How do I understand my tarot reading?
Reading Overview
Getting a tarot reading is just the first step—the real magic happens when you understand what the cards are telling you. Whether you've received a reading from PullTarot or another source, this guide will help you interpret the messages with confidence and apply them to your life.
Tarot readings aren't about predicting an unchangeable future. Instead, they offer:
- Clarity on your current situation - Understanding where you are right now
- Insight into underlying patterns - Recognizing what's influencing your circumstances
- Guidance for decision-making - Seeing potential outcomes of different paths
- Reflection on inner wisdom - Connecting with your intuition and subconscious
- Perspective on challenges - Viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth
The key to a meaningful reading is approaching it with an open mind while staying grounded in reality. Let's explore how to extract maximum value from your tarot reading.
Reading the Three-Card Spread
The three-card spread is the most popular tarot layout, and for good reason—it's simple yet profound. At PullTarot, we use this spread because it provides clear insights without overwhelming complexity.
The Three Positions Explained
Past/Foundation
What has led to this situation. Past events, experiences, or influences that set the stage for where you are now.
Present/Challenge
Your current situation. What you're dealing with right now, the central issue or energy surrounding your question.
Future/Outcome
The potential outcome or guidance. Where things are heading if you continue on your current path, or advice for moving forward.
How to Read the Flow
Don't just read each card in isolation—look at how they flow together:
- Start with the overall energy - Glance at all three cards. What's your first impression? Mostly positive? Challenging? Mixed?
- Read the story from left to right - How does the past card lead into the present? How does the present naturally flow toward the future?
- Notice the transition points - Is there a dramatic shift between cards? A gradual evolution? Consistency throughout?
- Consider the center card's influence - The middle card is your focal point—it colors how you interpret the other two.
💡 Example Reading Flow
Past: Five of Pentacles (financial struggle)
Present: The Star (hope and healing)
Future: Ace of Pentacles (new opportunity)
Story: You've experienced financial hardship (Past), but you're now in a phase of renewed hope and recovery (Present), which is leading you toward a concrete new opportunity (Future). The reading suggests your difficulties are transforming into growth.
Understanding Card Positions
Each position in a spread adds context to the card's meaning. The same card in different positions tells different parts of the story.
Position Influences Meaning
📍 Past Position
Cards here represent foundations, origins, and what has already influenced your situation.
📍 Present Position
Cards here show your current energy, challenge, or the heart of the matter.
📍 Future Position
Cards here show potential outcomes, advice, or what to focus on moving forward.
⚠️ Important Note
The future position doesn't show a fixed destiny—it shows the most likely outcome if current energies continue. You always have the power to change direction based on the reading's guidance.
Interpreting Card Combinations
Individual cards are like words, but card combinations create sentences. The real depth of a reading emerges when you see how cards interact and modify each other's meanings.
How Cards Modify Each Other
🔮 Reinforcement
When cards support the same message, they amplify each other.
Example: Three of Cups + The Sun = Extra joyful celebration with friends. Both cards speak to happiness, so together they suggest exceptional joy.
⚖️ Contrast
When cards show opposing energies, they reveal tension or balance needed.
Example: Four of Pentacles + The Fool = Tension between holding on (security) and letting go (adventure). The reading is highlighting a need to balance safety with spontaneity.
🎯 Clarification
One card specifies or clarifies another card's general message.
Example: The Hermit + Two of Pentacles = Solitude isn't about isolation—it's about finding balance. The Hermit's withdrawal is specifically for juggling responsibilities.
🌊 Cause and Effect
Cards can show a clear chain of events or consequences.
Example: Eight of Swords → The Star → Six of Wands = Feeling trapped leads to finding hope, which leads to victory. Each card is a step in the journey.
Specific Combination Techniques
- Look at adjacent cards first - Cards next to each other have the strongest interaction. In a three-card spread, really focus on how cards 1-2 connect, and how cards 2-3 connect.
