How To Read Tarot Cards Together

Advice on connecting with your tarot cards whether it’s your first time using them or you’ve owned your deck for a while.

Connecting or reconnecting to your deck can be a helpful activity, regardless of whether you haven’t picked up your deck in a long, are hesitant to conduct a reading for yourself, feel “wrong” with the readings you’ve been conducting, or have purchased a new deck.

Check out Reading Tarot for Beginners: How to Start Reading Tarot for Yourself for advice on how to pick your deck.

Being a competent reader requires you to connect with your tarot deck. But you must invest time, effort, and attention in a good relationship.

In This Article...

How can I tell if I’m not meant to work with a deck or I just need to reconnect?

The connection you have with the deck has to be strengthened, or it might not be the best fit for you at this time, if you’re having trouble getting a good reading from it or feel off with it.

It’s possible that you and your tarot deck aren’t intended to be in a serious long-term relationship if you don’t feel like you connect with it or if you don’t appear to speak the same language. There is a deck available for you if you want to learn, therefore this does not imply that you are not destined to be a reader.

However, there’s also a strong chance that you can establish the connection with a little time and effort. especially if you were initially drawn to your deck.

You can utilize some decks for specific purposes and not others. The majority of your magic will probably be performed with one main deck, although you may occasionally use other decks for fun, support, or clarity. Since decks are exquisite works of art, I love collecting them. And I adore using them when I want to switch things up or am performing a certain style of reading, but I only use my original ride or die deck for all of my professional readings and lectures.

All of this is to indicate that testing out a variety of decks is a wonderful idea. For your first deck, conduct some study, examine the imagery, and choose the one that sparks your interest.

Here are some methods for getting back on your deck. I’ve listed them in the sequence I’d perform them, but you should feel free to customize this exercise according to your own preferences.

How to connect with your tarot cards

You can accomplish this in a number of ways, including by shuffling, using crystals, moonlight, salt, or sacred incense. Click here to learn more about cleaning your deck.

Hold your cards firmly in your palms while taking a few deep breaths. After that, think about the intention you want to have for your practice with them. It could be a word, a sentence, or an emotion. You can use this time to ask any guides or spirits you enjoy working with for assistance or to help you open your channel to divine advice that is in your highest and best interests.

Cleaning the energy in the deck through shuffling. Additionally, it creates the random system that allows us to access the advice we need from the deck. We can gain a completely new viewpoint from the cards because of the randomness that shuffling creates; by doing so, we are deviating from logic and embracing the unknowable. Check out this article on card shuffling.

To get to know one another, gain some fresh perspectives, and, yes, bond, spend some time completing a tarot spread that is tailored to your deck.

What details about you do you want me to know?
Your restrictions?

What type of partnership are we capable of having?
What task are we supposed to complete jointly?
Which card can currently be my teacher?

How can I use this card to explore deeper?

Make putting your deck away a ceremony. You might keep it in a box, cover it in a special scarf, place a crystal on top of it, or place it on an altar while not in use. Choosing to follow this quick procedure at the conclusion of each session or day is a way to show your deck some love, gratitude, and appreciation.

Bonus Tarot bonding exercises:

the whole picture The Major Arcana numbers 0 to 22 should be arranged in lines of seven cards across. Next, arrange the Ace through King cards for each suit in the following order: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Take a good look at the deck in this format. Then thoroughly jumble everything together.

Select a map. To serve as your anchor and guide for connecting with your deck and intuition, choose a card based on its look and/or its meaning. Write down all the thoughts, emotions, and queries this card triggers for you in a journal. Use it to meditate. Keep track of how it manifests in your daily life and tarot practice (and keep a notebook of your observations!). When not using your deck, place this card on your altar. You can carry out this for a week or a lunar cycle before selecting another.

Put your deck beneath your pillow while you sleep. You can connect with the cards in your unconscious time if you can make it comfy.

Also keep in mind that it takes time to establish a connection and relationship with your deck. Like any relationship, it evolves as you develop and gain new knowledge.

Can a couple conduct a joint tarot reading?

Couples reading together can be enjoyable and educational for both the individual and the partnership. In some circumstances, it can also be profoundly restorative because a tarot reading can offer a neutral setting for resolving conflicts and seeing the big picture.

However, there are times when it can also be a potential land mine and make the reader an unintentional pawn in a War of the Roses.

I’ve sat with aggressive couples who were hauled to the reading against their will, controlling parents, and worse.

Some of my clients have even manipulated their partners using the reading by distorting the meaning to suit their purposes.

Even if all of these scenarios are uncommon, they can nonetheless occur occasionally, which is why both the client and the reader should practice mindfulness if a couple choose to visit the office together.

A safe and sacred environment must be established, which calls for healthy limits and mutual respect on both sides.

If a partner (parent, kid, coworker, friend, etc.) wants to attend the reading, this is my best suggestion for both couples and readers:

For the customer:

Ascertain if your companion is willing to try the experience. Don’t bring them if they genuinely don’t want to be there. Likewise, if they distract you from your work or in any other way make you feel uneasy, don’t let them sit in. Ideally, both participants should be respectful and enthusiastic.
If your relationship is having problems, approach the matter with an open mind to possible solutions rather than expecting a certain outcome.

