If you’ve just bought your tarot deck, then you may be wondering when the right time to read them is, and more importantly, are you even able too?
Good news: there’s no single cosmic appointment you must keep. What matters most is your own state of mind and the energy you bring to the table.
When To Read Your Tarot Cards
The good news is when it comes to when you should read your tarot cards, the answer really depends on you and not some outside circumstances.
Read When Your Mind Is Clear And Calm
Tarot acts like a mirror; so if you’re frazzled, that will be reflected back at you. This is why you should always wait until you’re clear minded and centered. If you’re feeling negative energy, then as hard as it is, you should wait to do your reading (and if you’re desperate get someone to do it for you).
Personal tip: I keep my deck right by my bed. I find when I wake up is the best time to get a tarot reading out, because this is when my mind is the freshest.
Sync With Life’s Natural Rhythms
Certain milestones crank up your intuition:
| Ideal Moment | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| New Beginnings (birthdays, new jobs) | Fresh cycles invite reflection and intention‑setting. |
| Crossroads & Decisions | Your cards will often show you unseen influences when you’re weighing options. |
| New‑Moon Evenings | Again, the new moon is a blank slate, which is the perfect time to start planting seeds. |
| Weekly/Daily Rituals | A regular one‑card draw builds trust with your deck and is perfect for tracking patterns over time. |
Time Whether You’re A Night Owl Or An Early Bird
People will always tell you when the best time to read your tarot cards are, but I honestly believe the best time to do it, is when you have the most energy. For me this is the morning, but if you’re a night owl then it might be in the evening.
Quick check‑list before you shuffle
- Am I mentally present, calm and balanced?
- Do I have a clear question or intention?
- Is my space distraction‑free for the next 10–15 minutes?
If you can answer yes, grab your deck and dive in. If not, honor the pause—you’ll thank yourself for the clarity later.
Ready to try? The Star and Strength Tarot Cards for Beginners deck has keywords on every card, so you can pull a spread anytime the mood strikes, even if you’re brand‑new.
Can Anyone Read Tarot Cards?
So, you’re eyeing your new deck and thinking, “Do I actually have what it takes, or do I need to be psychic?”
Let’s bust that myth wide open and show you how anyone, including you, can pick up the cards and start reading with confidence.
1. Tarot Isn’t an Exclusive Club
Even professional tarot readers know the truth: That tarot is for everyone and everyone can learn to read it. In fact, most readers aren’t born psychic, they simply fell in love with the symbolism and kept practicing, that’s exactly what I did
The same goes for how you get your first deck. That old superstition that your first deck must be a gift? Fun folklore, nothing more. You’re totally allowed (encouraged, even) to choose a deck that sparks joy for you.
In fact, I’d argue that a much more important skill is being able to understand what a person is asking and being able to create a concrete story from your interpretation of the card. And this is a skill you can definitely learn.
Skill Comes from Study + Practice, Not “Natural Gifts”
There is no one in this world that can look at a deck of tarot cards and intrinsically know what every card means, anymore than they can read a book. Even the best readers study, journal, and log plenty of practice hours before things feel natural. You’ll be able to read from just the symbolism, but for deeper understanding learning and study is key.
Think of tarot like learning guitar: your first chords might sound clunky, but daily strumming builds muscle memory, and suddenly you’re playing whole songs. Likewise, the more spreads you lay, the more patterns you’ll notice and the faster meanings will flow.
Intuition Is a Muscle You Can Train
But remember, memorizing every keyword gets old fast; the real magic happens when you trust your gut and let the images speak to you. While knowing the meanings of the cards IS important you should also make sure you’re putting down the guidebook for a few readings and simply describe what you see, to help build your intuitive muscle in minutes.
Try this tonight:
- Pull a single card.
- Spend 60 seconds noticing colors, facial expressions, and symbols.
- Ask, “What story do I feel here?”—then jot down your first impressions.
Repeat daily and you’ll be stunned by how quickly your personal symbolism library grows.
A Beginner‑Friendly Guide To Speed Things Up
- Choose a supportive deck. Our Star and Strength Tarot Cards for Beginners print keywords and yes/no hints right on the cards, so you’re never stuck staring blankly at the Nine of Wands.
- Journal each pull. Even a two‑line note (“Pulled The Fool, felt hopeful about my new job”) helps track progress.
- Check online forums! Being able to go to a forum or asking more seasoned friends is one of the best ways possible to get a better understanding of tarot.
