Notice of Rights. Notice of Liability. Page 2 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence

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2 Page 2 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence First Edition Publication date September 2012 Published by: Brigit Esselmont Version 1.0 Copyright 2012 Brigit Esselmont Notice of Rights All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Images from the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 2006 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. Notice of Liability The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information herein. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author and Biddy Tarot, nor its dealers or distributors, will be held liable for any damages caused either directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book, or by the software or hardware products described herein.

3 Page 3 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence W E L C O M E So, you want to learn to read Tarot, but you keep putting it in the too hard basket? Or maybe you just don t know where to begin. Don t worry, you re not alone. When I first started to learn to read Tarot, I felt overwhelmed by the idea of learning 78 Tarot card meanings and being able to bring them all together into a coherent and insightful Tarot reading. But just as Lao-Tzu said, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So I am here to help you take that first step towards becoming a successful and confident Tarot reader, and to ensure that you cover as much ground as possible in just 31 days. The idea is simple. Over the next 31 days, you will learn the basics of how to read the Tarot cards. By the end of this program, you ll not only have knowledge of how the Tarot cards work, but you ll also have the tools and techniques that will help you to put that knowledge into practice. What s more, you will have developed your own connection with the Tarot cards. One reader wrote: More than telling the reader what Tarot is, Tarot Foundations gives a thorough, grounded outline which guides the way to discovery of the Tarot from a personal perspective. It is about getting to know the cards through experience rather than this is what the book says it is. Elspeth from Trinidad Whether you decide to read Tarot for yourself or become a professional Tarot reader, Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence will start you on your journey. How to Use This Workbook This workbook uses a learn then do approach. It is broken down into 31 days and for each day you will find two main sections: Lesson this section introduces the topic or concept that we will focus on for the day. Activity this section includes at least one activity for you to apply what you have learned. While this workbook has been designed to be worked through over 31 days, feel free to proceed at your own pace. Some days are more chunky than others, so you might choose to take your time with them and do just one or two Days in a week. Other days may be quicker to work through and you might choose to do one or two in a day. It s totally up to you. Some Days are also set up as a starting point and are there to show you a method of study that you can incorporate into your ongoing learning process, beyond the next 31 days. This is as much about the next 31 days as it is about setting yourself up for life-long learning of Tarot. So, by the end of the 31 days, you will have a solid grasp of how to read Tarot a clear path forward for your future Tarot studies. While you may be tempted to skip some Days, I recommend that you do each Day in order. Each Day is like a stepping stone to the next Day. Even if you are already familiar with a particular step, go back to square one and start learning again take your time, be patient, and learn. You ll be amazed at how much you gain through this process. And the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Finally, to make it easy to navigate through this Workbook and to find the sections you need, use the hyperlinks throughout the document. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

4 Page 4 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Learn and Connect With Other Tarot Enthusiasts You don t have to study Tarot in isolation! There are hundreds of other Tarot students working through this Workbook just like you. To help you to learn from one another, I have created a FREE online community on the Biddy Tarot website. You are invited to join other readers of Tarot Foundations to learn from and connect with each other as you progress through this 31-day program. This is an exclusive, invitation-only community open to all readers of Tarot Foundations and can be accessed at: Your special password is Foundations. Step into the Tarot Foundations (TF) Community Garden to: Practice the Tarot Foundations activities online and share your insights Read other people s activities and insights Ask questions and get feedback Support each other and cheer each other on Find study buddies All at no extra charge!

5 Page 5 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence A B O U T B R I G I T Hi, I m Brigit and I am a professional Tarot reader, blogger, self-published author and mentor. My website, is one of the most popular Tarot resources online with free and in-depth Tarot card meanings, Tarot tutorials and tips, ebooks and guides, and professional Tarot readings. I started reading Tarot when I was 18. I had been to see a Tarot reader before embarking on a 6 month trip to Europe. She had predicted I would meet my first real boyfriend while travelling... and I did! Impressed by what she could see in the Tarot cards, I thought, Hey, I could do that. My mum bought me my first deck of Tarot cards (despite her being a complete nonbeliever) and I set about familiarising myself with the cards and their meanings, and practising a few Tarot readings. I began collecting copious amounts of notes about each Tarot card and worked my way through a Card A Day (you ll learn this on Day 20). Wanting to share my knowledge with others, I started my first website in 1999 and later created my first ebook. In 2009, I updated the ebook and re-titled it, The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings. Over time, more and more people found my website and began using the Tarot card meanings for their own Tarot studies and readings. Now, over 150,000 visitors come to Biddy Tarot every month. I also started to read the Tarot cards for the general public in early I began by offering free Tarot readings on the Free Tarot Network, working with my mentor, James Ricklef. After building up my confidence and experience, I became professional in And in 2006, I was accepted as the youngest Professional Member with the Tarot Guild of Australia. As a professional Tarot reader, I see it as my responsibility to provide ethical and insightful Tarot readings to my clients. I treat my clients with respect and I treat my work with professionalism. To me, the Tarot is an excellent tool for analysing problems and identifying solutions. And so I use it in this way. I don t make whacky predictions about winning lottery numbers and I don t have a crystal ball. I am simply a professional reader who gets to the heart of the matter and who offers insight for a path forward. I also believe that anyone can read the Tarot. You don t have to be fifth generation psychic or see auras around people. You can be just anyone so long as you are open to connecting with your intuition and the energy around you. In my opinion, Tarot can be learned. It doesn t have to be a gift. So I want to wish you well in this journey. Tarot is an amazing tool as you will soon discover through this Workbook. Enjoy!

6 Page 6 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Day 1 T A R O T F O U N D A T I O N S : 31 D A Y S T O R E A D T A R O T W I T H C O N F I D E N C E Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Learn About the Tarot Select a Tarot Deck Cleanse and Care for Your Tarot Deck Invest in 2 to 3 Good Tarot Books Start a Tarot Journal Understand Your Learning Systems Get to Know Your Tarot Cards Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Learn to Create Keyword Charts Learn about the Minor Arcana Learn about the Suit of Cups Learn about the Suit of Pentacles Learn about the Suit of Swords Learn about the Suit of Wands Learn about the Court Cards Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Day 19 Day 20 Day 21 Learn about the Major Arcana Understand Basic Numerology Interpret the Symbolism in the Tarot Interpret the Stories in the Cards Make a Tarot Card Profile Draw a Card a Day Meditate with Your Tarot Cards Day 22 Day 23 Day 24 Day 25 Day 26 Day 27 Day 28 Connect the Cards Create Tarot Card Combinations Do a Basic Tarot Reading Use Easy Three- Card Tarot Spreads Interpret a Tarot Reading Like a Professional Trust Your Intuition Discover Timing Through Tarot Day 29 Day 30 Day 31 CONGRATULATIONS! After 31 days of learning Tarot... Avoid the Six Mistakes of Reading Tarot for Yourself Draw on Tarot Resources and Communities Practice Your Tarot Reading Skills You are familiar with the Tarot card meanings; You can interpret a three-card Tarot reading like a professional; You are connected with other Tarot enthusiasts; and You have started your lifelong journey to develop your Tarot knowledge.

7 Page 7 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Table of Contents Welcome... 3 About Brigit... 5 Chapter 1 (Days 1 to 5): Getting Started... 8 Day 1: Learn about the Tarot... 9 Day 2: Select a Tarot Deck Day 3: Cleanse and Care for Your Tarot Deck. 14 Day 4: Invest in 2 to 3 Good Tarot Books Day 5: Start a Tarot Journal Chapter 2 (Days 6 to 18): Learning the Tarot Card Meanings Day 6: Understand Your Learning Systems Day 7: Get to Know Your Tarot Cards Day 8: Learn to Create Keyword Charts Day 9: Learn About the Minor Arcana Day 10: Learn About the Suit of Cups Day 11: Learn About the Suit of Pentacles Day 12: Learn About the Suit of Swords Day 13: Learn About the Suit of Wands Day 14: Learn About the Court Cards Day 15: Learn About the Major Arcana Day 16: Understand Basic Numerology Day 17: Interpret the Symbolism in the Tarot 57 Day 18: Interpret the Stories in the Cards Chapter 3 (Days 19 to 23): Deepening Your Tarot Knowledge Day 19: Make a Tarot Card Profile Day 20: Draw a Card a Day Day 21: Meditate with Your Tarot Cards Day 22: Connect the Cards Day 23: Create Tarot Card Combinations Chapter 4 (Days 24 to 29): Learning to Read Tarot Day 24: Do a Basic Tarot Reading Day 25: Use Easy Three-Card Tarot Spreads.. 95 Day 26: Interpret Your Tarot Reading Like a Professional Day 27: Trust Your Intuition Day 28: Discover Timing Through Tarot Day 29: Avoid the Six Mistakes of Reading Tarot for Yourself Chapter 5 (Days 30 to 31): Establishing Your Networks Day 30: Draw On Tarot Resources and Communities Day 31: Practice Your Tarot Reading Skills Where to From Here? Appendix: Tools and Templates

8 Page 8 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence CHAPTER 1: DAYS 1 TO 5 GETTING STARTED So, you want to learn Tarot? You ll need a Tarot deck, a journal and a few good Tarot books to get started.

9 Page 9 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1: L E A R N A B O U T T H E T A R O T Lesson What is the Tarot? The Tarot embodies symbolical presentations of universal ideas, behind which lie all the implicit characteristics of the human mind, and it is in this sense that they contain secret doctrine, which is the realisation of the few of truths embedded in the consciousness of all. - Arthur Edward Waite The 78 Tarot cards represent life lessons and practical advice that can be applied to our lives. The cards are like symbolic keys that serve to open up the psyche to new ideas, concepts and spiritual possibilities. The 22 cards of the Major Arcana reflect the archetypal qualities that are present in our lives. Archetypes are universally understood symbols or patterns of behaviour that flow through from the collective to the individual. The Major Arcana also reflects what is known as the Fool s journey the journey that we take as we evolve, develop and grow. The 40 cards of the Minor Arcana represent the events and activities of our daily lives, the opportunities and challenges we face, and the energies that surround us. And finally, the 16 Court Cards represent other people, parts of us or a specific event or situation. Tarot readings use these 78 cards to form an understanding of the present energies that will in turn influence the client s future. On a deeper level, the cards offer a way to access hidden knowledge stored within our subconscious minds and awaken the deeper layers of our souls. How Does the Tarot Work? Each moment in time has a unique and magical quality to it. The Tarot serves to capture that moment in time through the shuffling, laying out and reading of the cards. The client or person seeking guidance channels their energy into the cards, and the Tarot reader interprets the messages that are present in those cards. The reading itself produces certain combinations of symbols, phrases and images which reflect the state of the client s psyche at that given moment, and provides the inner and outer guidance required to understand a current situation or to initiate the next stage of the process. Thus, the Tarot allows the client to observe the patterns in their life and interpret them in a way that will help them to move forward as desired. How Can the Tarot be Used? Tarot serves many purposes. And as with many things in Tarot, there is no one right way of using the Tarot cards. It is simply what feels

10 Page 10 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence right to you. (You ll hear me say that a lot in this Workbook!) Tarot cards can be a tool for: Spiritual guidance Understanding the present Learning more about yourself Exploring mythology and symbolism Personal growth and development Having fun with your friends Solving problems or dilemmas Earning an income as a professional Making important decisions Validating a gut feeling Connecting with other people s energy Daily or weekly guidance Helping others in emotional distress Self-examination and psychoanalysis Connecting with your pets Empowerment Meditation and introspection Fortune-telling and predicting the future Developing your psychic abilities or intuition Creative thinking Understanding the Present or Predicting the Future? A common assumption is that the Tarot is a fortune-telling tool that predicts the future. However, the notion of predicting the future can be very fatalistic, disempowering and scary to some. What if you don t like what is predicted? Can you change it? Or are you forever destined to that particular outcome? Before you start to learn the Tarot, it is important to reflect on your personal philosophy and whether you see the Tarot as a tool for predicting a pre-determined future, or whether you believe in free will and the ability to alter your course. This will shape how you use the cards. Personally, I see the Tarot as a tool for understanding the present energies which will have an influence on the future path. I also believe in free will so that if you do not like where you are heading, then you can put in place strategies to create a more positive or desirable outcome. You may still be on a specific path or learning a specific lesson, but you can make the journey easier. And, as I often say to my clients, Forewarned is forearmed. Some things may actually be unavoidable, but at least you can be prepared. I want to leave you with one of my all-time favourite quotes, which I include in all of my Tarot readings: When people consult me, it s not that I m reading the future; I am guessing at the future. The future belongs to [a Higher Being], and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances. How do I guess at the future? Based on the omens of the present. The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

11 Page 11 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Activities 1.1. Identify Your Personal Motivations Answer the following questions: Remember, you can connect with other Tarot students who are working through this Workbook at the same time, by sharing your insights for each activity. What inspired you to learn Tarot? How do you plan to use the Tarot cards? What is your personal philosophy on the Tarot? What can / can t the Tarot do? Visit the TF Community at (password Foundations ) and get connected Set Your Tarot Study Goals Answer the following questions: By the end of the 31 days, what do you envision this Workbook will enable you to do? How many hours a week will you dedicate to your Tarot studies? What other commitments do you need to make to yourself to successfully complete this Workbook?

12 Page 12 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2: S E L E C T A T A R O T D E C K Lesson For the novice Tarot reader, selecting a Tarot deck can be incredibly overwhelming. There are literally hundreds and even thousands of different Tarot decks to choose from, all with their own symbolism, energy, stories, mythology and artwork. Here are eight ways to select a Tarot deck that s perfect for you: 1. Look for a Personal Connection Go to a store and handle all of the Tarot decks that are on display. What energy do you pick up from the deck? Is there a personal connection between you and the Tarot cards? I know it sounds simple, but choose a deck that feels right for you and that keeps getting your attention. 2. Study the Appearance of the Cards Take a good look at the Tarot cards within the deck. What is your first reaction to them? Do the colours and patterns appeal? Are you drawn to the images and the artwork? Can you look at the picture and decipher a meaning for each card? Look at both the Major and Minor Arcana cards, as sometimes the Minor Arcana may be rather plain compared to the Major Arcana. Look at the backs of the cards, too. 3. Find Out What Information is Available The majority of Tarot card meanings books are based on the Rider Waite deck, so if you want a Tarot deck with a ton of information available, the Rider Waite deck is the way to go. The Crowley Thoth deck is also featured in a number of good Tarot books. For other Tarot decks, you will often have to rely only on the Little White Book provided alongside the deck, or on your own knowledge of symbolism, numerology, astrology, mysticism, etc. to interpret the cards. 4. Consider Your Experience Level If you are new to Tarot, you may prefer a Tarot deck that is widely referenced in Tarot books, such as the Rider Waite deck, and that has simple-to-understand symbols and pictures. If you are more advanced in Tarot, you may be drawn to more conceptual Tarot decks, or those with complex meanings and symbolism. 5. Find a Size That Fits Different Tarot cards come in different sizes. This is particularly important for when you handle and shuffle the cards. If the cards are too big or too small, they may be too clumsy for you or your clients to handle. So, before selecting a deck, handle the cards and practice shuffling them. 6. Look for Quality Most Tarot cards will be of a good thickness to ensure that you can continue using them for many years. However, there may be some cheaper reproductions that are not of such a good quality and the cardboard may tear easily or become damaged much more quickly. Best

13 Page 13 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence to avoid these cheaper types if you are planning on using the Tarot cards regularly. 7. Don t be Afraid to Buy Your Own Some say that Tarot cards should only ever be a gift to you. However, I think it is perhaps more important to find a deck that is a perfect fit, so don t be afraid to buy your own Tarot deck rather than waiting for someone to give one to you. If you do have a birthday coming up though, find your perfect Tarot deck and drop a few hints to your loved ones! 8. Read the Reviews We are blessed with websites such as Aeclectic Tarot that provide detailed reviews on almost every Tarot deck that has ever been made. You can usually view sample card images, read objective reviews and find out the specifications of the Tarot decks. Where to From Here? To help you get started, here is a list of some of the more popular Tarot decks: Osho Zen Robin Wood Enchanted Tarot Golden Tarot Remember, it s OK to change Tarot decks later on. In fact, many Tarot readers use many different Tarot decks, depending on who they are reading for or what they feel like on the day. For me personally, I have always stuck with the Rider-Waite deck. I like the symbolism of the cards and the ability the deck has to create an insightful yet practical Tarot reading for the client. I currently use the Radiant Rider Waite deck because I love the bright colours. You ll see these cards used throughout this Workbook. Activity 2.1. Buy Your Tarot Deck If you haven t already, buy your first Tarot deck. Go to your local esoteric store and ask to view and handle the Tarot decks available. Select a Tarot deck that feels right to you. Or purchase your Tarot deck online at: Amazon.com Llewellyn.com Tarotopia Rider Waite including Universal Waite and Radiant Rider Waite (recommended for beginners) Crowley Thoth (recommended for more experienced Tarot readers)

14 Page 14 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 3: C L E A N S E A N D C A R E F O R Y O U R T A R O T D E C K Lesson Cleansing your Tarot deck is essential for connecting with your cards and maintaining a strong energy in your Tarot readings. How to Cleanse a Tarot Deck There are many different techniques that you can use to clear negative energy and cleanse your Tarot deck. The important thing is to choose the technique(s) that feel right to you and to the situation (e.g. you might use one technique in between each reading and another technique to cleanse on an annual basis). When to Cleanse a Tarot Deck If you have just bought a Tarot deck, it is highly recommended to cleanse your deck before you start using the cards. Even with a familiar and well-used deck, regular cleansing can be beneficial. Generally, you ll know when you need to cleanse your Tarot cards there ll be that niggling feeling that something isn t quite right with the connection between you and your cards. Here are some examples of different situations when you will most likely feel compelled to cleanse your Tarot cards: Other people have touched your cards. You ve bought a new or second hand Tarot deck. You ve done a particularly draining Tarot reading. You haven t used your Tarot cards for quite some time. You or your Tarot cards have been exposed to a lot of negative energy (for example, a particularly negative client or a challenging situation in your own personal life). Your Tarot readings are beginning to feel unclear and you are often drawing a blank with the cards. Your cards have fallen all over the floor or had some other sort of accident. You simply want to reconnect with your cards. Below are a number of different ways to clear and cleanse a Tarot deck: Sorting and Shuffling Firstly, sort your cards in order, starting with the Major Arcana, then into each of the suits of the Minor Arcana. While you re doing this, look briefly at each card and remember the special message it has to offer you in your readings. You can also use this time to check that you have every card in your deck (a few years back, I found that I had been missing the Ace of Swords for quite some time without even realising it!). Once your cards are sorted and in order, start shuffling and reinvigorating your cards with your energy. You might like to shuffle seven times, put your cards in a big messy pile and

15 Page 15 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence randomly select cards, or simply use a shuffling technique that is comfortable to you. Meditation Hold your cards in both hands, close your eyes and relax. Allow your mind to be free of any thought and just be with your cards. You may then like to visualise the Universal energy being drawn through you and to your cards, surrounding your cards in a protective white light. Those with an understanding of Reiki may like to use this mode of energy healing to cleanse their cards by channelling their healing Reiki energy through the cards. This is personally my favourite as it is easy to do in between readings and it helps me focus and concentrate on my next client. Moon Bath The full moon is an excellent source of energy for your cards. On a full moon, you can simply place your cards in a window or even outside to bathe in the moonlight. Alternatively, many people use this time to conduct a special ritual or to cite different incantations for cleansing their Tarot cards. Salt Burial Salt can be used to draw out negative energy from your cards, just like you would use salt to draw out the moisture from a food item in cooking. First, wrap your Tarot in a plastic bag as tightly as you can. Then take an airtight container that is larger than your Tarot deck, place your wrapped cards inside and then completely surround your cards with salt on all sides, above and below. It is imperative that this is an airtight container as salt not only gathers the energies from a Tarot deck well, it also gathers any moisture that might be in the air, potentially damaging your cards. Keep your cards buried in the salt for at least a few days or a week before taking them out and disposing of the salt. Fresh Air Just after a rain shower or even in the warmth of the sun, place your cards outside to take in the fresh air and draw in the cleansing rays. Of course, keep in mind the practicalities and be careful not to place them in a windy position or somewhere where you may end up doing more damage! Smudge Stick Burn some dried sage or rosemary (or use a store-bought smudge stick) and simply pass the cards through the smoke several times. You can also cleanse any crystals that you use during the process. Elemental Clearing Elemental clearing brings your awareness to using different techniques that are aligned with each of the four elements used in Tarot. For example, for Earth clearing, use the Salt burial; for Water clearing, use the Moon Bath or sprinkle a little water on your cards; for Fire clearing, pass your cards over a candle; for Air clearing, use a smudge stick. You may like to go through each of the four elements for a more comprehensive cleansing. Caring for Your Tarot Cards Now that you ve cleansed your Tarot deck, here are a couple of ideas on how to care for your cards:

16 Page 16 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Store your cards with a quartz crystal which is a wonderful absorber of energies. If you want to keep your crystal clean too, then use any of the cleansing techniques above. Place your Tarot cards at a specially made altar in between readings. Use baby wipes to keep your cards clean and to remove any stickiness between cards. Keep your Tarot cards wrapped in a special cloth or stored in a special Tarot box. Different colours have different vibrations, so choose a colour that best suits your needs (see right). Using Colour Energy to Charge your Tarot Cards Different colours can generate different energy. Use the following as a guide for what energy you want to use to charge your Tarot cards: Black shadows and the unknown Blue spirituality and peace Brown earth and groundedness Remember that your Tarot cards are very special and should be treated accordingly. Activity 3.1. Cleanse Your Tarot Deck Whether you have just bought a new Tarot deck or you already have one, use any of the techniques above to cleanse your deck. Make it a regular practice from here on. Use this time to also choose a special place to store your cards. Green nature and fertility Pink love and beauty Purple higher knowledge Red energy and vitality White purity Yellow joy and happiness

17 Page 17 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 4: I N V E S T I N 2 T O 3 G O O D T A R O T B O O K S Lesson While it is important to eventually develop your own interpretations of the Tarot cards and methods for using the Tarot, it can be helpful to start with a couple of good books on Tarot to use as a reference. Don t be tempted to buy a heap of Tarot books. You will tend to get distracted, which will only slow down your progress in learning the cards. All you need is just 2-3 high quality and insightful books to get you started. What to Look For There are so many Tarot books available, however only a small percentage are really worth the investment. When looking for your first Tarot book, consider the following questions: Do I connect with the author s writing style and interpretation of the cards? For the types of readings I plan to do, will this book help me interpret the cards? Does the book explain the Tarot card meanings in depth, or does it just use keywords or key phrases? What is most helpful to me? Does the book include practical advice on how to read the cards, use Tarot spreads, connect with the client, etc.? Does the book use the same (or similar) Tarot deck that I use? If you re buying online you can often preview the book at Amazon.com or Or, if you re buying in a local store, take some time to flick through the pages. If you re interested in reading other people s reviews, I recommend Amazon.com or Aeclectic s Tarot book reviews. My Personal Recommendations Below are the books I most recommend to beginner Tarot readers as general reference guides. The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings ebook by Brigit Esselmont My ebook, The Ultimate Guide, provides over 330 pages of in-depth Tarot card meanings, tips and techniques to help you learn the Tarot cards. I have drawn together many different interpretations of the Tarot cards, including upright and reversed Tarot card meanings and interpretations for specific types of readings (e.g. relationships, career, spirituality, etc.). This is a must-have for Tarot beginners and professionals alike. Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning One of the first places I started when I was learning the Tarot card meanings was Joan Bunning s Learn Tarot website. In her book, she provides practical interpretations of the 78 Tarot cards and 19 lessons on how to read the cards. Her book captures all of this information in the one resource and is an excellent starting point for any beginner. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack This book is often referred to as the Tarot bible for its extensive insights into the Tarot cards. Rachel Pollack draws on both the traditional symbolism of the cards and the more modern psychological aspects of the

18 Page 18 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence cards to help the reader truly appreciate the deeper meaning of the Tarot. This is a mustread for all Tarot readers. Tarot for Your Self by Mary K Greer This is an oldie but a goodie! Mary K Greer is one of the gurus of Tarot and in her book, Tarot for Your Self, she has created something more like a workbook or Tarot journal which includes meditations, rituals, spreads, mandalas, visualisations, dialogues, charts, astrology, numerology, affirmations and healing all designed to allow you to experience Tarot for yourself in a hands-on way. This book is an excellent learning tool for those who are new to Tarot as well as the advanced practitioner. needing to understand the more esoteric concepts that are often related to the cards. Where to Purchase Tarot Books Online Amazon.com Llewellyn.com Tarotopia (Australia) Local Stores Bookstores Esoteric shops Your local library (free!) Activity 4.1. Choose 2 to 3 Tarot Books Either visit your local store or get online and flick through a couple of Tarot books to get a feel for them. Select 2 or 3 books that resonate with you and your learning goals. Familiarise yourself with the information that each book provides. The Tarot Revealed: A Beginner s Guide by Paul Fenton-Smith The Tarot Revealed provides practical interpretations of the Tarot cards with real-life examples, but this time it is pitched towards Tarot beginners. Paul Fenton- Smith helps to interpret the cards, without While not the be-all and end-all, Tarot books can help to lay a foundation from which to grow.

