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AN INTRODUCTION

TO THE TAROT
( LEVEL 1 - WEEK 2)

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An Initiatory Course with Divya


MANUAL
WEEK 2 - INDEX

1. Factors to Keep in Mind While Interpreting


the Cards
2.  Using Spreads – Advanced
3.  How To Frame Questions – Part 2
4. Finding People You Know In The Court Cards

5. Reading For Others – Learning And Practice


6. Psychic Protection - Cutting The Cords, Clearing
Your Space & Grounding
7. Caring For Your Cards
8. Insights into Ethics, Rules and Moralities
9. An Introduction to Reading Oracle Cards (Bonus)

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya


Week 2
1. Factors to Keep in Mind While
Interpreting the Cards
Reversals: I don’t teach reversals because I trust Repeating numbers - When numbers repeat
my intuition (and yours) to tell me it is shadow or themselves in a spread the Numerological
light qualities or energies that are surfacing. component of the reading is stressed. In the
Inevitably there will be some cards that will show Tarot, numbers are important – as important
up reversed. I see them like this – pay extra as the images and card titles. Numbers carry
attention to the messages that this card is giving a vibration and give us a world of information
you. if we know what to look for and how to
  interpret it. You can also think of these
Jumpers: When you shuffle there will be cards repetitions in terms of Angel Numbers if you
that jump out. Sometimes there will be one, three prefer. (more on this in Week 3)
or many more that will jump out during the  
shuffling. If it is more than 3 or 4, then put the Sometimes you may have sequences like the
cards back into the deck. If it is smaller number following: III The Empress, 3 of Coins, 3 of
like 1-4 then interpret them for additional Cups – you can derive another layer of
messages. You can also ask Spirit to guide you information from the number 3 because it is
with this process – to understand why they have repeating itself multiple times.
jumped out.
 
Repeated Cards: Say you shuffle the cards for
every question and a card shows up repeatedly in.
This card has a strong
message/warning/important announcement for
whomever you are reading for. Same applies if the
card shows up multiple times during the week.
 
Numbers: Repeating Numbers, Quint (more on Personal Note: It is easy to be overwhelmed by
this during our third session) the amount of information we are going
Repeating Numbers – When numbers repeat through. Don’t worry about memorizing the
themselves in a spread the numerological information. When you read something and it
component of the reading is stressed. You can inspires your curiosity, your awe and your
derive another layer of meaning from the excitement, the information will become a part
messages that the numbers carry. Remember of your being, of your energy system... Intuition
that mathematics and numbers are the universal hovers over knowledge, so the more you expose
language or lingu pura and therefore carry yourself to information and knowledge, the
ancient archetypal messages in them. more you give your intuition a solid base to
e.g. express itself from. Your intuition will express
0 – shoonya, zero state, no-mind state, itself to you in a way that is unique to you –
nothingness, the void etc. songs you know, quotes you love,
1 – the ultimate one, paramatman, bramhan book/character/movie references you are
2 – duality, non-duality, Shiva-Shakti familiar with, the sights + sounds + states of
3 – the holy trinity, the triple goddess being that you grew up with... Your intuition
etc will hover over all these energies and give you
Create your own list having studied the the message you need to hear (or for your
importance of numbers in ancient civilizations, querent) in a way that is familiar to you through
philosophies and religions. your ‘clairs’ (more on this in Week 3).
   
 

