Struggling to learn tarot? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned learner, here are five common tarot mishaps — like doubting yourself when we can’t interpret the card quickly, or pulling endless clarifers — and what to do instead so you can actually enjoy the magic (without the stress)!

Learning tarot is an exciting journey, but let’s be real—it can also feel pretty overwhelming at times. Maybe you’re struggling to memorize all 78 cards, second-guessing your intuition, or feeling stuck in information overload. You’re not alone! A lot of beginners run into the same roadblocks. In this article, we’ll go over five common pitfalls when learning tarot—and what you can do instead to make your practice feel easier, more intuitive, and way more fun.

1) Trying to memorize the meanings too fast. 

One of the biggest mistakes new tarot readers make is rushing to memorize all 78 card meanings. It’s completely understandable—we live in a fast-paced world that pushes us to learn quickly and master things overnight. When we try to memorize it all, we end up pressuring ourselves to cram, as if there’s a school exam the next day!

Instead, go slow, my dear Page of Pentacles! Give yourself permission to learn each card through building a relationship with each card. Every card holds a universal lesson, a story, or an energy that goes beyond just a definition. Instead of pressuring yourself to memorize everything at once, let your curiosity lead the way. Spend time studying its imagery, and noticing how it makes you feel. The meanings will naturally start to stick over time, and more importantly, you’ll know what it means from a personal perspective, and be able to gain the wisdom the card is conveying.

2) Invalidating ourselves when we can’t apply the meaning to our lives

Don’t you hate it when you pull a card, read the interpretation, and wonder ‘what the heck does this have to do with me?!” First of all, we’ve all been there, so take a deep breath if this is you. 

Here’s the thing, it’s hard to be neutral when reading for ourselves sometimes. There can be many reasons why we can’t apply the meaning. Sometimes, it’s because we’re taking the interpretation too literally. For example, a card might not refer directly to your life, but instead highlight an emotion, a pattern, or something unfolding beneath the surface you haven’t fully recognized yet. 

Sometimes, we try to apply an entire card meaning when we really just need to soften our approach. Instead, focus on a single theme that resonates with you and explore what it means in your life. Journal on it, reflect, and trust your intuition. Relying too much on external definitions can drown out your own inner wisdom—give yourself space to listen.

It can also be helpful to walk away from it for a bit and stay open to how its message might make more sense if you give it more space. Tarot is a conversation, not a test—you don’t have to have all the answers right away!

3) Making yourself read reversals

If you don’t know what reversals are, it is when a tarot card is pulled ‘upside down’ which indicates a different meaning than right side up. 

Many beginners feel pressured to read reversed tarot cards, thinking it’s the “right” way to do a reading. But honestly, reversals are entirely optional! If they feel confusing or overwhelming, you can choose not to read them. All you gotta do is tell the Universe / the divine / spirit (or whoever you’re talking to!) “I’m reading all cards upright” and they’ll get the message to you in a different way.

Tarot is meant to be an intuitive practice, not a rigid set of rules. Plus, many upright cards already contain a full spectrum of meanings—both light and shadow—depending on the context. Instead of forcing yourself to read reversals, focus on deepening your understanding of the overall lesson of the card. If and when reversals start to make sense to you, you can decide to incorporate them. 

As an aside: I do not read reversals because I am an intuitive reader. The cards give me a direction / focus point and I use my intuition to gather what wants to be said. You can choose what type of reader you want to be. Allow yourself to make tarot a practice that works for you.

4) Pulling multiple cards on the same question throughout the day

Are you stress reading?! It’s tempting to keep pulling cards on the same question, especially if you are feeling emotionally activated, or when you don’t love the first answer. (Oh, the Tower? Let’s try that again…) If this is you, I send you empathetic compassion, but please… step away from the tarot cards.

Asking the same question or pulling endless clarifying cards can lead to confusion, mixed messages. And honestly, sometimes the deck can start teasing you—this is usually when the Universe slaps me with the ‘you’re overthinking to death’ Ten of Swords! 

Instead of pulling cards all day try sitting with your initial reading, and give it space. When we’re emotionally triggered, it can be difficult to see what the cards may be trying to tell you. Take time to let yourself have your emotions first, and allow your mind to relax. Go for a walk, meditate, and come back to it at a later time when you’re ready to look at it with self-honesty. 

Sometimes the Tarot kicks our spiritual butt and we have to hear messages that are hard to hear, but it is for your highest good. Trust that the cards have already spilled the tea—you just might need time to fully process it!

5) Not trusting your intuition

We’re taught to trust books, experts, and Google—but not our own intuition. So when a tarot card sparks a gut feeling that doesn’t match the guidebook, doubt creeps in. Am I just making this up? Instead of second-guessing yourself, let go of the idea that there’s a single “right” answer. Your first thoughts, emotions, and instincts are guiding you—trust them.

Tarot isn’t about strict definitions; it’s about learning to trust yourself. The more you do, the more naturally the messages will come. Sometimes a card aligns perfectly with the book, other times a single symbol jumps out and speaks to you in a way no definition ever could. That’s the beauty of tarot—it’s a conversation, there are no absolute right or wrongs. So stop stressing about the “right” meaning. Trust yourself, let the cards speak, and remember—your interpretation is just as valid as anyone else’s!

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