Reading The Tarot
By Kelly O'Tillery

Similar to the practice of Yoga or meditation, reading the Tarot requires we make the mental transition from the sometimes hectic business of daily living to a calm and centered place inside ourselves. We need to be open and receptive to energies of the universe and the symbolism which lives in the unconscious recesses of our mind. This transition can be achieved simply and consistently by creating a habit or ritual in preparation for reading the Tarot.

Habits and rituals are already an important part of your life although you may not realize it. Most of us have various habits and rituals we perform each day, from the time we rise until we retire at the end of the day. Habits and rituals create order and are a way of making sure daily chores and responsibilities are carried out and completed. They also work on a psychological level, helping us get into the necessary frame of mind to deal with various tasks. For example, your morning ritual may go something like this shower, a cup of coffee, read the morning paper, eat breakfast, feed the dog, get dressed, go to work. Your bedtime ritual may go something like this choose your clothes for the next day, change into your pajamas, brush your teeth, and read for a while before going to sleep.

Exploring and learning Tarot can be approached in much the same manner. Establish a habit or ritual, a series of steps which you perform each time you work with the Tarot. This will assist you in making the mental transition from everyday life to a calm and centered place, creating a channel for an intuitive spiritual connection with the universe.

Find a comfortable room or place in your home where you will not be disturbed. Choose a special incense and candles to burn while working with the Tarot. You may want to have music playing softly in the background. You will also need your Tarot journal and pen to record your impressions of each card; your journal will become a record of your personal journey with the Tarot. You can make notes about your thoughts now, and compare them with your impressions of future spreads and readings. If possible, set up a permanent area in your home, complete with incense, candles, music, Tarot cards, and accessories. Every time you enter this special area facilitate your personal mental transition to a calm and centered place within yourself.

As you begin to familiarize yourself with the Tarot take special note of the suits and Court Cards associated with the Minor Arcana. Within the Minor Arcana there are four suits Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups. The characteristics of each suit correspond with one of the natural elements - fire, earth, air, and water. Wands correspond to the energy of fire metaphysically speaking, the energy of fire represents enthusiasm, enterprise, optimism, and action. Pentacles correspond to the energy of Earth relationships, work, money, and health. Swords correspond to the energy of air mental activity, intellect, logic, and conflict. Cups correspond to the energy of water emotions, feelings, love, and fantasy.

The suits are numbered Ace through Ten plus four court cards King, Queen, Knight, and Page. For instance, the suit of Wands begins with the Ace of Wands, proceeds on to the Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands and so on to the Ten of Wands. Next in line are the court cards, the Page of Wands, Knight of Wands, Queen of Wands, and King of Wands. Each card in the suit of Wands expresses enthusiasm, challenge, enterprise, optimism, or action.

The images and symbols of the Minor Arcana cards, also known as "Pip Cards", mirror the many experiences which collectively create the adventure called LIFE people, events, experiences, relationships in all their various forms, joy, pleasure, happiness, opportunities, challenges, obstacles, sorrow, hope and despair, action and rest.

To learn more about the Minor Arcana, separate the suits of the Minor Arcana into four groups of cards Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups - each with their corresponding Court Cards. Taking one suit at a time, look at each card, consider the colors, symbols, people, actions, and energies of the suit. Now compare individual cards to one another, for example take the number "Two" card from each suit. Two's always indicate choices, so notice the different energies of each suit's "Two" card, as well as the different choices they portray.

Do this same exercise with all of the Pip Cards including the Court Cards, and you will begin to acquire a deeper understanding of the suits and the experiences they represent.

Kelly is a professional Astrologer, Tarot reader, & instructor in Metaphysical Practices. She is also an author, poet, and Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming. Kelly can be reached for readings at Astrology of Alexandria, Las Vegas, NV 702-278-1447 or email: Otillery@aol.com