We've gone over tarot card meanings. I've given you lots of Tarotcises and journaling prompts to ponder, as well as solid advice on developing your intuitive muscles. You're ready to road-test this whole tarot shebang! Yeah, baby!
But (you knew there would be a but, right?), we must cover a few fundamental pieces so that you can set yourself up for intuitive tarot reading success.
Years ago, I went to a tarot party on the not-so-great side of town. As I pulled up to the building, I noticed a group of drug dealers on the corner. Bad areas don't really freak me out too much, but it was late, dark, and there was a strange vibe in the air.
I rang the bell, and after a while, a woman came down to greet me. The first thing I noticed was her black eye. She led me up a darkened stairway to a cramped apartment, littered with toys and takeout containers, into the dimly lit kitchen where a few friends had gathered for the party. I don't have good night vision, so my eyes were having trouble adjusting to the room.
I began reading for a man who asked about guns and whether or not his girlfriend was faithful. His eyes darted to the woman with the black eye. Obviously, he was asking about her. Tense as could be, I did my best to deliver helpful, healing readings to the participants—even him.
Suddenly, I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye. As my eyes began to adjust, I saw the walls swarming with roaches and mice crawling around the floor. I gingerly picked up my purse and kept it on my lap for the rest of the party. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
As I left, I shook my purse out just to make sure I didn't bring any new “friends” home with me. The dealers watched me with a look of both amusement and confusion.
This, my friends, is not the type of environment that lends well to a good reading. Look, you can read in any climate (I've read on trains, planes, automobiles, and more), but if you are uncomfortable, your readings will not be as effective. You must create an environment that is calm and supportive.
The right environment is going to look and feel different for everybody. Some people like to be in their home. Others prefer the chatter of a coffee shop. For some, silence is mandatory, whereas others enjoy tinkly spiritual music in the background. What makes you feel safe? What calms your spirit and mind? Consider that.
For myself, I have a quiet office. Gentle music is always playing in the background when I read. A giant mug of hot green tea keeps me hydrated. My chair is a plush purple throne that my cats enjoy using as a bed and scratching post. Around me are books, spiritual art, pictures of my children, and cats. I feel safe here. I don't read at parties or bars, nor do I offer in-person sessions any longer because they don't suit my introvert nature. Plus, I need minimal distractions for my busy Gemini mind.
Your environment may be the same. Or different. Some folks can read under multiple conditions. I suggest testing out reading in different spaces and circumstances. See what works for you and what doesn't. Once you've established your happy place, plant yourself and read your face off.
If you're reading on the regular, you'll want to cleanse your space thoroughly, especially if you're working with a lot of people. Energy sticks. Long after your reading is finished, someone's energetic imprint may still linger in your environment. It needs to be cleansed out to keep the vibe clear.
I cleanse my office every single day. This way, I have an energetically pristine backdrop to do my tarot thing.
Here's what I do.
You'll need:
Open a window. Light your incense and walk around the room, allowing the smoke to waft into each corner. Silently pray for the vibes to clear. Ask your guides to release any energetic cords from people you've worked with recently.
Next, walk around the perimeter of your reading room with the bell, ringing it in every corner. This breaks up energy.
Finally, take the selenite wand and move it over your body. Selenite is fantastic for cleansing your aura. Sometimes I take crystal quartz and move it around my body in a big clockwise circle and state, “I surround myself with radiant light. Only positive energy can penetrate my aura.” This affirmation adds an additional layer of protection so that I can work with people and not take on their energetic stuff.
Do you need to cleanse your deck? I think so. Everything is made of energy. Even seventy-eight paper cards. A cleansing of your deck removes psychic debris and keeps your cards running clean. Kind of like an engine.
There are a few ways to do this:
In case you're wondering, yes, I cleanse my tarot deck every single day.
Now you're ready to roll, right? Not yet, Grasshopper. There is another vital thing you need to bring to the tarot table: the right mindset. I want to talk about this briefly because if there is one point I'd like to hammer home, it's this: you need to have the right level of openness for intuitive information to flow correctly. Ideally, your querent will also show up with that same mindset. (I'll talk about problem readings soon.) After all, reading is a two-way street. If you're both heading in the same direction, you can get where you want to go faster. Got it? Cool.
Now, remember where I talked about intuition buzzkills in the “Intuition Basics” chapter? I mentioned how skepticism, substances, emotions, and overanalyzing can crush your sixth sense. To recap: don't do that.
I also want to add that expectations and a failure to detach can also hinder your ability to give a good, reliable tarot reading. You'll want to pay attention to both. Let me explain what I mean.
When you come to a tarot reading as the reader or querent, do you assume that the cards will “see all”? Do you think that every detail will be fleshed out, down to the color of the underwear you're wearing that day? It doesn't work like that. The future isn't some “set-and-forget” agenda where life “just happens to you.” It's more complex. That's why a neutral, curious mind on the part of both tarot reader and client is necessary.
