Tarot Foundations: From Card Structure to Complete Readings
This is not a course in memorising seventy-eight definitions. It begins with deck structure and close observation, then moves into context, relationships between cards, question design, and the full reading process.
- Format
- Course materials + human Q&A
- Study time
- About 6–8 hours
- Course fee
- US$149
- Member price
- US$119
Who it is for
- New students who want a structured foundation in tarot
- Self-taught readers who still rely heavily on isolated keywords
- Applicants preparing for the association's foundation tarot certification
What you will be able to do
- Explain the structure of the Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, suits, and court cards
- Describe evidence in the image before forming a contextual interpretation
- Read repetition, contrast, and development across a group of cards
- Complete a clear, well-structured foundation reading
Syllabus
What tarot is
Separate historical evidence, later interpretive traditions, and contemporary practice without treating legend as documented origin.
Historical evidence · Interpretive traditions · Sources · Limits of use
The structure of the deck
Build a map of the whole deck before studying the place of each card within a sequence, suit, and role.
Major Arcana · Number cards · Four suits · Court cards
Observe before interpreting
Describe figures, actions, direction, colour, and composition before reaching for a familiar keyword.
Close observation · Visual focus · Relationships · Description practice
How meanings are formed
Bring traditional meanings, visual evidence, and the question together to form interpretations that are flexible but bounded.
Traditional meanings · Visual evidence · Context · Interpretive limits
Relationships between cards
Use repetition, contrast, emphasis, obstruction, and movement to read several cards as one account rather than separate sentences.
Repetition · Suit balance · Figure direction · Narrative movement
Questions and spreads
Turn vague or leading questions into workable enquiries and select a spread that is sufficient without being needlessly complex.
Reframing questions · Timeframes · Card positions · Simple spreads
A complete foundation reading
Follow a repeatable process from agreeing the question and drawing cards to interpretation, checking understanding, and closing.
Opening · Reading order · Uncertainty · Closing and feedback
Practice and review
Use short exercises and a full case to identify omissions, overreach, and points that require further checking.
Single-card work · Three-card case · Self-check · Review notes
Certification pathway
Together with Practice, Records, and Ethics, this course prepares students for foundation tarot certification. Both courses must be completed before separately registering for and passing the ethics examination.
Course fees and certification fees are separate. Completing a course does not award an association credential; the relevant assessment must also be passed.