Connecting the Cards in A Tarot Reading

Transcription

1 Connecting the Cards in A Tarot Reading by The Daily Tarot Girl

2 Connecting the Cards in a Tarot Reading: Notes 1) Essence getting a feel for the cards This is where you connect to the card. It's hard to connect the cards to each other if you aren't connected to the cards! Each card has a particular vibe, energy or essence. Getting a sense for this vibe will be very helpful to you. (similar to when you meet a person, you get a feel for their personality, you pick up on a vibe like how you feel in that person's presence). Exercise: Look at a card and spend some time feeling into it this is like seeing with your heart and it helps to imagine that your eyes are in your heart as you do this. Notice the colors, the energy, what's going on, the character, expression, emotion and then the meaning all these things contribute to the vibe of a card. But also notice how you feel when you look at this card. 2) Tarot Stew! In this technique you are going to see the Tarot reading as a culinary dish and all the different Tarot cards are like ingredients in that dish. Tarot is like cooking the addition of each card is like adding spices and ingredients to a stew. With each new card, the flavor changes a bit. Some cards will have more of an effect than others. Each card = a spice,herb or vegetable (some cards have a nourishing effect like rice or potatoes think The Star, The Empress, 10 of Cups. Others are spicier like The Devil or the Eight of Wands. Some are bitter 10 of swords, 5 of cups. Some are sweet 2 of cups, 10 of Pentacles.) Exercise: Lay three cards out in a row and notice how each card effects the others. Some cards may clash, some compliment, some cards have a strong effect, others a weak effect. But a general flavor will emerge.

3 3) Storytelling: The Tarot Reading as a Stage In this technique, you will see the cards as characters in a play. The first card (or center card) acts as the main character in the play (your client). The surrounding cards are characters in the play that come to tell you various things about the main character. With each card, we gain a little more information about the person we are reading for and a story begins to unfold. *With this technique, you are connecting each card back to the center card. 4) Interactions & Conversations Make your tarot cards talk to each other! In this technique, you will make your cards come to life and have conversations with each other. Think of the cards as characters/people at a party how would they act if they were in a room together? Exercise: draw 5 cards and lay them out however you choose Look at these cards like they are people/characters (all with specific messages) and they are all at a party together. -who is loudest? (this is often the card you want to focus on) -which cards would get along best? -what cards would argue and fight? 5) Comparing Card Positions If you are reading with a Tarot spread, some card postions can easily be connected and the card's compared and contrasted. For example, in the celtic cross spread (which I demonstrate in the reading demo video), you can easily compare and contrast card #3 (goals and actions) with card #5 (subconscious influences). If these cards clash then you know the client will have a hard time realizing their goals, but if these cards are harmonious, then there will be few inner obstacles.

4 6) Noticing Repeating Themes & Symbols A symbol that appears in more than one card in a reading is a message in itself. This is often how you discern the true, important, overall message of a reading. Exercise: lay out four or five cards however you like. Look for repeating symbols, colors, directions, vibe, similar meanings, repeating numbers, suits, etc... If it feels like there are many similarities, choose the ones that seem most obvious or most interesting and just focus on those. There is no need to over-read things and focus on ALL similarities. Okay, so now what? There are similarities but what do they mean? If a symbol (example: butterflies) shows up in two or more cards ask yourself what this symbol means to you and then you can also ask what this symbol means to your client. If the color blue shows up in most of the cards ask what this color means to your client, but also tell them what blue means to you. I might read this as meaning that they need to get calm and relaxed in order to gain more clarity, since for me blue means calm and clarity. *It's really really helpful, as a Tarot reader, to have knowledge of what symbols mean. I highly recommend The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols by Adele Nozedar and Animal Speak by Ted Andrews. 7) Directions Another great way to spot the big picture of a reading is to notice what directions your card figures are facing. Exercise: lay out six Tarot cards, however you like and look for themes. Are most cards facing the same way? Or is everyone going in all different directions? Cards facing each other can have a dialogue. If most of the cards are facing you directly, this could be inviting you to look at your life head-on and face challenges directly.

