People have been finding meaning in tarot cards for centuries, and though there is a lot of ritual to the practice, there is no evidence that tarot cards actually … tell your future.
But for many who love to consult them, that’s beside the point. Tarot is less about predicting the future than it is about reflecting on your life. Also? “Having fun is more serious to the practice than you can imagine,” said Ariana Lenarsky, 34, a writer, musician and tarot reader.
Getting into tarot can be overwhelming at first. Here’s an easy guide.
STEP 1
Choose a deck
There are a few key differences between a regular deck of cards and a tarot deck. Generally, tarot decks contain more cards, and each card features an illustration associated with its meaning. The decks have been reimagined many times with different styles and themes.
STEP 2
Understand the basics of a tarot deck
A tarot deck has 78 cards and is divided into two sections: major arcana (major mysteries) and minor arcana (meaning minor mysteries).
There are 22 major arcana cards, and they tend to deal with big life events and overarching themes, for example, relationships, career and love.
STEP 3
Come up with the question you want to ask
The aim of a tarot reading is to explore a question about the self. You pick cards to help you reflect on possible answers, interpreting the meaning of each in relation to what you asked. Keep in mind that tarot cards are tools for introspection, and for that reason it’s best to keep questions open-ended.
STEP 4
Prepare your area
Do whatever feels right to set the mood. Some people like to use specific table cloths while they read, while others use candles or crystals.
Many tarot card readers also cleanse their area before they start. You can do this with sprays like lavender, as well as by burning incense.
STEP 5
Shuffling and cutting
Start by shuffling your deck while thinking about your question. Shuffle however feels most comfortable, and stop when you feel you’ve thought about your question enough and are ready for an answer.
STEP 6
Pull the cards
There are different ways to pull tarot cards. You pull them intuitively or into “spreads” — specific arrangement where each card is assigned a meaning.
Bronx and Ms. Morales said they pull cards intuitively, flipping over cards until they feel they’ve answered their question.
For beginners, spreads or specific forms of reading can be easier to grasp. The simplest of these is a one-card spread, where a single card is pulled.
STEP 7
Begin to learn to read the tarot deck
First up, the minor arcana. Cups, associated with water, is the suit that deals primarily with emotions, openness and imagination. Wands, associated with fire and passion, represent energy, movement and creative force. Swords, associated with air, represent your mind; how you think, communicate and solve problems. Pentacles, associated with earth, explore the physical world and how we interact with it, representing topics like money, the home and careers.
One last tip!
Keep a tarot journal.
“Go with your own instincts, try to shut your brain off and write as much as you can about what you’re picking up for that card in that moment, and compile a list of definitions over time,” Ms. Morales said. “That list will become your own encyclopedia.”
Leave a Reply