Tarot card readings are a popular way for people to gain insight into different parts of their lives, such as love, career, and personal growth. I often find it fascinating to see how different tarot readers use various spreads, or layouts to find messages in the cards. When I think about tarot readings, I focus on the symbols and imagery on the cards and how they can represent different scenarios or feelings someone might be experiencing. Not only do the symbols and imagery help, but also using different types of tarot readings for different situations.
There are many types of tarot readings, and each has a specific purpose or question. For example, some readings give a general overview of the energy around you, while others are more detailed and focus on a specific area of life. When I do tarot readings, I notice that different types of tarot decks can add different flavors the reading. The classic Rider-Waite deck is known for its bright card, but there are many other decks that feature unique artwork and themes, and I like to pick the one that resonates most with me at that moment.
My favorite deck is the first deck I ever bought (yes, you can buy your own first deck). It is the DruidCraft deck. I was immediately drawn to it because it connected to my Irish/Celtic family tree.
As a tarot reader, I enjoy reading for others, helping them connect the dots between the cards and their everyday experiences. It’s always a interesting experience to see the cards reveal a story during a reading, and it’s important to remember that the purpose of tarot is to offer perspective, not to predict the future with certainty. Each card in a deck has several meanings, depending on the specific question the person wants to know about, and it’s my job to interpret these cards to provide useful and often empowering insight.
Understanding the Tarot Deck
This may be a review for some of my readers, but for others understanding the tarot deck might be new. Here is a brief intro to the tarot cards.
Major Arcana Cards
The Major Arcana are the first 22 cards of a tarot deck, and they are important because they show the big themes in our lives. Each card can mean something different, depending on what question you ask or what other cards you draw with it. For example, The Fool might mean a new adventure, while Death often means change, not necessarily something scary. These cards are numbered 0 to 21.
Minor Arcana Cards
Next are the Minor Arcana, and they look more like the cards you might use to play a regular card game. They are split into four suits, just like hearts or diamonds, but in tarot, they are cups, pentacles, swords, and wands. Each suit has 14 cards: numbers 1 to 10, plus the court cards, which are the page, knight, queen, and king. The Minor Arcana reflects everyday life events and the details of situations.
Standard Tarot Deck and Variations
A standard tarot deck has 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. But, there are many different kinds of tarot decks, like the Rider-Waite deck, which was created a long time ago and has pictures that help tell the meanings of the cards.
Geek alert: history info about tarot cards about to occur. There is an important group, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, that really influenced how tarot cards are read and interpreted.
Some decks might have different images or themes, but most stick to the same basic structure of Major and Minor Arcana cards.
Joining my Facebook group is another resource to learn more about tarot and manifesting.
Types of Tarot Readings
When I am doing tarot readings, I come across different approaches. Some readings give a broad overview while others focus on specific aspects of life. Let’s dive into the details.
General Reading vs Specific Questions
In my tarot practice, I like to to tell people the difference between ageneral reading and readings for specific questions. A general reading is like a general overview of the what is going on in my life, like love, career, and personal growth.
On the other hand, when I have a specific question, I aim the reading at that particular concern. It could be anything from “Should I take this job offer?” to “How can I improve my relationship with my friend?” This type of reading focuses on different perspectives on one area of life.
Question Readings and Open Readings
There are two main types of tarot readings, based on how I ask the questions: Question Readings and Open Readings. With Question Readings, I focus on one topic and ask direct questions. However, I need to be careful not to expect the cards to make decisions for me but to give guidance instead. Open Readings are broader; they’re useful when I’m entering a new phase in life, like if I am starting a new job. Instead of a direct question, I let the cards show me about what’s most important for my personal growth in the moment.
Different Ways to Seek Insight
People have different ways they like to connect with their tarot cards. One thing I like to do is draw a single card every day to reflect on, kind of giving me a hint of the energy of the day, or doing a full spread of cards for a more detailed perspective. I’ve noticed that personal preferences play a big role here.
I may want a daily card pull for quick insights or prefer a deep dive into a Celtic Cross spread when I’m facing a more complex situation. I have a friend that does a tarot reading for herself only when we do it together. The key is to find the type of reading that feels right and provides the perspective I need. It’s fascinating how tarot can be a tool for reflection and gaining different insights into life’s challenges and opportunities.