5 If more than one or two cards are turning away and retreating, this could indicate a readyness to move on to new things and/or abandoning your current situation. If several cards are facing left or right, notice which cards they are there is a connection here. Cards going in the same direction can be connected. 8) Cutting through the overwhelm. It's easy to get overwhelmed when your looking at several different cards! I like to use the google earth technique - this is where I zoom in and focus on each card individually, but then zoom out to see the reading as a whole. As I zoom out a little, the card I have been reading individually suddenly has more context. I can now see the environment in which it exists. When I really zoom out and look at the reading as a whole, I am looking for repeating themes, symbols and looking for loud cards (cards that jump out at me). *Looking for repeating themes and symbols allows me to focus on what's important and tune out the less-important information in the reading. Everything is Connected! As you get better at connecting the cards in a Tarot reading, you will be better able to make connections in your own life. Each area of your life is connected nothing is separate. You can apply the techniques in this webinar to your own life and read each area of your life work, romance, money, spirituality, etc and find connections and themes that will give you a big picture viewpoint of the meaning and purpose of your life. See the PDF for specific exercises on this topic!

6 Cheatsheet: Connecting the Cards in A Tarot Reading Essence Get a feel for the essence of each card this will help you see the cards as fluid (not fixed) and make it easier for you to blend and connect the cards. Ingredients in a Recipe See each Tarot card as an indgredient in a recipe how does the addition of each card change the flavor? Which cards have a powerful effect on the reading? Tarot Reading as a Stage/Play See the Tarot reading as a stageplay that is unfolding. Each card is a different character, come to tell you a little bit about the person you are reading for. Interactions & Conversations Your Tarot reading is a party and each card is a person at that party each with their own important message. How would these cards/people talk to each other? Who is loudest? Which cards seem to mesh well? Which ones clash? Compare Card Positions Which card positions in your spread can be easily compared, contrasted and connected?

7 Notice Repeating Themes & Symbols What symbols or themes show up in multiple cards? Pay attention to color, posture, landscapes, vibe, images, numbers, suits, etc... Direction! Notice what directions the people on your Tarot cards are facing. Cards facing each other can have a dialogue they can be easily connected! And cards going in the same direction can also be linked together.

8 Getting A Feel for A Card's Essence Each Tarot card has a particular vibe, energy or essence. When you connect to the vibe of a card, it will be much easier to connect it to the other cards later on in the reading. Step 1: Draw one card from your Tarot deck Tarot card chosen: Step 2: As you look at this card, pretend you are meeting a person for the first time and trying to sense their personality. Notice how you feel in their presence. This card makes me feel... This card's personality is... Step 3: Take some more time to feel into this card. Notice the colors, symbols, energy, movement, actions, characters, landscape,

9 emotion and traditional card meaning all these things contribute to the vibe of a card. The traditional meaning of this card is... The colors that stand out are: The symbol(s) that I notice immediately are: The landscape is... The character(s) seem very... Is there movement or action happening? If so, what?

10 If you could sum up the essence of this card in just 2-3 words, what would they be?

11 Simple Tarot Reading Template In this exercise, you are going to feel into the essence of the card to come up with a one-sentence interpretation and string all the cards together! The point of this exercise is to learn to be succinct with your interpretations and connect them to each other to form a mini-narrative. Shuffle your deck and lay three cards out in a row Now, using the following template, you're going to fill in the blanks: Today I'm feeling card #2 because (or even though) in the past... card #1. But what I'm hoping is that... card #3. Here's an example of how I did this exercise for the following cards: Hermit Fool 5 of Cups Today I'm feeling fresh, excited and ready for an adventure! even though in the past... I have been a bit reclusive and inward focused. But what I'm hoping is that... I don't succumb to disappointment if everything doesn't go my way at the start. Let's try another one! Shuffle your deck and lay three cards out in a row...

