Although common belief is that tarot cards are a way to tell the future or reveal someone’s fortune, according to Gaye Weintraub — owner of the holistic wellness company Soul’ed Out — this is actually far from true.

“Tarot cards do not tell the future; rather, tarot is a tool for spiritual guidance and enables the person receiving the reading to connect to his or her inner wisdom,” she told INSIDER. “Tarot readings help a person understand what he or she needs to know about a particular situation. Decks are best used as a tool of inner wisdom and guidance, as readings give a person insight to past, current and future events based on the person’s current path at the time of the reading. The cards do not necessarily reveal what will happen, but instead, allow a person to gain an understanding of a situation and determine the best course of action based on what is known and what the cards show.”

Though there is no right or wrong way to read tarot, there are a few things that could help you get the most out of your learning experience. So, if you’re curious about where you should start, these seven tips should help you out.