Things To Keep In Mind When Practicing Tarot
I started to call this post “The dos and don’ts of Tarot” but it really didn’t resonate with me. Why? Because there really isn’t anything you HAVE to do with your Tarot if you don’t want to.
Likewise there is nothing you shouldn’t do if it feels right to you. Ultimately Tarot reading is just as personal and individual as all other spiritual practices are.
So instead, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to the practice of Tarot reading so you can decide for yourself if you want to include them in your personal practice.
Is it okay to buy your first deck yourself?
Absolutely.
The fact that someone else needs to gift you your first deck is a myth, or at least antiquated. Many Tarot readers aren’t in situations where they have others in their lives who are willing to get their deck for them. In fact, buying your own first deck allows you to pick one that feels right to you which is an important part of the process. So go ahead and get that deck you’re eyeing. There’s nothing wrong with doing so.
Do you have to do something special to store your decks?
Some people, especially those who practice magic, tend to store their decks in specific types of bags, often with cleansing stones in them, in order to keep stray energies from affecting them. Other people store their decks in wooden boxes, the box the come in, card deck boxes or anything that works to protect the cards from the elements. There really is no right or wrong way to store them. So do what feels right to you!
Is it wrong to let people touch your Tarot cards?
This is all up to your own comfort level. Some readers believe the energy of the cards is everything and letting other handle their cards could change it. Some readers don’t believe that and freely allow others to hold their cards. The truth seems to lie somewhere in the belief system of the reader.
So its for you to decide. If you are concerned about the energies of others affecting your deck then knowing how and when to cleanse them is all you really need in order to prevent that.
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like it when others touch your things then don’t allow them to. Neither way is specifically right or wrong.
Do I need to have a ritual for card reading?
Oh. That’ s a loaded question right there. Many Tarot readers stress the importance of rituals before, during and after reading. But I also know many readers that don’t use them. Rituals and self-regulated practices are wonderful traditions for people who read Tarot but they are not for everyone. Though they can certainly come in handy for helping you focus. If you do want to try having a ritual you can use such things as rubbing your hands together, patting your leg or any other little gesture before laying out your cards. Some people light candles or shuffle the cards a certain way. Just little gestures to make them feel more connected and to let Spirit know they are ready to receive.
How DO I cleanse the cards?
There are multiple ways to cleanse the energy of your cards if choose to. You can set the intention of cleaning the extra energy out and tap on the cards to knock the energy free. You can run your deck through the smoke of incense. Or even leave the deck on the windowsill to be cleansed by the moonlight. A quick search of the internet can give you many more ideas. Whatever feels right to you!
Is it okay to read Tarot for yourself?
Yes. Of course! Tarot are meant to be used as a self-improvement tool and not just as a divination tool. Do keep in mind that our emotions and beliefs can affect our readings though. So when reading for yourself its important to know that if you are incredibly invested in the topic you are doing a reading on, you might not see the same kind of signs or facts that someone who is less invested might.
Or you might accidently skew the information given to you to fit the belief system you hold. If at all possible having someone else do the readings for you in those cases is the best option. If not, try and remember that everything might not be what it seems. So try and stay open minded and not take it too much to heart. The truth will always show itself in the long run.
I find it also helps to go into readings with the clear intention for Spirit to tell me what I NEED to know, not just what I want to hear. Sure this means I sometimes get answers I don’t really like but you can’t really grow if you aren’t willing to notice the parts of your world that need changed can you? And who better to show them to you than the ones who can see everything?
There you have it. A few things to keep in mind when practicing Tarot. As I come across more of these concepts I’ll put them together and add similar posts later on. I’m not sure about you but I am definitely excited at the idea of diving into the cards themselves.
Next week. We meet The Fool!
Photo credit to cottonbro studios, alina vilchenko, anete lusina, Mikhail nilov and pexels.com
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