The Truth about Tarot

If you’re interested in learning the Tarot, you’ll hear people saying things like you mustn’t buy your own Tarot deck, or that they absolutely have to be kept in a piece of purple silk or a wooden box, or that you can’t read Tarot for yourself.

I know many people put huge store by ideas like these.  Everyone has their own view, and here’s what I think.

You can’t buy your own Tarot deck.

I’ve bought almost every Tarot deck I own and use.  Gifts of any kind are fabulous, and as I’m known to collect decks many people have been kind enough to give me unusual or particularly beautiful decks as presents, but when it comes to giving Tarot readings there really is no magical difference between a deck you’ve bought and one someone else has given you.

They have to be stored in purple silk

Or a wooden box, or anything else along these lines. If you strongly believe that, you’d probably be shocked to see me tumbling mine into my handbag before I go out or trying to squeeze space in my crammed office drawers for my deck.  There are practical aspects of storing cards so they don’t get bent or bruised, but for me their magical potential isn’t diminished by how I store them.

You can’t read Tarot for yourself

You can. I do. You have to be aware that you could allow your own ideas or hopes to influence what you see (Will this new business partnership work?  The ten of swords, the three of swords, the Tower and The Devil.  Hooray!  That’s a yes!) but there’s no real reason why you can’t read for yourself.

If you want to give Tarot readings, you have to start by memorising the meanings of all cards

This is a great way to discover the many layers of meaning and rich symbolism contained within each card, but I’m a firm believer that the best way is to start by looking at each card and using your own intuition.  Try it for yourself.  Spend at least ten minutes pouring over every detail in The Lovers.  Jot your thoughts and impressions down. Then look up the meaning.  You might astound yourself with the detail that you get.

I firmly believe that Tarot is a fabulous tool but the magic that allows us to use them for sacred purposes is in us.  That’s where I’m coming from in this myth-busting piece.

Have I missed anything out? Post your questions about Tarot or Tarot readings below and I’ll answer them in a future article!

Loads of love,

Michele x