If you come with one of these attitudes about tarot, your experience will not be as good:
1. “I'll just wait and see if it will happen.” This passive mindset says, “I have no responsibility for how my life will unfold. I'll kick back and wait for things to come true.” If you're approaching tarot (or life) with that attitude, you're not being an active participant in your life. For example, a woman came in for a reading and asked if she would meet a man. The cards showed a favorable outcome. A year later she came back and said she didn't meet anyone. When asked what she did to make a connection, she said, “Nothing.” She just assumed the reading meant that it would happen without her having to do a thing. Wrong-o. If you are looking for a partner, they usually don't come knocking on your door like one of those lusty plumbers in porn movies. Life requires you to make an effort. A reading shows potential, but that doesn't mean you get to lounge on the couch in your PJs and wait around eating bonbons.
2. “I hope it happens . . . ,” usually accompanied by a long sigh. This bummer mindset means you are only expecting the negative. If that's you, you'll find a way to sabotage your life, no matter how good the cards might be.
3. “That can't happen.” Those who have this mindset are closed to any information that may come through. It doesn't matter how accurate the information is because their mind is already made up, and even if something rings true, they'll assume that trickery was involved.
It's crucial for both people sitting at the tarot table to remain open and curious. When the reading is approached in that manner, the chances for it being helpful are amplified.
The other side of the tarot mindset coin is detachment—the ability to remain objective. In other words, you must be able to get your feelings and experiences out of the way, so nothing colors the information.
For example, if you have strong feelings about a question or situation, that may create bias. Same with wanting a particular outcome. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to see a positive future, if you are too invested in that, you may see only what you want to see instead of what's actually coming through.
Detachment doesn't mean being a cold fish or Mr. Spock, however. You can still have all the feels, but you must be mindful that they are not infecting the reading; otherwise, you risk projection, which puts your experiences and opinions into the mix.
How do you do that?
For one, you must be aware of your triggers. If you feel yourself bristling at a question or situation, that's a sign that you may be biased. Let me give an example: I despise gambling. In my opinion, it's a waste of money, and any questions about winning money give me agita. The only time I've been in a casino was once for an art show. I was so uncomfortable looking at the people at the slot machines that I had to get the hell out of there!
Because I know this about myself, I also am aware that I do not like reading about gambling. I won't give numbers or anything like that. Years ago, a man asked me about his casino habit. The cards were negative. The next time I saw him, he griped that I had “ruined his luck” and that the tarot “put him on a losing streak.” I'm not sure if it was the accuracy of the cards or my lousy attitude giving him trouble, but I knew then that this wasn't my forte.
Once you know what sets you off, let querents know immediately if they ask a question you don't like. This way, you keep it honest and remove yourself from giving a loaded reading.
Another thing I recommend is letting people know when you're stating your opinion or experience versus what's in the cards. For example, if someone inquires about a situation that I have a particular judgement toward, I will put the cards to the side and say, “Before we look at the cards around this situation, I want to give you my opinion, so we don't mix the two up.” This straightforward approach keeps the reading clean because now I've stated what I feel right off the bat.
Same with life experience. Always let the other person know up front if you have had a similar situation . . . and then get on with the cards. For example, let's say someone inquires about a nasty divorce. Maybe you went through the same thing. Saying “I've been where you have; let's see what the cards have to say about your situation” lets the client know that you understand what is happening, but you're going to the cards for wisdom.
When you share your experiences or opinions, be candid but brief. I find that stating this out loud serves to keep the air clear and the reader grounded in the moment and focused on the client instead of getting mired in their own stuff.
Now that we have that out of the way, let's read tarot!
How you shuffle depends on what feels natural to you. As I like to say: shuffle as if you were about to play a game of poker. Don't overthink it. Just shuffle the damn cards.
Some folks are gentle and timid, and others prefer making fancy-pants bridges. Other people enjoy spreading the cards facedown on the table and swirling them around like an enormous mandala. It's really up to you.
If you allow others to shuffle your deck, keep in mind that you may go through a lot more decks. Years ago, I had a woman shuffle a brand-new deck so aggressively that she destroyed it in one sitting. (Interesting: she was a rather aggressive, angry sort of person too.) Be sure to purchase decks printed on sturdy card stock, and keep a few extras on hand should you decide to let other people handle them.
How will you know how long to shuffle? Shuffle as long as you feel comfortable . . . or until you get bored. That simple.
Next, put the deck facedown on the table. Using your left hand, cut the deck into three piles. Then put them back together any way you wish.
Why the left hand? The left is closer to your heart, which means the reading comes from your heart. Frankly, this is a superstition, and I'm left-handed, so I like it, but you don't need to use this cutting method if you're not called to . . . or if you're not a southpaw.
Before reading the cards, take a peek at the bottom of the deck. That card will give a clue! For example, let's say you're doing a general outlook for a woman. You turn over the Six of Cups; that means she's most likely thinking about family or past love. Now, lay out the cards and start reading. How does that bottom card influence the reading . . . or not?
A good tarot reading begins with a good question. That being said, general outlooks, which we will cover soon, can be helpful. Even so, I prefer that I have an area to focus on; this way, I don't waste my time or the client's time.