19 Page 19 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D AY 5: S T A R T A T A R O T J O U R N A L Lesson What is a Tarot Journal? A Tarot Journal is a place where you can record your personal thoughts, insights, observations and notes about each of the Tarot cards to help expand your Tarot knowledge and skills. Your Tarot Journal may also include Tarot readings that you have done and Tarot spreads you have used or created contains your own notes about each Tarot card, readings you may have done, and spreads you have used or created yourself. Why Bother with a Tarot Journal? The benefits of keeping a Tarot Journal are enormous. Not only are you learning from texts and other standard resources throughout the course of your Tarot study and journal writing, but you are also applying your own personal experience to your learning journey. Relating your own experience to the Tarot increases your ability to develop the breadth and depth of understanding the Tarot. A true understanding of the Tarot cards will not stem from simply reading numerous texts, rather it will stem from gut instincts and personal intuition. Not only will a Tarot Journal help your ability to read the Tarot, but it will also aid in your spiritual development. Each card holds a personal message that can be used for daily meditation. Each card can be seen as vital on any given day and can truly help you in finding out who you are and what your purpose is. Understanding the Tarot in this way can inspire you and take you to new levels if you allow it. I started a Tarot Journal early on in my Tarot studies and I believe it was a critical part of strengthening my personal connection with the Tarot cards. Not only did I use it to record everything that I had read about for each Tarot card, I also used it for my Card a Day exercise (which you ll learn on Day 20). It enabled me to build off the book interpretations and develop my own personal interpretations of the cards. I also recorded my own Tarot readings, which meant I could go back to them months later and see how the cards transpired invaluable for learning real life meanings for the cards. Choosing a Format for Your Tarot Journal When choosing a Tarot journal, consider where, when and how you will record your ideas and observations. Notebook A notebook is perfect if you prefer hand-writing your journal or if you want to take it around with you. You can either purchase a blank notebook or diary, or a specially designed Tarot Journal. Computer-Based Journal If you prefer to type and save as you go, you may want to try a computer-based journal such as The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings Companion Workbook. This is an interactive PDF document that uses a structured format to record your thoughts on each Tarot card. You

20 Page 20 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence can either print it out and write in it, or type on your computer. Blog Blogs are becoming increasingly popular and offer the opportunity to share your Tarot Journal with others. To set up a free blog, check out WordPress. Using Your Tarot Journal There are many ways in which you can use your Tarot journal. Here are just a few: Learning the Tarot Cards Perhaps one of the most common methods for learning the Tarot cards with a Tarot journal is to use the Card a Day exercise. We ll cover this exercise in depth later on, but at a high level, you can use your journal to record your thoughts on individual Tarot cards, drawn for each day. Capture aspects such as keywords, initial impressions, gut feelings, symbols, traditional meanings, personal experiences, and so on. Recording Tarot Readings Once you start to use the Tarot cards for actual Tarot readings, you can use your journal to note which cards you drew and how you interpreted those cards. At a later stage, you can come back to your journal entry and update your notes with how the situation really played out and what this taught you about the Tarot cards and their meanings. Designing Tarot Spreads I love designing Tarot spreads, so if you re like me, you may like to use your journal for keeping track of the various spreads that you have created. You could also include what influenced you or inspired you when you created your spread. Of course, if you re very new to the Tarot, you might want to keep this for later. Free Writing You can use your journal as a structured learning tool as suggested above, or instead you can use it as a place to jot down your thoughts as they come to you. Free writing may include writing stories about the cards, finding quotes that resonate with a specific card, drawing pictures or images that you associated with the cards, or developing mind maps on certain cards or themes. You may also want to relate day-to-day occurrences with the cards as they happen. The possibilities are endless! When to Write in Your Tarot Journal It is best to keep regular entries in your Tarot Journal in order to maintain your interest and your studies. Of course, this is dependent on your time available and your commitment to learning the Tarot. Every day may be ideal for one person, while every week may be ideal for another. Don t wait for the perfect place to write your journal. Carry around a small notebook so you can write whenever an idea enters your head. If you are constantly waiting for the perfect time to write, you may be waiting quite a while and a lot of ideas will be missed! An Alternative to a Tarot Journal One of my readers, Rob Hinkson, sent in this excellent idea for recording your insights for each Tarot card. Instead of using a Tarot journal or workbook, why not record your insights directly onto each Tarot card? I just had to include what he wrote, word-forword, because I love his passion and enthusiasm. Here s what he suggests: Encourage students to buy Giant Rider-Waite so they can make flash cards out of them. The cards are large enough to help the student to

21 Page 21 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence really see the artwork and helps tell the story that Pamela Coleman-Smith was trying to convey on each card. Encourage students to get blank white stickers from their local stationery store and stick them on the back of the cards and write down all the meanings and include their own personal intuitive meanings on the back of every card. This GIANT deck just might become a student s MOST IMPORTANT Tarot deck for learning!! The cards are GIANT so there is enough room to write down more meaningful information on the cards as you're learning and growing in tarot. The student is actually writing their own Tarot card meaning book and mini journal by doing this exercise. Activity 5.1. Create a Tarot Journal Select a Tarot journal. Write your name in it, set up the pages, add your favourite images or colours make it yours. Make a personal commitment as to how you will use your Tarot journal and when/how often. 5.2 Create Your Personalised Tarot Cards (Optional) If you like the sound of Rob s idea, purchase the Giant Rider-Waite deck and place blank white stickers on each card. Have these cards handy throughout the next two weeks as we work through learning the meanings of the Tarot cards.

22 Page 22 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! You have now completed the first 5 days. By now... You have a Tarot deck that you love and that is truly yours You have 2 or 3 Tarot books that you can refer to You have a Tarot journal to record your thoughts and develop your understanding of the Tarot

23 Page 23 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence CHAPTER 2: DAYS 6 TO 18 LEARNING THE TAROT CARD MEANINGS Learn how to interpret the 78 Tarot cards, using keywords, symbolism, numerology and stories.

24 Page 24 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 6: U N D E R S T A N D Y O U R L E A R N I N G S Y S T E M S Lesson Learning Systems Learning the Tarot card meanings requires both structured, rational learning systems, and more fluid, intuitive learning systems. Both are just as important as each other and need to be nurtured for optimum creativity and learning. Rational learning provides a solid foundation in the theory and structures that sit behind Tarot, and allows you to share a common understanding with other Tarot readers. Intuitive learning, on the other hand, makes the Tarot your own and helps the cards come alive for you on a personal level. It is also what connects you to the Universal or collective knowledge that exists. To learn Tarot in 31 days, I have developed a learning system that balances both rational and intuitive learning. Rational Learning Systems Rational learning involves understanding the various structures that are used in the Tarot, and learning the traditional meanings of the Tarot cards. The rational approach encourages you to learn: The names of each Tarot card Keywords for each Tarot card Traditional meanings for each Tarot card Elemental associations (i.e. Air, Earth, Fire and Water), particularly for the Minor Arcana Numerological associations Symbolic associations Astrological associations 1 (not covered in this ebook) To take advantage of rational learning, ensure that you have a number of reliable and trustworthy Tarot resources on hand to refer to as you study the Tarot. You may also like to 1 Astrological associations are not covered in the ebook due to the complexity of astrology. To learn more about astrological associations in Tarot, I recommend this guest post at the Biddy Tarot blog, Super Tarot or Tarot Eon. record what you learn in your notebook or journal and refer to it later on. Intuitive Learning Systems Intuitive learning is about learning to trust your intuition and being dynamic in your interpretations of the cards. It is one thing to be able to recite all keywords of the 78 Tarot cards, but to deliver accurate readings, you will need to be able to go with your gut feeling and align the card meanings to fit the situation. While the intuitive approach is more fluid and unstructured, there are activities you can do to increase your intuitive understanding of the cards. For example, you will learn to look at the imagery of the card and gauge your initial reactions to the card, and you will learn how to align your personal experiences with the cards. Drawing upon your knowledge of symbolism and the structure of Tarot, you will be able to develop a story with the cards and create your own interpretations. To make the most out of intuitive learning, ensure that you have a notebook or journal on hand and write down ideas as they occur to you throughout the day. It s very important to have paper available to write things down. This

25 Page 25 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence is because the ideas you get spontaneously are very easily forgotten. Activity 6.1. Use a Rational and Intuitive Approach to Learn About One Tarot Card Select one card at random from your Tarot deck. Look at the card from a rational perspective what is the name of the card, what number does it represent, what symbols do you see in the card? What do your books say about this card? Using this information, record what you think the card means. Then, look at the card from an intuitive perspective what are your initial impressions of the card, how does the card make you feel, what images do you see in your own mind when you examine the card, what words come to mind. Using this information, record what you think the card means. Compare your interpretations. What was the difference? Which approach was more accurate? Which approach felt easier for you - the rational approach or the intuitive approach? By the way, have you visited the TF Community Garden yet? Remember, you can connect with other Tarot students who are working through this Workbook at the same time, by sharing your insights for each activity. Visit the TF Community at (password Foundations ) and get connected. Rational learning provides a solid foundation in the theory and structures that sit behind Tarot, and allows you to share a common understanding with other Tarot readers. Intuitive learning, on the other hand, makes the Tarot your own and helps the cards come alive for you on a personal level. It is also what connects you to the Universal or collective knowledge that exists.

26 Page 26 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 7 : G E T T O K N O W Y O U R T A R O T C A R D S Lesson Overview of the Tarot Cards The Tarot deck is made up of 78 cards. There are 22 cards in the Major Arcana, from the Fool (0) to the World (21). There are 56 cards in the Minor Arcana, divided into 4 Suits. For each suit, the cards are numbered Ace to Ten and there are 4 Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen and King). Familiarising Yourself With Your Tarot Cards The very first step in learning the Tarot cards is familiarising yourself with each and every Tarot card in your deck. You need to be able to recognise and name each card. To begin the process, take the first card in your deck and study it. Look up the name of the card, and then look at the image. Mentally take note of the key features that link the card to its name. For the Major Arcana cards, repeat the name of the card in your mind as you examine the image. For Minor Arcana cards, identify the key symbol of the cup, pentacle, sword or wand. Note that in these cards, the card number corresponds with the number of those symbols within the card (e.g. the Two of Cups features two cups). For the Court Cards, take note of what a Page, Knight, Queen and King look like. Repeat this process until you can select a card at random and name it straight away. Familiarisation Takes Time Don t be surprised if you can t remember all of the Tarot cards straight away. It can take weeks, months or even years to recall or recognise some cards. Don t worry; this isn t because you re losing your memory! Some cards take a while to appear in readings and tend to take a back seat, while other cards continually reappear, falling out of the deck and coming up in every reading you do. This happened to me. I had been using my Tarot cards for a year or two for personal readings and study and while I thought I had familiarised myself with all 78 Tarot cards, I

27 Page 27 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence soon realised there were some cards I had never really paid attention to. Suddenly, the Five of Swords came up in readings, and I thought, Where did this card come from? I barely recognised it and was surprised to find a card that I wasn t really familiar with. I used it as an opportunity to get much closer to that specific card and understand what its significance was, both on a general level and a personal level. So, put in the effort now to familiarise yourself with your Tarot cards, but also know that this familiarisation process occurs over a period of time as you work more and more with your Tarot cards. Activity 7.1. Familiarise Yourself With Your Tarot Cards Go through the process of familiarising yourself with each of the Tarot cards. You may need to work through the deck several times before you are fully confident in naming each card. Test yourself. See how quickly you can find the following cards in your deck: Seven of Swords Nine of Pentacles Queen of Cups Chariot Ace of Wands And can you name the Tarot cards on the right?

28 Page 28 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 8 : L E A R N T O C R E A T E K E Y W O R D C H A R T S Lesson Keyword charts provide an effective means for learning the Tarot card meanings quickly and easily. Not only do you learn during the process of preparing your own keyword charts, you can also quickly refer to these charts as you do your Tarot readings. Why Keywords? The beauty of Tarot is that it is so deep and so complex. Yet our brains are not wired to take in such complexity, especially at an early stage of learning. No doubt it was hard enough trying to recognise each and every one of the 78 Tarot cards from Day 7? Keyword charts for the Tarot card meanings offer a way to simplify the learning process and to create a point of focus for each card. With each keyword that you generate, there is an opportunity to feed into a much deeper network of phrases, stories, concepts, ideas and meanings. For example, the keyword sorrow for the Three of Swords opens a pathway to many other keywords and phrases associated with that card grief, loss, sadness, feeling as if the world has turned against you, a heavy heart, etc. Just one keyword holds the power of a vast array of concepts and phrases. Of course, Tarot card meaning keywords are only a small portion of the meaning of any particular card. Always remember that Tarot is alive and dynamic and therefore the meanings for the cards continue to change, develop and grow, depending on the situation. Don t be limited to learning only the keywords, but do use it as a platform into other methods for interpreting the cards. Why Keyword Charts? As a Tarot beginner, preparing your own Tarot keyword charts helps you become instantly familiar with each of the Tarot cards. Once you have created your chart, you then have a quick-reference guide that you can easily refer to when you are doing your Tarot readings. This is much faster than having to flick through all of your favourite Tarot card

29 Page 29 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence meanings books and websites to find the right meaning. Creating your own keywords is an effective way to refresh your memory of each card and perhaps even learn something you didn t already know about a particular card. Plus, if you start to work through the keywords for different types of readings, Tarot decks or spreads, you expand your Tarot knowledge even further and it proves to be a very valuable exercise. You can work with an existing list of Tarot card keywords like what I have included in the Appendix however to accelerate your learning, I strongly recommend creating your own keyword charts as it facilitates the learning process. How to Make a Keyword Chart As we move through the next six Days in this Workbook, I ll be asking you to create your own keyword charts for the Tarot cards. In preparation for this, today I want to walk you through how to actually create a keyword chart. Don t worry, you don t need to start creating keyword charts right now (that would be a little full on at this stage of your learning!), but it is important to get a grasp of how to go about this task. Step 1: Group the Tarot Cards First, decide how you want to group the Tarot cards. For example, you may set up your Tarot card keyword chart using some or all of the following categories: Major Arcana Tarot cards Minor Arcana Tarot cards Each Suit (e.g. Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands) Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen and King) Numbers (i.e. from Ace to Ten) Symbols and/or colours that are common across the Tarot cards (recommended for more experienced readers or once you have completed charts for the previous groupings) Choose whatever groupings make sense to you and that will be easy to refer to as you interpret each Tarot reading. In this Workbook, we ll be preparing keyword charts for each Suit and the Major Arcana. If you find a lot of value in this activity, then you can also create keyword charts for the other groupings (Court cards, numbers and symbols) Step 2: Choose Keyword Categories Second, consider adding different categories of Tarot keywords for each Tarot card. That is, in addition to listing the common Tarot keywords for each card, you may also want to consider other categories of Tarot keywords such as the following: Reversed Tarot card keywords Keywords for different types of readings, such as relationships and love; work, career and finances; spirituality; and health and well-being Keywords for different Tarot decks (e.g. Rider-Waite, Goddess, Thoth, etc.) Keywords for different positions of your favourite Tarot spread. For example, for the Celtic Cross, list the Tarot card meanings keywords for each position of the spread Again, choose whatever groupings make sense to you. If you are just starting out with learning the Tarot, then start with general keywords before moving on to more advanced categories.

30 Page 30 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence In this Workbook, we ll stick to the upright keywords to keep it simple but again, if you find a lot of value in this activity, consider expanding your keyword categories to cover some of those listed above. Step 3: Create a Keyword Chart Template Next, create a keyword chart template so that you can easily populate it with your selected Tarot keywords. You could use a table format in Word or Excel, create a hand-written chart, or even use a mind map such as the FreeMind mind mapping tool. In your template, you may want to include Tarot card images, numerological or astrological associations and even hyperlinks or page references to your favourite Tarot card meaning websites or books in case you want to review more detailed Tarot card meanings. To help get you started, you ll find blank keyword charts in the Appendix. Step 4: Generate Keywords for Each Card Over the next week, you will be working through the Minor and Major Arcana, learning the meanings and generating keywords for each card. To generate keywords for each card, follow these steps: 1. Start with the first card in your selected group (e.g. the Ace of Cups). 2. Find the card in your deck and begin to study it. What words or phrases come to mind? What images stand out? What is your general feeling from the card? 3. Write down every thought, idea, word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind. 4. Look up the card meaning in your Tarot books. Search for common words or themes and write down the keywords that stand out to you. 5. Review your list and select 3-4 keywords or phrases that collectively represent the card. Enter these keywords into your keyword chart. 6. Rinse and repeat. Continue to work through each Tarot card until you have developed your very own Tarot card keyword chart. Check out the completed keyword charts in the Appendix as examples. You may also find that as you learn more about the cards, you will want to update and modify your keyword chart. Once you are happy with the final product, write up your keyword chart and include it in your Tarot Journal or laminate it and keep it with your Tarot cards for a quick-reference tool. You can also create a poster to put up somewhere prominent at home. Every day, run through each Tarot card and each set of keywords, to help commit those meanings to memory.

31 Page 31 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Activity 8.1. Create a Keyword Chart Template In preparation for the next six Days, create your own template for your keyword charts, following Step 1 to 3 above. Or, simply use the templates provided in the Appendix. Do not fill in the Keyword Charts just create the template. Over the next six Days, we will go through each card and will populate the keyword chart. Tarot card meaning keywords offer a way to simplify the learning process and to create a point of focus for each card. With each keyword you generate, there is an opportunity to feed into a much deeper network of phrases, stories, concepts, ideas and meanings.

32 Page 32 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 9 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E M I N O R A R C A N A The Minor Arcana consists of four suits Cups, Pentacles, Swords and Wands. Each suit consists of fourteen Tarot cards, including ten numbered cards (Ace through Ten) and four Court Cards (the Page, Knight, Queen and King). The numbered cards reflect everyday life situations while the Court Cards reflect people, personalities or events. While the Major Arcana reveal events that will naturally occur due to laws of the Universe, the Minor Arcana reveal events that naturally occur due to laws of human nature. Therefore, the Minor Arcana highlight the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence. Do not mistake the term Minor to mean that the Minor Arcana is unimportant. The fourteen cards of each suit are of great significance. As Karen Hamaker-Zondag discusses in her book, Tarot as a Way of Life: A Jungian Approach to the Tarot, the number fourteen often occurs symbolically in the context of religion. The number seven is a sacred number in many different cultures. In its twofold manifestation, seven makes fourteen. Additionally, there are fourteen rungs of the ladder of Osiris (the ladder which joins Heaven and Earth) for it brings together spirituality and everyday life. This suggests that there is something more meaningful in those aspects of our lives we deem ordinary. In a Tarot reading, a Minor Arcana card will tell you about what is happening in the client s life. It may be a specific event that is occurring or an issue that is on the client s mind. If a reading is predominantly made up of the Minor Arcana Tarot cards, you are dealing with day-to-day issues which will not necessarily have a lasting influence on your life. These issues are passing through, presenting you with an opportunity to learn from these experiences (look to any Major Arcana cards to identify and understand these lessons and how they may impact your life in the long-term). Elemental Associations Each Minor Arcana suit corresponds with a different element and is therefore representative of different aspects of day-today life (see the table over the page). Suit Element Keywords Cups Water Emotions, feelings, creativity Pentacles Earth Finance, material possessions, career Swords Air Power, intellect, thoughts Wands Fire Inspiration, spirituality, ideas

33 Page 33 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence The elemental associations provide more context for understanding each of the Suits. This becomes particularly important when you are learning the Tarot card meanings and when you re interpreting a reading. Elements can be combined with numerology, symbolism and stories within the cards to determine the card meaning (without having to refer to a book). While the Major Arcana reveal events that will naturally occur due to laws of the Universe, the Minor Arcana reveal events that naturally occur due to laws of human nature. Therefore, the Minor Arcana highlight the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence. Elements also help to build a story from the cards in a Tarot reading. For example, if the majority of the cards in a reading are Cups cards, you know you re dealing with emotions, feelings and relationships. Or if the Suit of Pentacles is missing, then a more practical approach may not be required. We ll explore the Suits and elements in more detail over the coming days. Activities 9.1. Associate the Suits with Your Daily Activities List the main activities you engaged in during the past week. How would you categorise these activities according to the Minor Arcana suits? For example: I learned Tarot Wands I had dinner with good friends Cups I completed a major project at work Pentacles 9.2. Give Advice According to the Suits Imagine you are giving a friend some advice about creating a budget / finding love / making a career move. What would you tell him or her from the perspective of each Suit? For example, going on a holiday... Cups Go with your closest friends, people who you really love spending time with. Pentacles Make sure you save up enough money so you can enjoy the trip. Swords Do your research before you go. You ll need to choose which places to visit. Wands Be spontaneous when you can. Once you have learned more about the Suits from Day 10 to 13, come back to this activity and add to your answers. Try it out with different scenarios.

34 Page 34 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 0 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E S U I T O F C U P S Lesson The Suit of Cups is representative of the element of Water. Water represents the subconscious, psychic awareness, intuitive feelings and the emotional realm. Thus, Cups deal with the emotional level of consciousness and are associated with love, feelings, relationships and connections. Cups are about displays of emotion, expression of feelings and the role of emotions in relation to others. The Cups Tarot cards indicate that you are thinking with your heart rather than your head, and thus reflect your spontaneous responses and your habitual reactions to situations. Cups are also linked to creativity, romanticism, fantasy and imagination. The negative aspects of the Suit of Cups include being overly emotional or completely disengaged and dispassionate, having unrealistic expectations and fantasising about what could be. There may be repressed emotions, an inability to truly express oneself and a lack of creativity. The people represented by the Suit of Cups (i.e. typically the Court Cards) are emotional, artistic, humane and creative. They are connected with their emotional selves and will draw energy from what they feel within. They are said to correspond to the water signs in the zodiac (Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio) and to water as a symbol of the subconscious mind and reason. The Suit of Cups traditionally represents summer or the number of months. For example, the Three of Cups could represent either summer or a period of three months. If using an ordinary deck of playing cards, Cups correspond to the Suit of Hearts. Should a Tarot reading be predominantly Cups cards, you are seeking solutions to what are primarily emotional conflicts, love matters and feelings. Activities Familiarise Yourself with the Suit of Cups Take out all of the Cups cards in your Tarot deck and lay them in front of you. Begin to study each card, looking at the imagery and taking note of your initial thoughts and feelings. Now, test yourself. Go through each card and make sure that you can name each one Prepare a Suit of Cups Summary Using the Tarot Suit Summary template provided in the Appendix: Record the element associated with the Suit of Cups. Write down the keywords or key phrases you would associate with the Suit of Cups (e.g. emotions). List what you would see as the positive aspects of the Suit of Cups (e.g. love, happiness, and feelings) and the

35 Page 35 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence negative or shadow aspects (e.g. jealousy, being over-emotional). List what types of day-to-day activities and events you would associate with the Suit of Cups (e.g. starting a new relationship, counselling a friend). Identify what personality types and characteristics are associated with the Suit of Cups (e.g. caring, nurturing and loving). Collect images or pictures from magazines, photos or the internet that you would associate with the Suit of Cups and stick them into the box provided (or start on a blank page). Keep this Tarot Suit Summary on hand as you work through the next activity and as you progress through this Workbook Create a Keyword Chart for the Suit of Cups (Note: Creating a Keyword Chart is one of those chunky activities I mentioned at the beginning of this Workbook. You may like to break this up over a number of days, or do a first cut now and come back to it later.) To create your Cups Keyword Chart, use either the keyword chart template you created on Day 8 or the template provided in the Appendix. Go through each Cups card and create your own keyword chart using Step 4 from Day 8. Embody the spirit of the Cups cards by taking note of your feelings and emotions as you familiarise yourself with these cards. The Suit of Cups is representative of the element of Water. Water represents the subconscious, psychic awareness, intuitive feelings, and the emotional realm. Thus, Cups deal with the emotional level of consciousness and are associated with love, feelings, relationships and connections. Select the first Cups card and begin to study it. What is your general feeling from the card? What emotions come to mind? What is this card trying to tell you? Write down every thought, idea, word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind. Look up the card meaning in The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings or your other Tarot books. Search for common words or themes and write down the keywords that stand out to you. Review your list and select 3-4 keywords or phrases that collectively represent the card. Enter these keywords into your keyword chart. Rinse and repeat with the next card in the Suit of Cups.

