Mental state during tarot spread

[TarotBeginner123]

Just wondering whether you should be in a particular state of mind while doing a tarot card spread? 

Is it better to be calm and relaxed? What if your emotions are heightened?

 

[Natural Mystic Guide]

Hello @TarotBeginner123.  My opinion is that if you are doing any kind of divination work, like Tarot, that it is best to be in a calm, relaxed, receptive frame of mind.  If your emotions are 'heightened' your own bias my influence your reading and it may not be as accurate.  There are lots of good techniques for grounding and centering and creating sacred space before you work with the cards.  Experiment and find what works well for you, @TarotBeginner123.  Best wishes.

[DanielJUK]

I've moved this thread to Tarot Talk & Technique

@TarotBeginner123 we don't allow discussions in the Introductions section apart from the intros / welcoming threads, so please explore the other sections of the forum and post in those 😀

[Raggydoll]

I don’t think it’s advisable to read cards when you are emotional. Many will ground themselves before a reading to be able to see more clearly. For me, it depends on what type of reading it is. If it’s a psychic reading then I’ll actually strive to get my heartbeat up and to have my mind racing and accepting visions. But for more regular card sessions, I’ll be grounded and relaxed. So you’ll have to experiment and see what works for you. Just avoid the emotional states, that’s not going to be helpful no matter what reading style you have.

[Chariot]

I have certainly read cards for myself while 'upset' ...and had the readings be helpful (and accurate) in some instances.  But I think it's way better if you can calm yourself enough to at least ask the 'right' questions.  Especially ask specifically for 'advice.'  That will give you something to focus on, while the situation develops or gets resolved.

Unfortunately a heightened emotional state can make you unwilling or unable to take on board what the cards are telling you.  (Been there, done that as well!)  I think it's too easy, when you're upset, to start frantically casting multiple readings if you don't get the answers you're hoping for.  This does not help, because you can get contradictory results.

If you get a reassuring reading (that makes specific sense in the situation) that can really give you hope and lighten your heart and mind.  But if you get a scary or negative reading, you might make the situation worse by panicking even more.

I do think you need to be prepared to handle whatever the cards give you.  The cards tend to tell the truth, without soft-pedaling bad news.  So you need to be ready to handle the truth.  This is why it's probably not a great idea to read, if you are in an agitated state.  Maybe do some mental what-if exercises beforehand ...what if the worst happens, then how will I manage?  Get your mind ready to handle bad news.   If the bad news comes, you'll be prepared.  If it all turns out better than you expected, well heck. THAT'S not a problem in anybody's book!  😃

Edited August 1, 2023 by Chariot

[DanielJUK]

I think all of us have read for ourselves when we are very emotional, we desperately needed a supportive message but it gives us an emotional message and we are not in the best head space in that moment to interpret it 🙂

 

It's best to wait until we are feeling calmer or pay for a reading / get a friend for read for us in that situation.

 

I should say that some people struggle with emotions and / or might have mental health issues. You might never be in a "perfect mental state". I am one of those people and I think you have to have a method of clearing your thoughts, calming down, relaxing. Many people meditate before reading.

 

 

[Jewel]

One of things I do before reading is close my eyes and take a slow deep breath through the nose to the count of 4, hold it for a count of 7, and release it through the mouth to a count of 8.  I do this 3 times to relax my body.  It is also what I do when I upset or anxious to calm myself down.  Personally for me the messages are a lot clearer when I am in a clam place, otherwise I am still so focused on my own turmoil to get the full message.  When I do readings in this state I always take pictures of the spread and go back to it the next day or later after I have calmed down, re-read the same spread to see how it differs from my original reading .... invariably the second reading is a lot deeper and more helpful to me long term.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

Wonderful and practical advice.