By J. Sol

If you are curious about tapping into the full potential of your tarot cards but don't know where to begin, this post is for you. I have laid out three basic steps to begin your journey—I call it the DIY Oracle Guide. The steps are very simple, and luckily the only gifts you need to master them are consistency and dedication. Practice them, and before you know it you will be having a ball reading for yourself and others, with confidence and deeply powerful insights.

DIY Oracle Tip 1: The question will always drive the answer from your oracle and tarot deck. Craft your questions with care and thought, because the clearer the question is, the clearer the answer will be. For example, instead of asking, “What about my love life?” ask, “What are the key blocks that are preventing a relationship from appearing in my life?” See the difference?

DIY Oracle Tip 2: Messages are transmitted to us in more than one way. After you have carefully crafted your question, pick just one card and then look at it in a multisensory way. Visually, what does it say to you? Feel it: what emotions bubble up? Listen to it—quiet your mind and hear the message. Sometimes a message is just a “knowing”; follow it, and remember to be open.

DIY Oracle Tip 3: Your tarot or oracle cards can be your spiritual companion, guide and daily inspiration throughout your life. In that vein, it is very important to dedicate a sacred space for them in your home. Here are a few ideas: keep your cards out in the open so they can breathe; put a small crystal, such as a quartz, amethyst or selenite, on top of the deck so the cards are continually energized; if you don’t use your cards on a daily basis, shuffle them once in a while to reinvigorate them. The cards are a direct bridge to your higher self, so remember to cultivate a thoughtful and respectful relationship with them. Doing these things will ensure that they are continually energized and ready for those times when you need them.

J. Sol, a professional tarot reader and teacher in NYC, will teach a tarot certification course beginning in early January at Aum Shanti Bookshop in the Lower East Side. Visit the bookshop to sign up, or visit AumShantiBookshop.com for more information.