12 1 2 3 Now, using the following template, you're going to fill in the blanks: Right now I am card #2 and I'm moving towards card #3. And the one thing that's going to help me is... card #1. Here's an example of how I did this exercise for the following cards: 4 of Wands Page of Cups The Tower Right now I am learning how to create beautiful things (art, poems, etc) and I'm moving towards tearing down my creative blocks and false ideas about myself. And the one thing that's going to help me is... keeping my energy grounded while I go through these big shifts. Now that you're getting the hang of this, let's do one more! Shuffle your deck and lay five cards out like this Now, using the following template, you're going to fill in the blanks:

13 In the past I have learned that card #1 and it's important to me that I card #4. But what I really want is... card #5. This is causing me to feel card #1, and the action that I can take right now that will help me the most is... card #3. Here's an example of how I did this exercise for the following cards: 9 of Wands Fool 2 of Pents 10 of Cups 6 of Pents In the past I have learned that (The Fool) when I trust in life, I can have some amazing adventures and really enjoy exploring without fear and it's important to me that I (9 of Pents) not let my worries and pessimism get in the way of me living my life to the fullest. But what I really want is... (6 of Pents) for someone to just hand me a pile of money so i could just do whatever I want without thinking about finances!. This is causing me to feel (2 of Pents) like I'm juggling my unrealisitc fantasies with my more sensible, empowering beliefs, and the action that I can take right now that will help me the most is... (10 of Cups) to focus on feeling the way I want to feel as if I have achieved total fearlessness and financial freedom.

14 Tarot Stew! Doing a Tarot reading is like making a stew or curry. The addition of each Tarot card to a reading is like adding spices and herbs to a dish you are creating. Some spices clash. Others compliment each other. Some are stronger than others. But the addition of each spice/tarot card inevitably changes the flavor! Step 1: Draw one card from your Tarot deck and lay it down on the table. Take a moment to get the feel of this card to discern it's particular flavor. This is the first ingredient in your Tarot stew. Card chosen and it's flavor : Step 2: Draw a second card and lay it down next to the first card. How does this card change the flavor of things? Do the two cards compliment each other? Do they clash? Second card and it's effect: Step 3: Draw a third card and lay it down by the other two. Now

15 things are getting more complex! How does the addition of this card/spice change the dish? Third card and it's effect: Step 4: Choose a fourth card and lay it down by the others. At this point things may start to feel a bit confusing. Stay calm! You may notice that some of the cards are similar, in which case they have an overpowering effect on the other cards. For example, if your stew has cayenne, chilli flakes, chipolte and lime juice, the hot peppers will overpower the lime. If you have The Star, 10 of Cups, The Sun and 10 of Swords, the first three will overpower the last card simply because they all have a similar energy/message. Do you notice any similarites in your cards? Any themes emerging? Step 5: If your feeling brave, go ahead and add a fifth card. Again, notice how the addition of this card changes the flavor of things. What is the overpowering flavor of your Tarot stew?

16 Storytelling: The Linear Method For this exercise, you are going to pretend you're giving a reading to another person. Someone mysterious, sexy and in need of your Tarot expertise! Step 1: Draw three cards and lay them out in a horizontal line. Step 2: Turn over the center card. This is what is going on for your client right now. Feel into the card and say out loud what your getting (yes, your family will think your crazy, but they probably already do anyway!) Step 3: Turn over the card on the left. This card shows you the events, feelings or thoughts from the past that led your client to where he/she is now. Think of this card as the prologue to a story its the backstory. It gives you the dirty details of your client's past. Yes! Now, out loud, tell your imaginary client how this card has led to his current state. Step 4: Turn over the card on the right. This card shows a snapshot of the near future of where all this is leading. It is closely linked to the center card. This card could illustrate an opportunity or a challenge (or even a warning). *Tip: Think of each card being a chapter in a story. The third card is like a sneak peek into the next chapter, even though you haven't read it yet.

