Personal Empowerment – Learning To Read The Tarot

Lilith
10 June 2009

This week we are going to be doing our own readings. Yes, you can do this! I am using the Tarot as an example, but there are many other forms of oracle reading, such as the I Ching, Numerology and Astrology that can also act as tools of empowerment in connecting us with our own wisdom.  

What do you need to do to prepare for a tarot reading? Find a deck that you can connect with – that draws you into it, and that you are comfortable with. If you choose not to read with reversals, then go through your deck and make sure that all cards are upright. If you inadvertently draw a card that is reversed, go ahead and turn it upright. This is your reading, and you set the rules.

Set aside enough time for you to do your reading, and to make notes on it. These notes can be on separate sheets of paper, in a three- ring notebook, or in any style of journal. You will want to note your overall impression of the cards, the definitions for each of the positions in the spread that you chose to use, and the cards that you drew.

Choose a space – indoor or outdoors – that is comfortable, and where you will not be disturbed. You can choose to play soft music in the background, burn incense, or light a candle or two. You may even want to have flowers present. You may also wish to place a cloth on the area that you will be using for a reading. The environment that you read in needs to be conducive to your feeling comfortable. Nothing is necessary except your cards, anything else that you bring in is your choice.

After you have entered your sacred reading space, you need to take a few moments to phrase your question. If you are reading for someone else, ask them to think about the question they wish to ask. Keep your questions short, and to the point. Try to stay away from asking two questions in one – such as “Will “T” be calling today, and will we be going out tonight?” Those are two separate questions. Also, try to stay away from questions about health, finances or legal advice, as these are areas best left to the professionals in these respective fields.

The reading should only concern those that are present, as they are able to give their consent to be read for. At times you may be reading about an issue concerning a third party – such as a spouse, parent, other family member, friend or co-worker of the Seeker. I would advise that you only do this in areas that are directly connected with the Seeker, and that you limit them as you see fit (or, better yet, choose not to read for those that are not present).

When you are ready to begin the reading, you need to decide who will be shuffling the cards. If you are reading for yourself, then you will be. If you are reading for someone else, you have the choice of doing the shuffling yourself, or asking the Seeker to do so. This is an area that is totally up to the reader. If you are doing the shuffling, and are reading for someone else, ask them to think about their question while you are shuffling. Otherwise, the Seeker is shuffling while they think about their question. (This is also the time that I call in my Guides and Higher Self, and the Guides and Higher Self for the Seeker, asking for guidance and protection during the reading.)


There is no predetermined time for shuffling (unless you as the reader determine that you want the Seeker to shuffle X amount of times) – the shuffling is done when the Seeker feels ready. When they stop shuffling, ask them to take the deck in their left hand, and divide it into three piles, left to right. (If the Seeker is left handed, ask them to do this with their right hand.) Pick the cards up n the following manner: place the center pile on top of the left hand pile, and that pile over the right hand pile.

You are now ready to place the cards in a Tarot spread. There are many spreads out there – and you are free to develop your own to fit the question that is asked. If you are a beginning reader, I would begin with three to five card spreads until I felt more comfortable. As you are placing the cards on the table, explain the positions to the Seeker. It is up to you whether you place the cards face up or face down. Some readers (myself included) like to place them face up so that they can get an overall feeling for the reading before beginning. Some readers prefer to place the cards face down, and explain them as they turn them up.

Remember – the Tarot is a story, and it will unfold of its own accord. It is less important to know the “exact” meaning of the cards than it is to connect with the images within them, and to relate them to each other. If a card comes up that is not clear, you may choose to draw a card termed a clarifier. This can be done, but I would not make a practice of it, and I would not draw more than one card.

Each week, we are going to hear from the voice of one of our oracle allies. This week we are visiting the Tarot, and speaking with the Ace of Wands. Aces are cards of potential – to activate the potential, we must put the energy to good use. The Ace of Wands refers to creative energy, and to our own will and determination. In a reading, it also refers to career. This Ace is asking us to access our own creative center, and to not be afraid to use our creativity in any and all ways that it comes to us. Imagination and creativity are what moves our lives, what keeps them from becoming stagnant. What doe you really want to create? What is stopping you?

Next week we will be doing a sample reading – stay tuned!

May your week be filled with joy and peace.

Best Wishes,
Lilith  

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