The Other Tarot Reading

A Step-By-Step Procedure

Here are the steps for a tarot reading you do for yourself based on a subject other than yourself. (See lesson 9.)

1. Choosing the subject
   1. Choose the subject of your reading - person, couple, group, place, news event, and so on.
   2. Check your involvement.
   3. Switch to a Question Reading if you answer yes to any of these:
      1. Do I feel strong emotions when I think about this subject in this situation?
      2. Do I have a vested interest in this situation?
      3. Do I desire a particular outcome in this situation?
   4. Write a question focusing on what interests you about your subject.
2. To begin, have ready:
   1. your written question
   2. your tarot cards
   3. the layout for the spread you have chosen
   4. the card and spread information pages, if desired
3. Setting the mood
   1. Prepare the environment according to personal preference.
   2. Place a picture or object of the subject nearby, if you wish.
   3. Sit down with some empty space in front of you.
   4. Relax and still your mind. Breathe deeply several times.
4. Asking your question
   1. Remove cards from container.
   2. Hold cards cupped in one hand. Place other hand on top.
   3. Close your eyes.
   4. Say an opening statement out loud, if you wish.
   5. Read your question out loud, or say it from memory exactly as written.
   6. Say why you are doing an Other Reading about this subject.
   7. Request guidance that is in the best interest of all concerned.
   8. Mention your good intentions toward the subject.
5. Shuffling the cards
   1. Shuffle the cards until you feel ready to stop.
   2. Concentrate on your question while you shuffle, but without strain.
6. Cutting the cards
   1. Place cards face down in front of you with short edge toward you.
   2. Cut the deck in one unplanned action as follows:
      1. Grab some number of cards from the complete pile.
      2. Drop this smaller pile to the left.
      3. Grab part of the second pile. Drop this third pile to the left.
      4. Regroup the cards into one pile in any fashion.
7. Laying out the cards
   1. Hold cards in your hand with the short edge toward you.
   2. Turn over the top card as you would turn the page of a book.
   3. Lay out cards according to the spread you have chosen.
   4. Turn reversed cards around if you are not using them.
8. Responding to the cards
   1. Note your responses to individual cards as they relate to the subject (and you).
   2. Note your response to the whole pattern of cards.
9. Analyzing the cards
   1. Analyze individual cards:
      1. Find the information page for the card, if you wish.
      2. Read over keywords and actions.
      3. Look for actions that hit home about the subject's situation.
      4. Write down thoughts and feelings, if you wish.
      5. Consider card orientation - upright or reversed?
   2. Analyze card relationships.
   3. Use principles of interpretation.
   4. Note additional insights.
10. Creating the story
    1. Tell the story spontaneously out loud as it relates to the subject.
    2. Tape the story, if you wish.
11. Writing the summary statement
    1. Think about the theme or message in your reading.
    2. Answer question in a written summary statement (1-2 sentences).
12. Finishing up
    1. Write down cards and their positions.
    2. Clear the deck.
    3. Gather cards together.
    4. Hold cards cupped in one hand. Place other hand on top.
    5. Close your eyes.
    6. Say out loud what you have learned from the reading.
    7. Express gratitude to your Inner Guide.
    8. Put cards back into container.
    9. Restore environment, if necessary.
13. Using what you have learned
    1. Think how lesson of this reading applies to your life.
    2. Follow subject's situation to see how it relates to reading.

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