The Sceptic's Tarot

I have more tarot-reading tips for you!

I repeat a series of 55 tarot tips every few months on Facebook, X, Bluesky, and Threads. See you there!

• Watch out for progression in the symbols on your cards. For example, suppose you have the Page of Wands followed by the Nine of Pentacles in your spread. Look how the desert surrounding the Page transforms into a garden in the Nine of Pentacles (in the Rider-Waite Tarot). Similarly, a path in Temperance becomes a mountain in the Fool. Is there any significance in these progressions for your reading? Perhaps something in your situation has undergone a similar transformation, for example from barren to fruitful.

• More progressions! Look for progressions and regressions in numbers. For example, suppose you draw the Ace of Wands followed by the Nine of Swords: the progression is from 1 (Ace) to 9. Or perhaps you draw the Ten of Wands followed by the Two of Cups: a regression from 10 to 2. Or perhaps you draw a Page (a child) followed by a Queen (adult): a progression from immaturity to maturity, from childhood to adulthood. Is there a significance in this progression or regression? Should you start over (from a higher number to an Ace), learn new skills (from a lower to a higher number), or change your attitude (from immaturity to mature)?

• If you have two cards in your tarot spread that seem to be opposites, e.g. the Empress and the Emperor or the High Priestess and the Hierophant, they might be suggesting different ways to look at the problem. The Empress would view the problem from a relationship and emotions point of view; the Emperor would take a rational position. The High Priestess would emphasise intuition and non-traditional spirituality; the Hierophant would focus on tradition and established religion.

• Don't draw one card after the other or endless clarification cards if you feel stuck on a problem, especially if you're a beginner. Too many cards will only overwhelm you. Even experienced tarot readers find that 3 to 5 cards are enough for most readings. And clarification cards can be more confusing than helpful. The secret is to sit with each card until you're satisfied with the interpretation. If you're stuck on a card, move on to the next, but come back to the difficult card. The other cards in your spread may suggest a way to interpret it. Most of all: don't give up! You can look at this article for help, or follow me on social media for the tips series.

• Don't settle for quick, superficial readings; they waste time and give only superficial answers. Delve deeper to look for patterns, themes, card interactions, and more. A quick reading will not guide you to personal growth and understanding.

• Don't be afraid of 'scary' cards like Death or the Devil. Cards can't harm you; your choices determine your future, not the cards. All cards have a spectrum of meanings. And the cards may be reflecting your fears, or patterns you need to break, limits, or blocks and challenges in your way.

• Tarot cards often have a sense of humour. An irreverent or funny thought might pop into your head when you first see a card. Sometimes a reading is so accurate you can only laugh. Tarot doesn't have to be serious all the time! Remember the saying: "Many a true word is spoken in jest." Have fun!

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