Tarot For Everyone

Even if you’re not already practicing divination, chances are you know something about the Tarot. This is one of the oldest divination tools known to man and, with its countless individual variations, presents an opportunity for anyone wanting to know more about them self to find out.

Before you start a Tarot reading always clear your thoughts and focus on your questions when shuffling your cards. If you’re wanting to read cards, or have them read for you, you’ll want to invest in a good deck. It’s important to choose one which reflects your taste and personality. If you’re just starting out, the classic Rider-Waite deck is a always a good choice.

Every Tarot deck contains 78 cards of Major Arcana consisting of 22 cards and Minor Arcana consisting of 56 cards. Study one card at a time to learn its meaning. A good book on the subject can also help.

The cards give you images and symbols to focus your vague intentions and transform them into action. Your will is the magic ~ Theresa Francis-Cheung

Tarot cards represent the archetypes in our lives through the Major Arcana, as well the everyday situations and people we encounter on our journey reflected by the Minor cards. When we read them, we are reading symbolic representations of our hopes, dreams and fears.

Tarot cards are not necessarily meant to be taken literally. For example, the Death card in a spread does not literally mean that someone will die. It is how we read it relating to the initial question that matters, as well as the context of its placement next to the other cards.

You may notice one type of card turning up often in your spreads. This is your “personal card”. Meditate on its meaning. Draw your own interpretation of the scene depicted. There is usually great significance attached to this card for you.

There is no right or wrong way to read the Tarot. Each person must decide for them self what works best. There are several commonly used spread formations and popular spreads, such as the Celtic cross, for example. But single cards can also serve as readings. It’s also not “bad luck” to see certain cards in a spread, or to read for oneself. These are misconceptions!

Your intent during a reading is very important. Have a specific question in mind – the more specific, the better. If possible, meditate or picture your query before asking it. Keep your energy positive. Don’t be surprised if the result you get is not the one you’d hoped for.

Tarot offers imaginary solutions to the problem of our lives… The tarot is one of the fastest ways we have to get where we were not going ~ Enrique Enriquez

Learn all you can about the elemental magic of the Tarot, because this will increase your understanding. When you understand the four suits of the Minor Arcana, you’ll be better able to interpret spreads:

Wands/Air: ideas, creativity, constructive thoughts and action

Swords/Fire: thinking, destructive action, clarity, truth

Cups/Water: emotions, feelings

Pentacles/Earth: physical, material, practical action

If you’re intimidated by the idea of reading for yourself as a novice, find a mentor who knows the cards well. An expert can get you started and possibly read for you. Also, remember that no one’s future is carved in stone. The card spread is a manifestation of what might happen, not what will happen. Be open!

When you become more comfortable with your own deck, your energy will transfer to the cards. That’s when the real magic starts happening.