Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot
Complete Tarot Reading Curriculum
A comprehensive course covering the RWS system, card symbolism, spreads, intuitive interpretation, reversals, relationship readings, career readings, timing, and professional reading methodology.
Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot Cards
Explore the visual language of the deck alongside the curriculum.

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LEVEL 1 — TAROT FOUNDATIONS
Module 1 — Introduction to Tarot
- What is Tarot?
- History and evolution of Tarot
- Major Tarot traditions
- Rider–Waite–Smith tradition
- Structure of a 78-card deck
- Major Arcana vs Minor Arcana
- Court cards
- Upright vs reversed cards
- Tarot as symbolic language
- Intuition vs memorization
- Ethical Tarot practice
Module 2 — Anatomy of the RWS Deck
- 22 Major Arcana
- 56 Minor Arcana
- Four suits
– Wands
– Cups
– Swords
– Pentacles
- Four Pages
- Four Knights
- Four Queens
- Four Kings
- Number cards from Ace–10
- Visual storytelling in the cards
Module 3 — Reading the Images
Learn to observe:
- Characters
- Facial expressions
- Body posture
- Clothing
- Colors
- Animals
- Plants
- Architecture
- Objects
- Landscape
- Weather
- Direction
- Movement
- Light and darkness
- Symbols
- Repeated motifs
—
LEVEL 2 — THE FOUR SUITS
Module 4 — Wands
Core themes:
- Fire
- Action
- Passion
- Creativity
- Ambition
- Adventure
- Personal drive
Study:
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
Module 5 — Cups
Core themes:
- Water
- Emotion
- Love
- Relationships
- Intuition
- Creativity
- Emotional fulfillment
Study all 14 Cups cards.
Module 6 — Swords
Core themes:
- Air
- Thought
- Communication
- Conflict
- Decisions
- Truth
- Mental challenges
Study all 14 Swords cards.
Module 7 — Pentacles
Core themes:
- Earth
- Money
- Career
- Material resources
- Health
- Security
- Practical achievement
Study all 14 Pentacles cards.
—
LEVEL 3 — THE NUMBER SYSTEM
Module 8 — The Aces
- Ace of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
Understand the Ace as:
- Beginning
- Potential
- Seed
- Opportunity
- Raw energy
Module 9 — Numbers 2–10
Study the recurring numerical progression:
2 — Duality / Choice
3 — Development / Expansion
4 — Stability / Structure
5 — Conflict / Change
6 — Balance / Movement
7 — Challenge / Assessment
8 — Power / Movement / Structure
9 — Completion / Maturity
10 — Culmination / Completion
Then examine how each number behaves differently in Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.
—
LEVEL 4 — COURT CARDS
Module 10 — Pages
- Page of Wands
- Page of Cups
- Page of Swords
- Page of Pentacles
Themes:
- Learning
- Messages
- Curiosity
- Beginnings
- Youthful energy
Module 11 — Knights
- Knight of Wands
- Knight of Cups
- Knight of Swords
- Knight of Pentacles
Themes:
- Movement
- Pursuit
- Action
- Development
Module 12 — Queens
- Queen of Wands
- Queen of Cups
- Queen of Swords
- Queen of Pentacles
Themes:
- Mature feminine expression
- Internal mastery
- Nurturing
- Perception
- Practical wisdom
Module 13 — Kings
- King of Wands
- King of Cups
- King of Swords
- King of Pentacles
Themes:
- Leadership
- Authority
- Mastery
- External expression
—
LEVEL 5 — MAJOR ARCANA

Module 14 — The Fool
- Beginning
- Freedom
- Risk
- Trust
- Adventure
- The journey
Module 15 — The Magician
- Will
- Skill
- Manifestation
- Communication
- Resources
Module 16 — The High Priestess
- Intuition
- Mystery
- Hidden knowledge
- Silence
- Inner wisdom
Module 17 — The Empress
- Creativity
- Abundance
- Nurturing
- Sensuality
- Growth
Module 18 — The Emperor
- Authority
- Structure
- Leadership
- Boundaries
- Stability
Module 19 — The Hierophant
- Tradition
- Teaching
- Institutions
- Belief systems
- Guidance
Module 20 — The Lovers
- Love
- Union
- Choice
- Values
- Alignment