Things can always change, and they frequently do.
Ask questions that will help your circumstance develop in a positive way.
Avoid asking “should” questions, such as “Should we move in together? “; doing so will rob you of your autonomy and put the reader in the unpleasant position of having to decide for you.

What can I do to or how can I sort are better queries.
Before you ask any questions, have a discussion with your spouse about them.
By doing so, you can steer clear of repetition.

If your circumstance is difficult, think about using different readers.
The majority of readers can maintain objectivity, but separate readers guarantee it.
It can be best to enter the room alone if you want to talk about a delicate subject.

If you and your spouse decide to split up, avoid pestering your reader to ask if the other person is still coming in for readings or to inquire about their readings. It is not your concern.
Keep things upbeat and laid-back.
In case a person changes their mind and prefers seclusion, have a waiting room outside.

Encourage the use of problem-solving questions that emphasize individual accountability and place the future firmly in the client’s hands.
You are not a marital therapist.
If the case calls for it, refer them to one.

You might need to decline to read for one partner in some circumstances.
If you are unable to maintain objectivity, you are failing the client and putting yourself in a difficult situation.
It’s best to tell them straight up and suggest someone else.

Strict client privacy must be maintained.
That implies that you keep all knowledge to yourself in the event that the pair splits up or one enters on their own.
If they ask, cut them off right away and assure them that you won’t reveal anything (that includes whether or not the person inquired about uses your services).

Coming in with a partner has numerous advantages (someone to take notes for you, sharing an experience, support, etc.), but a joint reading also calls for an atmosphere of unity and reverence on the side of both the client and the reader. Establish that tone right away, and everyone will have a great experience.

Many people want to go on the limo ride with you, but what you really need is someone to go on the bus with you if the limo breaks down. Ophelia Winfrey

Do you invite a friend or a family member to the reading?

If yes, what about that do you like?

What more words of wisdom would you impart, if you were a reader, to both readers and clients?

Please share your knowledge and experiences in the following comment section:

How many possible card combinations exist?

Consider the last card game you playedpoker, go fish, whatever. Would you think if each time you properly shuffled the entire deck, you were holding a run of cards that had never previously occurred in all of history? Think about all the card games that have undoubtedly been played since the dawn of civilization. No one has ever held or is expected to ever hold the exact same 52 cards in the same order as you did during that game.

A deck of cards can be sorted in somewhere between 8×1067 different ways, which may sound absurd. That consists of an 8 and 67 zeros. To put it in perspective, even if someone were to shuffle a deck of cards once every second throughout the course of the universe, they couldn’t locate a repeat before the cosmos collapsed. This is how probability with such large numbers operate. Even though a veteran blackjack dealer may feel they have shuffled hundreds of cards in their career, their arrangements are meaningless when compared to this many. There are simply too many different ways to arrange 52 cards for any set of cards that were shuffled at random to repeat itself.

You don’t trust me? Just think of all the combinations you can make with a deck of four aces.

Each following location in the row gets one fewer cards to choose from as the deck is dealt out. There are thus four alternatives in the first place, three in the next, and so on until just one card is left. By multiplying these figures together, it is possible to determine how many different ways a group of objects can be arranged using this mathematical pattern.

A factorial is the mathematical term for this genuinely exciting calculation, which is indicated by an exclamation mark.

Factorials often multiply the total number of items in a collection by successively lower amounts until they reach 1. Since our mini-deck contains 4 cards, there are 4 factorial, or 4!, possible arrangements, for a total of 24 possible configurations. Even though this might not seem like a particularly high number, until you reach the number 52 (or 52x51x50…), you end up with an integer that has 68 total digits, which is far larger than the estimated total number of atoms on Earth.

You might be thinking, “Wait, it can’t be unique,” considering that you’ve undoubtedly done it multiple times in your life while playing solitaire. You’d be correct, too. Decks in card games typically have a standard order, thus you need to shuffle really well (using the “riffle” approach, around seven times) before you have a deck that is truly unique.

How can I figure out my shadow card?

Greetings from #MagicMondays! I’ll publish a piece on All Things Witch every Monday. I frequently get texts about witchcraft, respond to emails about symbols, and have ritual discussions over shared meals. I made the decision to gather all of this information in one location and spread it around. Because magic resides inside of us, we are all capable of using it! Let’s start working now!

I occasionally determine a person’s birth card and shadow card during a reading. The cards even appear in the spread we lay out on the table to emphasize how important they are to people. In astrology, your birth card corresponds to your solar sign. It’s also referred to as your personality card. It represents the kind of person you are. It’s useful to consider astrology at this time. The sun wants to establish its individuality. Your sun sign’s characteristics influence the various ways in which you construct your existence. More of what you need to study is displayed on your birth certificate. Are you prepared to determine yours?

This is something I picked up from my ghoul friend Wolfie in Philadelphia a few years ago, and it has proven useful to me ever since. Okay, you must include the month, day, and year of your birthday. Here’s an illustration:

The next step is to add that number. Continue adding these numbers up until you reach a result that falls between 22* and 1.