17 Storytelling: Your Tarot Reading is a Stage In this exercise, you are going to do a reading for yourself or someone else. Pretend that this reading is like a play...each card reveals a new character stepping onto the stage. 2. Second character (goals & dreams) 3. Third character (the past, memory) 1. Main Character (the person being read for) 5. Fifth character (future, opportunity, action) 4. Fourth character (secrets, hidden desire, repression) Card #1: The Main Character This card represents the person being read for. He/She is the star of this play! Everything revolves around them so you will be relating all other cards back to this center card. Card #2: Another character steps onto the stage! This character comes bearing information about the main characters goals and dreams and has a lot of opinions about what the main character should want and how they should act.

18 * Is this character similar to the main character? Or totally different? How do they get along? Card #3: A third character is thrown into the mix! Things are getting interesting now...this character churns up memories from the past. * How does this character interact with the main character? Do they fight? Or help each other? Notice the directions they are facing and body language! Card #4: A fourth character makes their dramatic entrance. This characters brings to light a deep, hidden secret or repressed fear/desire. This shakes things up a little! * When the main character awknowleges this fourth character, what happens? How does that change things? Card #5: A fifth character bursts onto the scene and this character represents a new opportunity and encourages the main character to take some sort of action. * How does this final character get along with character #2? Are the hopes and dreams of the main character in alignment with the action step/opportunity being presented? With each card, we gain a little more information about the person we are reading for and a story begins to unfold.

19 Interactions & Conversations One of the best ways to connect the cards in a reading is to make your cards talk to each other! In this exercise, you are going to imagine how the following Tarot cards would interact with each other if they were people in the same room. 1. The High Priestess meets The Emperor at a wine and cheese party. How do they interact? What would they say to each other? 2. The Four of Cups works in a cubicle next to the Ten of Cups. How do they get along? What kinds of conversations might they have? 3. The Knight of Wands is stuck in an elevator with The World. What do they say/do to each other?

20 The elevator doors suddenly open and Temperance walks in. What happens now? 4. Choose your least favorite Tarot card and your favorite. Put them side by side. What does your favorite card want to say to your least favorite card? What does your least favorite card want your favorite card to understand? 5. It's a Tarot swingers party! In attendance are The Star, Seven of Cups, Knight of Swords, Four of Pentacles, The Heirophant, Ten of Wands and The Lovers. Who would be instantly attracted to each other? Who would avoid whom like the plague? Who would try to be the center of attention?

21 Who would try to control everything and get on everyone's nerves? Who would get all jealous and emotional? Who would leave in a huff? Okay, enough about swingers parties! How would you actually use this technique during a reading? What to look for in a reading: Direction: are some cards facing each other? These are naturally interacting with each other and this can be easy to spot. Are some cards turning away from each other? Pay attention to body language! Similar Cards: Are there any similar cards in your reading? These cards can be seen as allies. Which cards are different yet complimentary? (for example, the The Empress and The Emperor) Opposite Cards: Are there any opposing cards that seem to clash? Make them interact and see what happens. Card Position: If you are using a Tarot spread/layout, you can connect certain cards better than others. For example, in the Celtic Cross Spread, you can connect the card of the near future to the card of the distant future are they similar? Opposing?

22 Repeating Themes & Symbols Shuffle your deck and lay out four cards. Take a close look at each card and see if you notice any similarities. Keep in mind that something only needs to show up twice in order to be considered a repeating symbol. A repeating symbol often reveals the hidden message of the reading! Landscape: is the landscape similar in two or more cards? If so, how? What do you think that means? Color: Is one color particularly prominent? If so, what does that color represent to you? Symbols: is there a symbol or object that shows up in two or more cards? Pay attention to shapes, animals, plants, clothing, etc. What does that symbol mean to you? What could it's message be?

23 Numbers: Are there any repeating numbers among the cards? For example, if you get Ace of cups, Ace of pentacles and The Magician (1). If so, what number(s) and what does this number signify? (Feel free to look it up if you aren't sure) Suits: Is one suit (wands, cups, swords, pentacles or majors) more prominent? If so, what could that mean? For example, if you get mostly cups, it could suggest that emotions and relationships are important right now. *To make this exercise more challenging, add more cards and continue looking for repeating themes and symbols.

