Introduction to TarotBasic Tarot methods are easy to learn. Beginning techniques on reading layouts and card meanings are covered on this website, and a number of good books are available for in-depth information on various Tarot methods and areas of study. Although Tarot cards were generally associated with gypsies over the past few decades, and more recently adopted by those in the New Age movement, people of any background or spiritual belief system can use Tarot cards as a method of divination.
How Tarot cards work is a topic with many interpretations. Some claim the great number of people meditating on the cards and using them creates a collective energy around the cards. Others consider the cards to be tools of intuition, psychic phenomena, or a method of communication from spirit guides, among many other theories. Generally the cards are used in a "Tarot reading" or "psychic reading," where a reader will use intuition to select cards to lay on a table, then allow those cards to guide the reading, some using accepted card meanings and others relying on card imagery to guide psychic intuition or spirit communication. There is no need to be "psychic" to read Tarot successfully, or as some claim, everyone is psychic by nature and those innate skills become available with training. Using very little intuition, the cards seem to work by themselves, especially when card definitions and layouts are interpreted correctly. This topic will be detailed in the page on creating and reading spreads and layouts.
The Cards
Standard Tarot decks have 78 cards. Their meanings will be detailed on the page on card meanings. The Rider-Waite deck (designed by Pamela Colman Smith in the early 1900s) is considered to be the standard in the U.S. The best readers I've had use their old Rider-Waite decks, showing that there is no pressing need to buy several decks at the outset. Several authors recommend that new readers learn on the Rider-Waite deck, then branch out to look for other decks later, if desired. The Rider-Waite deck has a cryptic, somewhat mysterious look to it, but most of the cards aren't particularly attractive. I prefer to read with decks having artistic pictures, because I feel it's more enjoyable for people to see their reading coming from beautiful cards, and it's easier for seekers to rest their eyes on attractive cards while I read for them.
Spreads or Layouts
In addition to meanings of individual Tarot cards, card placement also has interpretive meaning. During a reading, cards are laid in different "spreads," also called "layouts," where the position of each card has meaning. The most common layout is the Celtic Cross. I cover one varation of the Celtic Cross layout in the page on spreads. For example, the first card drawn in the Celtic Cross spread, placed in the center of the cross, represents the seeker (the person who is the subject of the reading, namely the person receiving the reading). This card gives insight into certain attributes of the seeker, especially those related to the topic of the spread. The final card in the celtic cross spread, usually the tenth card, represents the outcome or answer to the seeker's question.
Readings
The term "reading" is used for many different techniques, such as "palm reading," "psychic reading," "astrology reading," "numerology reading," and so on. Tarot readings involve the intrepretation of Tarot cards in a somewhat structured setting. Generally one person, called the "reader," lays Tarot cards on a table and interprets their meanings. One or two people (such as a couple), called the "seeker(s)" or "querent(s)," are seeking insights from the reader through interpretation of the cards. When reading for the self, the reader and the seeker are the same person.
The "reader" must know card layouts and meanings, although experienced readers sometimes create their own layouts or add their own insights to card meanings. Most readers charge a fee for their time and service. Some readers try to create a certain ambience, for example with candles in a dark room. However, privacy is probably the most important comfort factor, as querents need to feel at ease discussing their personal issues.
Every reader develops personal techniques and preferences over time. Numerous books have been written on the Tarot, and it is important to explore different techniques to decide which work best for each reader and his or her own special circumstances. Two techniques are especially important in giving a good reading -- intent and concentration. The reader should have strong intent while concentrating on the seeker and his or her question(s). Concentration is often the difference between a good reading and an amazing reading. Additional meditation on individual cards and developing at least some psychic skill can also help with interpretations for individual readings.
Ethics
Readers are faced with a number of ethical issues. The first is some sort of disclaimer for the reading. Most people take Tarot readings seriously, but even good readers aren't always 100% accurate. One very experienced reader told me that he has observed most readings are usually about 85% accurate. Querents also need to remember to base life decisions on real events and experiences, and that although Tarot readings can offer guidance, they are not a replacement for responsible decision-making. I think that it's best to offer some sort of disclaimer, so that people remember to enjoy the reading but not rely on it as a replacement for their own best judgment.
Another issue is bad news. Some readers won't tell a seeker if a serious misfortune is represented in the cards, for example a future divorce or death. One card that can represent physical death (among other things, like victory or a clean break with the past) is the Ace of Swords. I am always honest about bad news, but every card has multiple meanings, and the worst possible meaning isn't necessarily the correct one. In the case of the Ace of Swords, death is one of its several possible meanings, but if it does represent a death then it probably isn't the seekers' death -- it could simply be a death that impacts their life or the issue at hand. One seeker did have a friend die a few months after the Ace of Swords appeared in her future cards, but so far I have never had a seeker personally die after the Ace of Swords appeared in his or her future cards.
One of the toughest ethical issues to deal with is obsession. Some seekers are emotionally vulnerable due to current misfortunes, for example financial problems, unstable romantic relations, or a serious disease. Some readers are fine with performing frequent readings if asked, even though it's probably more than most seekers could afford and frequent readings would do them little good. In the case of reading requests that are much too frequent, it is perfectly acceptable to limit the seeker to once every few weeks, once a month, or even drop the seeker entirely if the reader doesn't feel comfortable with the situation. One reader told me that she hated to sell pendulums to people, because often the buyer would be someone obsessed with a romantic breakup, and ask the question "Does he love me?" over and over again. Sometimes the guidance Tarot can offer is simply not enough, and it is best to encourage the seeker to find other ways of dealing with his or her problems.
Finally, another major problem lies with unethical businesses and their advertising. One young reader told me why she won't call 900 numbers for Tarot or psychic advice. A friend of hers was hired at a low-paying job for one of the big psychic 900 numbers. He and other trainees were all promptly provided with a written sheet of what to tell callers. It was all pre-fabricated and staged, nothing was psychic at all. So her friend quit the job, feeling like a fraud. A more prominent case of false advertising occurred a few years ago. Television commercials led people to believe that a psychic, "Miss Cleo," was highly accurate with callers on whether their spouses were cheating, who the real father of a caller's child was, etc. A subsequent lawsuit later revealed that Miss Cleo was an actress, not a psychic, Cleo wasn't her real name, and even her Jamaican accent was faked (she's American). Unfortunately, this is all too common with entertainment businesses using Tarot and "psychics" as just another money-making business. Obviously, false advertising and faked readings are a major ethics problem in this field. It serves to discredit those who actually take the time and effort to learn Tarot divination techniques.
Genuine readers lose business to these huge money-making operations, although the big companies do help advertise Tarot readings in general. For those seeking a good reading, it's best to find readers with a good reputation among their clients. And by good reputation, I don't mean a 900 number that informed your friend the perfect man is just around the corner, she'll win the lottery next week, and she was a queen in a past life... In essence, be cautious of entertainment operations with unbelievable claims and high-pressure tactics. Even genuine readers must be careful not to engage in misleading claims about their services.
Questions? Viewing problems? Contact info@readtarot.com
Back to the top
Back to the Read Tarot home page
© 2003, 2005 by ReadTarot.com