Tarot has always been a fun and relaxing pastime for me. In the beginning, I did readings for family and friends, consulted books, took classes and tried to figure out what the cards really meant. With patience and practice, one learns to pick up the vibrations of the cards - the most important part of tarot -- your individual intuitive insight.

Tarot is a useful tool in helping people in conflict. I have never met a client who had no concerns because when people are upset, they seek answers from those who can guide them through their obstacles and challenges. They need the hope and solutions readers provide.

I remember how difficult it seemed to remember the 78 cards and then the 78 reversed meanings. That is when I started to use symbolism to decode the cards. For those who would like to learn tarot in an easy and accurate manner, here are some suggestions. Read the cards through the interpretation of colors, backgrounds, and what the figures are doing/not doing. It's easy to remember any card without memorizing a separate meaning for each of the 78 cards. Eventually the meanings will just come to you after practicing with them, but for now these associations will do nicely. For instance, cloudy skies can mean that "things" are brewing behind you, as streaking clouds can mean that you are in the middle of a very volatile situation. Smooth ground means you are standing on firm ground or are balanced, but rocky ground can mean you will trip, stumble or have unsure footing. By learning the meanings for the symbolisms in all of the cards, you will have a very good idea of the meanings of the cards without continually referring to textbooks. Briefly some basic color associations are: BLUE: harmony, peace, happiness, serenity; YELLOW: intelligence, analytical ability and intelligence; RED: aggressiveness, desires, wants and needs; GREEN: fruitfulness, fertility, abundance and prosperity; WHITE: honesty, purity, trust, and honor; BLACK: deceit, troubles, problems, hidden issues; BROWN: durability, grounded, purpose and strong ties or connections to others; PURPLE: highest good, royalty, generosity and doing things for the highest good of all.

Lastly, you then add the four suits which are Wands representing career or jobs; Pentacles representing prosperity and abundance; Swords representing obstacles or challenges and Cups representing relationships and love. Notice what the figures are doing in the cards. Are they happy? Are they fighting with one another? Celebrating? Sad? Lonely? Add all the associations and symbolisms together for each card and you will start to notice that you have specific meanings for particular cards.

Tarot doesn't need to be a mystery nor require many years of study and practice unless you plan to give advice to others in a counseling capacity. Although practice is definitely a confidence builder and gives more insight into a reading, you can always use friends or family as willing participants for readings. (I even had one student who had no one to practice with so used her cat as a subject!) You'll be surprised how many new friends you will attract as soon as they know you need volunteers to practice this ancient art of divination.

Giving of this sacred advice is not to be taken lightly nor used for your own personal gain, but rather to receive insight into a situation or relationship that can be helpful to others. You are a facilitator of the cards and the Querent (the person for whom you are doing the reading) must know that if they choose to do nothing with the information you give them, it is okay. They do not have to change their lives or make decisions. They do not have to learn the lessons of this lifetime. It is always their choice. You may guide or suggest, but ethical practitioners do not insist that clients do a particular thing or instill fear by making them believe a curse is on them or their loved ones. According to these practitioners, a curse of this type would take many visits and much more money to handle. Unfortunately, this is how some tarot readers earn a living. This is totally unacceptable for the professional reader and ethical student.

As a reader, you must help others understand and cope with circumstances by giving practical alternatives and guidance through the clients' challenges or opportunities. In this way, you are using tarot for the highest good of all, guiding souls to a more productive life and in turn feeling a sense of accomplishment and inner peace. For you have genuinely helped someone for the highest good of all involved and have made a tremendous difference in their life and in turn in our world.