How to Read Tarot Cards

Get a deck of tarot cards. The Rider-Waite tarot deck is a good choice to start with. Shop online or at bookstores, which often carry tarot decks.

Use a scarf or cloth and wrap your cards to create a safe and clean environment. You may also want to buy a special box in which to store your wrapped deck.

Season your deck of cards by sleeping with the wrapped cards next to your heart or under your pillow for a week. Now you're ready to read!

Concentrate on the question being asked, and shuffle the deck. You can mix the cards in a big pile using both hands, and then gather them up neatly and proceed with a regular card shuffle.

Cut the deck. If reading for someone else, have him or her ask the question out loud as he or she cuts the deck. If you do the reading for yourself, ask your own question as you cut.

Deal the cards using the tarot spread of your choice. A simple card spread is four cards in a diamond shape.

Look first at the design on the cards. Cards that look right side up for the reader are in a positive position; cards that look upside down for the reader are reversed. Reversed cards indicate conflict or blocked energy or weaken the card's influence.

Begin to learn the card meanings. Start with the Related Site, "Individual Tarot Cards," or a good book.

Come up with your own card meanings and descriptions to personalize your reading style. Don't be afraid to follow your instincts.