How To Use A Tarot Deck

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Learning to read Tarot cards takes a combination of knowledge and intuition that anyone can develop. Follow the steps below to hone your abilities as a Tarot card reader to offering insight and guidance to those who seek it or to aid in your own personal growth.

1
Choose a deck of cards. Different tarot decks apply unlike symbology. One of the nigh widely used and most widely taught is the Passenger-Waite Tarot or ane of its clones--the Morgan-Greer Tarot, for example. Withal, it'due south important that a tarot deck speak to you lot, and so expect through different ones and read reviews to learn what people like and dislike almost them.
- Classic and popular decks are e'er in circulation, but new tarot decks are published each year so there is an ever-changing inventory to wait through.
- The peak 5 tarot decks of all time are: Deviant Moon Tarot, Rider-Waite Tarot, Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot, DruidCraft Tarot and Shadowscapes Tarot.^[1]
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Develop a mission statement. Defining exactly what you hope to accomplish in your relationship with the Tarot can assist you on your journey every bit a reader. When yous know your desired end result, yous'll exist better able to wait objectively at where you are now and what steps y'all must have to accomplish your "destination." Inquire yourself your intention for your Tarot deck or how you plan to use it to serve others. Mission statements may reverberate goals such as wanting to develop greater intuition, enhance inventiveness or connect with spiritual forces. These statements are different and personal to each individual who crafts i.

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3

Transfer your energy to the deck. The all-time way to do this is to handle the cards. Shuffle them again and again. Put them in order (from Fool through the Globe, followed by each of the suits, from Ace through Ten, then Page, Knight, Queen and King). Handling your cards helps them to become an extension of you.
4
Understand how the deck works. The Tarot deck is made up of 78 cards: 22 major arcana and 56 small-scale arcana. You must memorize and be able to identify each card equally well as give two divinatory meanings for each carte du jour.
- Major arcana. The Tarot archetypes represented in the major arcana are pictures that represent life and the stages and experiences we all get through. Information technology's meant to be the story of one's journeying through life starting as The Fool (young, pure energy in spirit form) moving through events and cycles and finding completion in The World (the end of our life cycle).
- Minor arcana. Minor Cards describes the people, events, feelings and circumstances we run into on our personal "Fool's Journeying."^[ii] Information technology represents events that are within the command of the individual and indicate how you practice something. The small arcana fairly closely resembles a traditional deck of playing cards. It'south made upwardly of 4 suits, and each of these suits are associated with 1 of the elements: Wands (Burn down), Cups (Water), Pentacles (Earth) and Swords (Air). There are also the Queen, Male monarch and Knight (or Jack) of each adjust plus the addition of Pages or Princesses.
  - Memorizing all 78 cards will take time. Effort working with a partner who tin quiz you using the deck every bit a kind of prepare of wink cards.
5
Get a adept book. A well-written book that will help you understand the basics of Tarot will exist extremely helpful in getting you lot started reading tarot cards. Some take yous through the procedure in a way that emphasizes memorization while others encourage participation. Choose a book that suits your learning style.
- Don't program to rely besides heavily on your book. It will be helpful to get you on rails for learning, only you need to integrate your intuition with your book knowledge to fully develop as a Tarot carte reader.
- Endeavor this trick for incorporating your intuition into your learning. Await at each card and decide what y'all think it means. Don't worry about existence correct--just go from your gut. And then look in your book and see what information technology says. This volition take the focus off pure memorization and the fear of being wrong and allow y'all to create readings that catamenia because of the manner you've personally continued with the cards.^[3]
EXPERT TIP

Susan Levitt is a professional tarot menu reader, astrologer, and feng shui consultant based in San Francisco, California since 1986. Susan is the writer of 5 books that are published in several languages including Introduction To Tarot and Taoist Star divination. She posts tarot reading updates on Facebook, on Twitter @tarot_tweet, and her lunar blog. Her work has been featured on CNN and she was voted "Best Astrologer" by SF Weekly in San Francisco.

Susan Levitt
Tarot Card Reader

Our Expert Agrees: At that place are a lot of excellent books that can teach you how to read tarot cards. You can also observe apps or websites that show and explain a menu every day, or you can go for a personalized tarot reading and larn from watching.