1 + 3 + 4 = 8

This card represents your birth and is the Major Arcana card Strength.

This makes it simple to identify your Shadow card, also known as your Soul card by some teachers. In the tarot’s story, this card signifies what comes after you in life and what your soul’s mission or journey might be. You merely need to multiply the original three-digit number (134) by one to find out:

13 + 4 = 17

The Major Arcana card The Star has a counterpart in this shadow card, which is your own.

Here’s another illustration. Let’s use Kanye West’s birthday as an example:

And 11 + 0 Equals 11

It relates to his shadow card, Justice, also known as Accountability in some decks.

Your birth card is The Fool (22 = 0), while your soul card is The Emperor (2 + 2=4), if your initial number is 22.

Your initial number becomes both your Birth and Shadow card if the sum is greater than 22, which causes you to become intensely concentrated on the current phase of your life.

Additionally, you have three cards if your first number is 19. the Magician (1 + 0 = 1), the Sun, and the Wheel of Fortune (1 + 9 = 10). Similar to the Sunaltimate dynamic, in essence. When the odds are in your favor, you are a rare beast.

It was enjoyable! Before you leave, please be aware that I will be providing readings this weekend in Brooklyn (off the L, M, or B38 bus) in honor of Friday’s full moon and eclipse. I’m available on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. To arrange a meeting and learn more, send me an email or a message. I would adore reading to you!

Can I go to bed with my tarot deck?

It’s crucial to have a deck you identify with because tarot reading is such a very personal experience for each reader.”

Find the deck that resonates with you. Avoid looking at the most well-liked decks. Even if you’re purchasing online, Katelan advises taking a closer look at each deck to see which one appeals to you.” To discover a deck that speaks to you, consider how they are drawn and how they are arranged. She claims that several times she purchased or was given a deck that was lovely but didn’t exactly fit her needs. If you want accurate tarot readings, according to Katelan, you can’t force it.” Finding the deck that works for you is worthwhile.

Make sure you’re attuned to your new tarot deck when you first obtain it. Tarot cards contain a lot of energy, so while you’re getting used to them, you should be sure to clear them of any outside energy. When you receive a fresh deck, Katelan advises taking some time to browse the cards and take in the imagery. “Make careful to thoroughly mix them up, and you can use some incense to clear any energy. I wrap all of my playing cards in scarves and put them under my pillow for three nights. During that period, you’ll have some incredibly bizarre dreams, but it will also attune your energy to the cards.

Katelan advises choosing a location for your tarot card reading based on where you feel most at ease. Her home arrangement is less formal than when she reads cards professionally. She used to practice at the Bronx Botanica, which had a table set up in an altar room. “I frequently sit on the ground. If I’m performing a three-card spread, I prefer to pull cards on these old trays I have. I will either do a big spread on the couch or the floor.

In order to feel more rooted and engaged to the practice, Katelan also advises reading up on the background of tarot reading. She cites its antecedents in Jewish New York tenements throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as in Romani society. “When wars broke out or other significant events occurred, there were frequently spikes in interest in fortune telling, card reading, tea reading, and other related practices. People are looking for explanations and purpose in their own life now because of the pandemic.

How are tarot cards energized?

Being outside and breathing in some fresh air has a calming effect, and tarot cards can sense it.

Take your cards outside and fan them in the fresh air, advises Magdaleno, “especially if you’re feeling stuck or static with your readings,” to help them move more freely.

Since you don’t want to unintentionally bleach your cards in the sun, it won’t take long.

How is a relationship tarot spread performed?

We advise using this straightforward tarot spread to quickly diagnose the mechanics of a romantic connection between two people. Lay the card that is most to the left first, followed by the card that is most to the right, leaving space in the middle for a third card.

What part do you play in this relationship, you? What is your self-perception like, and how does it impact your relationship?

What function does the lover or partner play in the relationship? What do you think about your partner? How does that impact the collaboration?
the dynamics What would you say about this connection? What features does it possess?

Does the tarot card order matter?

Because so many subsequent cards drew inspiration from its iconic artwork, the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck is an excellent starting deck. The deck is referenced in practical tarot publications like 78 Degrees of Wisdom as well. Start with the Rider-Waite deck and then add more decks that speak to you to your collection. Although it is available online, you are welcome to visit your neighborhood occult shop to see what appeals to you there.

What tarot card has the most influence?

The Fool is typically seen as a card from the Major Arcana when performing a tarot reading. Contrary to popular belief, the Fool does not fall under either category in tarot card games. Instead, the Fool serves a function that is distinct from both the simple suit cards and the trump cards. As a result, the Fool has no number assigned to it in the majority of tarot decks that were initially created for playing games. Although Waite assigns the Fool the number 0, in his book, the Fool is discussed between Judgment (number 20) and The World (number 21). The Tarocco Piemontese is the only traditional game deck that numbers the Fool 0. Since the 1930s, the corner index for the Fool in Tarot Nouveau decks has frequently been a black inverted mullet. The Fool is one of the most expensive cards in practically all tarot games.