What is the common process for tarot reading?

Tarot divination is not just a mystical practice based on feelings, but a process that "formats" the chaotic subconscious and outputs clear signals. This is done through standard procedures of shuffling, cutting, drawing, laying out, and collecting the cards, which help calm the mind and reduce noise.

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1. Preparation and Clarifying Questions

• Clearing Noise: Choose a clean, flat surface, preferably laying down a tarot cloth. This is not just for ritual; it protects the cards and visually establishes a "focus area."
• Reconstructing Questions: This is the core step before divination.
  • Incorrect Question: "Will I get rich this year?"
  • Correct Question: "If I want to improve my financial situation in the next six months, what are my current blind spots? What direction should I focus on?"

2. Shuffling

Shuffling is meant to disrupt the existing order and allow new situations to arise.

• Clockwise Shuffling: Place all 78 cards face down and use both hands to rub the cards in a clockwise direction on the cloth. During this time, silently repeat or focus on the clarified question. This process should last at least 30 seconds, until you feel "it's about right."
• Collecting and Organizing Cards: Gather the spread-out cards into a pile from the sides. At this point, the pile is horizontal; decide on a direction to stand it upright.
  • Note: If you plan to interpret "reversed cards," you can intentionally rotate some cards 180° while collecting them at this stage.

3. Cutting the Cards

Cutting the cards is to further disrupt the structure while infusing the querent's current energy.

1. Place the entire stack of cards horizontally in front of you (face down).
2. Ask the querent to intuitively take about half of the cards from the top of the stack and place them on the left side (now there are two stacks on the table).
3. Then, take about half of the cards from the second stack (the left one) and place them even further left (now there are three stacks on the table, labeled A, B, and C from right to left).
4. Finally, merge the three stacks back into one in any random order (for example, placing stack C on top of stack B, then combining them with stack A).

4. Drawing and Laying Out Cards

According to the chosen spread, begin executing the corresponding drawing logic.

• Drawing Method: You can either flip the cards sequentially from the top of the entire stack or fan them out on the table and intuitively draw the required number of cards.
• Laying Out: Strictly place the cards according to the defined positions and order of the spread. Keep the cards face down while laying them out, and once all positions are ready, flip them one by one from left to right, or according to the spread order, "left to right" (avoiding flipping them up and down, which could change reversed cards to upright).

Step 5. Collecting the Cards

After the reading is complete, collecting the cards signifies the formal conclusion of this "divination."

• Ritualistic Collecting: Stack all the cards back in order, and you may lightly tap the table three times, symbolizing that the energy field of this question has closed and returned to calmness.
• Environmental Cleanup: Properly store the cards back in their protective box or velvet bag. The reader should adjust their breathing at this time, withdrawing their focus from the querent's story to maintain their own sense of boundaries.