While many people think that tarot reading is difficult, it's not.

To guide you
through, here are some secrets on how to go about it.

Basic Tarot Reading

The idea behind Tarot reading is simple - the cards are shuffled, laid out in a
spread and the reader interprets what the cards are saying. A deck of Tarot
consists of 78 cards each with a specific meaning relating to life.

The art of divination through the use of Tarot is called Taromancy. Contrary to
public opinion, Tarot cards don't really predict fortune or future events but
they measure potential outcomes and examine influences surrounding a
person

About the Cards

The standard tarot deck is made up of 78 cards with some new deck patterns
reaching up to 88 cards. The deck is then divided into two - the Major Arcana
and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana is made up of the (0) Fool, (1)
Magician, (2) High Priestess, (3) Empress, (4) Emperor, (5) Hierophant, (6)
Lovers, (7) Chariot, (8) Strength, (9) Hermit, (10) Wheel of Fortune, (11)
Justice, (12) Hanged Man, (13) Death, (14) Temperance, (15) Devil, (16)
Tower, (17) Star, (18) Moon, (19) Sun, (20)Judgment and (21) World. The
Minor Arcana on the other hand is further divided into four suits - Wand,
Pentacles, Cups and Swords with each suit having fourteen different cards.

In order to effectively read tarot cards for yourself or for a client, you must
memorize and be able to identify each card as well as give two divinatory
meanings for each card.

Major arcana. The Tarot archetypes represented in the major arcana are
pictures that represent life and the stages and experiences we all go
through. It's meant to be the story of one's journey through life starting as
The Fool (young, pure energy in spirit form) moving through events and
cycles and finding completion in The World (the end of our life cycle).

Minor arcana. Minor Cards describes the people, events, feelings and
circumstances we encounter on our personal "Fool's Journey." It represents
events that are within the control of the individual and indicate how you do
something. The minor arcana fairly closely resembles a traditional deck of
playing cards. It's made up of four suits, and each of these suits are
associated with one of the elements: Wands (Fire), Cups (Water), Pentacles
(Earth) and Swords (Air). There are also the Queen, King and Knight (or Jack)
of each suit plus the addition of Pages or Princesses.

Tarot Card Types

The most popular card deck is the one by Rider Waite Smith or the Rider
Deck which is the easiest to use for beginners. The cards are simple and can
be easily read by the reader. Another popular deck type is the Mythic Tarot
Deck which features gods and goddesses and other Greek myths in its
design. Any Angel Oracle deck might also be favourable for those who are
interested into angels and want some guidance or inspiration in their lives.

Other patterns or designs include the Marseilles, Falconnier, Golden Dawn

and Thoth. New designs and patterns are released in the market and some
are also based on themes but the most important of all is to practice using
only one deck pattern and progress from there.

How to read the cards

There are two main ways of reading the cards: question and open reading.

In question reading, you ask the card questions and it guides you. For ideal
results, you should ask an open question so that the card can guide you. For
example, if you are having problems with your mother-in-law, you can ask
the card to give you ways on how to get along with her.
You should also ensure that your question is focused. While the question
should be focused, you should avoid being too detailed. For example, you
can ask the card to guide you in scheduling your time and that of your kids.

You shouldn't ask the card to guide you on how to coordinate your football
and schedule time for your family. This is because this is too detailed and
you won't receive ideal solutions.
To increase the chances of getting positive results you should ensure that
you ask positive questions.

Open reading addresses the larger aspects of your life rather than a specific
problem that you might be going through. In most cases, this type of reading
is used when you are entering a specific phase in your life. For example, the
reading is used when you are getting married, graduating or starting a
family.

Interpreting the Cards

1. Use visual cues

You should take a look at the picture on the card and determine the feeling
that it evokes in you. To be on the safe side you should pay attention to the
first impulses that are generated in your mind when you see the images.
Using the visual cues you will be able to tell what is happening in the client's
life.

For example, if you pick a card with three cups, you can tell the client that
you are seeing three ladies holding cups and there are fruits and flowers
around them. This will mean that there is a party or a celebration.

In some cases you might not be able to concentrate thus you might not be
able to identify the first impulses in your brain. In such a scenario you should
ask the client questions.
For example, if you pick many red cards, you should ask the client the
significance of the red color. This way you will be able to know the direction
to take.

