New to tarot readings? Welcome to the spiritual world of tarot card wisdom!
You may have jumped into this exciting practice to get past, present, and future wisdom.
It is something deeply woven with your subconscious. But pulling the cards will probably be challenging, as you are new to this space.
So, how many tarot cards should you pull in the reading?
There is no hard and fast rule to pull a specific number of cards. Your intuition is the best guide to determine how many tarot cards you need for the reading. Watch out for factors like the complexity of questions, the type of reading, and the depth of your analysis.
In this article, you’ll explore five important factors determining the number of cards you should pull for your tarot reading. Let’s dive in!
Is There Any Fixed Rule of Thumb?
No, there is no hard and fast rule for pulling the number of tarot cards. Tarot reading is all about your intuition.
You have to determine your mental state before pulling out the cards. Choose the ones that match your vibe perfectly.
Experts prescribe no exact number of cards to be pulled. It varies from person to person and situation to situation. It also depends on the level and experience of a tarot reader.
Ultimately the target is to get powerful insights and predictions from the cards. This will help you understand the situation better and align your decisions accordingly.
5 Factors To Consider While Pulling X Number of Tarot Cards
As said earlier, there is no rigid parameter to determine the number of tarot cards to be pulled.
The only rule is to listen to your heart and do what you feel is right.
Figure out the learning style that works for you specifically.
Each tarot deck is packed with a world of insights. So, start by pulling out a lesser number of cards.
Once practiced enough, you can expand the spread. If one way doesn’t work for you, try another. But once you nail the technique, you’ll be able to deliver effective readings.
Don’t listen to what other people tell you to do. What worked for them won’t necessarily work for you. Just listen to your heart and go with the flow!
1. Check the Complexity of the Questions
Well, the complexity of questions can be tricky. If the query is complex, yielding more than one answer, you might need to pull out more cards.
This will give you a better understanding of the complexity and help orient your focus to particular areas.
There are a variety of questions from the seeker’s perspective. So, give questions the weightage they deserve.
Below are some scenarios to determine the number of cards according to the level of question.
- Pull out 1 card if it’s a simple yes/no question.
- Pull 3 cards for questions demanding a solution.
- Pull 4 to 5 cards for questions requiring options.
- Pull 7 to 13 cards for deep and open-ended questions.
You can also take the cards from another deck to get more details for in-depth questions.
2. See the Type of Reading
It’s like reading the books of wisdom. Every card has a unique story and reveals different meanings when combined with other cards.
Depending on the type of reading, you can choose the number of cards to make sense.
For example, pull only 1 or 3 cards if it’s a short-term reading. But if it’s a long-term reading, pull out 4 to 6 cards or more.
So, watch the reading type you will have and pull the cards accordingly. You can choose 3, 5, 7, or 10 cards.
But, most commonly, people opt for three cards.
- Pull 3 tarot cards for love and relationship reading.
- Pull a 3-card spread for past, present, and future insights.
- Pull 7 cards to know the week ahead.
- Pull 8 cards to analyze the influences of your past on the current situation.
The following are a few types of tarot readings you can see to choose your number of cards.
- Love spread.
- Success spread.
- Celtic cross.
- The career path.
- Spiritual guidance.
- Three-card spread.
3. Cards for Daily Readings
Most people go for a tarot reading daily. They love acquiring about the entire day and plan accordingly.
Most tarot readers opt to pull 4 cards for daily readings. But you have to match the seeker’s vibe with the cards. You can pull 4 tarot cards if your client asks questions about the day they have come.
- What is the advice to make this day better?
- What will this day be about?
- What energy can I let go of today?
- What are the positive points for me today?
- How will this day contribute to my growth?
If for any reason, you feel stuck, you can pull 2 extra cards for guidance. But the number should not exceed 7 cards. Additional cards are like a bonus but don’t make it a habit.
4. Three Tarot Card Reading for Beginners
If you are a beginner, it’s best to pull 1, 2, or 3 cards. This readability length will keep your reading concise and accurate.
You can choose one tarot spread if you don’t have a straightforward question in mind.
You can pull two tarot cards if you have questions like love, relationship, life, and path.
Here are some questions you can ask your tarot deck.
- What’s my status in the relationship?
- What will happen if I keep going like this?
- What’s something I should get rid of?
- How can I improve my career?
To pull three tarot cards, you should have concerns like these:
- What do my past, present, and future hold about my current issue?
- How I am handling my problem? What I am missing out on? Did I do it right?
5. For Experienced Tarot Readers
It will sound clear if you have been into tarot reading for a while. You might be familiar with multiple decks, and the number of cards will be manageable.
You can easily choose a more extensive spread if you have enough practice.
It is said that a large number of tarot cards confuse the accuracy of tarot readings. But that’s not the case! If you are skilled enough to handle the energy of all 78 cards, you can choose from 4 to above.
Large tarot spreads are for situations you’re well aware of. There are a few plus points of greater tarot spread in readings.
- It provides tons of information.
- It offers a roadmap to plan and lead your life.
- It emerges the messages to your real life.
- It offers deeper insights.
- It can provide solutions to complex issues.
Final Words
Pulling the cards has no thumb rule. You can draw as many cards as there are positions in the tarot spread. Check the factors behind your reading, and pull the cards accordingly.
Listen to your heart first and follow what intuition says. You can get through this, I know. So, remember to get creative and experiment with the cards as you wish. As long as it makes sense for your query, the number of cards you pull won’t limit your insight or accuracy.
It’s time to practice it. It’s time to move beyond your comfort zone and trust the cards.
Have fun. Cheers to your tarot reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
We advise pulling tarot cards whenever you have a query or feel stuck. However, giving at least 3 months gap between professional readings is essential. It will let things go with the flow and progress naturally.
Tarot cards are just one way of seeking guidance; they can sometimes be wrong. If you feel like the readings are not relevant, you can try another deck or opt for a different spread. If that doesn’t work, feel free to take a break and revisit the cards after a few days.
Yes, you can. But make sure you have their consent and remember to set boundaries for yourself. Keep in mind that when you are reading for someone else, it’s disrespectful to give an unsolicited interpretation. Just stick to the facts and provide them with accurate insights.
