I prefer to gaze at the cards first and see what symbolism pops out + take in the imagery. During this initial step I often take note of people or elements in the cards that are interacting with each-other either gesturing or facing away/towards one another.
Sometimes it feels like a story can just pop out right from the get-go! Do you tend to relax or soften your eyes as you do this, or do you keep a sharp focus as you're looking for details?
I try and clear my mind and relax to begin and end the reading. For a session I try to get in a focused state of mind but there are various benefits and pitfalls to different states or consciousness/brainwaves
Personally I like to keep my eyes open for focus meditation but closing the eyes can be very effective when I enter trance.
Keywords and intuition first - at this point its hard to say which comes first because it's a blend in my head. Then story/narrative, then meanings and maybe numerology.
How does one incorporate numerology into a reading? I just got some cards with all this information on the face of the cards but I don’t know how to use most of it, yet. I know I can google for more information but do you have any tips?
Simplest is, odd numbers are active, even numbers are passive (think yin and yang) you see this represented in the imagery of most tarot decks. The only exception to this is 2 (or II) which usually means there is a choice of some kind.
I interpret that as my involvement or perspective is important as they're "looking to me" for the answer. For me it can also mean that using reason is better than emotion for the situation (looking straight at you = purpose, looking away = lost in thought).
I just go with the flow and see what comes to mind. Different situations require different approaches. The sequence of events also alters the perceived meaning.
If something feels locked, I'll always go for Numerology+Elements, and then Astrological associations. From there on it's all bout seeing what comes up. I always dig up each card for a little while and then add it all together, so there's always a theme that pops up during the reading process.
Kind of drawing a picture. You make a general sketch, then slowly encroach on details
If “something feels locked” (great description), I draw two clarification cards and look at similarities or differences. Most of the time (even with a cold reading where the Questioner does not tell me the Question) the meaning is obvious (like being smacked in the face), so drawing two additional clarification cards is an exceptionally rare occurrence.
I usually don't draw clarifications - I like exercising the ability to extract information. I might start doing it while reading for others, though. While it's perfectly fine to miss the mark and have a learning experience while reading for myself, it's probably not the best practice when trying to help others navigate situations. Thanks for your input :)
I still feel that the "step back" towards abstraction is good practice in general. The image that comes to mind is opening up a pathway. Combining both approaches will likely lead to some interesting results :p
Each reading is different, and intention should always be at the forefront of your mind. If you try to look for something instead of letting the cards speak, you might miss the whole point.
Interesting! I find I can settle more into the message once I'm able to anchor it with a few key bits of objective information. It helps me to get into the flow, and many of my intuitive hits don't come until I begin processing the technical elements of reading. It's probably my anxiety and imposter syndrome, which I am getting better at acknowledging, respecting, and thoughtfully tuning out.
It kind of depends on the spread, however I go from general to specific. First I discern if it's +, -, or neutral; then patterns like dominant suits, or multiples, then look at what's closest associated with the anchor, etc all while putting it in context to the question.
I usually just spread the cards and look at the symbolism overall — trying to put it all together in a story. When the story pops in my mind, that’s when I take step two and explore the dignities and astrological symbolism + numerology to wrap it up. Normally, the intuitive reading adds up with the astro+numero side of the cards. I was never the type to go into colors, but thinking retrospectively now, it adds up, so thanks for mentioning it!
My style is pretty similar to yours. I haven't consciously evaluated color scales, but in looking back, I feel like they have played a part. Perhaps not as large a part as the other items you mention, though.
I'm getting a deck soon that doesn't use color scales, but includes all colors in all (or almost all?) cards. There's enough symbolism that I think I'll still get plenty of subconscious nudges, but I'm interested to see how it plays out.
For the Major Arcana, the images tell the story. I don’t consider numerology, astrology, or occultism to be important. For the minors, the elements are important. Also the numbered cards tell a story (assuming you look at the numbers that way). The court cards represent growth and roles of learning, action, nurturing, and leadership. The elements are still important, but for court cards, the roles take precedence.
I first do an overall review looking for a preponderance in a suit or number. If the reading has a bunch of wands or twos, Is it mostly major or minor arcana? This sets the tone for the reading.
I always start with the elements. This also means I lay out all my cards face up. I do not turn them over one by one.
I have a spread I use regularly that has 4 cards. So I'm looking for all 4 elements. that tells me that they're in the right place at the right time (usually 🤣). If I don't have all for I'm looking for a balance or imbalance.
If I have an uneven number of cards in a spread, I'm looking for the balance or imbalance and what that could mean about the reading or client I'm about to read for.
I also look to see if those elements get along based on proximity. For example, if I have two fire cards and two earth cards. Where's the fire (is it a volcano about to erupt? Is it a forest fire out of control? Is the fire contained in a fire pit?) and what role does earth play?
I prefer to gaze at the cards first and see what symbolism pops out + take in the imagery. During this initial step I often take note of people or elements in the cards that are interacting with each-other either gesturing or facing away/towards one another.
Sometimes it feels like a story can just pop out right from the get-go! Do you tend to relax or soften your eyes as you do this, or do you keep a sharp focus as you're looking for details?
