| You may discover Tarot to be one of the most | | | | the phone, and with allowing clients to have some |
| accessible tools, that can be learned by anyone and | | | | tactile input. I have even loaned my decks to friends, |
| use in nearly any situation. In developing the skills of | | | | and use them in my classes. |
| reading the Tarot cards, it will become clear that | | | | I did, however, learn that most people in the general |
| other extra-sensory sensitivities are also enhanced. | | | | public do not know how to handle the size of the |
| The use of Tarot cards is an integral part of | | | | cards, or do not know how to shuffle cards. |
| Awareness Engineering. Along with proper | | | | Therefore, I do the majority of the shuffling while |
| philosophical alignment, deep personal self-awareness, | | | | establishing rapport with the client, asking about their |
| consciousness expansion, and behavior aligned with | | | | concerns, and formulating proper questions for the |
| an individual's highest standards and goals, Awareness | | | | cards. When I am confident that the cards are |
| Engineering promotes and instructs on the use and | | | | sufficiently mixed and infused with the focused |
| development of intuitive techniques, senses, and | | | | energy of the question, I then ask the client to cut |
| tools. | | | | the deck. That is the extent of their input. |
| Perhaps you are ready to begin learning and using this | | | | Shuffling |
| exquisite, elegant, and universal tool. | | | | I will discuss three ways of shuffling that I use |
| Choosing a Deck | | | | intertwined for the most thorough method of mixing |
| While many texts will suggest that Tarot decks have | | | | the cards. |
| to be a gift, it is my opinion that the style and | | | | You may shuffle in the traditional way of dividing the |
| aesthetic quality of the cards are a highly personal | | | | deck in half, and "zipping" the two stacks together. |
| choice. | | | | You may also hold the entire stack in one hand, while |
| When choosing a deck, look through the cards and | | | | taking sections and moving them from the front to |
| find a set that has artwork that resonates with you. | | | | the back. Additionally, twisting portions of the deck |
| When you find the right deck, you will definitely | | | | allow the cards to be placed in both upright and |
| know it by the energy and connection that is elicited | | | | reversed positions. |
| within you. | | | | Upright refers to the card appearing in the reading |
| When first learning to read cards, choose a deck that | | | | facing in the normal, upright direction in relationship to |
| has pictures on each of the cards, including all the | | | | the reader. While reversed indicated cards in the |
| Minor Arcana cards. Many decks have only symbols | | | | reading that are upside down in relation to the reader. |
| of these suit cards, which makes it much more | | | | We will learn to read the cards both ways. |
| difficult to memorize their meanings. Using a deck | | | | Dividing |
| that is based on the traditional Rider-Waite tarot may | | | | When the cards are properly shuffled, the client is |
| make the most sense until you are a confident and | | | | offered the deck to be divided. If you are reading |
| seasoned reader. | | | | for yourself, or when the client is not present, then |
| Then I encourage you to explore and play with | | | | you will divide the deck. |
| many, many decks. I have had my favorites for | | | | Divide the cards by simply cutting the deck into three |
| different periods of time throughout the years, and | | | | stacks. Some readers prefer only two stacks. When |
| the variety adds interest and intrigue. | | | | I divide into three stacks, I place the middle portion |
| Handling the Cards | | | | on top of the top portion, and stack both on top of |
| Again, you may find sources that will direct you to | | | | the bottom third. In essence, I have taken a middle |
| not let anyone else touch your cards. And, again, I | | | | section out of the deck and placed in on top. |
| say hogwash. Over the years, I have had great | | | | You may experiment with various ways of dividing |
| success being the only handler, as when reading over | | | | the deck that work best for you. |