Is it possible I inherently lack intuition for tarot cards?

Seeing your question, I deeply empathize! Almost every Tarot beginner, at some point, doubts themselves: "Am I particularly stupid?" "Was I born without that 'intuition'?"

Don't worry, I can tell you with certainty: Most likely not. What you lack isn't talent; it's probably just method and time.

Many of us, when first encountering Tarot, are "misled" by certain notions, believing that playing Tarot should be like in the movies: you spread the cards, and a "ding" goes off in your head, telling you the answer. If that "ding" doesn't happen, you feel you lack talent.

But in reality, for the vast majority of people, Tarot "intuition" isn't like that at all.

You can think of Tarot "intuition" as a combination of two parts:

The first part is the "knowledge base". This is like learning a foreign language. Each of the 78 cards has its core meaning, its own story, symbols, and elements. For example, Swords represent the element of air, thought, and conflict; Cups represent the element of water, emotions, and relationships. You need to first understand these basic settings, just as you need to memorize vocabulary and grammar when learning a foreign language. If you don't even know the word "apple," you can't "intuit" that it's a fruit.

So, if you feel a lack of intuition initially, it's often just because your mental "vocabulary" isn't rich enough yet. When you see a card, your mind is blank, and naturally, you can't connect to any feelings.

The second part is "association and empathy". This part is more like what we usually call "inspiration." But it doesn't come out of nowhere. It's the ability to connect the card's information with your question and your own life experiences, after you've become familiar with the "knowledge base."

For example: You ask, "Should I change jobs?" and draw The Fool card.

• Your knowledge base tells you: The Fool represents new beginnings, the unknown, adventure, innocence, and a touch of recklessness.
• Association and empathy begin to work: You look at the person on the edge of the cliff on the card. Does he seem free and happy, or a bit reckless and dangerous? Considering your own situation, do you long for the freedom of "just packing up and leaving," but also fear that a new job might be a "trap"? Is the dog on the card warning you of danger, or encouraging you to move forward? This feeling is your "intuition" speaking. It's helping you reflect your inner desires and worries through the "mirror" of the card.

So you see, this "intuition" isn't a mysterious talent; it's more like a "skillful ability to associate through practice".

Here are a few tips for beginners to help you "cultivate" rather than "wait for" intuition:

1. Don't force yourself to "have intuition": The more anxiously you think, "Where's my intuition?", the less likely it is to appear. Relax, and just treat it like telling a story from a picture.
2. Look at the cards more, memorize meanings less: Draw one card every day. Don't rush to look up the standard answers in books. Just look at the card and ask yourself: Who is this person? What are they doing? Are they happy? What's the surrounding environment like? If I were them, how would I feel? Write down your first impressions, then compare them with books to see the similarities and differences.
3. Start practicing with small daily matters: Don't immediately try to divine big questions like "What direction should my life take?" You can ask, "How about I have a cup of coffee this afternoon?" If you draw the Ten of Cups, it might mean the coffee will make you feel very satisfied and happy; if you draw the Three of Swords, it might suggest you'll get heart palpitations and can't sleep, or that the coffee shop will be crowded and annoy you. Use these small things to build rapport between you and the cards.
4. Treat intuition like a muscle: It's not innate, but it can definitely be trained. Every interpretation, every practice session, is like a "strength training" exercise. Today you might only be able to "lift" the meaning of one card, but with enough practice, you'll easily be able to weave three to five cards into a complete story.

In summary, there's no such thing as someone "born without intuition." What most people refer to as "lack of intuition" is simply being in the stage where they need to accumulate knowledge and practice association.

Don't rush, and don't doubt yourself. You don't lack intuition; you just need a key to unlock it, and that key is learning and practice. Keep playing, and you'll find that your "intuition" is already on its way.

I completely understand how you feel. Many people new to Tarot cards have this question, feeling like they "lack talent" or "don't have a feel for it."

First, I can tell you with certainty: Tarot intuition is not an innate "superpower" that only a few possess; it's more like a "skill" that can be mastered through learning and practice.

Think of it like learning a foreign language or a musical instrument. No one is born speaking French, and no one can play complex piano pieces right away. At first, you need to memorize vocabulary, learn grammar, and practice fingerings. This process can be tedious and might even make you doubt yourself.

Tarot is the same. What we call "intuition" is actually built upon two foundations:

1. Familiarity (Knowledge): You need to first understand the basic meanings, symbols, elements, and numerical significance of all 78 cards. This is like learning the "vocabulary" and "grammar" of a language. If you don't even know the basic meaning of a card, then "intuition" becomes a castle in the air, impossible to build. The richer your knowledge base, the freer your associations and interpretations can be.

2. Association (Practice): Once you are familiar enough with the card meanings, "intuition" begins to play its role. It's essentially your brain's ability to quickly associate and recognize patterns. When you see a card, your subconscious immediately connects it with your knowledge base, your current question, and your personal experiences, and then a feeling or idea "pops" into your mind. This "popping" sensation is what we often refer to as intuition.

So, if you currently feel you lack intuition, it's usually not because you're "naturally incapable," but rather because you might be in one of the following stages:

• Insufficient knowledge: Seeing a card and your mind going blank is the most common scenario. The solution is simple: keep learning, diligently understanding each card. You don't need to rote memorize; try to understand them by connecting with the imagery.
• Too little practice: Like learning to swim, no matter how much theory you read, you won't learn until you get in the water. Draw cards for yourself often, even if it's just one "daily guidance" card, and try to interpret it and connect it to your life. Don't be afraid of making mistakes; this process is your "getting in the water" practice.
• Overthinking, not trusting your first impression: Many people's first reaction to a card is actually their intuition, but it's immediately dismissed by their rational mind: "Is this interpretation correct? The book didn't say that, did it?" Try to capture that fleeting thought; it's often the most valuable.

Here's a small tip for you: Draw one card every day, but don't rush to look up its meaning in a book. Just look at the card's image and ask yourself a few questions:

• What's in the picture? What are the figures doing? What are their expressions like?
• What's my overall feeling about this card – happy, sad, or peaceful?
• Is there any specific detail in the image that particularly draws my attention?

After spending a minute or two on this association, then look up the card's meaning in a book. You'll often find that your intuitive feelings align with the card's meaning. Keep this up, and your "feel" will become increasingly sharp.

In short, don't be discouraged. You don't lack intuition; you just need some time and practice to awaken and train it. Treat it as an interesting tool for self-exploration, rather than an exam with standard answers, and you'll find it much easier and progress much faster.