How To Start Reading Tarot In 4 Easy Steps
June 24th, 2021
Tarot is fascinating. From the practices and rituals each reader uses, to the pure beauty of the tarot decks themselves and the deep spiritual impact readings can have on your personal and spiritual growth, tarot can call to you on a soul-deep level. But can anyone start reading tarot?
It can be a bit intimidating too, though, let’s be honest: 78 cards, each one with its own meaning, and then when combined those meanings can sometimes shift, change, and morph into an entirely different meaning altogether? If you don’t find that a little bit intimidating when you’re starting out, then you’re most likely not looking at it from the research and learning perspective.
But if you feel called to learn about it, then you’ll most likely find you have a natural talent for deciphering messages and meanings. Simple curiosity is not likely to drive you into learning how to start reading tarot. But if you feel a strong interest in deep learning, then this could be your calling.
To Start Reading Tarot, Choose Your Deck
It may seem counterintuitive to you, but the most important step to take to start reading tarot is to find the right deck. The right deck is the one that truly speaks to you.
Look at flip-throughs on YouTube and you’ll see just how many options there are out there. Choose the deck that truly speaks to you, ideally one that follows the Rider-Waite-Smith system or a R-W-S clone.
There are plenty of options out on the market. Don’t go overboard with high-end indie decks just yet. Master the meanings first, worry about the esthetics later.
To Start Reading Tarot, Look At The Cards
You’ve found the deck that truly speaks to you – congrats! Getting to know your deck is pretty much the foundation of your path and growth as you start reading tarot.
Now that you’ve found each other, truly communicate. Ask questions, shuffle cards, look at length at the imagery on each card that comes out. Open your heart and mind to the messages that can come through.
Don’t freak out over how many cards there are or how long it’s going to take you to master this art – because reading tarot is an art. Just open that line of communication with your deck.
Shuffle the cards as often as you feel called to – even daily. Enjoy the process and take your time. Remember that you were called to this and allow that calling to reveal itself without pressuring yourself or rushing the process.
Read About Meanings
It’s important to also read about the meanings of the cards when you start reading tarot but simply learning by heart what each one means won’t make you a reader.
Communicating with your deck is what makes you a reader, in the end. Sterile knowledge can never replace a living connection to your deck.
Follow Your Intuition
In the end, it’s all about knowing your deck well, communicating with it using your own language of signs and symbols, and following your intuition. You’ve got this!
By Mary Aragon
Mary Aragon is the tarot reader behind AbcTarot. Her mission is to make tarot understandable for everyone as a tool for reflecting and understanding our life.
