Okay, so folks ask me how I actually get my tarot cards ready for a reading. It’s not some big complicated ritual for me, honestly. It’s more about getting myself in the right headspace and handling the cards in a way that feels right.
Getting Started: The Vibe Check
First things first, I like a quiet space. Doesn’t have to be silent, just somewhere I won’t be interrupted constantly. Sometimes I light a candle or some incense, sometimes not. Depends on my mood. The main thing is just feeling calm and centered myself. I take a few deep breaths, try to clear my head of random clutter thoughts. You know, work stuff, what’s for dinner… gotta push that aside.
Handling the Deck
Then I grab my deck. I usually hold it for a minute, just connecting with it. Sounds a bit weird maybe, but it helps me focus. Shuffling is the next big step. I don’t have a fancy technique. I just shuffle them in a way that feels thorough. Sometimes it’s the standard riffle shuffle, other times just mixing them around in my hands. I do this while thinking about the question I have in mind, or if I’m reading for someone else, I think about their question. It’s like I’m putting the question into the cards.
I keep shuffling until it feels… done. There’s no set time. It’s just a feeling, like, “Okay, that’s enough.” Some people cut the deck into piles and reassemble it. I do that sometimes too.
- Hold the deck.
- Focus on the question.
- Shuffle until it feels right.
- Maybe cut the deck, maybe not.
Laying Out the Cards: My Simple Go-To
For a straightforward reading, especially when I started, I stick to a simple three-card spread. Super easy. Once I feel the shuffling is done, I draw the cards from the top.
Here’s how I place them:
First card goes down on the left. For me, this usually talks about the past, like what led up to the current situation.
The second card goes right next to it, in the middle. This one’s the ‘now’, the present situation or the core of the question.
The third card goes on the far right. This points towards the future, a possible outcome, or where things might be heading based on the first two cards.
So you end up with three cards in a nice little row: Past – Present – Future. Simple as that.
Ready to Read
And that’s pretty much it for the setup! The cards are laid out, the question is set. Now the real work begins: looking at the cards, seeing what stories they tell together, and figuring out the message. But the physical act of setting them up? That’s my process, plain and simple. Nothing too mystical, just being present and focused.
