Reading Tips

Card Basics

There are 78 cards in a traditional Tarot Deck, and there are 2 main sections, or “arcana” to a deck.

The first thing to remember is that none of the cards in a Tarot Deck are either completely good or completely bad. They each have their own flair for sure, but it is best to think of the cards as neutral above all else. In the following pages, each card has its own general meaning and keywords (or personality traits, in the case of the Royal Court) to give you an idea of what the cards represent. Remember that these meanings have as much to do with your own interpretation as they do with what has been written. Each card also offers a piece of advice, and a piece of caution to help better understand and use the cards.

 

How Does Tarot Work?

Can a tarot reading predict your future? Most people turn to the Tarot expecting just that, but I haven’t found that to be the real purpose of the deck.

What Not To Ask

Tarot can be a very useful tool – but there are some things that you just shouldn’t use it for.

Make A Story

There are many methods of reading tarot cards, and sometimes instinctive meanings can tell a lot.

Look For Patterns

Different patterns show up in readings that tend to bring more levels of insight. Are there certain suits, numbers or characters that repeat themselves?

Meanings

Numerology

Numbers and how they affect the cards and readings.

Tarot Arcana

Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. What they mean and how they affect your readings.

Suits

The suits of the Minor Arcana have an affect on the meanings of the cards and your readings.

Royalty

Tarot Card Royalty and how they affect readings.

Questions

Areas to ask about

  • Career
  • Finances
  • Health
  • Romance
  • Family
  • Friendships
  • Philosophy

Types of Questions:

What, When, Why, How…

  • What am I missing…?
  • What can I learn from…?
  • What do I need to know about…?
  • What do I need to know to decide between…?
  • What will happen with…?
  • What is causing…?
  • When will…?
  • Why did/does…?
  • How can I help…?
  • How can I improve…?

 Tips for Questions

  • Never ask a question to which you don’t want the real answer.
  • Avoid Yes/No questions. You probably won’t get a direct answer.
  • You won’t get specific timing from a reading.
  • Avoid asking questions about other peoples’ lives, i.e. “will my friend get that job?” Tarot readings are meant to be about you.