In Tarot circles, it’s often said that it’s impossible for a Tarot Reader to read for their self. To this, I say rubbish! It’s not only possible to give yourself an insightful and helpful reading, at times it can be a necessity.
When is Reading Tarot For Yourself Beneficial?
Life on the Earth Plane is fraught with wonder, mystery, and peril. And the Tarot happens to be a powerful tool for unveiling what may be coming up along the path to creating the life you want to live.
Giving yourself a reading to gain insights into the situations that plague you, will aid in navigating any perilous quagmires on your Journey. It would be ludicrous to deny yourself the benefits of a proverbial heads-up between receiving a Tarot reading from another Reader.
Additionally, it’s super beneficial for Tarot students to give themselves readings. It’s not enough for a Tarot student to memorize the 78 card meanings. They also need a boat load of practice giving readings in order to find their voice and flow in giving readings to others.
Tarot students aren’t likely to receive ample opportunity for practice, if they must wait for a friend or relative to be available for a practice reading. Therefore, Tarot teachers, the world over, advise their students to give themselves readings at least weekly, daily is even better.
7 Pitfalls to Avoid When Reading Tarot for Yourself
However, there has been a long-time opposing opinion to reading Tarot for yourself. This position stems from a high probability that your preconceived desired outcome may influence the interpretation of your own reading. The below pitfalls do exist, and do indeed present a challenge for an honest self-reading.
1. Not making an effort to disconnect from your daily affairs before reading for yourself
Occasionally, a self-reading will be conducted when we are still reeling from overwhelming emotion caused by a life event. If we are feeling frustrated, angry, or hurt, all objectivity flows out the window. Remember, objectivity is the name of the game in reading for yourself.
2. Not using a spread with set card positions for your own reading
I see this in a steady stream of Tarot Facebook groups’ posts. A Tarot novice has stated their question and included a pic of several cards drawn and laid out, without a spread with specific card positions. They then ask others to assist in reading them.
Without specified card positions, it’s impossible to determine what a card is related to, e.g., the current situation, obstacle, outside influences, solution, or outcome. Even for yourself, a reading needs to have a spread, with set card positions.
3. Peeping into the thoughts, feelings, or intentions of another
The temptation is real, and who’s to know? However, it’s an invasion of privacy to ask what another’s thoughts, feelings, or intentions are, who has not asked to be read. If your personal Tarot ethics are that you wouldn’t do this for a Client reading, don’t do it for your own reading. It’s more ethical to ask; what might I experience regarding the situation with this person?
4. Looking up card meanings in several sources, until you find the meaning you want
Tarot card meanings are not an exact science, for among the volumes of Tarot books and internet resources, their card meaning keywords vary quite a bit. Thus, it’s highly likely you’ll be able to find a resource stating a card’s meaning that matches your desired meaning.
Nonetheless, for an honest reading, this practice of grasping for straws should be avoided. Allow your intuition to determine which of the possible card meanings fit the circumstances of the reading, even if you don’t like it.
5. Drawing multiple ”clarification” cards for the Outcome position, until you get one you like
A clarification card is an additional card drawn to clarify the meaning of an ambiguous card in the reading. Personally, I do draw clarification cards for my own and professional Tarot readings, but there should be restraint to just one or two clarification cards. More than this would be to the point of ridiculous, like giving another reading on top of a reading.
6. Not staying objective in interpreting negative cards in your own reading
Be careful not to allow your hopes for a positive outcome, to color interpretation of your own reading by giving obvious negative cards, a positive spin. The point of a Tarot reading is to get a heads-up on what may be coming up for you, so you can make any changes needed to improve a possible negative outcome.
7. Doing additional readings on the same exact topic, until you get a more favorable Outcome
Who hasn’t done this when reading for ourselves? If we don’t get the answer we want from the first reading, we have an irresistible urge to do another, and another reading until we get the answer we want. This is a self-defeating practice.
The Tarot is a tool for navigating the trials and tribulations of our life. If we refuse to accept the possible negative events coming up for us, we won’t prepare to side-step them. The age-old cliché, “being forewarned, is being forearmed,” applies here.
Furthermore, the Tarot is an “Oracle of Wisdom,” and as such, it should not be manipulated, or stretched to fit a desired outcome. A disingenuous Tarot reading is of no help to anyone, and a colossal waste of your time.
Summing Up
However, if you are open to whatever wisdom the Tarot has to offer, the good and the bad, and by avoiding the above pitfalls to self-reading, an honest reading can indeed be received from yourself, with momentous rewards.
If you don’t already read Tarot for yourself, I hope you will give it a try, while being mindful of the possible pitfalls mentioned here. Happy Taroting!
Note: To book a professional Tarot reading with Jeannette see our Book a Reading page.
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