Kim Arnold - Tarot: Learn How to Read and Interpret the Cards

Also in the Hay House Basics series

Crystals
Mindfulness
Past Lives
Angels
Lucid
Dreaming

Coming soon

Energy Healing
Self-Hypnosis NLP
Reiki
Numerology

First published and distributed in the United Kingdom by:
Hay House UK Ltd, Astley House, 33 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 3675 2450; Fax: +44 (0)20 3675 2451
www.hayhouse.co.uk

Published and distributed in the United States of America by:
Hay House Inc., PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
Tel: (1) 760 431 7695 or (800) 654 5126
Fax: (1) 760 431 6948 or (800) 650 5115
www.hayhouse.com

Published and distributed in Australia by:
Hay House Australia Ltd, 18/36 Ralph St, Alexandria NSW 2015
Tel: (61) 2 9669 4299; Fax: (61) 2 9669 4144; www.hayhouse.com.au

Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africa by:
Hay House SA (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 990, Witkoppen 2068
info@hayhouse.co.za

Published and distributed in India by:
Hay House Publishers India, Muskaan Complex, Plot No.3, B-2,
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070
Tel: (91) 11 4176 1620; Fax: (91) 11 4176 1630; www.hayhouse.co.in

Distributed in Canada by:
Raincoast Books, 2440 Viking Way, Richmond, B.C. V6V 1N2
Tel: (1) 604 448 7100; Fax: (1) 604 270 7161; www.raincoast.com

Text Kim Arnold, 2015

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use, other than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

The information given in this book should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult a medical practitioner. Any use of information in this book is at the readers discretion and risk. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any loss, claim or damage arising out of the use, or misuse, of the suggestions made, the failure to take medical advice or for any material on third party websites.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-1-78180-413-1 in print
ISBN 978-1-78180-451-3 in Kindle format
ISBN 978-1-78180-452-0 in ePub format

Interior images:

Little could I imagine how much my life would change after I purchased my first Tarot deck. It has brought me friendship from around the world with wonderful people who share my passion. This book is dedicated to all of them.

With so many decks on the market to choose from, I believe that you are drawn to the deck that is right for you. Many decks are based on the Rider Waite Tarot, which was published in 1910, and to this day its images are frequently used in modern Tarot.

For a beginner, I highly recommend the Rider Waite Tarot cards, as they are clear and concise, packed with information and colour, and therefore the ability to interpret from the card images is endless. Information on the Rider Waite deck is easy to obtain, and most general Tarot books and Internet sites base their information on these cards.

If you are not attracted to a Rider Waite-based deck, then find a deck that you are drawn to. Base your choice on a colourful deck in which the Minor Arcana are represented as picture cards, not just as numbers. For example, the Five of Cups will show literally five cups. As a beginner, you need something visual to help you to decipher the images.

When you buy a deck of cards, you will find that the deck calls you. New Age and metaphysical shops often have sample cards that you can look at, and, of course, you can always search online for cards that inspire you. Another benefit of looking online is that you are able to read the reviews, which will help you to make the right choice.

The feel of the cards is also important. Often, by just holding the box, you will instinctively know if they are right for you.

Ensure the visual images of the cards talk to you, and you feel able to resonate with their energy, as you will find these cards much easier to read. Once you become more competent with your cards, you will start to see more and more within the images they portray.

There is an old wives tale that states Tarot cards should be purchased as a gift. Please ignore this, as there is no better person to choose a personal deck of Tarot cards than you. Allow your instinct to guide you and I promise you will make the right choice. It is likely that as your reading skills grow, so will your Tarot card collection.

Be warned, collecting Tarot cards can be addictive!

How you use your Tarot cards is up to you. If you have had a Tarot reading in the past I am sure you will notice that every reader is different, both in their technique and their ritual laying out of the cards. However, there are a few basic rules that should be observed.

Never lend your Tarot cards to anyone, as this will interfere with your energy and the energy of the cards. As you become more familiar with your cards, you will create a bond of trust between them and you. This is very powerful. The only time you should allow your Tarot cards to be touched by a third party is if you are doing a reading for them, as it is important that both your energies connect with the deck before you commence with the reading.

In order to learn the cards quickly it is important to familiarize yourself with them. Each day pick a card at random and work with it. Initially, you will find you resonate with some cards more than others. Dont worry about this, as the information will come. This book is full of effective techniques to help you to understand the cards quickly so that you will soon be able to read for yourself and others.

Always shuffle the deck thoroughly before a reading, as this acts as a cleansing ritual and allows you to connect with the cards. Shuffling the cards is an important part of Tarot reading and is covered in some depth in this book. When you finish a reading, shuffle the cards again before you return them to their box, cloth or Tarot bag, as this clears the energy from the reading ready for the next time.

When not using your cards, always wrap them in a cloth or Tarot bag or, if preferred, place them in a box. Tarot cards, as with any psychic tool, can be influenced by their surroundings. For example, if you live in a chaotic house, this energy may be picked up in your cards.

By respecting your cards and wrapping them in their own cloth, etc., you will not only establish a ritual for looking after your cards, but you will also protect them from outside energy. Some people like to place a crystal, such as an amethyst, in with their cards to disperse negativity, or add a drop of oil, such as frankincense or sandalwood, for extra protection. This is an entirely personal choice and not absolutely necessary. However, if you feel this is right for you, then why not?

People often ask if it is ok to read for yourself, and the answer is yes, absolutely! The negative side of doing your own reading is that you are most likely to interpret what you want rather than listen to the message the cards are giving you, particularly if you are not seeing the answer you desire. I suggest that you ask a closed question by being very specific and putting in a time reference. For example, Will I change my job? is an open question. You may well change your job in 10 years time, but if the question is relevant to you now, then you need to include a time limit with the question. Therefore, you should rephrase the question to something such as Will I change my job within the next six months? Then just lay one card for guidance - this can be a very powerful way to get straight to the point.