Did you know that you can actually influence the quality of your Tarot Readings and how much you get out of them? So many of them are common sense, but in our busy lives we sometimes need to be reminded to slow down, stay present, and breathe. I put together this handy guide on the Do's and Don'ts of preparing for a Tarot reading to encourage you to make the time and space for the best experience possible and treat your reading like a gift from you to you.
Here are my suggestions, and I'm sure you can find a few more that are personal to you. Everyone has their own ways of getting to their highest vibrations, a flow state, or "in the zone"... however you describe it. One of my go-to practices is using sound/music to elevate myself on every level. Make a note of yours, and start your own person ritual for beginning a tarot reading OR beginning each day!
Do's
- Set Your Intentions Before entering a Tarot session, take a few moments to clarify your intentions. What specific questions would you like answered? If you had a Magic Wand, what specific outcomes would you like to create? By centering your mind on specific questions or details, the reading will be more focused and detailed.
- Choose a Comfortable Setting If your reading is happening remotely or in person, be sure the environment is conducive to relaxation and introspection. Tarot is not a fortune cookie. It's meant to give you deep insights and new perspectives. Choose a space that is comforting and free from interruptions. Perhaps light a candle or play soft background music. And more than anything... BREATHE! Take some slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Stay Hydrated Tarot is a translation of energy, and water is a conduit. If everyone is well hydrated, it does make a difference. On a purely physical level, our bodies are made of mostly water, and being just 2% dehydrated can degrade physical and mental functions, making it difficult to focus.
- Come With Openness Approach your Tarot reading with an open mind and heart. The cards might present unexpected messages that could require a different perspective to understand. Open-mindedness will help you interpret these insights constructively. Albert Einstein said, “You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.” So give yourself some grace and allow the information space and time to do its magic. Your Ah-ha moment may come days later! That's normal.
- Bring a Journal Consider bringing a journal to jot down insights during the reading. Capturing key points allows you to reflect on the guidance provided and observe how the messages unfold over time. I offer video of the readings whenever possible, but capturing your own insights in the moment are often some of the most valuable.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions To get the most thorough and meaningful insights, frame your questions in an open-ended manner, such as, "What do I need to know about ______?", instead of yes-or-no questions. This approach invites more detail to come through and it doesn't limit the scope of the answers. If you think about the fact that our biggest challenges are our "Blind Spots", we definitely don't want to phrase our question from inside that space.
Don’ts
- Don’t Schedule When You're Rushed or Stressed Avoid scheduling your reading at a hectic or hurried time. Give yourself ample time before and after the session to absorb the message and reflect without pressure. Also, don't get a reading when your stress level is too high. Give it a few hours or days until you can level out. A Tarot reading interprets your "energy" and the direction that energy is taking you. If you're at a low point mentally/emotionally, the reading might tell you a story that is worse case scenario and not necessarily accurate long-term.
- Don’t Dictate the Outcome While specific outcomes may be desired, don't focus solely on hearing what you wish to hear. The purpose of Tarot is to bring awareness and guide you, not to dictate predetermined results. That said, AFTER reading the cards, I can help you understand how to create the outcomes you want. But every masterful manifestor would tell you, there is a very important element of "allowing" and not being "attached" to outcomes. Just go with the flow!
- Don’t Forget to Reflect Reflection is a key component of Tarot reading. Right after your session, spend some moments in quiet contemplation. Did any part of it surprise or trigger you? What's at the root of that? Did it give you hope or confirmation of your path? What will you do with it now? Write these thoughts down! The changes that go on in your own mind are the secret sauce of Tarot. This is INSPIRATION!
- Avoid Alcohol, Drugs, and Lots of Sugar Refrain from consuming substances that alter your state of mind or slow your metabolism (energy) before a session. A clear head allows for better reception and understanding of the Tarot’s messages. Also, if something emotional comes up, you want to be in a place to process it and get BENEFIT & RESOLUTION, not triggered and upset.
- Don’t Neglect Self-Care Emotional topics might arise during a reading. Be sure to practice self-care before and after your session. This might mean taking a soothing bath or meditating to process emotions effectively. If you want to access solutions and transformation, that means lots of RELEASING. Drink loads of water!
- Don't Ask Questions About Timelines At the quantum level of reality, there is no time. Crazy right?! But more importantly, when you are concerned about things that are MISSING or bad things that ARE COMING, then you are asking the question from a negative state. You won't get the answers you want from that space. Instead, ask "What do I need to know about bringing _______ into my life?"
You don't need to do everything on this list to have an amazing experience, but if you're like me you want to get every morsel of wisdom and insight out of the conversation. I just wanted to give you some things to choose from and think about, since people who are new to readings might not know what to expect. The best possible thing to do is find your happy place and allow it to unfold with a child-like sense of wonder and curiosity.
Invite the magic!
