If you do any research on tarot reading you are bound to come across a myriad different styles and techniques that are used to learn and read the cards. Tarot is very subjective, and no two people can be expected to use and read tarot cards exactly the same way. As with learning any new subject there can be a wealth of information and it could get quite daunting and prevent you from making progress.
The main thing to remember is that you need to use the cards in whatever way works best for you. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with seeking to learn some of the more common methods of working with the cards in order to find those methods that click for you. Here is a quick guide to some some common topics and things you may want to know when learning tarot that I've come across on my own personal journey.
CHOOSING A DECK
There are hundreds of Tarot decks to choose from and many are available online. Some are based on traditional esoteric symbology and some are more modern interpretations. The most important thing to be aware of when choosing a deck is how you connect with the imagery. In my opinion this is the most important thing you can do. As a beginner you may find that the imagery is key in stimulation your intuition. As you progress and become more intuitive you may find you can can pick up information without really needing much to look at at all. For example some people can read with simple everyday playing cards, some poeple with a crystal or crystal ball (no imagery there!). But when starting to learn to read tarot cards it's probably better to pick a deck you love the look of. There's no point in looking at cards you find ugly is there?!
Essentially the cards need to suit you, so go for those you like, not because someone said you should start with that deck. It doesn't have to the standard ones that other people start off reading with (such as the Rider Waite Deck) if you find you are not attracted to them. If you do that you may find that you can't connect with the cards and therefore may not be able to read with them, get frustrated, or think that you are not able to do readings, when really you just need a different deck with more suitable imagery for you. There are some really beautiful decks available too - it's very easy to just want to collect them because they are so lovely.
If you find that you buy a deck but then can't read well the cards don't worry. Maybe you will find them more useful at a later date, or maybe you need to just relax and let your intuition guide you as to their meaning, rather than relying too heavily on the guide book meanings. Whatever the reason, relax! Don't get hung up on it. Get another deck you feel more able to read and come back to another time.
STORING YOUR BEAUTIFUL NEW DECK(S)
This is one topic that there isn't a great deal of differing opinion on (that I've come across yet). Most tarot users like to store their cards in a box, bag or container of some sort. For many this keeps energies away from the cards, to keep them energetically 'clean' you could say for your readings. This comes from the concept that energies can be transferred from one thing to another, so you wouldn't want negative or influencing energies on your cards. This subject could be a whole blog post on it's own, so I won't delve into the subject of energies here. This is one practice that I personally do adhere to, and would advise.
STARTING A READING
There are different ways of starting readings. Many people just take a moment to relax or take some deep breaths, then shuffle and spread their cards. You'll find others who have their own little 'rituals' beforehand such as meditation, setting up crystals or incense around them, ask for guidance from spirit or guides, or say a prayer. If you are already into psychic practise or spiritual awareness then you may already have ways you like to prepare yourself before doing anything psychic or spiritual.
Don't feel you have to do any of these things. Again, only do what feels comfortable. If you feel you need techniques to prepare yourself before a reading (especially if reading for others, where you will be sensitive to other's energies) then by all means do that. There are plenty of articles,books and videos on those subjects online that you can find. Equally if you are not into that and just want to get to reading that's fine also.
Monitor how you feel and adjust your way of starting a read accordingly. Do what's best for you!
SHUFFLING THE CARDS
I've seen some real sharp shuffling skills in tarot videos on YouTube. But you don't need to have skills like a Casino Croupier. The basic idea is to mix the cards thoroughly, but at the same time it can help you focus on your question and connect to your cards. You can shuffle the deck like a traditional deck of cards, or spread them out on a table and mix them up. Another common technique is to cut the deck a few times or fan out the cards first before drawing a card. There are various methods for both shuffling and cutting (I'll try and cover some in a different post), but again there is no one correct way. Do whatever you feel works best for you, and then just stop shuffling/cutting when you feel it's 'right' to draw the card.
There are a number of 'classic' spreads you can use such as the 3 card Past, Present, Future spread or the Celtic Cross spread. For a beginner it might be easier to use a simple spread with less cards, or just a one card draw reading whilst you are still learning to interpret the cards and tap into your intuition. That's not to say you shouldn't dive into a more complex spread if that suits you, but a simpler spread can be less overwhelming to interpret.
You can make up your own spreads too if you prefer that. For example instead of the 3 card Past, Present, Future you could do a 3 card Nature of the problem, Cause of the problem, Solution. If you want to create your own spread keep a note somewhere of the position meanings and see how your readings develop with it. If it's not quite working as you want amend it or use a different spread. It's up to you!
TAROT JOURNAL
This isn't a 'must do' but it can be very helpful to keep a journal of your tarot readings. Just jot down the cards, placements, and meanings for the readings in a notebook or binder. As you learn to read tarot cards you may find it useful to look back on past readings and the interpretations you received. It could be interesting to see if you were more or less accurate than you expected, or find that as you progress your interpretations change or become deeper. Perhaps a card you found hard to understand makes more sense when you look back at the reading later. Tarot journalling can be a great tool on your journey to learning to read the cards.
Do you have any useful tips or suggestions for beginners to Tarot card reading? If so please do share in the comments below.
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