Module 21 — The Chariot
- Determination
- Direction
- Control
- Victory
- Discipline
Module 22 — Strength
- Courage
- Compassion
- Self-control
- Inner power
Module 23 — The Hermit
- Solitude
- Reflection
- Wisdom
- Searching
- Inner guidance
Module 24 — Wheel of Fortune
- Cycles
- Change
- Fate
- Opportunity
- Turning points
Module 25 — Justice
- Truth
- Accountability
- Balance
- Consequences
- Decisions
Module 26 — The Hanged Man
- Pause
- Surrender
- Perspective
- Sacrifice
- Re-evaluation
Module 27 — Death
- Transformation
- Endings
- Transition
- Release
- Renewal
Module 28 — Temperance
- Balance
- Integration
- Moderation
- Healing
- Harmony
Module 29 — The Devil
- Attachment
- Temptation
- Materialism
- Shadow
- Restriction
Module 30 — The Tower
- Disruption
- Revelation
- Collapse
- Sudden change
- Liberation
Module 31 — The Star
- Hope
- Renewal
- Inspiration
- Faith
- Healing
Module 32 — The Moon
- Uncertainty
- Illusion
- Fear
- Dreams
- Subconscious processes
Module 33 — The Sun
- Joy
- Clarity
- Vitality
- Success
- Recognition
Module 34 — Judgement
- Awakening
- Evaluation
- Calling
- Renewal
- Decision
Module 35 — The World
- Completion
- Integration
- Achievement
- Wholeness
- Completion of a cycle
—
LEVEL 6 — SYMBOLISM MASTERCLASS
Module 36 — RWS Symbolism
Study recurring symbols such as:
- Roses
- Lilies
- Mountains
- Rivers
- Water
- Clouds
- Sun
- Moon
- Stars
- Animals
- Birds
- Trees
- Towers
- Crowns
- Staffs
- Swords
- Cups
- Coins
- Paths
- Bridges
- Gates
Module 37 — Color & Visual Language
Analyze:
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
- White
- Black
- Green
- Gray
- Gold
Learn how visual elements can contribute to interpretation without treating every symbol as having one universally fixed meaning.
—
LEVEL 7 — TAROT CORRESPONDENCES
Module 38 — Elements
- Fire
- Water
- Air
- Earth
Module 39 — Astrology & Tarot
Introduce traditional correspondences between:
- Major Arcana
- Zodiac signs
- Planets
- Elements
Module 40 — Numerology & Tarot
- Numbers 1–10
- Number patterns
- Repeating numbers
- Numerical relationships between cards
Module 41 — Hebrew & Esoteric Correspondences
For advanced students:
- Tree of Life
- Paths
- Golden Dawn correspondence systems
- Elemental associations
Clearly distinguish historical RWS material from later occult correspondence systems.
—
LEVEL 8 — READING TECHNIQUES
Module 42 — One-Card Readings
- Daily card
- Question card
- Advice card
- Reflection card
Module 43 — Two-Card Readings
Examples:
- Situation / Advice
- Problem / Solution
- You / Other Person
- Challenge / Opportunity
Module 44 — Three-Card Readings
- Past / Present / Future
- Situation / Action / Outcome
- Mind / Body / Spirit
- Problem / Cause / Solution
Module 45 — Five-Card Readings
- Situation
- Challenge
- Hidden influence
- Advice
- Potential outcome
—
LEVEL 9 — ADVANCED SPREADS
Module 46 — Celtic Cross
Master all ten positions:
- Present situation
- Challenge
- Conscious influence
- Foundation
- Past
- Near future
- Self
- Environment
- Hopes/fears
- Outcome
Module 47 — Relationship Spread
- You
- Partner
- Their perspective
- Your perspective
- Connection
- Challenge
- Potential direction
Module 48 — Career Spread
- Current position
- Strength
- Challenge
- Opportunity
- Hidden factor
- Action
- Potential direction
Module 49 — Decision Spread
- Option A
- Option B
- Advantages
- Challenges
- Hidden considerations
- Advice
—
LEVEL 10 — REVERSALS
Module 50 — Understanding Reversed Cards
Possible approaches:
- Blocked energy
- Internal expression
- Delay
- Excess
- Deficiency
- Alternative expression
- Shadow aspect
Module 51 — Reversed Major Arcana
Module 52 — Reversed Minor Arcana
Module 53 — Reversal Combinations
Learn how multiple reversed cards can affect the overall reading without automatically treating them as “bad.”
