HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS

HOW IT WORKS

Whether you are completely new to tarot or simply unsure where to begin – Tarot Unmasked was designed to make reading intuitive, approachable, and easy to follow from the very first pull. With built-in meanings, guided layouts, and beginner-friendly explanations, you can start understanding the cards without memorisation or years of study. Tarot becomes less about mastering something mystical, and more about learning to trust your own intuition.

• Ask: Close your eyes and think of a question. It can be something big or just "What do I need to know today?"• Shuffle: Mix the cards however you like! You can do a fancy shuffle or just a big, messy pile on the floor. Stop whenever it feels 'right'.• Pull: Pick the card that jumps out at you or the one that feels warm to your touch.

How to Pull a Card

• Ask: Close your eyes and think of a question. It can be something big or just "What do I need to know today?"
• Shuffle: Mix the cards however you like! You can do a fancy shuffle or just a big, messy pile on the floor. Stop whenever it feels 'right'.
• Pull: Pick the card that jumps out at you or the one that feels warm to your touch.
Before you even read the words I’ve written, look at the art & focus on the symbolism. What is the first thing you notice? How does the card make you feel? That is your intuition talking! Your gut always knows the answer first. The meanings on the cards are just there to help you put those feelings into words.To give you the best possible guidance, these meanings were sourced from the greatest Tarot experts in the world, like Rachel Pollack and Sam Magdaleno. You’re getting world-class wisdom without having to carry around all of their books!

Trust Your Gut

Before you even read the words I’ve written, look at the art & focus on the symbolism. What is the first thing you notice? How does the card make you feel? That is your intuition talking! Your gut always knows the answer first. The meanings on the cards are just there to help you put those feelings into words.
To give you the best possible guidance, these meanings were sourced from the greatest Tarot experts in the world, like Rachel Pollack and Sam Magdaleno. You’re getting world-class wisdom without having to carry around all of their books!
Next, Is an example I’ve laid out with clear annotations to make reading instantly intuitive. The arrows are to guide you through the layout. For your reference, here is a detailed breakdown of how to read the reference bar:• Card Sequence Number: This is the card’s place in the standard 78-card deck.• Card Name: The specific archetype or title.• Elemental Connection: The foundational element associated with the card's energy.• Instant Answer: A direct YES, NO, FAIR, NOT YET or To Be Decided (TBD) response for simple, point-blank questions.Use this section as a reference while learning the deck. Detailed keywords and shadow meanings follow in the text blocks (A) and (B).

Card Layout

Next, Is an example I’ve laid out with clear annotations to make reading instantly intuitive. The arrows are to guide you through the layout. For your reference, here is a detailed breakdown of how to read the reference bar:
• Card Sequence Number: This is the card’s place in the standard 78-card deck.
• Card Name: The specific archetype or title.
• Elemental Connection: The foundational element associated with the card's energy.
• Instant Answer: A direct YES, NO, FAIR, NOT YET or To Be Decided (TBD) response for simple, point-blank questions.
Use this section as a reference while learning the deck. Detailed keywords and shadow meanings follow in the text blocks (A) and (B).
These cards have two meanings written on them: Upright (top) & Shadow (the hidden or challenging side - bottom). You can choose how to read them:• Option 1: Upright Only. You keep all your cards facing the same way & you read the Upright meaning. If the cards around it feel a bit stormy or difficult, you can peek at the Shadow meaning to see if there’s a hidden lesson there. The founder herself, uses the deck this way. Like many readers, she believes, the 78 cards already have enough depth & detail. By looking at the other cards in your spread & what you already know about your question, you can easily grasp which meaning the cards are asking you to look at.• Option 2: Using Reversals. This is when cards come out upside-down (you can shuffle them in a swirl to make sure the cards have a chance to reverse themselves). If a card is right-side up, read the Upright part. If it’s upside-down, read the Shadow/ bottom part.

Two Ways to Read

These cards have two meanings written on them: Upright (top) & Shadow (the hidden or challenging side - bottom). You can choose how to read them:
• Option 1: Upright Only. You keep all your cards facing the same way & you read the Upright meaning. If the cards around it feel a bit stormy or difficult, you can peek at the Shadow meaning to see if there’s a hidden lesson there. The founder herself, uses the deck this way. Like many readers, she believes, the 78 cards already have enough depth & detail. By looking at the other cards in your spread & what you already know about your question, you can easily grasp which meaning the cards are asking you to look at.
• Option 2: Using Reversals. This is when cards come out upside-down (you can shuffle them in a swirl to make sure the cards have a chance to reverse themselves). If a card is right-side up, read the Upright part. If it’s upside-down, read the Shadow/ bottom part.
This is the most popular way to read. It’s perfect for understanding any situation.* The Past (What led to this?)* The Present (What is happening right now?)* The Future (Where are things going?)* Bonus: Pull a 4th card for extra guidance/advice.

1. The Classic 3-Card Spread

This is the most popular way to read. It’s perfect for understanding any situation.