For example, when I work with another reader, I'm always up front. I want to know about business and money. I don't care about romance (my love life is solid), and I am superstitious about health, so I don't want to hear about it. That's pretty blunt, right? Perhaps. But I find that being straight-up leads to a reading that is useful rather than have the reader guess what I need to know. A “cold call” type of reading with zero background information can be impressive, especially when the reader pulls out things I can validate. But for some reason, when I receive those types of readings, I end up getting useless information about my love life and less about the things I care about. (Not sure why so many readers assume I have some sort of scandalous romance going on—I don't.)
I recommend that you have clear questions before you approach the tarot table. You'll also want to encourage anyone who sits with you to come prepared as well.
Structure the questions, so they are helpful. “Will I” is one of the least useful inquiries. It creates a passive approach to life. Like I said before, life doesn't just happen to you. The cards can show the possibilities, but you still have to do your part.
Another question that isn't constructive is “Should I.” This question puts your decisions in someone else's hands. That's not taking responsibility for your life. It's removing your role and making someone else responsible for how things turn out. You'll want to avoid that and encourage your querent to reframe those questions.
“Yes/No” questions are a mixed bag. In some cases, they can be helpful, but that assumes there is no choice in the matter. While some situations are cut and dried, many are not.
I like formatting questions like this:
What do I need to know about____________?
What can I expect if I do____________?
What might be the results if I make this decision____________?
How can I____________?
When you format your questions like that, you can look at possible outcomes, but also you can glean advice, which makes the future much more empowering.
Let's look at a few questions revamped:
Will I marry Sebastian?
What do I need to know about my relationship with Sebastian?
Should I quit my job?
What can I expect if I quit my job?
Will I go back to school?
What might be the results if I go back to school?
Will I meet a new woman?
How can I meet a new partner?
Once again, the reframed questions make a world of difference.
Some readers don't think it's right to reframe questions for the querent. In some cases, I don't, even if I don't think the question asked will lead to helpful information. Instead, I'll quietly ask my guides for illumination so that even if I'm getting a poorly worded question, I can still look for the useful nuggets that will empower my client.
Some questions cross ethical lines. For example, some things are none of your business. Asking about your ex's new relationship? Not your business. Want to know if your boss is into kinky sex? Nope. Wondering about someone's sexual orientation? This isn't of any concern to you.
Prying into the affairs of people who are not present at the time of the reading is a no-no. Of course, there are exceptions. A mother wanting to know how to help her child who is struggling with addiction? Yes. If you're coming from the angle of wanting to know if someone is okay or how you could help that person, that's fine. Just be careful that whatever you're asking isn't meddling into situations that are not your business.
Also, you'll want to avoid questions about health and legal matters. Unless you are a licensed therapist, doctor, or lawyer, you should not give advice in these areas. If someone asks, you might want to look at the energy around the situation but refer them to the proper professionals. If you take on a client's medical questions and try to diagnose or prescribe, you risk getting sued. So, it's not just an ethical issue; it's also a liability.
That being said, people will often inquire about these situations. I always preface by saying “I'm not a doctor/lawyer/therapist, so therefore I cannot diagnose/prescribe/give legal advice/offer therapy. All I can do is look at the energy around the situation. You'll need to discuss your situation with the proper person, so I will advise you to seek counsel with a health-care practitioner/therapist/attorney that you trust.”
Another situation that walks a fine ethical line is talking about death. I've had countless people ask, “When am I going to die?” Usually, this is someone who is trying to play games, but on occasion, some folks are serious. I do not recommend entertaining this query. First, you don't want to frighten anyone. Second, this sort of information could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
There are exceptions to every rule, however. For example, I had a terminally ill client come to my office with her granddaughter in tow. This client had a few weeks to live and wanted to know how everyone would fare after she was gone. My job was to make sure she felt ready for what was ahead and comforted in the knowledge that her loved ones would go on just fine. In this case, she was asking about the impact on her family from her impending death. I broke the rules because it was appropriate to the situation, and it turned out to be one of the most meaningful readings I have ever done.
Sometimes people will be deliberately vague when asking questions because they have an agenda. The agenda could be to “test you,” or something else may be going on and they don't want to divulge. In those situations, you'll want to pry a little just in case.
Let me give you another example. A client came to me and wanted to know if his “plan would work out.” The cards showed that the plan would indeed work out perfectly. For some reason, I felt “off” about this response, so I asked him what his plan was. He said he was going to kill himself. I put the cards aside, and we had a long talk about getting help. When he left the office, I once again broke another rule: I called his loved ones and expressed my concerns. Client confidentiality is a must for a tarot reader, but in this case, I was not going to sit back and do nothing and have that on my conscience. Needless to say, the family got him help, and he is thriving today.
Practice rewording questions using the format shown here. Write down a bunch of random queries such as “Will John call me tonight?” and “Should I quit my job?” and read from that perspective. Then change them around to my suggested formats and see how that approach works.