Interpreting Tarot Cards

The first thing you need to know about interpreting tarot cards is that it is an entirely unique and personal process, which paradoxically makes it harder to get right. Our tarot card explanation has been written to try and help you see why this is so, and hopefully steer you in the right direction to reaching a higher level of understanding. As powerful as interpreting tarot cards can be, your instinct remains the most powerful tool you will ever own.
By exploring our emotions and discovering who we really are, we will inevitably have greater insight into our future and consequently the reasons why predicted events are likely to happen. And much more importantly (according to the old saying 'knowledge is power') we will be better placed to do something about it.
But first, it would be useful to learn something of the traditional tarot cards interpretation. These days, they are primarily known as a divination tool but, as mentioned above, can also tell us more about ourselves as individuals.

A Brief Tarot Card Explanation
The wisdom and symbolism of the tarot has been around for centuries and the lessons that they teach are as relevant to the world today as they ever were. Regardless of the artwork or style of the tarot cards you have chosen, each card will still maintain its unique message.
A pack consists of 78 cards, and they are organised in a similar way to a deck of playing cards. They are classified as either Major Arcana or Minor Arcana (arcana means secret), which in itself helps in interpreting the tarot cards that have been selected during a reading. (More information on what each card means can be found here.)
Minor Arcana are separated into 4 houses, each representing an area of life that you need to focus on. The Wands symbolise life's challenges, whereas the Cups are closely related to emotions and feelings. Swords stand for decisions that you have made or are likely to face soon. The Pentacles represent making your ideas a reality, or perhaps the need to find more practical solutions.
The Major Arcana brings with them potentially more serious lessons to be learnt. When interpreting tarot cards of the Major Arcana you will need to reflect truthfully and honestly on the areas of your life that they are asking you to address. If you find that you select many major arcana cards during one reading, then this is clearly a very emotional time for you.

Professional Tarot Card Interpretations
Professionals tend to develop their own style of interpreting tarot cards over time. Some will let the cards guide them completely and prefer to clear their minds of anything but the message that the tarot is sending them. However, others prefer to use their psychic abilities in order to gain further insights, picking up on the querant's feelings and circumstances and then asking the cards for clarification.
Some readers find that they are drawn to certain areas such as love or career prospects and specialise in readings for these areas. A lot of readers find that their tarot card interpretations are stronger and more in depth when they use particular tarot spreads such as the Celtic cross or the half moon layout. In a tarot spread the position of each tarot card will show different areas of your life as well as different stages. It is common for example, for the first card to show you where you are currently. Other card positions in the spread will cover such areas as the recent past, what your present problems are, what your future holds and how to influence it.
You will usually be informed if a reader has developed a strong affinity for a tarot spread or aspect of life. However, this should not stop them from tuning in to what is relevant to you at that current time.
Equally important to remember is that YOU are essential to a beneficial and accurate reading. Always stay relaxed and try to concentrate on any questions you would like answered - whether you reveal this question to the reader or not. Project your energy truthfully, and the cards will answer you.

Interpreting Tarots Cards for Yourself
So why is it paradoxically harder to get interpreting tarot cards right, when it's a process that's unique to you? Because you are constantly changing and evolving, and will become a different person at every stage of your life.  In other words, even you will find it hard to keep up with the real you! Fortunately the tarot will change and evolve with you, and doing readings for yourself is a good way of knowing if you're on the right track.
Every one of us has a degree of psychic ability and we use our intuition on a daily basis. While you may not experience visions of the future or be able to channel feelings as gifted psychics and readers can, the tarot will bring some level of this ability out in you. The more you work at interpreting tarot cards, the greater clarity and wisdom you will acquire. But don't expect to become an expert overnight. Be patient and realistic with yourself and your spiritual growth will be a satisfying and natural process.
If you are a complete beginner, you may find our FREE card selector useful as your first tarot card explanation tool. It will give you a 3 card reading with tarot card interpretations included and can be used either for small issues that you're facing or maybe even a daily check on what's happening in your life.
If you own a set of tarot cards yourself, you can ask them for help using a book or guide to the meanings of the cards. Do as you would do if you were having a reading done by a professional and concentrate on your question and allow your thoughts and feelings to be completely open. To start with, it is advisable to ask single questions and maybe something that covers a shorter period of time, such as the next month or so. This is a good way to test your increasing accuracy.
However, a brief word of warning. Be aware that you may be biased as your perception of personal matters can often cloud your judgement. It is common to have pre-conceived ideas about situations, especially in your relationships with others, and you will tend to favour your own point of view! If you remain true to yourself then learning about interpreting tarot cards correctly and instinctively will certainly guide you in the right direction.