The Fool’s First Step: How to Begin Your Tarot Journey

Carrie Slayton
Jul 22
2 min read

Updated: Oct 21

“Every journey begins with a single step." —Lao Tzu

In Tarot, that step belongs to The Fool—innocent, open-hearted, and ready to leap into the unknown.

The Beginning is Sacred

Starting your Tarot journey can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming. There are 78 cards, centuries of tradition, and a mountain of books, spreads, and symbolism to explore. But here’s the secret: you don’t need to know everything to begin. You just need curiosity, a deck, and a willingness to listen to the whispers of the cards—and to yourself.

In the Tarot, The Fool represents pure potential, limitless possibility, and a brave trust in the path ahead. You don’t need a master plan. You just need to show up.

What You Actually Need to Begin

Let’s strip away the myths and gatekeeping. Here’s what you really need to start:

A Tarot Deck That Speaks to You. Don’t overthink it. Choose a deck with imagery that resonates emotionally or visually. The classic Rider-Waite-Smith is a great learning tool, but modern or indie decks can be just as instructive.
A Journal (Digital or Physical). Your reflections matter more than memorized meanings. Start a Tarot journal to note daily pulls, spreads, emotional reactions, and insights.
A Spirit of Exploration, Not Perfection. You will mess up. You’ll forget card meanings. You’ll second-guess yourself. Good. That’s how you build a relationship with the cards—just like you would with a new friend.

First Practices to Begin Walking the Path

Here are a few gentle ways to step into the journey, Fool-style:

1-Card Daily Pull

Pull one card each morning. Ask:

What energy do I need to be aware of today?
What lesson is waiting for me?

Write it down. Observe your day. Come back and reflect.

Tarot & Emotions

Instead of just reading for answers, try reading for awareness. Ask:

What am I not seeing clearly right now?
What truth am I avoiding?

Use the cards to get under the surface of your current emotional state.

Create a Personal Meaning Map

Start building your own interpretations. For each card, write:

A few words or symbols that stand out
A memory or story the card reminds you of
How the card might show up in real life

The Fool’s Wisdom: You Already Know the Way

You might be surprised to realize you’re not a beginner in the deepest sense. You’ve already lived the archetypes. You’ve faced towers, held the star, danced with the lovers, and stood in judgment. Tarot isn’t just something you learn—it’s something you remember.

And that’s what makes your Fool’s first step so powerful: you’re not starting from scratch, you’re returning to something ancient inside you.

So gather your cards, take a deep breath, and place your foot on the unseen path. The wind is at your back. The pack is light. The sun is shining. Your journey begins now.

Until next time, may your path be illuminated, your readings insightful, and your intuition ever strong.