This October, we don’t mean to scare. Our #PreenSupernaturalSeries will be crossing over to topics of the supernatural, the occult, horror, and fear. It’s okay, we’re with you on this. 

Mention tarot cards to the uninitiated and you’ll get a mix of either judgment or silent pray-overs. For some reason—most probably history and major religions— these divine decks have been associated with the devil (the kind that wears purple robes, lives in open tents, and invests in bling).

You have to know, though, that these cards aren’t here to summon spirits and freak your friends out. It’s no Magic 8 Ball of forced clairvoyance, either. (The decks, however, need much shuffling, as that toy needs a lot of desperate shaking.)

Tarot reading helps you—yes, you ordinary, curious, future-blind, you—to evaluate your past and present thoughts, words, and behavior more objectively. Don’t we all want that for ourselves?

Before you don your best Madame Divina impression, here’s a beginner’s guide to understanding this foreign art. Jeffrey Bernido, a tarot reader of three years now, is helping us, too.

#1 Choose your deck
Because the deck doesn’t choose you. Look for a tarot deck based on your needs and its appeal. (If you’re feeling iffy, take a quiz.) These come in all looks and sizes—thank heavens, even app form!—but their diversity doesn’t simply serve aesthetic purposes.

As they’re part of an ancient tradition, these decks exist in thousands so it would be best to choose the most basic and noob-friendly type: the Rider Waite. “The Rider Waite [deck is] easy to interpret and has the archetypal symbols [we see] in everyday life,” says Jeffrey.

These contain 78 cards—22 major Arcana, or trumps, and 56 minor Arcana. All cards contain meanings hidden within symbolisms and the subtlest color changes. Don’t worry, the decks will most probably have a guide book to go with it. Consider that as your cheat sheet to divinity.

If these still scream cryptic, consult the Internet—it’s the next best thing when enlightenment doesn’t hit.

#2 Store your cards some place safe and secure
Congrats on your first deck! Now store it. You want to feel legit? Clothe them in silk or velvet. Going traditional? Opt for an intricately designed box. Feeling lazy? Grab a rubber band. DGAF? Leave it on your desk.

This is not just for organization’s sake. Your chosen deck is said to inherit your own aura’s energy. How you interact with the world affects the way you store your deck, hence the “vibrations” it also absorbs. “As much as possible, you would want to put neutral energy,” tells Jeffrey. Remember: These cards will show aspects of yourself you couldn’t quite figure out. Respect it at least for accuracy. (So, sure, keep them in a poly-lycra pouch, your call.)

#3 Sit down and think: What do I want?
Reading isn’t child’s play. It’s no trick to solve your boredom. The cards are like mirrors, and in a way, suggest you to act upon certain things. Know what you want to consult these cards for, and ask open-ended questions.

Disclaimer, though: The cards can’t predict your future. Like, it will let you know if you should let go of your non-existent partner, but not if you’re breaking up soon. Again, these tarot cards are occult compasses, not your fortune-telling Debbie Downers.

#4 Study the spreads
Now you’ve got #goals. Do you know how to get them? There are different kinds of spreads available when reading. Like your decks, choose the simplest. You can start with one or three-card spreads. If you want to go big and track your past and present feels, go for the traditional Celtic Cross spread, and learn what the formations mean.

“Some say that the Celtic Cross is the best for starters since it already showcases everything. A three-card spread may be easier though,” Jeffrey recommends. “I’m more of a freestylist.”

Different spreads yield different deets. It all depends on how much you want to know. (See, tarot card reading is like college, minus the thesis and more on the life choices.)

#5 Relax, set, read
This sounds like a no-brainer but really, relax. Never ever read cards on your own especially when you’re an emotional trainwreck as this will affect the way you interpret them. (Or else, you might think the Hanged Man card permits you to kill your recent ex.)

“It will be best if one is in a neutral or positive state—positive state like happiness and desire to inspire may be helpful since, for me, that’s why we’re here: to inspire and give hope,” Jeffrey says. “[Though,] I’m not saying that we should sugarcoat what the cards say.”

With your emotions out of the way, think really hard of your questions. Now shuffle your cards (the right way, please), and choose the ones to spread. Pick and interpret. Remember, though, that what the cards say isn’t fixed.

“You see, in statistics and psychology, we have this thing called ‘room for error.’ The same goes for tarot reading. Why do we have a room for error? Simply because we have free will,” Jeffrey explains about the meanings’ ever-changing nature.

Now go reflect on what the naked lady, horse-riding baby, creepy old man, and the many other characters could all mean right there, right now.

Art by Dorothy Guya