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 1


Week 2
1. Factors to Keep in Mind While
Interpreting the Cards
Clarifiers: One of the worst and most persistent The reason we repress aspects of self and
Tarot habits is to keep pulling clarifiers when consequently end up projecting these less
you are unable to read the card. Because it is desirable traits on others is because shame and
done with little or no thought, rather than guilt are unbearable feelings and sweeping stuff
providing clarity, clarifiers tend to make the under the rug is easier than facing what terrifies us
already confusing reading even more muddled. about ourselves squarely in the face. However, if
Typically, people pull a clarifier when they don’t we wish to grow and mature into decent human
like the outcome of a reading. beings, we must all face our shadow sooner and
  later… and when that time comes, we could do a
Here is how to avoid confusion in five easy lot worse than relying on our 78 trusted friends
steps: who never shy away from reflecting the truth back
  at us. Here then we have a card that mirrors the
1)       Look carefully at the card which is causing very depths of the Seeker, bringing to light an
you confusion unconscious aspect which is impacting the
2)       Decide which aspect you are seeking to situation at hand.
clarify. For instance, if you got a court card as  
the outcome, you may wish to know exactly Omens: When you have created the sacred space
how they will affect the outcome and not just and entered into the ritual of reading your tarot
that the outcome is in their hands. and oracle cards you will experience what are
3)       Formulate a question which will shed called omens – external occurrences with organic
light of your confusion. Again, using the or non-organic matter that may send you a
example above, you could ask ‘What will the message too. E.g. two ravens suddenly show up
King of Wands do that affects the outcome?’ near your window and start cawing. You can pay
4)       Pull a clarifier attention to two things – the number and the spirit
5)       Write down the answer you receive animal (also do you remember that nursery rhyme
  – one for joy, two for luck?). An airplane flying
Please note that only once you are satisfied overhead, a song playing somewhere outside...
that you received clarity by pulling the initial These are hard to explain, so learn from
clarifier, do you have a green light to pull experience.
further clarifiers. The same principle applies to  
any extra clarifiers you pull – Above all, be very Synchronicities: Synchronicity is a concept, first
clear about which aspect of the previous introduced by analytical psychologist Carl Jung,
card(s) you are seeking to clarify. which holds that events are "meaningful
  coincidences" if they occur with no causal
The Shadow Card: Some readers look at the relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related. -
card at the bottom of the deck for further wikipedia
information. This card is often refered to as the  
‘shadow card.’ This is the shadow in the “an apparently meaningful coincidence in time of
Jungian sense, i.e. a repressed aspect of the self. two or more similar or identical events that are
causally unrelated”
 
You may experience several meaningful
coincidences the more deeply you connect to your
intuition through the cards or through meditation.

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 2


Week 2
2.  Using Spreads – Advanced
3, 4 and 4+ CARD SPREADS

As a beginner it is best to practice as many spreads as possible. A simple google search will give you
many spreads on various topics. This will also give you hands on practice on how to better frame
questions.

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 3


Week 2
3.  How To Frame Questions – Part 2
“Asking the proper question is the central action of transformation—in fairy tales, in analysis, and in
individuation. The key question causes germination of consciousness. The properly shaped question
always emanates from an essential curiosity about what stands behind. Questions are the keys that
cause the secret doors of the psyche to swing open.”—Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D., Women Who Run
With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

“I’m not quite sure how to phrase my question… can Don’t know what to ask of the cards? Bring
you help?” or “I’m not sure if I CAN ask this…” or the following questions to your next tarot
“How do I ask this?” – These will be the common appointment… they can be modified to suit
opening lines of most querents. your needs, and feel free to ask for help from
  your tarot reader to rephrase/reframe to your
If you ask the right questions of the tarot, liking for best results!
miraculous things can happen, and your  
experience with the tarot will be that much more What questions
richer and deeper. There’s a quote that says What is this person’s behavior of [insert irritant
(roughly paraphrased), “It’s not the answers, but you here] trying to teach me?
asking the right questions.” because really, how can What is it about ____ that caused me to ____?
you get the best answers if you’re not asking the What do I need to know about _____?
right questions? You can’t. What is my best course of action right now?
  What are some potential pitfalls of [name of
So here’s some ways that you can phrase questions situation]?
for the tarot that will make for an enhanced and Why questions
empowered tarot experience. Why didn’t I get hired for that job?
  Why is [name of situation/person] upsetting
Less “will/if/yes/no” questions, more me? Why are they upsetting me REALLY?
“what/how/why/[timing inclusive]” questions.  Tarot Why am I feeling stuck? (suggested follow up:
is just simply not a great divination tool for yes or How do I get unstuck?)
no questions (though, yes, there is TECHNICALLY a Who questions
way to ask and/or specific spreads you can use to Who can help me with _______?
accommodate yes or no questions Using tarot to How questions
answer a yes/no question to me is like using a How can I better relate to my partner?
screwdriver when you really need an electric drill: How is [name of person] my light mirror or
yeah, it will get the job done, but it probably will be dark mirror? Do I practice or am I capable of
a sloppy or messier result, because you didn’t use their behavior in a similar or different
the right tool for the job. situation?
I’m looking for a new relationship. How will I
Tarot tends to be very focused on motivation: why know when I find the right person?
people do what they do, when they do it. And if you  
don’t have a question of the tarot (unlikely, since When you know you need a tarot reading, but
most people have lots of questions if they are are unsure of what to ask….
seeking a reading!), good general questions are What do I need to know right now?
“What can tarot tell me about _____?” or “What do I What situation needs the most of my
need to know right now?” attention?

