How to Read Tarot: 5 Steps from Shuffle to Interpretation

Introduction: The Moment Before the Cards Speak

You're sitting with your tarot deck. The cards feel heavy with possibility. You know they hold answers, guidance, wisdom—but how do you actually read them?

You've seen tarot readers on TikTok, in movies, at psychic fairs. They make it look effortless—shuffle, spread, interpret. But when you try it yourself, you freeze. Which cards go where? What do they mean? How do you know if you're doing it right?

Here's the truth: Reading tarot isn't about memorizing 78 card meanings or following rigid rules. It's about creating a conversation between you, the cards, and the universe.

This guide breaks down the tarot reading process into 5 clear, actionable steps. By the end, you'll know exactly how to go from shuffling your deck to delivering a meaningful interpretation—whether you're reading for yourself or others.

Before You Begin: Setting the Foundation

What You'll Need

• A tarot deck (any deck works, but Rider-Waite-Smith is recommended for beginners)
• A quiet space where you won't be interrupted
• A clean surface (altar cloth, table, or floor)
• Optional: candle, crystals, journal, guidebook

The Right Mindset

Before you touch the cards, take three deep breaths. Tarot works best when you're:

• Calm: Not anxious or desperate for answers
• Open: Willing to hear what the cards say, even if it's not what you want
• Curious: Approaching with wonder, not fear
• Grounded: Present in your body and the moment

Remember: The cards are a mirror, not a magic 8-ball. They reflect what you already know deep down.

Step 1: Shuffle with Intention

Why Shuffling Matters

Shuffling isn't just about randomizing the deck—it's about infusing the cards with your energy and question. This is where the magic begins.

How to Shuffle

Method 1: Overhand Shuffle

Hold the deck in one hand and pull small sections from the top, dropping them into your other hand. Repeat until it feels right.

Method 2: Riffle Shuffle

Split the deck in half and riffle the two halves together (like playing cards). Be gentle—tarot cards are larger and can bend.

Method 3: Chaos Shuffle

Spread all the cards face-down on the table and swirl them around with both hands. Gather them back into a pile.

Method 4: Intuitive Shuffle

Shuffle however feels natural to you. There's no wrong way.

While You Shuffle

• Focus on your question: Hold it clearly in your mind
• Speak it aloud (optional): "What do I need to know about [situation]?"
• Feel when to stop: You'll sense when the deck is "ready"—it might feel warm, tingly, or just right

How Long to Shuffle

There's no set time. Some readers shuffle for 30 seconds; others for several minutes. Stop when it feels complete. Trust your intuition.

Reversed Cards: Yes or No?

If you want to read reversed (upside-down) cards, intentionally turn some cards 180° while shuffling. If not, keep all cards upright. Decide before you start.

Step 2: Cut the Deck (Optional but Powerful)

Why Cut the Deck?

Cutting the deck is a traditional way to:

• Seal your intention
• Add another layer of randomness
• Create a ritual pause before the reveal

How to Cut

1. After shuffling, place the deck face-down on the table
2. Use your non-dominant hand to split the deck into 2-3 piles
3. Restack the piles in any order that feels right
4. The deck is now ready to draw from

Alternative: Have the querent (person receiving the reading) cut the deck. This adds their energy to the reading.

Skip This Step If...

You feel called to go straight from shuffling to drawing. Not every reader cuts the deck, and that's fine.

Step 3: Draw and Lay Out the Cards

Choosing a Spread

A spread is the pattern in which you lay out the cards. Each position has a specific meaning.

For Beginners, Start Simple:

One-Card Draw

• Use for: Daily guidance, yes/no questions, quick insight
• Position: "What do I need to know today?"

Three-Card Spread

• Use for: Past-Present-Future, Situation-Action-Outcome, Mind-Body-Spirit
• Positions: Left = Past/Situation, Center = Present/Action, Right = Future/Outcome

Five-Card Spread

• Positions: 1) You, 2) Challenge, 3) Past, 4) Future, 5) Advice

How to Draw Cards

Method 1: Draw from the Top

After shuffling, draw cards one at a time from the top of the deck. Place them in your spread pattern.

Method 2: Fan and Choose

Spread the deck face-down in a fan shape. Hover your hand over the cards and pull the ones that "call" to you.

Method 3: Jumping Cards

If a card falls out while shuffling, that's a "jumper"—pay attention to it. It often has an important message.

Laying Out the Cards

1. Place each card face-down in its position
2. Once all cards are placed, flip them over one at a time (or all at once—your choice)
3. Take a moment to observe the spread before diving into interpretation

Step 4: Interpret the Cards

This is where the magic happens—and where most beginners panic. Don't. You've got this.

First Impressions Matter

Before you reach for a guidebook, look at the cards and ask:

• What's my gut reaction? Joy? Fear? Confusion? Relief?
• What imagery stands out? Colors, symbols, figures, actions?
• What's the overall energy? Light or dark? Active or passive? Hopeful or challenging?

Your first instinct is often the most accurate. Write it down before you second-guess yourself.

