Lesson 1 – 78 cards of pure magic, an overview of the Tarot cards

Before we start here are some hints on how to treat and keep your Tarot cards:

Spend as much time as you can practicing or meditating with them, or at least handle them regularly, especially during the course.

To avoid the cards absorbing disturbing vibrations or energies wrap them in a black cloth, silk if you can afford it, and put the wrapped cards in a box.

Treat your cards gently and with respect and it is recommended that you don’t allow others to use your own deck.

You need at least 2-3 hours or more for this first lesson so start it when you know you can be undisturbed for that amount of time.

In order to begin you will need to be relaxed and calm, perhaps have some gentle instrumental music playing or incense burning - whatever helps you to relax.

The very first thing I am going to ask you to do is a practical exercise for which you will need your Tarot deck and a writing pad or paper and a pen. You may wish to invest in an attractive bound
notebook as it will become an important reference book for you.

Read the following instructions and then commence the exercise before reading any further.

Instructions for first practical exercise:

Spend at least two or three hours simply looking at each of the 78 cards in your Tarot deck!

Firstly, shuffle the deck for a few minutes with your eyes closed and breathe gently and deeply, and as you do so try to focus on how you are feeling, what thoughts are dominating your mind? How clear is your mind? Not at all probably!!

Meditation greatly enhances your ability to read the cards. It allows you to connect with your ‘intuitive self’, helping you to understand the messages or visions you may get as you work with your cards.

Always take time to clear your mind of those busy, noisy thoughts from your everyday issues and personal concerns, before you start to work with your cards. This is not easy to achieve and will take a lot of practice, so try to make meditation and relaxation a regular part of your day.

OK, when you are happy to stop shuffling your cards, pick one card from the deck and put it in front of you. Look at the card and ask yourself what does it mean? What does the image tell you? What does the name of the card, for example: The Fool or 3 of Cups, mean? What feelings do you get from this card? What images or words come to you?

Write the name of the card on your pad and whatever comes into your head - the words you would associate with it and what you think the card and its image means.

When you have finished with that card, put it to one side and pick another card from your deck and do the same exercise. If you don’t get any thoughts or feelings about a particular card, put it to one side and come back to it later. Do this until you have studied every card in the deck and written your meanings next to each one in your pad or notebook.

If you wish to take longer than two or three hours to do this exercise then do so, there’s no need to rush.

OK, start the exercise and do not read any further until you’ve finished it!