#learn tarot

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While Tarot cards can provide insights and guidance on a situation, predicting precise timing can be difficult as the Tarot operates on a more intuitive and spiritual level rather than a literal timeframe.

It's important to remember that Tarot readings are meant to provide guidance, not concrete predictions. Trust in the process and allow the messages from the cards to unfold in their own time.

If timing is a crucial aspect of your question, consider seeking additional clarification from the cards or a professional Tarot reader.

Traditional tarot timing correspondences

WANDS - rapid action(hours to days), noon and spring

SWORDS - quick but not as fast as wands(days to weeks), morning and spring

CUPS - somehow slow( weeks to months), evening and autumn

PENTACLES - the slowest of all(months to years), midnight and winter

Note: If you want me to create a deck regarding timing feel free to send me an ask!

Tarot 101 : Bonding Explained

Welcome to Tarot 101 with Astrid! This is part 4 of my series; if you haven’t read the previous ones you can find them here: part 1, part 2, part 3.

c o n t e n t s

What does it mean to Bond with Your Tarot Deck?

Why is it important?

Benefits

How to get started

Casual Bonding

What does it mean to Bond with your Tarot Deck?

So you might have heard other witches/practitioners talk about bonding with their deck— or how you should bond with your deck as soon as you get a new one— while it may sound silly to some, it might just raise a lot more questions for others. Like What does bonding actually mean?

Bonding with your tarot deck is not like a binding spell, you do not join together and become one, with your deck.

Nor is it a ritual or a spell you cast that creates a magical contract between you two, instead it’s actually super simple.

When we talk about bonding with your tarot deck, we mean bonding in the mundane sense.

It’s forming a platonic relationship with your deck. Getting to know your deck’s personality, preferences, strengths and limitations, and what lessons it can provide for you, and more.

In turn, your deck gets to know you too. It learns your energy, your personality, your character, your anxieties and where you feel confident in, and so much more.

Why is it Important?

“Important” may be objective. Bonding with a deck can be the most important thing one practitioner does, and it could be a lost thought, never done, by another practitioner.

Its importance lies in your practice, and in your beliefs.

If you’ve read part 3 of my tarot 101 series, you know that who answers your questions while reading tarot is entirely up to your preference and beliefs. If you choose to read solely based on your intuition, no spirits required, then bonding with your deck doesn’t carry the same weight of importance as say, using your deck as a vessel for other spirits to communicate to you through.

Bonding with your deck, however, can still have its benefits even if you only use your intuition to answer in readings.

I’ll share some of the benefits of both divining from spirits and divining from intuition alone, and you can decide if it’s something you deem important for your practice.

Benefits

divining from intuition

1. it’ll allow familiarity with the imagery

giving you time to look at the cards and see details in the artwork can help you read better

2. gives you time to associate some cards with different meanings

with time and practice, asking random or different questions can actually provide deeper insight and new ideas to what a card means or says

3. you’ll understand how the deck likes to work

some decks give straight answers, some beat around the bush, others strictly speak to you differently than they do to other practitioners. Even if you aren’t an animist, decks have different ways of operating, bonding will help you get a feel for how a particular deck works

4. it’ll build confidence in your personal and professional readings

taking time to bond with your deck during casual readings can help you hear your intuition better, faster, easier, and raise your confidence for other readings that do matter

5. helps you take divination (and life) less seriously

which helps if you have anxiety or trouble with feeling a lack of control in life. Basically bonding helps you feel more connected to spirituality and that helps you feel more at peace with how life happens, and helps you understand that the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders if you get the answer wrong

divining from spirits (including your deck)

~ all of the above benefits plus these ~

1. helps differentiate who’s answering a question

when you know what the deck sounds like, you can tell when another spirit speaks or uses the deck to answer, because it’ll move differently. This is really useful during channeling sessions

2. helps you identify imposter/trickster spirits

understanding what the deck sounds like, how it moves, how it works, how it speaks to you, will help you know if it’s the deck itself or another spirit speaking, which is helpful after cleansing the deck after a channeling session to verify that the deck is fully cleansed and there’s no other spirit lingering on it.

