A guide to reading tarot cards
It’s easy to read the tarot yourself by working with a tarot deck in a specific layout. One of the most popular spreads is the Celtic cross spread. Read this article to find out how you can read the cards for this spread. You can become adept at tarot readings for yourself, family and friends. This article provides you with a guide to reading tarot cards.
To begin
To begin your own card reading, shuffle the Tarot cards and keep in mind a question which you wish them to answer. Think about your current life and what you would like to help with. You can select a significator card from the minor arcane that represents you physically, and leave that under the first card.
Arrangement
Cards one and two are placed in front of you, card three above these, card four below. Card five sits to the right and card six sits to the left to make up the basic cross. Then, to your far right, place card seven, eight, nine and ten in a vertical line with ten at the top. For exact tarot meanings of the cards, you will need a tarot guide. This usually comes with your cards, but you can buy larger versions with more detail from good bookshops.
Your cross cards
Turn over your first card, this represents your current environment and the atmosphere that you find yourself in. Card two can be laid across card one, and this signifies the obstacles that stand in your way. The third card represents your aim. Card four shows the root of the matter and what has happened in the past. Turn over card five to find out what is happening in your present. Card six represents the future and what lies ahead. These cards form the Celtic cross, and give you an indication of where you are coming from and where you are going to.
The final result
Now, to your vertical line, turn over the seventh card at the bottom. This shows your attitude or position towards your current circumstances. Card eight above shows what is influencing you at this current time. Your ninth card represents your hopes and fears and your final card, number ten, shows the final result, the answer to your question. If any of the cards are Major Arcana, they will give weight to your reading. The appearance of many cards from one of the suitsands, cups, swords or pentacles will also give different interpretations. Consult your Tarot guide for in-depth tarot card meanings.
