Learning To Read Tarot
Unlocking Your Inner Guide: A Beginner’s Guide to Tarot
Many people view Tarot as a mysterious "gift" reserved exclusively for those with rare psychic abilities. While having a professional Tarot practitioner analyse symbols is an enchanting experience, more people today are purchasing their own decks to explore this tool for themselves. Despite the common misconception that you need to be psychic to read Tarot, the reality is that anyone can learn to use this tool to better understand themselves and the world around them.
Starting to learn Tarot can feel like a daunting or even odd experience at first. This is often because Tarot is heavily associated with fortune-telling, and the future is what excites the human imagination most. However, the process is less about "magic" and more about developing a deep connection with your own intuition and the rich symbolism within your deck.
The Power of Intuition vs. Psychic Ability
To be an effective reader, you do not have to be psychic in the traditional sense, but you must be attuned to your intuition. It is important to understand the distinction between these two concepts to demystify the reading process.
Understanding Your "Gut Feeling"
Intuition is a natural, instinctive "gut feeling" that every person possesses. It is independent of cognitive abilities or the logistics of a situation. For example, you might meet someone who appears wonderful to everyone else, yet you feel a sense of unease. You may not be able to "put your finger on it," but that internal warning is your intuition at work.
In Tarot, the cards act as tools to focus these intuitive senses. While psychic ability involves senses that go beyond the normal range of perception—such as seeing things beyond normal vision or channelling the spiritual realm—intuition is a universal human trait. Just as a psychic person uses their gift innately, you can use your intuition to focus on a person or a question to get an accurate picture of what is happening in a life.
Strengthening the Intuitive Muscle
The more you use your intuition to interpret the cards, the stronger it becomes. Much like any other skill, the more you practice, the better you become at sensing the underlying messages. Tarot offers tremendous potential for self-realisation. While often regarded as a method for predicting the future, it is most effective when used as a method to better understand yourself.
Choosing the Right Deck for You
There are countless Tarot decks available today, and finding one you can relate to is essential. While the traditional Rider-Waite deck is the starting point for many, it does not resonate with everyone.
Finding Your Story
The deck you choose should speak to you personally. I can't relate to the traditional Rider-Waite deck; instead, I use an Alice in Wonderland deck because the pictures truly speak to me. Because Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is one of my favourite books, my deep understanding of the story and characters helps me see the story on each card.
Think of each card as a piece of a puzzle. When you lay them out, they fit together to tell a larger story. Choosing a deck with a theme you love—whether it's literature, nature, or art—makes the process of putting the pieces together much more intuitive and enjoyable. When you know the story behind the art, the symbols become a language you already speak.
Caring for and Cleansing Your New Deck
Once you’ve found a deck that resonates with you, it’s important to treat it as more than just a stack of cardboard. Caring for your deck is about maintaining that energetic link you’re building. Because energy matters, keeping your cards "clear" ensures that your own intuition isn't clouded by stale energy from previous readings or outside influences.
1. Energetic Cleansing Rituals
If your deck starts to feel "heavy" or your readings feel muddled, it might be time for a cleanse. Here are a few traditional ways to reset your cards:
The Moon Bath: Place your cards on a windowsill during a full moon. The moon’s light is traditionally thought to purify the cards and recharge their intuitive power.
Smoke Cleansing (Smudging): Pass your cards through the smoke of dried sage or incense. Sage is believed to dispel negative energy, while incense like lavender or sandalwood can invite fresh, peaceful energy.
The "Knock" Method: A quick and effective way to clear energy between readings is to simply knock on the deck three times with your knuckles. This "knocks out" the energy from the previous question, leaving the deck a blank slate for the next.
Crystal Clearing: Place a piece of Clear Quartz or Selenite on top of your deck overnight. These crystals act like "spiritual vacuums," absorbing any lingering vibes.
2. Building the Connection
Caring for your deck also means spending time with it.
Carry it with you: Keep your deck in your bag or on your desk so it becomes accustomed to your daily energy.
Sleep with it: Many readers suggest keeping a new deck on your nightstand or under your pillow. This allows the imagery to seep into your subconscious mind while you dream.