If you have a time-sensitive question, bake it into Personal note: Remember, the hallmark of a
the phrasing of the question: “What can I do to get good tarot reading is you leaving empowered
X job in X months?” instead of “Will I get the job? and in control of your destiny: because let’s
When?” face it, you’re the only one who really is!

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 4


Week 2
4. Finding People You Know In The Court Cards
Court cards are important but these cards can be a little hard to understand and interpret,
especially for beginners. The main thing to remember is that all the court cards have strong voices
and add layers and depth to the messages in the cards. It helps to understand these court
members as individuals we know or observe in our daily lives – our workplace, our school, our
family, our social circles, our community and even ourselves.
 
Refer to worksheets attached to the email.
 
Homework: Identify yourself in the Court cards.

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 5


Week 2
5. Reading For Others – Learning And Practice
You – will be called the Reader 6.       Do not project your personal belief systems
Client – will be referred to as the Querent onto your querent (Read up on the Ethics, Rules,
  Moralities and Tips section before you read for
A few things before we start: others)
1. It is ok to be nervous. (I still get nervous
sometimes) Clients will usually come in vague and unfocussed.
This is most people in general life, and this
2. It is ok to not know the answer/s. fogginess increases when they are under stress
which usually when they come in for a tarot
3. IT IS NOT YOUR JOB TO FIX OR SOOTHE reading. This information is being mentioned here
EVERYONE. because you, the Reader, will have to help them
frame the question.
4. Sometimes your mind may go blank, but
that’s ok – take a few deep breaths, drink some 7.       Usual questions/topics that querents will ask:
water and reconnect to your celestial guides and
cards. -          What does X feel about me?
-          Will I ever/will he ever/will we ever...?
5. Protect your energy. -          Should I choose A or B?
- Tarot readings will cause emotional reactions in -          When will Y happen? When will I get
the querent. Sometimes they may cry, they may married?
not like hearing what you just said (no matter -          They want their gut feeling to be affirmed.
how you have phrased it) or they could just be -          They want insight and clarity into their
tears of relief or joy. situation.
- If your querent gets abusive then you use your -          How...?
discretion and do what is right. -          Romance, Relationships, Health, Career,
- Protect your energy; do not take abuse from Promotions, Choices, Family, Children, Future...
anyone.
- You are the channel, the oracle, the medium, 8.       Do not give vague advice
the messenger – you are not the creator of the
message. 9.       The more you practice reading for others, the
more experienced and proficient you will become.
Personal note: When I do readings, I announce Training your intuition is like your training a muscle
to the querent ‘You don’t have to agree with to become stronger at the gym. Practice makes
everything I say, take what resonates. If you don’t you proficient.
understand something or need more clarity,  
please go ahead and ask me what you need to.’

Step by step on How to Read for your Querent/Seeker

1) Ask them to make a list of questions they want to ask


2) Go through the questions to get an idea - tell them in advance on what you can or cannot answer
(for e.g. I don't do predictions on death, gender of unborn baby, "Will I ever..." questions
3) Ask your querent for permission before connecting to their energy - "Do I have your permission to
read for you?
4) Connect to your cards, connect to your celestial council, connect to their celestial council
5) Take your time to answer each question - Do your best, if you aren't receiving an answer, say so.
6) Once you finish the reading, cut the cords and thank the process

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 6


Week 2
6. Psychic Protection - Cutting The Cords, Clearing
Your Space & Grounding
Cutting the Cords Written Instructions:
  1) Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths
Whenever we do readings for others we 2) Invite the Archangel Michael to cut the cords
connect to the Querent via energetic cords. between you and all that no longer serves you –
Imagine tubes of light connecting your chakras “Thank you Archangel Michael for cutting the
to theirs. Depending on your ‘clair’ the relevant cords between me and all that no longer serves
chakra will reach out energetically and connect me. Thank you! It is done! It is done! It is done!”
to the other person’s relevant chakra. E.g. 3) Visualize the flaming blue sword of the
clairvoyant – 3rd eye chakra, claircognisance – Archangel move around your body cutting the
crown chakra etc. cords from your energy body and releasing them
This is a necessary action that happens so that from you.
you can really tune into the person’s energy. At 4) Now ask your celestial council to place a sphere
the end of the reading you must cut the cords of protective energy (usually purple+gold in colour
so that you don’t continue feeding them your around you)
energy and keep receiving from them. 5) “Thank you celestial council/angels/Lord Shiva
  for placing a sphere of your protective energy
Personal note: If I feel uncomfortable with around me through the day/night and keeping
someone’s energy I don’t want to connect to me safe and protected. Thank you! It is done! It is
them. I put my energy before my manners and done! It is done!”
say no to the reading. There are times when I
have vetoed my intuition, done the reading for Audio attached to email.
the person with whom I felt uncomfortable and
felt completely drained the next day. Trust your
gut.
 

