No matter what stage of life you are in, a tarot reading can give you insight into your present situation, offer guidance for the future, and provide comfort to help navigate difficult times.
If you’re new to tarot readings, or just want to brush up on your skills, this post is for you! Here, we’ll go over the basics of doing a tarot reading for yourself. After all, self-care is important, and there’s nothing like a little guidance from the cards to help you get through whatever life is throwing your way.
What’s the History of Tarot?
The history of tarot is shrouded in mystery, but it is thought to have originated in Italy in the 1500s. Tarot readings became popular in Europe and America during the Victorian era, when interest in spiritualism was at its peak. Today, tarot is enjoyed by people all over the world as a way to gain insights into their lives.
What’s in a Deck?
The tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own divinatory meaning. The deck is divided into two sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 Trump cards, which represent major life events, and the Minor Arcana consists of 56 Suit cards, which represent the day-to-day ups and downs we all experience.
Major Arcana
When it comes to giving yourself a tarot reading, the Major Arcana are the cards that you’ll want to focus on. These cards represent the big life changes and major events that can occur, so they can give you some valuable insight into your current situation. To do a basic reading, simply draw three cards from your deck and lay them out in front of you. Take a look at the pictures and meanings of each card, and think about how they might apply to your life right now.
Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana of the tarot are the 56 cards that represent the day-to-day aspects of our lives. They include both the good and bad experiences we have, as well as the choices we make along the way.
While the Major Arcana cards represent major life events or lessons, the Minor Arcana cards focus on more mundane matters. However, this doesn’t mean that they are any less important! The Minor Arcana can give us valuable insights into our daily lives, and can help us to make better decisions in the present moment.
There are four suits in the Minor Arcana, each representing a different area of life:
Wands – Representation of our dreams, goals, and creativity
Cups – Representation of our emotions, relationships, and spiritual well-being
Swords – Representation of our thoughts, beliefs, and intellect
Coins – Representation of our finances, work, and material possessions
First, Pick a Deck
A tarot deck really should be a precious object. You should instead be gifted your very first tarot deck by someone else. Choosing the right deck for you is one of the most important steps you can take in developing your relationship with this exceptionally incredible tool that has come to help so many people in their daily lives.
How To Do a 3-card Tarot Reading
Tarot readings can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to do a basic reading for yourself.
- Gather your materials. You’ll need a tarot deck, a cloth to clear your cards (optional), and a journal or notebook.
- Clear your mind and prepare your questions. It’s important to be focused before you start your reading. Take a few deep breaths, and think about what you want to know. Make sure your questions are specific, so the tarot can give you helpful guidance.
- Shuffle the cards and choose your spread. There are many different ways to lay out the cards for a reading. The three-card spread is a good choice for beginners – it’s simple but provides enough information for helpful insights. To shuffle, hold the deck in your hands and mix the cards together, then cut the deck into three stacks and reassemble them.
- Choose your first card. Look at the card and interpret its meaning in relation to your question. Each position in the three-card spread has a different significance:
The first card is the past.
- What has already happened in your life?
- How can this affect your future?
- Where do you come from, and how did you arrive where you are now?
This position represents where you were at a specific point in your life. It might represent people who have played an important role in your life or events that have left their mark on you in a significant way.
The second card is the present.
- How does what’s happening now influence your question?
- What can you do to be happy and make the most of the here and now?
The second position shows where you’re at right now – it may also predict positive outcomes taking place within the near future.
The third card is the future.
- What’s going to happen after the here and now?
The final position in a spread represents what is likely to come up for you in the very near future. Again, this can be either an event or else simply advice about what you can expect if you take nothing else.
Interpreting the Cards You Pull
Interpreting the cards you pull is not as difficult as it may seem. There are a few methods you can use to help you understand the messages the cards are trying to communicate. The first method is to look at the traditional meaning of the card. This can be found in most Tarot books or online. Another method is to look at the feel or theme of the card and how it relates to your current situation. Once you have a feel for what the card is trying to say, you can then begin to interpret its meaning.
One thing to keep in mind when interpretation the cards is that they often represent opposite or extremes. For example, if you pull the Death card it doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is going to die. It could represent change or transformation instead. The best way to get an accurate reading is to take all of the factors into consideration and then go with your gut feeling.
Final Thoughts
You’ve now learned how to do a basic tarot reading for yourself! This can be a great tool for personal growth and discovery. Remember that tarot is a tool for guidance, not fortune telling. The future is always in flux, so use your readings as a way to explore different possibilities and make choices that are right for you.
With practice, you’ll be able to achieve greater insights into your readings. Thank you for taking the time to learn about tarot readings!
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