How to do a Tarot Reading for Someone Else: The Complete Guide

Tarot is more than just flipping cards and interpreting symbols—it's a deeply intuitive and respectful exchange of energy between reader and querent. If you've ever wondered how to do a tarot reading for someone else, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting your journey with tarot books for beginners or you've been reading casually for friends and family, learning how to hold space for others in reading is both a privilege and a responsibility.

This guide walks you through the different types of tarot readings, how to approach someone else’s energy with care, and what to consider before, during, and after a session. From etiquette tips to professional practices, you'll gain a deeper understanding of what makes a tarot reading both insightful and ethical. Ready to shuffle the deck? Let’s dive in.

🔮What is a tarot reading?

A tarot reading is a method of divination that uses a deck of tarot cards in a guidance session. It’s a powerful tool to gain insight, perspective, and clarity on a question, troubling thoughts, or a situation. Each card carries symbolic meaning and, when interpreted in context, offers guidance to the person receiving the reading.

Types of tarot readings

There are many types of tarot readings, each designed to serve a specific intention or area of life. Whether you're seeking clarity about your love life, money situation, or personal growth, different spreads and formats can help bring clarity, guidance, and hidden knowledge.

Here are some of the most common types of tarot readings:

• Career Reading – Gain insight into your professional path, upcoming opportunities, or how to navigate work-related challenges.

• One-Year Ahead Reading – A 12-card spread (one for each month) that forecasts the year. Ideal for birthdays, New Year's, or big life shifts. Also, this can be done with a 24-card spread; some people prefer that there be two cards for each month.

• Money or Finance Reading – Focuses on your relationship with money, upcoming financial shifts, or guidance on managing resources.

• Love and Relationship Reading – Explores dynamics in current or potential relationships, emotional needs, and compatibility.

• One Topic Reading – A deep dive into a single area of life (e.g., health, home, creativity) for a focused session.

• Decision-Making Spread – Helps choose between two or more options by evaluating the potential outcomes.

• General Reading – Offers an open-ended overview of your current energy and key areas to focus on.

• Shadow Work Reading – Encourages self-exploration and healing by revealing subconscious patterns and inner blocks.

These reading styles can be adapted based on the querent's needs and the reader’s style. The more specific the topic, the more tailored and insightful the reading tends to be.

What to ask from tarot cards?

The best questions are open-ended and reflective. Ask “What do I need to understand about…?” or “How can I approach…?” rather than yes/no questions. Focus on insight and guidance, not fixed outcomes. But if you really want to ask yes/no questions, then be mindful that the answers are as short and straightforward as the question itself.

Benefits of a tarot reading

• Clarity: Helps make sense of complex situations.

• Empowerment: Encourages better decision-making.

• Healing: Brings awareness to emotions and patterns.

• Connection: Strengthens intuition and spiritual insight.

🤯Something so many of us struggle with at first: How to do a tarot reading for someone else?

Doing a tarot reading for someone else is a powerful practice that blends intuition, structure, and communication. Whether you're reading casually or professionally, the following steps can help make the process more meaningful:

1. Most important is to set the intention – Clarify the question or topic, worries, and ask some questions about the situation if needed, and do that before shuffling the cards.

2. Shuffle and draw – Have the querent shuffle if they’re comfortable (if not, you can do it for them), then pull cards based on your chosen spread. For example, many practitioners do not want anyone else to touch their cards, due to different energies, as they are very strongly connected to their cards. In this case, you should draw the cards yourself and let the recipient of the prediction simply watch with interest.

3. Interpret the cards – Read the meanings in context and stay grounded in the querent’s question.

4. Stay centered – Focus on the querent, not your personal reflections. The reading is for them.

5. Ask clarifying questions – If something feels unclear, don’t hesitate to ask the querent to elaborate. This builds rapport and deepens the reading.

Good communication and clear intentions are key to creating an insightful experience.

👀What are the most frequently asked questions that readers ask themselves?

Whether you're new to tarot or have years of experience, certain questions pop up time and again. Here are some of the most common questions that come up among new tarot readers:

How long is one session?

A session can range from 10 to 60 minutes, depending on the spread and depth of the question. Short 1-card or 3-card draws can take minutes, while year-ahead or in-depth love readings might take longer.