24 Directions! Noticing what directions your card figures are facing can be a powerful way to spot card interactions and connections. In this exercise you are going to do a reading for yourself using 9 cards. Step 1: Shuffle your deck, choose 9 cards and lay them out like this, facedown: Top row = Actions that will help you manifest your dreams Middle row = Your current situation (challenges, feelings, state of mind, etc) Bottom row = Subconscious stuff that needs to be awknowledged (desires, fears, parts of yourself you dislike) Step 2: Okay, now go crazy and turn them all over at once! Step 3: Before you start analyzing the cards individually, notice what directions the figures in the cards are facing. Typically, there will be a mix some figures facing you directly, some looking right, left, down, etc. - but see if you can spot any themes emerging. Your notes:

25 What does it mean?! If most of the cards are facing you directly, this could be inviting you to look at your life head-on and face challenges directly. If more than one or two cards are turning away and retreating, this could indicate a readyness to move on to new things and/or abandoning your current situation. If several cards are facing left or right, notice which cards they are there is a connection here. Cards going in the same direction can be connected. You may choose to see left as representing the past or the more intuitive/feminine side and the right symbolizing the future or the masculine/action side of things. If two cards are facing each other, this can suggest a connection. What would these cards say to each other if they were people in a room together? Sometimes one card will give advice and encouragement to another. Step 4: Now that you've taken note of the directions of your cards, spend some time reading the cards individually and in light of their position in the spread. Your notes:

26 The Life Reading Everything is connected! In this reading you will discover how the different areas of your life link together. Love Spirituality Health Work & Money Step 1: Choose four Tarot cards to represent the current state of the above areas of your life love, health, spirituality, work and money. Step 2: Using your favorite techniques from the webinar, connect these cards and record your insights here:

27 Reading Your Life You can use all the techniques you learned here to read your life...without Tarot cards! Step 1: Get out 4-5 sheets of paper. Each sheet will represent a different area of your life. At the top of each sheet, write a major life area. Here are some suggestions: Love/relationships Career/work Money Health Spirituality Relationship with self Creativity or hobbies Goals & dreams *Just choose the areas that feel most prominent to you right now Step 2: Feel into the essence of each area in your life (in the same way you would feel into the essence/vibe of a Tarot card) and jot a few notes down on each sheet of paper. Just some keywords, things to sum up your current experience with each life area. If your experiencing challenges in a particular area, write that down. Step 3: Look for repeating themes and connections. You might want to jot down some notes on a separate sheet of paper. Step 4: If your life is a play and each area of your life is represented by a

28 character, what would those characters be like? Write about them on their respective sheets of paper. For example, if my health was represented by a character, she would be vibrant and energetic, but also a bit obsessive and overly concerned with things. I picture her wearing glasses, reading lots and making lots of lists and schedules. Step 5: Notice which areas clash and which are harmonious. Often, we can improve one area of our life simply by observing why another area of our life works so well. Can the character from one life area give advice to another life area? For example, my conscientious health character might tell my head-inthe-sand money character to read some books about money and make a regular habit of taking care of financial things (in the same way I read about health and make a regular routine out of exercise and eating well). Step 6: If your life is a soup or stew, which ingredients sweeten it? Spice it up? Sour things? Overall, what flavor does your life have right now? If you aren't satisified with things, what ingredients could you add?

29 About Kate (aka The Daily Tarot Girl) Hello there! I'm Kate and I love reading the Tarot intuitively and teaching others to do the same. I also love to write, bellydance, paint and read lots and lots of books! If you love Tarot as much as me, and especially if your totally new to Tarot, check out my website daily-tarot-girl.com it's packed with tons of great learning resources like videos, exercises, articles, tarot spreads and more. I also teach private Tarot lessons via telephone or Skype, so if you would like to work 1-on-1 with me and take your reading skills to the next level, then you can check out my Tarot Mentoring services or contact me directly at kate@daily-tarot-girl.com Happy Tarot Reading! xoxo Kate