Tarot is an intermediate Divination technique. Its harder than some because there are 78 cards and you need to become familiar with the intricacies of each - Plus the various spreads. But - Tarot is more than a divination - it can be used to reveal hidden issues in your personality or life, guide to answering questions, etc. It essentially can clear the bull to open your eyes based on your question.
The Tarot Suits
Though each card has its own unique meaning, there are broader patterns and meanings among the cards as well. In this article, I'll explain the significance of the Minor Arcana suits. All the cards within each suit have a common theme between them. These ideas are seen in traditionally designed Tarot cards, but cards that have been reinterpreted my have other themes present for in their suits.
Wands
Many of the cards in this suit pertain to ambitions, goals, and personal achievements. The wands often show challenges, but not necessarily outright obstacles.
Also called staffs, staves, rods, batons (clubs)
Element: Air
Swords
The suit of swords is a harsh one, with most of the cards showing conflict and difficulties. Though some swords are clearly negative, many reflect necessary changes that will lead to success farther down the road once the problems have passed.
Also called knives, blades, daggers (spades)
Element: Fire
Cups
These cards are full of emotion and are often representative of family and relationships (though not always romantic ones). The cups are generally happy or positive cards.
Also called chalices, goblets, vessels (hearts)
Element: Water
Pentacles
All things financial and material are found in this suit. Sometimes they may refer to your business or work life, but could also be talking about personal finances sometimes as well.
Also called coins, discs (diamonds)
Element: Earth
There is a variation to the elemental associations, namely that some schools of thought have wands as fire and swords as air. I will be covering the history of this in another article. I personally find more sense with wands/air and swords/fire, so that is the way I am presenting them.
Reversed Cards
Not everyone agrees with how to deal with reversed cards. That is, cards that are upside-down compared to the rest of the spread. I have a few different ways to handle these cards in a reading, but none are carved in stone. Feel free to make your own interpretations.
The simplest way of reading a reversed card is to interpret the card with the opposite to the regular meaning. For example, the Devil represents bondage to earthly impulses and desires. So a reversed Devil could be read as being released from these things. This is the way I read it - but there is NO right or wrong; you'll find what works for you as you practice.
Another way to look at reversed cards, is that their meanings are obscured, hidden or otherwise not so obvious. Some readers ignore the fact that the card points in a different direction they just interpret the card as if it were right side up.
Reading Tarot
Though it can take a long time before you learn the meanings of all 78 cards, and understand the nuances of your Tarot spread, the actual technique for reading cards is pretty simple. Just follow these basic steps:
1. Shuffle your cards. While you shuffle, concentrate on the issue, project or situation that you are curious about. Don't think about what you want to see, but on the situation itself. Try not to let your hopes or emotions cloud your thoughts. I can't tell you how long you should shuffle, that's something you have to develop a feel for. At least 30 seconds, I suppose.
2. Lay out the cards. Choose a Tarot spread that appeals to you, or one that is tailored to your particular question. The Celtic Cross is the most common Tarot card spread, but with 10 cards, it can be a bit intimidating to a novice. Lay out the cards in the proper order from the top of the pile.
3. Read the cards. This is the hard part. You need to combine the meaning of each card, with the position it holds in the layout. So seeing the Devil in a "past influences" position would have a different meaning than the Devil in a "possible outcome" position. You might want to have a printout of the spread details handy, until you know your spreads by heart. Don't get discouraged if the cards seem to make no sense. Reading Tarot cards is hardly a precise science.
The Spread
The most well-known and classic Tarot spread is the Celtic Cross. It can be a bit overwhelming though, with 10 cards. This is the one I use.
