Storytelling: In
addition to memorizing the meanings and positions of cards, a successful
tarot reader must learn to weave a narrative from what the cards indicate.
Like a storyteller, he or she must find ways to relate the contents of
each card so that they make a cohesive, unified whole relevant to the
questioner. The cards must be given the meaning that makes the most sense
in the context of all the other cards. This requires practice.
Detachment: Often, it
is easier to begin reading with someone you know, then graduate to doing
your own detailed readings, and only then move on to others you know less
intimately. The reason I suggest practicing with close friends first is
because often, as learners, impatience creeps in and it becomes difficult
to read what the cards say, rather than what we desire them to say.
Compassion: Empathy
and understanding are useful skills for a tarot reader, and asking
questions such as if each card makes sense or if any require clarification
can help to create an honest assessment of the cards. Some would
characterize this as "cheating", but this is not the case. This
segues nicely into the fourth trait, which is ...
Honesty: One must
retain a realistic view of the world and their place in it when one
dabbles in the cards. If one is skilled, it is easy to become dependent or
fixated on tarot use because of the insight it provides. Bear in mind,
there is no means of "seeing the future" I know of that is 100%
accurate. Rather, the cards should be viewed as a means of self-discovery
and self-improvement. It is not possible to use them to accurately predict
the color of a stranger's car, the winning lottery numbers in Massachusetts
next week, ad nauseam.