Teaching yourself Tarot

[WineOrGinOrBoth]

Has anyone done this? Does it work? Or is it a waste of time..

Thinking it may save me money in the long run if I can do my own readings!

TIA

there are loads of amazing lessons on youtube, all free!

Thank you - what sort of pack should I purchase or are they all the same? I know nothing

It is very easy to pick up, the more you practice the more you will remember about the houses and cards. I've had my deck since I was a child, maybe 8 or 9. I would avoid buying any of the new non traditional decks promoted by Instagram mystics, it's just a money making exercise. Most decks come with pretty comprehensive instructions, and as a PP said you can find some useful YouTube videos too I'm sure. You should definitely DIY if you want guidance from a Tarot reading, it is actually considered bad form to charge for readings - it's a gift that should be given freely.

I agree with going for a traditional deck, but browse and pick one you're drawn to.

Thank you 😊- I’ve no psychic abilities though so I’m concerned it may not work for me. But I’m quite looking forward to trying

I find it a useful mindfulness exercise. I don’t do readings for anyone else.
I like the Scapini deck, bought it about 30 years ago.

You can teach yourself, but as each card is interpreted, it's difficult to read your own, due to bias.
However, it's great to read friends, I also do other readings.
This is how it was meant to be, non of this woo stuff. It was more like a counselling service with a wise gypsy woman telling you the answers to your dilemmas through the cards, or stars, or leaves, crystal ball etc.

thank you.

Should I start with a beginners deck & would you buy online or try & get to a shop? Fingers crossed there is one near me

I wouldn’t buy a beginner deck unless you really like the artwork. Choose the illustrations you like best and get a book for beginners, all the principles are the same which ever one you use.

I'd recommend choosing something you're really drawn to. Something that you look at and love

Thank you all

I taught myself tarot this year after fannying about with it for years.

My tips would be to regularly watch tarot card readers on YouTube. I watch them do my horoscopes (my favourites are Chanel Bader and Ramblin Mike) It just gives you a good idea of the different meanings of the cards and some of the spreads and the different interpretations.

Secondly, I would buy a Rider Waite deck to start with. You need to learn the imagery of the cards and I think these will be the best ones for that. You can always go off piste once you've learnt the basic meanings and buy a deck that appeals more aesthetically if you want but it's important to get a feel for the original images and how they make you feel. A lot of tarot is learning to go with your gut.

Thirdly, there are lots of websites that give the meanings and some apps you get for your phone. Biddy Tarot and Labyrinthos are good ones to start with.

And lastly, I would recommend only reading your cards in the upright positions to start with as it will get confusing trying to learn the reversed meanings as well. Some readers don't even bother with the reversed.

Good luck!

Thank you so much!

Try to go for a deck that has a proper picture on every card (e.g Rider Waite).

With some decks like the Marseille, you will only get pictures on the 22 Major cards and the other cards will just show a plain ten of cups or five of swords etc. It's much easier to feel connected to the cards and get the hang of them if you can see a picture that links in to the meaning of them.

I think reading the cards for yourself works really well, as you will come to know the personal significance of each card. (e.g. the king of Cups might remind you of your Uncle Harry, and that will carry a whole load of extra significance for you when he pops up in a reading.)

Thank you