A tarot reading uses a 78-card deck of 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana to explore a question, situation, or general life direction. The reader lays out cards in a specific pattern, called a spread, and interprets both what each card means and how they relate to each other and their position in the spread. Tarot is usually described as a tool for reflection, not a fixed prediction. The cards are said to show current energy and likely paths, not a locked-in future.

During a session, a tarot reader will typically walk through each card as it's revealed, explaining what it represents and how it connects to the question at hand. Depending on what's being explored, a reader may choose a simple Three-Card Spread for a quick, focused answer, or a more involved layout like the Celtic Cross for a deeper look at a complex situation. Many readers also welcome questions throughout the reading, making it a conversation rather than a one-way explanation.