Ten of the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Tarot Answered by Your Friendly Neighborhood Hedge Witch

Are you interested in tarot cards? Are you perhaps new to spirituality? Are you seeing beautiful cards and spreads on social media and you maybe want to get into it? You are in the right place, my friend. 

I’ve been a practicing witch for almost four years, and tarot has been, and continues to be, an integral part of my journey. To say I love tarot is putting it lightly – even when the cards are telling me things I’m not ready to hear. Naturally, there are many questions about tarot, the spreads you might use, and the right way to do it. Read on, and see if your question is answered!

1)     Do I have to be gifted with your first tarot deck to start learning tarot?

Nope, my first deck was one I purchased for myself, and it is my most honest and trusted deck! You can pick your own tarot deck at any time you want! In fact, if you aren’t ready to purchase a deck, there are digital options available on Moonx!

If you are ready to buy your first physical deck, there are loads of places to buy from! I always recommend buying local first – see if there is a new age or metaphysical shop near you, and if they sell tarot decks. If not, no worries! The internet is full of lovely designers of beautiful decks. You can shop by a topic you’re interested in (dragons, herbs, etc), or, just browse through the options and see what catches your fancy!

2)     Can I use a secondhand deck?

For the answer to this one, there is a caveat: yes, maybe, but, you must cleanse your deck if it’s secondhand, and pay attention to the energy of the deck. How does it feel to you when you hold it? Does it feel welcoming? Or, does it feel like it might be a bad idea incarnate? Trust your gut, my spiritual babes, because a tarot deck that has maybe been through something, or belonged to someone doing some nefarious nonsense might not be the deck for you. If you find a secondhand deck that feels okay to you, please move onto the next question before you use it for any readings.

3)     Do I have to cleanse my deck? And if so, how do I do that??

Yes. It’s good to get in the practice of cleansing whatever spiritual supplies you use prior to using them. Especially those tools used for divination. This is for a few different reasons: firstly, you want any negative energy gone so that you can access the answers and energy you want from the guides you work with. Second, you don’t want bad answers in divination – you want to be sure that you’re getting the right information!

As a brief overview, smoke from incense or herbs is a good practice. Garden sage, rosemary, and various incenses like dragon’s blood are great for cleansing spaces and tools. If burning isn’t an option, sound cleansing works really well through ringing bells, sound bowls, or even frequencies, if you feel more comfortable with those.

4)     What is a tarot spread?

The spread is the way in which the tarot cards are lain out once they’ve been shuffled and asked a question. There are many ways to do tarot spreads, from the most simple one card draw, the more popular three card draw (past, present, future), and, if you feel so inclined, something as intricate as the Celtic Cross. Often tarot cards will come with a guidebook with spreads to get you started, and, there are spread ideas all over the internet that are completely free to use.

5)     What kind of questions can I ask?

In my experience, it’s good to ask questions with the intention of guidance and shedding light on a given situation. Realistically, a person can ask whatever they want, though – as the tarot reader, it’s up to you to interpret what the cards have to say, given their meanings and your knowledge of those meanings. I did a reading for a friend who asked about whether or not she should buy a horse – specifically a mare, as she’d only had experience with geldings and older male horses who had very sweet dispositions. Her reading revealed a need to set boundaries more firmly in order to be ready to bring a mare into life; she was shocked. I think she wanted a yes or no answer, but what she got was a more in-depth revelation about what it would mean to have a mare in her life – and boundaries are something she sometimes struggles with, since she is a caregiving person by nature. For now, she has decided not to get a mare.

My point is, people can ask what they want, the answer might surprise them. The only caveat here is your comfort in answering as the reader. For me? I don’t do readings regarding pregnancy, birth, or death – it’s just not right for me.

6)     Can I read for someone who has passed away?

I would say, generally speaking, it’s probably not a good idea. Least bad scenario? You get inaccurate information. Worst scenario? You could invite something that you don’t want into your space. Now, there are exceptions to every rule; there are spiritualists who work with the dead who might have the boundaries and protections to do this safely, but should someone try this who’s just starting out in tarot? I wouldn’t recommend it.

7)     What do reversals mean?

Reversals in general (and this is an oversimplification, mind you) mean the opposite of the upright meaning of the card. For example, if we talk about the Magician Card (I), upright it indicates have the tools and skills to do what you’re trying to do.  Reversed, it can mean wasted talent, and trickery instead of real power.

8)     Can I read tarot for myself?

Absolutely! In fact, I would say that doing readings for yourself will be an integral part of learning tarot. Shuffling and getting to know your deck, and how it answers your questions will help you interpret for other people.

9)     When can I read tarot for others?

This is another one that you would have to decide for yourself – when you are ready is the answer, really. I’d recommend starting with reading for yourself, then, try reading for some friends and see how it goes. Get acquainted with the deck and the process, and see what happens. Be upfront about your knowledge, and please, don’t go charging people a bunch of money for a reading when you don’t know the major arcana from the minor. Ethics go a long way in witchcraft, so do what’s right for you and your readers.

10)  But I can tell the future, right?

Tarot is more about insight than prediction; it allows you to examine questions and situations with greater depth. This can help you decide where to go with your future, but ultimately, as trite as it may sound, your future is in your hands.

            So, what do you think? Are you ready to purchase your first deck? Maybe you have other questions about tarot cards that I didn’t get to answer – excellent! I love questions — feel free to ask them here in the comments!

Tosha Locken is a hedge witch from the Pacific Northwest who hangs out with her canine familiar surrounded by plants, crystals, and tarot decks.