Welcome to the Learn to Read Tarot Series!

This is the very first article of the series, and as you can probably guess, it is all about getting started!

(This post contains affiliate links.)

First, let’s sort through a few of what I would like to call “myths” about Tarot:

(These are my own personal feelings and opinions on the matter… I tend to think and do things differently than most, and I do not wish for anyone to feel they need to be excluded from learning about the Tarot.)

ANYONE with the interest or desire to learn and read Tarot has the right and ability to do so. Tarot is about connecting with your intuition, your higher self, and your Guides. It is not only for a select few of us that others may see as “gifted” or “special.”
Although every card has a core meaning, always trust YOUR intuition first. Your intuition will only get stronger the more you listen to it, so trust whatever comes up for you first. It may not seem like it has anything to do with the traditional core meaning of the card, but it doesn’t mean it’s not accurate or related to the reading you are doing.
Your first deck does NOT need to be gifted to you! Contrary to popular belief, your first Tarot deck does not need to be a gift. You can absolutely pick a deck that calls to you!

Now, with those few things cleared up, let’s move on to how to get started 😃

This is a list of a few things to know or have before you get started reading Tarot.

1. Pick your own first deck! (Or maybe it was gifted to you – yay, it saved you some money!)

To learn Tarot, you will, of course, need a Tarot deck of some kind. To pick your first deck, you can check out your local bookstore, Metaphysical shop, or even Amazon. Pick one that you feel drawn to – whether it’s the imagery, the name of the deck, or just the vibe you get when you look at it or pick it up. Let your intuition guide you!

For absolute beginners, I would recommend something more traditional like this deck here so you become more accustomed to the imagery of the traditional deck. This is not a necessity, just a recommendation. Any deck that you are drawn to, and will use regularly, is the fit for you.

If you’ve read any of my Tarot readings, you’ll probably notice my typical go-to deck is the Light Seer’s Tarot Deck created by Chris Anne. I was drawn to the imagery right away, and it was the first deck I bought for myself. Coincidentally, my first deck actually was a gift from my Grandmother. It is a more traditional deck, like the one in this link. She used to read Tarot quite a bit back in the day, and she no longer used her deck, so she gave it to me around the time I started learning. 🤗

2. Cleanse your deck

The cards hold onto energy, so this is especially important if it is a previously owned deck. You will also want to regularly cleanse them to clear any energy that may be “stuck” to the cards. For example, you had a particularly negative client or a personal situation that was quite challenging. A few ideas of how to cleanse the cards are:

Knocking/tapping on the cards: Just as it sounds, hold the deck and give it a few taps/knocks. This will knock loose any energy that can be lingering.
Letting them air out: Literally! Take them outside on a nice day and let them get some fresh air. It’s just as good for them as it is for us!
Moon light: Set them on a window sill or other area where they can soak in the light of the Full Moon over night.
Re-sort them: This is my personal favorite. It’s simple, and I love a good reorganization to reset! You can re-sort the cards by putting the Major Arcana cards together, in order. Then, put each suit of the Minor Arcana together, in order as well. After they are sorted, you’ll then reshuffle them several times to get your energy back into the cards.

There are LOTS of ways you can cleanse your cards. The list above are just a few ideas. If you prefer another method, I’d love to hear it in the comments!

3. Get familiar with your deck

Take it out of the package/box and start looking through them. Typically, they come out of the box sorted by card type (Major Arcana, then each suit of the Minor Arcana – more on those in later posts!) Having a look at them can help you connect with them right off the bat Feel free to even start a Tarot journal and jot down any initial feelings you get when you first look at each card.

4. Be in the right (head)space

You don’t need a dedicated space to read Tarot (some may argue this), but you DO need to be in the right head space. It is recommended to not read Tarot when you are highly emotional, or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. These can interfere with your intuition, and possibly leave you vulnerable to negative energies.

Also, remember to be ethical. Whether you are learning to read Tarot because you want to for yourself or for clients, it is very important to be ethical and respect others’ privacy. Only read for the one that is asking for a reading – yourself or a client. Do not pry into a third party’s life. For example, a client comes to you and asks to find out what their ex is up to… kindly remind them that the reading is for them, and you cannot invade someone’s privacy like that. Offer to do a reading about what they can do for themselves to move past the break-up, or to attract the right partner for them. Tarot is a tool to help us guide ourselves, not an invitation to invade someone’s privacy.

5. Cleanse your OWN energy

I can’t stress this one enough! It’s not only important for you to cleanse your cards, but your own energy. You can cleanse your energy after a difficult situation or reading and/or at the end of the day. Here are some examples of how you can cleanse your energy:

Brush your aura/body: Starting at your head and working your way down your body, you are going to use your hands to pretend you are sweeping or brushing away energy from your aura/body. You can either do this just above your skin, or actually make contact – whichever you prefer. I enjoy this one because it’s quick, easy, and you can do it at any time.
Take a salt bath: Run a hot bath and put some Epsom salts in the water, then soak in it for awhile. You could even add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil, or light a candle. This is also great for sore muscles!
Sound: If you have singing bowls, you can use them. Or put on a video like this one while you work. Or another very simple option that is similar to brushing your aura/body is to clap your hands around your body.

6. Ground yourself

No, we’re not living back at home and getting grounded by our elders, LOL! This is the type of grounding where you will help yourself stay centered, or come back to center. We all have very different gifts, and if we spend a lot of time practicing Tarot or our other gifts, we can feel light headed, tired, or even heavy sometimes. Here are a few examples of how you can ground yourself:

Breathwork: Box breathing is one of my personal favorites. Again, this is quick, easy, and can be done at any time. I like to keep things simple! To do a box breath, you inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, then pause for 4 seconds before repeating the cycle a few times. Do this for a few rounds and notice how you feel.
Earthing: Actually get outside and make contact with the ground using your bare feet. It’s best if you can be on the actual Earth (dirt, grass, sand, etc).
Roots: Close your eyes and imagine you are like a tree with roots growing down into the ground. You don’t need to be outside to do this. You can be somewhere comfortable, and do the visualization for a minute or two and see how you feel.

That wraps up the first article on learning to read Tarot! If you have any questions, comments, or a-ha’s, please feel free to leave them in the comments.

‘Til next time!
💖 Ally

Learn to Read Tarot Series 01: Getting Started