Contrary to popular belief, Tarot isn't about memorizing 78 card definitions and suffering through symbolism school. They're pictures. They're made to speak to you — not someone else, not a dusty rulebook. To you.
If a card reminds you of your ex who never took responsibility? That's what it symbolizes. Irresponsible person, or your specific ex. If someone in the picture reminds you of your gran, your dog, or your boss? Go with it. That’s the magic. It’s personal. Intuitive. Fluid.
When there's something weird happening in the image, such as a keychain attached to your hand, it is saying something. "You'll always have the key back" "you can't lose the keys" or something. Listen to the thoughts that pop up.
You don’t even need to know the name of the card. Whatever it means to you is what it means. Like ink blot cards or art.
In the deck
The reversed card will change the meaning of the card. It's not necessarily the opposite meaning, just different. See if something seems to "fall" maybe? Does the expression on a person's face seem to change?
The text is relatively optional, but can pinpoint your attention to something specific. You can choose to read the text or leave it. (Go with your intuition, is it important this time?)
When you don’t want to hear the truth, get someone else to read. Or check a spicy guidebook.
Don’t ask stuff that has no answer. If no one hates you, and you ask “who hates me?”... the deck will just make something up. That’s not Tarot. That’s you fishing in an empty pond.
Better than asking straight up timing questions, it's better to format the question as: “What needs to happen before X can occur?” That gets you somewhere real.
Be specific. Be honest. Ask: “What should I focus on today?” or “What am I missing about this situation?” Not “will I die alone?” The future isn't set. Nobody knows how you're going to die. (Unless you want to set it in stone...)
They’re just cards. But they work — not because they’re magic, but because you are.
Use the cards. Enjoy them. And trust what you see — even if it makes you laugh first. Tarot has an amazing sense of humor if you let it.