CardsMost Tarot decks are made up of 78 cards, divided into two groups called the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana consists of four suits -- Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles -- corresponding to playing card suits (clubs, hearts, spades, and diamonds, respectively). In fact, regular playing cards can be read as Tarot cards.
Usually new Tarot card decks are accompanied with a booklet on card meanings for that particular deck, and many other books are available on Tarot card meanings in general. I've found that both the general meanings for a card and its specific Tarot deck meaning have something relevant to offer to the reading.
Some Tarot instructors claim that psychic intuition is more important than traditional card meanings. My personal experience has led me to believe that psychic intuition and traditional card meanings BOTH contribute to a good reading. I have had many readings done for me over the years, from many different readers. (In general, readers find it difficult to read for themselves objectively, and it is generally thought that even good readers should have someone else do their own personal readings.) The best and worst readings I've received were from readers who relied heavily on psychic intuition (although for the record, I've never had a "bad" reading -- all were varying degrees of "good"). I recall a reading by a good friend of mine, an excellent psychic reader who had never bothered to learn card meanings, using intuition exclusively for her readings. Despite providing a good reading, when I looked at the cards on her table I noticed that she missed half of the reading by not recognizing traditional card meanings. Fortunately I was able to silently understand the message better through my own knowledge of the cards. The best readers I've had knew traditional Tarot card meanings but added their intuition as another layer. I think every reader should at least be aware of the cards' meanings, even if they don't intend to rely on that knowledge for their own readings.
Card Meanings
Meanings below are derived from several books on general Tarot card meanings. (See sources.) Click on links below for each card's page.
The Major Arcana: