The Sacred Art of Tarot Reading

Understanding the Tarot Deck

A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Each section serves a different purpose in readings and carries its own unique energy and meaning.

The Major Arcana: Life's Big Moments

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, typically numbered from 0 to 21. These cards represent significant life events, spiritual lessons, and major turning points. They tell the story of spiritual evolution, from The Fool's innocent beginning to The World's completion and fulfillment.

When Major Arcana cards appear in readings, they indicate important themes, deep spiritual lessons, or pivotal moments that shape your life's direction. These are the cards that speak to fate, destiny, and the larger forces at work in your life.

The Minor Arcana: Daily Life and Details

The Minor Arcana makes up 56 cards and focuses on the everyday experiences, practical matters, and day-to-day situations we all navigate. These cards represent temporary influences that can be easily changed depending on the actions you take.

The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits, each containing 14 cards (Ace through 10, plus four Court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King).

The Four Suits

Wands (Associated with Fire)
Wands represent passion, inspiration, willpower, energy, and action. This suit deals with your ambitions, creativity, and the drive to pursue your goals. Wands cards speak to what motivates you, the projects you're working on, and the energy you bring to your endeavors.

Cups (Associated with Water)
Cups govern feelings, emotions, intuition, creativity, and relationships. This suit appears frequently in readings about love, emotional connections, and your inner emotional landscape. Cups cards explore how you relate to yourself and others, from romance and friendship to emotional healing.

Swords (Associated with Air)
Swords represent thoughts, words, actions, intellect, and communication. This suit deals with decision-making, mental clarity, conflict, and truth. Swords cards can be challenging, as they often highlight difficult truths, mental struggles, or the need for clear communication. They're about the power of words and ideas.

Pentacles (Associated with Earth)
Pentacles govern finances, work, material possessions, and the physical world. This suit represents practical matters, security, stability, and the tangible results of your efforts. Pentacles cards provide guidance on career, money management, and creating a solid foundation in the material world.

Choosing Your First Tarot Deck

Selecting your first tarot deck is a personal and important decision. Here are some tips:

Go with a classic. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is highly recommended for beginners because of its clear imagery and symbolism. Most modern tarot guides and interpretations are based on this deck, making it easier to learn.

Choose what resonates. Browse different decks and choose one whose artwork speaks to you. Your connection to the imagery is important, as you'll be working with these cards regularly.

Trust your intuition. If a particular deck calls to you, that's often the right choice. Your tarot deck becomes a personal tool, so it should feel right in your hands.

How to Use Your Tarot Cards

Preparing for a Reading

Before you begin, create a calm and focused space. You might light a candle, burn incense, or simply take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Clear your mind and focus on your question or intention.

Shuffling Your Cards

Tarot cards are larger than regular playing cards, so shuffle them carefully to avoid bending. You can cut the deck into several piles and reassemble them, spread cards on a table and mix them together, hold half the deck in each hand and insert one half into the other, or use any method that feels comfortable to you.

The key is to focus on your question or intention while shuffling.

Basic Tarot Spreads for Beginners

One-Card Draw (Daily Guidance)

Pull a single card each morning for insight into the day ahead. This simple practice helps you learn card meanings and develop your intuitive connection with the deck. Focus on your question, shuffle, and draw one card. Interpret its meaning based on your situation.

Three-Card Spread (Past, Present, Future)

This versatile spread provides quick insights into a situation. Shuffle your deck, cut it, and lay out three cards in a row from left to right. Card 1 represents the past or influences that brought you here. Card 2 represents the present or current situation and energy. Card 3 represents the future or potential outcome and direction.

Three-Card Spread (Situation, Action, Outcome)

Another popular variation uses Card 1 for the current situation, Card 2 for the best action to take, and Card 3 for the likely outcome if you take that action.

Five-Card Cross Spread

This spread offers more detailed guidance. Card 1 represents the past. Card 2 represents the present. Card 3 represents the future. Card 4 represents the reason for your inquiry or what's really at the heart of this question. Card 5 represents the potential outcome.

Lay cards 1, 2, and 3 in a horizontal row. Place card 4 above card 2, and card 5 below card 2, forming a cross shape.

Reading the Cards

When interpreting cards, consider the individual card meaning, how cards relate to each other in the spread, your intuitive response to the imagery, the position of the card in the spread, and whether cards appear upright or reversed (upside down).

