How to Read Tarot Cards

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  • Reading Tarot Cards is a fun and illuminating pastime that can keep you and your friends both entertained and tuned into your more creative, reflective sides.

    How to Read Tarot Cards will walk you through buying, storing and reading your first deck of Tarot Cards.

  • Introduction

    • (Photo by Paige Foster)
    • You don't have to be clairvoyant to use tarot cards. For tarot readers like Toni Allen, the cards are not magical in and of themselves, but work psychologically through universal images called archetypes. Readers like Cathi Bitzer, on the other hand, believe that each deck has its own "aura" which mystically joins with the reader as guiding spiritual forces speak through the cards.
    • Whatever your point of view, tarot cards are designed in such a way that if used properly, they can expand your awareness and provide personal growth and insight into your life or circumstances.

  • What are Tarot Cards?

  • Step 1: Get to Know the Lingo

    • (Photo by Mahalo)
    • Now that you have a general idea of what tarot cards are, it's time to prepare to do a reading. Ultimately the best way to learn the Tarot is to use it! There are a few of the Tarot terms you'll hear when learning about Tarot reading. Some we've already covered, but these are the basics to get you started:
    • Major Arcana: 22 illustrated "trump" cards, numbering from 0 to 21
    • Minor Arcana: 4 suits, comprised of Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles
    • Pip Cards: Another term for the Minor Arcana or suit cards, numbered Ace through 10.
    • Court Cards: The four royal "face" cards of each suit better known as the Page, Knight, Queen and King
    • Querent: The person asking the question
    • Reading: An interpretation of the cards' meaning via intuition and/or books.
    • Spread: Layout of the cards on the table in which each card position has a meaning
    • Throw a spread: To put the cards down in a particular spread
    • Random throw: To put cards down randomly, without using a spread
    • General meaning: Commonly known meaning of a card.
    • Positional meaning: Meaning of the card in relation to its position in the spread
    • Significator or Signifier: Central card of the spread, or a card selected separately, usually representing the querent

  • Step 2: Choose a Tarot Deck

    (Photo by Mahalo)
    • A tarot deck used for divination is a very personal item, so selecting the right one should be done with care. There are hundreds of decks to choose from, in a variety of sizes and shapes, with themes appealing to a wide range of interests such as Baseball, The Lord of the Rings, Vampires, Goddess, and even Gummy Bear Tarot. The choices may seem overwhelming, so here are some tips to make the selection process easier:

  • Consider a Beginners Deck

    • While there is no "official" tarot deck, the Rider-Waite Tarot is widely accepted as the easiest deck for beginners to use. Here are some reasons why:
    1. The images are simple, yet rich with esoteric symbolism intentionally added to aid in divination.
    2. It has illustrated pips (suit cards), which many feel is an advantage to beginners.
    3. It's been around since 1910, which means there is a wealth of literature on it.
    4. It has spawned many "clone" decks with slight variations in color and design and has inspired completely new decks. Here are links to analogies and comparisons of the various Rider-Waite clones and off-shoot decks:
      1. Five Rider-Waite Decks
      2. Rider-Waite Clones
      3. Rider-Waite Deck Comparison

  • Alternative Beginner Decks

    • Other good beginner decks include:
    1. Hanson-Roberts
    2. Sharman-Caselli
    3. Tarot of Prague
    • For more beginner tarot deck choices, go to:
    1. Aeclectic.net
    2. Learntarot.com
    3. Isisbooks.com
    4. Magickal-musings.com

  • Decide if You Want Illustrated Pip Cards

    (Photo by Ruxandra Moldoveanu)
    • In some tarot decks, like the Rider-Waite, the pips have unique pictures, In other decks, the pips are simply illustrated with suits and numbers. Some advanced readers feel pip symbolism magically enhances divination, others simply find them easier to understand. Opponents to pip pictures say they undermine the Major Arcana symbols and cause confusion. As you look at various decks, see how you respond to those with and without illustrated pips.
    1. Are the pip cards comfortable and easy to understand?
    2. Are the images too confusing?
    3. Does it not matter to you one way or the other?
      • Keep in mind that whether or not you use illustrated pips can ultimately influence how you interpret the cards.

