What to Do Before, During, and After a Tarot Reading

Rickida Robinson
2026-03-29T18:46:36-04:00

Getting a tarot reading is more than just showing up and pulling cards. In this post, we’ll talk about how to prepare before your reading, what to do during your session, and how to reflect afterward so you can get the most clarity and guidance from your tarot experience.

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When I prepare for a tarot reading as a reader, I want to make sure my energy is on point. I try not to bring my own problems to the table because I want to avoid transferring my energy into the client's reading.

But preparation isn’t only for the reader. The client has a role in the energy of the reading too. The reader and the client should both take a little time to ground themselves before a reading. One of the best ways to do this is meditation for grounding. Both the reader and the client need to be open to receiving messages, and that part is extremely important.

When you’re going into a reading, you should also have an idea of what you want to know. Even if you don’t have specific questions, just having a topic in mind can give you great insight. If you are feeling nervous to the point where it’s overwhelming, that nervous energy can affect the reading because the cards will pick up on that energy, and so will your reader. A good reader will help calm those nerves and help you get to the root of why you’re feeling that way.

It is also a great idea to write down your questions prior to a reading. Take some time, sit with your feelings, and figure out what it is you truly want to know.

Before Your Tarot Reading: Set Your Intentions

Before you even sit down for your reading, it’s important to understand why you want the reading in the first place. Understanding your reason behind getting a reading is always a great idea. You do not want to bring things to a reading that you did not intend to.

Think of it like putting an address into a GPS. We want directions to a destination. If you don’t put in what is needed to find the correct route, you will either go nowhere, anywhere, or everywhere. Intention setting helps put a target on what you want to know.

When reading for myself, I first ground my energy. Then I invite positive, high vibration energy of loved ones, angels, and spiritual guides to help me get clear messages for my reading. I also include the type of reading it is. This helps set the intention and the direction for the reading.

So for you as an individual receiving a reading, come in with an open mind, but also think about why you are getting a reading in the first place. Focus on that and your emotions. Try not to get overwhelmed. Remember, energy is transferable.

For example, you may experience a breakup and you really want to know why it happened. Everything was going well in your opinion, but for some reason the relationship didn't work out. You have a “why” question in mind. Questions like:

What did I miss that caused us to break up?

What energy did I put out that the relationship could have done without?

Will we get back together, or should I let this relationship go?

These are just a few questions that are great when trying to find understanding and clarity. It is also important to be as calm as possible. If you feel sadness or desperation, that energy can transfer into the reading. So do some grounding and meditation prior to your reading.

During the Reading: Come With Questions (But Stay Flexible)

Once your intention is clear, the next step is coming to the reading with questions or topics you want to focus on. This helps guide the reading and makes sure you get the clarity you came for. It also helps narrow down the reading so it is not all over the place.

Here are a few questions you can ask during a tarot reading:

Love and Relationships

What should I know about my current relationship?

How can I improve my relationship with…?

What is blocking me from finding love?

What energy is surrounding my love life right now?

What kind of partner am I attracting right now?

Career and Money

What should I focus on in my career right now?

What is holding me back professionally?

What opportunity am I not seeing?

What is the outcome if I take this new job or business opportunity?

What career path aligns with my purpose?

Life Path & Personal Growth

What lesson am I currently learning in life?

What is my biggest obstacle right now?

What should I let go of?

What should I embrace?

What is something I need to hear right now?

These are just a few on various topics to get you started. Feel free to journal and come up with your own questions if you’d like.

Just like there are great questions to ask during a tarot reading, there are also some questions that are not very helpful or appropriate to ask.

Questions to Avoid

Exact timing questions (“When will I find my soulmate?”)

Yes or no questions (these don’t give much clarity on their own)

Health, pregnancy, or legal questions

Questions about controlling other people

Tarot should never be used to try to control other people or interfere with their free will. Readings are meant for guidance and self-reflection, not control.

Out of respect for the energies called during a reading and the art of tarot, it is also not right for someone to constantly ask the same questions over and over again. This usually comes from anxiety, and it can lead to more confusion instead of clarity.

Another common question I get is how often someone should get a tarot reading. I would say weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on how often you feel you need guidance. However, to call upon the cards for every little thing can become borderline abusing the system, and you may not get good results from that.

Here are a few simple tips to help you get the most out of your reading:

Do not test the tarot reader by asking questions just to see if they will get it right.

Bring a notepad with you. We want you present. Phones can be distracting, so I recommend bringing something to write with so you can journal later.

Be prepared to hear something you did not expect to hear.

After Your Tarot Reading: Reflect and Journal

Preparing for your reading is important, but what you do after the reading matters just as much.

After your tarot reading, it is a great practice to write down things like the cards that were drawn and what you felt during the reading. Grab yourself some water or tea and take a moment to reflect. Write down what you felt was accurate, what didn’t resonate immediately, and what themes kept showing up in your reading.

Ask yourself:

Was there an overall theme to the reading?

What message stood out the most?

What can I do now with the guidance I received?

Now that you have a few things to prompt a journal entry, take some time to write about your reading and your feelings.

I also advise you not to do anything huge immediately after a reading. Give yourself 1–3 days before making any big decisions. Do not make decisions out of fear. Nothing is set in stone, and energy is always changing.

Conclusion

Tarot is a tool for guidance, reflection, and clarity. When you take the time to prepare before your reading, stay present during your reading, and reflect after your reading, you allow the experience to be much more meaningful.

Come into your reading with an open mind, clear intentions, and a willingness to hear the messages that come through. After your reading, take time to reflect, journal, and sit with the information you received before making any big decisions.

Tarot is not here to control your life, but to help guide you. What you do with the guidance is always up to you.