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 7


Week 2
6. Psychic Protection - Cutting The Cords, Clearing
Your Space & Grounding
Clearing Your Space
Written Instructions – White Energy Blanket
 
method:
The energy of the space you occupy will
1) Stand and close your eyes.
influence you especially when you are opening
2) Visualize a large white translucent blanket
your chakras to receive information from the
covering the entire surface area of your
universe. Regularly clear the space that you live
home/office space.
in, work in and read your cards in – this will keep
3) Request your spirit guides/angels/celestial
releasing any psychic debris and negative
council to stand at the corners of the blanket
energy that could build up there. EMF emitted
holding it.
by electronics and wiring in the walls can and
4) Place your hands by the sides of your body,
will build up stagnant energy in your physical
palms facing outwards.
spaces too.
5) Visualize your celestial council/ spirit
 
guides/angels lifting the white blanket through
Option 1: Use incense/sage/essential oils diluted
every atom of every square inch of the space. You
in water and sprayed around the space
can move your arms out sideways and up to
Option 2: White Energy Blanket method
guide the pace of the clearing. Take your time to
Option 3: Sea Salt/ Table salt when you don't
do this watching all and any psychic debris
have access to sea salt  (mop your floors with
being lifted up.
some salt in the moping water, use salt lamps,
6) Guide the blanket up and up and watch your
draw a circle with salt around your bed and
guides lift it away to the Creator’s Light high
clear it out the next day morning, place cups of
above your head (maybe in the sky).
salt in the corners of a room overnight and flush
7) Ask the Universe/Creator to fill your space with
the salt down the toilet the next day morning,
the unconditional love that is available to
bathe in it, soak your feet in it )
everyone on this planet – maybe white or gold
colour energy filling your space.
8) Affirm it as being done – Thank you! It is done!
It is done! It is done!
 
Audio attached to email

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 8


Week 2
6. Psychic Protection - Cutting The Cords, Clearing
Your Space & Grounding
Grounding Written Instructions
  1)  Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths.
Just like how electricity needs to be earthed, 2) Imagine roots of light/energy coming out
our psychic energy also needs to be earthed of your feet and connecting to the Mother
too. When we are doing readings and Earth.
connecting to our celestial council, we are 3)  Send those roots deep down into the
mostly using our upper chakras – throat, 3rd earth and sideways, rooting yourself firmly
and crown. We need to bring our focus back into the earth. Invite the stability of the
to the lower 3 – solar plexus, sacral and root. Mother Earth to come into your being, the
We can either use visualization (as given security and comfort...
below + audio) or physical actions like 4) Do this whenever you feel ungrounded or
walking barefoot, exercise, working with anxious
plants, yoga etc. 5) Spend time walking in nature
 
Audio attached to email

7. Caring For Your Cards


Your cards are an extension of you, so Clearing and Charging
treat them the same way you would  
yourself or a child. 1) Every full moon – lay them out overnight
Handle them with care and love. (ideally under the light of the moon, if not put
  them under a covered space)
Storage and Handling 2) Place energized crystals (Rose quartz, black
  tourmaline, fluorite, clear quartz) on and
1) Keep them away from electronic around them.
equipment 3) Ideally do not let others touch them – there
2) Keep them wrapped in a velvet cloth / are some tarot readers who want their clients
in a special box to draw the cards themselves, which is ok, so
3) Special box/bag with crystals, quotes your own discretion and sensitivity
4) Store away from sunlight as that will 4) Do not handle them roughly
make the cards fade. 5) Use the same method we use to connect to
  the cards to charge the cards and remove all
psychic debris
6) Use sage/incense to smoke the cards with
the intention of clearing the cards of all
stagnant energy.

