Is it necessary to memorize the meanings of all 78 Tarot cards when learning Tarot?

This is arguably the classic question every Tarot beginner asks. My answer is: It's both necessary and unnecessary.

Does that sound contradictory? Don't worry, let me explain, and you'll understand.

Why is it "unnecessary" to memorize by rote?

Imagine you're learning a new language, like English. Do you memorize the entire dictionary from A to Z, or do you gradually learn it by watching TV shows, listening to songs, and chatting with people? Most people would choose the latter, right?

Tarot is also a "language," a language of images. If you merely memorize the "upright keywords" and "reversed keywords" for each card like reciting a text, you'll at best be a "walking Tarot dictionary." When someone draws a card, you'll only be able to dryly rattle off a few words: "Three of Cups, celebration, cooperation, friendship." This kind of reading will be very rigid and often fail to make sense.

Because the meaning of a card can change subtly or even significantly depending on the question, the spread, its position, or even the surrounding cards. Rote-memorized "standard answers" simply cannot cope with such complex situations.

Then why is it "necessary"?

The "necessity" here doesn't refer to rote memorization, but to familiarity and understanding.

You don't need to memorize the dictionary, but you do need to know that "apple" is an apple and "love" is love, right? Tarot is the same. You need a basic grasp of each card's core concept. This is like your "basic vocabulary."

For example, you know that the "Wands" suit is mostly about action, passion, and creativity; "Cups" are about emotions and relationships; "Swords" are about thoughts, conflicts, and challenges; and "Pentacles" are about material things, money, and work. This provides a broad framework, and with it, learning becomes much easier.

So, as a beginner, what should you actually do?

Don't be scared; these 78 "new friends" may seem like a lot, but you can get to know them step by step. Here are a few suggestions:

Start with the "Major Players": Focus first on familiarizing yourself with the 22 Major Arcana cards (from The Fool to The World). They are the main storyline of the entire Tarot narrative, and each card has a very distinct story and personality, making them relatively easy to understand. Once you grasp these 22 "main characters," you've already succeeded in a big way.
"Read the Pictures" is Key: Don't rush to flip through books for card meanings! Each time you draw a card, first look closely at the image. What is depicted in the picture? What are the figures doing? What are their expressions like? What color is the background? Are there any special symbols (like the sun, moon, small animals)? Try to weave a story based on what you see and guess what it might be trying to convey. Your intuition is often more important than the standard answers in books.
Draw One Card Daily: This is the method I recommend most. Every morning, draw a "card for the day" for yourself. Look at the card, feel what it conveys to you, and then go about your day with that feeling. In the evening, review your day and see if what happened resonated with certain qualities of that card. For instance, if you drew the Knight of Wands, perhaps you were bursting with energy today, or you impulsively made a decision. Learning through personal experience like this is more effective than reading 10 books.
Treat Card Meaning Books as "Reference Guides," Not "Definitive Answers": When you're completely stumped by a card, then go consult a book to see how others interpret it. But remember, what's written in books is just a reference to broaden your perspective; the ultimate interpretation must combine your own intuition with the actual context of the spread.

In summary:

Don't treat learning Tarot as an exam you need to pass, but rather as a process of getting to know 78 new friends. You don't need to memorize each friend's "personal profile," but you do need to spend time with them, understanding their personalities, temperaments, and stories.

So, relax and don't be intimidated by the task of "memorizing 78 cards." Start by getting to know one new friend each day, and slowly, you'll find that without deliberate memorization, the meanings of these cards will naturally sink into your heart.