Make yourself comfortable and trust your own abilities, Howe advises. “It's less like “This holds these secret meanings that I have to do all of this work to reach” and more like “I know all the meanings; it's just a matter of establishing the connections and being able to communicate them.” Because most people already have some concept of the meanings of the four elements that they may draw on, she points out that they play an important part in the tarot. “That will allow you to express yourself in a more authentic way, and you'll be able to express yourself more freely.”
Before You Continue...
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Howe proposes a three-card draw and the Celtic Cross for novice readers. The former involves drawing three cards from a deck to symbolize the past, present, and future of the individual being read, or their mind, body, and spirit. Howe recommends a six-card pull, with one card for each of the six areas.
How do you select tarot cards?
Even if you're an experienced Tarot user, picking a deck might be intimidating.
Many distinct Tarot decks are available, each with its own unique symbolism, energies, legends and mythology.
So, where do you get started? To pick your ideal Tarot deck, how do you filter through the many options?
What is a 3 card spread?
Three-card tarot spreads, as the name suggests, are readings in which you pull three cards from a tarot deck.
In most cases, they're read from left to right, and each card has an own meaning, but they all connect in some way.
Tarot spreads with three cards are an excellent method to progress from single card readings to more in-depth study of the tarot.
For a more in-depth reading, I think they're the perfect number because they're not overly convoluted or difficult to decipher. It's because of this that they're one of the most popular tarot spreads among those first learning the art.
How to Get Started:
Keeping the cards in your hands, take a look at them. Relax and ask your spirit guides (or whatever you believe is out there communicating on your behalf) if they can accompany you during the session. Ask your guardian angels to provide you with the most important information that will help you on your path to enlightenment and fulfillment.
“Knock” or tap the pile of cards numerous times while still holding the deck in your hand.
Please note that if the cards are new, or if they've been given to you or used by someone else before, you must clean the deck. Taking the energy of others and replacing it with your own is what you're aiming for. Clear the cards by lighting a cigarette and extinguishing the flame. Then I go through the deck and touch each and every card. I take a minute to focus on the image on the card and repeat this process with each one.
How do I learn to read tarot cards?
Tips For Getting Started With Tarot Readings
- Choose a Tarot deck that best suits your needs. It's a good idea to start with the Rider Waite or Everyday Tarot decks for beginners.
What Tarot deck should I start with?
There aren't many decks on the market that are specifically promoted as “beginners' tarot decks.”
However, there are a few things to think about if you're just starting out as a tarot reader, such as your learning style and what works best for you.
For the most part, a beginner-friendly tarot deck should include a lot of imagery and be well-illustrated.
As a result, rather of having to rely solely on key words to decipher the card, you may do so more intuitively.
In order to find various interpretations of the tarot cards, it's best to pick a deck that matches conventional descriptions of the tarot.
As a beginner, it will be more difficult to understand the meanings and connections in a deck that deviates from the usual.
In no way does this imply that you can't try out different decks later on in your tarot journey.
However, if you're just getting started with tarot, I recommend the following decks.
What do upside down tarot cards mean?
Are you familiar with the fundamentals of the Tarot? So, you're all set for reversals now, right?
Almost all of the Tarot readings on Tarot.com are focused on upright cards because they are easier to comprehend.. It's not just beginners who use the Tarot.
Tarot cards can have a whole different significance if they are read upside down. Reversed Tarot cards are often interpreted as a sign of bad luck, however this isn't always the case. It is not uncommon for reversed Tarot cards to bring good news, or to amplify, diminish, or reroute the message of the upright card.
Listen to your intuition and examine the context of the cards around the reversed Tarot card in order to decipher its meaning. Whatever the outcome, you may have learned a valuable lesson from it.
Opposite meaning of the upright Tarot card
It is common for Tarot card reversals to be interpreted as implying the opposite of the upright card. The reversed Devil card, for example, can symbolize being set free if The Devil card appears in a reading. Reversed Tarot cards can be interpreted this way, although it's not always the best method.
Increased or decreased energy
Some Tarot readers believe that reversed Tarot cards reveal the same underlying energy as the upright card, but that it will either be strengthened or weakened depending on how the card is reversed. The 3 of Swords Tarot card, for example, can signify heartbreak if drawn upright. There are two different ways in which drawing the 3 of Swords might signify that you are either less hurt or that your pain is so great that it feels insurmountable. As with other reversals, you must rely on your intuition and keep an eye out for other cards in order to get a clear picture of the card's true meaning.
Delays and blocked energy
There may be a stumbling block or delay before the upright meaning of your reversed Tarot card is realized. As an example, the upright 10 of Cups card suggests happiness, marriage, and the birth of a child, as well as reasons to celebrate. While these goods may still be yours, you'll have to wait for them if this card appears reversed in your spread. As a lesson in patience or to help you find a way to get around the block, this isn't a bad thing.
Internal energy
To get a better sense of what's going on in your life, you can turn to the upright cards in the Tarot deck. It is possible, however, for a Tarot card to have a different meaning when it is reversed. There are many cards that can signify a new person or relationship coming into your life, like as the Page of Cups. When the Page of Wands reversed, though, it could indicate that you are experiencing a shift in your own feelings and perceptions of love, regardless of what is going on around you.