3. feel a deeper connection to tarot

spending more time with tarot decks and asking random or silly questions opens up a whole new world of intuition where you can hear more, see more, and feel more. Tarot will start looking different to you, it’ll no longer be this simple set of cards, or this out of reach, scary tool, but it’ll feel like your best friend, it’ll become a key that you use to unlock secrets and truths and you’ll feel like you’re one with the deck (but don’t worry you aren’t merging with it and nothing scary is actually happening)

4. feel a deeper connection to spirituality and the universe

bonding with your deck creates an environment of everyday magic, casual magic, and that’s when the universe opens up more to you, showing magic to you in everyday things and you’ll feel more connected to everything around you

5. gain more insight into esoteric knowledge

a lot of the things that i know about the universe, fate, free will, and spirituality actually comes from me bonding with my tarot decks and asking random questions. Spirits love dishing out the tea of what’s really going on behind the veil, partly because they enjoy sharing their knowledge, and they also find it fun to shatter our view of things to give us the truth, some spirits are big fans of tower moments lol and they love causing them if we ask for truths

6. your deck knows how to answer you clearly

the more you bond with your tarot deck, the more it learns how to answer you in a way you understand clearly. if you regularly need to pull clarity cards, it’ll learn how you think and how you see the cards, and it’ll help you understand the answer by giving you cards that you’ll immediately relate to the answer, instead of needing to ask more questions or pull more clarity cards. It learns how to talk to you, and how you best receive answers.

How to get Started?

There’s a lot of ways you can bond with decks and it’s super easy to get started!

I’ll share how I bond with my decks, as well as other ways too, and you can pick what you’d like to do and how you want to start. Just find which of these calls out to you 🤍

What I Do:

Personally, the first thing I do when I get a new deck is cleanse it and charge it with its own energy. This way it’s fully itself and there aren’t any conflicting energies like “love and light” or my own energy to throw off the deck’s own unique energy. I like to make sure I’m getting to know the deck itself.

Then to start bonding, I introduce myself to them.

I tell them my name, Astrid, who I am, a witch and tarot reader. I give them a little background about me, how i became a witch. Just the basics, whatever I can fit into a 15-30second monologue. I do this so they know a little about me and they’re more receptive to answering my questions about them. I treat it like our initial ice breaker.

Then, I get into a small reading. I call this an ice breaker reading, because it’s 10 questions total, split into 2 small readings with about 3-5 questions and then I thank the deck and put it away.

I like to do a small reading for our ice breaker because I don’t want to overwhelm myself or the deck with a lot of questions upon first opening the box. So I start with about 3 to 5 questions and then put them away until the next day and then ask some more. This is because I treat it like any new relationship, you test the waters first, give you both time to process and feel the energy between you and let the friendship build naturally, slowly, over time.

My Ice Breaker Questions:

These are the first 10 questions I choose from to ask, in order of most likely to ask first:

1. How are you feeling right now?

~ They usually tell me how they felt abandoned, lost or hopeless sitting in the warehouse/store waiting for someone to buy them. Then how relieved they are that I bought them, and then their hopes and dreams for us working together. If they don’t share their hopes and dreams I ask them later.

2. What would you like to tell me about yourself? (or simply “tell me about yourself?”

~ this is my favorite question because it covers so much and depending on how comfortable they are with you, they could tell you sooo much about themselves in this one question!

3. How would you identify yourself energy wise, are you more feminine, masculine, or balanced in both?

~ I like asking this question because it gives me a clear idea of the deck’s energy. Pretty much every time I get a new deck I can tell right away if they’re leaning into one gender binary or if they’re balanced, but I like to get their assessment of who they are so I can better find a name that fits them.

4. Would you like a name that is more feminine, masculine, or nonbinary?

~ again, this just helps me narrow down the choices for their name list for them to choose from later.

5. What would you like to tell me right now? It could be about anything

~ this is like a warm up for both of us, to see how we do with a normal tarot reading question and see how we work together to get to the answer.

This is usually where I stop, I thank them for sharing with me, and I let them know I’ll let us both rest and we can talk again later. I’ll put them away and the next day or a couple days later I’ll come back and ask the other questions.

6. Why did you want to be a tarot deck?

~ this gives a lot of insight into their personality, morals, ethics, the way they view the world, the divine, the esoteric, and humans.

