Tarot with Adrian
Here are some basics.
Before diving into a reading, let's clear up some of the language, symbols and history of the cards so you know enough to get to grips with your reading.
To be clear, you do not need to know anything about the Tarot to have a reading. The information here is purely to give you a bit of insight and background to deepen your engagement with your reading. When you're sitting with your reader, everything will be explained to you.
Terminology
Tarot
Pronounced "Taro" (the last 't' is silent), it's the deck of 78 cards that has been used for divination since at least the 15th century.
Reader
The person doing your reading. This person will guide the steps taken in the reading, as well as interpret the cards and offer guidance based on your question.
Querent
The person asking the question and receiving the reading.
Major Arcana
The first 22 cards of the Tarot, numbered 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World). These cards follow the journey of the soul, marking major milestones on its path to enlightenment. Each of the Major Arcana cards individually has its own distinct characteristics, symbols and meanings.
Minor Arcana
The next 56 cards after the Major Arcana, made up of four suits: Wands (or Fire), Swords (or Air), Cups (or Water) and Pentacles (or Earth). Each suit consists of cards 1 (Ace) to 10, which maps the more everyday markers of our journey through life. Then there are four Court Cards: the Page, Knight, Queen and King, which embody more specific values that inform our progress on our respective journeys.
Spread
The layout of the cards for your particular reading. There are many spreads; there is no singular, 'definitive' spread. Spreads can be adapted based on need, question and intuition, or to address specific parts of your question in more depth.
Rider-Waite
The most commonly-known style of Tarot cards today, featuring such familiar images as the Sun, the Hanged Man, the Star, the Devil and so on. While it's the most popular set of designs, it's by no means the only one; there are many, many different interpretations of the cards out there, but they all follow the same structure of the Major and Minor Arcana.
Swords
One of the suits of the Minor Arcana, it is also represented by the element Air. Swords govern the realm of the mind, masculinity, sorrow and logic.
Wands
One of the suits of the Minor Arcana, it is also represented by the element Fire. Wands represent ambition, expansion, creativity and strength.
Cups
One of the suits of the Minor Arcana, it is also represented by the element Water. Cups speak to the inner world, emotions, intuition and spirituality.
Pentacles
One of the suits of the Minor Arcana, it is also represented by the element Earth. Pentacles embody the physical realm, resources, work and the body.
Example Spread
Here's an example of a five-card spread for someone who has asked the question:
"I've had a really tough year. I've been really sad recently and now I'm unable to decide on the path I should take in the coming year. I feel lost. What should I do?"
Card 1:
The Year That Has Been
Three of Swords. This card indicates that the past year has been one of sorrow and heartbreak, and it has weighed on the mind. Losses have occurred, but it's important to remember that this is part of growing in strength in life.
Card 2:
How We Got Here
Two of Swords. The querent has felt unable - or been unwilling - to make a decision. The intuition (represented by the water) is still active, and should not be ignored; listening to one's inner voice is critically important.
Card 3:
The Present State of Mind
The Tower. Recent events have been severely disruptive, but ultimately, it serves to clear out that which no longer serves the querent. It is a tough process, but necessary in order to move forward.
Card 4:
The Tool to Move Forward
Eight of Pentacles. It's perhaps time to focus on learning and/or honing a skill. There is abundance on the way, and a lot of work has already been done; it's now time to focus on getting to that higher stage of development.
Card 5:
The Message Ahead
Temperance. The coming year will be one that will require patience, and an engagement with both the intellectual and emotional self to achieve the right balance. This is a time for healing, and the year ahead has great things on the horizon.
Even though this reading contains several cards that can come across as very 'negative', the fact is that they function - in this particular case - only to acknowledge the suffering that the querent has already endured. As they look forward, there are good things on the horizon - as long as they put in a bit of work!
The first two cards indicate that the querent has gone through very difficult times recently, and that there is a pattern of allowing the sadness to infiltrate the mind (as indicated by both cards being Swords, which govern the realm of the mind). Overthinking and overanalysing have led to paralysis and stasis.
The third card, representing the present situation in this case, is where we get the first Major Arcana card: The Tower. Traditionally feared, this card represents sudden, dramatic change. In the context of this reading, it demonstrates that the querent's recent suffering has served to clear out obstacles, and this is a time for making changes in life. It is, in fact, a good thing!
The two final cards - the tool to move forward and the message for the coming year - emphasise that it's time to buckle down and focus on learning something new or developing an existing skill as the way out of the current feelings of sadness. It will take time (as indicated by Temperance), and it will surely be a process, but there are tremendously good things on the horizon. Just keep going!