tarot card cheat sheet
Composed of a series of concise questions, this tarot card cheat sheet grants you instant access to the essence of each card without confining you. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a curious novice, this simple tarot guide allows you to interpret the cards with confidence whilst supporting the development of your own intuition. It’s a gift from my High Priestess to yours.
A little guidance: Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
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unlocking the inner wisdom of both you and your clients
Old-school tarot claimed to predict the future and cultivated gurus who told you what to do and where to go. But a new generation of readers is emerging that puts power firmly back in the hands of those we read for. We don’t claim to have expert knowledge or a “special” channel to the divine. Instead, our job is to help those we serve to rediscover their own wisdom...with a little help from the cards of course. And this tarot card cheat sheet is here to support that process.
“How can I step even more into a kind of knowing that comes from my body instead of my mind? What tools help me to access my instinct, inspiration and intuition?”
A more empowering kind of tarot
So often clients seem ready to give you their power. They ask questions such as “Should I have a baby?” or “Should I leave my husband?” While the desire to turn ones will and life over to someone else is totally understandable, I consider my job in those situations one of gently guiding my clients back to their own wisdom.
if we already have the wisdom, why go to a tarot reader?
Deep down we know the answers to what troubles us. Yet frequently - and for all kinds of reasons - we can’t seem to access them on our own. As a Tarot Doula, my job is to guide people back to themselves, prompting them with gentle but firm questions, offering safe space to look in directions that they had forgotten existed or face feelings that they have been avoiding. My clients frequently get chills because something is spoken aloud that they had been denying. Ah-ha moments occur when a long-buried truth emerges. And breakthroughs happen when they are willing to embrace the mystery of their own heart and surrender to a mixture of the cards and their own knowing. It’s an incredible process.
a gentle framework
Offering a short introduction to my approach, this free tarot card cheat sheet isn’t going to give you rigid definitions for the cards, like some tarot cheat sheets do. I’m not trying to tell you how to read; surely the whole goddam point of tarot is working with our intuition and trusting our gut. That said, I know you want a gentle framework, something that supports you in your learning and growth. And that, my friend, is what you’ll find in this tarot card cheat sheet. You’ll find a few questions that reflect the essence of each of the major and minor arcana, so you can learn the tarot card but also access the wisdom they have to offer as a whole picture.
“When my head and heart are at odds, how can I quiet my thoughts and seek clarity? Do I need to stop polling everyone else’s opinions to allow truth to emerge organically?”
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tarot for transformation
Alongside this modern approach comes a different take on the cards themselves. As a new wave of humans begins to become more conscious, they want help navigating the rocky terrain of a spiritual awakening. My personal approach is one that speaks to this awakening process, allowing the cards to guide and witness them as they feel their feels, take responsibility for their thoughts, slow down, get into their bodies and begin to build a life that reflects their true values, needs and desires.
If you know the more traditional tarot interpretations (from the Smith Rider-Waite deck) you will recognize many of them in this tarot card cheat sheet. Where traditional meanings made sense, I kept them. But over the years of working with clients who are undergoing dramatic inner transformations, new definitions of the cards began to emerge.
you’ll fINALLY understand The Wands Suit
The suit that demanded the biggest overhaul was that of The Wands. Whilst there are many echoes of traditional tarot, the questions for each of the wands reflect a new perspective on what this suit entails. Based on pure energy - what other cultures might call Shakti, Chi, Qi or prana - the definitions reworked themselves to reflect the journey that each of us travels as we act in ways that either feed our life force energy or deplete it. Because the concept of energy is so slippery, this suit lent itself entirely to the format of questions rather than statements.
“How am I treating my inner pilot light? Am I paying attention to what feeds my energy and what depletes it?”
explaining The tarot Court Cards
In this tarot card cheat sheet you will find an approach the court cards that is a radical departure from most. The Ace through Ten is the time when we swim in the shallow end of the pool and stepping into the court cards marks the moment when we begin to truly act like an adult. This doesn’t mean we are immediately good at whatever we are doing - usually it looks even messier than before - but we are approaching the area in question (energy, emotions, thoughts and tangible things) with an attitude that says “I am willing to take true responsibility and to become the kind of person that I would want to be around.”
“Can I notice my emotional rollercoaster without getting on the ride today? What kind of support (therapist, life coach, support circle, addiction recovery program, etc.) would help me to do that?”
The questions you will find in this tarot card cheat sheet reflect my obsession with the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, David R Hawkins, Michael Singer and Byron Katie as well as endless offerings from unnamed or forgotten gurus. Tarot influences include the incredible Lindsay Mack of Tarot for the Wild Soul, as well as Saiz, Gruhl & Todaro, creators of my favorite and much beloved deck, The Fountain Tarot. There’s a healthy dose of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as well as the nuggets gleaned from more than a decade of being “in the rooms” of my own addiction recovery program.