Look at the pictures on the cards

What do they suggest to you? Identify a narrative pattern, as though you are
looking at a book of illustrations and trying to find the story. The patterns can
go across, down, diagonally or first to last. The card to the side signifies the
most important element of the situation.

2. Observe how the card falls

The way the card falls has a lot of significance. For example, if the card falls
in a reversed way, it's an indication that there might be a blockage in the
depicted situation.

The reversed situation can also mean that there is going to be a problem. On
the other side if the card falls upright, it's an indication that things will go as
planned.

3. Make use of the elements on the card

The good thing is that Tarot cards correspond to certain elements. For
example, fire represents burning energy and passion, water is flowing
emotions and feelings, earth is solid practicality and money, while air is the
logical mind and windy thoughts. If you pick a card you should interpret it
according to the given elements.
Everything begins with a thought or an idea – this is the suit of Swords and
the element Air. Wands/Fire breathe life into it, they give it energy.
Cups/Water provides sentience and aesthetics, while Pentacles/Earth
completes the formation by providing solidity to the original idea.

Easy Ways to Learn the Cards

Pick a card-a-day. You can choose a card simply as a way of getting to
know the deck or you may pick one to get some insight into the day ahead of
you.

To get to know the deck. Choose a card at random and gaze at it a bit.
Write down your first impressions and intuitive thoughts. Write these with
one particular color of ink a journal or notebook. With a second, different ink
color, write down more information you find about the card from other
sources (books, e-groups, and friends). After a few days, review what you've
written and add comments in a third color of ink.

Get a daily reading. Choose a card at random the first thing in the
morning. Spend some time looking at it. Pay attention to its colors and how
you react to them. Note the general atmosphere of the card and the
emotions it brings out in you. Look at the figures in the card--what they're
doing, whether they're seated or standing, who they remind you of and how
you feel about them. Focus on the symbols and what they remind you of.
Write your thoughts down in a journal--you can refer back to this as a
learning tool and use it to track your progress.

Tarot Spreads

Spread is the term used for the arrangement of the cards in a reading. First,
the cards are shuffled by the person asking for guidance then the reader lays
them out in a pattern. Each position in the spread holds a meaning. There
are numerous types of spreads. The type of spread in a reading depends on
what question is asked and is sometimes up to the reader.

Tarot cards are spread differently depending on the questions that one wants
to find answers to. The Celtic Cross Spread is a popular one as it answers
many aspects including the person's current state of being, the past events
that affect the present and the possible future that may or may not occur.
The Relationship Spread is another common spread and reveals the current
state of one's relationship, the path where the relationship is heading and
what aspects of the relationship one should look into.
Other spreads include Astrological, Planetary, Tetraktys, Cross and Triangle,
Mandala, Star guide, Tree of Life, Past Life and Dream spread.

Start with a Three-Card Spread

A three-card spread is great for divining answers to uncomplicated questions, for refocusing on
simplicity and for beginners who have just started reading. Assign the positions in advance, lay
out your spread and use what you've learned about card meanings and combinations to tell a
story.
Some possible positions for a reading designed to understand a situation are: past/present/future,
current situation/obstacle/advice, where you stand now/what you aspire to/how to get there and
what will help you/what will hinder you/what is your unrealized potential.

Some possible positions for a reading designed to understand relationships are: you/the other
person/the relationship, opportunities/challenges/outcomes, what brings you together/what pulls
you apart/what needs your attention and what you want from the relationship/what you want
from the relationship/where the relationship is heading.

Some possible positions for a reading designed to understand relationships are: mind/body/spirit,
material state/emotional state/spiritual state, you/your current path/your potential and
stop/start/continue.

Tarot Spread Questions: On Relationships

Common questions going into a Relationship Tarot reading include:

1. What’s next for me and [name of other party]?

2. Are me and [name of other party] on the same page?
3. Something feels off, what is going on in our relationship?
4. Does [name of other party] ever want to get married?
5. Is my relationship going to last?
6. What does the next year look like for me in this relationship?
7. What are the key strengths or weaknesses of this relationship?
8. What is the current state of our relationship?