How to Read Tarot

Learning to read and understand tarot cards could be a difficult task for someone, who is just trying to read them with their own efforts. Nevertheless, the topic of how to read tarot cards will be very easy for you, when you follow a number of simple and established methods. Tarot could be an interesting and exciting field of study, as you will be dealing with something that is mysterious and suspense.

To know how to read tarot cards, you will need to buy a good deck of tarot cards, a journal and a pencil. You may also need to purchase a book on tarot cards and their meaning. However, a newbie to the world of tarot often gets confused as to the type of cards to buy. With so many books and journals on tarot, may find it very difficult to choose the one that best fits your needs and requirements.

Here are some tips that you can use, while buying a deck of cards and a good tarot book:

Ideally, make sure that you are buying a deck of tarot cards, whose images and graphics effectively personify your inner belief and knowledge base. Almost all deck of cards available today has different themes and ideas. Ensure that you are buying a deck of cards that you find very easy to understand and believe. Check out the images on the cards and relate them to your mind and soul. If you find that, the images of the cards are strange and unreal, go for other decks.

You may need to buy a book that covers the most basic knowledge and skills. The book should provide meanings of the card in a simple and straightforward manner. Search for a book that suits your taste and mind.

How to read tarot cards is an issue that may take your time and effort; understanding the meaning of cards may take considerable amount of time, because the language used in the cards may seem very strange in the initial stages. Here are some tips on how you can read your tarot card:

1. Take a particular card and check out the images printed on it. Just see the image and note down whatever comes to your mind, when you see the printed image. Make it short and simple, so that it becomes easy for you to understand its meaning at a later stage.

2. Now, go through the book and study what it says about each of the card contained in the deck. Later, compare the meaning provided in the book with what you have noted down just now.

3. Think and ponder over the meaning of all individual cards and make comprehensive notes on all cards. This simple exercise will help you how to read tarot cards and understand the meaning in its entirety.

4. A given card will give you a number of meanings. You will need to find out which one of them is useful to you and which are not. Now, choose three interpretations from the ones that you just noted down and those that are provided in the book. Once you make a list, you may need to compress them into a single word and/or words or even a short phrase.

How to read tarot cards is an important issue that needs a mastery of the subject, while reading through the meaning is possibly the first right step. A deck of tarot cards will have 78 different cards with a variety of images conveying so many meanings and summaries. Is it possible for you to remember all those interpretations?

Here are some suggestions and practical tips that will help you how to read tarot cards:

Visual tips and ideas:

You may wish to use this tip as the first real step in deciphering and understanding the real meaning of all those cards. Just take a deep look at the image printed on the card. What exactly is happening in those pictures? Do you notice any strange feelings running in your mind when you look at the image? What are the first impulses that run through your mind soul? These simple visual cues and ideas will help you in knowing more about your friend or client’s life in different stages of life.

Elemental cues and ideas:

Each one of the card in the deck has a certain element associated with it. Some of the most common elements are:

1. Wands with Fire

2. Cups with Water

3. Swords with Air

Note that each of these elements discusses about a different aspect of life. Fire is hot and passionate, water may relate to emotions and inner feelings and air may mean flowing thoughts and logic. Major Arcana is a system of deck that relates to elements of spirit and energy. By looking at the card from a particular set, you will immediately know and understand what phase of life you are dealing with and how you can visualize their meanings.

How the cards fall:

This is possibly the most critical parameter that affects your tarot card reading. You will need to learn and master to know whether the card is upright or reversed. You can look at many angles and corners on a reversed card. There are a number of ways of looking at your reversed cards like:

· View it as an opposite image of the upright image

· Consider it as a blockage or obstacle signified in the upright or correct meaning.

The basic structure of tarot cards:

In order to know how to read tarot cards, you will need to know and understand the basic structure of tarot cards. In essence, there are 78 cards in a tarot card deck. Out of these 78 cards, there are 40 numbers of minor cards (also known as lesser mysteries cards). The pack also contains 16 court cards and 22 Major Arcana cards that signify “greater mysteries”. Tarot deck also contains four suits with 56 cards out of which you have 10 numbers of numerical cards and four court cards per suit.

These four suits represent four different elements like:

· Water
· Earth
· Air
· Fire

In turn, they also signify four different planes of consciousness like:

· Cups denoting an emotional plane
· Wands denoting a spiritual plane
· Swords denoting metal plane
· Pentacles denoting the physical plane

Furthermore, the subject of how to read tarot cards also involves understanding each card in a suit. In fact, these cards represent a special aspect of your earthly experience.

Here are some meanings of tarot cards:

One- Opening and beginning

Six- Unity and success

Two- Balance and energy

Seven- Quiet and complex

Three- Trinity and irritation

Eight- Growth, mastery, task

Four- Stability and form

Nine- High and complete

Five- Chaos and creativity

Ten- Fulfillment

Meaning of Court cards:

The King
Fire- action, ambition, energy, enthusiasm, interest

The Queen
Water- emotion, understanding, empathy, togetherness

The Knight
Air- discovery, finding, new things, invention, purpose

The Page
Earth- Depth, listening, hearing

Tip: All numerical cards denote the action performed by the individual and it signifies the experience that an individual will have in the future. On the other hand, court cards represent an enduring image of the present.

