Are you feeling curious about tarot but don’t know where to start? Reading tarot cards is a great way to gain insight into your life and find answers to difficult questions.
However, for those just beginning their journey in the world of esoteric knowledge, investing in a quality tarot deck can be expensive.
Fret not! Thanks to the versatility of playing cards— an accessible and fun tool— anyone can now venture into the world of intuition while using materials they already own.
Although less accurate than true Tarot readings, reading playing cards can still provide interesting predictions and offer a sense of empowerment when it comes to understanding your future path.
Not sure how? Here’s how you can begin reading playing cards as you would read tarot cards-with simple steps that will help you feel more grounded in intuitive readings (for more information, read here)!
What Do The Suits Mean When Using Playing Cards For Tarot?
Before we dive into how to actually read the cards, it is a good idea to take a brief overview of the different substitutions and meanings of the cards, and the role that they play in a traditional tarot deck compared to a pack of playing cards.
If you are familiar with tarot cards, you will be aware that there are four different suits contained within a pack: Coins or Pentacles, which represent material matters; Cups, which represent emotions; Swords, which represent mental activity; and Wands or Rods, which represent creativity.
When using playing cards for tarot readings, the suits can be interpreted similarly.
The Hearts suit can be seen as representing emotion and feelings, while the Diamonds suit can be seen as representing material matters such as money and possessions.
The Clubs suit can be seen as representing mental activity, and the Spades suit can be seen as representing creativity.
Numbers
The cards also have numbers, each of which has its own significance, and the numbers on the playing cards can also be interpreted similarly to tarot cards:
The Ace card is seen as representing new beginnings
The Two card is seen as representing balance and harmony.
The Three card is seen as representing creativity,
The Four card is seen as representing stability.
The Five card is seen as representing change and transformation.
The Six card is seen as representing success and accomplishment.
The Seven card is seen as representing spiritual growth,
The Eight card is seen as representing power and authority.
The Nine card is seen as representing completion.
The Ten card is seen as representing fulfillment.
The Royal Court
In addition to the number cards, tarot decks also have court cards; here, the Page represents a young person, the Knight represents an older person, the Queen represents a mature woman and the King represents a mature man.
There are additional associations with these court cards, but beginners can use these basic interpretations to get started.
The court cards are used to refer to people who may influence the situation that you are in, or that you are asking about.
As with any tarot reading, it is important to listen to your intuition when reading the cards, and to allow yourself to be guided by the messages that come through.
How To Read The Cards
Now that we have a better understanding of the best ways to read and understand the cards, it is time to consider the process of conducting a reading and interpreting the results.
1. Gather Your Materials
To begin, you will need a deck of playing cards and a comfortable space to work in. Make sure that the area is free from distractions and that you have enough time to focus on the task at hand.
2. Set Your Intention
Before you start shuffling, take a few moments to set an intention for the reading. This can be as simple as “I am open to receiving guidance” or “I am ready to learn more about my future.”
3. Shuffle The Cards
Once you have set your intention, start shuffling the cards. As you do so, focus on your question or topic of interest and allow yourself to be guided by your intuition.
4. Lay Out The Cards
Once you have shuffled the cards, it’s time to lay them out. Many different spreads can be used for playing card readings, but a simple three-card spread is a great place to start.
To do this, divide your deck into three piles and then turn over one card from each pile.
The first card represents the past and what has led up to the present moment, the second card represents the present and what is currently happening in your life, and the third card represents the future and what may be coming up for you.
5. Interpret The Cards
Once you have laid out the cards, take a few moments to interpret their meaning. Consider how each card relates to your question or topic of interest, and allow yourself to be guided by your intuition.
6. Reflect On The Reading
Once you have interpreted the cards, take some time to reflect on what they mean to you. Consider how the cards may be guiding you and how you can use this insight to make decisions in your life.
It can be a good idea to write down the results you have received, and your interpretations of their meanings – this will allow you to refer back to the reading in the future and note any developments or changes.
Final Thoughts
Reading tarot with playing cards can be a great way to gain insight into your life and the situations you are facing.
By setting an intention, shuffling the cards, and interpreting their meanings, you can gain valuable guidance and insight that can help you make decisions in your life – and all for the price of a simple pack of playing cards!
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