A year later, I was given a deck and even though I used it ALL the time, it wasn’t really clicking for me. I would shuffle, pick cards, feel instantly seen by Spirit and then I’d look up meanings online. This process went on and on. I wasn’t really learning them by ‘heart.’ It took many workshops, classes, books and podcasts later for me to full grasp the concepts. Here are a few tricks that if I’d known, it would have made learning Tarot a lot easier!

1. Think of reading Tarot as interpreting the scenes depicted on the cards.
This is a great one because it means that even as a very beginner, you’ll get a lot out of value out of pulling cards. This is part of the magic of the Tarot! Information is encoded within the cards in the form of imagery and symbols. The images in the cards depict events, personality traits, atmospheres, situations that convey messages. Being able to interpret the meaning in the images and symbols will really help you understand the cards and learn them by heart.

2. The Tarot tells the story of the Fool’s Journey

Something I didn’t know until way later in my studies is that not only is the Tarot a story, but we have a main character: The Fool. We meet the Fool in card 0, as we see them taking the leap into a new world and adventure. From there, the remaining Major Arcana cards portray a chronological story of The Fool’s journey! Of course!

There are 22 Major Arcana cards. These are the cards that are numbered 0-21. When they are placed in numerical order, we see The Fool’s journey through the Tarot. The Major cards are commonly understood to be the larger themes, atmospheres and events. (These cards would be included in the Spark Notes version of story, they are that important.) They tend to represent Major things that are going on in our lives when they come up in readings.

If a card from the Major Arcana comes up during a reading, something big is going on.

It can really help to take these first 22 cards out separate from the rest of the deck and get to know them first. It can help to provide some groundwork of understanding of the Tarot. They are the main guideposts that anchor our readings.

A note about the Minors: rounding out our Tarot are the Minor Arcana. These are the other 56 cards that make up a traditional 78 card deck. The Minors are just as they sound, smaller themes that deal more with the ins and outs of our day-to-day lives. If the Majors are the main guideposts, the Minors are the smaller details. They help connect the dots of the tale of human experience, but don’t carry as much weight as the Majors.

3. Tarot is intuitive… but that shouldn’t add to the pressure.

This one was tricky for me. At first I guess I thought I’d flip the cards over and then intuitively know the answers to my questions? There is such a sense of the cards starring back. (This is why I included an eye on the back of the Tarot deck I created, sign up for a pre-sale notification here!) It is a lot more than that. Now I understand that a good Tarot reading isn’t about pulling psychic information out of thin air, it’s more about understanding the meaning of the cards and being able to interpret the messages you see. It’s not forced. Basically, it’s a lot less pressure than I had first thought.

A note about psychic messages: Your psychic gifts can definitely come out during readings, and often do, but as I understand it, Spirit meets us where we are, which is in the physical, and can easily give us messages there. Each time I work with the Tarot I notice something different. Spirit can guide you to notice a symbol in the card that you can then interpret for meaning, or maybe it will bring to mind relevant information. Today if you pull the Fool card, you might really notice the dog nipping at his heels, or another day, the rose in his hand might stand out the most. Noticing something might prompt a memory or idea that you feel compelled to mention. Going with the flow is so important.

4. Tarot is a language.

When I began to look at Tarot as a language, a lot of things clicked for me. Understanding the meaning behind each card is like understanding new words or phrases when learning a new language. By the time you piece a few cards together, you have a story!

Each Tarot reading is a unique story being reflected back to you.

The broader story of the Tarot tells the tale of human experience – which connects us all.

5. It’s not only about the cards you pull, but the cards you didn’t pull

I believe that the whole deck is always at play in a Tarot reading. The cards that you pull bring messages. And the ones that you didn’t see during your reading reinforce the messages.

For example, if you got the 5 of Wands, but you didn’t get the Ten of Wands, The Hanged One, or The 10 of Swords, this is ALL important information. The 5 of Wands is a card in the Minor Arcana, so it’s not a big theme, it’s also a lower number than 10 which is significant.

Especially at first, I found it very easy to get freaked out if I was asking about something important to me and I saw a card that was a little tough. Remember to take into account the other cards you pull, as well as the ones that didn’t show up! If you got The Ace of Cups in a reading about love, it’s important to take this information for what it is. While it’s easy to feel sad that the 2 of Cups (toasting with a new love or dear friend) did not show up, you did get it’s precursor! The Ace of Cups can be a beautiful and quite magical time falling in love with and caring for self. Let it be what it is. There’s a lot of trust and acceptance that comes with reading cards. The more you practice the more comfortable you will become.