- Notice shared elements - Do two cards show water? People in similar poses? The same colors? Visual similarities often indicate connected themes.
- Check the energy progression - Is energy building (getting more intense) or releasing (becoming calmer)? This shows the direction of movement.
- Consider the "but" factor - Sometimes one card modifies another with an implied "but" or "however." Example: Ace of Cups (new love) + Five of Wands (conflict) = New relationship, but with some challenges to navigate.
Recognizing Patterns in Your Reading
Beyond individual cards and combinations, look for larger patterns across the entire reading. Patterns reveal the underlying themes and energies at play.
Suit Patterns
🔥 Multiple Wands
Focus on action, creativity, passion, or career matters. Energy is active and dynamic.
💧 Multiple Cups
Emphasis on emotions, relationships, intuition, or spiritual matters. Heart-centered energy.
⚔️ Multiple Swords
Mental focus on thoughts, communication, conflict, or decision-making. Intellectual energy.
🪙 Multiple Pentacles
Concentration on material matters, finances, health, or practical concerns. Grounded energy.
Number Patterns
When the same number appears multiple times, pay attention to its energy:
- Aces (1s): New beginnings, fresh starts, potential, raw energy
- Twos: Balance, partnerships, choices, duality
- Threes: Growth, creativity, collaboration, expansion
- Fours: Stability, structure, foundation, rest
- Fives: Conflict, challenge, change, instability
- Sixes: Harmony, communication, problem-solving, support
- Sevens: Reflection, assessment, spiritual growth, illusion vs. reality
- Eights: Movement, mastery, power, action
- Nines: Completion, fulfillment, wisdom, near the end of a cycle
- Tens: Endings, conclusions, transitions to new cycles
Major Arcana Concentration
If you have multiple Major Arcana cards (especially in a three-card spread where all three are Major Arcana):
- High significance - This situation is important to your life path
- Karmic or fated quality - Events feel destined or particularly meaningful
- Less control - External forces or deep internal processes are at work
- Spiritual lessons - There's significant personal growth happening
- Transformative period - This isn't a casual moment—it's pivotal
✨ Example Pattern Analysis
Reading: Two of Cups, Two of Pentacles, Two of Swords
Pattern: Three Twos = Strong focus on choices, balance, and partnership. This reading is all about finding equilibrium—in relationships (Cups), in practical matters (Pentacles), and in decision-making (Swords). The message: seek balance across all areas of life.
Understanding Reversed Cards
Some tarot readers use reversed cards (cards that appear upside-down) for additional nuance. At PullTarot, we read all cards upright to keep interpretations accessible, but understanding reversals can add depth if you encounter them elsewhere.
What Reversals Mean
A reversed card doesn't automatically mean "the opposite" of the upright meaning. Instead, reversals typically indicate:
Blocked or Delayed Energy
The card's energy is present but not flowing freely. Example: Reversed Ace of Wands suggests creative ideas that aren't yet manifesting.
Internal Rather Than External
The card's themes are happening internally. Example: Reversed Three of Cups might indicate private celebration or internal joy rather than external partying.
Excessive or Lacking
Too much or too little of the card's quality. Example: Reversed Four of Pentacles could mean being either overly controlling OR overly careless with resources.
Need to Revisit
The lesson of this card needs more attention. Example: Reversed Hermit suggests you haven't spent enough time in reflection or introspection.
💭 Our Approach at PullTarot
We read cards upright only because each card already contains both light and shadow aspects. The Ten of Swords, for instance, speaks to both endings and liberation without needing to be reversed. This approach keeps readings accessible while maintaining depth and accuracy.
Applying Insights to Your Life
The most important part of any tarot reading is what you do with the information. Here's how to transform insights into meaningful action.
The Four-Step Application Process
1. Reflect on Resonance
Ask yourself: What part of this reading really resonates? What made me nod or feel a spark of recognition?
2. Identify Specific Actions
Transform insights into concrete steps. What's one thing you can do this week based on the reading?