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i
Pick a carte-a-day. You can cull a bill of fare merely as a way of getting to know the deck or you may selection 1 to get some insight into the day ahead of you.
- To become to know the deck. Cull a card at random and gaze at information technology a flake. Write downwardly your first impressions and intuitive thoughts. Write these with one particular color of ink a periodical or notebook. With a second, different ink color, write down more information you discover about the card from other sources (books, due east-groups, friends). After a few days, review what you've written and add together comments in a 3rd color of ink.^[iv]
- Go a daily reading. Cull a card at random the first thing in the morning. Spend some time looking at it. Pay attention to its colors and how y'all react to them. Note the general temper of the carte du jour and the emotions information technology brings out in you. Look at the figures in the card--what they're doing, whether they're seated or continuing, who they remind you lot of and how you feel almost them. Focus on the symbols and what they remind you of. Write your thoughts down in a journal--yous can refer back to this as a learning tool and use it to track your progress.^[5]
ii

Study card combinations. It'south important for beginners to view the Tarot non as 78 separate cards but as a system of patterns and interactions. Studying menu combinations can help you lot embrace that concept. Draw two cards from the deck and put them face up next to each other. Now, look for images, locations or events within the two-carte combination. You lot tin work with more cards or do an entire spread. The idea is to learn the cards in combinations to develop deeper understanding and greater confidence when it comes time to doing a reading.
3
Make constellations. Tarot constellations are made upwardly of all cards that carry the same digit (number 1 through ix). For example, the Tarot constellations for the number four would be the number iv card from each of the suits, the Emperor (which carries the number iv) and Death (which carries the number 13 merely reduces to the number four (one+3=4).^[6]
- Line up all the cards from a constellation in front of you and inquire yourself some questions such every bit how you lot experience about each card, what attracts, repels, annoys or makes y'all anxious about the cards, how they're alike and how they're different and what symbols they seem to share. Repeat this do for each of the nine prime number numbers and tape your impressions in a journal.
- Understanding the free energy of each of these cards will facilitate a smoother reading when multiples of the same number come up. Instead of focusing on the meaning of individual cards, yous'll be able to focus on the energy they bring in every bit a grouping.^[7]
iv
Play the carte du jour resolution game. Go through your deck and pull out cards that strike yous as being hard. Spend some fourth dimension with them to attempt to go to the root of your impression. Then go through the deck again and pull out one or more than cards that you feel brings resolution to those difficult cards.
- This game really helps you develop a skill you can utilize in your readings. When a difficult card comes up in i of your readings and yous want to help the Seeker resolve that issue, you can propose a carte that will counteract the hard card.^[8]
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1

Tell a story. A Tarot reading is a narrative, a story that you tell to the Seeker. Information technology'southward an attempt to highlight past influences, empathize nowadays circumstances and predict the well-nigh likely future. The future you speak of volition non exist a stock-still or definitive outcome; information technology's important to recall that in that location are no conclusive endings or absolutes.
two

Get familiar with spreads. A "spread" but refers to the layout of your cards. A Tarot spread is a configuration or design of cards. That blueprint provides the framework for a tarot reading. Further, each position of the tarot cards in a spread has a specific meaning. Your reading will use the placement or position of the cards within an identified theme. For case, many spreads include positions for the by, present and futurity. They can likewise include positions for internal feelings, specific challenges, external factors and so on. At that place are hundreds of spreads to endeavour, and more experienced readers can make upwardly their own. Experiment with unlike spreads, trying particularly to cull ones that encourage your imagination and intuition. Figuring out what works best for you is important; many readers come to rely on specific spreads that piece of work best for them.^[9]
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Beginning with a Three-Card Spread. A three-bill of fare spread is not bad for divining answers to unproblematic questions, for refocusing on simplicity an for beginners who have only started reading. Assign the positions in advance, lay out your spread and use what you've learned near bill of fare meanings and combinations to tell a story.
- Some possible positions for a reading designed to understand a situation are: past/present/future, current situation/obstacle/advice, where you stand now/what you aspire to/how to get there and what will help yous/what will hinder you/what is your unrealized potential.
- Some possible positions for a reading designed to sympathise relationships are: you lot/the other person/the relationship, opportunities/challenges/outcomes, what brings you together/what pulls you apart/what needs your attention and what you want from the relationship/what you want from the relationship/where the human relationship is heading.
- Some possible positions for a reading designed to understand relationships are: heed/body/spirit, cloth land/emotional state/spiritual land, you/your current path/your potential and end/outset/keep.^[ten]
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1