How to read tarot cards is a science and art of understanding all twenty-two Major Arcana cards. These are the heart and soul of tarot system and they are the potent symbols of collective consciousness that an individual will have in his or her persona.

Here are some of the most important meanings of all these tarot cards. Note that each card has a number of flowers associated with it and they represent different meanings as well.

The Fool
Sudden events in your life, unknown, shock, surprise, irritability

The Magician
Clarity, action, creativity, new things

The High Priestess
Inspiration, intuition, receptive, good values, vulnerability

The Empress
Abundance, creativity, body image, love, feelings, expressions

The Emperor
Understanding of power on an individual basis, dogmas, confusion

The Hierophant
Transportation from material to spiritual world, balance, synergy

The Lovers
Unity, wholeness, confluence, love, sexuality, divine affection

The Chariot
Middle path, understanding the soul, inner research, meditation

The Hermit
Inward compulsions, pull, isolation, mystery, menopause

The Wheel of fortune
Number of experiences, expansion, diversification, change, hope, aspirations

The Justice
Personal truth, equality, fairness

The Hanged Man
Surrender, martyrdom, victimization, revelation

The Death
Journey, transformation, Dying, dying process, change

The Temperance
Art of living, moderation, balance, cosmic energy

The Devil
Fear, worries, emotions, sadness

The Tower
Breaking, destruction, shattering, unexpected changes

The Star
Higher level of consciousness, cosmic vision, dreams, wishes, rebirth

The Moon
Deep space, nurture, affection

The Sun
Radiance, play, create sustain, shine, glow

The Judgment
Strategy, choices, observation, healing, solution

The World
Power, responsibility, joy, work

How to read tarot cards is an accurate science, because tarot itself is a matter of precision. Thus, you will need to learn, understand and master the art of how to read tarot cards. You will also need to develop and enhance intuition and psychic abilities in order to read tarot cards in a meaningful manner. Anybody can learn and master the art of reading tarot cards – it is so easy and simple! However, you will need to apply your mind and soul while studying the tarot.

Does the Tarot seems intimidating? Have you had a fear of getting readings? Unsure of what the Tarot does? Brigit Esselmont, founder of BiddyTarot.com, will help you demystify Tarot, busting some of the biggest myths about reading Tarot cards…

Myth 1: You have to be psychic to read Tarot

Many people will have you believe that you have to be psychic to read Tarot. That is, to be a good Tarot reader, you have to have some sort of supernatural power that allows you to see into the future, know what people are thinking, or receive messages from the spirit world.

The truth is: You don’t have to be psychic to be a good Tarot reader. In fact, anyone can learn to read Tarot — including you. All you need to do is say yes to your intuition.

We are all intuitive beings. Every one of us. But many people have shut down their intuition, refusing to listen to their inner voice. They downplay the intuitive flashes they get and pass them off as a silly feeling that means nothing. Instead, say “yes” to those random, unexplainable messages you might receive that help you to navigate your life’s path. Say “yes” to going with your heart, not just your head.

Myth 2: Tarot will tell you your future

This one isn’t completely a myth, but it isn’t exactly the whole truth either… Many people see the Tarot as a fortunetelling tool. And, not only that, they believe that whatever the Tarot says will happen in the future, will happen, no matter what. Some people are so afraid of having their cards read because they worry that if they do, something bad will happen as a result.

The truth is: Tarot can tell you about not just your future, but also your past and your present. Understanding the past helps you discover the key lessons you’ve learned along your path so that you can make better decisions in the future. And understanding the present helps you discover what’s happening for you right now.

The future is not set in stone. Yes, the Tarot can predict the future — but “predict” is the key word here. It means that the Tarot can show you where you are headed based on where you are now. Don’t like where you’re headed? Then you can make changes right now to reshape your future! It all comes down to your free will and your ability to make choices.

Long story short: Tarot helps you understand your past and present to enable you to make good, positive choices that will shape your future. The future is in your hands and it’s yours to create.

Myth 3: Tarot is mysterious and complex

Look up “Tarot reader” on the internet and you’ll be met with images of mysterious-looking women in bohemian clothes, peering into a crystal ball, foretelling the future. This is not an accurate representation of what a Tarot reader is really like!

The truth is: People from ALL walks of life read Tarot — office workers, teachers, coaches, therapists, lawyers, executives, nurses — you name it. Just ordinary, normal people who have learned how to use the Tarot cards to connect with their intuition and navigate life’s challenges.

Tarot doesn’t have to be mysterious and complex. Tarot can be simple, fun and easy to learn. Anyone can do it, including you!

Tarot.com is Part of Zappallas USA © 2019

The Daily Tarot Card

The Pope

Keywords: teaching, school, blessing, ritual, marriage, acting!