7. What kind of readings do you prefer doing?

~ this lets me know their preferences and I’ll learn more about their personality through their answer.

8. What kind of readings do you hate doing?

~ same thing as above, but this gives me a clear boundary for what readings I’ll do my best to avoid doing with them.

9. How do you feel about being used as a vessel for other spirits to speak through you during readings?

~ this is a big deal for me, I never want my decks to feel uncomfortable or silenced so I make sure they are happy or at least content with being used in channeled readings and if they aren’t, I use them for regular readings only.

10. What else would you like to tell me about yourself?

~ I like revisiting this question because we’ve gotten to know each other a little more and they usually feel more comfortable sharing more around this time, or they give really good advice for a situation I wasn’t even thinking of at the moment.

That’s all for the ice breaker reading. After that, it’s free range. I can ask them about anything and everything I can dive deep i can get personal, I can get random and silly because it just feels comfortable between us already.

These are the other questions I like to ask:

How would you describe yourself?

How do you view yourself?

How would you wish for me to view you?

What card would you use to represent you? / What card do you think best represents you and your energy?

How do you view me?

What card do you think best represents me and my energy?

What cards are your favorite because of the art work?

What cards are your favorite because of their meaning?

What cards do you hate/ or not like, because of the art work?

What cards do you hate/ or not like, because of their meaning?

Follow up questions to those:

What do/don’t you like about the art work?

Why do/don’t you like these cards?

What does this card mean to you?

Then later I like to ask silly questions, I can make another mini post about silly questions to ask your tarot and oracle decks, but right now I’ll keep this one post short.

casual bonding

After the interview portion of bonding I like to bond in a more casual way.

Here are some casual ways to bond with your deck:

take them with you when you leave the house, for errands, in your purse or in a backpack.

~ Just being around them and them going on adventures with me makes us feel closer to each other.

get them out of their box, and let them sit or shuffle them while you listen to some music together

let them sit beside you or shuffle them while you watch a movie/tv show together

talk to them when you walk past them on their shelf or wherever you keep them

~ like a casual hi, or tell them a story of what happened just before you got home. basically treat them like a roommate.

other ways to bond

Name them

~ I like letting them pick their name so i’ll gather information around what name they’d like and then brainstorm a list of names for them and then do tarot readings with them on how they like each name until we find their perfect match.

sleep with them under your pillow, or beside you on the night stand

journal with your deck next to you

journal and ask your deck for insight on what you’re feeling, not seeing clearly, give you advice on your day ahead, etc.

pick one card in the morning of every day

~ to either, represent the energy for your day, to give you an energy to focus on during the day, to be a card you’ll learn about for the day, or for any reason, etc.

make a music playlist for your deck by letting it pick of the songs with yes or no answers

play the playlist while you do readings

shuffle the deck whenever you feel anxious, let the shuffling be a grounding technique for you

meditate with your deck

spend time looking at the art work on the cards, finding details that speak to you

take them on a nature walk or walk around your neighborhood with them

give them a special space in your room or on your altar

give them a crystal or charm that is theirs only, like a cute little companion and a gift

make art of your favorite cards in their deck

take pictures of the deck, a cute lil photoshoot to make them feel special and unlock your creativity in taking photos of them

ask them what music they like and don’t like

ask them what they thought about the movie/tv show episode

Long story short, however you wanna bond with your deck, you can, just please be respectful to them. I’ve seen so many people cut up tarot decks just to prove a point to themselves that tarot isn’t some scary object to be terrified of, and yes while nothing bad will happen to you if you cut up or damage a tarot deck… it’s so incredibly rude and heartbreaking to be treated that way. Please at least treat them with compassion even if you don’t believe they have a soul attached to them.

The next post is on how to ask questions and then after that we’ll dive into the meanings of each card and suit and how to read tarot 🤍

If you have any questions or want me to elaborate on something in this post please reach out, either with my asks “Owl Desk”, comments or DMs.

💌 i m p o r t a n t n o t e 💌

I will never message you first asking for money or about booking tarot readings with me, so please be mindful of impersonators!