Popular Tarot Card Spreads
When I use my tarot cards, I often choose one of the popular spreads. These spreads help to understand the cards’ messages about the past, present, or future. When I say future, I mean the very near future. I actually don’t like to use that spread because I am usually looking for insight into what is happening now.
Three-Card Spread
My simplest go-to is the Three-Card Spread. I lay out three cards in a row. Each card stands for one aspect: the first for the past, the second for the present, and the third for what’s coming soon. It’s a neat way to get a quick snapshot of a situation.
- Past events: Helps me understand where I’m coming from.
- Current situation: Shows what’s happening right now.
- Near future: Gives a hint about what might happen next.
Celtic Cross Spread
The Celtic Cross Spread takes a deeper look. It has ten cards, each with its own meaning. The spread covers everything from my feelings and hopes to the influences around me. It’s pretty detailed and good for a thorough analysis.
- Present
- Challenge
- Past
- Future
- Above (my goal)
- Below (subconscious)
- Advice
- External influences
- Hopes and fears
- Outcome
Five-Card Spread and Other Complex Spreads
If I want more detail than the Three-Card Spread but not as much as the Celtic Cross, I’ll use the Five-Card Spread. It adds two cards to the mix, usually for extra insight and advice. But there are many more layouts, each with a different purpose. Some spreads use more cards, and each position carries a unique meaning, making the reading more relevant to the situation at hand.
The Significance of Individual Cards
When I read tarot cards, I pay close attention to each card because every single one has a unique message.
A Different 3 card spread
- Mind: This card represents your current thoughts or mindset.
- Body: This card symbolizes your physical state and activities.
- Spirit: This card represents your spiritual energy or emotional state.
Meaning of Each Card
Every card in a tarot deck has a specific meaning, and reading these cards requires understanding these meanings deeply. Each suit is also related to the elements, like when we are talking about different astrology signs. Here are the suits and elements they are related to.
- Cups: Emotions and relationships
- Pentacles: Material aspects like work and money
- Swords: Challenges and intellect
- Wands: Creativity and action
Special Cards like the Death Card and High Priestess
People often get worried when they see the Death card, but in my experience, it usually means change or an ending leading to a new beginning, not a literal death. The High Priestess, on the other hand, represents intuition and spirituality. These special cards can carry powerful messages in a reading.
- Death Card: Endings, transformation
- High Priestess: Intuition, unconscious knowledge
The Process of Tarot Reading
When I do a tarot reading, my goal is to help people understand themselves better and consider things from different angles. It’s a bit like having a deep conversation with a friend who helps you see new sides to your story.
Role of the Tarot Card Reader
As a tarot card reader, I see my role as a guide. I use the cards to show patterns and offer insights that might not be obvious at first. Think of the tarot cards as a mirror so you can see your life from differnt perspectives. It’s not about having psychic powers; it’s more about listening and offering additional information that the cards reveal during the session.
The Importance of Personal Growth and Perspective
Tarot readings are really about personal development. By asking the right questions and reflecting on the cards, you can start to think about your experiences in new ways which can lead to personal growth. When you look at the cards and talk about them with me, the reader, it’s a chance to open your mind and consider different perspectives that you might not have thought about before.
Connecting with the Subconscious Mind
The tarot deck is a tool that helps connect with the subconscious mind. Sometimes, I’ll pull a card that seems to perfectly match what you’re feeling inside, even if you haven’t put it into words. It’s my job as the reader to help you understand these feelings and thoughts that come from deep within. This isn’t magic—it’s about tapping into the thoughts and emotions that you might not always pay attention to.
Additional Forms of Readings
Tarot cards tell stories about our life and the path we’re on. Besides tarot, there are other ways to understand these stories. One popular way is through psychic readings.
Psychic Readings and Their Relation to Tarot
I’ve noticed that many people mix up tarot and psychic readings, but they’re a bit different. A psychic reading doesn’t always use tools like cards. Instead, the psychic tunes into information about someone by using their natural gifts. It’s like having a direct conversation without words, using intuition to sense, see, or know things about the person they’re reading for.
dings rely heavily on the individual connection between me and the person I’m reading for. It’s quite personal and unique to each session.
I hope you have found this guide to be helpful. If so, consider joining my email group. Get a free journal for signing up today.