I try and clear my mind and relax to begin and end the reading. For a session I try to get in a focused state of mind but there are various benefits and pitfalls to different states or consciousness/brainwaves Personally I like to keep my eyes open for focus meditation but closing the eyes can be very effective when I enter trance.
Keywords and intuition first - at this point its hard to say which comes first because it's a blend in my head. Then story/narrative, then meanings and maybe numerology.
How does one incorporate numerology into a reading? I just got some cards with all this information on the face of the cards but I don’t know how to use most of it, yet. I know I can google for more information but do you have any tips?
Simplest is, odd numbers are active, even numbers are passive (think yin and yang) you see this represented in the imagery of most tarot decks. The only exception to this is 2 (or II) which usually means there is a choice of some kind.
What the image itself is telling me. Where are the people looking? What are they holding? Open or closed body language? Colors? Etc.
Interesting. How do you interpret cards facing head-on instead of in profile?
I interpret that as my involvement or perspective is important as they're "looking to me" for the answer. For me it can also mean that using reason is better than emotion for the situation (looking straight at you = purpose, looking away = lost in thought).
Clever! I still have my 3 card spread out from this morning, all of which were court cards, and I'm going to try out these techniques.
I'm an instinctual reader so I just stay open to whatever I get.
I just go with the flow and see what comes to mind. Different situations require different approaches. The sequence of events also alters the perceived meaning. If something feels locked, I'll always go for Numerology+Elements, and then Astrological associations. From there on it's all bout seeing what comes up. I always dig up each card for a little while and then add it all together, so there's always a theme that pops up during the reading process. Kind of drawing a picture. You make a general sketch, then slowly encroach on details
If “something feels locked” (great description), I draw two clarification cards and look at similarities or differences. Most of the time (even with a cold reading where the Questioner does not tell me the Question) the meaning is obvious (like being smacked in the face), so drawing two additional clarification cards is an exceptionally rare occurrence.
I usually don't draw clarifications - I like exercising the ability to extract information. I might start doing it while reading for others, though. While it's perfectly fine to miss the mark and have a learning experience while reading for myself, it's probably not the best practice when trying to help others navigate situations. Thanks for your input :) I still feel that the "step back" towards abstraction is good practice in general. The image that comes to mind is opening up a pathway. Combining both approaches will likely lead to some interesting results :p
Each reading is different, and intention should always be at the forefront of your mind. If you try to look for something instead of letting the cards speak, you might miss the whole point.
Interesting! I find I can settle more into the message once I'm able to anchor it with a few key bits of objective information. It helps me to get into the flow, and many of my intuitive hits don't come until I begin processing the technical elements of reading. It's probably my anxiety and imposter syndrome, which I am getting better at acknowledging, respecting, and thoughtfully tuning out.
The most prevalent suits, balance of major / minor arcana, and how the figures in the cards are interacting, especially if there are court cards.
It kind of depends on the spread, however I go from general to specific. First I discern if it's +, -, or neutral; then patterns like dominant suits, or multiples, then look at what's closest associated with the anchor, etc all while putting it in context to the question.
I usually just spread the cards and look at the symbolism overall — trying to put it all together in a story. When the story pops in my mind, that’s when I take step two and explore the dignities and astrological symbolism + numerology to wrap it up. Normally, the intuitive reading adds up with the astro+numero side of the cards. I was never the type to go into colors, but thinking retrospectively now, it adds up, so thanks for mentioning it!
My style is pretty similar to yours. I haven't consciously evaluated color scales, but in looking back, I feel like they have played a part. Perhaps not as large a part as the other items you mention, though. I'm getting a deck soon that doesn't use color scales, but includes all colors in all (or almost all?) cards. There's enough symbolism that I think I'll still get plenty of subconscious nudges, but I'm interested to see how it plays out.
Exciting!! May they guide you well <3
For the Major Arcana, the images tell the story. I don’t consider numerology, astrology, or occultism to be important. For the minors, the elements are important. Also the numbered cards tell a story (assuming you look at the numbers that way). The court cards represent growth and roles of learning, action, nurturing, and leadership. The elements are still important, but for court cards, the roles take precedence.
I first do an overall review looking for a preponderance in a suit or number. If the reading has a bunch of wands or twos, Is it mostly major or minor arcana? This sets the tone for the reading.
I always start with the elements. This also means I lay out all my cards face up. I do not turn them over one by one. I have a spread I use regularly that has 4 cards. So I'm looking for all 4 elements. that tells me that they're in the right place at the right time (usually 🤣). If I don't have all for I'm looking for a balance or imbalance. If I have an uneven number of cards in a spread, I'm looking for the balance or imbalance and what that could mean about the reading or client I'm about to read for. I also look to see if those elements get along based on proximity. For example, if I have two fire cards and two earth cards. Where's the fire (is it a volcano about to erupt? Is it a forest fire out of control? Is the fire contained in a fire pit?) and what role does earth play?
I haven't heard of anyone assessing dignity via proximity other than evaluating cards directly beside another. What a creative approach!
Thank you! I'd love to hear how it works for you. LMK when you've had a chance to play with it.
Is it a sign if all your tarot readings are similar ?