36 Page 36 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 1 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E S U I T O F P E N T A C L E S Lesson The Suit of Pentacles is representative of the element of Earth. Earth covers the more mundane material things of life, including work, business, trade, property, money and other material possessions. Earth also indicates grounding and stability. The positive aspects of the Suit of Pentacles include manifestation, realisation, proof and prosperity. This Suit represents the practical, realistic and material side of human nature, bringing with it a stable, secure and structured environment. Given the association with Earth, the Suit of Pentacles represents a stabilising force that promotes balance and harmony. Pentacles deal with the physical or external level of consciousness and thus mirror the outer situations of your health, finances, work, and creativity. They have to do with what we make of our outer surroundings, how we create it, shape it, transform it and grow it. The negative aspects of the Suit of Pentacles (i.e. when the Pentacles cards appear reversed) include being possessive, greedy and overly materialistic, over-indulging and not exercising, not effectively managing one s finances, and being overly focused on career to the detriment of other life priorities. Often what is required to counteract these negative aspects is a return to nature to ground oneself and rediscover what is truly important. In addition, there may be blockages in being able to manifest ideas and plans resulting in a lack of success. Better goal-setting and planning is required. Pentacles represent the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Pentacles people (as typically seen in the Court Cards) are practical, career-minded, down-to-earth and generous. They are tactile beings and like to experience the physical, tangible world. They are connected through the senses and seek pleasurable and sometimes indulgent experiences. When referring to timing in a Tarot reading, the Suit of Pentacles traditionally represents winter or years. In a deck of playing cards, Pentacles corresponds to Diamonds. Should a Tarot reading be predominantly Pentacles cards, you are seeking solutions to what are primarily material conflicts, financial matters and concerns with career and work. Activities Familiarise Yourself with the Suit of Pentacles Take out all of the Pentacles cards in your Tarot deck and lay them in front of you. Begin to study each card, looking at the imagery and taking note of your initial thoughts and feelings. Now, test yourself. Go through each card and make sure that you can name each one.

37 Page 37 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Prepare a Suit of Pentacles Summary Using the Tarot Suit Summary template provided in the Appendix: Record the element associated with the Suit of Pentacles. Write down the keywords or key phrases you would associate with the Suit of Pentacles (e.g. money). List what you would see as the positive aspects of the Suit of Pentacles (e.g. career, wealth and manifestation) and the negative or shadow aspects (e.g. controlling behaviour and overemphasis on material wealth). List what types of day-to-day activities and events you would associate with the Suit of Pentacles (e.g. creating a budget or starting a business). Identify what personality types and characteristics are associated with the Suit of Pentacles (e.g. pragmatic and grounded). Collect images or pictures from magazines, photos or the internet that you would associate with the Suit of Pentacles and stick them into the box provided (or start on a blank page). The Suit of Pentacles is representative of the element of Earth. Earth covers the more mundane material things of life including work, business, trade, property, money and other material possessions. Pentacles deal with the physical or external level of consciousness and thus mirror the outer situations of your health, finances, work, and creativity. They have to do with what we make of our outer surroundings, how we create it, shape it, transform it and grow it. Keep this Tarot Suit Summary on hand as you work through the next activity and as you progress through this Workbook Create a Keyword Chart for the Suit of Pentacles To create your Pentacles Keyword Chart, use either the keyword chart template you created on Day 8 or the template provided in the Appendix. Go through each Pentacles card and create your own keyword chart using Step 4 from Day 8. Embody the spirit of the Pentacles cards by holding your cards and actually touching the pictures (Pentacles are very tactile). Take note of the sensations that are generated by this action as you familiarise yourself with these cards. Select the first Pentacles card and begin to study it. What words or phrases come to mind? What images stand out? What is this card trying to tell you?

38 Page 38 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Write down every thought, idea, word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind. Look up the card meaning in The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings or your other Tarot books. Search for common words or themes and write down the keywords that stand out to you. Review your list and select 3-4 keywords or phrases that collectively represent the card. Enter these keywords into your keyword chart. Rinse and repeat with the next card in the Suit of Pentacles.

39 Page 39 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 2 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E S U I T O F S W O R D S Lesson The Suit of Swords is representative of the element of Air. Air represents the realm of the intellect and the process of thinking and communicating. Air provides originality, versatility, freedom and free-flowing thoughts. The Suit of Swords is associated with action, change, force, power, ambition, courage and conflict. Just as a sword is double-edged, so too are the Swords cards in the Tarot deck. For example, action can be both constructive and/or destructive, sometimes resulting in positive change, or in aggression and violence. Of all the suits, the Suit of Swords is considered to be the most powerful and, at times, dangerous. The Suit of Swords deals with the mental level of consciousness that is centred in the mind and the intellect. Swords mirror the quality of mind present in your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. The Suit of Swords symbolises the fine balance between intellect and power and how these two elements can be used for good or evil. As such, the Swords must often be balanced by spirit (Wands) and feeling (Cups) to maximise their potential. The negative aspects of the Suit of Swords (i.e. when the Swords cards appear reversed) include anger, guilt, harsh judgement, a lack of compassion and verbal and mental abuse. Swords represent the Air signs of Aquarius, Libra and Gemini. Swords people (as typically seen in the Court Cards) are intelligent, thoughtful, rational, logical and excellent communicators. They are rational beings and like to experience the world by understanding and analysing what is occurring around them. On the flipside, Swords people can be ruthless, domineering, confrontational and rigid. When referring to timing in a Tarot reading, the Suit of Swords traditionally represents autumn or weeks. (For example, the Seven of Swords may refer to seven weeks or autumn.) In a deck of playing cards, Swords corresponds to Spades. Should a Tarot reading be predominantly Swords cards, you are seeking solutions to what are primarily mental struggles, conflict and arguments, and decisions that must be made. Also, there could be many arguments or even violence at present. While Swords can carry with them many negative or very strong, forceful messages, Swords serve also as a warning to be more cautious of what is occurring around you. Activities Familiarise Yourself with the Suit of Swords Take out all of the Swords cards in your Tarot deck and lay them in front of you. Begin to study each card, looking at the imagery and taking note of your initial thoughts and feelings. Now, test yourself. Go through each card and make sure that you can name each one.

40 Page 40 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Prepare a Suit of Swords Summary Using the Tarot Suit Summary template provided in the Appendix: Record the element associated with the Suit of Swords. Write down the keywords or key phrases you would associate with the Suit of Swords (e.g. thoughts). List what you would see as the positive aspects of the Suit of Swords (e.g. clarity of mind and intelligence) and the negative or shadow aspects (e.g. hurtful words and aggressive behaviour). List what types of day-to-day activities and events you would associate with the Suit of Swords. Identify what personality types and characteristics are associated with the Suit of Swords (e.g. intellectual and decisive). Collect images or pictures from magazines, photos or the internet that you would associate with the Suit of Swords and stick them into the box provided (or start on a blank page). The Suit of Swords is representative of the element of Air. Air represents the realm of the intellect and the process of thinking and communicating. Air provides originality, versatility, freedom and free-flowing thoughts. The Suit of Swords is associated with action, change, force, power, ambition, courage and conflict. Keep this Tarot Suit Summary on hand as you work through the next activity and as you progress through this Workbook Create a Keyword Chart for the Suit of Swords To create your Swords Keyword Chart, use either the keyword chart template you created on Day 8 or the template provided in the Appendix. Go through each Swords card and create your own keyword chart using Step 4 from Day 8. Embody the spirit of the Swords cards and take note of the thoughts and words that come to mind as you familiarise yourself with these cards. Select the first Swords card and begin to study it. What words or phrases come to mind? What images stand out? What is this card trying to tell you? Write down every thought, idea, word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind.

41 Page 41 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Look up the card meaning in The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings or your other Tarot books. Search for common words or themes and write down the keywords that stand out to you. Review your list and select 3-4 keywords or phrases that collectively represent the card. Enter these keywords into your keyword chart. Rinse and repeat with the next card in the Suit of Swords.

42 Page 42 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 3 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E S U I T O F W A N D S Lesson The Suit of Wands is representative of the element of Fire. Fire reflects movement, change and life force. This element projects self-expression, creativity, courage and enthusiasm. Fire also promotes a warm glow within each of us that provides security and inspiration. Wands have to do with primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion, original thought and the seeds through which life springs forth. Wands deal with the spiritual level of consciousness and mirror what is important to you at the core of your being. They address what makes us tick our personalities, egos, enthusiasms, selfconcepts, and personal energy, both internal and external. Wands are also indicative of all things that you do during the day to keep you busy, be it working at the office, home or the great outdoors. Wands have to do with movement, action and initiatives and the launching of new ideas. They may be indicative of a never-ending Ideas List or To Do List, when you have many projects on the go to keep you busy. Wands represent the Fire signs of Leo, Sagittarius and Aries. Wands people (as typically seen in the Court Cards) are energetic, charismatic, warm and spiritual. The negative aspects of the Suit of Wands (i.e. when the Wands cards appear reversed) include illusion, egotistical behaviour, selfimportance, and impulsiveness, a lack of direction or purpose, or feeling meaningless. When referring to timing in a Tarot reading, the Suit of Wands traditionally represents spring or days. In a deck of playing cards, Wands corresponds to Clubs. Should a Tarot reading be predominantly Wands cards, you can be sure that you are seeking solutions to issues that are based mainly in the realm of thought, or that are in the first stages of development. You may also be seeking greater purpose and meaning in your life and will want to understand more about what motivates and energises you. Activities Familiarise Yourself with the Suit of Wands Take out all of the Wands cards in your Tarot deck and lay them in front of you. Begin to study each card, looking at the imagery and taking note of your initial thoughts and feelings. Now, test yourself. Go through each card and make sure that you can name each one Prepare a Suit of Wands Summary

43 Page 43 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Using the Tarot Suit Summary template provided in the Appendix: Record the element associated with the Suit of Wands. Write down the keywords or key phrases you would associate with the Suit of Wands (e.g. energy). List what you would see as the positive aspects of the Suit of Wands (e.g. inspirations and ideas) and the negative or shadow aspects (e.g. impulsiveness and recklessness). List what types of day-to-day activities and events you would associate with the Suit of Wands. Identify what personality types and characteristics are associated with the Suit of Wands (e.g. passionate and energetic). Collect images or pictures from magazines, photos or the internet that you would associate with the Suit of Wands and stick them into the box provided (or start on a blank page). Keep this Tarot Suit Summary on hand as you work through the next activity and as you progress through this Workbook. The Suit of Wands is representative of the element of Fire. Fire reflects movement, change and life force. This element projects self-expression, creativity, courage and enthusiasm. Fire also promotes a warm glow within each of us that provides security and inspiration. Wands have to do with primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion, original thought and the seeds through which life springs forth Create a Keyword Chart for the Suit of Wands To create your Wands Keyword Chart, use either the keyword chart template you created on Day 8 or the template provided in the Appendix. Go through each Wands card and create your own keyword chart using Step 4 from Day 8. Embody the spirit of the Wands cards and take note of the energy you feel as you familiarise yourself with these cards. Select the first Wands card and begin to study it. What energy do you feel? What words or phrases come to mind? What is this card trying to tell you? Write down every thought, idea, word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind.

44 Page 44 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Look up the card meaning in The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings or your other Tarot books. Search for common words or themes and write down the keywords that stand out to you. Review your list and select 3-4 keywords or phrases that collectively represent the card. Enter these keywords into your keyword chart. Rinse and repeat with the next card in the Suit of Wands Give Advice According to the Suits (Optional) Now that you have learned more about the Suits, return to Activity 9.2 where you were asked to give advice according to the Suits. Add to your previous answers and try the activity again with new and different scenarios.

45 Page 45 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 4 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E C O U R T C A R D S Lesson Court Cards are part of the Minor Arcana and include the Page, Knight, Queen and King of each Suit (16 cards in total). Court Cards seem to be the most difficult group of cards to master. I always ask new subscribers to my weekly e-newsletter, What is your biggest challenge in learning Tarot? And you know what the top answer is? You got it Court cards. So that s why I want to spend a full day on this group of cards. The Members of the Tarot Court First, let me introduce you to the different members of the Court and what each represents at a high level. Pages As people, Pages often represent young, energetic people who are at the very beginning of their personal journey. They are still developing a sense of self but they approach new challenges with fervent energy and excitement. Pages look forward to the opportunity of learning and practising new skills. On a physical level, Pages can represent young children through to young adults. However, don t be limited by thinking a Page can only represent someone who is under 30. Pages can also represent those who are young at heart or who are discovering a new aspect of themselves. I had a client aged in her 60s. She had asked about changing jobs and moving to a new university. The Page of Wands appeared in her reading and I saw it as a clear sign that the move would enable her to develop her skills in a new area of expertise and to reignite her passion for her work. As it turned out, this new opportunity meant that she could work on a new project that was outside her usual area of expertise. So, she was fully embracing the energy of the Page, without having to be physically young herself. As events, Pages are often seen as messengers and come to you with a new opportunity or an invitation. Pages encourage you to go for it and give you the green light for a new project or initiative. Pages often appear when you are on the cusp of a new idea (Wands), a new feeling (Cups), a new way of thinking (Swords) or a new job or career pursuit (Pentacles). They symbolise a new stage in life. Knights As people, Knights are highly action-oriented more so than the Pages. The journey of the Knight is already underway and the Knight is more focused on keeping that journey going. Knights are also slightly more mature than a Page. They have enough experience under their belt to know what they re doing, but the trouble is that they do not have the full life experience that the King and Queen have. Thus Knights are prone to being extremists. Such excessive feelings and behaviour can be either

46 Page 46 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence positive or negative depending on the circumstances. For example, the Knight of Swords has an excess of ambition. Once he has his mind set on a goal, he will do anything and everything to achieve that goal. However, the downside is that he will rush into things and may potentially railroad others to get what he wants. He doesn t have the maturity of the King of Swords to be able to take a moderate approach, and thus he can end up charging down the wrong path if he s not careful. Always consider both sides of a Knight - does he represent a helpful or harmful approach? What is in excess and what needs to be in moderation? The Knight of Pentacles is a good example. On the one hand, he is reliable, dependable and hard-working. But on the other hand, he can be boring and routine. It also comes down to what situations or relationships he finds himself in. If he is working in a hierarchical firm, then he s a perfect fit. But if he is working in a creative advertising agency, for example, he may not be as successful. On a physical level, Knights can represent adults aged between 20 and 35 (more or less). Remember, though, not to be limited by this age bracket. As events, Knights reflect change, movement and action. They are never still but are constantly on the move, looking for the next big opportunity. Queens As people, Queens represent someone who has matured and who has a deeper understanding or herself and others. The Queens tap into the feminine energy of nurturing and caring for others, and give way to creating a more sustainable approach to life. She provides nourishment and sustenance that will keep her ideas and actions going. Queens typically express their Suits from the inside. They have mastered the power of gentle persuasion, setting the tone without imposing their point of view. It reminds me of the saying, Behind every great man there is a great woman. She gently and subtly influences, without being seen to be too pushy or domineering. In this way, Queens can be seen as the most powerful because they influence without anyone really knowing. One of my clients was going through a divorce and she wanted to know how she could best support her son through the process. The Queen of Wands came up. To me, this was about her needing to provide positive energy to her son, supporting him and keeping optimistic even while she was dealing with some very trying times. It wasn t that she needed to lie and pretend that everything was OK, but she

47 Page 47 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence did need to protect him from any negativity during the divorce process. This certainly resonated for her and gave her a path forward. On a physical level, Queens often represent people aged between 30 and 50 who have a good amount of life experience under their belt. Queens typically represent women, but can also highlight the more feminine qualities of a man. I know it sounds cliché, but I have often seen a number of Queens come up in a reading about gay relationships. As events, Queens represent creativity and ideas coming to fruition. Queens are also very feminine and nurturing cards, reflecting the rites of passage for women, from embracing sexuality to motherhood and to taking care of others. Kings Kings are considered to be the most mature of the Court Cards. They have travelled through life successfully and are now at the pinnacle of experience and understanding. Thus, the Kings represent the fully developed personalities of each of the Suits. As people, Kings have full control over the feelings, emotions, thoughts and actions that form part of his personality. As such, they are stable and solid, and are highly capable of directing the flow of their energy to achieve their visions and goals. They like to manage, direct and stabilise the energy associated with their Suit. Kings like to be seen as the providers, taking responsibility for others well-being. Kings want to make a difference and have an impact on the world. They draw upon the various elements of their personalities to make their mark. I often see Kings come up in Finding Love readings, for the most ideal type of partner. On a physical level, Kings often represent older males aged 40 and above. While not all Kings have to be male, these Court cards do represent dominant masculine energy someone who controls and directs and who wants to be in command. Pages conceive ideas, Knights act upon ideas, Queens nurture ideas and now Kings develop those ideas to an established and stable state. Thus, as an event, Kings signify the growth and maturity of an idea or concept right through to completion. To find out more about the individual card meanings of the Court cards, please refer to The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings or my website. Court Cards in a Reading The main reason why Tarot students find it challenging to interpret Court cards in a Tarot reading is because it is often unclear about

48 Page 48 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence whether they refer to people, personalities, situations or events. Take a look at your Court cards. What is the one common theme across of them all? They all feature a single person, right? So, that must mean that Court cards predominantly refer to people and personalities. But, sometimes, a Court card may also allude to a situation or the personality of a situation. Let s take a deeper look at what this really means. As People And Personalities On a whole, Court cards represent people and their respective personalities and characteristics. They provide clues as to how a person thinks, feels and acts, and what truly motivates them. Court cards show a side of the client that is being expressed or that is seeking expression. It may be part of the client s personality that is drawn upon regularly, or that needs to be nurtured and developed. For example, the appearance of the Page of Swords in a career reading may indicate that the client needs to adopt a more curious mindset to be successful. Or, if the client has already been asking lots of questions and seeking out facts, its appearance confirms that the client is doing everything they need. The Court Cards have often been linked to the Myers-Briggs Personality Trait Indicator (MBTI). Myer-Briggs is based around the theories and ideas of Carl Jung and is now a very wellrespected method of gaining a deeper understanding about personality types and motivational factors. According to the MBTI tests, there are 16 different Personality Types which, interestingly, corresponds to the 16 Court Cards in the Tarot. If you have worked with MBTI before, you may like to draw your own conclusions about which MBTI profile fits with each of the Court Cards and note it in your Tarot Journal. At this stage, there is no single universal system of correspondences between the 16 court cards and the 16 MBTI types. In more traditional Tarot books, Court Cards are also given physical attributes such as hair and eye colour, gender and age (e.g. male, brown hair, blue eyes, attractive, mature, etc.). However, in my experience, I find that this is very limiting and often inaccurate. Many times, Queens come up for men, Kings come up for women, Pages come up for older people and so forth. In this way, Court cards also reflect levels of maturity. For example, the Page, who is often viewed as a young, immature person, doesn t have to be under the age of 21, but may indicate someone who is young at heart, naive, or unfamiliar with a particular situation.

49 Page 49 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Maturity level can also point to the various stages of a journey. The Page represents the start of a journey, while the King represents the conclusion of a journey, complete with life lessons and a deep understanding. OK, so we know Court cards represent people and their personalities, but how do we know who these people are? Is it the client? Is it someone else? Who else? More often than not, Court cards will represent the client and the personality they bring to a particular situation. Sometimes, a Court card will refer to an external party, but this is often only the case when the card appears in an external position in a Tarot reading (i.e. where you are assessing external influences on the situation). As a Situation or Event There are times when it just doesn t make sense for the Court Card to represent a person or part of their personality. Thus, sometimes Court Cards can represent a situation or an event that takes on a personality of its own. For example, the appearance of the Page of Cups often indicates an invitation or an offer that brings a lot of joy and excitement. Or the King of Wands suggests a situation where you are maturing your goals and visions in life. Court cards can also represent situations where the client is bringing part of their own personality to that situation. For example, the Queen of Wands appears in relation to, What is happening at work? We know that the Queen of Wands is a sociable and outgoing personality, and so it is likely that the client is bringing this energy to work, creating a situation that is conducive to networking and building new relationships. Or, the Page of Swords appears in relation to a new relationship. We know that this Page is a curious and eager young fellow, and so it is likely that, again, the client is bringing this energy to the relationship and the relationship is in that new, energetic phase where each person is getting know the other. How Others Interpret the Court Cards If you want to read more about the Court cards, I strongly recommend reading Louise Richard s guest post on the Biddy Tarot blog, A Personality Approach to the Court Cards. I learnt a lot from her perspectives of how to interpret these cards. I also asked my Facebook fans how they interpreted the Court Cards in a reading. Here are a few different approaches: Sometimes I see them as the emotions they represent or the level of understanding of a situation. More often I see the Page and the Knight more as possible events, like a homecoming, moving, or a message. Personally, the Court Cards represent people, without fail! I have given myself goose bumps from the accuracy! I usually try to match it to a person. If I can't find a person who matches I try to take on the attributes of the card. The querent's question or which spread I am using, clues me in to whether it is a person, trait, or an energy. Overall, I trust my intuition.

50 Page 50 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Elemental Associations of the Court Cards (Optional) (Note: This section is optional reading. Understanding the element associations may help to build your understanding of the Court cards by offering another point of view. However, it may also add another level of complexity to the cards. So, if you have capacity for more information, read ahead. But if not, leave this until another time.) Just as the four Suits of the Minor Arcana are associated with the elements, so too are the four Court card types. Page Air (intellectual, rational, logical, clear-sighted) Knight Fire (passionate, active, courageous, energetic) Queen Water (emotional, intuitive, sensitive) King Earth (practical, down-to-earth, materialistic) Thus each Court Card has a dual elemental association one element associated with the type of Court card and one element associated with the Suit (see table to the right). Suit Page (Air) Knight (Fire) Queen (Water) King (Earth) Cups (Water) Air/Water Fire/Water Water/Water Earth/Water Pentacles (Earth) Air/Earth Fire/Earth Water/Earth Earth/Earth Swords (Air) Air/Air Fire/Air Water/Air Earth/Air Wands (Fire) Air/Fire Fire/Fire Water/Fire Earth/Fire Knowing the elemental associations adds another layer to your interpretations of the Court Cards. For example, the Page of Wands represents a combination of Air (Page) and Fire (Wands) - someone who is action-oriented and ideas-driven. Court Cards that have two of the same element are very strong in that element. For example, the Page of Swords has a strong connection with the element Air as both the Page and the Suit of Swords are associated with Air. Therefore, this card is highly intellectual, curious and clear-sighted. Court Cards that have complementary elemental associations (Fire/Earth and Air/Water) are balanced in their approach to life, well-rounded, flexible and adaptable. The King of Wands, for example, is a charismatic figure who has long-term vision but who can also bring others on his journey. He is someone others warm to and who is very well-rounded. Court Cards with opposing elements (Fire/Water and Earth/Air) are often polarised individuals with dual personalities and shadow selves. They can be extremely unpredictable but this isn t always a bad thing. The Knight of Cups, for example, is romantic and charming, but he is prone to fantasy or bouts of moodiness. Fire/Earth and Air/Water have little effect on each other and are considered neutral. Note that these elemental associations work not only in the context of the Court cards, but also in Tarot readings where there is an interaction between elements.

