Reading Tarot!!!

Reading tarot within brujería serves as both a spiritual and ancestral practice, which typically includes ritual elements and protective measures. Tarot in brujería functions as a spiritual diagnostic tool that helps practitioners communicate with spirits, ancestors, and saints while revealing hidden influences and providing guidance for spellwork and cleansing and healing practices. The following explanation provides an in-depth understanding of tarot reading practices within brujería traditions:

Understanding the Deck 

 

A standard tarot deck has 78 cards, divided into:

  • Major Arcana (22 cards): Represent big life themes and spiritual lessons (e.g., The Fool, Death, The Lovers).

  • Minor Arcana (56 cards): Reflect everyday situations and emotions, divided into four suits:

    • Cups = emotions, relationships (water)

    • Wands = action, creativity, passion (fire)

    • Swords = thoughts, conflict, decisions (air)

    • Pentacles = money, work, material life (earth)

Each suit has numbered cards (Ace to 10) and court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King), which can represent people, traits, or situations

Cleansing and Connecting with Your Tarot Deck

In brujería, you don’t open spiritual portals lightly. Before reading:

  • Cleanse your space with smoke (copal, sage, palo santo) or Florida Water.

  • Light a white candle and say a prayer to your guides, ancestors, or guardian spirits. Some also invoke saints or Orishas if they work with syncretic systems (e.g., Eleguá for clear communication).

  • Optional but common: wear protective amulets, rub your hands with spiritual colognes, or keep a glass of water on the table for spirit presence.

Always Ask A Clear Question!

  • Open-ended questions work best; e.g., "What should I know about my love life?" or "What energy surrounds my career?"

  • Avoid yes/no questions unless you're using a method specifically for that

Choose Your Spread 

  • 3-Card Diagnostic Spread (simple but powerful):

    • Card 1: Energy or cause (past/hidden force)

    • Card 2: Present condition (manifesting energy)

    • Card 3: Guidance or spiritual remedy

  • Crossed Energy Spread (brujería-style):

    • Top card: Spiritual help/blessing

    • Bottom card: Hidden force or shadow

    • Left: Ancestors/past influences

    • Right: Outcome/future

    • Center: Heart of the matter/you

Each position may be “read” not just for the card’s meaning but for symbols, colors, spiritual messages, or omens received through intuition or spirit communication.

How To Interpret The Cards

 

  • Use traditional meanings (Major and Minor Arcana) but always ask, What is spirit saying through this card?

  • Look for:

    • Repeating numbers, suits, or symbols

    • Cards linked to elements (water = emotions/cleansing, swords = conflict or hexes)

    • Major Arcana cards as divine messages or ancestors speaking

  • Don’t be afraid to pause, close your eyes, and listen for spiritual impressions. Some brujas receive visions or feelings during readings.


 

Recording and Reflecting

Write down your reading in a tarot journal. Note:

  • The question

  • The cards drawn

  • Your interpretations

  • Any patterns, colors, or repeating symbols

Over time, this builds your intuition and personal connection to the cards.

How To Read The Cards