21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card - Step 10 - Meanings

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card
Mary K. Greer

In step ten of our journey, we take a look at meanings found in books. Some may find it a method of cheating to fall back on interpretations supplied by others. But, Mary suggests this is very useful, and I have to agree with her. On more than one occasion, I've used the process in this step to complete a reading.


As you read over a meaning in a book, it's important to pay attention to your reactions to each suggestion. Your body and mind will give clues to the interpretations best fitting for the reading. It will feel right, it will have you saying 'yes, that's it,' and/or the phrase will seem to leap out at you.

Artwork © Jennifer Galasso, 2011  

Activity 10:1

1. Gather together a couple of books with varying length interpretations, including the booklet supplied with your deck. (You will use these to look up the meanings of your chosen card.) 
2. Refresh your mind on the question used in the beginning of the steps. 
3. Make a list of the meanings that grab your attention and summarize their message in a couple of sentences. How do these compare with your earlier interpretations?
4. If you like, note where the meanings used in previous steps and the book meanings are the same or different. Write one-sentence summaries of these similarities and differences.
5. Sometime later, revisit this reading and see which meanings were most accurate and which gave the greatest insight.

The question I began with was, "What do I need to most look at in my life right now?"

Here are a few meanings which jumped out at me.

• She is refusing to see the problem at hand, therefore avoiding making a decision.
• Feeling uncertain about which way to go.
• Unable to make a move.
• You don't know rather to follow your head or your heart. 
• A tense situation.

I'd say for the most part these are similar to the descriptions and meanings thus far explored by the steps, although the wording may be slightly different. For instance: following your head or your heart can lead back to finding balance, and a tense situation is likely if you cannot decide what to do.

Activity 10:2

You may also find it useful to turn the book interpretations into questions to answer. Use some of what you chose, turn them into questions, and then answer them.

Some questions:

• What is the problem at hand? 
• How do you feel about the available directions?
• What can you do to make the move a little easier?

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If you haven’t already, grab a copy of the book for a deeper understanding of 21 Ways to Read the Tarot. Available in Print and Kindle.