51 Page 51 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Activities Match the Courts with Actual People Randomly select four Court cards. For each card, think of at least three people you know or three celebrities who share similar characteristics to the Court Card Develop Court Card Profiles Select another four Court Cards. For each card, jot down your thoughts on each of the following: Character strengths Character weaknesses Personal mantra Possible career and/or life path(s) Associated situations For example, for the Page of Pentacles: Character strengths practical and well-planned Character weaknesses conservative and risk averse Personal mantra / advice manifest your dreams Possible career/life paths small business owner, accountant, business graduate, life-long student Associated situations starting a new job, turning an idea into a project Have a Conversation with the Courts Select another four Court Cards. Create a conversation between two of the Court Cards, drawing on their personalities and likely behaviours. Imagine one Court Card is going on a holiday. What would they say to each other? What advice would they give? Then, create another conversation with the remaining two Court Cards. This time, imagine the two Court Cards are working together on a major project. Would they work well together, or would there be trouble? How would they solve problems between each other? Give Advice as a Court Card Would Select the last four Court Cards. For each Court Card, consider what advice they would give and how they would respond to the following scenarios: You have just got engaged to someone you met only a few months ago. You want to move interstate. You have had a falling out with a family member. You need to choose between two jobs. For example, you are starting a new business. Knight of Wands Follow your passions and do what you love. King of Pentacles Make sure you have built a business plan and have solid financial backing. Page of Cups Look out for new opportunities or invitations to social events. What about social media?

52 Page 52 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 5 : L E A R N A B O U T T H E M A J O R A R C A N A Lesson The Major Arcana (also known as the trump cards) form the foundation of the Tarot deck. They comprise twenty-one numbered cards and one unnumbered card (the Fool). They represent a path to spiritual self-awareness and depict the various stages we encounter as we search for greater meaning and understanding. Accordingly, they hold deeply meaningful lessons. The Major Arcana represent the structure of human consciousness and hold the keys to life lessons passed down through the ages. The imagery of the Major Arcana is filled with wisdom relating to multiple cultures and esoteric traditions, including the Egyptian, Buddhist, Hindu, Sufi, Hebrew and Christian religions. It is important to study these images and contemplate their messages. Look beyond the simple keywords and traditional meaning and seek out your own personal meanings as the more you understand their symbolism, the deeper you will understand what they represent. In his book Pocket Guide to Tarot (1996), Alan Oken suggests that the twenty-two Major Arcana cards are like the mandalas of the Tarot. Mandalas are detailed images painted onto canvas and used as spiritual study and meditation aids by the Tibetans. The Major Arcana cards can also represent Carl Jung s archetypes consistent, directing patterns of influence that are an inherent part of the collective unconscious of our human nature. These themes mark, portray and symbolise stages in our psyche whereby we aim to become balanced and integrated individuals. Along this journey we encounter challenges, face adversity, make difficult decisions and fight opposing forces. Each step of the way brings us closer to enlightenment. This is often referred to as the journey of the Fool 2. In a Tarot reading, Major Arcana cards typically point to life lessons that are being learned at the time. In explaining one of these cards, start with, "The life lesson now is..." and then go on to describe the Major Arcana card. For example, with the Emperor you might say, The life lesson now is about control and structure. What do these two concepts mean to you right now? Do you need more of it or less of it? Is it an opportunity or a hindrance? Use the questions in the Get to Know Yourself with the Major Arcana exercise in the Appendix. When a Tarot reading is predominantly made up of Major Arcana cards, you are experiencing life-changing events that will have long-term effects. There are important lessons that you must pay attention to in order to progress further in your spiritual and personal quest. 2 If you are interested in reading more about the journey of the Fool, I highly recommend Karen Hamaker-Zondag s book Tarot as a Way of Life: A Jungian Approach to the Tarot. Or, visit Joan Bunning s website at

53 Page 53 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence If many of the Major Arcana cards are reversed, however, it indicates that you are not paying attention to important life lessons and must return to the lesson of the previous card before moving forward. It is possible to conduct a Tarot reading using only the twenty-two Major Arcana. This method is typically used for Tarot readings relating to spiritual self-awareness or where you require deep insight from the collective unconscious. You can read more in my blog post, Major Arcana Tarot Spreads. Activities Familiarise Yourself with the Major Arcana Take out all of the Major Arcana cards in your Tarot deck and lay them in front of you. Begin to study each card, looking at the imagery and taking note of your initial thoughts and feelings. Now, test yourself. Go through each card and make sure that you can name each one Create a Major Arcana Keyword Chart To create your Major Arcana Keyword Chart, use either the keyword chart template you created on Day 8 or the template provided in the Appendix. Go through each Major Arcana card and create your own keyword chart using Step 4 from Day 8. Start with the Fool. Find the card in your Tarot deck and begin to study it. What words or phrases come to mind? What images stand out? What is your general feeling from the card? Write down every thought, idea, word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind. Look up the card meaning in The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings or your other Tarot books. Search for common words or themes and write down the keywords that stand out to you. Review your list and select 3-4 keywords or phrases that collectively represent the card. Enter these keywords into your keyword chart. Rinse and repeat with the next card in the Major Arcana Get to Know Yourself with the Major Arcana (Optional) Answer each question in the Get to Know Yourself with the Major Arcana questionnaire in the Appendix. Record this in your Tarot Journal. The Major Arcana represent the structure of human consciousness and hold the keys to life lessons passed down through the ages. They represent a path to spiritual self-awareness and depict the various stages we encounter as we search for greater meaning and understanding. Accordingly, they hold deeply meaningful lessons.

54 Page 54 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 6: U N D E R S T A N D B A S I C N U M E R O L O G Y Lesson Every card in the Tarot deck has a numerological association. The numbers used in the Tarot are based on the principles of numerology and represent a material and spiritual evolutionary process that begins with the number 1 and ends with the number 10. For the Pip Cards in the Minor Arcana (i.e. those cards from Ace to 10 in each of the four Suits), this is relatively straight-forward. Aces are associated with 1, and then each card is numbered 2 to 10. For the tens, you can either treat it as a 10 or as a 1 (1+0). Court Cards do not typically have a numerological association. In the Major Arcana, you may need to add the single digits together to create the appropriate numerological association. For example, the Wheel of Fortune is labelled 10. To find its associations you would add 1+0=1. Its association is therefore 1. Using Numerology in Tarot Numerology can be used to interpret a single card or an entire reading. Most traditional Tarot card interpretations already take into account the numerological association. For example, the Ace of Wands is about new beginnings and determination, while the Ten of Swords is about an ending. For a complete Tarot reading, numerology can be used to detect certain themes by interpreting how many of each number appear in the reading. For example, the presence of three 4s in a reading indicates fruition or the manifestation of an idea along with a foundation where things can grow. Or, if most of the numbers in a reading are 1s, 2s, or 3s, then you know the client is at the beginning of a cycle, or if most of the numbers are 7s, 8s, 9s or 10s, then the client is nearing the end of a cycle. Even with just a basic understanding of numerology, you can deepen your understanding of the Tarot cards considerably. The Meanings of Numbers in Tarot Here are the general meanings of each of the numbers used in the Tarot. One New beginnings, opportunity, potential, drive, ideas, inspiration and aspiration. One deals with that which is about to take form. Many 1s in a reading indicates that a situation is about to begin or is in the early stages of development. Two Balance, duality, a crossroad or choice, partnership, assimilation, sharing, receptivity, diplomacy, gentle persuasion, application, agreement and insight. Many 2s in a reading indicate a waiting period where there will be partial success but more will be revealed later. It can also indicate a reconciliation or reunion.

55 Page 55 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Three Initial achievement of goals, growth, creativity, abundance, expression, communication and friendships. The number 3 is the cementing factor of 1 and 2 and goes through to 4 to bring about that which is desired and envisioned. Multiple 3s in a reading indicate group activities or situations involving more than one person. They can also indicate delay but with the promise of future success. Four Structure, foundation, stability, stagnation, manifestation, practical application, formation, concentration, organisation and planning. It is the result of a well-built foundation and proper application. It is what comes as a result of desire and imagination (i.e. the energy of 1, 2 and 3). Many 4s in a reading indicate fruition or the manifestation of an idea along with a foundation where things can grow. Five Instability, conflict, loss, opportunity for change, new cycle, change, expansion and recreation. Even with just a basic understanding of numerology, you can deepen your understanding of the Tarot cards considerably. In a reading, many 5s indicate change, challenge and fluctuation. They also indicate material prosperity but spiritual poverty if not properly balanced. Six Communication, problem-solving, cooperation, balance, relaxation, adjustment, harmony, compassion, social consciousness, domesticity, love, care, comfort and concern. Many 6s in a reading indicate adjustments in thoughts, attitudes or conditions. They also represent the ability to transcend difficulties. Seven Reflection, assessment, motives, spirituality, wisdom, perfect order, observation, investigation, meditation, discovery and knowledge. Seven represents faith faith in the things that cannot be seen but nevertheless exist. Through life experience, understanding the ultimate truth develops and faith in the unknown is attained. In a reading, many 7s indicate a period of introspection or solitude. Eight Movement, action, change, rebirth, regeneration, re-evaluation, capability, spiritual fortitude, success, recognition, accomplishment and attainment. Eight is associated with power that springs from within and enables one to accomplish that which one sets out to do. Many 8s indicate a positive change of mind or status. Nine Fruition, attainment, bringing things to a conclusion, completion, fulfilment, selflessness, magnetism, idealism and giver of wisdom or inspiration. Many 9s in a reading mean that situations or events are nearing completion or have just been completed and another plateau awaits.

56 Page 56 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Ten Completion, end of a cycle and renewal. Ten can also become 1 (1+0 = 1) and therefore the tens represent the same things as the Aces but on a higher level. Many 10s in a reading can indicate endings which will soon transform into new beginnings. Activity Map the Numerological Journey Select one suit to work with. Take out all the pip cards in that Suit (i.e. from Ace to 10) and lay the cards out in order in front of you (see example to the right). Now, apply your knowledge of the Suit (e.g. Cups = emotions, relationships, creativity) and your knowledge of numerology to map the journey from the Ace through the Ten. Note down 2-3 keywords or phrases for each card using only what you know about the Suit and the numerological association. For example: Ace / Cups New beginnings in love Two / Cups Partnerships and romance Three / Cups Socialising with friends Four / Cups Establishing emotional stability Five / Cups Emotional losses and disappointment Six / Cups Harmony in relationships Seven / Cups Assessment of opportunities Eight / Cups Moving on from past emotions Nine / Cups Emotional satisfaction Ten / Cups Fulfilling relationships Once complete, revisit your keyword chart and add any new keywords to your chart. If you have time, repeat for the other suits, including the Major Arcana.

57 Page 57 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 7 : I N T E R P R E T T H E S Y M B O L I S M I N T H E T A R O T Lesson A symbol is a reminder, something that evokes the echo of an inner experience in the beholder. The deeper and more significant the experience, the more powerful the symbol. It may take the form of an image, a sound, a word, an action, an object, anything that has a concrete existence in the physical world (Wald Amberstone, co-founder of the Tarot School). The experiences that are brought on by particular symbols may be unique to the individual or shared across a group, society or culture. Symbolic meanings are generated from past experiences, be it within the lifetime of an individual, or the history of a society or culture. In the Tarot, symbolism is very powerful and contributes significantly to the traditional card meanings and the dynamic interpretations of the cards in specific readings. Symbols help to tell the story within the cards and often bring together many different and seemingly unrelated elements within the one card. Learning the Tarot through symbols works well for those who are highly visual and think in pictures and images. The symbolism in the cards can also provide a focal point for meditation and opening the third eye. Common Symbols Used in Tarot Symbolism in the Tarot is plentiful. Here are the meanings behind some of the more common symbols used in the Tarot cards. Angels Angels represent a special message that is sure to catch your attention. This is a moment of Divine intervention, so make sure you listen. Also know that something, somewhere, somehow is being done at that moment to help that situation. The angels have taken note and are working on it. Castles Castles typically symbolise protection, stability, accumulation, wealth and reward. They show that while there may be a long and difficult journey, the reward or the outcome will be worthwhile. You are slowly but surely working towards a personal goal that will bring a great sense of achievement when you finally reach it. Castles are often built to protect their inhabitants. Thus, castles can indicate a defensive mentality, set structures and specific ways of doing things. They also represent firm foundations and the need to create a solid foundation for our ideas and thoughts before they can manifest into something big. Chains Chains indicate connection to something, servitude, bonds and self-limitation. Children Children represent innocence, youth, purity and naivety. From a very literal perspective, children may represent family or the presence of young people. Circle Circles represent eternity or cycles that are constantly turning and evolving. Clouds Clouds often symbolise the element of Air and therefore are associated with thought, intellect and abstract thinking.

58 Page 58 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Clouds represent a transitory, short-lived state. Clouds come and go, changing shape as the wind blows. Thus clouds signify that nothing is certain. Rain clouds bring a sense of doom and gloom, yet remember that every cloud has a silver lining. Clouds may also indicate timing, based on seasons. Dark clouds may reflect winter while light clouds or no clouds at all may reflect summer. Colours Black Endings, the completion of a cycle, a void, termination, evil and darkness Blue - Tranquillity, truth, thoughtfulness, peace, and calmness Brown - Earthy connection, feeling grounded, and stability Gold - Vitality, strength, success, wealth, courage and confidence Green - Abundance, prosperity, growth, healing, fertility, and jealousy Orange - Courage, pride, ambition, enthusiasm, and energy Pink Compassion, tenderness, harmony, affection, love, and romance Purple Psychic insight, vision, spirituality, higher knowledge, and self-esteem Red - Passion for life, lust, willpower, courage, energy, strength, anger, power, and sexual desire White - The soul, innocence, purity, naiveté, faith, cleansing, peace, protection, and healing Yellow - Vitality, positive energy, friendship, enthusiasm, joy and happiness Crown Crowns symbolise attainment, mastery and public recognition. Crowns also represent the material world and focus on the rational, logical mind. Cups Cups are symbolic of water, which in turn is symbolic of emotion, love, creativity and pleasure. Often, cups indicate opportunities, particularly of an emotional nature. Dogs Dogs are representative of a loyal friend, helper or close companion. Fish Fish represent an idea or thought, often from the realm of the subconscious. Fruit Fruit are symbolic of fertility and ideas and plans coming to fruition. Gardens Gardens offer the ability to enjoy the beauty of nature in peace and comfort. Gardens are also safe and relatively private, providing space for retreat, relaxation and contemplation. Gardens represent the fact that people have the power not only to control nature, but also to improve it through nurturing and caring for the earth. Think of a beautifully landscaped garden that is both aesthetically pleasing and a sustainable food source. Gardens are also living metaphors of perfection. They represent cultivation and growth, all leading towards a natural paradise of perfection. Hands The right hand is representative of the conscious mind and masculine energy. The left hand is representative of the subconscious mind and feminine energy.

59 Page 59 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Infinity Symbol The infinity symbol looks like a figure 8 on its side. It symbolises eternal life and shows a harmonious interaction between the conscious and the subconscious. Keys Keys provide access to otherwise hidden areas, and therefore can also represent secrets and protection. On the other hand, keys can symbolise freedom and liberation. Leaves Leaves symbolise growth and vitality. Light / Lanterns Light in the form of a lamp or lantern symbolise spiritual enlightenment, intelligence, deep knowing, and life itself. It represents the search for truth and virtue. Lightning Lightning is symbolic of a flash of inspiration. It comes with such power and energy, creating an often intense experience. Lion The lion represents the passionate, primal and animalistic side of ourselves. It can also be a sign of nobility, pride, and courage. Moon The Moon is a feminine astrological symbol of the personality and the subconscious mind. It can also reflect the hidden influences and forces that are present in our lives, just like the moon moves the seas and oceans through the tides. Mountains Mountains typically represent challenges that may stand in the way of our goals. A mountain may indicate an ideal that you have or wish to attain. Take note whether the mountain is high and rocky (a greater challenge but also a great reward) or if it is more like a rolling hill (the ongoing challenges we often face on a dayto-day basis). Paths Paths are the way to spiritual attainment and esoteric knowledge. They represent a journey or a direction that must be taken to reach a certain goal. Pomegranate The pomegranate symbolises female fertility and sexuality, the inner Goddess, secret knowledge and rebirth. Rainbow The rainbow is a sign of Universal protection, happiness and ideal states of being. Scales Scales represent balanced judgement and objectivity. There is impartiality and equilibrium. The pros and cons are being weighed up and decisions are being made. Serpent / Snake From Biblical origins, the serpent is a symbol of temptation and secrecy. It also represents wisdom and knowledge. River / Stream A river or a stream symbolises the flow of conscious awareness. Sun The sun is a source of light, life force and energy. It represents radiance, warmth and vitality.

60 Page 60 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Thrones Thrones represent maturity and domination over the chosen realm. Towers Towers represent manmade structures and belief systems which are often built upon a false or weak foundation. Water Water symbolises the subconscious and the emotions. Wreath A wreath represents victory and accomplishments. Personalising Symbols Obviously, symbols carry common or shared meanings. So, if we see a lion, we know that it means passion and primal energy. But symbols also carry personal meaning. As a child, I had a soft toy that was a lion. He was like my protector and would make me feel better when I was sick or would give me courage when I felt scared. So, a lion, to me, represents protection and courage. But what if you had been on an animal safari in Africa and had a near-death experience with a ferocious lion?! You might see the lion as a symbol of fear and overwhelming power. One of my readers, Rob, shared this very personal story about the Tower card: When I first started doing Tarot readings for myself, I was frightened to have the Tower card come up in a spread. I used to let out a gasp! For me, it s the card for 9-11 when two jet planes were hijacked and smashed into our world trade centre (Twin Towers) buildings. I live an hour from Ground Zero. This terrorist attack changed my life, my neighbours, and my country. A sense of our freedom was lost. Sudden change, disaster, upheaval. Later on, as I became more educated in Tarot, I began to see the Tower as a part of life and it s not so frightening anymore. And that's positive! So, in addition to learning about the shared meanings of symbols in Tarot, it is also important to explore your personal meanings. You ll find an exercise on this later. Using Symbols in a Tarot Reading Symbols can be used in a Tarot reading in a number of ways. You can use the shared meaning of a symbol to delve deeper into the meaning of a Tarot card. For example, the lion in the Strength card tells us that this is about primal energy and passion. Or you can use your own personalised meaning of a symbol. This is particularly useful during a reading when a particular symbol catches your eye. This is often a sign that your inner voice is talking to you and has used the symbol to channel a personal message to you. So, if I were to notice a lion in the cards, I might be drawn back to my childhood, to feelings of protection. You can also use personalised symbolism with your client during a Tarot reading. Ask your client, What does this symbol mean to you? What have been your personal experiences to date, or what does this symbol mean to you now? Does it bring joy, fear, sadness, anger? What emotions does it generate? Don t be afraid to ask your client questions during a reading. Often this is what is most powerful as it facilitates a deeper

61 Page 61 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence understanding within the client themselves about the key messages of the reading. Activity Assign a Personal Meaning to Selected Symbols Choose a symbol from the list above (e.g. a castle). Write or draw the symbol on a blank piece of paper. For the next few minutes, write down everything that comes to mind about that symbol. It might be keywords, memories, songs, other symbols, stories, fairy tales, dreams and/or personal experiences. Let your mind run free, without judgement. Then, based on your brainstorm, choose 2-3 keywords based on your personal association with the symbol selected. You may like to work through each symbol, building your very own Symbolic Keyword chart Identify Symbolic Themes Across the Cards Choose either a new symbol (e.g. clouds) or use the same symbol as above. Now, go through your deck and find all of the Tarot cards that feature this symbol. What are the similarities in the divinatory meanings of these cards? What are the differences? How does the symbol appear in each card? (e.g. Is the castle far away in the distance, or is it in the foreground?) And how does this influence the card s meaning? Are there other symbols that are common across the selected cards? For each card selected, write down your new insights for the meaning of that card. A symbol is a reminder, something that evokes the echo of an inner experience in the beholder. The deeper and more significant the experience, the more powerful the symbol. It may take the form of an image, a sound, a word, an action, an object, anything that has a concrete existence in the physical world (Wald Amberstone, co-founder of the Tarot School).

62 Page 62 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 1 8 : I N T E R P R E T T H E S T O R I E S I N T H E C A R D S Lesson Did you know that each Tarot card holds a unique and individual story? On first glance, it might appear like a static picture. But as you explore each card in more detail, you will begin to notice various stories and tales emerging that reveal deeper insights about that card s meaning. Stories have always been a primal form of communication. They are timeless links to ancient traditions, legends, archetypes, myths, and symbols. They connect us to a larger self and universal truth. Learning to interpret the story in a Tarot card is one technique that I have found to be incredibly useful and very simple. In fact, even now, I find that if I draw a blank during a reading, I will start to tell the story of the card and as I do, additional insight begins to emerge. Revealing the Story in the Cards In any good story, a scene is set and then something happens a conflict, a setback, a challenge, or sometimes simply good fortune. Eventually there is an outcome or resolution, and, to end, there is a moral to the story. Using these same principles, we can begin to reveal the stories that sit behind each of the Tarot cards. So let s break it down with the scene, action outcome and moral for each story within the Tarot cards. Scene Be literal. Describe exactly what you see in the picture. Who is in the picture? What is in the picture? Where is the picture situated? Action Ask yourself open-ended questions about what is happening in the picture. For example, What is the man reaching out to? or Where are the children going? Look closely at the picture. What is happening? Who is doing what? Is there conflict or harmony? What has created the conflict or harmony? What might have happened before the snapshot? And after? Outcome This is where you may need to be a little more creative in your responses. Moral What is the result of the actions taken? Is it a positive outcome or a negative outcome? What might happen next? What is the moral of the story? What is the deeper meaning to the story? What you will find is that often your story is a mixture of fact and fiction. You will be

63 Page 63 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence describing what you see but also interpreting it based on your intuition and creative mind. The stories you tell may be different to the stories other people tell about the same card. That s the beauty of the Tarot it s all about trusting your intuition and going with your gut feeling about what YOU see in the cards. A Working Example To show you how to reveal the story in the cards, let s work with the Three of Wands. Scene Here, we see a man standing with his back towards us, atop a grassy hill. He is holding on to three sprouting sticks or wands. He is dressed in red and green robes, wearing some sort of bandana around his head. The man is looking out over a large body of water where there are three sailing ships travelling along. In the far background, there are mountains. Action This man is a business entrepreneur. He watches the ships pass along the trading route from a high above on his hill. He is already highly successful in business but is continually on the lookout for expansion and growth (i.e. the sprouting wands). He knows there are challenges ahead (i.e. the mountainous terrain in the background) but he looks to these challenges with excitement and anticipation. Outcome As a result of his desire to grow his business, this man has achieved international success and business is booming. Nothing is impossible for him right now! Moral By expanding your horizons, you can create growth and wealth in your own life. Creating Meaning from Stories Once you have developed your story for a particular card, then you can create meaning from that story. You can use the story to develop specific Tarot card meanings and keywords. For example, with the Three of Wands, we now know that this is about growth and expansion, business and enterprise. We can add these interpretations to our notes about the card. Alternatively, you can use the story during a Tarot reading. Telling the story to the querent may help to convey the deeper meaning of the card. Or it may provide a useful analogy for the querent. Sometimes, the story may be actually playing out in the querent s life, giving insight into what may happen next. Use the story to ask the querent questions. So, with the Three of Wands, ask the querent what ships he/she has sailing? What projects are on the go? What challenges are up ahead? What is growing and expanding? Where do new opportunities lie?