Astrological Correspondence: Taurus

As a priest, the Pope, or Hierophant, represents traditional values and moral development. He is the wise teacher or counselor guiding groups or collectives on their path in search for spiritual truth or meaning. Depicted as a religious figure in ceremonial vestments he interprets secret mysteries, divine law, and theological doctrine. Although this card implies that he is linked to the church, the Pope signifies not only organized religion but also focus on groups in general, such as schools, teams, companies – any group with fixed roles and assigned responsibilities. The Pope is a symbol for rules, procedures, structure, and ritual, creating harmony within groups and staying their course so they can find identity and progress as a whole. The negative imagery symbolizes dogmatism and inflexibility, extreme conformity, or conventionalism.

The Daily Tarot Love Card

The Emperor

Today is perfection, in a good way. Why? Today represents someone’s advancement and growth in the ability to love. Someone, perhaps even the two people you are one-half of, grasps the realization that love is friendship intensified. If you’re dating and you want love, it is yours. The trick is to avoid being swept off your feet. Instead, grasp the idea of slowing down, knowing that time is on your side.

The Daily Erotic Tarot Card

The Pope

The Pope represents pure masculine energy, and even if you’re female you’re going to be identifying more with your male counterparts today. The Pope shows you that coming to terms with past mistakes and taking responsibility for them in the present eases sexual tension, so let go of the past to free yourself from your inhibitions. You actually have quite the skill set when it comes to making sexual moves, but waiting until the time is right before taking the plunge can be a real turn-on. Let the anticipation build until you can’t take it anymore!

The Daily Past Life Tarot Card

The Sun

Sometimes numbers fill your head and although you do the math, the equations just keep coming. This could be a sign that in a past life you were an economist. You might not understand it exactly, but there is just something in your genes that has always attracted you to numbers. Your past life as an economist is probably still on the treadmill of reincarnation. You follow numbers through the journey of your many lives, finding solutions that create new numerical questions.

THIS TAROT CARD URGES YOU TO LOOK WITHIN

• JAMIE RICHARDSON

In this series, Jamie Richardson of Ember + Aura Tarot explains how to embrace the message of each major arcana card. 

The High Priestess is the gatekeeper between our inner and outer realms. She is the guardian of our deepest wisdom and intuition. When the High Priestess shows up, it’s time to slow down and turn within. Her language is symbolic; her methods mysterious; her pathways shadowy.  She often emerges after we have lost the girlishness and naivety of our youth when we’ve tired of social interactions and are beginning to explore our own depths.

The High Priestess loves nothing more than when we set aside our own agendas and rulebooks and simply listen to the silence of our evolving hearts—when we feel our way in the dark with no idea where we are going. She teaches us to develop and trust our second sight, the sacred gift of the Divine Feminine. Traditionally seated between two pillars representing interior and exterior worlds, the High Priestess patiently waits to offer her guidance to those who approach her.

Our intuition starts out strong in life. As children, we naturally follow our bliss and are able to blend aspects of work and play. Children rarely overanalyze and are able to easily listen to their hearts, and their subconscious and conscious minds are seamless and easy to bridge. In our society, however, it isn’t too long before children begin to realize that they are expected to succeed, compete, and achieve. The dark, mysterious, self-knowing aspects of the subconscious are cast aside and replaced with what we can see and judge in the full light of day. We begin to compare ourselves to others, trust only what gives us proven results, and work towards goals that bring us a sense of accomplishment. We stop climbing trees, trying to hear the thoughts of animals, chasing our imaginary friends, and finger-painting scenes that only we understand. We begin playing organized sports, earning gold stars, posting selfies, and planning out our futures.

When we abandon our trust of the unknown, when we stop turning within, our High Priestess goes deep underground.

Often, the High Priestess resurfaces when one has endured a particular tragedy or suffered a great loss. At these times, when the solid ground of our egos has crumbled, we are in a perfect position to take on deeper learning. We are ready to put our trust into that which we cannot see or measure. We are looking for a connection to our own Source and innate knowledge. Survivors of tragedy have profound potential for higher spiritual evolvement. The High Priestess, although dark and mysterious, has compassion for her followers and shows them only what they are ready to experience.

So what is the Tarot card trying to tell you? The truth is, this is an invitation. The High Priestess is confirming that you hold all of the answers to life’s questions in the hidden spaces of your own heart. Furthermore, the capacity to which you can open your heart and suspend your own need for visible signs is the degree to which you will experience a transformation of the mind. You will know you are on track when you begin to notice synchronicities between your inner exploration and your reality: a book suddenly appears about the mysteries of the Divine Feminine, an acquaintance invites you to a local full moon circle, or you receive an email about becoming attuned in Reiki. Your dreams may become more vivid and characters may appear, offering insight and clues about your existence. These are all strong examples of the language of the High Priestess.

When the High Priestess calls, it’s time to pay attention. Accept her invitation to walk between the seen and unseen worlds. Don’t be afraid to jump down the rabbit hole and explore what this vast inner-dimension holds for you, with its delicious darkness and ancient mysteries. Her greatest gift to you will be the unveiling of what you had all along: the ability to face the dark and bring your own truth into the light.

Find Jamie Richardson on Instagram @emberandauratarot or at www.emberandaura.com

Published on Astrology.com