Look at the Big Picture

Before interpreting individual cards, scan the whole spread:

• Suit dominance: Lots of Cups = emotions, Wands = action, Swords = thoughts, Pentacles = material matters
• Major vs Minor Arcana: Mostly Major = big life themes; mostly Minor = everyday situations
• Court cards: People in your life or aspects of yourself
• Numbers: Lots of 3s = creativity, 7s = introspection, 10s = completion, etc.

Interpret Each Card

Step 4a: Use Your Intuition

Look at the card's imagery. What story does it tell? If you didn't know the "official" meaning, what would you think it means?

Step 4b: Consult Keywords

Every card has core themes. For example:

• The Fool: New beginnings, innocence, leap of faith
• Three of Swords: Heartbreak, painful truth, grief
• Ten of Pentacles: Legacy, family, long-term security

Use a guidebook or app to refresh your memory, but don't just copy-paste meanings.

Step 4c: Consider the Position

The same card means different things in different positions:

• The Tower in "Past": You've already been through upheaval
• The Tower in "Future": Brace yourself for change
• The Tower in "Advice": Burn it down and start fresh

Step 4d: Read Reversed Cards (If You Use Them)

Reversed doesn't always mean "bad." It can mean:

• Blocked or delayed energy
• Internalized version of the upright meaning
• The opposite or shadow side of the card
• A need to pay closer attention

Weave the Cards Together

Don't read each card in isolation. They're telling a story.

Example Three-Card Reading:

• Past: Five of Cups (loss, grief)
• Present: The Star (hope, healing)
• Future: Ace of Cups (new love, emotional renewal)

Story: "You've experienced heartbreak (Five of Cups), but you're now in a healing phase where hope is returning (The Star). This is leading you toward a fresh emotional beginning—new love or renewed self-love (Ace of Cups)."

Trust Your Intuition Over the Book

If the guidebook says one thing but your gut says another, trust your gut. Tarot is personal. Your interpretation is valid.

Step 5: Record and Reflect

Why Journaling Matters

Writing down your readings:

• Helps you track patterns and accuracy over time
• Deepens your understanding of the cards
• Creates a record you can look back on
• Trains your intuition

What to Record

• Date and time
• Your question
• Cards drawn (including positions)
• Your interpretation
• How you felt during the reading
• Follow-up: What actually happened? (Check back in a week or month)

Reflection Questions

After the reading, ask yourself:

• What was the main message?
• What action can I take based on this guidance?
• What surprised me?
• What do I still need clarity on?

Close the Reading

Tarot readings open energetic channels. Close them intentionally:

• Thank the cards (out loud or silently)
• Knock on the deck three times
• Return the cards to their box or wrap them in cloth
• Ground yourself (eat something, touch the earth, wash your hands)

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Asking the Same Question Over and Over

Why it's a problem: You're not trusting the answer. The cards will get "muddy."

Fix: Ask once, then give it time. If you need clarity, rephrase the question.

Mistake 2: Reading When You're Emotionally Charged

Why it's a problem: Desperation clouds intuition. You'll see what you want to see.

Fix: Wait until you're calm. Or have someone else read for you.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Cards You Don't Like

Why it's a problem: Challenging cards often have the most important messages.

Fix: Lean into discomfort. Ask, "What is this card trying to teach me?"

Mistake 4: Relying Only on Guidebooks

Why it's a problem: You're not developing your own intuition.

Fix: Look at the card first. Feel it. Then check the book.

Mistake 5: Treating Tarot as Fortune-Telling

Why it's a problem: Tarot shows possibilities, not fixed fate.

Fix: Ask "What do I need to know?" not "What will happen?"

Practice Reading: Try It Now

Ready to practice? Here's a simple exercise:

1. Shuffle your deck while thinking: "What do I need to know right now?"
2. Draw one card
3. Before looking it up, write down:
   • Your first impression
   • What you see in the imagery
   • How it makes you feel
4. Now look up the meaning and see how it compares to your intuition
5. Journal: How does this card's message apply to your life today?

Do this daily for 30 days. You'll be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows.

Next Steps: Deepening Your Practice

Learn More Spreads

Once you're comfortable with one- and three-card spreads, try:

• Celtic Cross (10 cards, comprehensive)
• Relationship Spread (7 cards)
• Year Ahead Spread (12 cards, one per month)

Study the Cards Deeply

Pick one card per week. Meditate on it, journal about it, notice when it shows up in readings. This builds intimate knowledge.

Read for Others

Reading for friends (with their permission) is the fastest way to improve. You'll learn to trust your intuition under pressure.

Explore Different Decks

Each deck has a unique energy and artistic style. Experimenting helps you find what resonates.

Final Thoughts: You Already Know How

Here's the secret no one tells beginners: You already know how to read tarot.

The cards are just a tool to access the wisdom you already carry. The five steps—shuffle, cut, draw, interpret, record—are simply a structure to help you listen.

The more you practice, the more you'll realize: tarot isn't about memorizing meanings. It's about trusting yourself.

So shuffle the cards. Ask your question. Listen to what arises.

The cards are ready to speak. Are you ready to listen?