You can only Book a Reading with me through my Etsy Shop and my Ko~Fi Shop and I only have one of each, all linked here.

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ONE

The Leader

Numerology Meaning:

The number 1 is about initiation, originality, and stepping out into the world with purpose. As the first step out of infinite potential (zero), 1 stands alone, symbolizing individual identity, willpower, and the courage to create. Historically, 1 is the mark of primal force—the singular essence from which everything flows. In numerology, it’s the energetic core of independence, ambition, and the spark to innovate.

Tarot Perspective:

In the Tarot’s pip cards, the Aces of each suit carry this singular, potent energy. They represent pure forms of the suit’s element—raw potential that holds all possibilities within it, waiting to be expressed. Just as 1 represents an unshaped force, each Ace is a pure idea, whether in action (Wands), emotions (Cups), intellect (Swords), or physicality (Pentacles). These Aces invite us to seize opportunities with confidence and be bold in our pursuits.

TWO

The Diplomat

Numerology Meaning:

The number 2 brings balance, harmony, and relational awareness. It’s about duality—the first reflection, the dance between two forces, and the desire for unity and partnership. Historically, 2 has symbolized the divine feminine, yin energy, and the space of receptivity. It’s a number of gentle strength, peacekeeping, and the intuitive drive to connect.

Tarot Perspective:

In the pip cards, the Twos depict the ways we connect, reflect, and balance in each element. Whether it’s a decision (Swords), a new partnership or harmony in emotions (Cups), steady progress in material pursuits (Pentacles), or a balancing act in action (Wands), the Twos reveal how we respond to relationships and decisions. Like the number 2, these cards emphasize the quiet strength in collaboration and the subtle wisdom of patience and timing.

THREE

The Creator

Numerology Meaning:

The number 3 is a dynamic, expressive force of creativity and expansion. It’s the fusion of the initial two energies (1 and 2) into a creative whole, representing communication, growth, and joyful expression. Historically, 3 is connected to the principles of birth and development, a number that thrives in social and creative environments, promoting joy and fertility.

Tarot Perspective:

The Threes in the pip cards embody this energy of creation and growth. In Wands, it’s the first steps toward actualizing dreams; in Cups, it’s celebration and community; in Swords, it’s the understanding gained through pain or loss; in Pentacles, it’s teamwork and craftsmanship. Each suit shows how 3 encourages us to move beyond ourselves, combining effort with passion to shape something new.

FOUR

The Foundation

Numerology Meaning:

4 represents stability, structure, and reliability. In numerology, it’s associated with the four elements, directions, and seasons—grounding forces that bring order to life. 4 is practical, focused, and foundational, favoring systems, organization, and discipline.

Tarot Perspective:

The Fours in the pip cards manifest as the foundational aspects of each suit. In Wands, it’s the grounding of achievements; in Cups, it’s emotional stability or contemplation; in Swords, it’s rest and mental recovery; in Pentacles, it’s financial stability or holding on to resources. These cards show how 4’s stability brings a solid base to each element, though it sometimes carries a sense of inertia, requiring a conscious effort to move forward.

FIVE

The Adventurer

Numerology Meaning:

5 is the number of freedom, movement, and change. It introduces the unpredictable, challenging us to adapt and expand our horizons. Historically, 5 symbolizes humanity’s sensory experiences and the drive to explore. It thrives on energy, pushing limits, and living in a space of constant discovery and sometimes disruption.

Tarot Perspective:

The Fives in the pip cards embody this restless and sometimes chaotic energy. They represent conflict (Wands), emotional hardship (Cups), mental challenges (Swords), and financial strain or material lack (Pentacles). Each Five brings tension or discomfort, urging us to confront, question, and adapt. In this way, they reflect 5’s adventurous yet unpredictable spirit, which, while challenging, drives growth and resilience.

SIX

The Nurturer

Numerology Meaning:

6 is harmony, nurturing, and responsibility. It reflects compassion, community, and a balanced home life, often associated with service and love. Historically, 6 has been seen as the number of perfection and balance, promoting healing and relationships.

Tarot Perspective:

The Sixes in the pip cards capture themes of restoration and connection. Wands shows victory and public recognition, Cups delves into nostalgia and shared memories, Swords highlights journeys and transitions, and Pentacles reveals generosity and material support. These cards express 6’s nurturing energy, reminding us to cultivate harmony, support others, and seek peace within and around us.

