How to prepare for a tarot reading
So you've got your own Tarot deck, you've figured out how to protect it from negativity, and now you're ready to read for someone else. Maybe he's a friend who has heard of your interest in the Tarot. Maybe it's a congregational sister who needs guidance. Maybe - and this happens a lot - he is a friend of a friend, who has a problem and would like to see "what the future holds". Regardless, there are a few things you should do before you take responsibility for reading the cards for another person.
First, before reading for someone else, make sure you've cleaned up the basics of the Tarot. It is important to study and learn the meanings of the 78 cards in the deck. Study the major arcana, as well as the four suits, so you know what each card represents. More intuitive readers may have slightly different meanings than traditional representations "taught by books", and that's fine. The point is to know what you are doing before doing it for someone else. The meanings that are only partially learned will result in only partial reading.
Decide if you feel comfortable using "reversals" in your divination. Many people read a card the same way, no matter what it looks like. Others follow the inverted meanings applied to each card. It's up to you to decide whether or not to use inverted meanings, but it's a good idea to be consistent. In other words, if you use inversions, use them whenever they appear, not just when it's convenient. Remember, when the cards are shuffled they will become very well shuffled.
In some Tarot traditions, the reader will select a card to represent the Querent, the person you are reading for. This is sometimes referred to as a signifying card. In some traditions, the signifier is selected based on age and maturity level: a king would be a good choice for an older man, while a Page or a knight would do it for a younger and less experienced male. Some readers choose a card based on personality: your best friend on mother earth can be perfectly represented by the empress or your uncle devoted to the Hierophant. If you don't want to assign a card to Querent, it's not necessary.
It is a good idea to have Querent shuffle the deck so that the cards can regain its energy. If you think Querent is attributed some negativity, clean the deck after reading. If you really don't want Querent to mix, at least you should allow it to cut the deck into three stacks after completing the mix. As he does so, the Querent should silently ask a simple but important question on which the reading will focus. Ask Querent not to share this question with you until you have finished reading.
Decide which layout you want to use: some people prefer the Celtic cross, others the Romanesque method or you can invent your own. Start at the top of the deck and place the cards in the order dictated by your spread. When you turn the cards to read them, turn them from one side to the other, rather than vertically - if you turn them vertically, an inverted card will end up with the right side and vice versa. Place all the cards in the layout in front of you at once, before you start reading one. Once all the cards have been laid, put the rest of the deck aside.
Take a quick look at the spread and look for any patterns. For example, is there more than one suit of others? Are there many court cards or an absence of the Major Arcana? Also note the seeds, because this will give you an idea of the possible direction of reading.
reps
Many swords: conflicts and conflicts
Many chopsticks: big changes
Many pentacles / coins: financial issues
Many cups: problems of love and relationship
Many important arcana: Querent's question could be controlled by other people, rather than himself
Many 8: change and movement forward in life
Many axes: powerful energy of the seed element
Now that you've reviewed them, it's time to go all the way and do your reading!
Are you ready to learn more about the Tarot? Use our 6-step introductory tarot guide to get started!