64 Page 64 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Or, use the story in the card to give a kick-start to your intuition. I find this particularly helpful if I am initially uncertain about how to interpret a card in a Tarot reading. Let s say the Three of Wands showed up in regards to, Where is my relationship with Joe heading? I might be a little stumped as to why this card is appearing here, so I start to tell the story to see where it will go. OK, we can see this man standing here, two feet on the ground, not going anywhere just yet. But he is looking out across the sea to another land, another territory. There is a lot of promise and hope there. He s thinking about where is best opportunities lie, not just for now but in the future. Ah, phew! You see? All we needed to do was to start relaying the story and suddenly our intuition kicks in and does the rest. Activity Create Your Own Stories in the Tarot Cards Randomly select 3 Tarot cards. For the first card, use the Scene Action Outcome Moral formula to build a story from the card. Now that you ve got the hang of it, write a fairytale story using the second card. Start with, Once upon a time... And with the last card, write a story about yourself, using your present day circumstances. It might be about your work, a relationship, an event, or a bit of make-believe! Are you thinking about a longer-term future with Joe? Are you considering taking the next step with him and embedding your commitment with him even more? And look, see those hills in the background? You know there are going to be some challenges ahead, but you re will to deal with them as they arise. Stories have always been a primal form of communication. They are timeless links to ancient traditions, legends, archetypes, myths, and symbols. They connect us to a larger self and universal truth.

65 Page 65 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! You have now completed 18 days of learning Tarot. By now... You can name each Tarot card You have 2-3 keywords for every Tarot card You get the Court Cards You can build your own interpretations by looking at the symbols, numbers and stories within each card The cards are beginning to feel like your friends

66 Page 66 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence CHAPTER 3: DAYS 19 TO 23 DEEPENING YOUR TAROT KNOWLEDGE Learn techniques such as Card Profiling, a Card-A- Day, Meditations and Card Combinations to deepen your relationship with the Tarot cards and expand your knowledge.

67 Page 67 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 19: M A K E A T A R O T C A R D P R O F I L E Lesson Over the past couple of weeks, you have been learning the basics of the Tarot card meanings. You have 2-3 keywords for each card and you know how to interpret the numbers, symbols and stories for each card. You re already well on your way to being able to read Tarot confidently! Now it s time to get into the detail for each card with a number of hands-on and in-depth exercises. Our first in-depth exercise is to create a series of Tarot Card Profiles by studying a specific card in detail, learning its traditional meanings, its elemental associations, its symbolism, and its story. What You ll Need Tarot Card Profile template. Use the Tarot Card Profile template provided in the Appendix, or purchase a copy of the Companion Workbook which includes templates for all 78 Tarot cards, as well as the ability to type and save your work on your computer. Your favourite Tarot Books. Remember those 2 or 3 books you chose at the start? Have them on hand! Other Tarot resources. You ll find my online Tarot card meanings helpful, as well as any other resources you have available. Your Tarot cards. 5 Steps to Creating a Tarot Card Profile Step 1: Select a Tarot Card This is the easy bit! You might want to randomly select a Tarot card or you may want to take a more structured approach beginning with the first card of the deck (the Fool) or the first card in one of the Suits. Step 2: Study the Tarot Card Look at the Tarot card and study it in detail for 5 minutes. What is your first impression of the card? How do you feel when you see the card? What thoughts or feelings immediately come to mind? What images stand out to you? Are there people in the card and what are they doing, thinking or feeling? What symbols are represented? What colours do you notice? Look at the details of the picture. What did you miss on first glance? How does this change your view of the card? Take note of your initial thoughts and observations we ll use them later for the Tarot Card Profile. Step 3: Read about the Tarot Card Look up the Tarot card in at least 2 or 3 resources (e.g. books and websites) and read about the traditional meanings of the cards. You may notice that each resource has a slightly different angle. What meanings

68 Page 68 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence resonate best for you? What make the most sense? Again, take note of what stands out to you from reading these resources. Step 4: Complete the Tarot Card Profile Now it s time to prepare your Tarot Card Profile. You can use the template provided in the Appendix or, if you have the Companion Workbook, use that. Here are some tips on how to complete each section. Card and Date Write down the Tarot card you have selected and the current date. Element Take note of the element associated with the card and what it means for that card. You ll find these in Days 9 to 14. We haven t covered the elemental associations for the Major Arcana as these are complex and often a point of contention between readers. If you want to read more, I recommend Raven s Tarot website. Numerological Association Note the number associated with the card and what it means. See Day 16 for numerological associations. Keywords Refer back to Day 8 on how to create keywords for each card. You may already have your keywords from Days 9 to 15 (Minor and Major Arcana). Key Phrases or Favourite Quotes Exploring and reflecting upon common quotes can be a great way to bring the key messages of your Tarot cards alive. I recommend working with your keywords and even key phrases associated with each Tarot card. Then, head on over to a quotation website such as or and start searching for related quotes! Alternatively, you may choose to let the quotes come to you. As you read various books, keep a note of inspirational quotes that add meaning to your Tarot cards, and jot them down in your Tarot Card Profile over time. Consider, too, what expressions, sayings, or clichés are suggested by the image on the card. For example, Don t cry over spilt milk for the Five of Cups or The darkest hour is before dawn for the Ten of Swords. Story and Description The Tarot card description is your opportunity to explore the symbolism and imagery in a specific card. Furthermore, the Tarot card will often depict a story that then informs the general meaning for the card. It is important to pay attention to these visual elements. Study the specific Tarot card again for a few minutes. What do you notice? Is there a person in the card? What does their expression tell you? What direction are they facing? What are they doing? What symbols are used in the card, and what do these symbols mean? What colours are used in the card, and what do these colours signify? Now, look at what is happening in the card. What story is being told?

69 Page 69 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence General Tarot Card Meanings This is really the core of your Tarot study understanding and interpreting the Tarot card meanings. Begin with your own observations of the card that you noted earlier when you first looked at the card. What was your first impression of the card? How did you feel when you saw the card? Which images stood out to you? What do you think these mean? Take an even closer look. What characters, symbols, or colours have you missed? How do these change your view of the card? Next, research the Tarot card meanings in your resources (books, ebooks, online, etc.). What card meanings stand out to you? What feels most relevant? Consider, too, the positive side as well as the negative or shadow side of the card. All cards have both sides to them (yes, even the Tower can be a positive card!). Finally, consider a personal experience, a Tarot reading or a person you know who reminds you of the card you are studying. Jot down your initial thoughts. Then, throughout the day / week / month / year, spend some more time reflecting on how the card relates to your personal experiences over that period of time. Use your Tarot readings, too, to explore the meaning of the card. What significance does the card have in a particular reading, or a series of readings? For example, I found that the Three of Cups reversed nearly always came up in readings where there was an affair or a third party involved in a relationship. I now attribute that specific meaning to the card. Context-Specific Meanings: Generating context-specific meanings for each card can enhance your Tarot reading skills immensely. For your specific card, write down what that card means for career, work, finances, relationships, personality types, health and well-being, spirituality and any other area that is important to you. Career, Work and Finances: What does the card mean if you are searching for work? What does it tell you about your current work situation? What career paths may be associated with the card? What does the card tell you about your financial situation? Personality Types: Imagine you are the card (either the person in the card or the general essence of the card). What does it feel like to be this card? Write a 1-2 paragraph bio of the card, or even write a letter to the character in the card. What would it be like to meet this person/card? What are the positive and negative qualities? Relationships and Love: What does the card mean if you are searching for love? In a relationship? Trying to fix a relationship? What does the card tell you about other types of relationships in your life (e.g. friends, family, colleagues, etc.)?

70 Page 70 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Spirituality: What is the deeper spiritual message or lesson of the card? What does this card tell you about your own spiritual journey? Wellbeing and Health: What does the card tell you about your general health and well-being? What might be some specific health issues associated with the card? (As an ethical Tarot reader, do not give specific health advice or diagnoses, unless qualified. You can, however, recommend that the client visits the doctor to get a possible issue checked out.) Step 5: Review Review your card profile. Know that you can continue to come back to it, to refer to it, and to build on it. The Tarot Card Profile in Practice One of my readers, Cheryl Tracy, undertook this exercise with the Four of Pentacles and recorded her insights, which she was happy to share below: I enjoyed this exercise because it took me deeper into the meaning of the card and helped me enliven it with a personality. For me it was like profiling a person so I felt a little like a criminalist from CSI. Playing with the images within the card; its colours, looking for connections in other 4 cards and putting them together was fun. I discovered things I hadn t noticed before. For example, the wide expanse of blue (for me) has to do with water, emotions and communication. (That s because I m into dreams and dreaming.) I d never applied communication to this card before doing this exercise but doing so helped me make a lot more connections in readings than I had been making before. I had always simply looked as the sky as an indication that a lot of the energy in this card was mental (air.) Thanks for opening my mind to a new way of looking at and doing the cards. That s one of the things I love about tarot, there s always more to learn and discover. See the next page for Cheryl s Tarot Card Profile for the Four of Pentacles. Activity Create a Tarot Card Profile Randomly select a card and create a Tarot Card Profile for the card, using the process described above. If you find value using this process, I recommend that you incorporate this activity into your ongoing Tarot learning (i.e. after the 31 days are over), gradually working through each card of the Tarot deck.

71 Page 71 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence

72 Page 72 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 0 : D R A W A C A R D A D AY Lesson Rather than relying only on theory, you now have the opportunity to call upon your personal experiences and intuition to deepen your understanding of the Tarot cards. The Card a Day exercise is one of my personal favourites and, I believe, was most helpful in bringing the cards to life in my own Tarot studies. A Card a Day in 4 Steps Step 1. Select a Tarot Card First, decide how you would like to select a Tarot card for each day. Random pick Ask what you need to know for the day ahead and select a random card from your deck. You ll get the benefit of learning the Tarot cards as well as getting specific insight for the day ahead. Ordered pick If you re keen to work methodically through the Tarot deck, you may wish to look at each card in order. For example, you might begin with the first card of the Major Arcana and move through until you reach the end. This has the benefit of being able to cover each and every Tarot card (provided you stick with it for 78 days, of course!). It also doesn t have to be a new card every day it could be each three days, each week, etc. Step 2: Study the Tarot Card Once you have selected a Tarot card for the day, look at the Tarot card and study it in detail for 5 minutes. What is your first impression of the card? How do you feel when you see the card? What thoughts or feelings immediately come to mind? What images stand out to you? Are there people in the card and what are they doing, thinking or feeling? What symbols are represented? What colours do you notice? Look at the details of the picture. What did you miss on first glance? How does this change your view of the card? What do you know about the card? What keywords have you already selected? What do you know about the corresponding astrological sign, the Major or Minor Arcana, the Suit, and the numerological and elemental associations? Take note of your initial thoughts and observations. Write down: The first 5 words or phrases that come to mind as you look at the card. One sentence that describes what is happening in the picture. The main emotion expressed in the card.

73 Page 73 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence If this image was on the front of a greeting card, what would the message inside say? Step 3: Go About Your Day, Being Conscious of Your Tarot Card Go about your day as you usually would, and as you do, be very conscious of certain situations, events or people that may have something to teach you about your selected Tarot card. For example, if you selected the Page of Swords, you may look out for people who are incredibly curious and energetic in what they do. Or you may identify a particular situation with the Page of Swords the start of a new project, an opportunity to speak publicly, etc. You may even choose to be the card you have selected. Again with the Page of Swords, you may choose to ask lots of questions, exploring what it feels like to be that card. Write down how this made you feel afterwards and if you noticed anything you would not normally associate with the activity. Make sure you carry around a notebook to note down your experiences and observations throughout the day. Step 4: Write Down Your New Insights About the Tarot Card By the end of the day, you will have a number of specific and personal experiences, situations and even people that you have seen throughout the day that encapsulate the key messages of your selected card. At the end of the day, return to your notes about your Tarot card, and add your new insights. Be specific. What happened? Who was involved? What did you personally experience? How did the card and the situation make you feel? Combine the insights you have received into one or two sentences. For example, the Page of Swords represents someone who is curious, energetic and eager to move forward with a new project. Personalise it with what you have learned throughout your day. Build the Card a Day into your usual daily routine, and you ll find your Tarot knowledge accelerates! While the Tarot Card Profiles represent a more structured, theoretical approach to learning the Tarot, the Card a Day exercise is more an intuitive, personal approach to learning. The Card a Day Activity in Practice One of my readers, Cheryl Janzen, tried this activity out for herself. Despite having studied the Tarot already for six years, she gained a lot of personal value by doing the Card a Day activity. She shares her insights below: The activity is wonderful and provides a personal in-depth meaning to each Tarot card.

74 Page 74 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence At first glance, I would have never thought of the interpretation as such. Doing this exercise each day not only assists with learning tarot card meanings, but it enables one to lead a richer, more fulfilling life. It opens your mind, perhaps giving you 'inside' information. I felt like I had just finished an insightful counselling session. With more clarity of mind and affirmation of my path, I actually slept better than I had for weeks. It was as if my higher mind proclaimed "way to go - you chose the untrodden path that is your divine right, and you are a much happier person for it." Cheryl chose to randomly select a Tarot card, asking, What do I need to know for the day ahead? She drew the Nine of Cups. Here is what she noted in her own words as she followed the steps outlined above. The first 5 words or phrases: Be grateful, keep emotions in perspective, be realistic, and appreciate all you have right now. One sentence that describes what is happening in the picture: The figure sits proud on a bench in a protective stance, after considerable hard work and emotional turmoil; he has sufficient faith in himself to take a risk and step off the beaten path to attain his dream. The main emotion expressed in the card: Fulfilment If this image was on the front of a greeting card, what would the message inside say: "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit." - Napoleon Hill My first impression of this card is selfsatisfaction. The thoughts and feelings that immediately come to mind are a happy ending (shown by the character s smile and proud stance, and the sunny-yellow background). The image that stands out to me is the crossed arms of the character. I wonder if he has closed off his heart to some extent, perhaps through being overly protective and possessive of his achievements. The symbol that grabs my attention is the red hat - the colour representing his passion, and the style representing the prosperity that has been attained. At first glance, the detail that I missed was the bench, representing his solid establishment. This detail does not change my view of the card, rather it confirms my impression. New insights about this card at the end of my day: While in quiet contemplation at a family dinner this evening, I realised that I mirrored the figure in the Nine of Cups with my crossed arms protecting my heart and closing off any discussion regarding my family s devotion to traditional religion versus my spirituality and metaphysical studies. I am content and at ease sitting on this bench. I am proud that I stepped off the path to walk my own journey. The Nine of Cups affirms my path and feelings of satisfaction.

75 Page 75 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence In closing, Cheryl noted how the Card a Day activity helped her to develop an even stronger understanding of this Tarot card: The textbook meaning of the tarot cards is a fantastic guide for interpretation. For instance the colours of the card provided clues, such as the blue representing the extent of emotions surrounding the issue, the red representing my passion for my chosen path, and the yellow representing the self-fulfilling outcome. However, ultimately intuition and openmindedness provided an accurate reading. This activity teaches me the value of keeping a nonjudgmental attitude and open mind when reading the tarot cards. Activity Draw a Card a Day Use the process described above and draw a Tarot card for the day. Take note of what you have learned in your Tarot journal or notebook. Again, if you find value using this process, I recommend that you incorporate this activity into your ongoing Tarot learning (i.e. after the 31 days are over), gradually working through each card of the Tarot deck. How will the Card a Day activity help you?!

76 Page 76 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 1 : M E D I T A T E W I T H Y O U R T A R O T C A R D S Lesson Meditation offers a way to go even deeper into the meaning and symbolism of each Tarot card as it allows us to bypass the conscious mind and dive into the subconscious mind and connect with the higher self. By relaxing our mind and letting go of our constant thought processes, we open up the pathway to our subconscious mind and begin to tap into a higher level of knowledge and insight. We allow our intuition to guide us and in doing so, we build a much deeper understanding of the meaning of the Tarot cards. A Tarot meditation typically begins with a general relaxation of the body and the mind, before going deeper into the image of the selected Tarot card and exploring the messages of the imagery. Tarot Card Meditation in 7 Steps Step 1: Select a Tarot Card If you are using the Tarot card meditation to simply learn the Tarot card meanings in more detail, then randomly select a Tarot card or select a card you want to connect more deeply with. You can also select a Tarot card based on a particular topic that is important to you right now. For example, if you are single and want to bring love into your life, you may select the Two of Cups or the Lovers. Or, if you were on a path of spiritual development, you may select the Hermit. Step 2: Set up the Environment Choose a time and a place where you will not be disturbed for at least 20 minutes. Make sure you re comfortable, the phone is off the hook, and all other distractions are out of the room. You might like to play a meditation CD or simply have silence. You could burn some essential oils and dim the lights. Sit in an upright position. (Lying down will most likely just put you to sleep!) And have your Tarot card in front of you. Step 3: Focus on the Breath Once you are comfortable, bring your attention to your breath. Breathe in through your nose and as you do so, notice the sensation of your breath on your nostrils. Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out, through your nose, again focusing on the sensation in your nostrils. Continue breathing and focusing your attention on the sensation of the breath. At this stage, if you notice any random thoughts coming into your mind, just observe them and then imagine them floating away like clouds. Bring your attention back to your breath.

77 Page 77 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Step 4: Relax Now, shift your attention to your body. As you breathe in, feel the oxygen entering your body and filling you with pure energy. And as you breathe out, imagine relaxation simply flowing through your body. Scan your head, neck, shoulders, arms, torso, hips, legs and feet, and feel the relaxation flowing through all the way down to your toes. Now, you are relaxed and at peace. Step 5: Focus on your Tarot Card Bring your attention to the Tarot card in front of you. Gaze softly at the Tarot card and take in five deep breaths. Again, if you notice any thoughts coming into your mind, just observe them and then imagine them floating away like clouds. Bring your attention back to your breath and the Tarot card in front of you. Imagine the card growing larger and larger until the figures and the imagery are almost life-size. See yourself stepping into the card. Look around you. What do you see? Who is in the card with you? What objects are present? What colours stand out to you? Take a moment to touch an object in the card and feel its texture. What do you hear? Take a deep breath in and smell the air. Is there something edible in the card? Taste it. Now, imagine yourself as one of the figures in the card. Become that person or that archetype. What does it feel like, being this person? What does this character think and feel? How do they move and behave? What is their attitude towards the present circumstances? Begin to speak as if you are that character. What do you have to say? What is your message? What advice do you have to offer? Take another look around you. What makes you feel good? What gives you energy? What, if anything, makes you feel anxious, concerned or upset? Notice any sensations in your body at this point and release any tension that may have formed. Look for the different objects and symbols in the card now. How can they be used? What are they here for? What is their symbolic meaning? Look around you one last time. What do you see now that you didn t see before? Your work is almost complete. Step out of the figure and then step out of the Tarot card. Watch as the card becomes smaller and smaller, returning to its normal size. Step 6: Awaken Acknowledge the work that you have done, and know that you can return to this place of peace and insight at any time. Begin to bring your attention back into the room, taking in two deep breaths and feeling the energy returning to your feet, your hands and your body. Open your eyes (if they were closed), feeling refreshed and energised. Step 7: Take Note of Your Insights Immediately after your Tarot card meditation, take note of what you saw, heard, thought or felt during the meditation. Enter this directly into your Tarot Workbook or notebook.

78 Page 78 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Additional Ways to Meditate with Your Tarot Cards If you are working with a Major Arcana card, you might like to use some of the questions from the Getting to Know Yourself with the Major Arcana exercise in the Appendix. For example, if you re working with the Chariot, include the following questions in your meditation as you step into the character: What drives you? What motivates you? What are you so fiercely determined to achieve right now? You may also prefer a more structured meditation based on the card you are studying. Here are two good online resources that you can draw from for your guided Tarot card meditation: editations.html Mantras are also an effective way to create a focus point and to concentrate your insights. Select one keyword for the card you are studying and repeat it over and over in your meditation. For example, the keyword for the Fool may be Beginnings. Repeat beginnings, beginnings, beginnings to deepen your insight into what this means for you and for the card. You may even like to set up the scene in the card in real life, and meditate on the energy that is created. For example, for the Ace of Cups, place your cupped hand under running water and experience what it feels like. Clear your mind and be wholly present with the physical experience. Tarot Meditation in Practice Here s a personal story from Louise, who comments regularly on my Tarot blog: I have done a lot of these tarot meditations over the years, and have found the insights from them often profound. Sometimes they take me in a slightly different direction to before, or they show me a new aspect I had yet to consider. I still remember a lot of them, years and years later, whereas often a book interpretation is forgotten as soon as the book is placed back on the shelf! I d like to share one of these meditations with the Four of Swords. It wasn t that the figure in the card spoke to me, or anything moved or changed or came to life, but when I went into the meditation my eye was drawn to the black line that runs down the centre of the stained glass window in the card. Then I was shown the black line under the Knight s tomb, and really, that was it! Sounds really simple and uneventful, and would be easy to dismiss as useless and pointless, but it proved beneficial to my understanding because I hadn t paid attention to these black lines before! I came out from this meditation and thought humph! That wasn t very impressive, but instead of dismissing this detail as trivial or unworthy, I began to really start to work with it. This meditation was many, many years ago now, and to this day I still remember the lesson of the black line! My inner teacher showed me that no detail on the tarot should be overlooked, no detail is arbitrary! The blackline is important to a deeper understanding of the card, for it separates the saint from his kneeling subject in the window picture, and with very close observation it can be distinguished that the letters PAX appears above the head of the saint, the old roman

79 Page 79 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence word for peace. The saint has peace; the kneeling follower is separated from it by a thick black line! Similarly, the Knight is separated from his fourth sword by a thick black line under his tomb, and it shows us that the Knight and the follower in the window do not have inner peace, but they are trying to find it. If you find value using Tarot meditations, you may like to use it on a more regular basis when you want to go much deeper into a card or you are unsure about what a particular Tarot card is telling you. I guess all it really did was confirm the book reading of the card, but it has given me a personal understanding which got into my brain at a much deeper level. I haven t forgotten it, and the thick black line always jumps out at me on this card. It confirmed the meaning in a personal way, and showed me that our inner world CAN teach us. After all, the word intuition when broken down is innertuition, the inner teacher. What will your Tarot meditation tell you that you don t know already about the cards? Activity Meditate on a Tarot Card Select a Tarot card and work through each of the seven steps outlined above, making sure to note your insights following the Tarot card meditation. Meditation offers a way to go even deeper into the meaning and symbolism of each Tarot card as it allows us to bypass the conscious mind and dive into the subconscious mind and connect with the higher self. We allow our intuition to guide us and in doing so, we build a much deeper understanding of the meaning of the Tarot cards.

80 Page 80 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 2 : C O N N E C T T H E C A R D S Lesson The fourth exercise for deepening your understanding of the Tarot card meanings is focused on connecting the Tarot cards with one another and identifying patterns and themes across various groupings of the cards. This exercise will not only help you learn the Tarot card meanings, it will also help you to develop skills that will rapidly improve your Tarot reading abilities, particularly when it comes to being able to tie together all of the cards in the one reading. Connecting the cards involves looking for themes and stories within particular groups of cards. Let s take a look at the various ways in which we can group the Tarot cards and the insights we can gain by taking a journey through each of those groups. Journey Through the Major Arcana Lay out all of the Major Arcana cards in order, starting with the Fool and ending with the World. Refresh your memory first with the keywords for each Major Arcana card. You already have your keywords for each card, so use these keywords as a way to understand the evolution from the Fool to the World. Now, thinking about what you know of each card, how does the energy flow from one card to the next? What is the journey that is being made from the Fool to the Magician to the High Priestess? Look at the journey in terms of different life stages evolving and developing. Where do you think you currently sit in your own life? For example, the Fool starts his journey with a clear mind and no preconceptions of what lies ahead. His energy evolves into the Magician, who has found a way to manifest his goals using the resources available to him. After a period of manifestation, he soon turns that energy inward, accessing the inner knowledge that is represented by the High Priestess. And so the journey continues... This is also known as the Fool s journey which represents the different stages through one s life, from the new beginnings and freedom of the Fool through until the completion of the World. The Magician through to the Chariot represents the Fool s journey through the material world. Strength through to Temperance represents his journey through the emotional world. And the Devil through to the World represents his journey through the spiritual world. You can read more at Journey Through the Minor Arcana Suits Select one Suit to focus on and then lay out the cards of that Suit, from Ace to the Ten.

