The Only Rule in Tarot Card Reading (And It Might Surprise You)
I'm about to tell you something that might blow your mind if you're new to tarot:
The only rule in tarot card reading is: THERE ARE NO FUCKING RULES.
I know, I know. You're probably thinking, "Wait, what? How does that work?! Surely there must be SOME basic rules to follow, right? A guidebook? A manual? Something?!"
If that's what's running through your head right now, good—you're in the right place. Let's talk about why tarot doesn't come with a rulebook, and why that's actually the most empowering thing about it.
Why "No Rules" Is Actually the Best Rule
Here's the thing about tarot: it's not a science. It's an art.
There's no strict instruction manual you need to memorize to read tarot cards "correctly." No certification required. No tarot police coming to arrest you if you shuffle with your left hand instead of your right or if you interpret the Death card differently than someone else does.
The only consistent theme across all tarot readings—whether you're reading for yourself, a friend, or a client—is this: Trust, listen to, and follow your intuition. That's it. That's the whole damn game.
Your intuition is the key that unlocks the magic of tarot. It's what allows you to connect with the cards, understand their messages in context, and deliver insights that actually matter to the person in front of you (or staring back at you in the mirror).
And here's the beautiful part: intuition is subjective. What feels true for me might not feel true for you. The way I interpret a card might be completely different from the way you interpret it—and we can both be right.
That's why there are no set rules. Tarot is a conversation between you, the cards, and your inner knowing. And no two conversations are the same.
But Wait—Doesn't That Make It Confusing as Hell?
I get it. If you're a beginner, the idea of "no rules" can feel overwhelming. You might be thinking, "If there are no rules, how do I even start? What if I do it wrong?"
Here's the truth: You literally can't do it wrong.
Tarot isn't about memorizing a bunch of card meanings and regurgitating them like a robot. It's about developing a relationship with the cards, learning their language, and trusting yourself to interpret what they're showing you.
Yes, each card has traditional meanings. Yes, there are patterns and symbols that show up consistently across different decks. But those are guidelines, not laws. Think of them like training wheels—they help you get started, but eventually, you'll realize you don't need them anymore.
The real magic happens when you stop worrying about doing it "right" and start trusting what the cards are telling you.
Trusting Your Intuition: The Only "Rule" That Matters
So if there's only one rule, let's break down what it actually means to trust your intuition when reading tarot.
What Is Intuition, Anyway?
Intuition is that gut feeling, that inner knowing, that quiet voice that whispers (or sometimes shouts) the truth you already know but haven't fully acknowledged yet.
It's the feeling you get when you meet someone new and instantly know whether you vibe with them or not. It's the split-second decision that turns out to be the right one, even though you couldn't explain why at the time. It's the sense that something is off, even when everything looks fine on the surface.
Your intuition is smarter than your overthinking brain. It picks up on patterns, energy, and information that your conscious mind hasn't processed yet. And when you're reading tarot, your intuition is what bridges the gap between the cards and the message they're trying to deliver.
Why Intuition Is the Foundation of Tarot
Tarot works through synchronicity—the concept (popularized by Carl Jung) that meaningful coincidences reveal deeper truths. When you pull a card, it's not random. It's reflecting the energy, patterns, and dynamics already at play in your life (or the life of the person you're reading for).
But here's the catch: the cards don't come with subtitles. They don't spell out exactly what they mean in a neat little paragraph. They show you symbols, archetypes, colors, figures, and scenarios—and it's up to you to interpret what those mean in the context of the question being asked.
That interpretation? That's your intuition at work.
Two readers can pull the exact same card for the same question and deliver completely different (but equally valid) messages, because they're tapping into different layers of meaning based on what their intuition is picking up.
And that's not a bug—it's a feature.
How to Strengthen Your Tarot Intuition
Okay, so you know intuition is important. But how do you actually use it when you're staring at a spread and have no fucking idea what the cards are trying to say?
Here are my top strategies for enhancing your intuitive connection with the cards:
1. Create the Right Environment
You can't hear your intuition if your brain is noisy, distracted, or stressed. Creating a calm, focused environment is essential for tuning into your inner guidance.
What this looks like in practice:
Find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted
Light a candle, burn some sage, or play soft music—whatever helps you feel centered
Take a few deep breaths before you start your reading to clear your mind
Set an intention for the reading (even if it's just "I'm open to whatever guidance wants to come through")
Think of this like creating a container for the reading. You're signaling to yourself (and the universe, if that's your thing) that you're ready to listen.
Pro tip: Your environment doesn't have to be Instagram-perfect. It just has to feel right to you. I've done powerful readings in coffee shops, on my couch in sweatpants, and at my kitchen table surrounded by dirty dishes. The vibe matters more than the aesthetics.
2. Get Familiar with the Cards (But Don't Memorize Them Like Your Life Depends On It)
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is thinking they need to memorize every card meaning before they can start reading. You don't.
That said, it is helpful to spend time getting to know your deck. Pull a card each day and sit with it. Notice the imagery. What jumps out at you? What feelings does it evoke? What story does it seem to be telling?
Here's the key: Don't just look up the "official" meaning and call it a day. Notice what you see in the card first, before you consult a book or app.
