Read Your Own Damn Cards: Stop Asking Permission, Start Listening (And Maybe Smoke Some Weed)
 |
The answer, my perpetually anxious querents, is a resounding, unapologetic YES! Get over yourselves. If you're going to dive into the profound world of Tarot for self-reading, you need to shed these ridiculous, self-imposed constraints.
These Are Your Cards: Stop Acting Like an Intrusive Stranger
Please! These are your cards! They live with you. They absorb your energy. They've seen you naked (probably). Although you don't "own" them in the chattel sense, you are part of a profound, energetic union and partnership with them. It’s a dynamic, living relationship. Just like any intimate relationship, you don't have to ask for permission to speak, to ask questions, or to simply have a conversation. In fact, I would argue the connection you have with your personal Tarot deck is often more intimate, more honest, and certainly less judgmental than many human relationships. These are your guides, not some distant, easily offended deity requiring daily sacrifices.
Ditch the Dogma: All those rigid rules about consecrating Tarot cards or asking permission are often fear-based traditions, designed to make Tarot seem more mysterious or to gatekeep access to its power. Your deck knows you. It chose you, or you chose it. The connection is already there. You don't need a formal invitation to your own party.
The Partnership Principle: Think of it as a trusted confidant. Would you constantly apologize for wanting to talk to your best friend? No. You approach with respect, but also with familiarity and openness. That's the foundation of Tarot for personal growth.
Once You've Flipped the Card: It's a Conversation, Not an Interrogation
After shuffling, you have a choice, much like any social interaction: either ask a specific question, or simply let the cards speak to you first. It's like who is going to start a conversation – sometimes you have something pressing to say, sometimes you're just open to receiving wisdom. Both are valid.
But once you've flipped the card, the real work (and where most people screw up) begins:
Let Them Speak to You: Don't immediately panic or jump to conclusions. Take a breath. Look at the imagery. What's the immediate gut reaction? What story does it tell you?
When You Translate, Just Be Honest: Be brutally honest about what you see, feel, and sense. Don't censor yourself. If the Ten of Swords looks like a total nightmare, then that's exactly what it is in that moment. Your first, unfiltered impression is often the most accurate Tarot insight.
Don't Second Guess Yourself: Your intuition is speaking. Trust it. Overthinking and doubting your initial interpretation just introduces static into the clear channel you've established. This isn't a pop quiz; it's a dialogue with your inner wisdom.
Don't Google the Meaning Elsewhere (Unless You're a Beginner): If you already have an intuitive hit about what it means, then that's exactly what it means for you in that moment. Seriously, stop asking Google for an opinion. Your personal Tarot deck meaning is often unique to your situation. If you're a complete beginner, sure, consult a book or trusted resource for foundational meanings. But once you have a connection, prioritize your own internal dictionary.
Don't Re-ask the Same Question (Are You Deaf?): If you didn't like the answer the first time, asking again just screams, "I don't respect your wisdom, so give me a different answer!" This is the spiritual equivalent of nagging, and your deck hates it. It gets you nowhere.
Sugarcoating is Self-Delusion: Sugarcoating a negative card to fit a positive narrative, or vice-versa, will not change what is to come. If you pull the Tower, it's not secretly the "Happy Fun Times" card. It means upheaval. Pretending otherwise just makes you an unprepared idiot. Embrace the Tarot truth.
If You Feel "Stuck," Then Stop Reading: Your mind is clearly not susceptible to receive information clearly at that moment. That's okay. It happens even to the best and finest readers. Force-feeding yourself interpretations when you're blocked is like trying to hear a whisper in a hurricane. You'll just get gibberish. Put the deck down.
Keep in mind that you can hold a great conversation with the cards: Again, they like to talk too. Ask follow-up questions, explore nuances, dig deeper. This isn't a monologue; it's a dynamic exchange.
Your Tarot Deck: Not Your Emotional Punching Bag or Psychic Babysitter
Seriously, the level of disrespect some people show their cards is appalling.
Ask How They Feel: If you must, ask the cards how they feel about reading you at the moment. Sometimes they are in a bad mood, or the energy is just off. Trust me, if you don't ask, they will give you nasty, confusing, or outright unhelpful readings, just to prove a point. They have personalities, even if they are made of cardboard.
Stop Nagging the Deck: Stop nagging the deck because the card you picked was not of your liking. Seriously! Your deck is not responsible for your disappointment. It's delivering a message; it's not a cosmic concierge service designed to fulfill your every whim.
They are not your psychologist and are not a "make me feel good" medicine. If you need cheering up, go outside, meditate, read a book, go out with friends! Heck, drink a glass of wine and watch a "make me feel good" movie. Better yet, clean AND cleanse your home. Hell, better yet, smoke some weed!!! (Responsibly, of course). Seek actual professional help if you're struggling; don't put that burden on a deck of cards. Tarot for mental health means using it as a tool for self-awareness, not as a replacement for therapy.
They are not a tool to communicate with Ma' or Pa' who have passed on. They're not for use to inform you if ghosts are wandering around your home, or if your dead goldfish is lonely. The decks ARE a presence wandering around your home every time you call upon them, but they are not your personal Ouija board for contacting the dearly departed or confirming supernatural infestations. Seek a medium if that's your quest.
And for the sake of humanity and yours, stop yelling at the cards. They are literally made of wood pulp. Yelling at them makes you look unhinged, and it just makes the energetic connection wonky.
Beyond the Whining: Using Your Cards for Good
Once you stop treating your deck like a disobedient child or a vending machine for instant gratification, you'll unlock its true power:
Gratitude and Affirmations: Your cards can absolutely help you with your gratitude and affirmations. Yeah, that's right! I've used my cards for those very reasons. Pull a card for what you should be grateful for today. Pull a card to set an intention. They are a charm and a great reminder why you should be grateful for your life.
Manifesting Your Dreams: The cards are great at assisting with Manifesting your dreams... if you listen carefully to them. They'll show you the path, the blocks, the energies to cultivate. They are a guide, not a magic wand.
A Crucial Note for Reading Others:
Now, for those that use the Tarot deck to read strangers, family, and friends – you must be extremely specific to the deck and let it be known that the reading is for them, not about them. This goes back to our strict Tarot ethics regarding third-party readings. The distinction is paramount for maintaining integrity and avoiding karmic entanglement.
So, put down the incense, stop asking permission, trust your gut, and get real with your cards. They're waiting to talk to you.