Okay so here’s how I finally got the hang of using keywords to read tarot cards without feeling totally lost. Honestly, I was skeptical at first – just picking a word for each card? Seemed way too oversimplified. But man, was I stuck interpreting some readings lately, drowning in symbolism soup. Figured I’d give it a shot.
The Starting Point: Feeling Blocked
Last Thursday, I pulled cards about a personal project feeling stalled. The spread itself was simple: three cards – Past, Present, Future. Got The Hermit, Five of Pentacles reversed, and Eight of Wands. My brain just froze. The Hermit alone can mean solitude, wisdom, inner guidance… which angle fit here? I felt paralyzed trying to weave some grand narrative. Needed a faster, clearer path.
Digging Out My Old Notes & Making a List
I remembered jotting down some core words ages ago. Found that notebook, coffee stains and all. Page for Major Arcana was vaguely helpful:
- The Hermit: Introspection, Guidance, Solitude, Search
- The Fool: Beginnings, Innocence, Risk, Spontaneity
But the Minors? Scrappy notes at best. Needed something solid. Grabbed my trusty RWS deck and a fresh notebook.
The Step-by-Step Keyword Hunt
Said to myself: Forget book meanings for five minutes. Just look at the damn card like you’ve never seen it.
- Pulled a single card face-up. Started with easy ones. Ace of Cups? Saw the overflowing cup, the hand holding it. Instant words: Love, Emotion, Overflow, Potential. Wrote those down.
- Moved to a trickier one. Three of Swords – the pierced heart, stormy sky. Felt harsh. Words hit me: Heartbreak, Pain, Betrayal, Sorrow. Wrote ’em down, even though it felt brutal.
- Focused on tiny details. Page of Pentacles. Guy staring intently at the coin. Ground, roots. Words: Study, Apprenticeship, Practicality, Focus. Added the sheep in the background? Okay, maybe Opportunity too.
- Reversed Cards Got Simpler. This was the surprise win. Five of Pentacles rev – usually “recovery, help,” but just using the upright keyword (Loss, Hardship) flipped it. Words became Overcoming Loss, Finding Support. Way less mental gymnastics!
Did this for about 10 more cards, forcing myself to pick just 2-4 core words based ONLY on the image. No encyclopedia diving.
Putting Keywords into Practice: The Stalled Project Revisited
Back to that stalled project reading:
- The Hermit: Introspection, Guidance
- Five of Pentacles Reversed: Overcoming Hardship, Finding Support
- Eight of Wands: Speed, Messages, Rapid Action
Before keywords: A confusing mess. After? Lightning fast interpretation:
- Past (Hermit): The planning/research phase (Introspection, Guidance) was necessary.
- Present (5P Rev): That feeling of struggle/isolation (Hardship) is lifting because I’m finding support or resources.
- Future (8W): Things are about to move incredibly fast (Speed, Action), probably involving communication (Messages).
The shift? It clicked. The keywords forced a directness I’d lost overcomplicating symbols. It wasn’t about profound poetry; it was about getting a usable message.
The Big Win & Cheat Sheet
The real test was when my friend asked a quick yes/no about a job interview yesterday. Pulled Judgment. Instead of spiraling into “rebirth” or “karma,” the keywords were clear: Clarity, Decision, Awakening, Renewal. I just blurted out: “Sounds like a clear moment (Clarity), they’re making a decision (Decision), and it feels significant for you (Awakening/Renewal). Looks like a strong yes to actually getting the decision soon!”
She texted two hours later: Job offer. Boom.
Now? I keep a little cheat sheet next to my deck. Not every possible meaning – just the 2-4 image keywords I burned into my brain through staring. It’s rough, it’s messy, but holy crap is it fast and accurate for everyday pulls. Stops the mental paralysis dead in its tracks. Still love diving deep sometimes, but keywords? They’re my new favorite pocket knife.
