Developing Foundational Tarot Skills: A Rider Waite Smith Deck Focus
Rider Waite Smith tarot cards laid out in a tableau
Please note: This post was drafted with the assistance of AI tools to help organize and articulate the core concepts developed by the author. It has been thoroughly reviewed, edited, and approved by Toby Skibinski, the Tarot Apprenticeship course tutor.
Embarking on the journey to read tarot effectively is exciting, but building a truly solid foundation is essential for moving beyond simple keywords towards genuine insight. Many aspiring readers get stuck memorizing lists of meanings without grasping the deeper language of the cards. This post explores the core skills needed for proficiency, focusing primarily on the rich symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system, which forms the foundation of the Tarot Apprenticeship pathway. We'll look at understanding the deck's structure, interpreting its language, and the essential techniques needed to begin reading with clarity and confidence.
The High Priestess card from the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck
Beyond Keywords: The Limits of Rote Memorization
A common hurdle for new tarot learners is relying solely on memorized keywords. While keywords offer a starting point, they are inherently limiting and can lead to flat, generic readings.
Why Keywords Fall Short
They strip away nuance, context, and the rich interplay of symbols within and between cards. True interpretation requires understanding the story the cards tell together.
The Goal: Symbolic Fluency
Effective divination involves learning to read the language of the cards – understanding the symbolism, colours, numbers, and character interactions within the RWS artwork specifically. This allows for interpretations that are both intuitive and grounded.
Understanding the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) Structure: A Map for the Journey
The Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck, like all regular tarot decks, has a clear structure that provides a framework for understanding its messages.
The Major Arcana
These 22 cards are usually said to represent significant life lessons, archetypal energies, and major spiritual turning points – often called the "Fool's Journey." Understanding these archetypes is said to be key to grasping the larger themes in a reading. But this is a popular myth, as proven by serious tarot scholars such as Dusty White.
The Minor Arcana (Ace-10s)
These 56 cards depict the more everyday experiences, challenges, and energies we encounter, divided into four suits typically associated with elements:
Wands (Fire): Action, inspiration, creativity, willpower.
Cups (Water): Emotions, relationships, intuition, feelings.
Swords (Air): Intellect, thoughts, communication, conflict, challenges.
Pentacles (Earth): Material world, finances, health, practical matters, security.
The Minor Arcana (Court Cards)
Page, Knight, Queen, King within each suit. These often represent people, personality types, roles we play, or ways of approaching situations. They add a layer of personality and social dynamics to readings.
The 78 cards of the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Learning the Language: Approaches Taught
Developing proficiency goes beyond knowing the structure; it involves learning how to interpret the language of the cards effectively within our framework:
Symbolic Interpretation
We focus on deeply analysing the rich visual details within the RWS cards – the colours, postures, objects, numbers, and recurring symbols – and understanding their potential meanings within an esoteric and practical context.
Reading Card Combinations
A card's meaning is rarely fixed; it shifts based on the question asked and the surrounding cards. Learning to read the cards in combination (rather than in isolation) is an essential skill for insightful readings.
Intuitive Connection
While grounded in symbolism and structure, effective divination also involves developing your intuition – an umistakable inner knowing from the Ineffable Divine. Here is an exploration of how to responsibly balance learned knowledge with intuitive hits.
Essential Techniques for Foundational Skill
Certain practical techniques form the bedrock of learning, including; reading preparation, reading for yourself, asking the right question and mastering basic tarot spreads.
Reading Preparation: Relaxation, Meditation & Prayer
[Link to cluster post: How To Prepare For A Tarot Divination Reading]
Reading for Yourself
This is the first and most important step for aspiring professional readers to take. Mastering self-readings allows for safe practice, deep self-discovery, and learning to navigate personal biases so that the student can effectively and ethically read for others.
Forming The Right Question
The quality of a reading often depends on the quality of the question. Learning to frame open-ended, constructive questions focused on insight and guidance (rather than closed yes/no questions) is said by many tarot teachers to yield much richer results. But this is yet another myth. This one is disproven with experimentation, as students of the Tarot Apprenticeship course can see for themselves during the intensive practise phase (Stage II).
A few Rider Waite Smith tarot cards laid out on a cloth
Mastering Basic Tarot Spreads
Starting with simple, versatile spreads (like 1-card draws, 3-card past-present-future or situation-action-outcome) builds confidence and provides structure before tackling more complex layouts.
The Role of 1-to-1 Mentorship & Practice
Developing these foundational skills takes time, consistent effort, and guidance. This is where the apprenticeship model shines:
Personalized Feedback: Regular 1-to-1 sessions provide tailored feedback on your interpretations, helping you identify blind spots, correct misunderstandings, and build confidence faster than studying alone.
Guided Practice: The structure ensures you engage in consistent practice (both self-reading and later, pro bono work), which is non-negotiable for building fluency.
Overcoming Blocks: A mentor can help you navigate common learning plateaus or challenges with specific cards or concepts.
Conclusion: Building a Solid Foundation
Developing foundational skills in tarot, particularly with a rich symbolic system like the Rider Waite Smith one, is the essential first step towards proficiency and effective divination. It requires moving beyond keywords to understand structure, symbolism, context, and technique. While challenging, approaching it with structure, dedication, and ideally guidance, allows you to build a solid base upon which true insight and even mastery can eventually stand. This commitment to foundational excellence is core to the Tarot Apprenticeship.
What foundational tarot skill do you find most crucial or challenging? Share your thoughts below (if comments enabled). Explore specific skills and concepts further via the links above.
