When you’re starting out as a tarot reader, it can be difficult to know exactly what a reading should look like, or how it should flow. Tarot spreads can be really helpful for beginners, because they offer pre-defined structure to readings, and the reader can focus on what the cards are saying. But over time, each reader develops their own reading style, and their own preferred way for structuring readings. To help you learn how to do tarot, here are some details about how I like to structure my tarot readings (or at least how I do them right now – things are always evolving!).
First off, I almost never do pre-defined spreads. I will do them occasionally for fun for myself or a free reading for a friend, but for paid readings I often find pre-defined spreads to be too limiting, and not tailored enough to the client. Instead, I follow a general outline of how my questions will evolve, and then I ask questions specific to the client’s issue at hand. To me, this lets the cards dictate how the reading will flow, and gives the reading a more magical energy, which is what I am all about. Let the cards do their thing!
To kickstart the reading, I usually pull an oracle card to give us some direction. This can set the tone for the reading, or give us a spirit guide whom we can visualize delivering this message to us. I’ll usually also say a small prayer, or do a little a ritual to grow our energy for the reading, and I’ll involved whatever we have seen in the oracle card.
I then ask the first question. As the reading progresses, the questions might build on the previous cards and questions. I usually don’t ask a set number of questions, or pull a set number of cards. I will ask whatever seems like the next logical question, and I will pull as many cards as needed to get a clear answer to the question. It might take some time for us to get the root of an issue, or to fully explore all angles of what the client is seeking, but this more free-form style works great for me to really make sure we come to a satisfying resolution.
The arc of the reading does follow a specific pattern that I decide before the reading begins, and it is usually this: determine the most significant factors of the current situation, explore the possible courses of action that can be taken along with their outcomes, and end by determining the most important thing for the client to consider regarding this situation. My readings are almost always done with the purpose of empowering the client to take action to improve their lives, and the meat of the reading is exploring what action would be best to take. That’s why I like this arc – it gets us to see where we are, where we might go, and what we should prioritize when we decide to act.
Ok, let’s do a brief example reading. I’m going to use some decks I haven’t used before: the Spirit of the Animals Oracle, and the Scorpio Sea Tarot. I’ll do this reading for myself as a general reading for right now – I don’t have any specific issues to explore. Let’s get into it!
First, let’s take a deep breathe in, and one big breathe out. I call on my spirit guides to be with me, and deliver the messages I need to hear in this reading. I have them restore my energy using a little ritual I have come up with (I will go into detail about this in a future blog post).
Now let’s pull an oracle card: It is the Hummingbird, who tells me I am the joy bringer, I bless the world with positivity and love. Well damn! That is quite a good note to start on. I can feel that no matter what the rest of this reading brings, I will remember that I am capable of being a positive influence on the world.
First question: What is my current situation? Seven of Swords, reversed. This version of the seven of swords is a sly fox, looking rather spooked, sneaking off with the swords. In traditional tarot decks, this card can mean there is some dishonesty going on. (And yes, I do know what this is potentially referring to in my life, but I am not going to share that here 🙂 Let’s see what the little white book that came with this deck has to say about this card, particularly in the reversed position – it says that all of the problems going on in my life are possibly my own fault. Well ok then! That is a bit harsh, but I get it. Often the situations we are unhappy with are something that is fully in our control to stop or escape from, but we either choose not to change it, or we mistakenly feel we are powerless to change it. So this reading is going to be about a bad situation that I can change, but that I haven’t changed yet.
I kind of know what situation this is referring to (again, not going to divulge my private life too much here), so my next question is what one way that I could change this situation? 12 The Hanged Man, reversed. This is about making a dramatic change, and getting a release, and in the reversed position the book says that I may be resistant to that change. My own feeling on this card is that there is potential in making a major change, but it might feel a bit like I’m hanging myself as I’m making the change. I’ll be undoing something that I have built up as a major part of who I am, and it will almost feel like a self-imposed death to make this change. Holy guacamole.
Now I want to know if this change will be worth it, so I will ask, what will be the outcome if I make this change? Nine of Coins. I see what looks like a boy or a teenager who is fat and happy, smiling ear to ear at a table with a feast laid out in front of him. I see bounty and success and, most importantly, contentment. This seems like the change will be worth it.
But what if I don’t make the change? What will the outcome be if I change nothing? II Justice. Ok, for real, I’m just going to straight-up get what I deserve if I don’t change. That is a fair warning. This deck ain’t playing. This is like karma coming around full-swing. If I allow a bad situation to continue, I’m going to keep suffering from that bad situation, as an almost kind of punishment for not taking action and making change. This message is looking really clear.
To wrap things up, I’d like a final message from the cards about what I should take away from this reading (even though it’s seeming pretty obvious, it’s nice to get a confirmation) – What is the most important thing for me to consider when making the choice to change? Nine of Wands. This card has a very solemn looking young man with a sad looking horse. It feels to me like some kind of mourning, or very careful consideration. The wands are about our passions, and the nines are about some kind of conclusion, so I sense that this means this particular path in my life is coming to an end. There is a heavy energy here, so I know that the decision to change is not something I should take lightly at all. I will need to put a lot of thought, feeling, and energy into it.
Ok, I’m going to go ponder that reading for a while, but I hope you enjoyed a peak into how I structure my tarot readings, and how I try to deliver valuable and actionable messages to my clients. This will help you start learning how to do tarot. If you think this was helpful, I’d really appreciate if you could share this with others on social media!
And now for some links! I earn a small commission from Amazon if you click through the links below and purchase something, and this does not affect the price you pay in anyway. I appreciate your support!
The gorgeous Scorpio Sea Tarot deck is available on Amazon, click through to see the most updated price:
The Spirit of the Animals Oracle deck is also available on Amazon, click through to see the latest price:
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