How do you pick your cards?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

thepearlearring	27 Apr 2005
So... I'm not sure exactly on the best way do draw my cards. Initially I'd just lay em out and pick at random without much thought but now that seems to be quite a dull way of choosing. Now I usually close my eyes and pick at the 'right' moment, but yet again I'm just not sure really how to do it. If I draw a card and others become disjointed from the row I feel tempted to pick them as they stand out to me but then usually opt for another card. Any thoughts about good methods of doing what should be the simple part of a tarot reading?

Grizabella	27 Apr 2005
I shuffle, cut, and then deal them out off the top of the deck. No fuss, no muss. I get accurate readings that way so it obviously works. I find that tarot works best when I don't get too precious with it. If I don't constantly worry if I'm doing it "right" or reading them "right" and I just relax and let it flow, then that's when it's the absolute best for me. It allows my intuition room to do what it needs to and doesn't allow me and my "rightness" to get in the way that so I can't receive what the cards are saying. Good luck with it and try to relax. I think it will probably work better for you that way, too, whether you pick them out or deal them out. :)

Enchanted	27 Apr 2005
Hi thepearlearring I do the whole 'hot' cards thing, where I feel a vibe from a certain card, only if I haven't spread them well that can sometimes leave your hand on two or maybe more which I then just tend to go again. My mind is tempted to go where it went before, just out of curiosity if anything, in this case I just try and centre myself on the question again and try again. I guess doing it this way I feel that there is some kind of selection process as my shuffling leaves a lot to be desired. I also close my eyes, kinda brings in the focus. Overall though just do what feels right for you! Don't question it too much, just go with it. :)

snowy25	27 Apr 2005
I don't have one way to pick them but do what suits best for the moment. First there is a pile of cards, then I wave them from left to right with my right hand. Then I go over it with my right hand. Sometimes I go for the card with a warm feeling, sometimes it turns cold and I pick that one. Sometimes I feel my baby kick me and stop to pick the card just below where my hand was at that moment (yeah, s/he helps sometimes!})). And other times a card just looks good for the reading. All and all, it just comes down to trust yourself and go with the choice you've made.

manuel ruiz	27 Apr 2005
when i was learning how to read the taort, my teacher always told me to spread the cards and then concentrate about the question, then pass youe hand over the spread deck, and start picking the cards!! he always told ne that you dont choose the cards, the cards call you

cybercat	27 Apr 2005
I have used trhee differnt ways to pull cards. Off the top one after another. Suffle then pull a card suffle again and pull a card. Spread out the deck and choose at random. What ever you choose to do it makes no differance. Cat

bladeraven	27 Apr 2005
Sometimes at random...sometimes they fall out..when I'm doing readign...when my child pulls one out I use that card....

The How do you pick your cards? thread was originally posted on 27 Apr 2005 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.