Instructions for Simple Tarot Card Reading
Tarot card readings have been used for centuries as an oracle of guidance, pointing the questioner to what advice his or her deepest self has to offer in regard to a question, concern or life situation. Tarot card spreads can be as simple as a one-card reading or as complex as the 10-card Celtic Cross. While tarot cards can be interpreted by an experienced reader, this five-card reading is simple enough for the average person to do his or her own reading.
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Things You'll Need
- Deck of tarot cards
- Guidebook of tarot card meanings
- Table or other flat surface
- Candle
Instructions
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Preparing to Read
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1
Set the deck in front of you and clear your mind. Light the candle and allow a question to form in your mind.
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2
Shuffle the card deck, concentrating upon the question. Once you feel you are "done" shuffling, fan the cards out on the table in front of you, face down.
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3
Select five cards, one by one, placing them in a row -- still face down -- in front of you on the table. Collect and set aside the unselected cards.
Reading the Cards
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4
Turn over the card in position one, at the far left of your spread. This card represents the past circumstances in your life that have led to your current question or situation. Find the meaning of this card in your guidebook, considering the interpretation in light of the past and its influence on your question.
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5
Turn over the card in position two, second from the left in your spread. This card represents the role that your own personality -- your habits, drives, ways of dealing with issues -- is playing on the circumstances surrounding your question or situation. Find the meaning of this card in your guidebook and consider how this meaning reflects your own nature.
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6
Turn over the card in position three, the middle card of your spread. This card represents the deeper aspects of your question, warning you of the fears and internal blocks that affect your ability to cope with the situation or find a solution to your question. Consult the guidebook about this card's meaning, considering how the card represents your own fearful or blocked aspects.
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7
Turn over the next to last card in your spread, card four. This card can be considered the "wild card" of your spread, as it will offer a surprising or illuminating point of view in regard to your question. As you read the meaning of this card in the guidebook, consider how this surprising information could change the way you are looking at your problem.
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8
Turn over the last card of the spread, the "outcome" card. This card offers you a course of action to follow for resolution of your question or problem and can often indicate action steps to be taken. As you consult the meaning of the card you have chosen as your outcome, consider how you might put the energy of this card into action to address the question or situation you have asked about.
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Tips & Warnings
Select a tarot card deck from the many available options whose symbols and images appeal to you.
Make sure that your card deck comes with a guidebook.
Don't expect the tarot cards to predict the future. Rather, use the cards to reveal hidden information about yourself.
References
Resources
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