Storage: Since each card is a puzzle piece, protect them! Use a dedicated wooden box or a silk pouch. This shows respect for the tool and keeps the cards physically pristine.
Connecting with the Cards
When you first unbox a new deck, the cards are not "magic" in and of themselves. The true magic happens through the reader’s energy and their connection to the symbolism on the cards. When I got my Alice Deck, I sat and held each card against my heart and took three deep breaths. I keep my cards wrapped in an altar cloth, in a tarot card bag, and sleep with them under my pillow. I also don’t allow anyone else to touch my cards. It’s all down to personal preference.
Symbolism and Interpretation
It is the symbolism that opens your intuition. Each picture creates a specific feeling that you then interpret and apply to a reading.
Personal Meaning Over Manuals: Experts suggest that what a card means to you is more important than the official meaning found in a manual.
Consistency is Key: If a card suggests a positive career development to you, it does not matter if the manual says something different. As long as that card consistently represents that specific feeling or event to you, that becomes its meaning in your readings.
The Cards Respond to You: As experienced readers often say, “the card responds to you, not the other way around.”
Daily Exercises for Beginners
The best way to learn Tarot is through a natural, effortless process of familiarisation. Before jumping into complex spreads, try these daily exercises to strengthen your abilities.
1. The Daily Draw
Every day, shuffle your cards and pull one to see what your day will be like. Based on the card you pull, give yourself a mini-reading. This helps you get familiar with the cards' meanings and further develops your sense of intuition.
2. Meditate and Analyse
Spend time studying the card you have drawn.
Observe the Imagery: What story is the image telling you? Look at the colours, the characters and the setting.
Brain Absorption: Focus on letting the image be absorbed by your brain. You want to be able to close your eyes and see the card clearly.
Internal Dialogue: Ask yourself questions and provide answers based on the pictures you see.
3. Journal Your Thoughts
Note your initial impressions in a journal. Later, you can check a Tarot manual to see how close your "guess" was to the original meaning. However, remember that being accurate to the manual doesn't matter as much as how easily you remember your original thoughts when you see that card again. The goal is to build a personal "dictionary" of symbols.
Your First Spread: The Three-Card Reading
Once you have become accustomed to each card on its own, you are ready to learn how to read them in a spread. While many readers are familiar with complex layouts like the Celtic Cross, a basic three-card spread is the best way for beginners to see how cards connect to one another.
Steps for a Three-Card Reading
Focus on Your Question: Center your mind on the specific issue or area of life you want to explore.
Shuffle Your Cards: Impart your energy into the deck as you shuffle.
The Layout: Pick three cards and lay them out in a horizontal line.
The card in the centre represents the Present situation in relation to your specific question. The card to the left represents the Past, which can be as recent as the night before. The card to the right is the Future or the outcome, which can mean later that same day.
Once you have laid these out, you have completed a reading. Look at how the characters in the cards interact. Is the person in the Past card looking toward the Present card? This is how the puzzle pieces start to form a narrative.
Final Thoughts: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Tarot is a powerful tool for decoding daily problems and assisting with difficult decisions. By picking at least one card every day, you will slowly but surely familiarise yourself with the deck in a natural, easy way.
In less than a month of daily practice, you will be able to associate cards together and translate their meanings. Remember that this is ultimately a game to learn more about yourself and how you react to various life variables. Once you understand this, Tarot becomes a fun, insightful experience to enjoy alone or with friends. Whether you are using a traditional deck or any other set, the goal is the same: to listen to the story your intuition is trying to tell.
I hope you found this week’s dive into the world of Tarot helpful as you begin your own journey of self-discovery and intuitive growth. Whether you are just starting to absorb the imagery of your first deck or you are already piecing together the stories in your three-card spreads, remember that the most powerful tool you have is your own intuition. To support you on your path, I have an exciting update: with Mercury Retrograde approaching - a time often known for communication hiccups and internal reflection - I will be offering half-price Tarot readings very soon!! This is the perfect opportunity to find some clarity during the cosmic chaos. Get on the waitlist below. Happy reading!!
