A Beginners Guide To Reading Tarot Cards
Tarot cards are one of many forms of divination - the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown. The term for tarot reading is taromancy and there are hundreds of different types of tarot cards. From the most popular Rider-Waite cards to more specialized Tarot of Orishas, it's easy to find a deck that you connect with.
Tarot card readers use cards to help guide you through possible outcomes of future events. The goal of a reader is to provide as much information so that you can then make educated choices to successfully navigate your life. The future can always change and that is why it's important to understand that these are guidelines for you, not absolutes.
Anyone can become a tarot card reader. With practice and trust in our own intuition, you will be able to help yourself and others reach their true potential.
Here are simple steps to reading tarot cards. You can practice on yourself or with another person.
Step 1: Relax
The best way to start a tarot card session is to relax and quiet the mind. Allow your body to soften as you focus on breathing deeply through your abdomen. Allow any tension or discomfort to melt away. At this point, if you feel inclined, you can connect with your spirit guides, ancestors and angels. Ask them to help guide you to pick the card that will serve you the most.
Step 2: Clear your Tarot Deck
Your cards absorb energies by anyone who has touched it so it's important for you to "clear" it of any residual energies. There are two ways to do this. You can also hold the deck in your left hand and knock three times on it with your right to clear the energy. Holding the deck up to your heart and visualizing the deck surrounded by warm white light is another popular method.
Step 3: Ask Your Question
After you clear the deck, hold your deck in both hands and ask your question silently or out loud. Be as specific as you can. If you don't have any specific question, you can ask, "what do I need to know right now?" As you ask your question, visualize the deck of cards surrounded by your words.
Step 4: Shuffle and Cut the Deck
At this point you should shuffle your deck while still repeating the question. You stop shuffling when you intuitively feel that you are done. This is a very important step. Let your inner spirit guide you to know when you have shuffled enough.
There are two ways to cut the deck. You can place the deck on the table in front of you, cut the deck using your left hand and place it next to the other pile of cards. You should have two piles of cards now. Now choose a card that is on top of the right pile. You can also cut the deck using your left hand and then place the other pile on TOP of the cards you just cut. If you do that, simply choose the first card on that deck.
NOTE: Some people like to fan out the cards or spread the cards in front of them and choose whichever card calls for them. It is totally up to you on which method you do. If you trust your intuition, you won't go wrong.
Steps 5: Reading the Card
Most tarot card decks come with a book explaining what each card means. If you want to use that as your guide, by all means, go ahead. Some people believe that reading this guide can cloud your intuition. The idea of tarot cards is that either spirits or their own inner voice guides the reader in their analysis. Also, picking the same card during different readings can conjure up very different analysis.
After you turn the card over, you want to take note of your first thoughts. THIS is your intuition speaking. So you'll want to immediately write down your first impressions. This also includes how you feel. Do you feel calm looking at the card or did you get anxious. Notice all physical sensations while looking at the card.
Here are some other things to notice about the card:
- What colors are prominent in the card? Does any color stand out more than the others? Is there an absence of color?
- What does the figure/animal on your card look like? Is it looking directly at you or shying away? How is it standing? How is it holding anything? Is this character struggling or at peace? If you were having a conversation with this character, what would it say to you?
- Do you see any symbols and/or shapes in the card? Are there any hidden meanings?
After you form an impression of the card, write it down or say it out loud to the person who you are reading to. Be as specific as you can and always trust your initial reading.
NOTE: If you a pick a card that is turned upside down, don't fret. This doesn't have any negative connotations. It simply means that perhaps you need to work on whatever the card has to say.
Step 6: Closing the Tarot Reading
After your reading, hold your deck in your hands close to your heart and silently thank it for all the insights and guidance it has brought to you today.
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