6. It takes time… and that’s okay.

Learning Tarot is an ongoing, ever evolving process. There are so many layers and facets to Tarot and to each card. I have been studying and practicing Tarot for nearly a decade and I know a tiny tidbit of information about the Tarot. There are so many directions to go with your studies! Numerology, ancient traditions, myths, and religions, all come together to make up the Tarot. This isn’t meant to be overwhelming or feel make this journey feel unmanageable, it is just a reminder that I don’t believe we are ever truly done learning Tarot. Consistent practice, reading a book or a blog or listening to a podcast that really makes you excited about your Tarot studies is the perfect place to start! Following your excitement will lead you in the right direction and keep you on your Tarot path.

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Make a recurring date with your deck!

Decide how often you will work with you deck and when. What frequency works best for you? Set it in your calendar. Whether it’s a single card pull each morning, or maybe a 3 card pull once a week, whichever you decide, there is value in consistency. I am really coming to understand that the cyclical nature of time

Keep a journal.

When you sit down to work with your cards, first jot down how you are feeling that day. What is on your mind? You may wish to include any dreams you had the night before, or anything you feel that’s worth mentioning. And of course, write down your question.

Some effective questions to ask the cards that have helped me with my daily practice:
What energy does today bring?
What is most important for me to know going into the day?
How can I best work with the energy of the day?

A note about shuffling and picking cards

There are infinite ways to do this! Have fun experimenting to find your favorite method. My one suggestion is: in order to keep things clear in the beginning, decide how you will pull a card before you start to shuffle. Tarot is so empowering. How nice is it to have a practice where you get to decide the ground rules?

Here are some of my favorite methods of selecting Tarot cards for readings:

1. Once you’ve shuffled your cards thoroughly, re-stack them into one pile. Flip over the top card and this will be the first card in your reading. Keep flipping over more cards as needed.

2. Spread your cards out into a crescent moon shape (I was taught to use my left hand to do this, which is our receptive side), and pick one. Maybe that feels great, (the card might be staring right at you!), or it could feel intimidating with so many choices.

3. Cut your deck into 3 piles and place them in front of you. Re-stack them into a single pile in the order that feels right to you. This can be a fun and simple way to incorporate your querent’s energy. If you are reading for someone, you can let them re-stack the deck into one pile. You’ll use the card(s) on top for the reading

4. You could decide to only read ‘jumpers’ – the cards that fly out as you shuffle. I love reading jumpers! They feel so magical to me. But I know many other readers who tuck them back into the deck and continue shuffling, which totally makes sense, too! It just depends on what resonates with you.

I recommend trying these different methods, and any others, to see which method you gravitate towards. Once you have your preferred method down, try to stick with that for a few weeks. It will really help you get the feel for it and decide if this works for you. After trying one method for a few weeks or months, decide on another and try that for a few weeks or months. The first year or so can be a fun trial of seeing which way you prefer to shuffle! I still use different techniques, depending on how I feel. But an important key when you’re new to Tarot is to have your card pull method in mind before you start! It really helps to have a clear process and avoid extra uncertainty.

Once you’ve pulled your card or cards, spend some time with your spread. Take some time to look at the imagery and then reflect in your journal.

Which card did you choose? How did you feel when you turned it over and saw the art on it?

If you are still learning the meanings of the cards, this is a valuable time to let the imagery of the cards sink in. Sit with the card(s) you pulled for a few minutes. Imagine how would you feel if you were in that scene and explore that idea in your journal. How does it relate to your questions and anything else you journaled about before you did your card pull?

I’ve found it so interesting to take photos of my spreads. It’s something I’ve been doing since the very beginning of my practice. I love looking back at old readings, remembering what was going on in my life at the time and reflecting on what the spread meant. One of my favorite past Tarot spread photos was taken when I was trying to move to NYC but still not sure if it would work out. In the spread I had pulled The Fool and the 8 of Wands! What a vote of confidence : ) That definitely was the energy going on at the time.

It’s important to take breaks.

Especially in the beginning of working with the Tarot, I found it really easy to overdo it. I would turn to the cards so often that I was confusing myself. Setting some ground rules and structuring time together turned out to be immensely helpful (and so very Emperor).

If you are really stressing about a situation in the evening and want to get some Tarot insight, but you have a card pull scheduled for each morning, try to save your question for your scheduled time. Instead of worrying or wondering about the situation at hand, try to use this time to study the Tarot and learn more about the cards. It would be so helpful to read your favorite Tarot book or blog, journaling, or spend time with your deck. Get to know the cards even better by taking them out and placing them face-up. Study the images on them and write any notes, insights or feelings in your journal.

Remember to have fun!

Reward yourself for sticking with your schedule. Look back through your journal often to see how much progress you’ve made!