1. Basis (upright, beneath card 2) - The tone of the reading.
2. Crosses - The main or fundamental challenge in the situation.
3. Subconscious - Your true (and possibly unfaced) feelings about the situation.
4. Past - Recent events that are going to have an impact on your current issue.
5. Conscious - Your known feelings about this. Read together with card 3.
6. Future - Something that is going to happen involving this situation, in the near future.
7. Querent - Your general attitude towards the whole situation.
8. Environment - Your surroundings, possibly friends, family, or work relationships.
9. Hopes/Fears - What you are truly hoping for, or are afraid of.
10. Outcome - How the situation will finally play out.
There are many more spreads (each has a different meaning for each position) here's a sample list - as learning the Card explanations is only half the battle, you'll also have to have an understanding of different spreads based on what you're searching for. Here's a few:Decisions Spread (7 cards)Living Tree Tart Spread (9 cards)Build The Tower Spread (7 cards)Elemental Spread (5 cards)Hourglass Tarot Spread (11 cards)Ocean Wave Spread (7 cards)Body Tarot Spread (8 cards)
Improving Your Tarot Skills
It can take time to develop the ability to read the Tarot accurately and effectively. Time and practice are the best ways to improve, but here are some other tips that might help you with your readings.
Learn the cards thoroughly– Having to refer back to a book to figure out the meaning of a card can really ruin the flow of a Tarot reading. Or only knowing a basic one-sentence meaning can limit how you interpret your cards. Get a well-rounded interpretation for each of the 78 cards, and make sure you know your spreads as well.
Develop your own thoughts on the cards– Get away from the book explanations, and think about the images on your cards. What do you they say to you? This isn't supposed to be a substitution for learning the "official" meanings, though some people do read strictly with their own interpretations. Just allow your own instincts to help mold how you see the cards, rather than assuming the traditional meanings are cast in stone.
Read for others– Find friends to read for on a regular basis. While reading for yourself is acceptable for practice, you aren't going to be as accurate (especially as a beginner). As with any skill, practice is the key to success. Take these practice readings seriously, and let your friends know to do the same.
Change decks– If you are really finding that this is not coming very smoothly for you, try a different deck. It may not be practical to actually buy decks, but your local Pagan or New Age shop may have a good selection as well as sample cards for you to browse through. You won't be able to do actually readings this way, but perhaps some other artwork will catch your fancy.
Spend time with your cards– Many people say you should carry your cards with you, or even sleep with them under your pillow. I'm not going to insist that this helps, but it can't hurt. The theory is that by keeping your cards close, they will pick up your own energy and make them work better for you.
Keep a journal– Record all your practice readings, especially if you are reading to predict future events. You might be surprised how something you saw in a reading actually makes more sense after the fact.
For spread meanings you can look to where I got all this info http://www.allinfoabouttarot.com/home.html
Wands
Many of the cards in this suit pertain to ambitions, goals, and personal achievements. The wands often show challenges, but not necessarily outright obstacles.
Also called staffs, staves, rods, batons (clubs)
Element: Air
Swords
The suit of swords is a harsh one, with most of the cards showing conflict and difficulties. Though some swords are clearly negative, many reflect necessary changes that will lead to success farther down the road once the problems have passed.
Also called knives, blades, daggers (spades)
Element: Fire
Cups
These cards are full of emotion and are often representative of family and relationships (though not always romantic ones). The cups are generally happy or positive cards.
Also called chalices, goblets, vessels (hearts)
Element: Water
Pentacles
All things financial and material are found in this suit. Sometimes they may refer to your business or work life, but could also be talking about personal finances sometimes as well.
Also called coins, discs (diamonds)
Element: Earth
There is a variation to the elemental associations, namely that some schools of thought have wands as fire and swords as air. I will be covering the history of this in another article. I personally find more sense with wands/air and swords/fire, so that is the way I am presenting them.
Reversed Cards
Not everyone agrees with how to deal with reversed cards. That is, cards that are upside-down compared to the rest of the spread. I have a few different ways to handle these cards in a reading, but none are carved in stone. Feel free to make your own interpretations.
The simplest way of reading a reversed card is to interpret the card with the opposite to the regular meaning. For example, the Devil represents bondage to earthly impulses and desires. So a reversed Devil could be read as being released from these things. This is the way I read it - but there is NO right or wrong; you'll find what works for you as you practice.
Another way to look at reversed cards, is that their meanings are obscured, hidden or otherwise not so obvious. Some readers ignore the fact that the card points in a different direction they just interpret the card as if it were right side up.
