Tarot Reading Essentials: Seeing Clearly and Building a Deep Connection with Each Card

As an internationally renowned, full-time professional tarot reader, I’ve spent years learning from many schools of thought, texts, and hands-on experience. Tarot is more than a profession—it’s my passion, a labor of love, and a lifelong journey of exploration.

I consider myself a lifelong student, not only of tarot but of the psychology behind it and of how to deepen my intuitive relationship with each card. In this guide, I’ll share my approach to tarot reading, combining practical steps and the insights I’ve gathered through years of study and practice.

When it comes to reading tarot cards, understanding the basics is essential, but there’s a deeper art to creating a meaningful experience for both you and the person you’re reading for.

Tarot is less about controlling fate and more about seeing clearly—observing patterns, gaining insights, and exploring the intricacies of the human experience.

This guide will walk you through eight foundational steps to connect with your cards and enhance your tarot practice.

Let’s dive into creating a tarot reading approach that feels natural, empowering, and insightful.

Step 1: The Shuffle—Setting the Energy

The first step in tarot reading is the shuffle. If you’re curious about using tarot in everyday life to add depth and insight to your daily decisions, here’s how tarot can help guide your day-to-day choices.

While myths suggest that your deck should be handled by no one but you or that your first deck must be a gift, these are just that—myths. In reality, what matters is the intention you bring to the shuffle.

For an in-depth guide to tarot basics, Oprah Daily’s beginner’s guide is another great resource.

The act of shuffling is a meditative process, aligning your energy with the tarot cards.

For those who enjoy depth in their readings, incorporating reversals by flipping some cards during the shuffle can add nuanced layers to the narrative. By including reversed cards, you open up a broader spectrum of interpretation, as each card now carries dual meanings—upright and reversed.

Step 2: The Cut—Using Intention and Symbolism

Once you’re ready, it’s time to cut the deck. Using your left hand, traditionally associated with receiving, divide the deck into three piles. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, cutting your deck can help you focus and reset, but tarot itself can also help you find balance in times of chaos.

Here’s a powerful way to use tarot for grounding and letting go.

After cutting, gather the piles back together and give the deck a final shuffle to unify the energy.

This step helps ensure that your tarot cards are in a fresh, receptive state for whatever insights may come through.

Step 3: Selecting the Spread—Finding a Structure

Choosing a spread gives your reading structure. For beginners, the simplicity of a three-card spread (representing the past, present, and future) is perfect.

If you’re curious about what tarot can and can’t reveal, dive deeper here to explore the limits and powers of tarot predictions and gain a better understanding of the wisdom these cards offer.

Before drawing each card, set an intention for its position in the spread.

For example, if you’re pulling a card to represent “the core of my situation,” say this intention aloud to solidify the purpose of that card.

This step keeps the reading focused and grounded.

Step 4: Drawing with Intuition—Trusting the First Impression

With your cards spread out, take a deep breath and center yourself. Close your eyes if needed, and hover your left hand over the cards, letting your intuition guide you to the right one.

If you’re interested in sharpening your intuitive skills, check out these tips to increase your psychic abilities and deepen your tarot practice.

Intuitive card selection can manifest differently for everyone, and Vogue’s tarot guide provides a great perspective on how intuition connects to your unique process.

Step 5: Placement for Clarity—Understanding Card Positioning

In tarot, where a card is drawn from can add context. Consider the left side of the spread to represent the past, while the right side leans toward the future.

Central placements often speak to the core or hidden aspects of a situation. Allure’s beginner-friendly tarot guide discusses card positioning in a way that’s accessible and intuitive, ideal for those just starting out.

Step 6: Interpret with Depth—Reflecting the Human Experience

Each tarot card speaks to the richness of the human experience, encompassing both virtues and challenges. Tarot isn’t just about the “good” aspects; it’s about balance.

Explore more here on The Tarot Professor to dive deeper into the symbolism and dual nature of each card.

Take your time with each card, exploring how its message fits into the larger context of the spread. This process allows you to see the interconnections between the cards and provides a well-rounded view of the reading.

Step 7: Building a Living Relationship with Each Card

To deepen your connection with the cards, treat each one as a living entity with a unique presence.

Healing Thru Tarot’s guide on beginner resources is excellent for exploring ways to develop a daily ritual with the cards.

Over time, each tarot card will become like an old friend, offering you specific insights that are personal to you.

This process cultivates a rich, intuitive understanding of the cards that only grows with practice.

Step 8: Reflect the Other—Seeing Yourself in the Reading

When reading for someone else, the best approach is to see them as a mirror of yourself. It sounds strange, but this approach ensure you’re letting go of control, surrendering your ego and truly providing a reflection for the querent you’re reading for – what words do you need to hear for each card?

Imagine you’re doing a reading for you, and speak openly and authentically about everything that comes up.

Tarot is as much about empathy as it is about intuition.

By viewing others as reflections, you’ll naturally tap into insights that are both personal and universally relevant. The Good Trade’s guide is a beautiful resource on how empathy plays a role in tarot reading.

Final Thoughts

The purpose of tarot is to see, not control. Each card acts as a mirror, helping us explore patterns, energies, and underlying themes. For more in-depth reading and resources, check out Allure’s guide to enrich your understanding of tarot.

If you’re interested in learning more about me and my journey with tarot, click here to dive into my story and learn what drives my work. And if you’re ready to experience a personal reading, book your session with me today for a one-on-one tarot experience tailored to your life and questions.

Thank you for reading! Tarot has so much to offer for those who seek wisdom and depth.

Feel free to comment below with your experiences or questions, and don’t forget to subscribe for more tarot insights, empowerment tips, and grounded spirituality.

Check out this first video I made for YouTube that sums up everything discussed in this article. Believe it or not I’m actually quite camera shy, and being in front of the lens is part of facing my fears. Here’s hoping it gets easier the more I do it!

Happy reading, and welcome to the journey!