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I really feel that each Tarot deck has it’s own unique voice and offers a special perspective. It might have a special take on the traditional meanings of the cards. That’s why I think it’s so important to dedicate some time and thoughtfulness into connecting with it and getting to know it. And if you are new to Tarot in general, make sure to also check out my tips for Tarot beginners!

Here is a rundown of tips that really helped me to connect with new Tarot decks. Hint: there is no better way to connect with your new Tarot deck than to spend a lot of time with it!

Make it a ritual

I was always taught to try to ground myself before working with the Tarot. Do this however you prefer. It can be as simple as sitting down, softly closing your eyes for a moment, taking some deep breaths, and noticing your energy. Stay in this space for as long as you need until you feel your energy sink down and ground. I’m a Pisces so I often feel un-grounded, or not fully in my body. I need to spend a long time grounding before I am ready to begin my readings so that I’m not floating around. It’s perfectly okay if this is a simple step for you, or if it takes a little longer. It can also totally depend on the day you’ve had and any number of factors. This is a great practice to get in the habit of doing.

Creating ritual around your deck will make your time together special.

Try cleaning your space before you begin. Whether it’s making your bed, or clearing the kitchen table, I find that physically clearing my space helps me clear my mind for a reading. You could even state that as you move objects out of the way “As I clear my physical space for the reading, I am also clearing space in my mind.” As the witches say: As above, so below.

Atmosphere can be an important tool to set the tone for your reading.

By transforming the atmosphere of your space for your reading, you are setting the tone that something special is about to take place.

You can try reading by candlelight. Maybe you even have a special candle that you work with only during readings. A candle in the mystical color of purple could be a lovely physical reminder that you are open to connecting with spirit and your own intuition. Remember, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. Tea light candles can be lovely for this purpose. (Please be careful whenever you light a candle or work with fire, and never leave an open flame unattended.)

Perhaps try brewing a cup of tea to sip during your readings. This can serve as a reminder to slow down and bring in more of your senses to the space. Imbue your tea with your questions as it steeps. (And please make sure the herbs you use are safe for you.)

I recommend storing your cards in their box or case when they are not in use, rather than leaving spreads out after you’ve done readings. Not only can the cards pick up stray energies, but practically – they could get damaged. Your deck is special and appreciates being treated as such : )

Meet the whole group!

When you are ready to being working with your new deck, I suggest taking all of the cards out, and placing them face up, in numerical order. The Major Arcana cards 0-22 and then the minor suits. This can really help to see the bigger picture. I touch on this more in my post titled: Helpful Tarot Tips for Beginners. All decks are uniquely different and this can be a chance to assess the names of the suits, and each card, as some modern decks have modified them.

Which card do you relate to?

When you have all of the cards from your new deck placed out in front of you, look around and see which one jumps out to you the most. Which one do you feel most connected to? Imagine yourself in the imagery. How would you feel or want act if you were in the scene depicted by the card. What would your wants, needs, desires and dreams look like?

Which card feels most at home to you today? This is a good opportunity to journal about the card you gravitated towards, how you feel about it, and your current situation. It is also a great time to research a little about the traditional meaning of the card and note any correlations between what you find and what you wrote. How does the traditional meaning resonate with you? Include any relevant notes or insights you may have learned in your Tarot journal.

Carry your deck with you

Having your deck with you in your bag will help you form a bond with it. Make sure that it’s wrapped in something, like a scarf or little bag, to protect it energetically and physically. Many Tarot readers and witches recommend using silk, cotton or a natural fabric.

Shuffle it

Handling your deck often will help you connect and get the feel for it. It’s also a great opportunity to practice different methods of shuffling.

Work with your new deck often

There is no substitute for spending time with your deck. It truly is the best way to become fluent with its unique voice and form a strong bond with it. Try starting a regular Tarot practice. Here are my suggestions on how to start a consistent Tarot practice.

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Superstition is a driving force in Italian tradition. My grandmother would caution me with words from her mother: Whatever you’re doing on New Year’s Eve will set the tone of your year. Make sure you plan carefully.

When the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 2012 I was ringing in a promising new year with friends, EDM pulsing loudly over the speakers, in a New York City night club. 

It was a big trip for me, a wide-eyed, recent college grad. I had flown into NYC to celebrate the holiday miles away from my quiet hometown upstate. If I had stayed home it would have been too cold to go out, and nothing much was going on anyway. In the city, there were parties to attend, taxis to catch, weekend-sized adventures to be had. 

On New Year’s morning, dressed in shiny black heels and a thin pea coat, I was on my way to my first-ever brunch in Manhattan. I walked down 42nd Street, still dotted with red and green wreaths, sparkling lights and smelling of fresh pine from the leftover Christmas trees. I looked up at the windowed buildings stretching on forever, and felt the sun shine down through the crisp, fresh air. It was like magic being there.