—
LEVEL 11 — CARD COMBINATIONS
Module 54 — Reading Two Cards Together
Learn:
- Reinforcement
- Contrast
- Cause/effect
- Sequence
- Modification
Module 55 — Three-Card Combinations
Examples:
- Major + Minor + Court
- Elemental combinations
- Repeating numbers
- Repeating suits
Module 56 — Repeating Patterns
Identify:
- Multiple Major Arcana
- Multiple Cups
- Multiple Swords
- Multiple Court Cards
- Repeating numbers
- Repeating elemental themes
—
LEVEL 12 — PREDICTIVE TAROT
Module 57 — Timing
Explore different approaches to:
- Wands as fast energy
- Cups as emotional timing
- Swords as rapid developments
- Pentacles as slower development
Module 58 — Potential Outcomes
- Probability vs certainty
- Conditional outcomes
- Changing circumstances
- Advice-oriented prediction
Module 59 — Yes/No Questions
- When appropriate
- Limitations
- Better alternatives to binary questions
—
LEVEL 13 — SPECIALIZED READINGS
Module 60 — Love & Relationships
- New relationships
- Existing relationships
- Breakups
- Reconciliation
- Communication
- Compatibility
- Emotional dynamics
Module 61 — Career
- Career direction
- Job changes
- Entrepreneurship
- Workplace challenges
- Opportunities
Module 62 — Money
- Financial habits
- Opportunities
- Risks
- Resources
- Planning
Module 63 — Personal Development
- Strengths
- Blind spots
- Emotional patterns
- Growth
- Decision-making
—
LEVEL 14 — INTUITIVE TAROT
Module 64 — Developing Intuition
- First impressions
- Emotional response
- Visual associations
- Storytelling
- Pattern recognition
Module 65 — Intuitive vs Traditional Reading
- Memorized meanings
- Contextual meanings
- Symbolic observation
- Intuitive impressions
- Combining systems
Module 66 — Reading Without a Book
Exercises for:
- Describing the image
- Identifying the central story
- Finding the dominant emotion
- Identifying the action
- Formulating an interpretation
—
LEVEL 15 — PROFESSIONAL TAROT READING
Module 67 — Conducting a Reading
- Opening a session
- Clarifying the question
- Choosing a spread
- Explaining cards
- Managing uncertainty
- Closing the session
Module 68 — Ethics
- Consent
- Privacy
- Confidentiality
- Avoiding dependency
- Avoiding manipulation
- Respecting client autonomy
- Handling sensitive subjects responsibly
Module 69 — Question Reformulation
Transform:
“Will my ex definitely come back?”
into:
“What can I understand about this relationship, and what factors should I consider regarding reconciliation?”
Module 70 — Professional Practice
- Reading structure
- Client records
- Session notes
- Pricing
- Boundaries
- Online readings
- Building a Tarot practice
—
LEVEL 16 — ADVANCED CASE STUDIES
Students analyze complete spreads involving:
Case Study 1
New relationship
Case Study 2
Long-term relationship conflict
Case Study 3
Breakup
Case Study 4
Career transition
Case Study 5
Major life decision
Case Study 6
Financial uncertainty
Case Study 7
Personal transformation
For each case:
Question → Spread → Cards → Individual meanings → Combinations → Narrative → Advice → Alternative interpretation
—
LEVEL 17 — MASTER LEVEL
Module 71 — Multi-Layer Reading
Combine:
Image → Suit → Number → Element → Major/Minor → Position → Neighboring cards → Question → Overall pattern
Module 72 — Narrative Construction
Learn to turn several cards into a coherent story rather than reading them as isolated definitions.
Module 73 — Contradictory Cards
Examples:
- Sun + Moon
- Lovers + Three of Swords
- Devil + Star
- Tower + Four of Wands
Module 74 — Dominant Energy
Determine whether a spread is dominated by:
- Major Arcana
- One suit
- One element
- Court cards
- Repeating numbers
- Reversed cards
Module 75 — Advanced Reading Practicum
Perform 50–100 complete readings, documenting:
- Question
- Spread
- Cards
- Interpretation
- Advice
- Later reflection
—
FINAL CERTIFICATION PROJECT
Students complete:
Project 1
Interpret all 78 RWS cards.
Project 2
Complete 30 three-card readings.
Project 3
Complete 10 Celtic Cross readings.
Project 4
Complete 10 relationship readings.
Project 5
Complete 10 career readings.
Project 6
Analyze 20 card combinations.
Final Project
Conduct and document a complete Tarot consultation from:
Question → Clarification → Spread Selection → Card Analysis → Combination Analysis → Synthesis → Advice → Ethical Closing