81 Page 81 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Now, refresh your memory about the meaning of the Suit you have selected. For example, Cups are about emotions and relationships. Then, refresh your memory about the meanings of the numbers from Ace to Ten, using what you learned on Day 16. Bring together your knowledge of the Suit itself and basic numerology in order to discover the story within the cards. Start with each Ace and follow it through until the Ten, which represents the end of the story. How does it flow or not flow, change or remain constant throughout all the cards? Take note of the story you begin to see as you connect the cards. Now, do the same exercise, but start at Ten as the beginning and work your way to the Ace as the ending. How does the story change? Is it simply in reverse motion, or is another story revealed? Imagine the sequence of the cards as a movie. What would the story line be? Journey Through the Numbers Pull out all the Tarot cards of the same number. For example, select all the Twos in your Tarot deck. You may also like to include the Major Arcana cards (e.g. if selecting Twos, select also the High Priestess, Justice and Judgement cards). Drawing on your knowledge of basic numerology (see Day 16), identify how the meaning of that number is expressed in each card. What are the commonalities across the cards with the shared number? What are the differences? How does each Suit impact or alter the meaning? So, going back to the example of all of the Twos (and using just the Minor Arcana this time), we notice that it is only the Two of Cups that features two people, whereas the other cards feature only one person each. We know that Cups is about relationships and connections with others, so it is not surprising to see two people on this card. Yet for the Pentacles, Swords and Wands cards, it is more about two objects, rather than two people. Notice, too, that each card features mountains in the background, symbolic of the challenges that will appear later down the track. For the Two of Swords and the Two of Wands, the mountains lie across a body of water perhaps an indication that the challenges will come after a journey or a transition that may be fluid in nature.

82 Page 82 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Select Cards Based on a Topic or Theme This would have to be one of my favourite exercises. It is one I regularly do for my Tarot blog when I create the Top Ten Tarot Card posts (see more at Choose a topic or a theme that is relevant to everyday life. It might be change, decisionmaking, travel, career success, health, sex or break-ups don t be afraid to be creative! Now, lay out all 78 Tarot cards in front of you and start selecting out which cards most align to your chosen theme. What brings these cards together? What are the commonalities? And how are these cards different? What do they each tell you about the topic? Have fun with this exercise and play around with various ideas and card meanings. You ll find that there is a lot more to your Tarot cards than meets the eye, and you ll see how practical Tarot cards can be! Select Cards With Similar Symbols This last exercise is similar to the one you did on Day 17 when you selected a symbol and found Tarot cards with that symbol. Do it again, but this time choose a different symbol. Lay out all the cards and then select those cards that have shared symbols, such as flowers, crowns, clouds, angels or female archetypes. Just look at how many cards have clouds in them (see right)! What does the symbol mean to you and how does it affect the cards meanings. How does the meaning of the symbol change, depending on the card? Activity Find the Connections in the Cards Select at least two of the methods above and look for the connections within the Tarot cards. Make sure you note your observations as you go along. You may also like to come back to this exercise later on to keep developing your skills and understanding.

83 Page 83 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 3 : C R E A T E T A R O T C A R D C O M B I N A T I O N S Lesson When I was writing The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings, creating various Tarot card combinations for each and every Tarot card was one of my favourite activities. It got me to think quite creatively about the cards and to look at the various aspects associated with each. Developing meanings for Tarot card pairs enables you to see the interactions between different cards in a way that may strengthen a specific meaning, add some light and shade to a meaning, or give it a different meaning altogether. It is an activity that can be enjoyed by Tarot beginners right through to Tarot experts, adding a completely new dimension to the practice of Tarot reading. The practice of Tarot card combinations also develops your skills as a reader to look at the dynamics between cards and to create a true story, encouraging a more integrated view of Tarot card reading. It prepares you for the three-card Tarot spreads that we ll learn on Day 25 and for more complicated Tarot spreads. How to Create Your Own Tarot Card Combinations Working with Tarot card combinations requires you to first select a pair or group of Tarot cards and then to develop the meaning and interpretation for those Tarot cards when combined. Select Your Tarot Card Combinations There are two main ways to select your Tarot card combinations a conscious selection of the cards or a random draw. A conscious selection means that you draw one Tarot card from your deck and then consciously choose another Tarot card that aligns with your selected card. Consider the general meaning of the card you are studying, and ask yourself: What other Tarot card reinforces the card s meaning? What makes it stronger? What other card opposes the card s meaning? What makes it weaker? What other cards give this card a completely different meaning?

84 Page 84 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence For example, I randomly select the Four of Wands. This card often denotes celebrations in the home or family, or a stable relationship. Now, a card that may reinforce the Four of Wands is the Ten of Cups a card of a happy home life filled with love and harmony. The Ten of Cups simply makes the Four of Wands even stronger in its positive message. A card that may oppose the Four of Wands is the Three of Swords a card of grief, sorrow and loss. A family celebration may end in a loss (e.g. news of a pregnancy, soon followed by news of a miscarriage). Here we see that initial positivity of the Four of Wands being weakened by the Three of Swords. And finally, a card that may give the Four of Wands a different meaning is the Eight of Wands a card of travel. This combination may indicate an overseas celebration, such as a wedding in a tropical location. It still embodies the general meaning of the Four of Wands, but this combination now offers a different angle on the traditional meaning. Don t worry if the combinations don t come to you straight away. One Tarot beginner, Karen, openly shared her challenges with finding opposing card combinations: Choosing an opposing Tarot card was more difficult for me. The Tarot cards did not jump right into my mind without any effort. This time I took my Tarot deck and went through them one at a time, considering both the upright and reversed meanings. I found several Tarot cards that could be considered as opposing to the original card. I also found myself matching up more Tarot cards in reinforcing and opposing pairs. So, if you do get stuck, go through each card, one at a time, until you start to find more meaningful combinations. Once you get into the groove of selecting cards and matching them with other card combinations, it becomes a lot easier and is a fun activity to do. If you start to find this task quite easy, then consider doing a random draw. A random draw means that you randomly select two cards from your deck and then start working with developing the meaning associated with that pair of cards. This can be a lot more difficult because the cards may initially not make a lot of sense. However, it does encourage you to look deeper into different card pairings and to be a little creative in your interpretations.

85 Page 85 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence For example, I drew the Sun (a positive, energetic card) and the Four of Swords (a passive, restful card). On first glance, it would seem that the passive nature of the Four of Swords opposes the active nature of the Sun. However, upon further reflection, I would interpret this as a sign that rest is needed now in order to re-establish the energy of the Sun card. Perhaps this is a good time for a holiday or doing something you really enjoy, to promote relaxation and fun. Delve Deeper Into the Combined Meaning Once you have made your initial selection of the pair of Tarot cards, delve deeper into the combined meaning for those cards. Start with interpreting each card separately and then combining those meanings (similar to what we have already done in the examples above). What do these two cards mean together? What does the first card mean and what does the second card mean? How do these two meanings combine? Do they reinforce each other or oppose each other? Next, consider the following interactions between the cards: Suits for example, how does a Cups card (emotions) interact with a Pentacles card (practical matters)? Minor / Major Arcana how does a Minor Arcana card (day-to-day events) interact with a Major Arcana card (life lessons)? Or a Major with a Major? Or a Minor with a Minor? Numbers for example, how does a Two (a partnership) interact with a Nine (nearing completion)? Symbols what symbols are common across the selected cards and what does this signify? People how do the people featured on the cards interact with one another? For example, is it a male and a female? Or is it a Page and a King? Do they face one another or turn away? What does this signify? Let s take a look back at the examples from the first step, when we selected the cards. The Four of Wands and Ten of Cups is interesting from the perspective of numerology. The Fours symbolise stability and certainty, while the Tens symbolise completion. The pairing of these cards may indicate a solid relationship progressing to the next or ultimate level of commitment (marriage, family, etc.). Look also at the people in each of these cards. Both feature a couple. In the Four, the couple faces us whereas in the Ten, the couple stands with their back to us. Could this represent a journey, perhaps, of coming forward with a relationship and finally reaching a place of peace where the couple can finally sit back and enjoy the moment of completion? The Four of Wands and the Three of Swords is interesting from the perspective of Wands pairing with Swords. Wands (fire) and Swords (air) are both considered active and support each other. This turns the original interpretation on its head and suggests that perhaps the flow of events goes the other way. From loss and sorrow comes happiness and stability, thus the loss actually supports the eventual happiness. The Four and Eight of Wands pairing is also interesting from the Suits perspective. This time it is a combination of Wands and Wands, strengthen the concept of energy and forward movement. This would likely add to the party atmosphere of an overseas wedding!

86 Page 86 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence And finally, the Sun and the Four of Swords. If we look at the people in these cards, we notice a stark contrast, from the young boy in the Sun to the older man in the Four of Swords. Perhaps this is then about leaving behind the adult and embracing the inner child in yourself, by taking a break from work and engaging in more fun and enjoyable activities. If you would like to take it even one step further, you can do so by exploring card combination meanings for different contexts. For example, what would the Four of Wands and the Ten of Cups mean in a relationship reading? In a work reading? In a spiritual reading? In a family reading? In a financial reading? This will really start to test your creative abilities! Overall, Tarot card combinations will facilitate more effective Tarot reading skills, enabling you to draw upon the various layers and interactions that exist within a Tarot reading. Not only will you be able to interpret what each card means in a reading, you will be able to draw relationships between each card and create a much more comprehensive and insightful reading for your client. Tarot Card Combinations in Practice I recently posted two Tarot cards on my Facebook page and invited readers to comment on possible interpretations. The cards were the Moon and the Seven of Swords. It was wonderful to see so many different responses to the same two cards a further reminder that it really comes down to what YOU see in the cards, rather than what a book tells you to see in the cards. Here are some of the responses: There is something happening without your acknowledgement or consent. The Moon card suggests that the action or incident is happening under your nose while the Seven of Sword card is trying to tell you that someone is doing something behind your back. Since the Moon is the card of illusions, I would interpret this as the querent is subconsciously concerned, worried, or fearful that someone in their life is cheating or stealing from them even though that is not what is actually going on. Paranoia or unseen treachery. In a love reading I would say it is a very emotional and spiritual betrayal that the querent never dreamed a loved one would be capable of doing. Financially, it represents theft and profit from a trusted colleague or friend. The person receiving the reading may have sensed something was wrong, but believed it couldn t be possible. This could also represent serious criminal activity from a loved one, such as murder, robbery and assault, with the querent as the victim. To me, these cards combined suggest selfbetrayal or self-sabotage. The Moon card governs our intuitions, fears, and unconscious thoughts, the dim and murky dreamlike margins of our own minds, our own selves. There's an element of the shadow self in this card. Combined with the Seven of Swords, with its implications of betrayal, deception, and

87 Page 87 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence escape, I would interpret these cards to mean that on some deep, hidden level the querent is working against his or her own best interests. Activity Create Your Own Tarot Card Combinations Using the method above, create your own Tarot card combinations. To help get you started, I have selected five Tarot cards for you to work with (see right). Find another Tarot card that reinforces the selected card, and another card that opposes the selected card. I have filled in the first one for you. Card Reinforcing Pair Opposing Pair Four of Swords Four of Cups in quiet meditation Nine of Swords tormented by inner thoughts Two of Pentacles Star Queen of Wands Ace of Cups Keep note of your Tarot card combinations for future reference in your Tarot Workbook or journal. You can use this to quickly refer to when you see those combinations come up again in your readings. The reading itself may also highlight further Tarot card combinations that you have not yet discovered.

88 Page 88 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! You have now completed 23 days of learning Tarot. By now... You have personalised your understanding of the Tarot cards You understand each Tarot card individually and as part of a bigger system through patterns and connections The cards are beginning to feel like a part of YOU You have a number of in-depth Tarot card exercises that you can include in your lifelong journey to learn Tarot

89 Page 89 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence CHAPTER 4: DAYS 24 TO 29 LEARNING TO READ TAROT Apply your knowledge of the Tarot cards as you learn to read Tarot. Discover how to conduct a Tarot reading, use simple three-card Tarot spreads, build a story from the cards, and determine the timing of events.

90 Page 90 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 4 : D O A B A S I C T A R O T R E A D I N G Lesson By now, you have gained a solid understanding of the Tarot cards and their meanings. Congratulations! Having created this foundation, you are now ready to learn how to use your Tarot cards for accurate and insightful Tarot readings, which is why you came here in the first place, right?! Today, we focus on the basic elements of a Tarot reading, applying a step-by-step approach which can be used in a Tarot reading for yourself or others. This approach is based on my fifteen years experience as a professional Tarot reader, yet it isn t the only way to read Tarot. If you find other methods that work for you, then go for it! What s most important is that you work with the cards in a way that is comfortable for you. Step 1: Prepare Set up the right environment, prior to a Tarot reading by doing some, or all, of the following: Remove distractions. Switch off the phone and any other potential distractions. Find a quiet, undisturbed place and ask others who are not involved in the reading to leave the room. Close the door. Set up a beautiful space. Lay out a special cloth or table-cloth, light a candle, or place objects (such as crystals, talismans, or other spiritual figures) nearby that have special meaning to you. Put on some music. I strongly recommend meditation music by Jeffrey Thompson. He uses sounds that access certain brainwaves to create a higher level of consciousness perfect for a focused Tarot reading. Centre yourself. Shut your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus on the sensation of the breath, either through your nostrils or your mouth. Hold your cards in your hand as you do this. Have pen and paper on hand. If reading for yourself, record your insights throughout the reading. If reading for a client, offer them the use of pen and paper in case they wish to write down any aspects of their reading. Or, record the reading using a microphone and laptop, and provide the audio file for later. Step 2: Frame the Question Asking the right question can make or break a good Tarot reading. The more targeted the question, the more specific and insightful the answer. So what constitutes a good question? Generally speaking, a good question is one the client can act upon. For example: What do I need to know about...? What do I need to do to achieve...? What is standing in the way and how can I best overcome this? How can I improve my ability to...? What role do I play in so-and-so s life/issue?

91 Page 91 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Thus, if the initial question is something like, Will I get married this year? you might rephrase it to, What do I need to know about getting married this year? or What do I need to do to improve my chances of getting married this year? Sometimes, however, your client won t have a specific question in mind. They may come to you with a long and detailed story to share, but they may not be clear in their own mind about what it is they want to know. I have certainly received requests that are hundreds of words long, with no specific question at the end. In these cases, you don t have to box the situation into a perfectly worded question, but you do need to be clear about what it is your client wants to know. If they have told you all about their most recent break-up, from the moment when it all fell apart to the most recent chance encounter with one another, you need to find out whether your client wants to get back with their ex, heal their heart and move on, or understand why the relationship failed in the first place (or something completely different). Don t make the mistake of assuming that just because they ve told you about a break-up they want to know if a reunion is possible. Don t be afraid to note down multiple questions within the same topic, either. This is actually an important part of being able to design your own Tarot spreads. So, if someone has told you about their break-up, you may like to incorporate different questions or aspects into your Tarot spread. For example, you may include positions such as, What lead to the end of the relationship?, What is the one key lesson from the break-up?, How can you best heal from this experience? and What do you need to know about a future reunion?. Finally, be conscious of inappropriate questions, including questions about: Other people s lives. For example, Will my partner leave his wife? or Will my son find a girlfriend? Medical or legal issues on which you are not qualified to advise. For example, Am I pregnant? or Will I win the court case? Doomsday topics. For example, When will the world end? or When will I die? For these types of questions, I recommend that you either find a way to rephrase the question using the techniques above, or suggest a completely different question. You can read more about what questions you should or should not ask the Tarot in my blog post What NOT to ask the Tarot. Step 3: Select a Tarot Spread Once you are clear on the question(s) being asked, you can then choose a spread that will best answer your question(s) and that will give you the information you are searching for. Perhaps the most popular Tarot spread is the Celtic Cross a 10 card spread that is used for many different questions. However, this is also one of the most challenging and misused. If you are just starting to learn to read Tarot, my advice is to begin with a three-card spread. Surprisingly, less is more, and you will begin to see that you can gain a huge amount of insight from just three Tarot cards. On Day 25, you will learn about the various three-card spreads you can draw from. Alternatively, you may opt for no spread at all, in which case you simply draw three cards to begin with, and then draw further cards as different questions or topics come up in the reading. This approach can be helpful if the

92 Page 92 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence initial question is quite general, as it allows you to hone in on the most important issues. That said, I recommend that you don t draw more than five cards without having a spread or at least some idea of what each card relates to. This will help you to keep your reading more focused and on target. Personally, I m a sucker for Tarot spreads! I love structure and I love knowing exactly what each card relates to. While I have a number of pre-defined Tarot spreads on my website, I often create my own spreads for each client so that I can really target their specific issues and concerns. Every now and then, I push myself outside of my comfort zone and opt for no spread at all, but limit myself to three cards. I do enjoy the change, but I still lean towards actual Tarot spreads. Try each method out and see what works for you. Step 4: Shuffle and Lay Out the Cards There are many ways to shuffle the cards. You can use just one method or a mixture of methods. Here are just a few: Overhand shuffle. This is the most common way of shuffling a deck of cards. Holding the deck in one hand, use your other hand to shuffle the cards from one side to the other of the main deck. Cutting the deck. Cut the deck into a number of different piles and then bring those piles back together again. Messy pile shuffle. Lay the cards facedown on the table and then use your hands to spread out the cards in a big, messy pile. Then, bring the cards back together into one pile. If you are working with reversed Tarot cards (which I don t recommend until you have mastered the upright cards), there are a number of ways you can introduce reversed cards to your Tarot deck. Firstly, cut the deck in two and turn one pile 180 degrees (that is, upside-down with the cards still facing downwards) and then shuffle. Continue doing this until you are satisfied the cards are well reversed. Alternatively, you can place your cards in a messy heap and shuffle them around until some are upside-down. Gather them up again to form a neat pile. Personally, I have the client shuffle the deck with the overhand shuffle, cut the deck into three piles, turn one pile 180 degrees (as I work with reversals), put them back into one pile and then shuffle them one last time. When it comes to laying out the cards, you first need to decide whether you will lay the cards facing you or the client. If you deal the cards to face you, it makes it easier to read the cards. Often, an image will catch your eye and tell a particular story, which you can then convey to your client. I also believe that as the reader, it is important that you are seeing the cards as they are being laid out, rather than your client, since it is you who is interpreting the cards. If you deal the cards to face your client, they can see the images and symbols themselves and may become more engaged in the reading. This strategy can be useful if you want to

93 Page 93 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence include your client in interpreting the cards. For example, before you explain what the card means, you may have them look at the imagery and tell you what they notice or feel when they see the card. Often, the card has messages not only for the reader to convey to the client but also for the client to pick up on themselves. Even if the client has no knowledge of the Tarot, getting them to look at and interpret the pictures can be an invaluable way of them accessing their own subconscious messages. There are a number of ways in which you can select the cards for the Tarot reading, after having shuffled the deck. Work from the top of the deck. Select the first card from the deck and continue to select the next card in this manner. Fan the deck and select the cards. Push the cards out to resemble a large fan, and then request the client selects cards at random, using their left hand (thus tapping into the subconscious mind). Cut the deck and select the cards. If using a three-card spread, cut the deck into three and turn over the top card from each pile. Personally, when I read online, I use the first method, but when I read face-to-face, I use the second method as it engages the client more in the reading. Choose what works best for you. Step 5: Interpret the Reading Interpreting the Tarot reading is really the guts of what this is all about. So, rather than overwhelm you with the details now, I m going to give you a simplified version here and on Day 26, we ll go into a lot more depth into how to interpret a Tarot reading. OK, so your Tarot cards are now laid out in front of you... First, scan the reading for general patterns across the cards. Look for a prevalence of Major Arcana cards, Minor Arcana, particular Suits, numbers, court cards, symbols, etc. Consider the significance of these patterns and what it means for the Tarot reading overall, using your knowledge from Chapter 2 in this Workbook. Now, interpret the meanings of each card, relating it to the respective position in the spread and integrating it with the other cards Quick Tip: Reading a Cut Deck As you or the client cuts the deck into three piles, notice the size of each. The left-hand side represents the past, the centre is the present and the right hand side is the future. The larger the pile, the greater the focus and the better the outcome. If the Past pile is large, the client is thinking about the past. If the Future pile is large, then things will get better. in the reading. Use your knowledge of the individual card meanings, but also use your knowledge of Tarot card combinations (see Day 23). For example, you get the Four of Wands in the Past position and the Five of Wands in the Present position. In the past, there has been a celebration and a sense of comfort, but this has now given way to conflict and discord. See, you re already starting to tell a story!

94 Page 94 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Finally, summarise the key points in the reading and answer the question. Tell the final story from the cards and check back to the original question to make sure you have provided an answer. It also helps to empower the client with recommended actions that will help the client create the outcomes they want. Now, that s the quick version. Sit tight for Day 26 when you ll learn more about interpreting a Tarot reading like a professional. Step 6: Get Feedback The best readings allow for dialogue between the reader and the client. It creates an exchange and flow of information, providing further insight to the client and giving you confidence to trust your intuition. So, use this dialogue to track your progress throughout the reading and afterwards. Getting feedback not only helps you to gain confidence, but it also helps to build your intuition by confirming those funny feelings that you might get throughout the reading. Simple ways to check in during a reading are: After your reading is complete, you may want to ask for specific feedback on the reading and whether it was helpful or not. If at all possible, I strongly recommend getting in touch with your client several months later to see how the situation transpired. It always helps to bring your cards to life and it shows your client that you care about their wellbeing. Step 7: Record your Reading In the beginning stages of your Tarot study, I recommend that you record each Tarot reading you do in your notebook or journal. Note the date, the question you asked, the spread used, the cards drawn and the insights you generated from your reading. See the Appendix for the Three-Card Reading Template. Come back to your notes after several weeks or months and add any additional insight that came to light. Think about how you might reinterpret the cards to better suit the situation. Consider also taping your reading as you go. If reading for yourself, this is a good way to practice articulating your reading out loud. Activities Set Up Your Tarot Reading Space Find a space where you will conduct your Tarot readings. You may like to decorate the area with your favourite spiritual items and to conduct your own cleansing ritual for the space (see Day 3 for some ideas) Practice Shuffling Your Cards I know this sounds so simple, but it took me several months to get used to my first Tarot deck and to a point where I wasn t dropping the cards every second shuffle! So, practice shuffling and also laying out the cards, using the different methods suggested above Practice a Tarot Reading While we haven t yet covered how to interpret a Tarot reading in depth, you know enough about the individual cards to conduct a reading from start to finish. Practice the steps outlined above and do your very first Tarot reading! How does that sit with you? Does this resonate? Am I on the right track here?