For example, let's say you pull the Three of Swords (the card with three swords piercing a heart—ouch). The traditional interpretation is heartbreak, betrayal, emotional pain. But when you look at it, maybe you notice the storm clouds in the background, or the way the swords are positioned, or the fact that the heart is still intact despite being pierced. Your intuition might tell you this card is about surviving heartbreak, or releasing pain, or cutting through bullshit to get to the truth.
Your interpretation isn't wrong just because it's different. In fact, it might be exactly what you (or your client) needs to hear.
3. Trust Your First Hit (Even If It Doesn't Make Sense)
Here's something that happens to every tarot reader: You flip over a card, and immediately, a word, image, or feeling pops into your head. But then your logical brain kicks in and says, "That doesn't make sense. That's not what this card means. Let me think harder about this."
Stop. Go back. Trust that first hit.
Your intuition speaks first. Your overthinking brain speaks second. And most of the time, that first instinct is the right one—even if you don't understand why yet.
I can't tell you how many times I've shared an intuitive hit with a client that seemed random or off-base to me, only to have them say, "Oh my god, that's exactly what I needed to hear. How did you know?"
I didn't know. My intuition knew. And I trusted it enough to say it out loud.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any skill, reading tarot gets easier the more you do it. Your intuitive muscle gets stronger with use.
Ways to practice:
Pull daily cards for yourself and journal about what you notice
Offer free readings to friends (with their permission)
Join online tarot communities and participate in practice swaps
Read for yourself when you're facing decisions or need clarity
Join us on the 1st Wednesday of every month for free tarot practice session
The more you practice, the more you'll learn to recognize what your intuition feels like. You'll start to notice patterns in how you interpret certain cards, what symbols resonate with you, and what your unique reading style is.
And here's the thing: your style won't look like anyone else's, and that's fucking perfect.
Common Tarot "Rules" You Can Ignore
Since we're talking about how there are no rules, let's bust some common tarot myths that might be holding you back:
❌ Myth: You can't read tarot for yourself.
Truth: You absolutely can (and should) read for yourself. Some of my most powerful readings have been solo sessions where I asked the cards for guidance and listened to what came through.
❌ Myth: You have to cleanse your deck after every reading.
Truth: Cleanse your deck if it feels necessary, but you don't have to. Some readers cleanse constantly; others never do. Follow what feels right for you.
❌ Myth: You can't let other people touch your cards.
Truth: Some readers are protective of their decks; others let clients shuffle. There's no right or wrong—just personal preference.
❌ Myth: Reversed cards always mean the opposite of upright cards.
Truth: Reversed cards can mean a lot of things—blocked energy, internalized energy, a shadow aspect, or just a different angle on the upright meaning. Or you can choose not to read reversals at all. Totally valid.
❌ Myth: You need to use a specific spread for specific questions.
Truth: Spreads are helpful frameworks, but you can absolutely make up your own or pull cards intuitively without any spread at all.
See the pattern here? If someone tells you there's only one "right" way to do tarot, they're full of shit.
What If I'm Still Unsure?
Look, I get it. If you're new to tarot, the idea of trusting your intuition might feel vague or intimidating. You might be thinking, "But how do I know if what I'm feeling is intuition or just my imagination?"
Here's the truth: Sometimes you won't know. And that's okay.
The more you practice, the more you'll learn to distinguish between intuitive hits and mental chatter. But in the beginning, it's going to feel a little fuzzy. That's part of the learning process.
Here's my advice: Start small. Pull one card a day and notice what you feel, see, or sense before you look up the meaning. Journal about it. See if your intuition was right. Over time, you'll build trust in yourself.
And remember: even professional readers get it "wrong" sometimes. Tarot isn't about being perfect. It's about being open, honest, and willing to explore what the cards are showing you.
The Real Power of Tarot
Here's what I want you to understand: Tarot isn't magic because of the cards. It's magic because of you.
The cards are just paper and ink. What makes them powerful is your willingness to slow down, listen, and trust the wisdom that's already inside you.
When you read tarot, you're not asking the cards to tell you what to do. You're asking yourself. The cards are just a tool to help you access the part of you that already knows the answer but hasn't been able to articulate it yet.
That's why there are no rules. Because tarot isn't about following someone else's system—it's about developing your own relationship with your intuition, your inner wisdom, and your truth.
So, What's the Takeaway?
If you're going to remember one thing from this post, let it be this:
Trust your intuition. That's the only rule that fucking matters.
Everything else—how you shuffle, what deck you use, what spreads you choose, how you interpret the cards—is up to you. There's no tarot police. There's no "wrong" way to do this.
Approach tarot with curiosity, openness, and respect for yourself and the process. Let go of the need to be perfect or to know everything before you start. Give yourself permission to explore, experiment, and trust what feels right to you.
Because at the end of the day, tarot isn't about the cards—it's about you stepping into your power, trusting yourself, and listening to the wisdom you've had all along.
Ready to Trust Your Intuition?
If you're ready to experience a tarot reading that's grounded, practical, and deeply intuitive (with zero mystical BS), I'd love to work with you.
Book a session with me, and we'll use the cards to tap into your inner wisdom, explore what's blocking you, and chart your path forward—all while honoring your unique intuition and truth.
And if you want to keep learning about tarot, manifestation, and trusting your inner badass, join my email list for monthly insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes magic.
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Remember: The cards don't have the answers. You do. The cards just help you hear them.
Now go trust your gut, badass. ✨
- Rachel