Split your cards. To begin this 21-card spread, divide the Major Arcana from the Pocket-size.
ii

Create the spread. Shuffle each set of cards, cut them and lay them out in rows of three across, seven downwards with one card to the side. This will utilize all of the Major Arcana just get out some Minor Arcana cards. Set these aside in a pile.
iii

Write down impressions. Brand a list of the cards yous've laid out. Option a word that best describes each and write it downwards beside them.
4

Look at the pictures on the cards. What do they advise to yous? Place a narrative blueprint, every bit though you are looking at a volume of illustrations and trying to find the story. The patterns can go beyond, down, diagonally or starting time to last. The carte du jour to the side signifies the most important element of the situation.
5

Ask questions. Inquire yourself which situations in your life or in the life of the person whose cards you lot are reading, the cards seem to exist alluding to.
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Consider alternatives. Look for narrative patterns that offer alternatives to the end first perceived, things that could brand the situation ameliorate or worse.
7

Review your words. Consider the words you've assigned to each of the cards. How do these apply to the stories yous've identified?
8
Put information technology all together. Combine your perceptions from the in a higher place steps into one reading. Yous might exist amazed at how much more than authentic the reading is than when you employ the deck's guide.
- Remember that if at some point a card feels similar it has a different meaning to you than what the book says, get with that meaning. Trusting your intuition is the true style to read tarot cards and something you'll brainstorm to exercise naturally you lot become more experienced. But let the cards speak to you.
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1

Shop your deck properly. Tarot cards tin can pick up negative energy that can interfere with your readings. It is recommended that you lot store your cards in a black-lined pocketbook or in a wooden Tarot card box. You can add together in gemstones or herbs that increase psychic abilities.
2

Decide who can bear upon your cards. Information technology's a matter of personal preference every bit to whether or not you'll permit the Seeker to touch your cards. Some readers encourage it--the have them shuffle the deck as a way of transferring their energy to the cards. Other readers prefer not to have anyone'due south energy except their own on the deck.
3
Clear your deck. There will be times when you need to articulate or cleanse your deck to rid it of negative energy. There are many ways to it, merely one simple way involves calling on one of the iv elements. When using this method, begin past fanning the deck; if extreme cleansing is needed, the cards can exist cleared one at a time.
- Earth. Bury your protected deck in sand, common salt or dirt for 24 hours. Alternatively, fan your deck on a tablecloth and sprinkle it with salt and/or sand for 1 to two minutes or any combination of basil, lavender, rosemary, sage or thyme.
- H2o. Sprinkle your cards lightly with water, herbal tea or a establish infusion and wipe immediately or betrayal your deck to moonlight in a protected expanse for one-half the night.
- Fire. Taking care non to fire yourself, pass your deck speedily through a candle flame. You lot can too expose your deck to sunlight in a protected area for half a 24-hour interval.
- Air. Pass your deck 5 to seven times over burning incense. Or endeavour instead taking a deep breath and breathe securely and slowly into your deck 3 times.
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Question

Does learning to read tarot cards open your "third eye" and cause yous to see ghosts?

Learning tarot does not make y'all able to see ghosts. Tarot cards help you develop greater intuition and understanding.
Question

Is there a different meaning when the cards are upside down?

Aye. Sometimes it is a subtle deviation in estimation and sometimes meaning, depending on the card and where it falls in your spread. If look at a tarot book, it will let you know the differences between the upright and reversed cards.
Question

What happens if I burn my menu accidentally while clearing it?

In that situation, you have damaged your piece of card stock. If information technology is just very slightly damaged, at that place's no reason why yous couldn't go along to work with information technology. If the edges are damaged, however, you lot will ever know where information technology is in the deck when shuffling and drawing, and that is counterproductive. It is non necessary to have a flame anywhere near your cards to 'clear' them. It is You who may need 'clearing' rather than your cards. YOU are the one who reads the Tarot. Anything that clears your mood or your mind clears your cards for Tarot work.
Question

Can you lot do a reading on myself?

Yep, since the free energy is coming from the reader. Readers must accept care non to put too much of themselves in when doing readings for other people.
Question

Is the interpretation of the death bill of fare always grim?