95 Page 95 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 25: U S E E A S Y T H R E E - C A R D T A R O T S P R E A D S Lesson Three-card Tarot spreads offer a quick and easy way to apply your knowledge of the Tarot card meanings to real life situations, without having to worry about complicated or elaborate Tarot spreads. Three-card spreads can also be highly effective at eliciting a quick answer to a simple question or problem - even the most complex situations can have simple answers. Below, you ll find a number of easy three-card Tarot spreads that you can use to practice your Tarot reading skills and to deliver accurate and insightful Tarot readings. You may also like to add your own three-card Tarot spreads as you read on different situations. Feel free to mix and match between the suggestions below to create your own three-card Tarot spreads. I have also provided an easy-to-use Three-Card Tarot Spread template in the Appendix so that you can work through your Tarot reading and interpret the underlying story behind the cards. Understanding a Situation Past / Present / Future What will help you / What will hinder you / What is your unrealised potential The nature of your problem / The cause / The solution Current situation / Obstacle / Advice Situation / Action / Outcome Context of the situation / Where you need to focus / Outcome What you think about the situation / What you feel / What you do Where you stand now / What you aspire to / How to get there What you aspire to / What is standing in the way / How to overcome it What you can change / What you can t change / What you are not aware of What worked well / What didn t work well / Key lessons Understanding Relationships You / The other person / The relationship What you want from the relationship / What they want from the relationship / Where the relationship is heading What brings you together / What pulls you apart / What needs your attention Making Choices and Decisions Strengths / Weaknesses / Advice Opportunities / Challenges / Outcome Option 1 / Option 2 / Option 3 Option 1 / Option 2 / What you need to know to make a decision The solution / An alternative solution / How to choose Understanding Yourself Mind / Body / Spirit Your conscious mind / Your subconscious mind / Your super-conscious mind Material state / Emotional state / Spiritual state

96 Page 96 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence You / Your current path / Your potential Stop / Start / Continue What the Universe wants you to be / The personal qualities required / Specific action required Three-Card Tarot Readings in Practice To help you see what a three-card Tarot reading might look and feel like, here are two sample Tarot readings. You / Your Current Path / Your Potential For this reading, I am asking, What do I need to know about my career as a Tarot reader? And I am using the You / Your current path / Your potential spread. Here are the cards I drew: Me Nine of Cups My current path Two of Swords My potential Three of Pentacles The Nine of Cups shows that reading Tarot is something I truly love doing. It brings me a lot of joy and happiness and it is meeting many of my needs and desires. My wishes are indeed coming true! The Two of Swords shows I am facing a difficult decision and I am lacking clear direction. This is very insightful as I am currently debating whether or not to quit my day job and to pursue Tarot as my primary source of income. I am most definitely in two minds about what to do! And finally, the Three of Pentacles shows that there is a lot of potential to work with others to create something even bigger in my business. I can work with other professionals in the field, customers of my business and Tarot students. There is huge potential to teach others and to share my personal learning (which is what this Workbook is all about!). Option 1 / Option 2 / What you need to know to make a decision The first reading highlighted an issue around making an important decision. So, I have selected another three-card spread to delve deeper into whether or not I should quit my day job. Here are the cards I drew: Stay in my day job (Option 1) Ace of Cups Quit my day job (Option 2) Eight of Swords What do I need to know to make a decision World I have to be honest these cards take me by surprise and are almost opposite to what I expected. Nonetheless, it s important to embrace what the cards have to say. The Ace of Cups shows that if I stay in my day job, I may actually find that I am very happy in my job. The Ace signifies the potential of a new source of happiness, so it would be worthwhile seeing what is around the corner. The Eight of Swords suggests that if I were to quit my day job, I may end up feeling very trapped. I seem to be missing an important

97 Page 97 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence detail here and I may end up losing my freedom rather than gaining it. What is interesting is that I thought the cards would have been the opposite the Ace of Cups for following my dream and quitting my day job and the Eight of Swords for being stuck in my day job. I certainly have something to learn here. Finally, the World indicates that I need to complete something before I can move on to a new phase. I have this niggling feeling that I need to continue with my day job until I know for sure that it is time to quit. It feels as if a cycle does need to be finished before I can move on. So this is good advice. Of course, my interpretations are only guides. You may see a very different story in these cards. How would you interpret them if you were my Tarot reader? Activity Do a Three-Card Tarot Reading Select one three-card spread from the list above and do a Tarot reading for yourself. Don t forget to work through the process you learned on Day 24 and use the Three-Card Tarot Spread template provided in the Appendix to work through and record your reading Interpret the Sample Readings (Optional) If you have some extra time and energy up your sleeve, provide your own interpretations of the two Tarot readings above. How much do your interpretations differ? What extra insight can you gain into the two situations? Create Multiple Stories (Optional) Pull three cards from your Tarot deck and start creating various different stories using those three cards. Imagine you were doing a relationship reading, what story would you tell from the cards drawn? And what about for a career reading? And a spiritual reading? Don t be afraid to let loose and come up with elaborate plots, twists and turns! This is your chance to get creative and practice those storytelling skills!

98 Page 98 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 26: I N T E R P R E T Y O U R T A R O T R E A D I N G L I K E A P R O F E S S I O N A L Lesson Anyone can lay out a handful of Tarot cards, look up the meanings in a book and deliver a basic Tarot reading. However, if you want to deliver highly accurate and insightful Tarot readings, you need to be able to interpret your Tarot reading in a way that tells the story that sits behind the cards. In today s lesson, I will share with you my personal method for creating accurate and insightful Tarot readings. Of course, this is only one point of view and there are many different ways to interpret a Tarot reading. However, my method will help you move beyond simply regurgitating the traditional Tarot card meanings in your readings, to creating meaningful and personalised stories within your Tarot readings. You ll be reading like a Tarot professional in no time! While we touched on this method on Day 24 as part of doing your own basic Tarot reading, today we ll go into much more detail around each step. You ll find a quick-reference card on the next page for interpreting a Tarot reading like a professional, including how to go about each of the four steps. It may seem a lot to take in at first, but trust me, once you start working with this method, each step will just flow into the other, easily and effortlessly. It s just like riding a bike! Let s get into it, shall we? Step 1: Scan the Reading Before you delve into the detail of each Tarot card in your reading, scan the reading. You want to know, What are we dealing with? Do a general scan of all of the cards drawn. Notice the various patterns and common themes that exist across the cards in your Tarot reading. Look for where there is an overrepresentation of certain families of cards or symbols, and where there is an underrepresentation. Explore the key influences across the Tarot reading.

99 Page 99 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence

100 Page 100 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Here are a number of different patterns that you can look out for in your initial scan. Obviously, not every pattern will come up in every reading, but look out for those that do. Major Arcana Cards The Major Arcana cards make up just over a quarter of the Tarot deck, so if half your reading or more consists of Major Arcana cards, then you can be sure that life changes are at play and the client is in the process of learning a number of important life lessons. There are factors that are often beyond control, yet awareness of the lessons they teach can be incredibly empowering. Often, by concentrating on the messages within the Major Arcana cards, you will have at least half of your story or answer already. Minor Arcana Cards While the Major Arcana reveal events that will naturally occur due to laws of the Universe, the Minor Arcana reveal events that naturally occur due to laws of human nature. Therefore, an over-representation of the Minor Arcana in a reading will highlight the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence. Minor Arcana Suits Scan the reading to see if one Suit is more dominant than the others. Cups indicate that the focus is on relationships and emotions. Pentacles indicate that the focus is on practical matters, work and finances. Swords indicate that the focus is on intellectual matters and the approach taken will be more pragmatic and logical. Wands indicate that the focus is on energy, passion and motivation. On the flipside, look for what Suits are underrepresented or not present at all. What energy is missing from the situation? For example, if doing a relationship reading and no Cups appeared, you may be concerned that there is a lack of true emotion here. Court Cards A dominance of court cards in a reading typically indicates the presence and influence of others with regards to the question and/or situation at hand. Two or more Pages can indicate that there are willing and able people who are here to help. Quick Tip Getting to the Bottom of a Tarot Reading After you lay out a Tarot reading, look at the Tarot card that is on the bottom of the deck to draw additional insight for the client. The bottom card alludes to the hidden aspects that are influencing the situation at hand and gives deep insight into the subconscious mind of the client. Two or more Knights show that there are others who are trying to pursue their own goals, and this may be either assisting or hindering the client. Two or more Queens suggest that there are a number of women involved who are either trying to support or control the situation.

101 Page 101 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Two or more Kings represent a very strong power or level of authority that may be pulling you in multiple directions. The outcome will rely upon dealing effectively with authority. Numerological Associations Look at whether there are any repeated numbers in the reading and refer to the lesson on Day 16 to understand the relevance of each number. Also look for patterns of numbers as a stage of development. For example, multiple aces, twos, and threes mark a situation is in early stages of development; multiple fours, fives, and sixes indicate that a situation is in the middle phases of development; multiple sevens, eights, and nines appear when a situation is nearing completion or resolution; and finally, multiple tens show that events are coming to a close and a new cycle is about to begin. Upright and Reversed Cards When a reading is predominantly made up of upright cards then you know that the energy is flowing freely and the situation will continue to develop in a constructive manner. When a reading consists of mostly reversed cards, then the energy is blocked and there are multiple obstacles and setbacks being experienced. The client is likely to be confronted with delays and ongoing frustrations, often as a result of not having dealt with something from the past. Of course, if you are just starting out with Tarot, then you will probably not be reading with reversals, in which case just ignore this potential pattern. Colours and Symbols First, soften your gaze and notice what colours stand out to you most from your Tarot cards. Refer to the colour meaning chart on Day 3 to understand what the dominant colour refers to. Next, look to see if there are any common symbols or objects across the cards. Do you see a prevalence of clouds or castles, for example? Refer to Day 17 to understand the symbolic significance of these objects. Note both the similarities and the differences in the objects. For example, are the clouds all light and fluffy, or are some dark and stormy? What is the significance of this? Step 2: Establish a Point of View Once you have scanned the reading for general patterns, the next step is to establish a point of view by looking at the key messages in the cards. You want to know, What is the high level story? Interpret the Cards with Keywords Only Start by interpreting the reading using keywords only. Yes, that s right. Keywords only. Go through each card in the reading and say out loud the keywords (or phrases) for those cards. For example, take the following Past-Present- Future reading: Chariot - willpower, determination and assertiveness.

102 Page 102 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Five of Swords - a falling out and a loselose situation. Judgement - learn from your mistakes. Now, combine these keywords with the positions of each card in the reading. Create short and succinct sentences, such as the following: In the past, there was will, determination and assertiveness. In the present, there is a falling out and a lose-lose situation. In the future, there will be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. See?! We re already seeing a story emerge from these cards! Focus on Critical Positions If you are using a larger spread (say, more than five cards), then focus your attention on the critical positions that will help tell the story. Typically I pay extra attention to Future or Outcome cards to see where the client is heading or what the answer to the question is. Or, if the reading shows an unfavourable outcome, I look to the Advice cards to understand what the client can do to minimise the negative impact. As you work with different spreads, you will start to notice which positions in each of the spreads give you the most telling information in the reading. Articulate an Initial Point of View After having assessed the key messages in the reading, articulate your initial point of view. Is he going to leave his wife or not? Is the decision to move interstate really a viable option? Is the job offer going to come through or not? Be ready to articulate to your client whether the Tarot cards indicate if the client will achieve their aspirations or not, and if not, why not. Ask yourself, if I had to provide a yes/no answer right now, what would it be? Often your immediate reactions to the reading will be the most accurate, particularly if you are able to bring silence to your critical mind. Step 3: Dive into the Cards Once you have scanned the reading for general patterns and have established an initial point of view, then you are ready to interpret each Tarot card, relating it with the position in the Tarot spread and the others cards drawn in the reading. You want to know, What is really going on? Interpret the Individual Cards Draw on the Tarot card meanings that you have developed through the exercises in this book. While you will have your favourite Tarot books as back-up, use your personal notes first to create a more intuitive reading. The key here is to avoid using generic Tarot card meanings and instead tailor the message of each Tarot card specifically to your client s situation. By now, you already have a point of view and an overall story, so you should be well-prepared to personalise and customise the Tarot card meanings in your reading, rather than just reciting the standard meanings. As you go through each card, keep listening to your intuition and allow your inner voice to guide you to the most meaningful interpretations and messages within the cards. If you draw a blank with one or more of the cards in the reading, leave it and move on. You may find that the card will make more sense after you have explored the messages of the other cards in the reading. Or, it may simply be

103 Page 103 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence filler in the reading and the other cards that stand out to you will play a more significant role in telling the story. Alternatively, if you are unsure about the meaning of a particular card, ask the question What is this card trying to tell me? and pull another card to answer it. Explore the Interactions Between the Cards Here s how to create highly specific and intuitive readings don t just look at each individual card. Explore the interactions between the cards. Look at how the energy flows between the cards in your reading, and how the figures and objects interact between one card and another. Does the central figure look towards one side or the other? If so, what (or who) is being given attention and what is being ignored? Is the central figure looking front-on? Perhaps there is a choice that must be made between two options, as represented by the cards on either side. Do the figures on either side look towards the central figure? This may be a sign that the central figure is the one believed to have the answers. Take the following 3-card spread: The Chariot faces head on, yet he is pulled by two opposing forces, represented by the two sphinxes. On the one hand, he can remain stuck where he is (i.e. as the figure in the Eight of Swords remains still), or on the other hand, he can move forward, leaving behind that which is troubling him (i.e. as the figure in the Eight of Cups heads in the opposite directions to the other cards). In a relationship reading where one card is drawn for each person involved, look at how the figures in those cards relate with one another. Are they looking at each other? Are they looking away? Are they gesturing to one another? What are their reactions to each other? This will often tell you a lot about the dynamics that are present within the relationship. Look at this next example spread for a relationship between a mother and daughter: The mother appears as the nurturing and caring Empress, while the daughter appears as the Fool, ready to explore the world. But look at what stands in between them conflict and tension! Both have pure intentions the mother to care for her daughter, and the daughter to find herself on a new path but they are at loggerheads because they are failing to see eye-to-eye and they are not even trying to understand each other s point of view. The daughter desperately wants to retain a connection, given that the Fool remains looking towards the Empress in this layout. Studying the interactions between the cards can be helpful not only in the scanning phase but also in the detailed interpretation phase. So

104 Page 104 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence keep this technique up your sleeve throughout the reading as it will prove to be very useful. Step 4: Summarise and Answer the Question After exploring the patterns across the cards and the meanings of each individual card, it is time to summarise the key messages and tell the story of what you see in the cards. You want to know, What s the answer? Summarise the Key Messages This is your moment to provide an integrated view or overall summary of what s happening in the client s life and what they need to know to move forward. Take your client on a highlevel journey of where they ve come from, where they are now and where they re heading. Identify the problem, the solution and the outcome or the answer. Summarise in one paragraph or a 60-second spiel what you see in the Tarot cards overall. Revisit the Question and Provide an Answer Check back on the original question and provide an answer based on the cards. I really mean it when I say check back on the original question. So often we get to the end of a reading and think, Phew, all done! yet we have missed an important detail of what the client wanted to know in the first place. And check in with the client Does this provide you with the answers you need? Is there anything else we need to explore here? Can I clarify anything? Empower the Client with Recommended Actions Ensure that your client leaves the reading feeling empowered and energised to create positive change. Look to the cards and provide recommended actions the client can take to get the desired outcomes. If your reading is quite negative and you are struggling with how to empower the client, read my guest post, The Secret to Creating Empowering Tarot Readings from Negative Cards. To wrap up the reading, I often ask the client to draw one last card to provide some final insight on the situation or guidance on what the current life lesson is. You can also use Oracle cards for this purpose. Using these simple Tarot reading techniques, you will very easily move from a reading where you simply recite the individual Tarot card meanings to a reading that provides your client with an integrated view of the Tarot cards and that is specific and personalised to their needs. I know it seems a lot to take in initially, but trust me, this is like riding a bike. At first, it takes a lot of concentration and conscious thought, but the more you practice, over and over, the more natural it becomes. Nowadays, I can quickly move through each step without really having to think much about what I am doing. And that, indeed, is the sweet spot where your conscious mind takes a back seat and your intuition comes to the fore! So by now, you should be well-equipped to tell the story behind the Tarot cards and to provide your clients with highly accurate and insightful readings!

105 Page 105 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Tarot Circle Readings If you would like to see more Tarot readings in practice, then check out the Tarot Circle posts on my blog. This is where I provide my interpretation of someone else s Tarot reading. While I don t necessarily follow each and every step, you will see the different methods I use for interpreting each reading. What s more, you can see how other people have interpreted the same reading. It is an excellent learning tool. Activity Interpret Your Tarot Reading Like a Professional Practice makes perfect. Select another 3-card spread from Day 25 and do a Tarot reading for yourself, using the 4-step method outlined above. Write a one-paragraph story at the end of your reading that includes the key messages and the final answer. Again, use the Three-Card Tarot Reading template in the Appendix to work through and record your reading.

106 Page 106 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 7 : T R U S T Y O U R I N T U I T I O N Lesson Intuition is a process that gives us the ability to know something directly without analytic reasoning, thus bridging the gap between the conscious and subconscious parts of our mind. Carl G. Jung, a well-known psychotherapist and spiritualist, theorised that intuition: Is a natural part of all of us; Works within us to help us understand ourselves; Enables us to understand others; and Connects us to a larger metaphysical awareness that spans the whole of time and space called the collective unconscious. Yet trusting one s intuition remains one of the biggest challenges in learning Tarot. Here s what just a few of my Facebook fans had to say about learning to trust their intuition: The main problem that I had with Tarot was knowing when to let go of the books and to follow your own GUT feel. For me it was letting go of the rules and allowing my intuition to guide me. When I first started I got stuck worrying about how I should be reading the cards. My biggest challenge was believing in myself. Learning to trust your intuition is imperative if you are to go from being an amateur Tarot reader to a professional reader. Anyone can look up the meanings of the Tarot cards and select whichever interpretation suits them best. But it takes a truly confident and intuitive reader to begin to read between the lines and weave a story amongst the cards. This is when Tarot truly comes to life and we begin to access insightful information from the cards. Developing Your Intuition In Between Readings Developing and trusting your intuition takes time. But the more you connect with your intuitive self, the easier it becomes and the more natural it feels. Here are a number of practical methods for developing your intuition in between Tarot readings. Practice Silence One of the best techniques I learned from one of my favourite books, Eckhart Tolle s Power of Now, was to quieten the mind and listen for the silence. This is highly effective in clearing away all of that chatter in our minds, to allow for our inner voice to come through. Before every Tarot reading, I stop to listen to the silence.

107 Page 107 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Meditate on a Tarot Card Just as you learned on Day 21, you can meditate with your Tarot cards to access your subconscious knowledge of that card. Select one Tarot card and place it in front of you. Allow your mind to clear, and then observe what images, feelings, energies, etc. come to you during this time. Try to forget about traditional meanings, and instead focus in on what you are sensing in this card. Listen to your Dreams Dreams are an excellent source of subconscious information. By keeping a dream journal, you can begin to see the patterns between your dreams and your reality. If you have a pressing question, meditate on it just before falling asleep, and in the morning when you wake up, write down what your dreamt. No doubt you will have the answer to your question. Using Your Intuition During a Tarot Reading Using your intuition during a Tarot reading is one of those things that works well when you re not really trying to do it. And when you are trying to be intuitive, it often makes it a lot more difficult or forced. So, first and foremost, relax, breathe and pause before you start a Tarot reading. (Here are another 21 ways to get in the zone for a Tarot reading.) Pay Attention to Your First Reactions Listen carefully to what you hear during a Tarot reading. A phrase or a word may suddenly come to mind without any real explanation, or you may literally hear a voice that gives you a message. Pay attention to what you see in a Tarot card or a reading. Where is your eye drawn to? What colour, object, person or shape is grabbing your attention? What does this tell you about the reading or the situation? Sense your emotions during a reading. Do you feel genuinely happy and joyous when you see the cards in front of you? Or do you have a strange, nagging feeling that something isn t right? What s your personal state of mind? What might this be telling you about your client s situation? Different people will pick up different energies from a reading. Some people are clairaudient (hearing), some are clairvoyant (seeing) and some are clairsentient (feeling). You might be one of these or many of these. Simply pay attention to all possible senses for subtle messages during a reading. Call It As You See It Sometimes a message will come to you during a reading that may not make any sense to you. Trust it. Say what you see, even if it seems out there. Have faith in the cards. Just because you may not understand what you are being shown, there is a reason why you are seeing, hearing or feeling it. Relax, take a breath and the message will come to you. And anyway, what s the worst thing that could happen? You could be wrong. It s OK. Acknowledge it and move on. What s worse is if you do sense something and you never mention it, only to find out months later that your intuition was indeed right. Don t censor your thoughts! Use the No Spread Spread Rather than using a defined Tarot spread, next time you have a question, just start with one card. Concentrate on the card and what it is telling you, and then use it to shape the next question. Continue doing this until you feel

108 Page 108 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence clear about what it is you need to do about your concern. Read more about this method in my blog post, The No-Spread Tarot Spread. Practice Reading Aloud It may feel a little strange at first, particularly if you are reading for yourself, but interpreting your Tarot reading aloud will help you immensely in developing and trusting your intuition. Often, when we verbalise something, the words and the thoughts come more freely. Say what you see in the cards - what stories you see, what messages you pick up on, what you are feeling at the time, what you are hearing in your mind. Speak up! Even better, grab a microphone and record yourself doing a reading. This is also an excellent way to keep track of your readings. As an online Tarot reader, this is one aspect I miss! However, on the odd occasion when I do readings face-to-face, I can just feel the energy rushing through me as I interpret the reading out loud. The words just flow and I find myself completely connected to a Higher Power and my intuition. My eyes light up, my hands start waving and I am completely in the zone! Get Feedback One of the best ways to give you confidence and trust in your own intuition is to find out if your hunch was on target or not. During a reading, create a dialogue with your client, checking in to see if your intuitive feelings are right or not. You might want to say something like, I m seeing this does this resonate? or I m getting this does this have meaning for you? After a reading, find out if your interpretation matched reality. Check in with your client a few days after the reading and, if possible, a few months after. The more positive feedback you get, the more likely you are going to trust that niggling feeling you have during a reading, no matter how whacky or out there it might be. Activity Pick a Card, Any Card Select a card randomly from your Tarot deck. Now, using your intuition only, interpret the card and what it means for you for the rest of the day. Don t even think about picking up a book for this activity! Out loud, verbalise what you see, what you hear and what you feel in the card laid out in front of you. (Even better, record yourself.) Don t hold back. Say every thought as it occurs to you. As you finish speaking one thought, listen for the next one. What images stand out to you? What thoughts, memories, phrases, feelings, and messages does it elicit? What jumps out at you? What does it say to you? Keep speaking aloud as different messages come to you, freely and without judgement. It doesn t matter if you go off on a tangent go with it, see where it takes you. After a few minutes, stop and note down the key messages from your intuitive reading of the card. Now, if you want to find out if your intuition is indeed accurate, take note throughout your day how these intuitive feelings manifest. Check back in at the end of the day, and see how well your intuition has guided you.

109 Page 109 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 8 : D I S C O V E R T I M I N G T H R O U G H T A R O T Lesson One of the most common types of question in Tarot readings is When? When will I find true love? When will I find a job? When will I have children? People want to know when something will happen and they look to Tarot readers to accurately predict the timing of these important events. However, for the Tarot reader, timing an event using the Tarot cards can be incredibly daunting and challenging! Today, I ll show you a few Tarot timing techniques to help you pinpoint when an event will occur, using the Tarot cards. Using Divinatory Meanings of the Tarot Cards Personally, my most preferred method for determining the timing of an event in Tarot is to look at the divinatory meanings of the cards and use them to create a story rather than to pinpoint a specific time. The story focuses not only on the when but also on the how by understanding both when something will happen and what may need to occur before that particular event will happen. For example, your client asks, When will I meet my future husband? and you draw the Five of Cups. Your response may be, When you first get over a past relationship that has led to disappointment. Or, your client asks, When will I get a promotion? and you draw the Three of Pentacles. Your response may be, When you demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team. Reversed Tarot cards can also be very telling in timing questions and often indicate that an event is unlikely to occur until the client has made some important changes in their lives. Personally, this is my preferred approach when reading the Tarot cards because it empowers the client to make positive change in their life and to achieve the outcome they desire. It assumes that each person has free will, rather than a predetermined destiny, and that their actions will dictate their future. Additionally, it assumes that the event may or may not occur, depending on what the client chooses to do, again reinforcing the concepts of free will and empowerment. Using the Suits and Elements Using the suits and respective elements of the Tarot cards can help you pinpoint a more specific time in your Tarot readings. For example: Wands Days or Spring Swords Weeks or Autumn Cups Months or Summer Pentacles Years or Winter For the Pip Cards (i.e. those numbered Ace to Ten), simply combine the suit and the number of the card. For example, the Five of Wands indicates five days or, more broadly, Summer. For the Court Cards, the timing of the event may depend on another person; however you can still gauge an approximate indication of time using the suits.

