Have you ever been curious about tarot and wondered how to do a tarot reading on yourself? The practice of tarot reading, once seen as mysterious and exclusive to fortune-tellers, has become a powerful tool for self-reflection, guidance, and personal growth. Whether you’re at a crossroads, feeling uncertain, or just curious about what lies ahead, learning how to read tarot cards for yourself is both empowering and surprisingly simple.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of doing a tarot reading on yourself, even if you’ve never picked up a tarot deck before. We’ll also explore practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and real-life examples to help you build confidence in your readings.
What Is a Tarot Reading?
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand what a tarot reading actually is. Tarot is a symbolic language made up of 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and Minor Arcana (56 cards). Each card carries its own meaning and energy, designed to tap into your subconscious and reflect back hidden truths or insights.
Contrary to how it’s often shown in movies, tarot isn’t about predicting the future or spooky fortune-telling. It’s a tool for self-reflection and guidance. Whether your question is about love, career, or personal growth, tarot helps you gain clarity by tuning into your own intuition.
Why Do Tarot Readings for Yourself?
Reading tarot for yourself is a powerful way to develop your intuition and understand your own feelings and challenges more deeply. Here’s why self-readings are so valuable:
- Self-Reflection: Tarot encourages you to pause, reflect, and check in with your emotions.
- Decision-Making: It helps you see potential paths, making it easier to make thoughtful choices.
- Empowerment: You don’t need to rely on someone else for spiritual insight—you can tap into it anytime.
- Learning Tool: Practicing on yourself helps you learn the meanings of each card naturally.
The more you read for yourself, the stronger your intuitive connection with your deck becomes.
Step-by-Step: How to Do a Tarot Reading on Yourself
Here’s the complete process to get started, even if you’re a total beginner.
Step 1: Choose Your Tarot Deck
Pick a deck that resonates with you. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is highly recommended for beginners because its imagery is clear, and there are plenty of resources to help with card meanings. However, if you’re drawn to a different style—like nature-themed or minimalist decks—follow your intuition.
Step 2: Cleanse and Connect with Your Deck
Before your first reading (and regularly after), it’s important to cleanse your deck of any residual energy. This helps ensure that the messages you receive are clear and specific to you.
Ways to Cleanse Your Deck:
- Gently tap the deck three times to clear energy.
- Use smoke from sage or palo santo.
- Place the deck under moonlight overnight.
After cleansing, spend a few moments shuffling the cards while thinking about your intention or simply connecting with their energy.
Step 3: Set Your Intention or Ask a Question
Before drawing cards, get clear on your intention or question. Avoid Yes/No questions, as tarot is best for open-ended exploration.
Examples of Good Questions:
- “What energy do I need to embrace today?”
- “What lesson am I currently learning in love?”
- “How can I overcome this obstacle in my career?”
The clearer your intention, the clearer your reading will be.
Step 4: Shuffle and Draw the Cards
There’s no single “right” way to shuffle. You can do a standard overhand shuffle, a riffle shuffle, or spread them out on the table and select intuitively.
When you feel ready, pull your cards. For beginners, a simple 3-card spread is a great place to start:
- Past – Events or energies leading up to the situation.
- Present – Where you currently stand.
- Future – Potential outcome or direction.
Step 5: Read the Cards
Now comes the interpretation. Take your time and look closely at each card.
Things to Consider:
- Imagery: What symbols, colors, or figures catch your attention?
- Upright or Reversed: Reversed cards may indicate blocked energy or challenges.
- Guidebook Help: It’s perfectly fine to reference a guidebook, especially in the beginning.
- Trust Your Intuition: Even if you’re unsure, go with your gut—intuition is a muscle you build over time.
Pro Tip: Many readers keep a tarot journal. Writing down each reading helps track your progress and reveals patterns you might otherwise miss.
Practical Example: A Real-Life 3-Card Self-Reading
Question: “How can I improve my emotional well-being this month?”
Cards Pulled:
- The Moon (Past) – Recent confusion or hidden emotions.
- Queen of Cups (Present) – A need for emotional self-care and nurturing.
- Temperance (Future) – Finding balance and healing through patience.
Interpretation:
This spread suggests clarity will come from self-compassion and balanced living. The Moon indicates you are moving away from confusion, the Queen of Cups calls for nurturing, and Temperance signals peace and integration are ahead.
Tips for Accurate and Insightful Self-Tarot Readings
To get the most out of your self-readings, keep these tips in mind:
- Create a Quiet Space: Light a candle, play soft music, and minimize distractions.
- Stay Neutral: Don’t “hope” for certain cards to appear—it can cloud your interpretation.
- Take Photos of Spreads: Document your readings for future comparison.
- Practice Regularly: Consistency strengthens your intuition and familiarity with the cards.
- Reflect on the Outcome: Check back after a week or a month to see how the reading aligned with real-life events.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reading for Yourself
- Asking the Same Question Repeatedly: This can muddy the energy and create confusion.
- Using Too Many Cards: Start with 1–3 cards until you feel comfortable.
- Depending on Tarot for Every Decision: Tarot is a guide, not a substitute for action.
- Ignoring Reversed Cards: Even challenging cards have important lessons.
Deepening Your Tarot Practice
Once you’re comfortable, you can expand your practice by:
- Learning about numerology and elemental symbolism (Cups = Emotions, Swords = Intellect, etc.).
- Studying astrology connections (e.g., The Emperor is linked to Aries).
- Using oracle decks to add depth to your readings.
- Exploring shadow work with tarot to face hidden fears or subconscious beliefs.
Trust the Process
Learning how to do a tarot reading on yourself is a journey. It’s okay to feel uncertain at first. With practice, tarot can become more than just a deck of cards—it can be a trusted companion on your path to self-discovery and inner wisdom.
Would you like me to write a step-by-step guide for specific spreads, like the Celtic Cross or the Horseshoe Spread? These are great for more detailed questions and can help deepen your practice.