Navigating the world of tarot can feel a little intimidating at first.  With so many cards, each with different meanings, it's easy to get lost.  But it doesn't have to be overwhelming.  At its core, tarot is about connecting with your intuition, and your cards are simply a tool to help you do that.

This is my personal approach to reading tarot, and I hope it helps you find your own way.

1. Find a Deck That Speaks to You

Before you even think about pulling a card, you need a deck.  This is probably the most important step because your deck is your partner in this process.  You're going to be spending a lot of time with its imagery, so you should genuinely like it.

It's just like finding a friend—you have chemistry with some people more than others.  The right deck will "talk" to you in a visual language you understand. Look for a deck that has a style, characters, and overall feel that you connect with.

2. Ask the Right Questions

Tarot isn't about telling your future; it's about gaining insight and clarity.  That's why I always recommend avoiding "yes or no" questions.  Instead, try to ask open-ended questions that encourage a more detailed, thoughtful response.

For example, instead of asking, "Will I get the promotion?" try asking something like:

• "What can I do to improve my chances of getting the promotion?"

• "How does my boss perceive me right now?"

• "What do I need to learn or focus on to take the next step in my career?"

No matter what you ask, always be clear about your intention.  Before you pull a card, take a moment to concentrate on your question.  This focuses your energy and helps you get a more direct answer.  While it's tempting to pull a bunch of cards at once, I suggest starting with just one card.  It's a great way to get a clear starting point.  If you need more information, you can always pull a second card to clarify the first one.

For example, let's say you ask, "What can I do to get the promotion?"

• You pull the Six of Pentacles, which can be about giving or taking, generosity, or balanced relationships. You're not sure how that relates to your promotion, so you ask for a clarifying card.

• You then pull The Hierophant, which represents institutions, values, and spiritual guidance or a teacher.

• Together, these cards might suggest that you need to find a mentor (The Hierophant) to offer you guidance and support (the Six of Pentacles) in order to get that promotion.

Once you get comfortable with single cards, you might want to try a spread for a more comprehensive reading.  Spreads are structured layouts that tell a story, with each card's position giving you more specific insights into your question.  To get started, I've put together a collection of free tarot spreads for you. 

3. Read with Your Intuition

When you first start, looking at a card can be daunting.  You see the image, and then you try to remember a list of definitions.  While a "cheat sheet" with keywords can be a great tool, it's only part of the equation.  The imagery is key.

Look at the card and pay attention to what stands out.  What are the people doing? What's their expression?  How do you feel when you look at it? Trust that your intuition will guide you.  It might feel like you're "cutting through the clutter" at first, but with practice, you'll find that certain elements of a card will "pop out" at different times, giving you the specific message you need.

This is exactly why I created the Practical Everyday Tarot deck.  I wanted to make a deck with relatable people and situations that are easy to connect with, along with clear keywords to make the process more intuitive and less overwhelming.

4. End with Gratitude

When your reading is complete, remember to say thank you.  You can thank your cards, the universe, your guides—whatever higher power you feel connected to.  This simple act of gratitude helps to bring closure and release the energy of the reading.

Now that you have a better idea of where to start, which step in your tarot journey are you most excited to try first? 

Sometimes, the cards surprise you with a message so clear it gives you goosebumps.  These are a couple of readings I did using the Practical Everyday Tarot deck that showed me just how powerful and practical tarot can be.

The Moving Day Reading

A few weeks ago, I almost forgot to do my daily morning reading.  I was in a hurry because I was heading out to help a friend move into his new house.  I decided to do a quick pull and asked, "What can I expect today?"

I kid you not, the two cards I got were the Six of Pentacles and the Four of Wands.

Here are the cards so you can see the images for yourself!  It was an incredible reminder that the cards can speak to us in the most literal and relatable ways, especially when we're paying attention.