Tarot card readings that involve reversed cards are more difficult because the meaning isn't always evident. But don't be afraid to put yourself through the rigors of practice! With practice, you'll get better at Tarot readings, whether you're reading upright or reversed.
What is the most powerful tarot card?
The Fool is traditionally regarded part of the Major Arcana in tarot card reading. Tarot card games do not follow this rule; rather than being part of either the suit cards or trumps, it is a stand-alone character. Since most tarot decks were initially designed for games, the Fool does not have a trumps rank number assigned to it; it has none. However, in his book, Waite explores the Fool between Judgment, no. 20, and the rest of the world, no. 21, which is the number 0. When it comes to the Tarocco Piemontese's conventional game deck, the Fool is numbered 0. Black inverted mullets have been used as the Fool's corner index since the 1930s in Tarot Nouveau decks. The Fool is one of the most valuable cards in most tarot games.
How do you shuffle tarot cards for the first time?
It's worth noting that there isn't a single way to shuffle the cards correctly. As long as you're comfortable with it, Alvarez recommends. “In my perspective, there is no single ‘correct' path.” Although there are certain points to keep in mind, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Open your tarot card deck, and cleanse it if it's brand new
You need to cleanse any newly received deck, whether it's fresh to you or a secondhand deck that's just new in your eyes. Using palo santo or sage, you can meditate while passing each card through the smoke. However, if you're just going to a tarot card reading as a fun activity, this technique isn't going to make a difference.
How do you clear a Tarot deck?
However, there are instances when you may wish to perform something more precise or ritualized, such as shuffling your tarot deck. If you're just getting started with tarot, it can make sense to start with a deck cleanse.
- Your deck seems to be getting a lot of use, particularly for emotionally charged readings.
Why should you cleanse or clear your tarot deck?
Keep the flow of your tarot deck's energy going by cleansing it. Spiritual cleanliness is an important part of maintaining a healthy relationship. Not everyone needs to clear their deck energetically (see below), but if you're experiencing some of the above, try a few different methods and discover which ones work best for you.
How often should you cleanse your tarot deck?
As the adage goes, “USE YOUR INTUITION,” this is where there are no set rules. Don't worry about it if you don't think your deck need it. Once a week or once a month is fine if you choose. If you choose, you can even place your favorite crystal on the terrace each night.
As long as you're placing crystals on your deck and putting your deck on an altar while you're not using it, you may not feel the need to cleanse your deck as often as you'd want.
Just as there are numerous reasons to cleanse your cards, there are numerous methods for doing so.
Different ways to cleanse your tarot deck
You can inhale sacred smoke for this purpose. Once it's burning, use a smoke cleansing wand consisting of dried rosemary, lavender, cedar or sage. Burning herbs and a deck of cards should be held a safe distance apart so that the smoke drifts up onto the cards. Turn the deck over so that the smoke covers all sides. Afterwards, you can put your deck down and securely extinguish any remaining smoke.
The deck should be adorned with a selenite stone (black tourmaline or clear quartz). The longer the better, although even an hour can suffice if you're in a hurry.
New Moon is the best time to put them out. You can purify the deck under the new moon by putting it on a window sill on a new moon night and letting it sit there for a few hours. Set a new goal for your deck at this time if you'd like.
In a basin of salt, put the cards. One of the best ways to purify the body is to use salt. When it comes to a serious detox, this is the best option for me. You can leave it in a dry spot for up to 8 hours, but keep an eye out for dampness.
A frantic shuffling. When you're done, spread out the cards on the floor and have a little fun with them. This approach is a wonderful reset because of its randomness and freedom.
Sorting and rearranging the results. Begin with the Major Arcana numbers 0-22 and arrange the deck in lines of seven cards across (see photo above). Aces through Kings for each suit are laid out as follows: Various types of tarot cards are available. It's best to look at the deck this way, then shuffle it well.
How to cleanse tarot cards
There's no one-size-fits-all method for cleaning your deck. Find out what works best for you by experimenting. Cleansing can be done in a variety of ways depending on the scenario. Sign up for my Tarot Foundations waitlist if you're interested in learning more about intuitive tarot reading.
Can you pull one tarot card?
Okay, let's take a step back. What is a one card Tarot pull? It's just picking a card that best fits the topic or scenario you're dealing with. With just a little amount of self-reflection and a little research, you may use this simple Tarot 101 strategy to find out what your future holds. Tarot card reader Maria Sofia Marmanides says you don't have to use a full spread all the time and can use a one card Tarot pull for queries that are more complex than “yes” or “no.”
Card draws, adds Marmanides, “can provide as much insight while also helping you strengthen your intuition.” “We can use the one card as a reminder that we can frequently find a solution to our problems by looking at them from a different perspective. Regardless of what card you draw, you can harness that energy to move forward or let it go with clarity, whatever you choose.”
Do you have to be gifted Tarot cards?
Do you have to be given a deck in order to play the game? There's no way in hell you do! In reality, this restrictive dogma is nothing but a fantasy. The gift of a beautiful deck of Tarot Cards is always appreciated, but it's not required.