Tarot is more than symbolism and intuition—it’s a living, breathing language. At the beginner level, readers often interpret cards one at a time. But once you step into the world of advanced tarot, something magical happens: the cards begin to talk to each other. They form a narrative—a layered, evolving story that reveals not just the “what,” but the “why” and the “what next.”
If you’re ready to deepen your readings and unlock more profound insights, it’s time to learn how to link the cards into a story.
1. Understanding the Flow: Cards in Context
Every card draws its power not only from its own symbolism but also from its placement in the spread and its relationship to the surrounding cards.
Example:
If The Tower appears next to The Star, it’s no longer just chaos and collapse—it becomes the breakdown that leads to healing. The Star softens the Tower’s impact, indicating hope after upheaval. Without The Star, The Tower might speak of loss. But together? A spiritual breakthrough.
Tip: Always read in pairs or triads. Cards speak louder together than alone.
2. Use Story Arcs for Deeper Meaning
Just like any compelling story, a tarot reading can be broken down into:
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Beginning (setup) – Where the querent is now.
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Middle (conflict/challenge) – The crossroads or emotional tension.
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End (resolution) – The potential outcome or evolution.
Try this with a simple 3-card spread.
Let’s say you pull:
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Two of Swords
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The Lovers
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Six of Wands
The Story: The querent is at a mental crossroads (Two of Swords), facing a significant emotional or relational decision (The Lovers), but ultimately emerges with clarity and success (Six of Wands). A story of indecision transformed into victory through alignment of head and heart.
3. Use Repeating Themes & Visual Clues
Advanced readers don’t just rely on meanings—they notice patterns and visual echoes.
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Are multiple cards facing the same direction?
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Do swords appear more than once, suggesting mental tension?
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Do major arcana dominate the reading, signaling a life-changing shift?
These visual cues help you weave a story that feels coherent and emotionally resonant.
4. Let the Court Cards Play Their Roles
Court cards are your cast of characters. They may represent people, aspects of the querent, or energetic influences.
Example Story:
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Page of Cups – Innocent emotional beginning.
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Knight of Swords – Rash, impulsive movement forward.
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Queen of Pentacles – Grounding and mature feminine energy.
The Story: A journey from naïve love to emotional turbulence, ending in mature self-care or stability. These characters evolve like roles in a novel.
5. Trust Intuition to Fill the Gaps
The cards offer structure. You supply the soul. Allow your intuition to draw connections that logic might miss.
Ask yourself:
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What story is unfolding across the spread?
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What emotion does this progression stir in me?
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If this were a movie, what would the plot be?
Let the spread become a narrative your client can relate to, understand, and grow from.
Conclusion: Reading as Ritual, Storytelling as Healing
When you read tarot as a story, you’re not just interpreting cards—you’re guiding someone through their own myth. You become a narrator of soul lessons, inner battles, and personal triumphs.
So next time you lay out the cards, don’t ask “What does each card mean?”
Instead, ask:
“What story wants to be told today?”
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