The tarot use numerology in a big way. You can use this “shortcut” to help you.
@Francisco’s advice, regarding 1-10 and the “face” cards for regular playing cards, works well with real minor arcana cards, too. The major arcana have a lot of imagery you can use to create your own personal meanings.
For the major arcana:
- pick up a card
- ask yourself what does it mean to you
- then try another card
- do this once a day until you are comfortable with your own personal meanings
In this way, a card can mean one thing with one deck and another thing with a different deck.