Okay, so I finally got my hands on the Smith-Waite Tarot Deck, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey! I’ve always been curious about tarot, but I was kinda intimidated to actually start using it.
Getting Started
First, I ordered the deck online. It arrived pretty quickly, which was great because I was super eager to check it out.
When I opened the box, I was immediately struck by the artwork. The colors are so vibrant, and each card has so much detail! It’s clear that Pamela Colman Smith put a ton of thought and care into these illustrations.
Exploring the Cards
I spent a good chunk of time just looking at each card individually. I didn’t even try to read them at first; I just wanted to get a feel for the imagery and symbolism. I noticed how some cards, like The Lovers or The Sun, felt instantly positive and joyful, while others, like The Tower or The Devil, had a more intense vibe.
- I grabbed a notebook and started jotting down some initial thoughts and feelings about each card. What did the images make me think of? What emotions did they evoke?
- Then I picked out a simple three-card spread. The first card is mean past, the second card is present and the last is future.
- I shuffled the deck, really trying to focus my energy and intention. Then, I laid out the three cards.
First Attempts at Reading
Okay, this is where things got a little tricky. I had the guidebook that came with the deck, and I tried to match up the cards I drew with the explanations. To be honest, it felt a little overwhelming at first. There’s so much information packed into each card meaning!
But I pushed through. I read the descriptions, thought about the imagery, and tried to connect it all to my own life and the question I was asking. It wasn’t perfect, but I started to see some connections and potential interpretations.
Practice Makes Perfect
I’ve been practicing with the deck every few days since. I’m still very much a beginner, but I’m definitely getting more comfortable with the cards and the process. It’s like learning a new language – it takes time and effort, but it’s slowly starting to click.
I will continue to practice my reading skills and share it next time.