  • Browse Other Decks Online

    • You can see more cards in each deck online, which is not possible at the bookstore. Many decks have very specific themes, so as you browse, consider the following:
    1. Is the design too busy? Not all "theme" decks lend themselves to thoughtful divination; many are considered art, novelty or collectors' decks.
    2. Is the deck appealing? Look for the deck that best suits your personality and interests.
    3. Should you get more than one deck? It's easier to start with just one deck. Even those who collect many decks generally use only one special deck for readings. Here are some good browsing links to get you started:
      1. Tarot.com
      2. Aeclectic.net
      3. Soul-guidance.com

  • Read Online Deck Reviews

    • The insight of someone who has already tried a deck is invaluable. Here are some good sites with reviews or articles about different decks:
    1. Tarot Wisdom Reviews
    2. Aeclectic Reviews
    3. Tarot Passages Reviews
    4. Goddess Flight Reviews
    5. Intuitive Tarot Reviews

  • Go to a Bookstore

    • Hands on shopping is helpful. It allows you to pick up the decks and note your reaction to themes and images. You will also get a better idea of the weight and shape of each deck.

  • Step 3: Cleansing Your Deck

    (Photo by Mahalo)
    • Once you obtain a tarot deck, advanced readers recommend that you infuse it with your personal energy. This is called "seasoning," "keying," "charging" or cleansing the deck. It clears away negative energy through your touch or the purifying contact of an outside element. There are no "rules" to cleansing. How you do it is based on your preference. Some popular methods are:
    1. Handling the deck.
    2. Keeping the deck on or near your person.
    3. Performing a cleansing ritual on the deck.
    • You can do one or more of these methods when you first get your deck and whenever else you feel the need.


    1. Handling the Deck. Shuffling the deck is one of the easiest ways to cleanse it. Here are some shuffling methods for before and after using the deck:
      1. Shuffle the cards, then put them in order. Take that new deck and simply shuffle the cards several times, as you would ordinary playing cards. Then lay them all out in order: Fool (0) through World (21), ace through 10, Page through King.
      2. Messy shuffle the cards. Mix the cards all up on a table. Some people do this one before each reading.
      3. "Unshuffle" the cards after each reading to clear the reading out of the cards. In other words, stack them all back into sequential order.
    2. Keeping the Deck Close to or on Your Person. The idea behind this is that when the deck is in physical contact with you, it absorbs your energy. There are two simple ways to do this:
      1. Wrap the deck in a scarf or put it in special Tarot bag and sleep with it under your pillow for a week. Mystical readers take this idea even further and say that it actually helps you "absorb" the cards' meaning into your subconscious!
      2. Wear the deck under your clothes in a cloth bag on a string, keeping it close to your heart.
    3. Performing a Cleansing Ritual. A more formalized approach involves using an outside purifier to clean your deck, such as incense smoke, a crystal or even moonlight.
      1. Pass the deck through incense smoke. You can use sweetgrass, a sage "smudge" stick, or whatever incense you like.
      2. Store your deck with a crystal. Crystals are thought to absorb negative energy, so keeping a small crystal in contact with the deck when you're not using it will cleanse it. Quartz works well, but again, the kind you use is up to you.
      3. Leave the deck in sun or moon light. Wait for a full moon, and then leave your deck sitting on the windowsill in the moonlight overnight; or in the sunlight for a few hours.

  • Pick a Deck That Feels Right

    • When you are drawn to a particular deck, by all means get it, because that means the images resonate for you and will be easier for you to interpret.

  • Step 4: Storing Your Deck

    (Photo by Mahalo)
    • Most people don't keep their decks in the box it came in, but covering the deck shows respect for the cards, keeps them clean and protects them from negative energy. Here are a few ways to store your new tarot deck:
    1. Tie your deck in a silk or velvet scarf. This keeps the cards neat and gives them an aura that is uniquely yours.
    2. Store your deck in a wooden box. It could even be made of leather, so long as it is special to you .
    3. Keep your deck in a cloth bag. Cloth tarot bags are readily available online for purchase, or you can make one yourself. Here are some links to tarot bags:
      1. tarotbags.com
      2. mysterylodge.co.uk
      3. tarottotes.com
      4. tarotresources

  • Step 5: Should You Use a Tarot Book?

    (Photo by Mahalo)
    • There are both mystic and non-mystic readers who passionately believe tarot card reading is strictly intuitive and that memorizing or even referring to "book" interpretations disrupts the flow of a reading. Others say it is perfectly fine to use a book or other resources to interpret the cards, especially if you're a beginner. These two schools of thought can be summarized as the intuitive vs. the "by the book" methods. Once you read about them, you can decide if using a tarot book is right for you.