SEVEN

The Seeker

Numerology Meaning:

7 is introspective, spiritual, and analytical. It represents the quest for deeper understanding and the mysteries of life. Historically revered as a sacred number, 7 embodies wisdom, inner strength, and a desire to understand the hidden truths.

Tarot Perspective:

In the pip cards, the Sevens show moments of introspection and the need to go beyond the surface. The Wands reflect perseverance despite challenges; the Cups present illusions and choices; the Swords show cunning or strategic thinking; the Pentacles emphasize patience and evaluation. Each suit’s Seven prompts us to dig deeper, calling for self-reflection, and urging us to align with our own truth.

EIGHT

The Achiever

Numerology Meaning:

8 is the number of material mastery, strength, and accomplishment. It’s associated with abundance, power, and the balancing of spiritual and material realms. Historically, 8 reflects infinity and the natural cycles of life, emphasizing responsibility and resilience.

Tarot Perspective:

The Eights in the pip cards reveal how each element achieves mastery and balance. In Wands, it’s momentum and fast-moving energy; in Cups, it’s emotional resilience and the courage to leave behind what doesn’t serve; in Swords, it’s mental entrapment that requires strength to overcome; in Pentacles, it’s diligent, focused work. These cards embody 8’s ambitious and disciplined energy, showing how mastery demands persistence and often involves sacrifice.

NINE

The Humanitarian

Numerology Meaning:

9 represents universal love, wisdom, and completion. It carries a sense of fulfillment, reflection, and the giving back of one’s learned insights to others. Historically, 9 has been seen as the number of the elder and the humanitarian, encouraging selflessness and empathy.

Tarot Perspective:

In the pip cards, the Nines reflect both the challenges and fulfillment of completion. Wands depict resilience despite near exhaustion; Cups offer emotional satisfaction and wishes fulfilled; Swords show anxiety and worry; Pentacles celebrate material success and independence. The Nines hold 9’s humanitarian spirit, reminding us to connect deeply with our experiences, learning and growing as we prepare to move forward.

TEN

The Whole

Numerology Meaning:

10 is a number of fulfillment, closure, and the start of a new cycle. It represents both the ending and beginning, incorporating the dynamism of 1 with the boundless nature of 0. Historically, 10 has been the number of the “great wheel,” symbolizing the completion of journeys.

Tarot Perspective:

This post requires a disclaimer: These steps, suggestions, warnings, and bits of advice are based largely on personal experience. Tarot and other forms of divination are extremely diverse practices. Please do not take this post as a definitive work or point of authority. You should read widely, study your own cards, do the work of practicing with divination, and think about your wants and needs on your own before wholly subscribing to any method.

Okay, disclaimer done! Let's talk tarot.

When you're just getting into tarot for divination purposes, it's really daunting. 78 cards to memorize -- and then you have to memorize them upside-down? And then you have to figure out how they fit together when they're drawn. And then there's the task of making it make sense. There's a lot to learn and a lot of sources to draw from, often with different or conflicting advice.

I get questions from time to time about how to get started or how to get better, so here you are: my hat in the ring with ideas to get you started reading tarot.

I'm dividing this post up into sections that represent steps to dipping your toes into tarot reading. This is an extremely basic overview for total beginners.

Step 1: Picking a Deck

First things first, you gotta pick your tool. Digital decks or tarot apps are fine to use if you don't have the money for a physical deck, but I would suggest avoiding their generative AI features. You want to learn and think for yourself, not rely on a bot to do your thinking for you.

My suggestion is to choose a deck that you think you'd like to use. You're going to be looking at this thing a lot, so it's important that you're not forcing yourself to use a deck you dislike. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is a classic; a lot of sites and posts you find online use it as the primary reference for their guides. For your first deck, I'd probably suggest going with something that isn't super abstract. I would also personally suggest getting a deck with full art on all cards, not what's called a pip deck (a deck where the Minor Arcana cards just have a representation of the suit, sort of like a deck of playing cards).

