How to read Tarot Cards

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I will open this tutorial on how to read tarot cards with a statement which you should never forget. Always remember that no one can teach you intuition. Whenever you read Tarot, use your own eyes to see, your own heart to feel and your own ears to listen.

The first thing I am going to tell you is throw away the instruction book on how to read tarot cards! There are millions of interpretations in one card alone. An instruction book will just provide you with a statement of what the card MIGHT mean. Use your own intuition. Study each card. What do you FEEL the card is saying to YOU?

Let’s begin!

History of the Tarot cards

Tarot dates back some 5000 years and initially comprised 22 cards called the Major Arcana. The Tarot is based on a form of Numerology and the twenty two cards represented the journey of an apprentice (The Fool) through various stages until he reached the end of his journey having acquired the full spiritual knowledge to become a Magi (The Magician). In later years, the French added a further 56 cards called the Minor Arcana in order to play the game of Tarot. The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana are divided into four suits: Wands, Coins, Swords and Cups. Most professional clairvoyants dismiss the Minor Arcana and only use the 22 cards of the Major Arcana.

Tarot spreads

An instruction book will tell you that there are several spreads:- Celtic Cross, Tree of Life etc. Again, my opinion is that you should ignore these and devise a spread which is personal to you!

Throughout my career I have always rebelled against regimentation. No two people are the same, we are all unique. No book can provide intuition. You must use your own!

Reading Tarot cards is all about sensing and feeling, not interpreting a card from a book! Professional clairvoyants use the Tarot as a focus and, during a reading, will seldom mention the card upon which they are focusing. Beware the reader who says, for example, “ I’ve got the King of Cups and it means…..” That reader is probably telling you something he has learned, rather than “sensed” or “felt” However, a professional might say “looking at the cards in front of me, I sense and feel ……..” which will prove he is a genuine clairvoyant.

Upside down or Reverse Tarot cards

The meaning of reverse cards depends upon the card and the reading. Suppose, for instance, that you are asking about a relationship and the spread of cards includes a man and a woman. One is the right way up, the other is reversed. This would indicate that the people concerned are going in the opposite direction.

Swords (Fire)
Assertion, drive, leadership, aggression, domination, quickness, power, stress, combat, yang.

Pentacles (Earth)
Steadiness, stability, support, practicality, materialism, money, inertia, common sense, yin.

Wands (Air)
Intellect, thought, ideas, communication, procrastination, variety, opinions, change of mind, travel.

Cups (Water)
Emotion, love, hate, sensitivity, loyalty, dependence, intensity, artistic talent, change of heart.

"Remember. Use your own heart to feel, your own eyes to see and your own ears to listen, because no one can teach you these things." Keith Ward

Keith Ward's Tarot Courses, one for beginners and one for experienced Tarot Readers (Tarot Master) are available through Stonebridge Associated College.