  • Intuitive Method

    • Proponents of this method say that you should stay away from books and simply let the images of the cards speak to you. This frees you of any imposed meanings on the cards that might not apply to your situation and sharpens your intuitive skills. The following tips can help you tap into your intuition for readings:
    1. Practice deep breathing or meditation before each reading.
    2. Burn incense and candles or play soft music during your reading.
    3. Rely more on abstract interpretations of the cards.
      1. Consider using non-illustrated pip cards.
      2. Use elemental associations and numerology to interpret pip cards.
      3. Let your feelings be your guide. How does each image make you feel in relation to your question?

  • By the Book Method

    • Advocates of this approach feel that the knowledge found in interpretive tools like tarot books are wonderful resources for beginners. Yet they also believe in using intuition and warn new readers not to over rely on outside sources. Here are some recommendations for the "book" method:
    1. Get a Tarot book and use it only when needed. Tarot books are available in most bookstores. When using a book, keep in mind that constantly reaching for it to look up a card is a sign you're not letting the images work for you. Here are three good introductory books:
      1. Tarot For Yourself by Mary K. Greer
      2. Learning The Tarot by Joan Bunning
      3. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot by Rachael Pollack
    2. Become familiar with the cards. Some by-the-bookers argue that Tarot reading is an intuitive art, and learning the cards by rote helps free your intuition, but for most it's a matter of striking a good balance: become FAMILIAR with card meanings, but DON'T MEMORIZE them. Ultimately, you want to let your intuition guide you. Here are some suggestions for getting to know the cards:
      1. Use a deck with illustrated pips. Illustrated pips can work as a mnemonic device for learning those cards.
      2. Lay out the cards in sequential order (Fool through World, ace through 10, Page through King).
      3. Research Major Arcana interpretations. Here are some good links:
        1. Biddytarot.com
        2. Wikipedia.org
        3. Aeclectic.net
    3. Research Minor Arcana interpretations. Here are some good links:
      1. Bewitchingways.com
      2. Ezinearticles.com
      3. Aeclectic.net
    4. Draw a single card every day. Every morning or every evening, shuffle and draw a card to get the tone of the coming day.
      1. Study the card. How does it make you feel?
      2. Look up it's meaning and compare that to your initial reaction to the card.
      3. Record your findings in a journal.

  • Step 6: Set up Your Reading Area

    (Photo by Mahalo)
    • When preparing for a reading, you need a quiet place where you can relax without any distractions. Below is a basic list of what you'll need to set up your reading area:
    1. A Tarot deck
    2. An introductory book about the Tarot (optional)
    3. A card table
    4. A tablecloth or large scarf in a color you like
      • Having a tablecloth or scarf over the reading area keeps the cards neat. Black is generally considered a neutral color, while blue, yellow or purple can aid in divination.
    5. A candle to aid in your concentration
    6. A journal or notebook (optional)
      • This can be helpful for keeping a record of your readings, along with the question you asked each time.

  • Step 7: Decide on Your Question

    (Creative Commons photo by Britt Selvitelle)
    • There are two types of Tarot readings, the "question reading" and the "open reading." So before you ask your question, figure out if you want to ask a specific or general question.

  • The Question Reading

    • A question reading asks a specific question. There are many ways to ask a question, so it is important that you ask in the best way for the Tarot to respond. Here are some guidelines when doing a question reading:
    1. Ask a question or make a request, but don't ramble without asking something. "Tell me about my future," is just as valid as "What is in the future for me?"
    2. Avoid yes or no questions. Tarot readings generally don't work well for this. "Will my girlfriend and I get back together?" is an example of a yes/no question. Here are a couple tips to avoid asking yes/no questions:
      1. Don't begin the question with "Will I" if you are making a choice.
      2. Lead the question with "who or why." ("Who is the best person for me to marry?" or "Why can't I find the right person?") This type of question is easier for Tarot to answer .
    3. Keep your options open, and don't force the outcome. Instead of asking how you can get your roommate to move out, ask how you can get along with him better. If you ask, "When will I find a new lover?" you eliminate the possibility of an old lover coming back to you. "When will I find love?" is a more open question.
    4. Don't be too detailed, but don't be too vague either. Find a balance. For instance, instead of asking how you can find the time to get anything done, ask how you can juggle your work time and your home obligations. That has some specificity without too much detail.
    5. Focus on yourself, and not someone else. If someone else is causing you distress, ask about your role in the matter, not why that person did this or that to you.
    6. Try to stay neutral. Don't taint your question with judgment about another person. Asking why someone at work is getting promoted over you when you are more qualified is not a neutral question. Asking what you need to do to get recognition at work is.
    7. Ask only one question. Don't layer several questions into one, or you won't get a clear reading.
    8. Have a positive attitude. Rather than ask why something hasn't happened for you, ask how you can make it happen.

