I recently became a certified Master Tarot Card Reader through Wargachuk Academy. Here are the basics from Karma Gaia:
What is Tarot Reading?
Tarot reading is the art of using a precise spread (or arrangement) of Tarot cards to intuit knowledge and direction. Contrary to common perception, Tarot readings are not only for the psychically gifted, and the cards do not simply tell your future. The purpose of the cards is to reveal the deepest truths of your higher self. In other words, the cards give you a more sophisticated understanding of what you already know deep inside. Although we don't know where the Tarot came from, we do have historical records of its use in Europe as early as the fourteenth century. Since the start of the seventeenth century, the Tarot has been utilized as an oracle in its most basic configuration.
The Meaning Of Tarot:
There are 22 cards of the Major Arcana, which divulge greater secrets, and 56 cards of the Minor Arcana, which divulge lesser secrets and are further divided into four suits. The suits of the Minor Arcana include Wands, Swords, Cups, and Pentacles. The fourteen cards in each suit are numbered Ace through Ten, plus the Court Cards: Page (Princess), Knight (Prince), Queen, and King. Decks can vary some in naming. The suits and the individual cards are not always called the same thing, but their core meanings are fairly universal. For example, in some decks, the Knight equates to the King and not the Prince.
Most decks come with a booklet you can use to get familiar with its specifics. The Minor Arcana of the Tarot symbolize daily aspects of life, giving insight into our challenges, talents, opportunities, and experience of ups and downs. Each suit represents an element: Wands are Fire, Swords are Air, Cups are Water, and Pentacles are Earth. The suits can reflect attitude and temperament, such as a fiery person or someone who is “up in the air” or “down to earth.” Determining a card’s significance is dependent upon the question, the reader, the person receiving the reading, and the placement of other cards in the spread. The Major Arcana are numbered 0 through 21, starting with The Fool, and ending with The World. These cards align with the milestones of life’s story or The Hero’s Journey which can be explored further with Joseph Campbell’s book “The Hero With a Thousand Faces.” In this sense, the cards of the Major Arcana represent the 22 inevitable phases or passages of every journey, which we’ll all encounter during our lives (not necessarily in this order). It’s also possible for these phases to repeat themselves, and recur multiple times throughout one’s life, creating a cyclical nature in which there is no true beginning or end.
Tarot Spreads:There are many types of Tarot spreads. Perhaps the most classic is an eleven-card layout called The Celtic Cross (11 cards including the Significator). There is also a Tree of Life spread, a Planetary spread, the Tetraktys spread, and the Pentagram spread, among many, many others. Some readers like to do simpler, smaller spreads using only three cards. A three-card spread can have many interpretations in and of itself, such as Past-Present-Future, Mind-Body-Spirit, or Situation-Action-Outcome. The variation of three-card spreads is virtually endless.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for today. I drew the Ace of Wands, the Sun, and the Knight of Swords. You are experiencing new beginnings and a creative spark. Your happiness and success will give you a fierce determination to pursue your goals.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew The Queen of Wands, the 10 of Cups, and the Queen of Cups. Your confidence and your zest for life combined with the happiness and attainment of what you desire available to you will result in you being emotionally nurturing, intuitive and sensitive.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 2 of Swords, the King of Pentacles, and the 2 of Wands. You may be undecided about a situation in your life, but you need to know that you can have a great life with all that you want and need if you take time to contemplate and reassess your life's direction.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the Lovers, the Wheel of Fortune, and the 7 of Pentacles. We have plenty of passion for uniting with the results our choices, and we will need patience to ride the ups and downs and changes in life, but we will see the fruits of our labors come to fruition.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew 2 of the same cards from yesterday's reading - the 4 of Cups and the Page of Pentacles, this time along with the 7 of Swords! I love it when cards present themselves repeatedly, because I shuffle VERY WELL, so the chance of repeats is low. Therefor, I believe repeats mean there is a super important message to be delivered that should not be ignored.
You have been disappointed by offers in the past, but there is a new one coming in. Pay attention and do not give up. This new one could be very good for you.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 4 of Cups, the 4 of Pentacles, and the Page of Pentacles. Though you may not have been satisfied with what was offered so far, there is a new offer coming in. You may feel the need to hold on tightly to your resources, but you will learn otherwise.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 8 of Pentacles, the Page of Cups, and the 7 of Wands. You have laid the groundwork with focused effort, so with the inspiration and creativity available to you, you can avoid feeling defensive and on guard. Sorry for the blurry image.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the Knight of Wands, the 6 of Wands, and Death. Follow your passions, taking a few risks along the way, allowing the accolades you receive to help you relax about endings that will happen. Change is inevitable.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the Wheel of Fortune, the King of Swords, and the 2 of Swords. That is twice in the last 4 days I drew the Wheel of Fortune and the King of Swords together in a reading and 2 days in a row I drew the 2 of Swords. I would say we need to be rational, through change and the ups and downs of life. There may be choices we are not seeing that would bring good fortune.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 2 of Wands, the Sun, and the 2 of Swords. As you contemplate your life-s direction, know that success and happiness will always be available to you, as long as you don't let indecision keep you from seeing that.
This morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 4 0f Swords, the 6 of Wands, and the Queen of Swords. Since I drew the 4 of Swords in the current situation position 2 days in a row, spirit must be trying to get a strong message across about how important meditation, rest, and retreat are.. It will ensure our success, recognition, and our ability to communicate clearly and to cut through the b.s.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 4 of Swords, the Page of Wands, and the Tower. Through meditation, rest, and retreat, you will be newly inspired and excited about life, and will be able to let go of old structures and release what no longer serves you.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the King of Swords, the Wheel of Fortune, and the 5 of Swords. Though you may be serious and intellect-focused, thinking you have everything under control, there will be ups and downs and change, so try not to fall into mind games and hostility out of frustration.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 9 of Pentacles, the 4 of Wands, and the 10 of Wands. Being in a place of material and financial wealth and having the safety and security of a good home, we can lay down our burdens of responsibility so that we don't feel exhausted.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the Lovers, the Hierophant, and Temperance. The passion of the perfect union sometimes needs to be tempered by established tradition in order to have balance and moderation.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 7 of Wands, the 2 of Wands, and the 10 of Swords. You may be feeling defensive and on guard, so take time to contemplate and assess your life's direction to avoid self-sabotage and feeling defeated.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 2 of Cups, the 9 of Wands, and the 4 of Swords. Be careful not to let pessimism spoil the good partnership (business, friendship, or love) that you have now. Sometimes a little R & R is good to get a better perspective.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the Star, the Queen of Cups, and the 6 of Wands. We are in a state of hope and calm, and with emotional nurturing we will be victorious.
Ths morning I asked the cards for a good message for us all for today. I drew the 9 of Swords, the 9 of Cups, and the 5 of Pentacles. If we want to take advantage of wall the abundance that is available to us, we should guard against overthinking that can add to our anxiety and cause us to feel lack.
This morning I asked the cards for a good general reading for us all for today. I drew the Queen of Cups, The 6 of Wands, and the 7 of Cups. We are especially sensitive and emotionally nurturing right now. We will have victory and acclaim as long as we don't let indecision keep us from moving forward. Sometimes it is better to make a choice, any choice, than to stand still making no choice at all.