Lesson 3.

 

Getting Started - Focus Cards
and creating the right environment.

The best way to learn how to read the tarot cards accurately, is for you to begin each day by shuffling your tarot cards and picking a focus card for the day.

Pick up your tarot cards; close your eyes and just breathe gently for a few moments. Ask your guides to help you pick a tarot card that will assist you today. Shuffle the tarot cards face down. You can (if you wish) cut the cards and 'then' choose a card.

In your journal write down the date, the tarot card you picked; and without looking up any of my references to meanings; or anyone elses references to meanings; write a list of a few key words that 'come' to you in your head. List the words at the left hand side of your journal; one word per line (See example below.).

Now take time out to look up the key words associated with your card in my key word table at the back of this book. At the right hand side of each key word, list the key words that you feel match yours; or give you more insight to the card's meaning. Make a note as to whether this tarot card feels positive or negative to you. Just go with your first gut feeling.

Date: 13 March 1998	Card Drawn: Knight of Wands
My Key words:	Jill's Key words:
Adventure New Opportunities Blonde-Haired Man Travel	Impulsive Hot tempered Impulsive Adventurous Cocky
I feel this card is	Positive / Negative
Details: In this section, take time to write about how your day went; and if the card you chose for today reflected your mood or experiences. It doesn't have to be long-winded, just a paragraph will do. Today was a pretty good day. I've the opportunity to go for that promotion at last. I think Colleen was a bit narked that I was trying for promotion, but I feel I'm ready to take on new challange. Was a bit impulsive at lunch time. I treated myself to a nice pair of white stiletto shoes that I've been fancying for a while. Had a row with my sister this tea-time, so I guess that must be the hot tempered bit of the card, lol. Feel that overall my day was a positive one.

By doing this on a daily basis, you're not only learning to interpret the tarot cards, you're also beginning to tap into your internal state and intuition.

Over a period of time, say one month, you'll be able to see which area's of your life you're currently learning the most lessons in. For example, let's say that you have mostly major Arcana cards. This represents you currently experiencing major turning points, so you will have consider your actions carefully to acheive a positive outcome. If you find you have mostly Pentacles in your focus cards, security and money are the key areas you need to work on. Cups represents emotions and relationships, Swords represent family matters, justice, clear thinking, courage and truth, whilst Wands represent career, opportunities and travel.

Some people Ive trained, like to use different coloured pens for different suits, so that at a glance they can see how their lives are unfolding and whether or not, there is any particular theme that requires their attention.

You don't have to choose any particular time in the day, but to be successful, it's very important that you commit yourself to picking a focus tarot card every day.

The Right Environment

To read the tarot cards well, requires that your environment both externally and internally to ensure your reading is understood and meaningful.

Don't read the cards if you're stressed, tired, just had an argument, bored or there's too much noise around you. Try to create a sacred sanctuary where you can go to focus on your intuition and tarot cards. By having a sacred space it helps to build the energy levels in that area which will enable you to tap into your intuition much quicker and stronger.

I remember a client of mine, created a space for herself under her stairs in a cupboard. She burnt incense, used pale blue lights to symbolise communication and she placed blue cushions to sit on and a small low table on which to place her cards. You don't need a lot of space, a corner of your bedroom will do. It needs to be somewhere quiet, where you feel at peace.

You can use colour, crystals, figurines of angels, fairies, Jesus, Buddha, incense or essential oils, candles, plants, anything that helps you create somewhere you feel comfortable and relaxed.

As well has having the right external environment, make sure internally you're relaxed, open and accepting of the messages within the cards.

If you're a negative person, your readings will err towards the negative and if you're positive person, you will read the cards only in a positive way. Take what is offered, don't reject what you get, if you find it's not the answer you wanted to hear.

Focus on what you want to know, the more focused and specific you are, the more insightful the answers will be. For example, if your house is up for sale and you want to know when your house will sell, it's no use, shuffling the cards thinking, will my house sell. In this example, you'd probably get a yes, but it won't tell you when. By asking the question in a more specific way, will my house sell in the next six months? You'll find the tarot cards will bring you clearer answers.

Have reverence for the cards, respect the guidance they bring you, and remember they are a tool to help you focus on any given situation.

Before reading for yourself, write down your questions. Be accountable for your reading, by this I mean, recognise the tarot cards are designed to help you arrive at a decision. The decision must be yours, the cards won't tell you what to do. Try to ensure your questions are specific and focused. Also remember if you're doing a reading the focus's on the future, the tarot cards will show you things that will unfold, if you do not make any major changes. Look at positively at the cards and try to understand what they are telling you and what you may need to change in order to acheive a more positive outcome. For example:-

Right way to ask	Wrong way to ask
What do I need to do, to ensure my relationship will last?	Will my relationship last?
How might I improve my financial situation?	Will my finances improve soon?
How might I attract a lover?	Will I find my soul mate?
How can I improve my chances of getting pregnant?	Can I have children?
What course will my career take over the next six months?	Am I going to get another job?
What will unfold in my (relationship, career), if my current course of actions remain unchanged.	What should I do about my relationship/career/ finances?

 

Finally, store your cards somewhere safe for protection. You can use a box, buy a special tarot card bag, or even make your own. You can wrap your cards in a silk scarf, or favourite piece of material. Remember that your cards absorb your energies, so if you intend to read for others as well as yourself, it's best to have two packs of cards. Don't allow others to touch the cards you use for personal guidance.

 

 

Click here to access Lesson 4