Words of Wisdom to New Tarot Readers

Are you new to reading tarot? WELCOME! Here's a little bit of information for you to start with, hopefully this will free you from the bonds of convention while helping you build the strong foundation this practice requires.

First, let me say that there are no bad cards in this deck. To label these moments in life as simply bad is limiting, lazy, and terribly unimaginative.  We are here to expand understanding, not bludgeon it. Every card holds concepts, lessons, and symbols that are beyond that binary way of thinking. Some are definitely more “happy” than others, but the best readers can & must hold those ideas without judgment. Even the darkest cloud has its silver lining. All of our experiences are necessary to move us forward in life.

This is an academic study. Treat it as such. It's great to meditate on the symbolism present in the cards, but free yourself from the expectation of seeing the full meaning revealing itself via mundane life, today on the day you pulled the card. This is how you learn & intuit what the message is. If a specific experience doesn’t come to mind in regards to any of the cards, think about the things you’ve read in books, seen in movies, heard in myth, or seen your friends or family experience. Connecting the card to a real example is deeply helpful in remembering their meanings. This took me a couple of years.

It can range from hard to impossible to read for yourself if it’s a sensitive topic! It's a common practice for experienced readers to choose other trusted readers when they need insights on difficult topics like personal romantic relationships, the health of the ones we love, or the outcome of stressful decisions or events. Tarot & divination are subjective by nature, and when no one is looking it’s too easy to contort it into a more pleasing answer. Try to remain objective enough to know when you’re choosing to see what we want to see, or ignoring the clear message. I find it helpful to step away at times like that. Read for others and have others read for you often. Talk to other readers about your ideas and lessons often. Sharing these things and holding them for others stretches us beyond our previous limits of understanding. I really recommend it if you aim to grow your understanding of the cards over time.

Whether or not you read reversals is up to you! You can do whatever you like. I've heard that some readers take out cards or add cards to the decks they use. You are literally the only one who can tell you what to do when you read. No one can stop you.