Crochet

Ehhhh "universal" would be a stretch, but they don't usually differ much per pattern. I'd say they're mostly standardized, but check the legend for your pattern in case the writer uses a nonstandard notation for something. Otherwise Google image search "crochet symbols".

To your original question, I wouldn't call this a beginner pattern but it is crochet, not knitting, so it's 1 stitch at a time. A determined and dedicated beginner could do it. These shawls look more complicated than they are.

My biggest concern for you is you said you spin your own yarn on a drop spindle? Usually in small quantities? This pattern is written for 1500+ yards of thin yarn. It also appears to be written with color changing yarn cakes in mind, so it probably won't call for color changes in the pattern. I don't spin at all but tbh that seems more daunting to me than working up the pattern.

Good luck! I love making shawls like this, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. I hope you enjoy the process if you attempt it.

They're mostly constant. Sometimes you'll see small stylistic differences, but the pattern author should give you a legend of the symbols. Personally, I like them since it's easier to know which stitch of the precious row to work into.