Basically, pick one that you like and that makes sense to you, art-wise. It doesn't have to be purchased for you unless that's a tradition you want to adhere to. It's not universal.

Step 2: Pull 'Em Out and Look at 'Em

What you're going to do is sit down in front of a flat surface with a notebook and writing implement (or your preferred writing program, or a loose piece of paper, or whatever). Pull the deck out of its box. The deck will probably come with a booklet, which is sometimes referred to as a "little white book" or "LWB." Give it a skim if you want, but otherwise, set the booklet aside.

Don't shuffle or mix the cards up yet. Flip them over and get a good look at the art. Just kind of admire them for a minute and get a basic gist of their style and themes.

Once you get to the end, do it again, this time slower. In your notebook, jot down the name of the card and your immediate thoughts. Observations about the card's art, the figures in it, features in the background, the way it makes you feel, that sort of thing. You're not doing analysis at this point, you're getting a first impression of the cards.

Once you get to the end, do it again, this time even slower. Now, analyze. Think about color theory: Why is the sky yellow, why is this figure's hair black, why are those flowers red? What could the symbolism mean? If there are actual symbols, what do they mean? Look them up if you need to or jot them down for future research. Consider where your eye is drawn on the art and why. What do you think the figures could represent? This is where you're analyzing the card's art. Really take your time here. Do it in several sessions if you have to.

You're attempting to guess the meaning of the card, yes, but you're also applying your personal experiences to the card in front of you. In doing this, you're already creating your own unique lens through which you will eventually divine from these cards.

It's extremely cool.

Okay, so now, you've got your upright card meanings… now, do all of these steps upside down. You can do this at the same time as the upright meanings or do it afterwards. Either is fine based on your preferences. I don't think it makes much of a difference.

After you've got your analysis all written out, now go look at the book. Compare your notes to the "official" meanings. If something is different, consider why that is. Did you misinterpret the art, or do you just have a different perspective? It's up to you whether you want to use the booklet's definitions or your own -- or blend them together into a beautiful combination.

I am strictly anti-memorization when it comes to tarot cards. I'm of the opinion that you get a more powerful understanding within a reading when you're interpreting the art in front of you with your own mind rather than someone else's definitions of what "should" be correct. Plus, using this method means you don't have to feel bad about forgetting the "official" meaning of a card. It gives more flexibility to the reader to interpret, which does have its downsides (twisting meanings to a desired outcome being the foremost issue).

Of course, this is entirely subjective. I've met diviners who do excellent work by reading directly from their decks' booklets, so your mileage may vary.

Additional reading: This excellent post by @windvexer answering a question about memorizing card meanings and an alternate method for learning them.

Step 3: Blending Multiple Cards' Meanings

Okay, so you've got your deck -- check. You've done your analysis of each card -- check.

Now, sit down with your deck and notes, and draw pairs or trios. Take note of their individual meanings. Consider what the cards have in common and how they oppose each other. How are they interacting?

If two cards have similar meanings, it could be a harmonious pairing that strengthens that particular meaning. And if that's the case, does that aspect of the cards overshadow everything else the cards could mean? Or are there additional meanings in the background?

On the other hand, if the cards are strong opposites, it suggests conflict between the two, or perhaps an imbalance between their aspects. Does one card seem to dominate over the other, or are they in a stalemate? For example, a Major Arcana card typically "feels" stronger than a Minor Arcana card, and it may overshadow the Minor's meaning; whereas two Major Arcana cards would typically be an "even match," so to speak.

A pair could match well in one way but conflict in another; it's important to think in layers, too. Consider the different ways the cards fit together -- your first impression probably isn't the only possibility.

Repeat this a handful of times until it starts feeling natural.

Step 4: Asking Questions

As it does start feeling natural, try sprinkling in questions. This is where you're going to start applying those card meanings to material situations.

Go for things you'll be able to answer in a short period of time or even immediately. I would strongly suggest writing down all of your tarot readings, including and especially the ones that end up being incorrect. Jot down the cards you drew, what their assigned meanings are, and how they could apply to the situation at hand. Make a prediction if you're feeling bold.

