Here are some practical tips for incorporating tarot into personal and professional settings, especially if you want to try tarot interviews or spark your creative flow. Don't forget, a full explanation of the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana are just a click away!
• Start with a Tarot Interview Spread: Try an interview-style tarot spread where each card is asked a question (e.g., "What is your strength?" "What can you teach me?"). This approach, often used to get to know a new deck or to engage someone in a tarot conversation, uses the cards as dialogue partners. It's a great way to break the ice and explore meaningful topics, making it perfect for a tarot podcast or a creative brainstorming session.
Here is an example layout and the steps you can take:
Card 1 – “Introductions”
Question: "What unique strengths or qualities do you bring to this conversation?"
Purpose: Get an overall sense of the tarot deck’s (or person’s) main energy or intention.
Card 2 – “What You Offer”
Question: "What can you teach me or reveal in this setting?"
Purpose: Understand the deck’s (or interviewee’s) core gifts and how they might guide you.
Card 3 – “What You Need”
Question: "How can I best engage or collaborate with you?"
Purpose: Discover what approach, attitude, or resources will help this interview or relationship thrive.
Card 4 – “Potential Challenges or Blind Spots”
Question: "Where might we face misunderstandings or obstacles?"
Purpose: Identify any areas that need attention before they become stumbling blocks.
Card 5 – “Moving Forward”
Question: "What is the best next step or future direction for this partnership?"
Purpose: Gain insight into how to integrate what you’ve learned and maintain a constructive connection.
Use these positions to spark conversation and deeper reflection. You can also adjust the questions for a podcast interview, coaching session, or personal introspection. Think of each card as a dialogue partner contributing unique insights to enrich your understanding.
• Journal Your Readings: Keep a tarot journal to record your spreads and impressions. Writing down thoughts on each card (upright and reversed) in different contexts reinforces your learning and reveals patterns. This practice is one of the best tarot reading tips for beginners, and it's equally valuable for experienced readers refining their interpretations.
• Contextualize the Cards: Remember that card meanings can adapt to the situation. For example, The Empress might highlight artistic creativity in a career reading, or nurturing communication in a relationship reading. During tarot interviews or any interactive tarot activity, relate the card's theme to the subject at hand – it makes the reading more relevant and engaging.
• Use Tarot for Creative Prompts: Draw random cards to inspire stories, artwork, or solutions to problems. If you’re facing writer’s block or brainstorming for a project, let a card’s imagery and symbolism guide you. For instance, pulling The Moon could encourage you to explore a character’s hidden fears, while Ace of Wands might spark a new idea entirely. This is how you can effectively use tarot for creativity – by letting the archetypes stimulate your imagination.
• Develop Your Own Interview Style: If you’re incorporating tarot into interviews (be it on a podcast, coaching session, or personal exploration), develop a style that suits you. You might begin with a Major Arcana card to set the theme (big-picture insight), then allow Minor Arcana cards to address specifics and everyday implications. Encourage an open dialogue about what each card could mean to the person or situation – tarot can be a two-way conversation rather than a one-sided reading.
• Stay Ethical and Intuitive: Lastly, respect the power of the cards and your intuition. Be honest and supportive in your interpretations, especially in professional or public settings like a podcast. If a card like The Tower comes up in a tarot interview, frame its sudden change message in a way that can be insightful and not just alarming – perhaps by discussing past upheavals that led to growth. Use empathy, tell the truth kindly, and let the cards be tools for positive exploration rather than fear.
By studying the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot card meanings and practicing regularly, you build a strong foundation for all kinds of tarot work – from casual personal draws to tarot interviews with others. Each card is like a friend with unique personality traits, ready to offer guidance. The more you work with them, the more confidently you can incorporate tarot into your life for decision-making, creative inspiration, and meaningful conversations. Embrace the journey of learning and trust yourself to interpret the cards in ways that resonate. Whether you're tapping into tarot for personal growth, artistic muse, or engaging dialogue, the wisdom of the cards is there to support you every step of the way.