r/tarot

​

Do you prefer reading with positional meanings and predefined spreads, or do you read more freeform, letting the cards speak without assigning specific meanings to each position?

If you read freeform, what's your actual technique? Do you read left to right as a narrative that you form while pulling cards, do you look at elemental interactions, focus on visual relationships between the cards, build a story, or something else?

Personally, I tend to prefer spreads with clear positional meanings. As a reader, I find them more precise and better suited to the kinds of questions people bring me. Having defined positions helps me stay focused and gives the querent a clearer structure. My querents are used to getting clear and direct answers to their questions so this helps.

However, when I read with TdM, I often do simple three-card pulls without assigning any meanings to the positions. I just read the cards in sequence, as one sentence, usually using visual rhymes rather than any "this means that" system, following Elias and Enriquez.

I'm interested to hear how others do it and what you feel are the strengths and limitations of each approach.

Backstory: I’m a woman, I had a talking stage with a guy about 3 years ago, but I ended it because I needed to heal and work on myself. He reaches out once a year or so.

Today I asked if I’d already met my future husband and pulled the 8 of Pentacles, 10 of Pentacles, and King of Pentacles. I took that as Yes.

Then I asked how I’d recognize him and got the Knight of Cups, 6 of Cups, 8 of Cups, and 6 of Swords, which made me think it could be someone I’d walked away from. I tend to do that ngl. 🫠

I asked how we’d reconnect and pulled the Ace of Swords, Ace of Cups, The Lovers, Two of cups, and The Hierophant, so I interpreted that as whoever it is, he will be reaching out again. Stop asking questions.

Then, a few hours later… that same guy randomly called me after about 6 months of no contact. 😅

Has anyone else had tarot line up with something like this?

Since when did reading reverses become controversial????

I believe this apparently pervasive (and absolutely wrong) idea has come from three bad ideas: 

1. Misunderstanding of cards in general and randomness in particular
2. People who hate messiness (and see shuffling as “too messy” or messing up their card edges)
3. People who don’t understand negativity is part of life and therefore, part of any good card system.

 

1 and 2:

Readers who can’t shuffle, and/or OCD types who prioritize the “neatness” and cleanness of their cards; usually combined with people who can’t tolerate the randomness at the heart of any card-based activity. (I suspect these people haven’t played card games of any kind and treat their decks too preciously). 

Also, they may not actually don’t know how to shuffle or understand what shuffling is meant for. 

Reddit quotes:

“Fun fact: I never get reversed cards in a reading, because I always keep them neatly on the same side, shuffle them in the same direction, and never turn them over in my readings.”

[wtf???]

“Personally, I don't use them and I don't think I ever will. My shuffling is JUST becoming decent and I don't want to get it messy all over again”

“I'm far too OCD to shuffle my cards all willy-nilly like that.”

“There's no trueway to get cards reversed randomly by gently shuffling them. You have to intentionally take some cards and flip them around while you shuffle.”

• The whole point of shuffling is creating as much randomness as possible (ask any card player—I learned to shuffle from my grandma, a lady Elk who played a mean gin rummy). 
• The reason playing cards can be read from any direction is because they get turned upside down during a good shuffle. If not?  Guess what gurl, you aren’t shuffling. 
• The idea of “not messing up your cards” goes against everything a card player knows about creating randomness, also known in card playing as fairness. 
  • Imagine a poker deck where the card backs indicate up or down. 
  • Now imagine the game played where somehow the dealer keeps the cards in all one direction up or down.

   

• I’m gonna say that in Texas? They shoot you for that.

 

Point 3: No Negativity!!!

Readers who don’t understand that there ARE unfortunate cards in unfortunate places in unfortunate readings. 

Beware these people!!! They refuse to believe in “negativity” in a reading—therefore I guess in life?? As though all our lives are sunshine and light from birth thru death! 

Look, the cards are life and bad things happen. (In fact they happen more often than good things—sorry to warn you youngsters about this if your mommas didn’t do their job.) 

I’m pretty sure that readers who refuse to ever warn a client about bad things coming their way—those people probably make a mint!! But they are doing poor service to their clients, who need to know the best ways to avoid bad outcomes.

If you think negativity has no place in tarot and can’t read “negativity if kept on current path” you have no business reading cards. 

Reddit quotes: 

“I see each card representing both the good and bad and all reversed aspects can be wrapped into the cards meaning depending on context.”

[Exactly. One of the contexts is “is it upside down”. What kills me about this is there are plenty of cards which are BETTER when reversed!!]

“You don't usually go to an art museum to stand on your head to judge the composition”

[I also don’t go to art museums to discern clues about my future and how to live my life but maybe that’s just me.]

“To be fair, I’ve tried reversals multiple times before, and in all attempts, it never worked. There was always something wrong.”

[You have no idea what you’re doing.]

“I never awknowledge reverse cards and read them as normal”

[Good luck with life]

“One thing I think it would definetly help with is having less meanings to keep up with for each card. Keeping things simple might improve my intuitive abilities”

[Now you’re just being lazy. Come on]

SUMMARY

I’m sure I’ll be come at with basically the same exact arguments as above. Look. If you know you know. What kills me though is I never have charged for a reading yet people who do? Actually purport to believe this bullshit. 

