Whether you want to read for yourself or for friends, memorizing tarot cards will take your skills to the next level. It’s all about association – linking things together in your mind to make them easier to recall. It’s the same process by which we remember faces with names or objects with emotions – and it’s exactly how you can improve your memory of tarot card meanings.
It’s also all about forming connections in your brain, so the best way to do this is to make sure you engage with the cards regularly. Practice draws, journaling and even doing readings for others will help you cement the cards in your procedural memory. And, just like practicing a musical instrument or learning a new language, the more you do it, the better you’ll become.
Start with the Major Arcana cards – a neat set of 22 (think major life turning points and dramatic scenes, each a little drama in its own right) that are easy to understand and have vivid imagery. Then, move on to the Minor Arcana, focusing on the suits – cups, swords, pentacles and wands – and their numerical order (Ace to Ten). This will help you remember the card numbers as well as its specific qualities.
You can also work with the astrological correspondences between elements, zodiac signs and planets to enhance your understanding of card meanings. This is helpful, particularly with the numbered Minor Arcana cards, as it will give you clues as to what’s happening in your life at a given time.