As a nod to this esteemed lineup of spiritual teachers and in homage to the Fountain Tarot, I have included one extra major arcana card, namely The Fountain. Sitting at the end of the major arcana (after The World) The Fountain - like The Fool - stands outside the journey of the other twenty one cards. Rather than making this card number twenty two, the creators of The Fountain Tarot very cleverly gave it the infinity symbol. As humans begin to awaken, this card is key for the evolution of tarot itself. Representing the moment when we step off the wheel of karma, The Fountain is the world beyond form. It calls us to leave behind everything we think we know about life and allow the ultimate transformation to occur. Most of us have only a fleeting sense of what this card entails. More will be revealed.
“Am I ready to go beyond doing and step into being? How can I cultivate awareness and presence today? Am I ready to see myself as more than just a bundle of thoughts, emotions, sensations and body parts?”
This tarot card cheat sheet will help you in your practice, whether you just started throwing cards or you’ve been at this gig for a while. This is simple tarot for simply powerful readings. Let me know how it lands for you!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to easily read tarot cards
A: Reading tarot cards can seem daunting at first, but with practice and an open mind, it becomes easier and more intuitive. To begin, familiarize yourself with the meanings of each card in the deck. I literally began by watching a few YouTube videos on each card and making some notes as I went along. Start by studying the Major Arcana, which represents significant life events, and then move on to the Minor Arcana, which delve into more specific aspects of the four suits: Wands (energy), Cups (emotions), Swords (thoughts) and Pentacles/Coins (the physical world). As you gain confidence, trust your intuition and develop your personal style. Be willing to let yourself say anything at all because you never know what new interpretations might come put of your mouth! Start with simple spreads, such as a three-card past-present-future layout, and gradually progress to more complex spreads. Remember to create a calm and focused environment before each reading, and keep a journal to track your progress and insights. With patience and dedication, reading tarot cards can become a powerful tool for self-reflection and guidance and you might even be able to do it for others!
Q: What is the most powerful tarot card?
A: I get this one a lot and - honestly - they’re all powerful. The real truth is the most powerful one is the one you’re working with right now. Some argue that The World card is the most powerful because it represents the culmination of a journey, attainment of goals, and a deep understanding of oneself and the world. It signifies the integration of various aspects of life and the realization of one's potential. However, the deck I use actually has a card after the World. The authors of the deck added an extra card because they felt that the World no longer represented the culmination of the human journey. The World is only the end of one cycle of karma, and as humans enter a new level of consciousness, we need a card that represents the moment where we step off the wheel of karma and become witness consciousness or what some refer to as “enlightenment”. So…if I was going to pick the most powerful card, I think it would be The Fountain.
Q: How many tarot cards should you pull for yourself?
A: The number of Tarot cards you should pull for yourself can vary depending on the purpose of your reading and your personal preference. Generally, a single card can provide a concise and focused insight into a specific question or situation. That’s my go-to when I’m in a hurry and I want an on-the-go kinda answer. A three-card spread, such as a past-present-future, or mind-body-spirit, can offer a broader perspective, revealing the influences of different aspects. The three-card spread is commonly used for general readings or when you seek a more comprehensive understanding. For more complex situations or when exploring different aspects of your life, a larger spread, such as the Celtic Cross, which involves ten cards, may be more suitable. In my 60 minute sessions I will often begin with a three-card spread to get a general picture of which direction the cards want to go in, and then progress to a Celtic Cross in order to do a deep-dove. Ultimately, the number of cards you choose to pull depends on the depth of insight you desire and the complexity of the situation you're seeking guidance on.
Q: How to do tarot properly
To conduct a tarot reading properly, we need to approach the practice with respect, focus, and an open mind. Begin by creating a calm and sacred space where you can concentrate without distractions. Clear your mind and set a specific intention for the reading, whether it's seeking guidance on a particular issue or gaining general insights. Shuffle the deck thoroughly, infusing it with your energy, thoughts, and intentions. Once you feel ready, choose a spread that aligns with your purpose and the depth of information you seek (see answer to last question). As you draw the cards, you can look at any book or cheat sheet you’re using but also try to trust your intuition and notice what messages come to mind naturally. Pay attention to the symbolism, imagery, and the emotions the cards evoke. Take the time to interpret each card's meaning, considering its position within the spread and its relationship with the surrounding cards (this can be the hardest part but will come with practice and time). Finally, reflect on the overall message and how it relates to your situation. Remember, Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and guidance, so approach it with humility and an open heart.
Q: How do you pull tarot cards for beginners?
For beginners, pulling Tarot cards can be an exciting and transformative experience and it’s important to realise that there is no “right” way to do it. Everything I’m that follows here is a suggestion only. To get started, choose a deck that resonates with you. You might need to try a few out but you will find that one will click with you more than others. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the basic meanings of the cards through a Tarot guidebook or online resources (YouTube is fabulous for this). Create a quiet and comfortable space for your reading, free from distractions. Clear your mind and focus on your intention or question. Shuffle the deck while concentrating on your query, infusing it with your energy. When you feel ready, cut the deck into smaller piles and choose a specific number of cards, such as one or three, depending on your preference or the spread you want to use. Turn the cards face-up and observe their symbolism, colors, and images. Trust your intuition and initial impressions to interpret their meaning. Reflect on how the cards relate to your question or situation and consider any patterns or connections between them. With practice, your understanding of the Tarot will deepen, allowing you to connect more profoundly with the cards and gain insights into your own journey.