One of the most common questions people ask during Tarot readings is “When?” Whether it’s about finding love, getting a job, or starting a family, we all want to know when these important events will happen. As Tarot readers, we are often challenged by the task of accurately predicting the timing of these events. In this article, I’ll share with you some Tarot timing techniques that will help you pinpoint when an event will occur using the Tarot cards.
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Using Divinatory Meanings of the Tarot Cards
One of the simpler methods for determining timing in Tarot is to look at the divinatory meanings of the cards and create a story. This story focuses not only on when something will happen but also on how it will happen. For example, if your client asks, “When will I meet my future husband?” and you draw the Five of Cups, you might respond, “When you first get over a past relationship that has led to disappointment.” This approach empowers the client to make positive changes in their life and achieve the outcomes they desire.
Reversed Tarot Cards
Reversed Tarot cards can be very telling in timing questions. They often indicate that an event is unlikely to occur until the client has made some important changes in their life. It is important to consider the reversed meanings of the cards when interpreting timing in Tarot readings.
Using the Suits and Elements
Another way to determine timing in Tarot is by looking at the suits and respective elements of the cards. Each suit is associated with a specific time frame:
- Wands – Days or Spring
- Swords – Weeks or Autumn
- Cups – Months or Summer
- Pentacles – Years or Winter
For the numbered cards (Ace to Ten), simply combine the suit and the number to determine the timing. For example, the Five of Wands indicates five days or, more broadly, Spring. When it comes to Court Cards, the timing may depend on another person, but you can still get an approximate indication of time using the suits.
Using Tarot and Astrology
Combining Tarot and Astrology can be a powerful way to determine the timing of certain events. While I am not an expert in Astrology, I recommend exploring Paul Hughes-Barlow’s approach, which can effectively pinpoint even the specific hour when a predicted event is likely to occur. Additionally, the Tarot suits can be used to determine the associated astrological signs:
- Suit of Swords (Air) = Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- Suit of Wands (Fire) = Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
- Suit of Cups (Water) = Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
- Suit of Pentacles (Earth) = Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Incorporating Timing into your Tarot Readings
Now that you know a few techniques to interpret the Tarot cards and determine the timing of an event, how can you incorporate this into your Tarot readings? There are two options you can consider:
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Include a card focusing on “when” as part of your overall reading. For example, in a potential relationship reading, you may include a card to indicate when the client may find the right partner.
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Focus an entire Tarot spread on “when.” You can use a yearly forecast spread, drawing one card for each month. Alternatively, you can try a four-card Tarot spread to understand what needs to happen before a specific event occurs. The spread looks like this:
- Card 1 – You realize…
- Card 2 – You accept…
- Card 3 – You acknowledge…
- Card 4 – You do…
In conclusion, I have shared a variety of timing techniques you can use in your Tarot readings. Try each method and see which one feels most comfortable for you and produces the most accurate results. You may be surprised at how spot-on the cards can be!
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