Right now I’m reading “Simple Fortunetelling with Tarot Cards” by Corrine Kenner (a review post is forthcoming as I finish the book). In the book, she has a section on ideas you can use to establish your own routine or style of conducting readings. Based on her suggestions, I’d like to begin to implement my own reading routine.

Why establish a routine? I’ve never really had an established reading routine – a process that I always do when I read. I think by trying to create a routine – a ritual, really – will help me conduct a better reading and connect better on many levels.

A Tarot Routine: (I’ll be trying this routine out too)

  1. Gather your materials. For me, this will include the deck I’ll be using, a tarot cloth, a candle, and a lighter/matchbook. Kenner also offers the idea of adding tokens of the four suits/elements, such as a candle, seashell, incense and a crystal. I’d like to do this too if I can find good representations that’ll travel well (which shouldn’t be difficult). Think of it as a mini-altar-to-go for those of the pagan persuasion (or not – they can still help!). Also consider some nice background music (a small, cheap boombox? iPod and computer speakers??? :D ) and something to you can record your reading (a journal, a tape recorder?)
  2. Clean your reading area – physically and spiritually! Clearing out your space will alter the energy of the area and prep you for your reading. Methods include envisioning the room filled with white light, burning incense, ringing bells, playing music, etc.
  3. Prepare your space – set up everything you’ll need in a pleasing way.
  4. Ground and center.
  5. Light the candle – a signal of your intent for the reading to begin. This would also be an appropriate time to pray to the Divine for guidance during the reading.
  6. Clarify and state your question – if applicable. Include a time frame if you need to be more specific.
  7. Shuffle the cards. Kenner offers shuffling seven times for thoroughness (plus 7 is a very magickal number). Cut the cards yourself or have the querent cut the cards.
  8. Conduct the reading. Kenner recommends turning the cards up as you come to them.
  9. Conclusion: extinguish the candle.
  10. Wrap up your recording – whether you wrote notes or spoke in a recorder, go ahead and give any final thoughts to return to later.
  11. Clean up your area and your deck. Pick up your things and store them safely for the next reading. Consider psychically “cleaning” your deck by smudging the deck with burning herbs (like sage), visualizing the deck purified by white light, or sorting the cards back in numerical order.

What’s your Tarot reading routine/ritual? Does it change? Are there things you always do? Share it in the comments of this post!