Quite often I check the Tarot-Explained inbox and I get a lot of similar questions. I felt a helpful post here would benefit everyone with the most popular asked Tarot questions. Some of them may seem a bit silly if you’ve been practicing Tarot or are at least knowledgeable in it. Luckily, many of these tarot questions are answered around the site, so nice helpful links are provided.
What is tarot?
Tarot is a complex form of divination using cards adapted from playing cards. There are usually two people involved,the tarot reader and the person asking for the reading (sometimes referred to as the Querent, from the Latin ‘to seek’). The reader will deal and arrange cards into a pattern, called a spread. Each tarot card has a meaning, and it’s position in the spread will alter it’s meaning. It’s up to the read to interpret the cards and their positions and provide an answer to the Querent.
How do you read tarot cards?
Tarot cards can be interpreted in many ways. A standard way is to, as above, arrange a spread, and interpret the meanings as they are laid out. Different readers will interpret different aspects of the card, but each card does have an established theme, so it isn’t just guessing in the dark. If, for example there are two different readers, they should interpret the same spread in a very similar way.
Can you do a tarot card reading for yourself?
Yes, of course. I frequently do a tarot reading for myself. A tarot reading for yourself can make you open up your awareness to new aspects of life and see things from another perspective. If you’re asking the question; ‘What will happen next week’, for example, it’s the same if you’re asking for you or another person. You deal the cards in the spread the same way and interpret them the same way. Give it a try!
How do you clear your tarot cards?
First, what is clearing your Tarot deck? Clearing is a practice that many tarot readers will perform to ‘cleanse’ their deck of any energies imbued upon them by their previous use. Some believe Tarot decks, and any object at all really, will soak up the energy around it. This can affect the next reading. A negative reading first might affect a potentially positive reading later on if the deck isn’t cleansed. It can also affect the mind of the reader, so they should take some time out to clear their mind between readings.
A simple way to clear your deck and yourself is to go outside in the daytime and clear your mind. Have a walk. Don’t think about tarot reading. Elemental cleansing is also popular and can get you into a magical frame of mind, but each will take a bit longer to learn. In short;
Cleansing by Fire – Arrange candles around your Tarot deck and visualise the negative energy burning into the flame. Use incense after; run your cards through incense smoke to refresh them.
Cleansing by Water – If your cards are water-resistant; simply run them under running water. Visualise the energy from the previous reading washing down the stream.
Cleansing by Earth – Salt is used here, sprinkle salt on the deck for a quick ritual; or bury the entire deck under salt for a longer lasting ritual. Earth banishing spells should longer than the others but are more thorough.
Cleansing by Air – Leaving your cards out of their box for a day or two, in the air. Every time you see them, visualise the negative energy evaporating like on a warm day.
What does the Death card really mean?
The Death tarot card, like the other more popular cards, has been given a number of non-standard meanings. It isn’t really helping itself by it’s illustration, but importantly; the Death card doesn’t always mean death or dying. The Death tarot card usually represents the end of a cycle and the start of a new one, some examples would be; a new job, a new spouse, the end of an old routine, an unexpected new place you find yourself living. Death is nothing to be afraid of, so don’t be shocked if it comes up in a reading!
Check out the Death tarot card meaning here.
What does a reversed tarot card mean?
A reversed tarot card can have a number of meanings, but the general feel is that the meanings are reversed; positive becomes negative. Not all readers will perform a tarot card reading with reverse meanings in mind, but if you are learning Tarot, it can be interesting to give it a shot.
Is Tarot dangerous? Is Tarot Evil?
Finally, and an easy one to finish on. No. Tarot is not dangerous or evil by nature; it is just a tool. Like any tool, Tarot cards can be used for a negative purpose. It’s important whether you are receiving or giving a reading that you accept it as an exterior voice, a suggestion or a new point of view. Tarot may sometimes tell you the correct path to take, but it’s something you have to judge for yourself. If a tarot reading says something like, ‘You will visit Australia this year!’, it may well be true. It may even be the Universe trying to hint you along the right path. But if you really don’t want to go, then don’t listen to it. Remember, we all have free will, and it’s empowering to use it every now and then!