Reversed cards can indicate the opposite of the upright meaning, blocked energy related to that card, an inner conflict you're experiencing, or a lesson you're still learning.

Remember that reading tarot is about combining knowledge of card meanings with your intuition. The cards work together to tell a story, and your intuition helps you interpret that story for your specific situation.

Caring for Your Tarot Deck

Cleansing Your Deck

Cleansing removes old energy and keeps your readings clear and accurate. You should cleanse your deck when you first get it, after intense or emotionally draining readings, when readings start feeling unclear or confusing, and regularly (monthly or as needed).

Methods for Cleansing

Sacred Smoke

Pass your cards through the smoke of incense, sage, rosemary, lavender, or palo santo. Hold the deck in one hand and the smoke source in the other, moving each card through the smoke. Focus on clearing away old energy and welcoming fresh clarity.

Crystals

Place cleansing crystals on or near your deck. Clear Quartz provides all-purpose cleansing and amplification. Selenite offers high-vibration cleansing and spiritual connection. Black Tourmaline or Obsidian provide protection and purification. Rose Quartz brings gentle energy, harmony, and love.

Leave crystals with your deck overnight or store them together between readings.

Moonlight

Place your deck in a windowsill or outside during a full moon to absorb lunar energy. The full moon is particularly powerful for releasing old energy and recharging your cards. You can also use your personal moon phase for an even deeper connection.

Knocking Method

This simple technique involves tapping on your deck three times with your dominant hand, as if knocking on a door. The repetition and physical contact help clear stagnant energy. Three is considered a powerful number in many spiritual traditions.

Intention and Meditation

Hold your deck in your hands, close your eyes, and set a clear intention for cleansing. Visualize white or golden light surrounding the cards, clearing away any old or unwanted energy.

Storing Your Deck

How you store your cards is a matter of personal preference, but consider these options.

Original Box is the simplest option, keeping your deck in the box it came in.

Fabric Wraps are popular, with many readers wrapping their decks in silk, satin, velvet, or natural fabric. This protects the cards and creates a dedicated, sacred space for them.

Pouches or Bags, especially drawstring bags in various materials like silk, velvet, or cotton, are popular for protecting and transporting decks.

Wooden Boxes offer beautiful, sturdy protection and can be displayed on altars or shelves.

Tips for storage include keeping decks away from moisture and direct sunlight to prevent warping, storing in a safe place if you have children or pets, considering storing a cleansing crystal with your deck, and designating a special place for your working deck where you can access it easily.

Physical Care

Handle with care as tarot cards can be delicate. Avoid bending them while shuffling.

Keep them dry. If cards get wet, lay each one out separately to dry completely, turning them occasionally.

Watch for tears. Once a card tears, you'll be able to identify it by the back, which can affect readings. Treat your cards gently to avoid damage.

Use a clean surface. Always read on a clean surface. Many readers use a special cloth or mat for readings, which also helps create sacred space.

Connecting with Your Deck

When you first get a new deck, spend time connecting with it.

Look through each card. Study the imagery, notice what draws your attention, and begin forming your own interpretations.

Sleep with your deck. Some readers keep their new deck under their pillow for a few nights to create an energetic bond.

Daily practice. Pull a card each day and journal about it. Notice how the card's energy shows up in your day.

Ask your deck questions. What energy do you bring? How should I work with you? What are your strengths?

Personalize it. Some readers like to place a personal item like a crystal or charm with their deck, or keep a journal specifically for insights from that deck.

Reading for Others

If you read tarot for other people, cleanse your deck more frequently, protect your own energy through grounding and clearing practices, create clear boundaries before and after readings, and let go of ego and personal bias as you are a guide to help them understand the message in the cards.

Final Thoughts

Your tarot deck is more than just 78 pieces of cardboard. It's a tool for self-reflection, a mirror for your intuition, and a companion on your spiritual journey. The more respect and care you give your deck, the deeper your connection will become, and the clearer your readings will be.

Whether you're pulling a daily card for guidance, doing in-depth spreads for major decisions, or reading for friends and family, remember that tarot works best when you approach it with an open heart, a curious mind, and a willingness to listen to your inner wisdom. Trust yourself, trust your cards, and enjoy the journey of discovery that tarot offers.