110 Page 110 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence You will find that these associations vary depending on the reader. For example, some readers associate Swords with months instead of weeks. My advice is to select one set of associations and stick with it for now. As you gain more practice, you may want to experiment with other sets of associations. As with many Tarot techniques, go with your gut instinct and what feels right for you. Using Tarot and Astrology I am certainly no expert in Astrology, so I m not even going to attempt to try to explain how to combine Tarot and Astrology for timing events. Instead, I recommend taking a look at Paul Hughes-Barlow s approach. It is highly detailed and can effectively pinpoint even the specific hour for when an event is predicted to occur. I have tried this in a number of my professional Tarot readings and have found it to be hit and miss. I usually pitch it as an indicative time period and by no means a definite time period. That said, clients really love the ability for the Tarot cards to be so specific in terms of future timing. At a more basic level, the Tarot suits can be used to determine the associated astrological signs. Swords = Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Wands = Aries, Leo, Sagittarius Cups = Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces Pentacles = Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn To find out more about the astrological associations with the Tarot cards, read Richard Palmer s guest post, Delving Into Tarot and Astrology in the Golden Dawn Tradition. Incorporating Timing into your Tarot Readings So, now you know a few techniques to interpret the Tarot cards to determine the timing of an event, but how do you incorporate this into your Tarot readings? There are a couple of options. Firstly, you can simply include, as part of your overall reading, a card to focus on when. For example, as part of a potential relationship reading, you may include one card on when the client may find the right partner. Secondly, you may focus an entire Tarot spread on when. You could use a yearly forecast spread, drawing one card for each month. Or, try the following four-card Tarot spread which is useful for understanding what needs to happen before a specific or desired event will occur. The desired event will happen when Card 1 You realise Card 2 You accept Card 3 You acknowledge Card 4 You do I also recommend the Courtyard Spread by Alec Satin. Activity Conduct a Timing Tarot Reading Select a question that is related to the timing of an event. For example, When will I finish my current project? or What do I need to know about when I will move house? Work through each of the timing methods above and record your results. Keep these readings handy so that you can compare the actual timing of the event to what you saw in your cards.

111 Page 111 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 2 9 : A V O I D T H E S I X M I S T A K E S O F R E A D I N G T A R O T F O R Y O U R S E L F Lesson Whether you re a professional Tarot reader or a Tarot beginner, at one point or another you re going to want to read the Tarot cards for yourself. I mean, why not? You know how to use the Tarot cards now and you know the power that they hold in providing guidance and insight into many areas of your life. You might be facing a major personal issue or wanting to explore a part of yourself, so you turn to your Tarot cards to help you. But do you know how to read for yourself in a way that is accurate and objective? Are the Tarot readings you do for yourself professional and ethical? Reading Tarot for yourself can end up being very confusing and inaccurate, especially when you may be making some critical mistakes on how you read and interpret the Tarot cards. Here are six common mistakes that are made when reading Tarot for yourself, and how you can avoid them. Mistake #1: You do a Tarot Reading When You re Highly Emotional Your boyfriend just rang to break up with you and now you want to draw a few Tarot cards to see if you will get back together. You ve just lost your job in a major restructure and you want to know when you ll get a new one. You ve just had a major argument with your best-friend and you want to know if you ll ever be friends again. In all of these situations, your emotions are running high and you re probably very worked up about what has happened. Reading Tarot for yourself in these types of circumstances is much more likely to result in an inaccurate or misdirected reading, especially as you re so emotionally invested. What you want is to be able to remain objective, calm and focused during a personal Tarot reading, so if something has just happened and you are still feeling very emotional about it, either wait until the initial reaction passes or consult an objective third party such as a professional Tarot reader. Mistake #2: You Keep Drawing Extra Tarot Cards as Clarifiers Sometimes, it makes sense to draw an extra Tarot card in a reading to clarify a particular card. For example, you draw the Two of Swords, which is about making a decision between two options, so you draw another two cards to understand what those options are. That s fine it makes sense and it helps the cause. But sometimes you draw a clarifying card, and then another, and another until you finally see something you like. What happens is that you end up with so many different Tarot cards and different messages that you become confused and unclear about what the cards are actually trying to tell you. Or, you end up dissatisfied

112 Page 112 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence with the cards drawn because they don t tell you what you want to hear. So, when reading Tarot for yourself, commit to drawing clarifying cards only when you really need to or when it makes sense. And even then, only draw one or two extra cards. Mistake #3: You Do Multiple Tarot Readings on the Same Topic One of the biggest mistakes I see other Tarot enthusiasts make is that they read over and over again on the same topic. First I did a Celtic Cross to see if we d get back together, and then I did a Past/Present/Future Tarot spread, and then I did another Celtic Cross just to make sure. Then the next day, I did a Horseshoe spread plus my daily love card and so on. No wonder people end up so confused about what the Tarot cards are trying to tell them! Whenever any of my clients request a Tarot reading on the same topic within a short period of time, I strongly recommend that they do not go ahead with it. Instead, I suggest they come back in a month or wait until something changes. It is the same with reading Tarot for yourself. Make a commitment now to read once and once only on your particular topic. Take note of the Tarot reading then put it away and come back to it later. Wait for at least a month before reading on the same topic, or at least until something significant changes. Mistake #4: You Research Multiple Tarot Card Meanings for the One You Want Unfortunately, there is not just one meaning for each Tarot card. If there were, you could get a computer to do your readings for you. Instead, there are multiple aspects to each of the Tarot cards, which is what makes them so rich and complex. However, the trouble is that it also opens up the possibility of researching lots of different Tarot card meanings until you find the meaning that you want. When reading for yourself, you might ignore the most common meanings for a Tarot card, but you hone into just one sentence or one angle that gives the message you want. Resist the temptation to go trawling for a Tarot card meaning that fits your hopes and desires. Instead, go with your gut. What does your gut tell you about what this Tarot card and Tarot reading mean? What is your initial reaction? Note it down and then move on. Don t get stuck on trying to find the perfect, most convenient meaning. Mistake #5: You Use a Complicated Tarot Spread You want to know whether or not you should go to the wedding, so you turn to the Tarot spread that is the most popular the Celtic Cross. But suddenly you re finding out about what happened in the past, what other people think about the situation, what you re hoping

113 Page 113 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence for, what your underlying fears are, etc. All you really wanted to know was whether or not you should go! I don t know why, but so often, the Celtic Cross is taught as one of the first Tarot spreads to use. Yet this spread is highly complex and often inappropriate for the question in mind. Go back to basics! A one-card Tarot reading is amazingly powerful, particularly if you truly meditate on that card and go deep into its meaning and significance. And for many questions, you simply need only a few Tarot cards and you will have your answer. So avoid using long and complicated readings which only open up the path for more confusion and convoluted interpretation. Mistake #6: You Interpret Your Tarot Reading the Way You Want The hardest thing about reading Tarot for yourself is that you can end up with a convenient but highly subjective interpretation of the Tarot cards. When you are already emotionally invested in a situation, you will have your own perspectives and beliefs that will shape your interpretation of the Tarot cards a certain way. In fact, it can be very hard to remain objective and professional about your own Tarot reading, particularly when you have such a vested interest. There s nothing wrong with interpreting your own Tarot cards, but you may want to also seek the opinion of an objective third party. To get a second opinion, post your Tarot reading on a forum like Aeclectic Tarot, ask a Tarot friend or colleague, or engage a professional Tarot reader to help interpret your Tarot reading. Reading Tarot for yourself can be incredibly powerful and insightful, if you do it correctly. By avoiding these six mistakes, you will be well on your way to creating accurate Tarot readings for yourself. Activity Set Boundaries for Reading for Yourself Knowing what you know now, what do you commit to do and not to do when reading Tarot for yourself? Where will you draw a line in the sand?

114 Page 114 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! You have now completed 29 days of learning Tarot. By now... You can do a basic Tarot reading with a three-card spread You can interpret a Tarot reading like a professional You can predict the timing of events using the Tarot cards You have set your personal boundaries for using the Tarot cards

115 Page 115 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence CHAPTER 5: DAYS 30 TO 31 ESTABLISHING YOUR NETWORKS Further your Tarot studies by tapping the web of Tarot websites, blogs, communities, networks and Meetup groups with other like-minded people

116 Page 116 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 30: D R A W O N T A R O T R E S O U R C E S A N D C O M M U N I T I E S Lesson When I first started learning Tarot in the 1990s, the internet had only just taken off. Even then, I was amazed at how much I could learn about the Tarot by joining forums and lists and reading Tarot websites. Nowadays, we are treated to a vast array of Tarot resources online, most of which are free. From Tarot beginners to Tarot experts, the internet offers so much information to help you learn the Tarot. What s more, you can access multiple Tarot communities online and offline. The best way to continue your Tarot learning is to connect with other like-minded individuals, so I encourage you to establish your Tarot networks. So, today, I m going to take you through my favourite websites and blogs for learning Tarot and a number of different Tarot associations and communities that you can be a part of. Click on each link to view. Tarot Websites Biddy Tarot Tarot Card Meanings The Biddy Tarot website is one of the most popular resources for tarot card meanings on the internet, with over 150,000 visitors each month. This free resource provides detailed upright and reversed Tarot card meanings perfect when you are researching the cards or need an outside opinion on a particular card. Aeclectic Tarot This is one of the most comprehensive Tarot websites, featuring Tarot book and deck reviews, Tarot card meanings, and Tarot ebooks. Learning The Tarot Joan Bunning s site was one of the first websites I turned to when I started learning Tarot. It is based around the Rider-Waite deck and includes detailed Tarot card meanings, self-taught lessons and nearly one hundred different spreads. Tarot Guild The Tarot Guild offer Tarot classes, a blog, radio and Tarot readings. It represents a large community of Tarot enthusiasts and experts. Tarotpedia This is a community-contributed encyclopaedia dedicated to all things Tarot. American Tarot Association s Tarot Card Meanings This is another helpful resource for discovering the Tarot card meanings. The Tarot School I would highly recommend this website to those wanting to learn more about the Tarot. You can subscribe to regular s which have great Tarot topics, join a teleclass or learn online. Super Tarot A simple yet informative and friendly site with lessons on reading tarot and using astrology in tarot. Beyond Worlds Tarot - I have only just recently discovered Blog Talk Radio, a free online radio that broadcasts programs on any and every topic possible. The great thing is that even if

117 Page 117 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence you missed a scheduled program, you can listen to it at a later stage. One of my favourite programs is Beyond Worlds Tarot, led by Donnaleigh de LaRose. Every week or so, she hosts a radio show on different Tarot topics, making it an excellent (free) platform for learning about the Tarot. You can also have it downloaded to your ipod as a podcast. It s a little chatty but the content provides excellent (and free) learning material. Tarot Blogs Biddy Tarot Blog This is my own Tarot blog with regular posts on reading Tarot, Tarot card meanings, book reviews and more. With every post, you ll learn something new and practical to apply to your Tarot reading practice. 78 Notes to Self Ginny Hunt provides personal interpretations of the tarot cards using a journaling technique, and often goes indepth into various Tarot topics. Tarot Lady Blog I love Theresa s style practical tips to help you read Tarot. You ll find interviews, Tarot reading techniques, book and deck reviews, guest posts and more. Practical Tarot Blog Barbara Moore is a wellknown Tarot author and reader, and shares her down-to-earth and, you guessed it, practical Tarot advice on her blog. Mary K Greer s Blog Mary K Greer is one of the most famous Tarot writers and maintains an (irregular) blog here featuring techniques, thoughts and reviews. Alec Satin s Blog Alec Satin is a New York based Tarot reader, coach and consultant and he posts on relevant Tarot topics such as spreads, timing techniques and more. Bonnie Cehovet s Blog Bonnie maintains a very regular Tarot blog including posts on Birth Cards, and Tarot book and deck reviews. Tarot Dude I particularly enjoy this blog because of the exercises Tarot Dude posted, using Mary K Greer s 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card book. Very hands-on and practical. Inactive Blogs The following blogs are currently inactive meaning that there is no new, fresh content. But, I strongly recommend trawling through the existing content as you will learn a huge amount from these excellent resources. Tarot Eon Blog The blog s author, Doug, goes into a wonderful level of depth on how to read tarot cards, elemental associations, philosophy, history, and interviews with other tarotists and philosophers. Tarot Elements A well-designed and comprehensive Tarot blog with tips on Tarot reading, spreads, card meanings and more.

118 Page 118 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Online Tarot Communities Aeclectic s Tarot Forum An excellent resource, this Tarot forum consists of thousands of members and provides a fantastic forum for all your Tarot questions. Highly recommended. Tarotholics Anonymous - This group on Facebook does not necessarily provide card meanings but is an open, friendly, and accessible forum. If you have a question or want to bounce ideas around, this is the place to do it. You can also search Facebook for other Tarot groups. If you haven t already, Like the Biddy Tarot Facebook page here. Yahoo! Groups If you are eager to learn about the Tarot or would like to communicate with others who have similar interests, ing lists are good sources of information! Simply run a search at Yahoo! Groups for Tarot and find a list which suits you. Tarot-Town This is a social online community of over 8,000 members who all share an interest in Tarot. It requires a paid membership, but ensures access to Tarot classes, forums and reviews. Tarot Guild This is a membership site which allows you access to webinars, classes, forums and other resources to learn Tarot. Local Tarot Communities and Associations All Locations Meetup Groups Meetup Groups are set up all over the world and allow like-minded people to get together regular and share their passions and interests. Search for Tarot in your local area. North America American Tarot Association The American Tarot Association offer Tarot courses and numerous seminars and gatherings across America. Tarot Canada Connect with other Canadian Tarot enthusiasts Australia and NZ Tarot Guild of Australia Australian-based Tarot organisation with monthly Tarot workshops and events in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Association for Tarot Studies An international Tarot association registered in Melbourne, Australia. The Association for Tarot Studies organises various Tarot events locally. Tarot Aotearoa Tarot association based in New Zealand. Asia Tarot India India-based Tarot network with Tarot courses available. Europe & UK Tarot Association of the British Isles Britishbased Tarot organisation. L'Associazione Culturale Le Tarot - A Tarot cultural association based in Italy. Tarotverband German Tarot association.

119 Page 119 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Activity Review and Bookmark Three Tarot Websites Choose at least three Tarot websites and check them out. Bookmark them and familiarise yourself with what sort of information is available Subscribe to Three Tarot Blogs Choose at least three Tarot blogs and sign up for either the RSS feed or updates. You ll then be able to get blog posts direct to your RSS reader or Inbox, providing you with regular Tarot goodness Join Your Local Tarot Community Either find a Meetup Group or sign up to your local Tarot association. Start participating in regular workshops and discussions involving the Tarot cards.

120 Page 120 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence D A Y 3 1 : P R A C T I C E Y O U R T A R O T R E A D I N G S K I L L S Lesson Now that you have mastered the Tarot card meanings and you are working on your Tarot reading skills, it s time to practice reading for others. There are lots of ways you can practice your Tarot reading skills. Here are just a few: Read for Yourself Reading the Tarot for yourself is a quick and easy way to gain more practice in Tarot reading. You are always available, you can give yourself feedback, you can steal a few glances at your Little White Book (with all the card meanings) and you don t have to worry if you get it wrong. However, reading Tarot for yourself can be hard! You might be more biased or less objective in your interpretations and you usually know yourself too well to reveal anything new. Personally, I rarely read Tarot for myself because I always seem to make up the most favourable interpretations! However, if it is purely to learn the Tarot cards, then I think it s a great way to practice. Just remember those Six Mistakes of Reading Tarot for Yourself from Day 29 and set some personal boundaries for yourself. Join the Free Tarot Network I used to read for the Free Tarot Network a number of years ago, and later moved into both a mentoring and administration role with the Network. This was, by far, one of the best ways I found to practice and improve my Tarot reading skills. You are allocated a mentor, who will review your readings and provide helpful guidance. And you can specify how many Tarot readings you can provide per day / week. The Free Tarot Network is also associated with the American Tarot Association, so you know you re working with good people! To join, go to There is a small administration fee to join, if you re not already a member of the American Tarot Association.

121 Page 121 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Add Your Profile to the Biddy Tarot Free Readers Page In an effort to help the Tarot community, I provide the opportunity to post the details of any avid Tarot beginners who want to practice their Tarot reading skills. Tarot students can provide free Tarot readings to the public via , in exchange for feedback from their clients. You ll find the webpage here: If you would like to add your free Tarot reading service on this page, contact me with your name, a brief bio (written in the third person similar to what you see on the webpage), your contact details, and a small photo of yourself (optional). Please note that this is only available to those Tarot readers who are offering a completely free service, and a small administration fee is required to set up your profile. Join Phuture.me Join the phuture.me team as an amateur Tarot reader. Visitors to the website use the digital Tarot deck to select their own cards and get a reading. They can then request a free interpretation and are obliged to provide feedback on your reading. If you re up for it, send George an with a short bio and your contact details. Visit the Reading Exchange at Aeclectic Tarot Forum The Aeclectic Tarot Forum is jam-packed with Tarot enthusiasts just bursting with ideas, questions, and insights. Better yet, visit the Reading Exchange where you can offer to read Tarot for others. The best part about reading for people on the Reading Exchange is that they are typically Tarot students themselves and will be able to provide you with specific, quality feedback on your practice Tarot reading. The only catch is that you need to either have 25 posts already in the forum (so get typing!) or become a paid subscriber of the Forum (around $30 a year). Search for Other Reading Exchanges on Google There are many Tarot forums where you can offer Tarot reading exchanges perhaps not as busy or well-frequented as Aeclectic, but available all the same. Simply go to Google and search Tarot reading exchange. Offer Free Tarot Readings on YahooAnswers There are two main options here. First, you can post your own question which might be along the lines of Who wants a free Tarot reading? Or second, search for the word Tarot and you ll often find people asking for free Tarot readings or advice on how to interpret their own Tarot reading. While I can t guarantee the quality of the questions being asked (nor the age of the person asking!), it can be a quick and easy way to provide a free reading to someone who wants it.

122 Page 122 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence Create Your Own Fictional Client Read for imaginary people. I know of a Tarot student who reads for George, a middle-aged (and very attractive) man who has lots of relationship dramas and other concerns that he needs help with! Create your own George (or Georgia ) along with a short bio and life history. Read on all sorts of topics that may be important for your fictional client. Alternatively, pretend a celebrity has asked for a reading and practice on them. Or select a character out of a book or a favourite TV show. James Ricklef (Tarot expert) does this very well with fairy-tale characters. Start Your Own Website Back in 2001, I started my own Tarot reading website and offered free Tarot readings to build up my experience. Ten years later, I now have a thriving online Tarot reading business! Setting up a website is now so easy and can literally be done in minutes. All you need is a domain, a cheap hosting provider (like Bluehost) and the latest version of WordPress, and voila, you re online and ready to offer free readings! Sure, there s a bit more to it than that (like Search Engine Optimisation and website promotion), but you can work on that over time. Read for Your Pets No, I am not kidding. Your pets can be your most loyal clients when you re starting out! Just read how one Tarot student started reading for her pets and gained deep insight into their needs. In fact, I recently discovered other people who read Tarot for their pets... I unintentionally read for my cat. I was looking at my cat while shuffling and the reading was completely off my situation, but 100% true to my cat! I don't remember all the cards but they were three and the first was the Ten of Swords, the last was the King of Wands. Basically he was bandaged as he'd been to the vet over an injury that needed stitches. It was his first time and absolutely hated it. The last was, of course, him getting back to his normal catty self :) I tried this recently funnily enough. I knew that my dog was not her usual self and pulled a card to see what might be the trouble. I pulled the Six of Wands which in this case told me that she was not feeling appreciated and not getting enough attention that she was used to. This dog has always been put on a pedestal but lately I had been rather busy, so it rang true. Tarot amazes me sometimes. Activity Choose One Method for Practicing Your Tarot Reading Skills Choose one way that you ll use to practice your Tarot reading skills. You might sign up for an online opportunity, or simply create your own George. Then, get practicing!

123 Page 123 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! You have now completed 31 days of learning Tarot. By now... You are familiar with the Tarot card meanings You can do a basic Tarot reading and tell a story in the cards You are connected with other Tarot enthusiasts to further develop your Tarot knowledge

124 Page 124 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence W H E R E T O F R O M H E R E? Congratulations on devoting at least 31 days to your Tarot study! By now, you can easily interpret the Tarot cards in simple readings for yourself and others. You are well on the way to becoming a Tarot expert! However, the journey does not end here. There are certainly ways to become an expert faster than traditional teaching might dictate, but there s no getting around putting your time in. So, where to from here? 1. Realise That Expert is a Relative Term In most instances, you don t need to be the world s foremost expert on something to benefit from what you know. Being expert enough means knowing enough or being good enough to accomplish your goals, however modest or grand they may be. If your goal is to read Tarot for understanding yourself, then you only need to know so much about the Tarot cards to do that. You don t need to know about Kabbalistic systems or astrological associations. Just being able to tell a story from the images in the cards is enough. Similarly, if your goal is to read for others, then focus on how you connect with others and tell their story through the cards. Focus on your goal and what you need to learn to achieve that goal. 2. Learn from Books and Experience There s a time for learning and a time for practicing. A true expert needs to have both expertise (book learning) and experience (realworld practice). Spend time learning the Tarot card meanings with a book like The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings, but also spend an equal amount of time reading Tarot for yourself and others. There s a balance between learning and doing. Most people spend far too much time doing one or the other. If you ve been mostly learning, it s probably time to start doing. If you ve been practicing without the results you re looking for, it s time to learn more and time to focus. 3. Learn and Connect With Other Tarot Enthusiasts You don t have to study Tarot in isolation! There are hundreds of other Tarot students working through this Workbook just like you. To help you to learn from one another, I have created a FREE online community on the Biddy Tarot website. You are invited to join other readers of Tarot Foundations to learn from and connect with each other as you progress through this 31-day program. Step into the Tarot Foundations (TF) Community Garden to: Practice the Tarot Foundations activities online and share your insights Read other people s activities and insights Ask questions and get feedback Support each other and cheer each other on Find study buddies

125 Page 125 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence All at no extra charge! This is an exclusive, invitation-only community open to all readers of Tarot Foundations and can be accessed at: Your special password is Foundations. 4. Focus When you start learning something new, it s easy to become daunted by everything you have to master to reach your final goal. Tarot is no exception. With 78 Tarot cards and a raft of different scenarios and possible meanings, the concept of doing an accurate Tarot reading without a book by your side seems near impossible. This is why focus is critical. First, it helps you pay attention to the task at hand so you don t become paralysed by the thought of everything to follow. Second, you have to focus so you can ignore all the possible distractions that are always waiting to take you off your path. So, in your Tarot studies, focus on just one Suit, or just the Court Cards, or just three-card spreads, or just reading on love and relationships. Start small and then grow from there. 5. Don t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes Fear of failure is often one of the biggest obstacles on the road to learning new things. You have to be willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow. That s what practice is. The sooner you get comfortable with making mistakes, the quicker you ll learn your new skill. This is also critical in learning to trust your intuition. You have to start listening to your intuition and going with it. You probably won t be accurate 100% of the time, but at least you will learn from your mistakes and your guesses. It is much better to guess at something than to hold back and regret it later. 6. Take Care of Yourself A balanced Tarot reading requires a balanced Tarot reader! So, take care of yourself. Give yourself time away from the Tarot cards. Meditate and keep your mind clear and calm. Be in sync with your body and mind s needs. Don t read when you re tired or stressed. And surround yourself with supportive people. 7. Learn from the Experts Want more Tarot tips from the experts? You ll love these 15 tips from the best Tarot experts on how to learn Tarot: Keep Learning The learning cycle never ends! There are so many different angles and aspects to the Tarot that you can learn into to deepen your knowledge and improve your Tarot reading skills. You now have some excellent learning tools, particularly those from Chapter 3, that you can include in your future studies. I have also purposefully not included any material on reversed Tarot cards. I am a BIG fan of reversals but I strongly believe that you need

126 Page 126 Tarot Foundations: 31 Days to Read Tarot With Confidence to master the upright meanings first before starting to learn about reversals. That said, when you do feel ready, you can read a lot more about reversed Tarot cards on my blog or discover the meanings of reversed cards in The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings. A Final Word from Brigit Thank-you so much for allowing me to be part of your Tarot journey. I wish you the very best for your path ahead. Be sure to stay in touch. My website, Biddy Tarot ( is, of course, a great online resource for Tarot card meanings, and tips and techniques on reading the Tarot cards. Visit and subscribe to my Tarot blog ( for regular posts about how to read the Tarot and increase your Tarot knowledge and expertise. If you have any questions or simply want to get in touch, feel free to me at biddy@biddytarot.com. And finally, a word of gratitude. This ebook wouldn t be what it is without the invaluable input of the Biddy Tarot community, including a handful of amazing, generous spirits who kindly reviewed the ebook prior to its release, those who offered creative ideas for the title of this ebook and those who offered their support in many other magical ways. To all of my readers, visitors and friends out there, thank you for your continued support. I am truly grateful for your energy and am blessed to have you as part of the Biddy Tarot community. Warm regards, Brigit And, in the near future, I also plan to release even more Tarot ebooks to help others to read Tarot. Check back regularly at my website (