How to read Tarot (for beginners)
Before we begin, let’s get this one thing straight. Tarot or Oracle card readings should not be interpreted as a sealed fate. Be healthy with how you use tarot. By that I mean, do not let what the cards tell you control your life and decision making about people in your life, career choices or your own identity.
Tarot is a great tool for reflection and offering up a new or supportive perspective. Tarot can give you hope, advice, direction and confidence. When we do a reading it is for our own benefit so all the messages that come through the cards and the reader are to help you not hinder or scare you. Additionally, any reading is for that specific point in time; you have free will and new thoughts and new experiences hopefully all the time, so you are free to change and direct your path to where you want to be no matter what the cards say!
If you are getting a reading about someone in your life, for example a lover or a friend, it’s important to acknowledge that the messages are related to the person’s role in your life and you will interpret the messages often with a bias due to your own preconceptions and perhaps even wishful thinking. This is actually why I hardly ever do readings for myself anymore. You’ll also see on the form for the Tarot Readings available that I do not ask for a lot of detail about you or the situation. This is because I do not want to have a bias or preconception about the situation when I read.
Lastly, Confirmation Bias is a thing. We humans cannot help it! So when you read tarot, perhaps with the Moody Moon deck, it’s really important to relax and be open to ANYTHING that comes through. I will be providing resources in the coming weeks to help you with this.
Choosing a Spread
When I do a reading for myself or for someone else, I won’t often use a pre-set spread like the Celtic Cross Spread for example. For Tarot beginners, I would advise you to use a card spread because it will help you interpret and understand what each card means in the context of your query. Here is a list of spreads that I like to use.
Set Up Your Space
Once you have decided on your query and the spread you want to use, set up your physical space for your reading. You want to find a quiet and comfy spot. You may want to light a candle or put out some crystals or tumble stones if that takes your fancy. Some people find it easier to relax and be present if they have some meditation or spa music on quietly in the background. I suggest listening to music without lyrics if you are going to listen to music. Before you sit down, it might be beneficial to shake your body or do 10 star-jumps to move and clear out any tension or stagnant energy in your body. Then take a deep breath or three. Some people also like to clear their space and cleanse their cards with Sage, Palo Santo or even herbal sprays you can find in most ‘spiritual’, new age and crystal stores, but this is completely up to you.
Set Your Intention
Next, we set our intention for the reading. This is slightly different to your query. For example, if your query is “Will Sam and I be together in a relationship?”/ “Are Sam and I meant to be together romantically?” , then your intention should be something self-focussed such as “My intention for this reading is to receive divine guidance that leads me towards having a loving partner.” or “My intention is to receive guidance for my highest benefit in finding meaningful, lasting love.” Another example is, if your query is “What is happening in my career right now?”/”which career move is best for me?” then your intention might be “I intend to receive loving and honest guidance to live my most authentic and aligned life.” or “I set the intention to be open to any messages that will show me what my heart truly desires.”
Working With The Cards
Now you are ready to pick up your cards and shuffle them. Repeat the question you have aloud because it will help you focus on it and stop your mind from wandering. To '“Choose” your cards you can let the cards come out as you shuffle if they do; however, if you are just a bad shuffler or a messy shuffler then do not do this - just put the cards back in and practice your shuffling skills. The other option is to, once you’ve finished shuffling the cards as best you can, “cut the deck” and take the bottom card from the top pile or take the cards from the top of the deck. I know the next question you have is “when do I know to stop shuffling?”. Stop shuffling when you feel the time is right and just don’t think too much about it. If you do start to think too much about it stop shuffling, take a deep breath, relax then continue shuffling and count to Six then stop. If “feeling it” is too vague for you, then count to 10 or 12 or 7 whatever number you want, then stop shuffling.
Close The Space
After you have completed your reading, I suggest you “close the space” to signify the end of the practice. This is to bring closure to the reading so you can consciously let go of the query you were focussing on and the openness to messages. To close a reading say thank you for the messages, guidance and understanding you received. Then pack up the cards. Some people will blow on the card deck to signify blowing away the reading and the messages/energies attached to the cards or they might hold them over some incense or a candle flame (at a safe distance of course) or cleanse them with Sage, Palo Santo or herbal spray before packing them away in the box. Next stand up tall and say out loud “Thank you for this reading. I close this space now.” (or something similar) before giving your body a shake and a sway to move and release any tension or energy and reawaken your body. Finish by taking three deep inhales and exhales to bring your mind back to the present.
What do the Cards Mean? How Do I “Read” Them?
There are traditional meanings for each individual tarot card. All over the internet comprehensive lists are available, there’s even a one here. You can interpret these meanings in the context of of the placement in the spread and relate it to your query. You can also read intuitively. This will come with practice, openness and an empty mind. When reading intuitively, the cards will inspire stories and messages. The image will guide you in the meaning just like a painting inspires a story and feeling about the scene it depicts. If you are open enough you may hear words, songs or see images. Depending on what you believe, you could say this is angels passing on messages or the channelling your guides or your brain making sense of the cards and their images in the context of your query and intention just like in the art example.
A tarot deck has 78 cards traditionally. Each one has a unique meaning. There are 56 minor arcana and 22 major arcana cards. Every minor arcana card belongs to a suit Cups, Swords, Wands and Pentacles and each suit represents an element water, air, fire and earth respectively. Each suit contains cards numbered 1-10 and ‘court cards’, the page, the knight, the queen and the king. The major arcana cards are numbered 0-21 and each one represents a pivotal step in the archetypical hero’s journey. You can find out about each individual card tarot card meaning HERE.
The Elephant In The Room
Where are these “messages” coming from? Is this witchcraft? Is it dangerous? Is it magic?
I believe in freedom of belief. Some people believe in that tarot reading is absolute meaningless nonsense. Some people believe that divine beings such as Angels, Spirit Guides or Higher Self are “choosing” the cards and whispering messages through them. Others believe that tarot is a darker practice that invites energies that do not belong to you into your space. There are also people who don’t know what might be “behind” the cards or why the cards that do come out make so much sense in their situation, but they find the reading helpful, thought provoking and entertaining nonetheless.
It’s personal for sure. If you believe in God then it is God who is giving you the cards; if you believe in Angels, Spirit Guides and/or your Higher Self, it is they who guide you with the cards; if you believe its something darker you wouldn’t be using cards or you would be protecting your self and space*; if you think this is all nonsense you won’t be reading cards either.
What’s most important is your intention for the reading. Even a person who doesn’t see validity in tarot, can find value in a tarot reading. Because your aim should first and foremost be gaining understanding and perspective whilst also perhaps engaging in thoughtful reflection on the situation with the prompting from the cards. All of this is in order to improve your life or lead you to the best outcome that is aligned with your highest good. Readings should not be conducted to “prove” anything and do not dictate anyone’s thoughts, feelings or future.
* I did not mean to alarm you. If you are uncertain about what you believe and want to err on the side of protection, cleanse your space, do your reading in the daytime in natural light and you can say a protection intention which might go something like “This is my space. I welcome only messages and/or energies which serve my highest good…” After your reading take a deep breath and release all the energy and close the space. This is in fact a good idea for ALL types of believers.
