Tarot Reading - Learn How To Read Tarot

This app will be equal parts information and workbook. You will need a Tarot deck. I refer to the RWS deck in the exercises and Major and Minor Arcana descriptions because of its prominence and familiarity, but I do not view it as the only or the best deck available. Use a deck that you like. The best decks for self-readings have illustrated cards with characters or images that tell stories. Some decks, although absolutely lovely, do not provide enough pictorial fodder for storytelling. These can be more difficult to read, but they aren't impossible. If your deck does not speak to you in a way that you easily understand, consider trying a different deck. Later in the chapter I have included suggestions on how to select a good deck for self-reading.

Keep a journal or noteapp handy for notes, thoughts, and revelations. My best students keep journals that are strictly for their Tarot work. I, however, have always been an anarchistic journaler, and my personal Tarot notes are scratched into apps that also contain my personal thoughts, dreams, and shopping lists. Some students write their notes and interpretations directly onto their Tarot cards for easy access when doing their self-readings. There is nothing wrong with this in principle, and it certainly adds character to your deck. However, your relationship to the cards will evolve over time, and writing on the cards may stifle this process. Your associations will evolve. Notes on the cards can interrupt that. How you keep your notes is up to you, but keeping notes will be important, so don't skip this step.

Equally as important as your deck and journal is your sense of wonder. If you are already familiar with Tarot, bring along the interpretations you know, but do not cling to them. Give yourself the opportunity to see what secrets Tarot may have for you. If you are new to Tarot, take the interpretations in this app as inspiration, but don't resist your own should they differ from what you read. My interpretations are meant to unlock the door to Tarot's mystique and help nudge you through it, as there may be a delicious surprise on the other side that is unique to you alone, but they are not meant to be final authority.

Should I Buy a Deck, or Should One Be Bought for Me?

When I shop for decks, I look at the artwork. If it resonates with my taste and spirit, it's probably something I can use for readings. I have a friend who flips straight to the High Priestess card when considering a new deck. If he likes the depiction of the High Priestess, he likes the deck. Basically, if a deck calls to you, purchase it. Don't be afraid to purchase a particularly esoteric deck if you feel it's the right one. Also, don't be afraid to purchase a mainstream, commonly used deck if it speaks to you more than a fashionably obscure deck. Don't veer from second-hand decks. A deck does not need to be new to be yours. Often, previously owned decks have deep wisdom and a unique voice. I happen to love second-hand decks.

Whether your deck is new or previously loved, mass-produced or created by an independent artist, hold it in your hands. Does it feel alive? Do the images speak in a language that makes sense to you? Do you like its artwork? Does it feel familiar, even if it's new to you? If any of these questions are a yes, then you have found the right deck.

CONTENTS
1. Welcome to the “Self-Read”
2. The Fool's Journey: The Story of Tarot and Your Place in It
3. Court Cards
4. Numbered Cards of the Minor Arcana
5. Recognizing the Voice of Tarot
6. Reversed Cards
7. Other Tools: What's Missing from Your Tarot Reading? Plus How to Interpret Tougher Cards
8. When Not to Read Tarot for Yourself
9. Practice Spreads
Afterword