* The Past (What led to this?)

* The Present (What is happening right now?)

* The Future (Where are things going?)

* Bonus: Pull a 4th card for extra guidance/advice.

Have a specific Yes/No question? Pull three cards and let them vote.* 3 Yes cards: A big, clear YES!* 2 Yes cards: Yes, but look at the meanings for some advice first.* 3 No cards: A big, clear NO.* 2 No cards: No, but the cards will tell you why or what to do instead.NOTE: If you get any card that Is “Not yet” or TBD, take that answer as a NO for the exact questions asked. If It’s a FAIR card, It means the right thing will occur, whether that’s what you want to happen, or not.

2. The Yes/No Spread (3 Cards)

Have a specific Yes/No question? Pull three cards and let them vote.

* 3 Yes cards: A big, clear YES!

* 2 Yes cards: Yes, but look at the meanings for some advice first.

* 3 No cards: A big, clear NO.

* 2 No cards: No, but the cards will tell you why or what to do instead.

NOTE: If you get any card that Is “Not yet” or TBD, take that answer as a NO for the exact questions asked. If It’s a FAIR card, It means the right thing will occur, whether that’s what you want to happen, or not.

This spread gives you a deeper look at your path/choices.* Past: Where you came from.* Present: Where you are now.* The Best Path: The smartest move you can make.* Obstacles: Things that might get in your way.* Outcome: Where you will likely end up.

3. The Mini Horseshoe (5 Cards)

This spread gives you a deeper look at your path/choices.

* Past: Where you came from.

* Present: Where you are now.

* The Best Path: The smartest move you can make.

* Obstacles: Things that might get in your way.

* Outcome: Where you will likely end up.

Use this when you have a choice to make.* Pros: The good things about this choice.* Cons: The bad things or risks.* Unseen Future: Something you haven’t noticed yet.* Likely Outcome: What will happen if you go through with it.

4. The Decision Spread (4 Cards)

Use this when you have a choice to make.

* Pros: The good things about this choice.

* Cons: The bad things or risks.

* Unseen Future: Something you haven’t noticed yet.

* Likely Outcome: What will happen if you go through with it.

This is Neelu's favourite custom spread for starting your day!* The Theme: The one feeling/thing that will define your whole day.* The Warning: What to look out for so it doesn't trip you up.* The Joy: What will make you smile or feel happy today.

5. My Daily Check-In (3 Cards)

This is Neelu's favourite custom spread for starting your day!

* The Theme: The one feeling/thing that will define your whole day.

* The Warning: What to look out for so it doesn't trip you up.

* The Joy: What will make you smile or feel happy today.

Tips

Look Back to Move Forward: I’ve personally found that, if you are asking about a situation that has a very long history, the cards might show you what happened in the past before they get to the future. It’s like they want to make sure you understand the whole story first! For big, complicated situations, I recommend using a longer spread like the Celtic Cross (10 cards) for your first reading of that situation.

Likelihoods, Not Guarantees: Remember our weather forecast? Tarot is a snapshot of the energy right now. It shows you the most likely path you’re on, but it isn't a 100% guarantee. Life is full of surprises, and you always have Free-will. The cards give you a 'heads up', but you are the one who decides what to do with that information.

Wear Your 'Truth Glasses': Sometimes we want a specific answer so badly that we try to 'force' a card to mean what we want. If you pull a card that says 'Slow Down' but you really want to 'Go Fast', don't ignore the message – or the shadow meaning – even if the cards around it don’t support that answer. Try to see the cards for what they actually are, not what you are hoping they say. Being honest with yourself is the only way to get the real, helpful guidance you’re looking for. The cards are your friends—and friends tell you the truth!

Don’t Be a 'Broken Record': If you get an answer you don’t like, it’s tempting to keep asking the same question over and over by reframing the question. Don't do it! This usually just makes the cards (and your brain) feel cluttered and confused. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 21 days before asking the same question again. The only exception is if, something in your life has obviously, and clearly changed. Give the universe —and yourself— time to move before you check back in!

Cool Head, Clear Answers: If you are feeling really anxious, the cards will often just pick up on that stress and reflect it back to you. Instead of reading the energy of your question, they’re just mirroring your panic. During these times, the answers can’t be trusted—it’s a bit like playing Russian roulette with your guidance. It’s always best to wait until you’re feeling calmer before doing a reading. You’ll get much more accurate results when your head and heart are clear! However, If you still feel like the answers you’re getting are too muddy/unclear, feel free to ask a family member/friend to do the reading for you. Sometimes, It helps to have someone else’s calmer intuition ask the questions.

Too Much Info? There are many keywords in every card so when you do your reading, go through them all and use the ones that resonates the most with you.

What to visualise? When you’re asking the cards questions about people, make sure to use their full names by picturing them, and the situation that you’re asking about In your mind.

Remember, time and practice will do wonders for how well you read the cards. And, if over and above this, you have any questions, please head on over to the CONTACT page, and get in touch with me. I would love to hear from you!