How to Get Started Reading Tarot
I’ve been reading Tarot for what feels like my entire life.
I picked up my first deck in high school, and I’ve been using the same deck ever since. It’s seen me through my entire adult life.
Friendships.
Romantic partnerships.
Jobs.
Babies.
And now, perimenopause.
We’re been through a lot together.
Do I have to be gifted my first Tarot deck?
I honestly don’t even remember how I acquired my first deck. I believe it was gifted to me. And I know a lot of readers believe that is how it should be. I actually keep several Rider Waite Smith decks on hand just for gifting!
But I also don’t believe in rules, especially with Tarot.
If you see a deck and it calls to you, get it! I’ve bought myself many decks over the years, and I love them all.
When choosing a deck, look for one that feels good. One you find inspiring and beautiful.
I’m a very visual person, so rich imagery with a lot of symbolism is important to me. For that reason, I’ve been working with the traditional Rider Waite Smith deck for years. It’s the classic and many modern decks are built off of it’s images and meanings.
I’ve also recently been working with the Magical Hours deck, and am loving it. It’s BEAUTIFUl!
How do I learn all of the meanings
Tarot decks have 78 cards. Each one with rich symbolism and many meanings. It can be a lot and feel over whelm, especially in the beginning, so take it slow!
Every deck comes with a book that gives the basic interpretations of the cards. Start there! I actually find these books extremely helpful, and a great place to start. I held on the the once that came with my first deck for YEARS and would literally study it.
Pay attention to the artwork and the symbolism on the cards. They will tell you what they’re about.
Pull just one card a day, look at it first and write down what you think the card is communication, then look at the book that came with it. Overtime, this practice will help you learn your deck!
Also look into classes!
Learning from someone who has experience is a great way to get start. I worked with a mentor at in my 20s and learned SO much from her! I also teach private classes, so if you are interested, send me an email and we' can set up a time to meet!
Do I have to be psychic to read Tarot?
This is a question I get all the time. And my answer is yes and no!
I believe we all have deep intuition.
And we all are tuned into the language of symbols.
Are brains are hardwired to make meaning from the images we see all around us.
All of that helps us know things that we can’t always explain.
Whether you believe those qualities come from spirit, or the universe or your own subconscious is up to you.
To explore your own psychic abilities and how the relate to Tarot, I recommend picking up Mat Auryn’s book, The Psychic Art of Tarot. It’s fabulous!
Are Tarot cards scary or evil?
This is where Hollywood has really done us a disservice!
Tarot has been around for hundreds of years. It started out as a game in Italy in the early 1400s and evolved over the years to what it is today.
I was taught that their are no suck think as a “bad” card. Even “dark” cards, like The Devil or Death, have deeper meanings beyond first impressions.
The Devil, for example is more about unhealthy relations ships, addiction and bad habits than it is about demonic forces. And Death speaks to the end of a cycle, an end of a season, the natural flow of life.
Remember, you are in charge of the energy you bring into a room. And that applies to Tarot as well. If you see them as something scary, then chances are you’ll be scared when you use them.
But if you see them as the tool that they are, they’ll help you uncover deeper parts of your unconscious, and I personally think thats a good thing.
How do I ask right kinds of questions?
Tarot will never give you a yes or no answer. Instead, it will help you better understand the current state of your questions and offer clarity around your situation.
I personally don’t believe Tarot will tell you the future, because we have free will, and the future is made out of the choices we make. But I do believe Tarot can give you good ideas, things to consider, and caution around making a decision that isn’t in your highest interest.
Ask your questions with all of that in mind. Instead of framing something as a yes or no (Should I _______) Ask about the choices. (What would it look like if I _____? And what would it look like if I ______ instead)
Let me know if you have any questions
I hope that was helpful and inspiring.
I’m happy to help you on your journey! So if you’d like to get stated with a reading or class, just let me know!
