It’s probably because I’m lazy, but I don’t do one of the most helpful Tarot techniques ever concieved – I don’t pull a “card-a-day” in the morning. I LOVE this idea, but jeez I am just NOT a morning person. I barely get up on time for work and I’m so rushed I’m not in the right mental place to pluck a card, think on it, journal it, or any of things I’d like to do. This is something I will work on because I’d love to do it.
However, I still pull a Tarot card (and an oracle card) every day. I have a separate journal in which I record the date, which cards I pulled, my immediate reaction when I see the card, etc.
When does this happen? At night, before I go to bed for the evening.
Before I get ready for bed, I get my decks, a pen and my journal and ask the cards to show me what I need to take from the day’s events. Did I learn a lesson? Was there an issue I had today that the cards can clear up? I’ve been doing this for a few weeks and I find that the cards will often give clarity about a situation or thought that happened that day and tell me what I need to think about as I prepare for the next day.
I said earlier I pull a Tarot card and a card from my oracle deck (the new “Enchanted Oracle”). While this certainly isn’t for everyone, I find that the two cards will either show different perspectives on one situation or they will clarify two separate instances or feelings – maybe one speaks to a work situation and the other card will speak to a discussion I had with a friend. If you don’t have/don’t prefer an oracle deck, try pulling two (I even know several readers that pull three) a day instead and record your results.
When I record my daily cards, I also note what the cards may be referencing as well as any other big events that happened that day – like leaving Mercury Retrograde yesterday or a significant idea or discussion I had. You’ll quickly find that this journal will quickly become the diary you thought you’d never keep 
A side benefit of pulling cards nightly vs. morning-ly is that if you get a “bad” card (ex: 9 of Swords) you won’t be fretting all day about “OMG how is this card going to play out today?” Rather, pulling that card in the evening will be more likely to represent how the day transpired for you – “yeah I really was feeling this way”. Once you’ve identified your thoughts and seen them from this perspective, you can use that knowledge to your benefit.
What’s your daily Tarot practice? If you’re a morning Tarot person, I recommend reviewing your card or spread to see how the cards ended up playing out for you. But like I said, no method is inherently superior. You should try different ways of encouraging your daily practice and do what works for you. The point is, you’re working daily with your cards, even if just for the 10 min you can spare, which is a great way to learn and grow with Tarot.
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October 16, 2008 at 8:27 pm
TarotByArwen
I don’t see it as lazy at all. I used to pull a card for the day while at work. I just couldn’t get everything going in the right direction fast enough in the morning to make it all happen.
HEY! It was before noon, right?
When I pull at night, I am asking what I need to focus on for the next day or in my dreams.
October 16, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Garnet
At work? Nice
I like your method for asking the cards about dreamtime or the next day – excellent ideas that I’ll have to try! Lately my focus has been understanding my day, as I’ve needed clarification on issues that occurred.
Such a simple practice, but so versatile!
October 16, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Kuna
I’m with you, Garnet. If I do a morning pull, I spend all day wondering when the meaning of the card will pop up. I feel like I get a better personal reaction when I do it after the day is done, to clarify and help put my day into perspective.
October 17, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Balakirev
Good on you! I’ve been doing this for quite a while, since like you, I’m not a morning person (though I’m a lot better at it than I was 30 or more years ago). I’m intuitive, and like to process things in my subconscious. Throwing an image into it as the last thing seen before sleep really does bring up fascinating connections, though a sort of still reverie while awake also works well. I tend to use that when a new deck arrives: I’ll take it out, leave the book aside for now, and go through, card by card, becoming acquainted with it first through what I can see, then through how it feels and what associations it brings up. It’s a lot, I find, like walking through a new neighborhood and watching the people before you actually walk up and introduce yourself.
December 27, 2008 at 11:30 am
Bonnie
If I was working days, I would also fnd it difficult to get enough coffee in me in time to do a decent drawing of cards (much less interpreting them!). I work at night, from home (I work on a 900 line). I draw a single card (or a short spread) before I go on line. I am referencing the card(s) for the coming day.
I feel that this gives me a heads up on what to expect, rather than keeping me looking over my shoulder for something to happen. Now, if I were in a workplace with other people, this might not be the same.
I also like to draw from either more than one deck, or from one Tarot deck and one other oracular deck. I find that they work with each other well.
Good thought on drawing a card for dreamtime. I have done that when I really needed help with something – and the help is always there.