To Read Tarot for Oneself is an Art
Most Tarot Readers started reading because we wanted to be able to read for ourselves. I know I started reading tarot for that reason and most readers I know started the same way.
Many of us have gone on to read for others, but primarily many wanted to get insight into our own lives. There is nothing wrong with that. I have learned that must be mindful when doing so. There are pitfalls that the you can fall into.
Reading tarot for yourself is okay but be cautious. Here are some tips for you:
Staying Neutral
Like a reading for someone else, It is even more critical to understand that you must be incredibly careful to be neutral in your interpretation. The more important the question the more important it is that you do so.
It is human nature to want the answer to be what we want it to be. When interpreting a spread, it is easy to play up the positive aspects and to play down the negative aspects. Be mindful of this.
Often when it is a very important question I set the intention prior to pulling the cards. I write the question down on paper. I decide does the question fall into General, Spiritual, Health, Financial, Work or Romance. I pull the cards, write down what I think they are and then use the site Psychic Revelations for further insight. When I have stayed neutral my interpretation has matched. Sometimes it gives me something additional to think about as I am too connected to the situation/question.
Not Trusting the Reading
Another thing I have known beginners do, is to redo the reading time and again. This is because the first interpretation did not give the desired outcome. Yes, I was guilty to having done this too! I think this is particularly common when the question is about relationships.
Unwanted Consequences
For relatively unimportant questions the ramifications of not interpreting neutrally are usually not serious. Additionally, repeating the reading until you get the answer you’re looking for will not be too damaging. However, if the question was important what then?
What if the question was something like “Should I quit my job?” If you start to make decisions or say or do things based on a flawed reading, then if it doesn’t work out it may be painful.
Best Advice For Reading For Yourself
When reading tarot for yourself, neutrality and balance are key. Try interpreting twice! Once you have decided what the overall answer is (let’s say it was positive) reinterpret it. This time play up the negative cards though. Is the reading still positive? If it is, then OK, your overall interpretation is probably correct.
If not, then your overall interpretation may be wrong. The answer in this case is somewhere between the two. In other words, it’s a “maybe.” That “maybe” doesn’t mean it won’t go the way you would like eventually. It does mean you should be cautious with any decisions you make.
Readers Go to Readers for Readings
We often call it professional courtesy. I have several friends that we ask for a reality check on a reading. Not because we can’t read for ourselves, but because we are aware of the difficulties of being truly neutral.
Most will have read for themselves in the past but because of the serious nature of the question they come to each other for a reading. Not being impacted by any interpretation of their situation means it is easier for someone else to be neutral. Being neutral means you get a more accurate reading.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with reading for yourself. Just be careful when it’s something really important to ensure your own neutrality. It is totally possible to get a great reading for yourself when you are able to be open to the possibilities.
