“Can you read the tarot cards for yourself?”
Believe it or not, I get asked that question over and over. And the answer is yes. After all, who knows me better than myself?
Like many fellow tarotists, when I first started working with the cards, I didn’t have many people clamoring to get a reading from me. So out of necessity, I had to learn by experimenting with my self.
Despite the fact that most readers start by reading exclusively for themselves, I often hear this: “I can’t read my own cards”. The reason why is often cited as a lack of objectivity.
While it’s true that an emotionally invested outcome may lead to a less effective reading, there are a few tricks that can help you get past your biases and start reading more successfully for yourself.
- Write your reading down in a tarot journal along with initial thoughts. Come back to it in a few days and see if you have different insights. This is a great tip as a “tarot time out” often provides clarity.
- Get a second opinion. Share your interpretations with a fellow tarot reader – a fresh set of eyes might give you a new perspective and help jog your sixth sense.
- Do the reading as if you were interpreting for a complete stranger. In other words, detach from your brain (and any wonky emotions) and go through the interpretations as you would for another person. Consider what advice would you might give them. Say the reading out loud – or record it to listen back later. This usually does the trick for me (plus it’s more efficient than writing it down or bugging someone else!)
- Having trouble detaching? Before you begin doing a reading, take a few minutes to meditate. A short period of quiet can calm the mind and emotions, which always lends to a better result.
These simple tips can get you back to reading for you – because nothing is more powerful than being your very own best mystic.
Blessings!
Theresa
© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2013
I’d love to hear your thoughts on reading for yourself. Do you read your own cards? Have you ever had problems being objective? What techniques do you use when you are having trouble seeing for yourself?
I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass.
I’m definitely not your average Tarot expert — I drop the F-bomb, I quote rappers, and I’m obsessed with pop culture + reality TV. Folks come to me for straight-talk + tough-love — without the woo-woo fluff. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.