  • The Open Reading

    • Open readings ask general questions, which deal with the bigger picture of your life rather than a snapshot. They're good to ask under the following circumstances:
    1. For general inquiries about an area of your life, such as your health or career, but that's as specific as it should get.
    2. During transitional periods in your life, like graduating from college, getting married, or moving to another city.
    3. Try leading open readings with phrases like, "Can you give me some advice on...?", "How can I better...?" or "What lesson can I learn from...?"
    • Whether you do a question or open reading, it's important to keep an open mind and respect the advice given. You may not see what you want to know, but you'll see what you need to know.

  • Step 8: Begin the Reading

    (Creative Commons photo by Chris Gladis)
    • Once you have set up your reading area and decided on a question, you are ready to do your first reading. Every reading begins with shuffling, cutting and pulling the cards.

  • Shuffling the Cards

    • Concentrating on your question, shuffle the cards. There is no one way to shuffle tarot cards, but here are a few common methods and tips:
    1. Riffle or Card Player Shuffle
      1. Divide the deck into two halves, one in each hand.
      2. Hold each half face down on the table, between your thumb and other fingers, with your index finger gently pressing in the middle of the cards, and your thumbs facing each other.
      3. Arch the halves gently by pressing in with your index fingers and squeezing between your thumb and other fingers.
      4. Release the cards slowly from your thumbs so they all "fan" into layers on top of each other on the table.
      5. Push the halves together and repeat.
    2. Overhand Shuffle
      1. Hold the deck sideways in one hand.
      2. Pull off several cards at a time with your other hand, and redistribute them into the deck.
    3. Messy Shuffle
      1. Scatter the cards face down all over the table and mix them up.
      2. Gather them up and reform the deck.
      • Keep in mind that using the messy shuffle will give you more reversed cards.
    4. Stop shuffling when you feel the cards are "ready."

  • Cutting the Deck

    • Once you are satisfied the cards are shuffled, put the deck on the table and cut it to the left into three stacks. Reassemble the stacks, also to the left.

  • Pulling the Cards

    • As you pull the cards, some of them will be upside down. Interpreting reversed cards can be tricky, because the reverse position changes the meaning of the card. Some feel that reversals aren't needed since the 78 cards cover all human emotions and actions. We're not going to worry about reversed cards at first. For now, follow these guidelines for pulling the cards:
    1. Take each card from the top of the deck as if you are turning the page of a book (i.e., flipping it sideways).
    2. Turn upside down cards right side up.
      • Once you become more comfortable doing readings, these links will help you interpret reversed cards:
      1. The Newbie and Reversed Cards
      2. Learn Tarot Lesson 17: Reversed Cards
      3. A Word on Reversals

  • Shuffling and Cutting for Friends

    • After you've done a few readings for yourself, try one on a friend.
    1. Have them concentrate on their question while you shuffle, or you can have them shuffle the cards.
    2. Let them state their question out loud to make your interpretation easier .
    3. Let them cut the deck, and then you pull the cards.

  • Step 9: Throwing a Spread

    (Photo by Mahalo)
    • A spread is simply a pre-organized way to lay down the cards. There are many different spreads, and which one to use depends upon the kind of question being asked. For example, the Five Card spread helps determine a course of action, and the Mandala spread addresses questions about spiritual journeys. For your first two readings, you will throw a Three Card spread, and then a Celtic Cross. The spread descriptions are written as though you are the querent.

  • The Three Card Spread

    1. Draw three cards, one at a time, and place them beside each other face up on the table, left to right.
    2. The first card represents the Past and is the foundation for your question. It relates to past issues that might be influencing the matter at hand.
    3. The second card represents the Present and pertains to present influences on the question. It might suggest a course of action to follow.
    4. The third and final card is the Future and represents the outcome of the situation and the benefits of taking that action.

