Readings can be performed for oneself or others, and they all follow a similar format: the reader shuffles and fans out the deck face down, and then invites the querent (that’s the person being read for, it means “the one who seeks”) to pull a series of cards. The cards are laid out on a flat surface in a specific pattern, known as a spread. Each position in the pattern has a different significance, and the meaning of the card has to be read through that lens: for example, you might pull a card to signify your past, or something that’s holding you back, or a hidden strength. The reader should take the lead in interpreting the cards, building a narrative from the symbols in front of them – but many also invite the querent to participate, asking questions and inviting them to share their reactions to the images in front of them.

Almost needless to say, tarot readings are very intimate and very personal. The most important thing to remember is that a reading is always about the querent, not the tarot reader. This is not the time for showboating! If you’re reading for someone else, you’re in a position of trust. They might share things with you that they’ve not told other people, or that they’ve not even realised about themselves before. Sometimes, it can be a cathartic experience. Sometimes, it can be absolutely hilarious. And sometimes: baffling. If you’re curious to learn tarot, we’d always recommend starting out by reading for yourself or for someone who you know well, and only graduating to readings for strangers once you’re steady on your cartomancy feet.

Of course, before giving readings you will need – and this is no small task – to have learnt the cards. Sorry, no shortcuts. Many find that a guidebook is the best place to start: it allows you to learn at your own pace, and is a bit less of a commitment than weeks and weeks of tuition. A good guide to the tarot will help you to become familiar with the overall shape of the deck, the symbols associated with each of the cards, and the commonly held meanings, as well as providing practical advice and tips on spreads, learning techniques, and reading etiquette. There are quite a few excellent books out there, but for the purposes of this article, may we humbly draw your attention to this one.