3. Notice Patterns in Daily Life
For the next few days, watch for situations that echo the reading's themes.
4. Journal Your Journey
Write down your reading, your initial thoughts, and then revisit it in a week or month.
Practical Application Examples
Career Reading Example:
Cards: Eight of Pentacles, The Hermit, Ace of Pentacles
Interpretation: Skill development (8 of Pentacles) through focused learning (The Hermit) leading to new opportunity (Ace of Pentacles).
Actionable Steps:
- • Enroll in that online course you've been considering
- • Block out 30 minutes daily for skill practice
- • Update your resume/portfolio with new capabilities
- • Network intentionally in your target field
- • Be patient—the Hermit suggests this is a gradual process
Relationship Reading Example:
Cards: Five of Cups, Two of Cups, The Sun
Interpretation: Past disappointment (5 of Cups) transforming into renewed connection (2 of Cups) and joy (The Sun).
Actionable Steps:
- • Acknowledge past hurt but don't let it define the future
- • Initiate meaningful conversation with your partner or potential partner
- • Plan something fun and lighthearted together
- • Practice gratitude for what's working in the relationship
- • Trust that healing is happening, even if gradually
⚡ Power Tip
Take action within 24-48 hours of your reading. The energy and clarity are strongest immediately after, and taking even one small step solidifies the reading's relevance and keeps momentum going.
When to Get Another Reading
Knowing when to seek another reading is just as important as understanding the reading itself. Here's how to maintain a healthy relationship with tarot guidance.
Good Reasons to Get Another Reading
Significant Time Has Passed
Generally wait 2-4 weeks before asking the same question again, giving time for energies to shift.
Circumstances Have Changed
If new developments have occurred, a fresh reading can provide updated guidance.
You Have a New Question
Different questions warrant different readings—just don't disguise the same question in different words.
You've Taken Action on Previous Guidance
After implementing insights from a reading, you might want guidance on the next steps in your journey.
Regular Check-ins (Monthly/Quarterly)
Periodic readings for general guidance and life direction can be valuable self-reflection tools.
Signs You're Reading Too Often
Reading Shopping
Getting multiple readings on the same question hoping for a "better" answer. Trust the first reading.
Decision Paralysis
Feeling unable to make any decision without consulting the cards first. Tarot should empower, not replace your judgment.
Anxiety-Driven Readings
Using readings to manage anxiety rather than for genuine guidance. If you're reading daily or multiple times daily, take a step back.
Ignoring Your Own Intuition
If you already know what you want to do but keep seeking readings instead of acting, the cards aren't helping anymore.
Healthy Reading Practices
- Set intentions, not expectations - Approach readings open to whatever messages emerge, not hoping for specific cards.
- Allow time for integration - Let each reading's wisdom sink in and manifest before seeking more.
- Trust your first reading - The initial reading is usually the most accurate; resist the urge to "verify" with multiple readings.
- Use tarot as one tool among many - Combine tarot insights with therapy, journaling, meditation, and advice from trusted friends.
- Take breaks when needed - If tarot is becoming stressful or addictive, step away for a few weeks to reset your relationship with it.
🎯 Our Recommendation
For most people, one reading every 2-4 weeks on different topics provides meaningful guidance without creating dependency. Use readings as checkpoints on your journey, not as constant direction-givers. The goal is empowerment, not reliance.
Ready to Get Your Next Reading?
Now that you know how to extract maximum insight from your tarot reading, experience a reading with PullTarot's intuitive three-card spread.
Continue Your Tarot Journey
Explore these related guides to deepen your understanding:
Beginner's Guide to Tarot
Learn the fundamentals of tarot, deck structure, and how readings work.
How to Ask Tarot Questions
Craft powerful questions that lead to insightful and actionable readings.
Free vs. Paid Readings
Understand the differences and decide which option is right for you.
Tarot vs. Oracle Cards
Discover the key differences between these two divination tools.