Hello readers and friends. Whether you read tarot yourself (or receive readings), you’ve probably wondered how the cards fit together to create a message. It’s true that interpreting cards is an art form, but it’s also built on technique and practice. Every reader has a different approach. I’m a very visual reader, which means that I tend to look at images more so than card meanings. For those learning to read or getting readings, here are a couple of insider techniques:
1. In a grouping of cards, build off of the prevalent theme.
In this group of cards, what stands out to me is the concept of night. Several clues led me here: A face with the moon, a bottle with closed liquid (suggesting bar/nightlife), and dark clouds which evoke the night sky. The person in this reading could be setting Boundaries with drinking, socializing at night, or doing other night time activities (staying up too late?). Metaphorically, the imagery of night could indicate a time of reprieve, and as the card word Obscurity suggests, deep reflection into what, in life, needs to be brought out into the light of day. As you can see, the idea of “night” provided literal and symbolic meanings to build the reading off of.
2. Keywords can be helpful.
Let’s say you made the following keywords for the above cards. The Empress: abundance. Knight of Wands: passion. The World: authenticity. So, the message is: abundance and passion is found when you embrace what’s most authentic to you. So, having a number of keywords you associate with each card can help you quickly see the message.
3. Look for contrasting elements.
In this pairing of cards, the Release card is the most emotive, contrasting starkly to the fairly pleasant vibes of Clarity and Acceptance. This card might pose the answer to solving the problem facing the questioner. Release could be letting go of a limiting mindset, job, partner, friendship, or something else. Sometimes the contrasting themes or cards reveals both the problem and the solution.
Interested in learning more? I’ve got workbooks which cover a lot of different techniques.