Reversals are part of the reading. Learn to shuffle. Understand randomness. Quit babying your cards. Accept negativity— it’s part of life, there can be no good without bad. Stop making excuses because reading reversals is hard. 

You don’t wanna do it, fine. But at least don’t throw shade on those of us who have the skills and courage to read reverses. 

Please use this thread to request a reading, to request help with interpretation for non-relationship readings, or to offer free readings. Love relationship readings currently have their own thread pinned at the top of the sub on a trial basis.

This thread is refreshed every Sunday.

If you are requesting help with interpretation, please comment using the following format:

• The question(s) you're asking, with any context you would like to share.

• An explanation of the spread you're using. Diagrams or links are welcome.

• A photo or description of the cards you dealt. You can upload photos via imgur, or another hosting service.

• Your interpretation.

If someone helps you, consider giving them some feedback or thanking them for their work!

I'm brand new to tarot so forgive me. But I asked tarot how this man feels about me and I got 8 of cups, 3 of cups (reversed), Strength card, 10 of cups (reversed), and 8 of wands. How should I interpret this?

I have used tarot in the past and had relied on books for interpretation but had also built a pretty basic understanding (I don’t want to use AI for both ethical reasons and reliability, or websites for readings/interpretations because I do not personally believe they can portray as clear a message as a physical deck and interpretation), however, as it is said to happen, I lost my tarot cards when I no longer needed them (Over 3 years ago). I have recently been interested in tarot again and don’t remember what book I used previously, so I wanted to get some recommendations on books for tarot reading interpretations.
I am looking for a book that ideally covers both upright and reversed cards, and if possible (but not necessary at all) has a guide about reading cards together (as in, say, interpreting getting the page of pentacles with the tower (random cards named for example purposes)). Otherwise, website recommendations are also appreciated for interpretations!!!!
Any recommendations are very appreciated! Thank you so much!

Hi all. My first tarot deck was a classic Rider Waite one from Barnes & Noble, but I have a few issues with it—the back of the cards is a dark blue plaid that I dislike the look of, the cards themselves are not holding up to riffle shuffling well, and the colors on the designs are less vibrant than others I have seen. I'd like to replace them soon, so—

I'm wondering, what is everyone's favorite version of the Rider Waite cards? There seem to be so many for sale! I would love durable cards with vivid illustrations and a 'pretty' or more classic design on the back as opposed to the plaid. Thank you.

Hey yall,
For the past several months, I've been doing readings about my personal shortcomings and how I can improve romantically and more often than not, I get the magician. It keeps showing up and I know it means something but I simply can't figure it out. My best guess is that I have to jump on every opportunity I see?

Idk yall pls help im lost.

Thanks,
Ghoul

Genuine question
I always get asked this EVERYTIME for Etsy tarot readings. Even two of my favorite readers asks. Any reason why?

I asked tarot what kind of man is my ideal type and would provide the most compatibility.

A client disclosed severe domestic violence in a reading last night. I directed her to various resources for DV help (advocates, therapists, people who can help her make a safer plan to leave should she choose to do so), but I am so shaken & concerned. she is scared to leave because he has told her he would **** her.

for readers with similar experiences, what did you do? for your client & even yourself afterwards.

she told me things that sent off every alarm bell. I am scared for her life. but if I called DSS (there are kids who have witnessed the abuse) I fear it would escalate, given things he’s told her. she is talking about leaving & beginning to take steps, but my brain is just spinning. I told her not to pay me - to take the money to leave but she paid.

what to do?

I’ve had several clients lately who are disclosing abuse - from emotional to physical. I want to be as prepared and as helpful as possible, & give them the right resources - but what some of these clients need is a police officer not a tarot reader 😞

After receiving feedback from the community, we’re putting this weekly thread in place on a trial basis dedicated solely to love relationship readings.  Examples of questions that can be posted here are: 

• does he/she/my FWB love me?
• what are this person’s feelings/intentions towards me?
• is he/she coming back?
• will we reconcile?
• should I break no contact? 
• we just broke up, what now?
• what will my future spouse look like?
• what does my love life look like in the next 3 months?
• why is my ex texting me again?
• my ex keeps calling me, what should I do?

Please note that we, the moderators, are trying this out as an experiment and will determine at a later date if this dedicated thread should become a permanent feature in the sub.   We will also use our discretion as to which readings belong here in this thread, and which will remain on the main sub.  That will depend upon the complexity of the question as well as how close it adheres to rule no. 3 about posting. 

If you are requesting help by asking a second opinion or interpretation help, please comment using the following format:

* The question(s) you're asking, with any context you would like to share.

* An explanation of the spread you're using. Diagrams or links are welcome.

* A photo or description of the cards you dealt. You can upload photos via imgur, or another hosting service. 

* Your interpretation.

If someone helps you, consider giving them some feedback or thanking them for their work!