A personal favorite is drawing a couple cards before watching a movie -- avoid all spoilers and go in without prior knowledge, do a quick reading about how the story will develop or even end, and then enjoy the movie. Come back to the reading to see what you got right, what you got wrong, and what you may have misinterpreted with hindsight. Write down those thoughts, too; they're important.

Don't worry if the meanings of the cards shift or morph as you practice. That's normal!

If you find that your answers are routinely incorrect or that you're consistently misinterpreting cards, that's also normal when you're getting started. Consider this ask I answered awhile ago about being wrong in divination. I also wrote a post about troubleshooting divination that might come in handy, but the gist is to consider:

Are you anticipating a particular answer before you draw cards?: Personal feelings, hopes for a particular answer, and fears surrounding a situation can skew your reading results. This happens to even experienced diviners! Don't be discouraged about it. Take note of your biases before drawing the cards and then account for them in the reading -- and learn when to ask someone else for a reading if it turns out you're just too close to get an accurate answer.

Is the question you're asking phrased well? (For example, are you asking a yes/no question when an open-ended question would do better?): Learning how to phrase a question for divination is, in my opinion, just as important as learning card meanings. Some tools aren't suited for certain types of questions. And, remember, watch your phrasing when it comes to fishing for answers. You're likely to get the answer you're looking for, not the one that's truest.

Are you struggling to apply cards' assigned meanings to the situation at hand?: This is, I think, the hardest part to learn. Especially when a card doesn't seem to match the question at all! Part of the issue may be getting too specific or fishing for answers with your questions; be a little more general and see if it helps while you're practicing. If this is a consistent problem, I would suggest returning to your notes. Jot down categories of questions like "love," "career," "knowledge," "happiness," "barriers," and anything else that comes to mind. Write out how each card might apply in each category, and don't skip any -- especially the ones that don't "match."

Are you struggling to get into the "right headspace" for divination?: Try moving to a new location. Light some candles or incense if you like them. Set out a nice cloth. Have a cup of tea. Do a little incantation to set the mood. Sometimes, a little theatricality is all you need. Check in with yourself about your physical and emotional needs, too: Are you hungry, tired, thirsty, upset? Prep for divination by doing a little self care and see if it helps.

Step 5: Practice with Others

You've done some questions for yourself, divined about movies and TV shows, done a little troubleshooting, and you're feeling more confident about the card meanings! Now, take what you know and ask someone else if they'd let you practice on them.

This can be a really daunting thing. I mean, what if you're wrong?? What do you do then??? First of all, no one gets angry at a beginner for being off unless you're pretending to be all-knowing and perfectly accurate (don't do that). Second of all, if they do get angry, they're the asshole here, not you.

I would suggest reading for either people you know and trust or within a community of people who are also diviners/magical practitioners. Ideally both! Discord servers are really good for this sort of thing. Or, if you prefer, you can make a post on your social media/forum of choice asking for guinea pigs.

The key here is to be honest about being a beginner and wanting practice. Ask for feedback. Some folks require it, but that's a personal preference. Do them as publicly-posted asks or in DMs, whichever is most comfortable.

Set rules. Decide what kinds of questions you will and won't answer. Make your boundaries clear and then enforce them. Ideally, choose questions you've practiced with already or go for general readings, at least at first. Branch out as you get more comfortable.

When you ask for feedback, make sure your querents know they're allowed to say negative things about the reading. They should say whether something was wrong, didn't make sense, didn't apply, or could be improved somehow. Take praise with humility and critique with grace. It's part of getting better.

If you're not sure how to put a practice request out into the world, see what others are doing. Check out experienced diviners' posts offering readings. Heck, look at other beginners'. Read through their rules. See how they do their readings. Don't lift their style or their words wholesale, but it's okay to borrow aspects you find appealing or that you think would suit you. Be inspired.

Step 6: Keep Doing It

Tarot is like any other skill. To get good at it, you have to practice. You have to stretch your muscles. It's not enough to just think about it or wish you could be better at it. You have to pick up the cards and draw them.

Over time, you'll develop a style that's unique to you. You'll discover your strengths and how to leverage them to the best possible result. You'll learn your weaknesses and how to account for or improve them.

Remember that your style of divination doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Keep practicing, take notes, learn from your mistakes. And then, y'know, keep doing it.

