Have you ever wanted to perform a tarot card reading, but don't know how?Setting up for a reading is the first step.Pick your tarot deck, find a relaxing and comfortable spot to have a reading, and get started.
Step 1: Pick your deck.
The number of tarot decks from which to choose is one of the most interesting things about tarot cards and tarot card reading.The pictures and names of the cards may differ from one deck to the next.The Major Arcana contains 22 cards without an affiliated suit, and the Minor ArcANA contains 56 cards, divided into 14-card suits.Most tarot decks can be found at bookstores.You may have to order your deck online if you are not in a populated area.The Rider-Waite deck is the most common tarot deck.The Rider-Waite is almost exclusively used in tarot reading guides and books.The differences between tarot decks will almost always be cosmetic.If you want to have your tarot readings associated with a particular religion or brand of spirituality, there's most likely a tarot deck with images and names to match that association.Unless the deck includes explicit instructions to do otherwise than recommended here, the sort of deck you choose won't make a difference.The Rider-Waite is recommended to first-timers because of the deck choice.You will draw different implications from decks that use different images and names.Don't be afraid to try multiple decks.They are so interchangeable that there is no risk of confusion or mixing rules.The choice is yours.The choice of tarot deck is up to you, whether you want to use it for divination or just to entertain your friends.
Step 2: Prepare your deck.
The specifics of preparation will eventually depend on the method of reading you choose to use, but most will involve shuffling your deck before beginning.The Major and Minor Arcana are listed on the cards in your deck.Before setting your deck down to begin, be sure to remove any extra cards from the deck.If you want a better sense of the different cards, you may want to separate the Major and Minor Arcana.Regardless of whether or not you need to separate the Major/Minor Arcana, there is no specific amount or type of shuffling required.You can do as much or as little as you want.
Step 3: Find a reading surface that is suitable for reading.
The space required for a tarot reading depends on the spread you decide to use.Some spreads only call for a small surface in which to place a few cards, others require more space to form a circle of several cards.Match your reading surface to the purpose of the reading.If it is a personal reading, find a place that is relaxing and comfortable.If you want to entertain or read for friends, look for a place with some space.There isn't a right or wrong place to perform a reading.It is not a rule that it needs to be the same place twice.If that is what you are comfortable with, don't be afraid to move around.
Step 4: A spread of three cards.
The three card spread is a simple one and is traditionally the most common spread.The Major and Minor Arcana cards need to be separated.There is no specific amount of shuffling you need to do.There are two versions of the spread, one with a Major Arcana card and one without.You should include the Major Arcana card for your first try.The Major Arcana card is included in the three card spread as a means of interpretation.The Major Arcana card can be seen as a representation of the situation or question at hand by some guides, while others choose not to.Not including the Major Arcana deck will make for a more stripped-down reading.Take the top card from the Major Arcana deck and place it in front of you.Take the three top cards of the Minor Arcana deck and lay them vertically, left to right.The Minor Arcana cards represent past, present, and future and the reading of the three card spread will vary depending on how you learn to read tarot.The Major Arcana card will be used to interpret the others.
Step 5: You can try a five card spread.
The five card spread is meant to inform on a specific course of action.When the problem at hand can be summed up as "what should I do?", you should try the five card spread.They should be shuffled in one deck.Place the first card in front of you by drawing from the top of the deck.The present will be represented by this card.The past and its effect on the present are represented by the second card.The future will be represented by the third.The reason for asking the question is represented by the fourth card.The potential outcomes of the situation are represented by the fifth.
Step 6: An ellipse spread is the best way to use it.
The spread will form a curve of seven cards.The ellipse is better for interpreting a question than the three card spread is.The ellipse doesn't separate the minor and major Arcana, keep them shuffled in one deck.The first card should be placed to the far left of your playing surface from the top of the deck.This card shows the influence of the past on the question.To the right of the first card and slightly lower on the table, place the second card.The present will be represented by this.The concerns of the future are represented by the third card, which goes to the right and slightly lower.Place the fourth card in the center of the ellipse to the right and lower.In the current situation, it represents what to do.To the right and higher on the table, place the fifth card.It will show external forces affecting the situation.The hopes and fears of the one being read for will be represented by the sixth card.The last card will be placed at the far right.It is the final outcome of this situation.
Step 7: A celtic cross spread is a good idea.
The celtic cross takes up more space than the three card spread because it uses ten cards placed into a large pattern.It's a well-known spread.The celtic cross is designed to answer specific questions, though the method of interpretation will vary depending on how you learn to read tarot.The Major/Minor Arcana doesn't need to be separated, so combine the two sets and shuffle well.There are two sections, one circle of six cards and one staff of four.Begin by placing the first card in front of you, and then the second card on top of that one.The challenges or obstacles faced in the present will be represented by these two cards.The next card will be placed to the right of the two that have already been placed, with the fourth card underneath them.The card underneath represents the recent past, while the card to the right is the distant past.The sixth card will be placed to the left of the central two cards.The optimal outcome of the question will be determined by the fifth and sixth placed.To form the staff at the right of the circle, place four cards in a row.External influences on the question will be represented by the next card up, which is the bottom-most card.The ninth and tenth cards represent the hopes and fears of the asker.This guide only shows how to set up tarot cards, so any resources you use to learn to read may offer alternate methods of reading the celtic cross.
Step 8: You can invent your own spread.
There is no wrong spread to use for a tarot reading because tarot is so personal and representative of the reader and the person being read for.Existing spreads may not provide the right amount of representation or representative cards.You can try any number of variations on old or new spreads.Try to include or separate Major and Minor Arcana cards before placing your spread.As you lay your cards out, listen to your intuition.Listen to what the placement means for each card.If you allow your imagination to create, tarot can be fun and creative.