What insights did you gain from examining this card?