Things You'll Need:
- Tarot or playing cards
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Step 1
First remember that cartomancy can be done with a 52 card poker deck. However, tarot cards are generally better.
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Step 2
The tarot deck is different from a standard deck of cards. Tarot decks have more cards. Most tarot decks include 22 "major" cards that have no companion in a standard deck. The other cards have companions in a standard poker cards where each suit represents something significant. Clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades each symbolize one of the major elements that make up the world. They are earth, air, fire and water.
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Step 3
Understand that the cards can be spread in a variety of styles.
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Step 4
Understand the Celtic cross spread. The reader spreads 10 cards. They are arranged with five set in a cross and four positioned vertically beside the cross. Another card is placed horizontally across the central card of the cross. The central card of the cross is frequently the significant card, or the crossing card that often represents an obstacle that must be faced.
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Step 5
Know that in a horse-shoe spread seven cards are arranged in a semi-circle or V-shape. The cards are read from left to right. Left to right shows the past, present, influences, obstacles, prospects, choice of options and likely outcomes.
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Step 6
Learn the three-card spread, with the first card representing the past, the second the present, and the third the future.
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Step 7
Know that the major arcana is as follows: The Fool is a creation from nothingness, incarnation and being. The Magician is about self-awareness, consciousness, will and the male/yang life force. The High Priestess focuses on the subconscious, memory, intuition and the female/yin life force. The Empress centers on creativity, growth, fertility, nature and the earthly mother. The Emperor is all about order, logic, rules, boundaries, civilization and the earthly father. The Hierophant is a spiritual link to god or godess, mentor, morality, institutions and church. Lovers are about choices, discrimination between good and evil, and leaving the garden. Chariot is about will, initiation, breakthrough to adulthood, direction and movement. Strength centers on inner strength, overcoming animal nature, and productive use of passions. The Hermit is about self-knowledge, seeking wisdom, maturity and teaching. Wheel focuses on the understanding of cycles, living with change, and going with the flow. Justice focuses on karma, balance, fairness and clear sight. The Hanged Man is about the reversal of thinking, inner work, and suspension to allow inner growth. Death centers on transformation, major changes as a result of inner work, and rebirth. Temperance has to do with the balance of mind and body, temperance and the middle path. The Devil deals with struggles with and liberation from material world, and self-imposed bondage. The Tower represents a bolt of inspiration, tearing down artificial constructs, and revelations. The Star is about inspiration, hope, blessings of the universe flow and rejuvenation. The Moon represents facing yourself and inner demons, and integrating your subconscious. The Sun is about becoming whole, ascending to the light, knowing and being yourself. Judgment indicates that you are ready to move on, self-judgment, and transition to higher state. Finally, the World is a reference to becoming one with the universe.
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Step 8
Learn that the minor arcana are the cards that refer to our everyday life. They represent "the mundane." They are the cards relating to our jobs, relationships, conflicts, possessions or money. These are the cards that tell you to handle your responsibilities, concerns or challenges, finances and how to get your love life/relationships in order or to let them go. Wands reference career, job, work place and physical labor, spirituality and crafty ideas. They are also the seeds or conception of an idea, original thought and intention. Cups are about
love, happiness, joy, completion, family, relationships and emotions. This represents action, inner-sensitivity or emotional experiences and spirit. Pentacles relate to money, matters concerning money, home, home-related issues, prosperity, security, property and material possessions. It also represents manifestation, the end result and realization of an idea or project. Swords are about conflicts, lessons, arguments, obstacles, challenges and the mental realm. -
Step 9
Know the court cards. The Page represents a child of either sex, innocence and youth. The Knight represents a teen of either sex, youth, action and a daring personality. A Queen represents an adult female, family and mother.
The King indicates an adult male, father, boss and authority figures.