Step X: Caveats

A list of caveats, disclaimers, and reminders, because there's nuance in them there hills:

You do not ever have to read for other people if you don't want to.

Anyone can learn tarot. You do not have to have a "gift" to learn how to read tarot cards or perform other divination.

On the other hand, some people will have an easier time learning tarot than others. It's the same as having an affinity for math or reading quickly without effort or having a naturally muscular physique. If you have a natural inclination for tarot, that's wonderful! Don't let it go to your head.

And on one more hand, there are some people who will never "master" tarot. For some folks, it just doesn't mesh. To them, I suggest trying different tools. If tarot doesn't work for whatever reason and you really want a divination tool, try runes, pendulums, scrying, playing cards, casting lots, bone throwing… There are tons of tools and methods out there. Tarot is popular, but it doesn't have to be for everyone.

Some folks read clearly for themselves and not others. Some folks read clearly for others but not themselves. You'll have to practice to see which you are.

My method is very thorough, meticulous, and most certainly not for everyone. You may find more success in memorizing the guidebook that came with your deck than interpreting the art without it. Do what works for you, etc., so on, so forth

The most required disclaimer to this entire thing is that I learned tarot with a spirit's assistance. I used a version of these steps while I was learning, but it was a very different experience. It was a deal that I made when I was ~19 years old and definitely didn't understand what I was getting into. Asking for help from spirits, especially ones you know already, is both enriching and convenient. Consider it as an option, just… y'know, maybe no pacts until you know what you're getting into. Or do what you want, I'm not your dad.

Step Shilling: Shilling

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Thanks for reading! Extra thoughts and questions are always welcome in the reblogs, replies, or in my askbox.

Tarot cards are an excellent tool for self reflection and growth! You don’t have to use it in any religious way. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when pulling a card:

What is something I can learn from this card?

What do I feel when I look at this card?

Take a deep breath. Which image can you imagine stepping into or embodying with ease? If there’s more than one, that’s okay too. Once you choose your pile, look at the images of the cards and note keywords or phrases that come to mind, be interactive with your reading - make it your very own.

This is general, please only take what resonates and leave the rest. My intention is for these messages to bring comfort, healing, and growth.

Images for choosing are not my own - all rights to the owner.

Decks Used: Pulp Tarot, Celebrity Spirit Oracle

Masterlist to come...

Bite sized meaning of the tarot cards through:

The fool's journey!

[Major arcana]

The fool- an inexperienced yet optimistic little man starting his brand new journey

Magician- The connection between the divine and physical, the manifestor

High priestess- representor of intuition and the keeper of hidden knowledge

Empress- the representor of creativity, abundance and fertility living in a paradise on earth

Emperor- the representation of structure, authority, discipline and order

The hierophant: the messenger of god and teacher of the religious and orthodox

Lovers : the epitome of all love: romantic, material, spiritual, platonic, parental, universal,self love

The chariot: the man who charges forward through all challenges through absolute self belief and control, bringing victory

Justice: the one who maintains law and rules by distributing rewards and punishment to those deserving

Hermit: the one who observes the world in all its beauty and evil and seeks inward for the answers

Wheel of fortune: the everchanging nature of life with all its unpredictable ups and downs, joys and sorrows, luck and misfortune

Strength: the representor of quiet inner strength, power of persuasion and compassion and mastering of ones raw emotions and instincts

Hanged man: the man who observes the world from the perspective of detachment, objectivity and ultimate surrender

Death: the harbringer of renewal and change through the destruction of the old

Temperance: the angel who represents balance, harmony and patience

Devil: the representor of illusion, addiction, lust, losing ones good judgement and self control

Tower: complete and sudden upheaval and destruction of false ego and that which was not built on a healthy, true and strong foundation

The star: the pure state of being after being stripped down to your truest self, filled with hope

The moon: the illusion, fear caused by lack of clarity, the call to listen to your inner voice

The sun: The fool after being unshackled from the illusion and misery of material life through its great journey,now lives in authenticity, purity, wisdom and ultimate joy

The world : the completion of the fool's journey. Accomplishment, fulfillment and integration.

But know that every end must be met with a new beginning.

for as long as the fool has more to learn, the wheel must keep turning!