Hell Nah to Tarot Imposter Syndrome

PSA: Say No to Memorization

You want to give someone else a reading, but you dunno if you’ve got the confidence in your skills and knowledge of the cards yet.

Memorizing 78 cards may feel overwhelming and pulling out the guidebook may feel embarrassing, worry not—you don’t need to do either. 

Understanding the arc of the numbers and the meaning of the suits is enough to know what most of the cards mean.

The Major Arcana tells a story much like the Hero’s journey. The Minor Arcana tells 4 mini versions of this story going from the Ace (1) to 10, plus 4 Court cards, all detailed below. 

Each suit relates to different parts of our life. Wands relates to our vibes and passions, cups to our feelings, swords to our thoughts, and pentacles to our swag and physical world. So we renamed the suits, Vibes, Feels, Thoughts, and Swag. 

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The Major and Minor Arcana: Life’s Journey

Read the TL;DRs in order, as included in the guidebook, to notice the story arc and it’s similarity to other frameworks like the Hero’s journey.

The Millennial (The Fool) - Starting a journey
The Tech Visionary (The Magician) - Envisioning the future
The Festival Goer (The High Priestess) - Understanding how life works
The Etsy Queen (The Empress) - Caring for creations
The Patriarchy (The Emperor) - Leaning on established structure
The Instagram Guru (The Hierophant) - Seeking guidance from others
The Tinderists (The Lovers) - Gaining partners along the way
Van Life (The Chariot) - Making big moves
DIY Skills (Strength) - Honing the tools
Off-The-Grid (The Hermit) - Questioning society
Bitcoin Investment (Wheel Of Fortune) - Anticipating change
The Social Justice Warrior (Justice) - Making amends
Funemployed (The Hanged Man) - Patiently reflecting
Student Loans (Death) - Closing one door and opening another
Eco-Friendly (Temperance) - Finding balance
The F#*$ Boy (The Devil) - Giving in to temptation
Dumpster Fire (The Tower) - A serious wake up call
The Soul Cyclist (The Star) - Starting fresh
The Ghoster (The Moon) - Stepping into the unknown
Insta-Famous (The Sun) - Seeing the bright side
Quarter-Life-Crisis (Judgement) - A brand new outlook
Boozy Brunch (The World) - Abundant success

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‍The TL;DR of Every Number

Then for the Minor Arcana (the suit cards) we see a mini version of this arc. Each number tells a part of the story across every suit:

1. A new opportunity: Ace—a fresh start.
2. Making a choice: Two—deciding your path.
3. The build up: Three—growth and momentum.
4. Manifesting results: Four—stability and results.
5. A setback: Five—challenges arise.
6. Better together: Six—teamwork or balance.
7. Stepping out of the comfort zone: Seven—a leap into the unknown.
8. Dedication: Eight—focused effort.
9. The tipping point: Nine—near completion.
10. The end result: Ten—culmination.

The Court Cards: A Different Arc

• Page: A message or new opportunity.
• Knight: Action and pursuing goals.
• Queen: Mastering feminine energy.
• King: Mastering masculine energy.

An Example of One Suit: The Arc of Vibes (Wands)

• Microdose (Ace): The spark of excitement.
• New Career, Who Dis? (2): Choosing your path.
• First Like (3): Progress and recognition.
• Went Viral (4): Celebrating success.
• Frienemies (5): Setbacks from competition.
• Squad Goals (6): Boosted energy through collaboration.
• Sorry, Not Sorry (7): Standing firm at the top.
• Literally Obsessed (8): Deep dedication.
• On Edge (9): Nearing burnout.
• Burnt Out (10): Time to rest.

And the court cards:

• House DJ (Page): New creative opportunity.
• Life Coach (Knight): Leading others.
• Baddie (Queen): Charismatic mastery.
• Big D Energy (King): Confident command.

Positive or Negative Takes: The Twist

The tricky part is remembering which cards have positive or challenging spins. For instance, Binge Watching (4 of Feels) suggests stagnation, while Self-Care (4 of Thoughts) represents rest. Both involve consistency, but with different impacts. Some cards are naturally positive, others more challenging—you can often tell by the vibe of the card.

The Sixes in Each Suit: Better Together

All sixes are about community or finding balance:

• Squad Goals (6 of Vibes): Collective energy amplifies passion.
• Throwback (6 of Feels): Emotional comfort from reconnecting with old friends.
• Girl's Trip (6 of Thoughts): Mental relief through shared experiences.
• Free Giveaway (6 of Swag): Generosity and the flow of resources.

Putting It All Together

Instead of memorizing each card in isolation, think of tarot as four mini-movies and one feature-length epic. Numbers provide the plot, suits provide the theme, and together they form the story.

Soon, seeing "4 of Cups" will remind you of an emotional buildup—you’ll know where the person is in their journey. Understanding the story makes readings richer and more intuitive. You'll be able to give a reading with confidence, because it's all part of a larger narrative.

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