By the time New Year’s Eve weekend was over, I was completely intoxicated with the idea of packing up my life and moving to the big city.

The boundless opportunities, promises of dream jobs, dream friends and dream dates programmed into me from movies and TV, compounded by the very tangible swirling city energy I could feel, and of course the music, had all pulled me in. 

EDM was a novel new genre starting to take hold. It was still underground, which was so fresh and exciting to me. Not everyone wanted to hear this strange new music but I loved it immediately. In NYC you could go out any night of the week to world famous clubs and see the best D.J.’s play a brand new set in person. I could be so much more connected to this newness, meeting people who loved it just as much as I did, instead of listening to songs alone at home on my laptop while I tried to keep busy with a nightly creative project. My mind was made up.

With that, I quit my job, sold my car and signed a lease that sealed the deal on my move to the city.

It actually wasn’t at all that seamless or effortless. It took about a year of searching before I could find a place to live. I needed one that didn’t require meeting the standard 40x rent rule and I had no guarantor. I had tried unsuccessfully to apply for jobs while living upstate but my year of work experience and distant geographical location didn’t even qualify me for a phone interview. I couldn’t apply for a typical apartment without a job due to the strict requirements. I didn’t really know anyone there, so finding a roommate seemed too out of the question. It was a long year of trying to work out all of the details to make this possible, while keeping my chin up. When I told people I was going to move to NYC it was often met with concern that came across as criticism. It was exhausting trying to defend my dream of city life, while fighting to make it come true. The long days sitting in my cubicle made the hours seem to stretch on toward eternity. The fomo was real. Thankfully, like a shining gift from Spirit, a very kind friend put me in contact with someone looking to sublet their apartment in Manhattan. It was the ideal situation, one that I could have only imagined. When I got the call at work confirming that I was officially accepted as the new tenant, it felt like a miracle. It was finally happening.

In the spring, with the promise of all new things, I left my hometown for the big city, without a job, friends, or any idea what to do for work. I did however, have a lot of confidence that this would work out in my favor. All signs were pointing to yes, as is such with the Fool card.

I landed at JFK on a cool morning in the middle of May, with my belongings in a suitcase. I was so excited and eager to dive into this journey. 

My new apartment was a sun-drenched, rent-stabilized one bedroom walk-up on a beautiful SoHo street. Sheer curtains softly covered the oversized windows in each room. Down below on the street, taxis buzzed by, women walked together with oversized shopping bags, looking so chic. Everyone was busy and finally I was a part of it, too. It was easy to overlook any imperfections in my new home. 

This apartment sat at the top of 5 steep flights of stairs in an unrenovated tenement-style building. The wooden floor was painted brown and a bit slanted, partially peeled tiles scattered the kitchen floor. In the bedroom, someone years ago had lofted the bed. They created a mattress raised up on a tall wooden platform, almost touching the high ceilings. It was only accessible by a stationary ladder fixed to the side of the bed. The open cavity below the lofted bed was filled with a nest of decades-old paperwork. Scattered throughout the apartment was a hodgepodge of artifacts left by previous tenants, hints at lives lived here before me.

The building was from the early 1900’s, as was the plumbing. This meant the shower was tucked behind a curtain in the kitchen, arm’s length from the stove. There was only one sink in the whole apartment, the kitchen sink. The bathroom was in a tiny closet off the living room with a light bulb and broken pull string. None of this mattered though. Because all I saw when I stood in front of the kitchen window brushing my teeth at night were the twinkling lights of One World Trade glittering back at me. This is where I was supposed to be.

It was the perfect place for a fool to begin. 

If I had been honest with myself, maybe a little more grounded, and a lot less naive, I might have let all the flaws stop me. Maybe I would have decided it would be easier to stay home instead, where it was quiet and I knew what to expect. I could have continued with my safe routine: working at my steady office job, driving my new car that I worked so hard to save up for, waiting for my life to begin. That just didn’t seem like an option for me at the time. I needed to go experience the bigness of life in the city. I needed to see what that meant for me. I had to leap bravely into the unknown.

That is the energy that I feel from The Fool card. It’s naively jumping in feet first without really giving much thought to dotting the I’s or crossing the T’s. It’s saying YES to new opportunities that feel right. Ignoring the naysayers and following your path. There’s a small amount of knowing it will work out and letting it fall into place that happens with the Fool. They boldly step off the ledge, dog nipping at their heels, unafraid. Ready to leap into something new and discover life’s possibilities. 

The journey is not always rosy, as we’ll see. But that is for other cards to explain.

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