How to Do a Tarot Reading

Learning how to do a tarot reading is an empowering experience that helps you connect with your intuition and uncover the deeper meaning behind life’s events. Tarot is not about predicting the future in a fixed way — it’s about exploring the present, understanding the energy around you, and discovering new perspectives. Whether you’re reading for yourself or someone else, the process is both intuitive and symbolic.

Step 1: Prepare Your Space and Energy

Before you begin a tarot reading, take a moment to create a calm and focused environment. Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. You can light a candle, burn incense, or play soft music to raise the vibration of the space.

Hold your tarot deck in your hands and take a few deep breaths. Think about your intention — why are you doing this reading? You may wish to say a short affirmation such as “May this reading bring clarity and truth for the highest good.” This simple ritual helps you align your energy with the cards and focus your mind.

Step 2: Focus on a Question or Intention

A tarot reading begins with a question — but not just any question. The best ones are open-ended and focus on guidance rather than prediction. For example:

“What should I know about my current relationship?”
“How can I move forward in my career?”
“What lesson am I meant to learn from this situation?”

Avoid yes-or-no questions, as tarot works best when exploring possibilities and insights. The clearer your intention, the more meaningful your reading will be.

Step 3: Shuffle the Cards and Connect With Them

Shuffling the cards is a sacred act that mixes your energy with the deck. As you shuffle, think about your question and allow your thoughts to settle. There’s no single right way to shuffle — you can use the overhand, riffle, or circular method. What matters most is doing it with focus and respect.

When you feel a sense of calm or intuition telling you to stop, trust that moment. You can also cut the deck into three piles using your non-dominant hand and reassemble them — a gesture symbolising free will and balance.

Step 4: Choose a Tarot Spread

A tarot spread gives structure to your reading. Each card’s position adds context to its meaning. For beginners, the Three-Card Spread is a simple yet powerful choice:

Past – what has shaped the current situation
Present – the current energy or challenge
Future – what is likely to unfold or the lesson ahead

For more complex readings, you might try the Celtic Cross, which provides deeper insight into the influences, fears, and outcomes surrounding your question. You can also design your own spreads once you feel confident.

Step 5: Interpret the Cards

Now comes the most intuitive part — reading the cards. Start by observing the symbols, colours, and emotions in each card. Notice your first impression — it often contains the truth your intuition wants to share. Then, consider the traditional meanings and how they relate to one another within the spread.

For example:

A Cups card may reveal emotional themes or relationships.
A Swords card can show mental conflict or communication issues.
A Wands card might highlight creative energy or action.
A Pentacles card often points to career, finances, or stability.

Look for patterns: repeating numbers, similar elements, or strong Major Arcana cards. These can indicate key messages or turning points.

Step 6: Reflect on the Message

After interpreting the cards, take time to reflect on the overall story they tell. What lesson or advice stands out? Tarot readings often reveal what you already know deep down but haven’t yet acknowledged.

You can write your impressions in a tarot journal to keep track of patterns and insights. Over time, you’ll start noticing how the cards reflect your inner growth and life cycles.

Remember: tarot doesn’t decide your fate — it helps you see your options more clearly. Every reading is a mirror of your soul, guiding you toward greater awareness and balance.

Step 7: Close the Reading

When you finish your tarot reading, thank the cards for their guidance. You can gently shuffle them again to clear the energy or place them back in their box or pouch. Some readers like to cleanse their deck with incense or moonlight regularly to keep its energy pure.

It’s also helpful to ground yourself after a reading — take a few deep breaths or drink some water to return fully to the present moment.

Learning how to do a tarot reading is about more than memorising card meanings — it’s about connecting to your intuition and creating a dialogue between your conscious mind and the wisdom of the universe. Each reading becomes a sacred moment of clarity, helping you find direction and peace in the flow of life.

If you’re ready to explore your own story through the cards, tarot reader Andrew invites you to experience a personal tarot reading. His intuitive sessions offer insight, guidance, and healing energy to help you uncover the messages the universe has prepared just for you.

✨ Tarot Reader Andrew