HOW TO: Predictive Tarot Readings
I think we can all agree that enough shysters are making a bad name for tarot readers. No longer limited to fairs, seedy city streets, and 1-800 numbers-- social media is inundated with people all too eager to make a quick buck off the vulnerable. And while this isn't a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination, it does appear to be more prevalent than before.
The explosion of interest in tarot and tarot reading has been tremendous. I learned to read at 14 years old (26 years ago). Tarot and oracle cards have been such an important part of my life. I truly love these tools, and they mean the world to me. I've had the unbelievable pleasure of connecting with others who love these things too-- and the new things I've learned and continue to learn make me love them all the more. This is also a testament to their nuance and value... that after decades, I'm still learning and expanding my knowledge and practice.
First and foremost, let's begin by admitting that there are times when reading the cards is extremely difficult. Even for seasoned readers like myself. None of us are impervious to being stumped or thoroughly confounded.
Here are a few ways I approach this:
I acknowledge that the card(s) I've received as an answer doesn't make a lick of sense to me. It's ok to be frustrated by that. If you're anxious (like me), chances are you've turned to the cards for clarity, and the lack of it can be incredibly annoying.
I'll walk away for a bit to clear my head and come back to see if anything comes to me.
I'll record the cards somewhere: write them down or take a photo and wait until my emotions have settled before retackling the puzzle. This could be hours, days, or even weeks later.
If the above hasn't helped-- I'll draw clarifying cards. OR I'll say to the deck, "I can't work this out; what other cards can you give me that will provide a similar answer I can more easily understand?" I'll collect the cards, shuffle and start again.
If that further complicates things, it's time to assess what's happening:
Am I too anxious about this reading/situation?
Have I asked about this a bazillion times already? If that's the case, I've found the cards get sick of the same ol', same ol' and will throw a load of horse pucky your way in protest.
What is my motivation behind asking about this? Am I looking for reassurance? Am I trying to prove to myself something bad is going to happen? What am I really after here? Again, when my cards know the parts of me that are worried bad things will happen, and they just want the "SEE! I TOLD YOU SO!" moment-- my decks won't cooperate. The odd time they do is because they are absolutely sick of my shit. "yEaH, sAr, ThE wOrLd Is ToTaLlY gOiNg To EnD." It's a big F-YOU to my nonsense.
So, how can we prevent these things from happening? The truth is, it's bound to happen from time to time. But, we can reduce the instances it occurs. Have a clear intention about what you're looking for. When it comes to predicting outcomes, we need to keep these key things in mind:
1. Energy is fluid.
2. Free will exists.
You open yourself up to new possibilities simply by asking the cards (or anybody) for advice. Perspectives, resources and new things to consider are offered to you, opening various, new avenues. You need to understand you've already altered the course by consulting the cards.
Free will, whether yours or another, will factor into things. The cards can lay out the path of least resistance, and you're free to choose to ignore it. Conversely, other people or entities can involve themselves and change the course as well. I DO NOT advocate any reading that pries into the privacy of others. For example, "What does (so and so) think of me?" or "What can I do to get (so and so) to do _______?" or "What is (so and so) doing?"
If another person (or people) are involved in the situation, here are better questions to ask:
- How can I collaborate more harmoniously with this person/team?
- What am I doing that adds to the tension/conflict?
- How can I best resolve this?
- What strengths can I utilize in this dynamic?
- What am I not seeing or understanding about this dynamic/situation?
- What is something positive that I add?
- What do I need to do to communicate more effectively?
When it comes to predictions, my go-to question is:
What is the potential outcome?
This is based on where you are currently and what you already know. Then, as you gain more information, you can ask follow-up questions like:
- How could this alter the course of this goal/situation?
- If I follow this advice, what is the potential outcome?
- What can I do to get the best possible result?
Maybe you'd like to weigh your options: do a This or That reading-- and pull cards for different scenarios. Remember, you're not bound to the advice of the cards.
For example, you're torn between 2 job offers: Draw a card for each while asking...
- What best summarizes the overall experience this offer will bring?
- How will I grow in this role?
- What are the challenges/obstacles I can expect in this role/environment?
- What am I not seeing clearly in this offer?
- What have I failed to consider?
- How will this play into my long-term goals?
If you're reading for others, these same things apply. If you're stuck on the answer you're being given, there's often a strong chance the querent has been asking this question a lot, shopping for an answer they want to hear. Furthermore, it could have to do with their anxieties (as mentioned above)-- getting to the root of what is driving their search for answers is important.
Another key element for great readings is knowing and accepting there are times you're going to get it wrong. Sometimes spectacularly wrong. There's not a single area of our lives we don't screw up from time to time. We spill and break things, burn ourselves with hair tools, cut ourselves with knives and nail clippers, and stub our toes... we make mistakes in jobs we've done for years because we're human. And mistakes happen. Please, please, please go easy on yourself.
I love the potential of the cards 🤍