Q&A for How to Read Tarot Cards

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  • Question
    Does learning to read tarot cards open your "third eye" and cause you to see ghosts?
    Community Answer
    Learning tarot does not make you able to see ghosts. Tarot cards help you develop greater intuition and understanding.
  • Question
    Is there a different meaning when the cards are upside down?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Sometimes it is a subtle difference in interpretation and sometimes significant, depending on the card and where it falls in your spread. If look at a tarot book, it will let you know the differences between the upright and reversed cards.
  • Question
    What happens if I burn my card accidentally while clearing it?
    Community Answer
    In that situation, you have damaged your piece of card stock. If it is only very slightly damaged, there's no reason why you couldn't continue to work with it. If the edges are damaged, however, you will always know where it is in the deck when shuffling and drawing, and that is counterproductive. It is not necessary to have a flame anywhere near your cards to 'clear' them. It is YOU who may need 'clearing' rather than your cards. YOU are the one who reads the Tarot. Anything that clears your mood or your mind clears your cards for Tarot work.
  • Question
    Can you do a reading on myself?
    Community Answer
    Yes, since the energy is coming from the reader. Readers must take care not to put too much of themselves in when doing readings for other people.
  • Question
    Is the interpretation of the death card always grim?
    Community Answer
    No. The death card is actually a sign of rebirth. It can signal a change from one situation that is ending to a new beginning in your future.
  • Question
    Is it possible to do a tarot reading using regular playing cards?
    Community Answer
    Yes and no. It will not be a Tarot reading if you do not use Tarot cards. There are 78 cards in a Tarot deck, 52 in a regular playing deck, and no equivalent of the Tarot's Major Arcana cards except for the Joker (Fool in Tarot). However, you certainly can do psychic readings with regular playing cards, and learn to do them very well. Tarot itself began life not as an occult system of divination, but as a game played for fun, or gambling. Cards, whether they are Tarot cards or playing cards lend themselves as tools for facilitating and more precisely articulating your own intuition. They are powerful tools, but just tools, nonetheless.
  • Question
    Can I use a found deck?
    Community Answer
    You can choose to use a found deck. Found decks can be exciting to work with due to the mystery they present. However, you should make sure to clear the found deck before using it in order to rid it of any possible negative energy and to establish your unique intentions and personality on the deck.
  • Question
    What do The Hermit, The Star and Judgement cards mean?
    Community Answer
    The hermit symbolizes a hardship revealing true knowledge. The star symbolizes a time of renewal, and the judgement card means that karma will take its place, bringing good things if you have been kind, and poor luck if you haven't.
  • Question
    If I have 12 tarot from Ryder how do I read them, horizontally or vertically?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the spread you deal, and if you use reversed cards. You could search online and even find apps to explain all this.
  • Question
    Is it possible to use Tarot cards for defense against evil spirits, demons, etc.? And If so, do you know where I could learn to do so?
    Community Answer
    Tarot is very popular with magic users. There are lots of places to learn, but Googling "Tarot protection spells" will likely get you in the right ballpark.
  • Question
    How old do I have to be to use tarot cards?
    Community Answer
    There's no age requirement! Anybody can use it, but since there are 78 cards and it's very complicated to learn, it's probably not best for younger children. Younger children can still be read for though!
  • Question
    Is there any proof this actually works?
    Community Answer
    None at all. Tarot can be fun, but there's absolutely no scientific evidence to suggest it can be used to see the future. Most readings are about suggestions, anyway, not reading the actual future.
  • Question
    What is the best deck for a beginner?
    Community Answer
    Cat decks are typically good for beginners.
  • Question
    Where do I get Tarot cards and find out details about it?
    Community Answer
    To buy locally, check out spiritual shops in your area. They should also be able to advise you on how to use them. You can also buy them online at Tarotopia or Amazon.com.
  • Question
    Is it bad I keep getting 4 cards when I try to get 3 instead?
    Community Answer
    Not at all. They actually can be helpful in a reading. If there is a card that you need more clarification on, put down the jumper card and it will clear it up for you.
  • Question
    What is the meaning of the card IX with a woman on it?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the deck you are using, and your true perception of what you are looking at and how it makes you feel. Generally, the card is The Hermit.
  • Question
    How do I practice reading tarot cards?
    Community Answer
    Keep practicing spreads. Over time, you'll become more and more fluent and less reliant on your notes or guidebook. Begin with simple 3 card spreads, and slowly work your way into larger spreads. It also helps to do a few just by yourself before you start giving others readings. If you're really struggling, start practicing with only the Major Arcana, then work your way into the Minor Arcana. If you're struggling to introduce Minor Arcana into your readings, add them one suit at a time (Minor Arcana can be difficult, especially since there are 56 different cards you need to become fluent with). Take a little time out of each day, anywhere from 5-30 minutes and do a little practicing.
  • Question
    Should I cleanse a new deck of bad energy before I use it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, definitely. I would recommend burning some white sage and praying over your cards.
  • Question
    Where I can buy a taro book? Which is the best?
    Community Answer
    Go to your local library and request as many tarot card books as you can. Each person will view each book differently. Find one that works best for you!
  • Question
    How long has tarot reading been around? How did we know of it to develop these practices?
    Community Answer
    The first cards that resemble the modern deck came about in the early 1400s in Italy. They were only used for occult purposes though about a century or so later in France. It was brought to England in the 19th - 20th centuries by members of the Hermetic order of the Golden Dawn.
  • Question
    Is it possible to make my own tarot card deck?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can make your own if you prefer.
  • Question
    Is there any way that I can use these cards to help see spirits or ghosts? Are the cards only for future seeing?
    Community Answer
    You can use tarot cards to act as a medium between spirits and ghosts, yes.
  • Question
    What are other ways to clean my tarot deck from negative energy?
    Community Answer
    Smudge them using sage or palo santo, moonlight or sunlight.
  • Question
    Are Tarot cards evil or demonic?
    Lyra Silvertounge1313
    Community Answer
    Not at all. They are simply a form of divination by chance. They have no evil intention and will never have such.
  • Question
    What is meaning of the first card the star, second card judgement and the third card the empress. Also the fourth card the chariot and fifth card, the moon?
    Lyra Silvertounge1313
    Community Answer
    It really depends what your question was but a vague guide would be: The star: a happy mistake. Judgment: Judgement. The empress: control over the feminine side. The chariot: controlling what you can control, status, popularity. The moon: Underrated, only noticed sometimes, femininity. Feel free to contact my talk page if you want a further interpretation or help.
  • Question
    I have a brand new tarot card deck, don't have a clue how to use. I keep looking at them. I also purchased stones, am looking at them also... I don't know what to do or how to read them just looking at them.
    Lyra Silvertounge1313
    Community Answer
    You don't need gemstones for tarot, put them aside for now. Think of a simple question, Yes or no questions don't work with tarot unless you are experienced. For example: Is my friend happy? Frame your question in picture(s) form. For example: Imagine your friend happy and your friend sad. Keep the image in mind while you mix the deck, if a card is going upside-down let it do that. Pick a card but don't flip it, slide it out. See what the card says to you, for example: does it remind you of a happy time with your friend? Does it make you feel sad? Analyse the symbols, for example: an olive branch for hope, yellow for happiness, grey for uncertainty etc. You should have a good reading.
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