No. The death card is really a sign of rebirth. It can betoken a change from one situation that is catastrophe to a new start in your future.
Question

Is it possible to do a tarot reading using regular playing cards?

Yep and no. It will not exist a Tarot reading if you practise non use Tarot cards. There are 78 cards in a Tarot deck, 52 in a regular playing deck, and no equivalent of the Tarot's Major Arcana cards except for the Joker (Fool in Tarot). Nonetheless, you certainly can do psychic readings with regular playing cards, and learn to do them very well. Tarot itself began life not equally an occult arrangement of divination, just as a game played for fun, or gambling. Cards, whether they are Tarot cards or playing cards lend themselves as tools for facilitating and more than precisely articulating your own intuition. They are powerful tools, merely just tools, nonetheless.
Question

Tin I employ a found deck?

You lot can choose to use a establish deck. Institute decks tin can be heady to work with due to the mystery they present. All the same, you should make sure to clear the institute deck before using it in order to rid information technology of whatever possible negative free energy and to institute your unique intentions and personality on the deck.
Question

What do The Hermit, The Star and Judgement cards hateful?

The hermit symbolizes a hardship revealing true cognition. The star symbolizes a time of renewal, and the judgement menu means that karma volition take its identify, bringing expert things if you have been kind, and poor luck if you haven't.
Question

If I have 12 tarot from Ryder how exercise I read them, horizontally or vertically?

Information technology depends on the spread you deal, and if you lot employ reversed cards. You could search online and even discover apps to explain all this.
Question

Is information technology possible to use Tarot cards for defence force against evil spirits, demons, etc.? And If so, do y'all know where I could larn to practise then?

Tarot is very popular with magic users. At that place are lots of places to learn, just Googling "Tarot protection spells" will likely go you in the right ballpark.

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When formulating your question, retrieve of an image that represents the question. (Instance: If you lot were asking whether or non your crush will ask yous out, imagine the situation whilst shuffling. The cards answer in images, only off-white that you lot too ask in images.)
Employ your carte du jour-shuffling time to articulate your mind. Choose cards with backs that appeal to you lot so that yous can utilize them as a meditative betoken of focus.
Use crystals to add free energy and ambiance.
Consider the Major Arcana spread every bit illustrating the deeper, spiritual aspects of life situations and the Minor as reflecting day to mean solar day matters.
Turn all cards right side up if you wish to avoid reversals. These can add additional insight but are not necessary and tin can make learning more complicated for beginners.
Light incense and candles to create a relaxed environment for your reading. A drinking glass of wine and soft music can enhance information technology as well.
Use the stack of 'extra' Small-scale Arcana cards to elaborate on specially tricky carte interpretations. Select ane or more than cards from the stack and lay them on top of the difficult bill of fare. Read these as a narrative ready.
When you feel ready to handle reversals, there are a couple of ways to approach them. Some readers read reversals as only reverse to a card's upright meaning, but this can reduce your reading to a level so bones equally to exist of little value. It can be more thought-provoking to ask if the reversed card has become less straightforward in some way. For instance, in a 10 of Cups reversed, is its joyous free energy blocked, delayed, apparent but not real, existent simply not apparent, hidden, promised, or in some other way not fully present? Context will usually make it articulate which is the instance.
Sometimes a tarot reading's meaning can seem unclear or ambiguous. To sharpen your readings, practice "reverse-reading": think of a meaning commencement (eastward.g., "speedy resolution"), then try to recollect which menu which might represent it (e.g., viii of Wands). When you ask a question of a tarot reading, imagine some of the answers you lot might go and what cards would represent them--*earlier* you start to draw.

Recollect to take this with a grain of salt.
Some decks tin give yous nasty paper cuts. Accept care!
If you believe strongly in free will, that does not mean you cannot benefit from tarot'due south descriptive ability. Rather than a prediction, think of a tarot reading every bit a route map which helps you choose where yous want to get rather than steering you in a particular direction.

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Article Summary X

To read tarot cards, start with a basic three-card spread by laying three cards out in front end of yous, face down in a horizontal line. Then, flip the card on the left to learn well-nigh your past, the center menu to learn about your present, and the card on the right to learn virtually your future. If yous don't know what each bill of fare means yet, look up the meanings online or in a tarot bill of fare book until you memorize them. You can also use the same iii-card spread to requite someone else a reading. To learn how to do more complex tarot card spreads, scroll downwards!

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