You may have used an oracle deck or heard of tarot cards, but did you realize you could perform a reading with a standard deck of playing cards for a friend or yourself? Anyone is welcome to try this method of divination, known as cartomancy.
Here, we go into all there is to know about cartomancy, including its history, the meaning of the cards, how to perform readings, and more.
In This Article...
Questions you don’t really want answered
Even though it might seem apparent, it’s advisable to refrain from asking the tarot cards questions that you aren’t prepared to hear the answers to. That’s because answers to these questions can reveal information you’re just not quite ready to hear.
“Tarot can definitely come off as offensive if you’re not willing to hear the truth or consider an opposing point of view. Tarot reading Nicole Fortunaso
According to tarot reader and life coach Nicole Fortunaso, “tarot may truly come out as offensive if you are not willing to hear the truth of the problem or look at an alternate viewpoint.” She advises considering why you’re responding the way you are in order to reflect on the best way to address the underlying cause if you ask the question and are unsatisfied with the response.
Can you use tarot cards?
Did you know that by determining the matching number, you can use tarot cards to play card games? Some people utilize tarot cards to get a glimpse into the past, present, or future.
Tarot cards can be used in a variety of card games, including French Tarot and Baronetti. All ages can play games with tarot cards for self-improvement, making decisions, manifesting objectives, and other purposes.
How can you use tarot cards in card games? The 78-card deck is centered on a variety of themes, including dragons, fantasy, nature, and animals. You can play solitaire, Tarok, Scarto, Grosstarock, Patita, Baronetti, and French Tarot with tarot cards.
The secret is to play the game with these tarot cards just like regular playing cards. All of these Tarot card-based card games are into the point-trick category, where points are awarded for drawing cards rather than representing them.
Can tarot cards be shuffled?
The act of shuffling your tarot cards helps you tune into the present moment and the current reading while purging and clearing the energy of the cards’ previous shape.
We carefully mix the cards to create new forms and randomize the sequence, bringing out the wisdom of the deck that defies reason but nevertheless yields profound wisdom. Pulling cards is a valuable tool because it is a random process.
Regarding the randomness of the cards and card shuffle, Rachel Pollack writes in Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom:
They avoid the typical moment-by-moment way that people perceive life since they are random and do affront reasonable common sense. They depart from the conventional logic-based language of conscious mankind, much like dreams. They also transcend it by going outside of it.
More meaningful than what at first glance appear to be playing cards, the act of shuffling generates this random generation of images, teachings, and knowledge.
Tarot is effective because it defies logic, continues Pollack. The data is available. Our subconscious self are aware of it already. A tool that serves as a gateway to conscious perception is what we require.
Our tool for obtaining and reinterpreting this illogical knowledge is a deck of cards. We submit to it and let this knowledge come through via shuffling.
How to shuffle tarot cards
There is basically no wrong method to shuffle, to start with. Even if you could have a specific visual in mind, you’re on the correct track as long as the cards are being combined in novel ways.
There are a number various methods you can use when shuffling your tarot deck, while there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Place the cards face down on a flat surface or the floor, then shuffle them about like a child playing in mud.
You hold the deck in one hand and move tiny groups of cards from the rear to the front with your other hand.
Probably what comes to mind when you think of someone shuffle is this. Using your thumb and fingers, alternate how the two sides of the deck fit together while holding half of it in each hand. Although it takes some practice to get the hang of it, this one is simple.
Although it isn’t strictly shuffled, after combining the cards, you can spread out the whole deck on a level surface and choose cards at random using your intuition (or have the querent select their own cards).
You can combine all of these (like I do!) or pick one or two that feel the most natural to you.
Shuffles are a terrific opportunity to tune into the energy present and establish a connection with your deck. Regardless of the approach you use, it’s critical that you are at ease so that you may concentrate on the subject or questions at hand and open your channel to the wisdom the cards are carrying, rather than fearing that you might drop your cards. If you need to, practice until your shuffling motion feels natural and proper to you.
Tuning into the reading as you shuffle
Focus on opening yourself up to messages and guidance from the cosmos and your guides while you shuffle the cards. It’s beneficial to have your own procedures and rituals for achieving this. Voici a simple formula:
- Take a few slow, deep breaths as you pick up your deck and start to shuffle it.
- Step 2: Ask for assistance by opening your circle up to guides, the universe, goddesses, and God.
- Step 3: Pay attention to each question you pose one at a time. If you’re utilizing a spread with several questions, you can either momentarily shuffle between each card pull or pull them all at once, paying close attention to each question before doing so. whichever makes sense to you.
- Step 4: Choose a card when you feel it is appropriate.
How do you decide when it’s time to stop shuffling and select your cards?
You are the only person who can respond to this common query. Follow your gut instinct and finish your shifting when you believe it’s time. All done. Keep your self-doubt to a minimum. If you need to, get practice listening for or observing this timing. Usually, it will just feel like the right time.
What’s the deal with jumper cards when you’re shuffling your tarot deck?
In a reading, jumper cardscards that appear to “jump right out of the deck” as you’re shufflingare small treasures. These, in my opinion, are urgent messages that genuinely want to be heard. As a general rule, I don’t give them a spot in the spread; instead, I elevate them above the other cards to serve as the reading’s overarching theme.
If several cards are pulled out of the deck at once, I will use the top card as a jumper, put the remaining cards back in the deck, and interpret this as a hint that I can finish rearranging the cards shortly.
The finest strategies for shuffling your deck will ultimately come from a lot of practice and knowledge. You can never go wrong if you follow your own gut and instincts. Finding the best practices for you and your own tarot practice is what matters herenot tarot dogma and rules.
Infuse the cards with your energy
Spend some time with your tarot deck to imbue it with your energy before you begin plucking cards. The creator of Soul Cards, Kristine Fredheim, advises giving them a good shuffle while imagining or stating your name and birthdate. You might also think about sleeping with your cards under your pillow if you want to get really close to them.
What transpires if your tarot cards are touched?
If you have been reading Tarot for years without allowing anybody else to touch your cards and this is how you prefer it to be done, maintain reading in this manner. Do it if it works.
However, if you are new to tarot and unsure about whether you should allow others to touch your cards when reading for them, REST! Others are welcome to touch freely. In fact, I believe that doing this makes a reading seem more genuine. You simply need to believe in the strength of your intention to afterwards purge any negative energy from your Tarot deck.
What are your thoughts on this? I’m interested to know! Therefore, please share your thoughts regarding individuals touching your cards in the comments section below. Do you agree with it? Or do you strictly enforce a no-touch policy?
How are tarot cards used by beginners?
Tarot readings typically proceed in the following manner after that:
- You must first pose a query to the card deck. It ought to be unambiguous and open-ended.
- It’s time to shuffle once you’ve thought of the query.
- Draw a card (s).
- Lay your chosen card or cards in your spread face down after making your selection.
Do you need to bring your tarot cards?
In between readings, set your Tarot cards on a dedicated altar. If it’s been a while since you’ve handled your cards or if someone’s handling them has bothered you, you should either ritually re-consecrate them or carry the cards around with you until they “feel right” again.
What do playing cards in tarot represent?
The four suits are Future difficult tasks or events are represented by spades. Hearts are all about emotions, relationships, family, and home. Clubs stand for promising things that would soon happen. Money and finances are the main themes in diamonds.
Can I use tarot cards for solitaire?
With as many comparable rules as feasible, the objective is to make a Tarot card play as much like Microsoft Windows Klondike Solitaire as possible. Solution: Use six 13-card suits in place of four. Remove the Knights, leaving 13 cards per suit for the Cups, Coins, Swords, and Clubs.