How to Read the Tarot Without a Deck

Have you ever wanted to give a tarot reading but didn’t have your deck with you? Today, I want to share how you can give a reading without a deck. I hope you will find this method useful.

One of the best ways to improve your readings is to imagine every trump card in your tarot deck. This technique will improve your memory and knowledge of the cards. Every time you practice, you’ll find that recalling the cards becomes easier and your interpretations become more insightful.

In order to read without a deck, you will need to know the number that corresponds to each card, the title of the card, the characters, the elements, and what takes place in each image. The more details you can remember, the more accurate your readings will be.

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything about each card memorized. You can keep a deck next to you for reference. If you can’t recall a detail, look at the card and commit what you forgot to memory.

Also, once you understand this technique, you will be able to give yourself a reading anywhere and at any time without a deck! As you will see in my example, I often use this method before bed when it’s too dark to see the cards. But, I also use this anytime when bringing out a deck may not be convenient.

How to Read the Tarot Without a Deck

First, ask yourself a question that you’d like to answer.

Next, clear your mind and think of a number from 0 to 22. Whatever number comes to your mind first is the number you should use. Here is a fun visualization technique to help you think of a number.

Imagine you are in an empty room with a large, polished blackboard (scrying mirror) hanging on the wall. In your mind, turn away from the blackboard so you are unable to see it. Then turn back around to look at the board. When you do, you will see a number from your imagination in the reflection.

You can use this visualization process to generate one number, two numbers, three numbers, or more. If you want more than one number, simply turn away from the board, and when you turn back around, see a new number next to the one already there. The amount of numbers you see will be the same amount of cards that you will use for your spread.

When you read the cards for yourself, you can use this blackboard visualization technique or any other technique that works best for you. Feel free to modify it as you see fit. However, your goal should be to tap into your subconscious mind to generate a number that is unknowingly meaningful to you.

After you have your numbers in your mind, match them to their corresponding cards. For example, The Fool is 0, The Magician is 1, The Popess is 2, and so forth. These corresponding cards will be the ones that you use for your reading.

After you know which cards are in your spread, think about all the details in each card that you can remember. Imagine the number at the top, the title at the bottom, the characters and what they are wearing, and any elements that you find important. Then think of each card as a whole and consider what may be taking place.

After you can fully imagine each card, think of what they look like together in the spread. Then focus your attention to the details that you believe are relevant in finding an answer to your question. Finally, interpret those details to give yourself good advice.

Reading Example

Here is an example of a reading I gave myself the other day. It was getting late at night, so I asked, "What should I do now?"

The numbers 10, 12, and 18 appeared on the blackboard in my mind. These numbers correspond to the Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man, and The Moon.

When I view a complete spread, I tend to focus my interpretations on the first thoughts that enter my mind. I believe my subconscious will let me know which details are the most important by having me think about them first.

Here were my first impressions about each card in this spread:

• Wheel of Fortune - The wheel is turning in a circle

• The Hanged Man - A man is stuck upside down

• The Moon - Only the animals are active at night

With these initial thoughts, here is how I interpreted the cards:

Stop spinning in circles, pause what you are doing, and go to sleep.

Now, whether or not I took my own advice is another story.

Conclusion

With this simple method, you can read the cards without a physical deck. Here are the steps for easy reference.

1. Ask a question.

2. Think of several numbers from 0 - 21.

3. Match those numbers to the corresponding cards.

4. Visualize the details that are in each card.

5. Interpret the cards to find your answer.

I hope you will find this reading method useful and that it will help you become a better reader.

William Rader