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 9


Week 2
8. Insights into Ethics, Rules and Moralities
1) Permission - Always ask for permission before 10) Experience - There are never any bad
entering a reading. ALWAYS. I cannot stress this readings/readers – there are only
enough. Karma is for real. How would you feel if experienced and inexperienced readers. So
someone invaded your privacy and read your energy the more you practice, the more experience
without asking you first? you gather.

2) Legal Age for Readings - Most modern divination 11) Change and Healing - Tarot (or oracle)
practitioners follow the legal laws of the land they live reading sessions are catalytic. They bring
in. Ground rule, if they are old enough to vote, they can about change – sometimes bringing in
receive a tarot reading. closure, sometimes opening wounds that
can then usher in healing...
3) If parents insist on their child under the legal age
getting a reading then use your discretion. 12) Your Personal Healing - Your clients will
Suggest to the parent – ‘you can ask how they (the be and should always your priority.
parent) can support the child’ Sometimes you and your client will have
Parents can ask about their child without any issues. some issue or another in common.
Sometimes you will also find resolution and
4) Clients’ Privacy – Do not discuss your clients with clarified perspective during the reading for
anybody, not with each other, not with your colleagues, your client. Pay attention to it without
family or friends. Respect the trust that they have bringing it up with your client.
placed in you. It is a sacred bond.
(All examples that I give in the duration of this course 13) Do not create false hope.
are with name changed and with permission).
There are many tarot readers and therapists who 14) Do not share personal stories (unless you
discuss their clients and make jokes in front of others. really really need to). Unless necessary do
This is a terrible practice and discourages even the not share stories about others.
listeners to reach out for therapy and help when they
need it. 15) Karma – you decide if you want to
mention karma in your reading.
5) Your Belief Systems – Do not impose your belief
systems on anyone else.

6) Do Not Diagnose Emotional or Mental States/Illness –


Even if your intuition is saying something to you, do not
take it upon yourself to diagnose them unless you are
qualified to do that. Refer them to a professional.

7) Kindness - Use kind uplifting words even if you have


to give tough love/advice/information/news. This is not
to sugar coat anything, but your kindness makes a
difference to your querent’s experience.

8) Your Value - Always take payment/part-payment in


advance so that you are taken seriously.
Time - Value your time and the others’.

9) Clarity - Do not be vauge – do not give vague advice.

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 10


Week 2
9. An Introduction to Reading Oracle Cards (Bonus)
How are Oracle cards different from Tarot cards?
 
Primary difference: The Tarot has a definite structure and a fixed number of cards and oracle cards
don’t.
 
The structure of the Tarot is universal and fixed, and those who are creating their own decks stick
to this overarching structure and play within those boundaries. There are 22 major arcana and 56
minor arcana with pips and court cards. This foundation does not change.
 
Oracle cards, however, don’t have a universal structure or foundation. The number of cards can
range from 33-55+ depending on what its creator had in mind. A Oracle card is usually a powerful
image with powerful symbols with a word (or a bunch of words or sentences) to support the
image. These cards became popular when not everyone wanted to read the Tarot cards because of
its occult associations. Also not everyone may want to learn to interpret the Tarot. Oracle cards are
simpler to learn and understand.

Personal note: I mix both sets of cards in my readings. I find that the Tarot offers grounded advice,
while Oracle cards offer gentle esoteric advice about the same situation. I have combined both to
great success, I would suggest that you do the same.
 
How to Read Your Oracle Cards?
 
The process of reading an oracle card is the exact same as Tarot cards. With enough practice you
can mine the oracle card for enough information and intuitive guidance for the Seeker.
Personal note: Oracle cards are gentler and simpler. They give you gentle advice the same way a
kind aunt would.
 
Practice
 
Choose any spread given in the manuals. Draw cards for each position from the Tarot card deck. If
you own an oracle card deck, draw the same number of oracle cards for each question. If you want
to use an App, then you can do the same – take screenshots of each card you draw from the App
for further reference.
 
Place them in two rows and use them to acquire layers of information and channeled guidance.
You can do the same for regular practice and while reading for others.

Recommended Oracle Decks:

Keepers of the Light - Kyle Gray


Angels and Ancestors - Kyle Gray
Wisdom of the Oracle - Colette Baron-Reid
Oracle of the Unicorns
Kuan Yin Oracle - Alana Fairchild (most of her decks are just beautiful)

Choose your decks intuitively - you can look up reviews online and see if you find resonance with
the images and energy of the deck.

An Introduction to the Tarot (Level 1) - An Initatory Course with Divya 11

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