There are points in our lives, where like the two of swords, we must make a difficult choice in order to move forward at all. And while many people believe that tarot cards are used exclusively for fortune telling, they can also become an helpful part of how we can make decisions. Truthfully the art of reading tarot cards is significantly more complex than describing the outcomes of making one choice or another. In this article, we’ll be briefly discussing some tips for using tarot cards for making decisions, as well as giving you a spread that can help clarify the significance of making one choice or another for you.

A Space to Reflect - Before Using this 5 Card Tarot Spread

The first thing to keep in mind about using tarot cards as part of the decision making process is that tarot cards will very rarely be able to give you a definitive answer about what to do; rather, the tarot can offer you insight and advice regarding your situation. Certain card spreads in particular are good for highlighting the positive factors in a certain situation as well as the negatives, and can be good for determining whether or not proceeding forward in your current direction is advisable or if you should change course or reevaluate your options. In the end, you are in control of whether you make the choice or not. The cards offer you a mirror onto which you can gaze and reflect.

Uncovering the Root Anxiety with a Decision Tarot Spread

Using tarot cards can be a good idea if you’re in the process of making an important decision (such as whether or not to accept a recent job offer, or if you don’t know if you should take the vacation you’ve been thinking about) and aren’t quite sure how you’d like to proceed. It can be especially helpful if you’ve logically weighed the benefits and downsides of the decision but are still uncertain as to which way you should go. If you have all the logical reasons for making one choice, but your heart is still unconvinced, a tarot reading can help clarify why that hesitancy exists and expand on why this decision can be so painful for you. The root of the problem sometimes lies elsewhere. The results of your tarot spread can help you gain better insight and clarity in regards to the situation, and potentially even assist you in making up your mind one way or the other.

Use A Simple 5 Card Tarot Spread For Decision Making

It’s also important to try and keep things simple when using tarot cards for decision making. Sometimes, working with a spread that has a small amount of cards can keep your answer from being too complicated or uncertain. For example, our spread has only 5 cards, 1 card per decision, and the other three that address the situation and your feelings surrounding it. You can also go even simpler, and do a three card spread; some people will even do just a single card spread and decide “yes” or “no” based upon whether the card  selected is upright or reversed, or the characteristics of the card itself.

Furthermore, if you’re new to using tarot cards or aren’t entirely certain of the meaning of some of the Minor Arcana, you can even consider using only the Major Arcana for your decision making reading. The Major Arcana have more clearly defined meanings in comparison to the Minor Arcana and as such using them for readings can make it easier to receive a message that can be interpreted without undue confusion.

The 5 Card Tarot Spread for Decision Making Card Positions

In the following 5 card tarot spread, the cards that represent you lie at the center. These are all about reiterating the source of your choices and actions; to help remind yourself and frame yourself about the why behind them. Perhaps we may be swayed to make a choice that does not align with our most authentic self if that is the post practical one. Sometimes that happens, and we don't mean to pass judgement on whichever path that you choose. But it is good to keep in mind, what is the best choice for you.

1. Your Motivation - What excites you? What compels you forward every day? How does that affect your decision?
2. Ideal Outcome - In this world, what would you truly like to happen? If you could close your eyes and dream, what do you really desire to get out of these circumstances?
3. Your Values - What are your principles? What do you value? How does that affect your decision?
4. Option 1 Likely Outcome - What can happen if you take this path?
5. Option 2 Likely Outcome - What can happen if you take this path?

The 5 Card Tarot Spread for Decision Making Diagram