How To Do A Tarot Reading On Yourself – 2026

Okay so first things first, tarot cards are like… people think they predict the future but honestly they’re more like a mirror of your brain and your vibes and like what’s going on around you, not like “you will meet a tall stranger at 3 pm” kinda thing, that’s just silly. I mean, sometimes it feels like that but really tarot is just… looking at patterns and energies and like nudging you to notice stuff.

So, how to do a tarot reading on yourself? If you’re wondering, it’s actually not as intimidating as it sounds. Anyway, if you’ve never tried it, it’s kind of scary, kind of magical, kind of confusing but also really fun once you get it. So let’s just start with the basics.

What’s in a Tarot Deck?

So a tarot deck has 78 cards. Yep, 78. Sounds like a lot, and it kinda is, but don’t freak out. They’re split into Major Arcana (the big life stuff) and Minor Arcana (the smaller, day-to-day stuff).

The Major Arcana has 22 cards. One of them is the Fool, and he’s basically your guide through the deck, like a wandering idiot who somehow teaches you life lessons, lol. The other 21 are numbers 1–21 and each of them is like a chapter of your life or some big energy or vibe. Pull a Major Arcana and it’s like the universe saying “hey pay attention.”

Then the Minor Arcana has 56 cards, divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles. Each suit has 14 cards, numbered 1–10 plus King, Queen, Knight, Page. Yeah, it’s a lot to remember but don’t stress, you’ll start to just feel them.

• Wands = fire = passion, energy, creativity, action, basically ambition and drive
• Cups = water = feelings, emotions, relationships, love, your mushy stuff
• Swords = air = thoughts, ideas, sometimes fights, decisions, mental stuff
• Pentacles = earth = money, work, physical stuff, practical stuff

So Major Arcana = big life stuff, Minor Arcana = smaller, everyday stuff. Easy.

Also Read: How To Do A Tarot Reading In 2026

How to Read Tarot

Okay this is where people get scared but it’s actually not that bad. Tarot is like… talking to yourself but also maybe a little magical. You shuffle, pull cards, and then notice what’s going on. Don’t worry about memorizing every meaning, that’s boring and not really how it works.

Step 1: Ask a question

Don’t do “Will I…” questions because tarot isn’t a yes/no magic ball. Do open-ended stuff like:

• “What do I need to know about this situation?”
• “Why am I feeling so stuck?”
• “What should I focus on right now?”

Basically, reflective stuff.

Step 2: Shuffle

No rules. Some people shuffle like a normal deck, some do weird spreads on the table, some just mess the cards up in their hands. Do whatever feels right. Honestly the more you shuffle the more you feel connected to the deck.

Step 3: Pull a card

You can:

• Take the top card
• Spread the deck and pick one that looks interesting
• Pull 3–5 cards if you want more info

Single cards are chill, multiple cards are for when you’re feeling fancy.

Step 4: Look at the card

Don’t panic about meaning. Just look. Notice colors, symbols, feelings, memories, your gut. Then check the guidebook if you need, or just… think about it. Sometimes your first thought is literally what it means.

Simple Spreads

If you want a little structure:

Three-card spread

1. What’s happening
2. How to handle it
3. What to learn

Easy peasy, can do in 5 minutes.

Five-card spread

1. Right now
2. Action
3. Lesson
4. Leaving
5. Coming

Good for journaling or if your life feels messy.

Tarot for Self-Care

Okay, here’s my favorite part: tarot isn’t just about readings, it’s actually great for self-care.

• Pull a card in the morning to think about your day
• Pull a card at night to reflect
• Weekly pull to see patterns
• Journal with it

It’s like meditating but with pictures and cards and your brain thinks it’s fun. Honestly it’s addictive once you start. You just start noticing things, patterns, thoughts, feelings… it’s kinda nice.

Summary

• 78 cards: Major Arcana = big life stuff, Minor Arcana = daily stuff
• Suits: Wands/fire, Cups/water, Swords/air, Pentacles/earth
• Ask reflective questions
• Shuffle, pull cards, notice gut feelings
• Start with single cards, then do small spreads
• Use for self-care, journaling, reflection

Basically, tarot = a mirror for your brain, your feelings, and your choices. Not fortune-telling, just… insight and reflection.

So yeah, grab a deck, shuffle it, pull a card, see what comes up, maybe laugh at it, maybe cry, maybe realize something about yourself. That’s the magic.

Also Read: Tarot Card Combinations and What They Mean 2026

Conclusion

So yeah, at the end of the day, tarot isn’t some magic crystal ball that tells you exactly what’s gonna happen, don’t fall for that. It’s more like… a little mirror, a friend, a weird guide that helps you notice stuff you weren’t seeing about your life, your choices, your feelings. Sometimes it’ll hit hard, sometimes it’s just like “huh, interesting,” sometimes it’ll make you laugh at yourself.

The point is, it’s about paying attention. Pull cards, shuffle, notice what comes up, journal a bit if you want, think about it while you’re making decisions. That’s literally it. You don’t need a ritual, you don’t need a special room, you don’t need to memorize every single meaning. Just show up, connect with the deck, let it help you notice what your brain and heart already kinda know.

And honestly, that’s the beauty of tarot — it doesn’t give you the answers, it just helps you ask better questions. So grab a deck, pull a card, see what it says, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll figure out a little bit more about yourself today than you did yesterday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)