Unlock The Truths Before You: A Beginner's Guide To Reading Tarot

Tarot is basically a way to see more and use your intuition to receive guidance on certain aspects of your life. Once you get good enough you can even read for other people.

Why do people read tarot or get tarot readings? It's basically a way for spirit to connect to you and deliver a message to the person receiving the reading. It's a great way to get clarity on a situation like love life, career or health. It brings to light things you may have not considered or thought of before.

But for now, let's focus on the fundamentals...

First, you should choose a deck that you're comfortable reading. Go for one with clear images that actually shows how many swords, wands, pentacles or cups there are on each card. Also by going with the OG tarot deck, you can also see the meaning of the cards more clearly, meaning you'll have an easier time interpreting it. When in doubt, go with your gut!

Each card has a meaning and represents one of the FOUR ELEMENTS of nature:

• Wand cards represent the FIRE element and are usually depicting a forward motion, full of energizing creative and powerful energy.

• Sword cards represent the AIR element and are most likely showing exchange in communication and energy of the mind. Sometimes swords can represent ill wills, think of it as the Slytherin cards of the Tarot deck.

• Pentacle cards represent the EARTH element and usually are showing money, stability, and security. It can also depict sowing seeds, situations at work or elements of nature.

• Cup cards represent the WATER element and represent emotions, deep exchanges, love, balance. You will usually find cups in a love reading.

As a beginner, you may choose to read the cards only as they are and not reversed. As you get better you may choose to read cards reversed which would suggest an alternate meaning for them. It's not necessary however as a beginner.

Here is how a reading should go:

• Decide on an intention for the reading.
• Shuffle the cards thoroughly.

Decide how you will let the cards arrange themselves. There are many ways to do this and you'll probably figure out your own way. Here are a few ways:

• Shuffle until selected cards drop to the floor.
• Scatter cards on the floor and choose the ones that stick out to you.
• Shuffle the cards and intuitively stop where you think is best, then draw three cards from the top.

Once you've selected the cards, arrange them in order for the reading. This is usually done intuitively, so just feel where you think the cards belong on the spread in front of you.

Begin interpreting the reading!

To interpret the reading, you can begin a short meditation or use a crystal to place on top of each card. Wait for guidance to come and write down what you feel, see or hear.

Reading cards is kind of like telling a story, but it's up to you how you interpret it. Look at different aspects of the cards, and what is actually happening in the image. Often small details can show us more than the card itself.

Major and Minor Arcana cards show up in a reading when something is up. Something major is happening and the energy is there to signify that something cosmic could be at play. These cards are very symbolic and have more of spiritual energy than regular cards.

Minor Arcana include Kings, Queens, Knights, and Pages and usually represent either the person who the reading is for or people that are in or will come into the person's life.

Major Arcana include cards such as the Sun, the Moon, the Hierophant, the Emporer, the Magician. These cards stand alone in their energy and encompass the reading. They could represent more abstract concepts like "education," "divine love," a "change" or a divine "message."

When you're interpreting the cards, you are using your own judgment. However, while you're interpreting, you may receive some intuitive guidance or a nudge or just something that jumps out at you.

Be sure to record these intuitive moments because they can make key connections to your whole spread.

Some tips to access your intuitive guidance:

• Practice meditation regularly.
• Go for a walk or jog before reading.
• Use a crystal to tune in.
• Free write after the reading for more clarity.

Now that you have the building blocks, you can begin reading tarot! It may take some time to really get used to what the cards mean and your own interpretations on them. It may also be useful to keep a book of tarot meanings nearby. But use your own intuition or your first instinct when reading.

Soon you'll be reading like the pros!