- Mix study with fun. Read a reputable guide and experiment with intuitive spreads, balance left‑brain knowledge with right‑brain insight.
Quick question for you: Which of these steps feels most doable this week? Pick one and commit, you’ll thank yourself later.
Mindset Matters More Than Mystery
You don’t need to “summon spirits” or change your belief system to read tarot. All you need is curiosity, patience, and a willingness to listen to your inner voice. The cards are a mirror; the clearer your intention, the clearer the reflection you’ll receive.
So go ahead, shuffle, breathe, and flip that first card. With each reading you’ll strengthen both your intuition and your trust in yourself. And remember, every seasoned reader you admire once asked the very question you’re asking now.
Part 3 – When Not to Read Tarot Cards
Tarot is an amazing guide, but, just like driving a car, you still need to know when to hit the brakes, or when to pull over and rest. Reading at the wrong moment can cloud your judgement, fuel anxiety, or even cross ethical lines. Below are six red‑flag scenarios where it’s better to set the deck aside, plus simple alternatives for each.
When Emotions Are in Overdrive
Ever tried texting while furious, then cringed at what you sent? Reading tarot while you’re angry, panicked, or heartbroken works the same way. Your emotions seep into every card, and suddenly everything looks like the Ten of Swords.
Do instead:
- Breathe or meditate for five minutes.
- Journal the raw feelings first.
- Return once the emotional spike settles (or ask a trusted reader to pull cards for you).
Quick check‑in: On a scale of 1–10, how intense are your feelings right now? If it’s above a 7, pause.
When You’re Hoping the Cards Will Make the Decision for You
Tarot offers guidance, not orders. If you catch yourself thinking, “I’ll do whatever the cards say”, you’ve handed your power away. That leads to dependency, and frustration when life gets hard anyway. Remember tarot cards can’t predict the future, they just show you what might happen if you stay on the current path
Do instead:
- Phrase your question to invite insight, not instruction.
Try: “What should I consider while choosing between these jobs?” - Pull a single “advice” card, then use your judgment.
Remember: You are the main character; tarot just gives you different ways of looking at your situation.
When You Keep Asking the Same Question
Re‑shuffling for the identical answer is like refreshing social media every minute, you’ll probably get more nonsense than truth. The cards may start contradicting themselves, leaving you more confused than before.
Do instead:
- Give yourself a cooling off period fore revisiting the topic.
- Journal the last reading and act on its advice before seeking more clarity.
Ask yourself: Am I looking for guidance or just fishing for the answer I want?
When the Issue Requires Professional Help
Tarot can’t replace a doctor, therapist, lawyer, or financial advisor. If you’re facing serious health symptoms, legal action, or a major money crisis, treat tarot as emotional support, not a diagnostic tool.
Do instead:
- Consult the appropriate professional first.
- Use tarot later to explore your mindset around the situation, fear, hope, or next‑step motivation.
(This is the one of the most important things to remember about tarot.)
When Reading About Someone Without Their Consent
Curious about your ex’s new love life? Tempted to peek into a friend’s private drama? Reading on another person without permission borders on spiritual eavesdropping and often warps results with your own biases.
Do instead:
- Re‑frame the question to focus on your role:
Instead of: “Are they cheating?”
Try: “How can I communicate my concerns honestly and calmly?” - If the issue truly belongs to them, let it stay theirs.
When You’re Tired, Drunk, or Distracted
Late‑night wine plus tarot might sound fun, but fatigue and substances dull intuition. Loud environments or constant phone pings break concentration, too.
Do instead:
- Wait until you’re well‑rested and clear‑headed.
- Create a quiet pocket, turn off notifications, light a candle, maybe play gentle music.
Wait if painful emotions are steering the wheel
Anger, panic, or dread can hijack a reading faster than you can say “Three of Swords.”
And intense negative emotion will skew both the cards you pull and the way you interpret them, you’ll see your fear, not the truth.
If your heart’s racing, press pause:
- Ground yourself: five deep belly breaths or a short walk.
- Journal first, shuffle later: spill raw feelings on paper, then return when the storm passes.
- Phone a friend or pro: let someone objective read for you if you can’t shake the turbulence.
The Big Takeaway
Knowing when not to read is a skill that safeguards both your well‑being and the integrity of your practice. Whenever you feel rushed, desperate, or tempted to pry, treat it as a sign to stop and think. Remember, Tarot works best when you’re calm, curious, and respectful, of yourself, the cards, and anyone involved.
