Tarot cards are becoming increasingly popular today, as more people become interested in self-improvement and expanding their knowledge of the esoterical world.

One of the main problems newcomers to tarot face is learning and remembering the different meanings for each of the 78 cards in a tarot deck – it can be pretty daunting if you're new to the world of tarot!

Although there are "standard" keywords and phrases which are universally recognised by the majority of tarotists, these are certainly not definitive and no way are they set in stone.

Intuition and in many cases, psychic ability, play a large part in tarot readings. Once you get to know your particular deck of cards, your inner self will begin to take over when you read.  Of course, it'll certainly help if you take the time to read and memorise the standard meanings, particularly if you're using a Rider-Waite based deck but don't get too hung up on these.  You'll subconsciously recall your meanings when you see a card or even hear or read its name. This is when the true magic of tarot begins ….

Glance through any tarot book available today (and there are hundreds) and you'll discover that the majority list the "standard" meanings, which have been handed down over the years. As I mentioned before, it's useful to read and memorise these – but the true secret to reading tarot cards is revealed when you begin associating cards with your own meanings, keywords and phrases.

Once you begin to work in this way, you're on your way to becoming an intuitive tarot reader.

Listed below are some of the keywords traditionally accepted for the cards but feel free to add your own interpretations:

Aces          new beginnings

Twos         choices, balance

Threes       achievement

Fours         stability, harmony

Fives         instability, uncertainty

Sixes         balance, harmony

Sevens      reflection

Eights        changes, movement

Nines         nearing completion

Tens          completions, endings

Meanings of the different Suits

Swords      action

Wands       intellect

Cups          emotions

Pentacles   material world

Court Cards

These are thought to be the hardest cards to interpret in a deck, so here's my quick take on how I see them when they appear in a reading:

Pages the need to study or learn – keyword Student

Knights the need to take action – keyword  Warrior

Queens the need for vision or a response – keyword  Visionary

Kings decisions or commitments – keyword  Leader

By using these easy phrases and the keyword, the Court Cards take on new life and are easier to integrate into your readings.