As we study the cards, we realize that each card has many meanings. A common question is “how do you know which meaning to use in a reading?”

Mary K. Greer’s book, 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card is fantastic for lots of reasons. It is interactive, it helps you get involved in your cards, it leads through a journey of self-discovery as well understanding tarot. It is also packed with gems that can help anyone hone their reading skills.

In fact, in it, she answers that question “how do I know which meaning?” She writes:

The Giveaways to Meaning

How can you know what, out of the many meanings, will be relevant in a particular case? You must combine the rational with the intuitive. Here are some of the body-mind or intuitive giveaways:

Your interest perks up, your attention sharpens, you become more focused
Your body reacts (breath quickens or is held, fingers move, eyes blink, brows raise, shoulder shrugs, toe taps, etc.)
You feel some subtle sensation (warmth, heaviness, brightening, ringing, buzzing, magnetism)
A memory snapshot from your life appears in your mind’s eyes (or your eyes move up and to the left).
A word or phrase “leaps out”
You reread a word several times
You find yourself saying “Yes” or nodding your head
You find yourself emphatically saying “No” (this may also indicate blocking something you’d rather not consider)

The text refers directly to the issue or something that you’ve said

 

With a little practice you’ll know which of these works for you. (As a tarot reader, watch for such signs in both yourself and the querent as you survey the meanings.)