Stop Doubting Your Tarot: How Intention Defines Every Reading
One of the most common questions new readers ask is whether they're using tarot spreads "correctly." You’ll often see beginners pulling ten cards and getting lost in a sea of confusion - trying to interpret their guidebook and spread without really understanding what they’re doing. It’s not surprising when they start doubting themselves, wondering, "Am I even cut out for this? Maybe I don’t have 'the gift.'"
But the truth is, most of the confusion stems from a lack of clarity around intention. Tarot isn’t about blindly following instructions or doing a spread for the sake of it. When you’re not sure why you’re using a particular spread or what you’re trying to accomplish, it’s like picking up random rocks off the street and hoping they’ll be worth as much as diamonds. That’s just not how tarot - or any form of divination - works.
The heart of a successful reading is intention. Who are you communicating with? What question are you asking? Tarot is a language, and just like any language, it has its own grammar. Your spread - and the intention behind each card’s position - is that grammar. Without it, you’re left with incoherent babble instead of a clear, meaningful message.
Why Tarot Spreads Matter (or Don’t)
In my personal practice, I don’t follow the traditional approach to tarot spreads. Instead, I break down concepts into smaller, actionable questions. I avoid vague "should" questions altogether. For example, if someone asks whether they "should" do something, I reframe it into more specific, constructive questions - like, What action would bring the most fulfillment? Then, I pull cards to represent different paths, focusing on clarity rather than confusion.
If something can’t be broken down further, it’s already in its simplest form, and it doesn’t need more than one card to answer. Simplicity, in this case, is strength.
Many readers believe spreads are essential for organization - how else can you tell if the figures on the cards are looking at each other, looking away, or moving in a shared direction? But here’s the thing - I don’t read tarot based on the images. Using pictures alone is like relying on modern slang: popular and specific to its time, but without deep roots. Every generation creates its own slang, just like each era creates its own tarot decks.
For me, it’s about understanding the timeless meanings beneath the images. My deck reflects this with imagery that avoids the clichés of contemporary decks. If you’re focused on reading tarot based on pictures, you might want to consider switching to an oracle deck instead. But if you’re looking for the heart of a message, it’s all about intention. A clear question leads to a clear answer, no matter how many cards you draw.
Flying Cards and Bottom-of-the-Deck Cards: Meaningful or Meaningless?
When it comes to flying cards or cards at the bottom of the deck, I don’t assign them any meaning. For me, they’re like typos or auto-correct on your phone - random glitches with no significance. But that’s because I’ve made a conscious decision to treat them that way. It’s part of my practice, and it’s a choice I stick to.
For readers who feel unsure about whether these cards should be trusted or ignored, I have one piece of advice: make a decision and stick with it. If you keep second-guessing yourself, you’re just muddying the waters of your readings. You can decide right now that these cards hold deep meaning and incorporate them into every reading, or you can choose to shuffle them back in and move on. It’s entirely up to you.
The key is intention. You are the one in control, and your intentions are the foundation of everything in tarot. If you decide these occurrences are random and irrelevant, they will be. If you decide they are significant, then treat them as such. Tarot is not about the cards choosing for you - it’s about you choosing how to interpret the message you receive.
Setting Clear Intentions for Tarot Readings
Setting intentions is the backbone of any tarot reading. For me, the process is simple and direct - no elaborate rituals or mystical fanfare. It’s almost like the "spirituality starter pack" meme, where the “advanced” version is just a Styrofoam cup of black coffee and half a lit cigarette. I sit down, pull out my deck (one specifically for myself, and another for readings I do for others), and grab my pendulum.
The first step is clearing any lingering energy. I blow the old energy away from the pendulum and shuffle the deck to reset it, ensuring I’m starting fresh. I use a pendulum because everything we create or interact with holds a bit of our energy. When I read for someone online, I channel their energy through the pendulum by focusing on their name and question, and I infuse that energy into the deck before I begin.
“What if another entity tries to take over the reading?” Simple: tell them to flock off and wait their turn. If you’re not open to other entities joining your reading, set that boundary and don’t let them in. This dips into The Craft a bit more, but the important thing is to remember you are not a helpless novice unless you convince yourself that you are.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people asking for general readings. Nothing makes me want to roll my eyes more than, "I just want a general reading." If you’re vague, the reading will be too. You’ll end up with answers that feel meaningless, and you'll walk away thinking, "What does this even mean? This isn’t helpful at all!" That’s because you didn’t ask a focused question. Never pull cards for a general reading - it’s a waste of your time and mine. Always come with a question.
It doesn’t matter if you’re asking about self-reflection, decision-making, or anything else. Tarot is a tool for connecting with whatever higher power or force you’re speaking to - whether that’s a deity, your Higher Self, or a planetary influence like the Moon. Just ask the source you trust most, and then start shuffling. The clearer your question, the clearer your answer.
Intention is Everything in Tarot
At the core of every tarot reading is intention. Without it, the cards are nothing more than images on paper. Intention is what breathes life into a reading—it's how spreads are built, it's what gives meaning to flying cards, and it's the force that turns a random shuffle into a powerful message. The key takeaway is this: only you can set that intention. No one else can decide what meaning your reading holds, and no one can take that power away from you.
Your intention defines everything. It’s not about whether you’re using the “right” spread or interpreting flying cards “correctly.” The real question is, Why are you doing this reading? Only you can answer that. And once you do, the rest falls into place.
I hope you leave this blog feeling empowered in your tarot practice. Yes, I’m blunt and direct—that’s why I’m here. I’m not going to sugarcoat the reality of tarot, but I’m also here to remind you of the control you have. Tarot isn’t a mysterious force that happens to you—it’s a tool that you wield. Sometimes, that empowerment comes with a flick on the forehead to remind you of who’s really in charge: you.
Here are some actionable tips to carry with you into your own readings:
Know exactly who you wish to speak to. Whether it’s your Higher Self, a deity, or a planetary force, be specific.
Break down your questions into simple pieces. The simpler the question, the clearer the answer.
Never ask “should.” Instead, focus on what will bring you fulfillment or how different paths will unfold.
Remember, tarot is your tool, and intention is the key that unlocks its full potential.
Ready to dive deeper?
If you’re looking for more guidance on improving your tarot practice, follow me on Instagram for daily insights and practical tarot advice you can use right away. For those of you who find reading for yourself to be a challenge (and trust me, it’s 1000x harder than reading for others), I’ve created an AI Assistant to help. My AI Assistant is designed to guide you through your personal tarot readings, offering support and insights to make interpreting your cards easier and more intuitive.
Check out more about my AI Assistant and how it can help you on your tarot journey - whether you're a beginner or an experienced reader, there’s always more to uncover!
