A Compendium of Tarot Techniques, Methods and Practices

[Barleywine]

I spent some time sorting out all of the tarot techniques, methods and practices that I use in my own work, many of which have appeared as (very) Frequently Asked Questions in the online tarot community over the years, and turned them into a kind of "punch-list" that might be used as an overview for the more traditional practitioner. These are all personal preferences, and there is a tiny bit of "bio" thrown in to get me to 42 iterations (Douglas Adams fans will understand). Many are questions that I'm sure we've all asked ourselves.
 

1. Type of shuffle: Overhand, riffle or other? Overhand; sometimes “casino shuffle”
2. Querent handles cards, Yes or no: Yes, shuffles whenever possible
3. Reversals used, Yes or no: Always, usually, sometimes, never? Yes, usually
4. Prep for draw: Cut, fan or other? Cut, with the left hand to the left*
5. Method of dealing: From the top, random (from fan), other? From the top
6. Lays the cards face-up or face-down? Usually face-up
7. Sitter’s position at the table: Across, beside or oblique? Beside me or oblique
8. Uses “clarifiers” and “jumpers:” Always, sometimes, rarely, never? Never
9. Uses “shadow/base” cards: Always, sometimes, rarely, never? Rarely
10. Uses published aids: Always, sometimes, never? Never during a reading
11: Favorite deck type: RWS, Thoth, TdM, other? Thoth
12. Returns deck to original upright order? Always, occasionally, rarely, never? Rarely
13. Randomizes cards for sequence and orientation, Yes or no: Yes, between sessions
14. Uses positional spreads: Always, usually, rarely, never? Almost always
15. Preferred reading environment: In-person or remote? In-person
16. Remote platforms used: Skype, Zoom, email, IM, text, etc? Email with conditions
17: Uses “clearing” methods (prayers, incense, crystals etc), Yes or no: Not often
18. Deck “cleansing” performed, Yes or no: Never, not necessary
19. Concerned about non-reversible backs, Yes or no: No
20. Will do “third-party” readings, Yes or no: Generally no, except for public figures
21. Will do binary or “yes/no” readings, Yes or no: Yes
22. Will answer “thinks-or-feels” mind-reading questions, Yes or no: No
23. Will answer health-related questions, Yes or no: Generally no, with exceptions
24. Will answer financial questions, Yes or no: Generally no, with exceptions
25. Will answer legal questions, Yes or no: Generally no, with exceptions
26: Will read without knowing the question, Yes or no: Yes if reading in-person**
27. Will offer follow-up advice, Yes or no: Yes, one free post-reading Q&A session
28. Uses a “Significator” card, Yes or no: Always, sometimes, rarely, never? Rarely
29. Creates own personal spreads, Yes or no: Yes, frequently
30. Performs professional (paid) public readings, Yes or no: Yes
31, Certified or licensed as a professional, Yes or no: No, not required in my state
32. Trained or schooled in tarot reading, Yes or no: No, self-taught since 1972
33. Uses other divinatory arts with or alongside tarot, Yes or no: Yes, numerous***
34. Has a mostly analytical or intuitive reading style: 70/30 split
35, Has a logical theory of “How tarot works,” Yes or no: Yes, subconscious induction
36. Uses esoterica, Yes or no: Often, occasionally. never? Often but limited in scope
37. Engages in psychic or astral techniques: Sometimes, rarely, never? Sometimes
38. Engages in social media: Daily, occasionally, never? Daily, but only forums****
39. Uses tarot for “psychological profiling,” Yes or no? Generally no, natal astrology
40. Ongoing learning methods: Practice, books, online, classes? Practice and books
41. Embraces philosophy, psychology and/or religion? Philosophy and psychology
42. Length of metaphysical study and practice: 53 years (professional since 2011)*****

 

*This is part of what I call the “theater of tarot.”
**This may render some of the other questions moot.
***Horary astrology, Lenormand, I Ching, geomancy, dice, dominoes, board-game spinners, minor magical ritual, crystal ball, pendulum, etc.
****I avoid video chat, YouTube, TikTok, IM, generally all “talking-head” venues run by “influencers,” frequenting only Facebook, reddit and other discussion platforms.
*****According to Douglas Adams, 42 is “The Answer to the Meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything,” so I’ll leave it at that.

Edited February 20 by Barleywine