How to Scry Using Tarot

Telling the future, or scrying, by using tarot cards can be an exciting pasttime, or (for some) a full-time profession. Using cards that are the ancient ancestors of modern-day playing cards may be your way to discover true love, a better job or even the outcome of a political election.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A 78-card tarot deck

Instructions

1. Shuffle the tarot deck with a clear question in mind. The clearer the question, the more precise the answer. For example, avoid asking "yes" or "no" questions such as "Will I find my true love?" Instead, pose a question such as "What do I need to know or do to find my true love?"
2. Choose a tarot spread that is most appropriate for your question. A favorite spread for romance is the Lover's Pyramid, a spread with four cards on the bottom row, three on the second, two on the third and a single card on the top (just like a pyramid). Card position meanings on the bottom row are your hopes and fears, your lover's hopes and fears, challenges and outcome. Second row meanings are issues, obstacles and lessons to be learned. Third row meanings are your world and your lover's world. The card on the top row is meant to reveal your present situation.
3. After your deck is thoroughly shuffled, lay out the cards in each position of the spread. For the Lover's Pyramid, begin at the top and work your way down.
4. Turn over each card, beginning at the top of the spread. If the card is upside down, leave it that way. Reversed cards often indicate a timing issue--a delay of some kind.
5. Read the meaning of each card, either using a book or your own intuition. If you're unsure of a card's meaning, simply spend a little time looking at the card--even seeing yourself in the card. Note how the card makes you feel, or what emotions the card elicits.
6. Delve deeper into the reading by noting a predominance of any one suit or number. For example, if your Lover's Pyramid reading is filled with swords, that indicates a lot of mental stress--a lot of worry. If filled with cups, the reading is more about emotions and emotional issues.
7. Trust yourself. When reading the future, either for yourself or someone else, don't be afraid to say what comes first to your mind. That message is most often the most accurate.

Suit and Number Meanings of Tarot Cards

8. Cups are the suits of emotion and emotional issues. Astrologically, cups relate to the element of water.
9. Wands are the suit of spirit and creativity. Astrologically, wands relate to the element of fire.
10. Swords are the suit of the mind. Astrologically, swords relate to the element of air.
11. Pentacles are the suite of the physical (money, the body, possessions). Astrologically, pentacles relate to the element of earth.
12. The following are the numerical meanings of tarot cards:1-The self, pioneer2-Duality, partnership3-Creativity4-Building, foundations5-Change, travel6-Harmony, home7-Spirituality8-Karma9-Closure, resolution

Tips & Warnings

• Create spreads that are open-ended. For example, if you reach the end of a traditional spread and still don't feel like you have an answer, keep asking questions and drawing cards.
• If reading for another person, avoid giving medical diagnosis or advice, as this is considered by law as practicing medicine without a license.