Reading tarot cards is, for beginners, equal parts rewarding and frustrating. You feel like you can see the possibilities in the cards you’ve drawn, but find it difficult to access the subtle messages they present to you.
I understand! Everyone has to start somewhere and reading tarot cards is no exception. So I have prepared a 10-step guide to reading tarot cards accurately for all beginners. Even some of the most seasoned readers can find some useful tips too. This is primarily aimed at those who wish to read tarot for themselves, but you will find that many points can just as easily be applied to reading tarot cards for someone else. I hope you find my simple guide helpful.
1) Reading tarot cards is easier when you are relaxed and open to all the messages that come your way. Often said, but not so often explained. The reason this is so important is because it is very tempting to consult the cards when you are hoping for a certain result. Unfortunately, this will only hurt your interpretation of the cards, and therefore you will miss out on the wisdom they offer entirely. Illusions, I’m afraid, do not count as reading. If you are worried or anxious about a topic, however tempting, try to wait until you feel calm to keep an open mind.
2) Tarot cards belong to the Major Arcana or Minor Arcana divisions. If you’re a beginner, you probably have a book on hand to help you with card meanings. This is a great idea, but don’t lose sight of the meanings that the group association of a card can have. For example, the major arcana often have a more powerful message, and it can mean that you really need to sit up and pay attention if one of these cards appears. The Cups, in the Minor Arcana, often hint at emotional problems. Familiarize yourself with these general rules and focus on the individual meanings, as they can subtly change the message of your reading.
3) When reading tarot cards for a specific purpose, for example a love reading, you may find it beneficial to try different spreads. A tarot spread means placing the cards in an order and place according to the spread rules you have chosen. A card’s location will represent an aspect of your life, such as past or present, etc., and yes, it’s another way that a card’s meaning will subtly change! A popular tarot spread is the Celtic Cross, but you can look for adaptations.
4) Not everyone has a strong psychic gift. However, everyone can take advantage of the latent abilities that we all have. Reading tarot cards daily, or at least very regularly, will greatly strengthen this ability. You may find that certain images or symbolism come to you whenever you ask about a certain topic, or that particular cards always appear in regards to specific areas. Learn to recognize this new ‘voice’: it is yours and unique to you. Psychic intuition is often the first and strongest reaction to a question, so learn to trust the associations you start to form and you’ll be on the right track.
5) Choose your tarot deck carefully. The most popular is the Rider Waite deck and it’s certainly reliable and clear, making it a great place to start for beginners. The Marseille Tarot is another popular one. The most important factor is that the images should speak to you. Have you always been attracted to fairies? Perhaps a deck with fairies representing the individual cards would be best for you? The same if you have always identified with the ancient Goddesses. Remember that reading tarot cards is personal, so move towards the things you like and understand. Feel free to keep several packs on hand so you can choose a deck according to your mood.
6) You can use tarot for quick questions or to get a snapshot view of a situation, but keep the question you ask very simple and only choose 1 card. For example, this is perfect for “how will my day be?” for a quick read in the morning.
7) While tarot cards are mainly used for divination, did you know that you can also use the cards in a simple spell? Spell candles draw their power from their color, emitting energies that are beneficial for certain situations, e.g. orange is good for creativity. To increase this power, place a tarot card next to the candle, repeating the name of the tarot card 3 times. We have information and instructions on which tarot cards work best with which color of candles on our site.
8) Keep notes. This is the best way to look for consistent patterns that come up over and over again in your readings. If you’re reading tarot cards for yourself, it’s easy to get too close and miss important messages. By writing down some of the issues that have come to your attention, as well as the cards that pop up, you’ll be better able to spot a consistent problem area so you can see if it was part of your original questioning or not.
9) Have fun! Many approach tarot with a very reverent and serious attitude and while this is certainly not wrong by any means, the natural world is made up of many emotions and states of being. Humor is as welcome as any! Have fun and you’ll relax more, so it’s a win-win situation.
10) Observe as many professionals as possible. Look for different styles, methods and ways of interpreting the cards. Watching a seasoned expert at work is always enlightening, whether it’s cooking, painting or plumbing, so you’ll be able to get some helpful advice from those who do it every day.
So there you have the 10-step guide to reading tarot cards! I hope you find enough information to give you the confidence to begin one of the most exciting journeys you will ever undertake.