  • The Ten Card Celtic Cross Spread

    • The Celtic Cross is one of the best-known spreads for answering specific questions. While there are Celtic Cross variations, the spread is always broken up into two sections: the left section, called the "cross" or circle, and the right section, called the "staff." Here is a popular version showing the positional meanings and placement as you draw the ten cards:
    1. The Present Position/Self. This is the current atmosphere in which you are working and living. This card represents how you see yourself, and is the central card of the spread.
    2. Immediate Influence/Challenges. This card is laid across the first card, and represents present obstacles influencing you.
    3. Goal or Destiny. This card "crowns" the first card, so is placed above it, and represents the best that can be accomplished based on current trends.
    4. Distant Past Foundation. This card is behind you, so goes to the right of the first card. It represents events already taken into account, your personal history and the belief systems you grew up with.
    5. The Recent Past. This card is beneath you, so goes underneath the first card. It points to events just passing, now diminishing in power.
    6. Future Influence. This card is in front of you, so is laid to the left of the first card. It shows things unfolding: which way the wind will blow based on current trends.
      • Cards 7-10 are placed in a vertical line (the "staff") from bottom to top, to the right of the 1-6 "cross" section.
    7. The Questioner. This card goes at the bottom of the line, and represents you and your present position within the circumstances.
    8. Environmental Factors/Allies. This card goes above card 7 and represents the influence of other people or circumstances affecting you, how these people see you, and how they might be a help or hindrance.
    9. Hopes and Fears. This card goes above card 8, and refers to your inner emotions, desires and undermining tendencies.
    10. Final Result/Advice. This card goes above card 9 and is the culmination of all the influences. It suggests a course of action in tune with your desires.
    • Here are some Celtic Cross diagrams, reading guides and samples:
      1. Learn Tarot Celtic Cross Diagram
      2. Tarot: The Celtic Cross
      3. Your Celtic Cross Spread
      4. Tarot.com Sample

  • Step 10: Interpreting the Cards

    (Creative Commons photo by Jef Poskanzer)
    • Doing a Tarot reading is basically about putting together the card meanings as suggested by their placement in the spread.

  • General Tips for Interpreting the Cards

    1. Lay out the entire spread before interpreting the cards. A card's meaning can be influenced by the other cards around it. This also gives you a feel for the overall pattern of the cards.
    2. Look for any Major Arcana cards in the spread. Their images deal with greater principles, ideals and concepts.
    3. Look for Minor Arcana cards. They deal with the events of everyday life.
    4. Look for any court cards. Court cards have distinctive personalities and usually refer to people in your life.
    5. Use numbers and elemental associations when interpreting pip cards.
      1. Look for recurring numbers. The numbers of each suit can be interpreted through Numerology. For example:
        1. Aces represent new beginnings or embarking on new projects.
        2. Twos represent cross-roads, relationships and making choices.
        3. Threes signify friends, loved ones and personal growth
      2. Look for elemental correspondences. The four suits are associated with the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. For example:
        1. Wands are ruled by Fire, and deal with power, action, aggression, conflict, ambition and career.
        2. Swords are ruled by Air, and deal with ideas, thoughts, communication, purity of mind and written letters.
        3. Cups are ruled by Water, and deal with emotion, understanding, compassion, love, poetry and visions.
        4. Pentacles are ruled by Earth, and deal with manifestation, creation, prosperity, health, craft and money.
    6. Trust your instincts. There is no "wrong" way to interpret the cards!

  • Interpreting the Celtic Cross Spread

    1. Look at the "cross" section of the spread first.
    2. See the first six cards in pairs for a snapshot of your immediate situation.
      1. Cards 1&2 give you the central theme of the reading.
      2. Cards 3&5 deal with the things going on within you.
      3. Cards 4&6 show how events in your life are taking shape.
    3. Look at the staff section, also in pairs.
      1. Cards 7&8 deal with your relationship to your environment.
      2. Card 10 is the outcome.
    4. Note your reaction to the outcome.
      1. Does any card stand out as a key to that outcome?
      2. Does card 10 mirror or show an alternative outcome to card 5?
      3. Does the near Future (card 6), support card 10?
      4. Is card 9 (guidance, hope and fears) relevant?
    5. Feel free to add more cards for clarity, if you still can't interpret the cards.

  • Resources for How to Read Tarot Cards

  • Conclusion

    • "The most powerful sources of information come from within; the Tarot aids in coming in contact with one's Higher Self," writes the mystic Order of the Golden Dawn. Whether you use the Tarot for spiritual guidance, self-awareness or just to learn something new, once you get the basics down, you'll be able to do a reading without much effort. And you don't have to "consult the cards" to know it will be a life-enriching adventure!

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