Tarot 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Doing a Tarot Reading
Tarot readings can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, guidance, and reflection. If you’re new to tarot, the process of doing a reading can seem intimidating or confusing. But with a little bit of knowledge and practice, you can learn to do tarot readings with confidence and accuracy. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of doing a tarot reading, as well as offer some tips and insights to help you get the most out of your readings.
Tarot Reading Steps:
- Choose your deck. There are many different tarot decks available, each with its own unique artwork and symbolism. Choose a deck that resonates with you and feels right for your needs. You might also want to consider the deck’s tradition (e.g., Rider-Waite, Thoth, etc.) and any specific themes or meanings it embodies.
- Familiarize yourself with the tarot. Before you do a reading, it’s important to understand the basic meanings and symbolism of the tarot. You can find this information in the booklet that comes with your deck or by doing your own research online or in books.
- Set your intention. A tarot reading is a form of divination, and as such, it’s important to set a clear intention for your reading. What do you hope to gain from the reading? What specific question or issue are you looking to address? It’s also helpful to have an open mind and heart, as well as a willingness to be receptive to the messages the tarot has for you.
- Shuffle and cut the deck. The physical act of shuffling and cutting the deck is an important part of the tarot reading process. It helps to focus your energy and intention, as well as mix up the cards in a way that allows for greater randomness and unpredictability. To shuffle the deck, hold it in your hands and move the cards around with a gentle, shuffling motion. Then, divide the deck into three piles and reassemble them in a different order.
- Choose your spread. A spread is a specific arrangement of cards that provides a framework for your reading. There are many different tarot spreads to choose from, each with its own purpose and focus. Some common spreads include the three-card spread (for a general overview), the Celtic Cross (for a deeper exploration of a specific issue), and the Horseshoe (for decision-making). Choose a spread that resonates with your intention and feels right for your needs.
- Lay out the cards. Once you’ve chosen your spread, it’s time to lay out the cards. Follow the specific guidelines for your chosen spread (e.g., which position corresponds to which aspect of your life or question). As you lay out each card, take a moment to focus on its meaning and how it might relate to your question or intention.
- Interpret the cards. Now it’s time to interpret the cards and see what messages they have for you. Consider the meaning of each card in the context of its position in the spread, as well as its relationship to the other cards. You might also want to consider any specific symbols or themes that emerge as you look at the cards.
How to interpret tarot cards:
Interpreting tarot cards can be a personal and intuitive process, as the meanings of the cards can vary depending on the context of the reading and the individual reader’s own experiences and perspectives. That being said, there are some general guidelines that can be helpful when it comes to interpreting tarot cards.
One approach is to start by looking at the basic meaning of each card. Most tarot decks come with a booklet that provides a brief overview of the meanings of each card. These meanings can serve as a starting point, but it’s important to remember that they are not the only possible interpretations of the cards.
Another approach is to consider the symbolism and imagery of each card. What do the images on the card depict, and what might they be trying to convey? What feelings or emotions do the images evoke?
It can also be helpful to consider the context of the card within the spread. How does the card’s position in the spread relate to the question or intention you set for the reading? What other cards are present, and how do they relate to each other and to the card in question?
Finally, trust your intuition. As you become more familiar with the tarot, you may find that certain cards have personal meanings or associations for you. It’s important to allow these personal meanings to inform your interpretation of the cards.
Remember, the tarot is a tool for self-discovery and reflection, and there is no one “right” way to interpret the cards. The most important thing is to approach the tarot with an open mind and a willingness to be receptive to its messages.
Learn tarot tips from experts
Once you have learned the steps and become more comfortable with the tarot, there are a few tarot tips that can help enhance your readings and get the most out of the experience. These tips include trusting your intuition, keeping an open mind, practicing regularly, and keeping a journal of your readings. Learn more in our article tarot tips for beginners.
Tarot readings can be a powerful way to gain insight, guidance, and self-awareness. With a little bit of knowledge and practice, you can learn to do tarot readings with confidence and accuracy. By following the steps outlined in this beginner’s guide, as well as trusting your intuition and keeping an open mind, you can get the most out of your tarot readings and use them as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery.
Remember, practice is key! The more you do tarot readings, the more comfortable and proficient you will become. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spreads, decks, and techniques to find what works best for you.
Love and light x
