What is the Modus Operandi of Tarot Reading

Astrobix |

Preparing for Reading

  • Before beginning the operation, formulate your question definitely and repeat it aloud.
  • Make your mind as blank as possible while shuffling the cards.
  • Put out of the mind personal bias and preconceived ideas as far as possible or your judgement will be tinctured thereby.
  • On this account it is more easy to divine correctly for a stranger than for yourself or a friend.

Setting the Mood

Your first step is to create a conducive mood. When you are ready, sit down on the floor or at a table leaving some empty space in front of you. You should have your tarot cards and your question written on a piece of paper. At first, a full reading will probably take at least thirty to forty minutes. With experience you will be able to shorten this time.

Begin to relax and still your mind. Settle fully into the present moment. Take a few deep breaths, relax all your muscles and feel the quiet as you turn away from the outside world. Take as much time as you need for the calming process.

Asking Your Question

When you feel centered, take your cards out of their container. Hold them cupped in one hand while you place the other hand on top. Close your eyes ad bring the cards into the circle of your energy.

Now, make an opening statement. Say your statement out loud as sound adds energy and conviction.

Next, ask your question, either from memory or by reading it. Be sure to say your question exactly as you wrote it.

Shuffling The Cards

Open your eyes and begin shuffling. It is important to shuffle the cards because this is how you sort through all the forms your reading could take and arrange at a subtle level the one you will receive.

There are a number of ways to shuffle the cards. Each method has its pros and cons. Choose one that is most comfortable for you. Certain methods mix the cards so some are right side up and some, upside down. If this is your first reading, do not worry about reversed cards.

Concentrate on your question while you shuffle. Focus on the overall intent rather than the details. Do not strain to stay fixed, but do keep the question in mind as much as you can.

Cutting The Cards

When you feel you have shuffled long enough, stop and place the cards face down in front of you with the short edge closest to you. Cut the deck as follows :

  • Grab some number of cards from the pile.
  • Drop this smaller pile to the left.
  • Grab some part of this second pile and drop it further to the left.
  • Regroup the cards into one pile in any fashion.

Its best to regroup the cards in once quick motion. Do not try to figure out which pile should go where. Just let your hand move where it will. The cut is an important finishing step that marks the end of the card arranging stage.

Laying out the Cards

Follow the steps for the spread you have chosen. Pick up the deck and hold it in one hand with the short edge closest to you. With your hand, turn over the first card as you would the page of a book. Place this card in Position 1. The position number corresponds to the placement order. Turn over the second card and place it in Position 2. Continue in this way until you have placed all the cards. Turn any reversed cards around if you are not using them.

Responding to The Cards

Pay attention to your reactions to each card as you lay it out. At first, you will not know or remember the usual meaning of a card. Your thoughts ad feelings will be based mainly on the images. As you practice, your reactions will become more informed, but also more predictable. Try to keep some of your original openness as much as possible. Pay attention to any responses that seem unusual or out of place. When all the cards are laid out, take a moment to respond to them as a whole. Try not to get too involved in your notes as that can break the flow of the reading. You simply want to capture a few ideas quickly.

Creating The Story

At some point, you need to pull everything together. We can call this creating the story. Your story will help you understand your situation and give you guidance for the future. You create your story spontaneously. Once you have finished your card review, let that analytical approach go. Its no longer appropriate. Your story will be more authentic if it arises freely from within. When you feel ready, simply begin speaking your story, saying whatever comes to your mind. Use any notes you have to help, but don’t focus on the them too much.

Writing The Summary Statement

Your story is done when your words slow down and stop naturally. Your next step is to distill the main theme of your story. Ask yourself :

  • What is the problem ?
  • What is your role ?
  • What does your inner guide want you to understand ?
  • What is the projected outcome ?
  • How do you feel about that ?
  • Do you sense any recommendations for action ?

Try to summarize your story in one or two sentences. Concentrate on the message in the cards and not the mechanics of your interpretation.

Finishing Up

If you have not already done so, write down the cards you selected and their positions. It is easy to forget them. Then, clear the deck to remove all traces of the energy patterns of this reading. Make sure the cards are face down or turned away from you. Stop when you feel you have shuffled long enough and gather the cards together. Your deck is now ready for your next reading.

Before putting the cards away, hold them again for just a moment. Place your deck in one hand with the other hand on top and close your eyes. Say what you feel you have learned from this reading. Express your gratitude to your inner guide for helping you via the tarot cards. Gratitude provides the ideal frame of mind in which to end your reading.

When you began, you initiated a cycle. You created meaning in the form of a reading and now you have completed that cycle by returning the cards to their resting state.

The only thing left is to use what you have learned in you life.