Reading Tarot
Though it can take a long time before you learn the meanings of all 78 cards, and understand the nuances of your Tarot spread, the actual technique for reading cards is pretty simple. Just follow these basic steps:
1. Shuffle your cards. While you shuffle, concentrate on the issue, project or situation that you are curious about. Don't think about what you want to see, but on the situation itself. Try not to let your hopes or emotions cloud your thoughts. I can't tell you how long you should shuffle, that's something you have to develop a feel for. At least 30 seconds, I suppose.
2. Lay out the cards. Choose a Tarot spread that appeals to you, or one that is tailored to your particular question. The Celtic Cross is the most common Tarot card spread, but with 10 cards, it can be a bit intimidating to a novice. Lay out the cards in the proper order from the top of the pile.
3. Read the cards. This is the hard part. You need to combine the meaning of each card, with the position it holds in the layout. So seeing the Devil in a "past influences" position would have a different meaning than the Devil in a "possible outcome" position. You might want to have a printout of the spread details handy, until you know your spreads by heart. Don't get discouraged if the cards seem to make no sense. Reading Tarot cards is hardly a precise science.
The Spread
The most well-known and classic Tarot spread is the Celtic Cross. It can be a bit overwhelming though, with 10 cards. This is the one I use.
1. Basis (upright, beneath card 2) - The tone of the reading.
2. Crosses - The main or fundamental challenge in the situation.
3. Subconscious - Your true (and possibly unfaced) feelings about the situation.
4. Past - Recent events that are going to have an impact on your current issue.
5. Conscious - Your known feelings about this. Read together with card 3.
6. Future - Something that is going to happen involving this situation, in the near future.
7. Querent - Your general attitude towards the whole situation.
8. Environment - Your surroundings, possibly friends, family, or work relationships.
9. Hopes/Fears - What you are truly hoping for, or are afraid of.
10. Outcome - How the situation will finally play out.
There are many more spreads (each has a different meaning for each position) here's a sample list - as learning the Card explanations is only half the battle, you'll also have to have an understanding of different spreads based on what you're searching for. Here's a few:Decisions Spread (7 cards)Living Tree Tart Spread (9 cards)Build The Tower Spread (7 cards)Elemental Spread (5 cards)Hourglass Tarot Spread (11 cards)Ocean Wave Spread (7 cards)Body Tarot Spread (8 cards)
Improving Your Tarot Skills
It can take time to develop the ability to read the Tarot accurately and effectively. Time and practice are the best ways to improve, but here are some other tips that might help you with your readings.
Learn the cards thoroughly– Having to refer back to a book to figure out the meaning of a card can really ruin the flow of a Tarot reading. Or only knowing a basic one-sentence meaning can limit how you interpret your cards. Get a well-rounded interpretation for each of the 78 cards, and make sure you know your spreads as well.
Develop your own thoughts on the cards– Get away from the book explanations, and think about the images on your cards. What do you they say to you? This isn't supposed to be a substitution for learning the "official" meanings, though some people do read strictly with their own interpretations. Just allow your own instincts to help mold how you see the cards, rather than assuming the traditional meanings are cast in stone.
Read for others– Find friends to read for on a regular basis. While reading for yourself is acceptable for practice, you aren't going to be as accurate (especially as a beginner). As with any skill, practice is the key to success. Take these practice readings seriously, and let your friends know to do the same.
Change decks– If you are really finding that this is not coming very smoothly for you, try a different deck. It may not be practical to actually buy decks, but your local Pagan or New Age shop may have a good selection as well as sample cards for you to browse through. You won't be able to do actually readings this way, but perhaps some other artwork will catch your fancy.
Spend time with your cards– Many people say you should carry your cards with you, or even sleep with them under your pillow. I'm not going to insist that this helps, but it can't hurt. The theory is that by keeping your cards close, they will pick up your own energy and make them work better for you.
Keep a journal– Record all your practice readings, especially if you are reading to predict future events. You might be surprised how something you saw in a reading actually makes more sense after the fact.
For spread meanings you can look to where I got all this info http://www.allinfoabouttarot.com/home.html
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