Can I read for someone without their consent?

While technically possible, it’s considered unethical by most tarot communities. Energy and boundaries matter—a reading done without permission can feel invasive and may not yield clear or helpful results.

How can I build confidence?

• Practice regularly

• Use tarot books for beginners to expand your knowledge

• Read for trusted friends who can give you honest feedback

• Keep a tarot journal

• Start with simple spreads and work your way up - you don’t have to take on the exciting but difficult spreads to do the reading

• Do a daily tarot card pull. You can do it for a week, write about every card, take notes, and this way, you learn more about the cards and gain personal experience as well.

Confidence grows as your experience and intuitive skills develop.

😕How to do a tarot reading for someone else: friends and those who are dear to us

When reading for friends, maintain a gentle balance between familiarity and focus. You may already know a lot about them, so it’s essential to let the cards guide the reading, not assumptions. Be clear about your boundaries, avoid unsolicited advice, and keep the reading grounded in the querent’s intention.

🧠How to do a tarot reading for someone else: relatives, family, and probably some of them are sceptics

Relatives might come with emotional baggage or expectations. Be upfront about your limits—especially if you’re not a professional—and set clear boundaries before the session begins. Use your favorite tarot books for beginners to explain any unfamiliar concepts and help them stay open-minded. Remain impartial, and always respect their reactions.

🙏Best tips for doing a tarot reading for someone else

• Start with a clear question

• Choose a spread that suits the topic

• Stay focused and don’t rush

• Let the querent speak as much as they want – conversation helps clarify the message, and remember you read cards, not minds

• Stay grounded – meditate or center yourself before the reading

• Know your deck – understanding the symbolism is essential

• Stay present – don’t get distracted by your own emotional responses

🙊What not to do?

• Don’t force a message that doesn’t resonate.

• Don’t assume you know what’s best for someone, because you don’t, and even if you feel like you do, it’s not your business; everyone has their own journey.

• Don’t read while emotionally drained or distracted.

• Don’t answer medical, legal, or financial questions you’re unqualified for.

• Don’t read without consent.

• Don’t give false hope—be compassionate and honest. Also, don’t scare people too.

🖤Tarot reading and tarot etiquette

Reading tarot, especially for others, requires ethical consideration and sensitivity. The way you do it needs to maintain trust, professionalism, and energetic clarity, and that’s where the etiquette comes into play.

If you are a casual tarot reader

• Be upfront about your skill level

• Define your style (predictive, reflective, spiritual, etc.)

• Ask if they’re okay with how you handle your cards

• Respect boundaries and reactions

• Keep everything confidential

If you are a professional (you get money for doing a reading)

• Be punctual and deliver on time

• Set clear boundaries and policies (e.g., reschedules, types of questions you won’t answer)

• Credit your tarot deck creators

• Acknowledge your limitations—don’t make things up

• Thank your clients for their trust and energy

If you are the one who gets the reading

• Don’t assume or demand a free reading

• Respect the reader’s rules and energy

• Don’t test your readers—they’re here to help, not prove themselves

• Be open to what comes through

• Always say thank you

Whether you’re exploring tarot books for beginners or honing your skill with various types of tarot readings, knowing how to do a tarot reading for someone else takes time, practice, and respect. Stay grounded in your intention, be honest with yourself and your querents, and always aim to provide clarity, not control. Tarot is a sacred dialogue between you, energies, and someone who receives the reading—treat it with the care and honor it deserves.

🫶Personal Stories: Real Moments from Reading for Others

One of the first tarot readings I ever did for someone else was for a close friend who had just gone through a difficult breakup. I remember being so nervous—my hands were shaking as I shuffled the cards. I wasn’t sure if I was “qualified” or good enough to help her, but she wanted me to try. And once the cards were laid out, everything just clicked. The messages came through clearly, and she ended up in tears, not because the reading was sad, but because she felt seen and supported. That was the moment I truly realized how powerful tarot can be when you’re holding space for someone else.

Another time, I did a one-year-ahead spread for my friend as a Christmas gift, and she was so excited. We pulled one card for each month, and it turned into this beautiful conversation about what she wanted to manifest for the year. She kept the notes from that reading and later told me that several of the cards’ messages played out exactly as we had interpreted them. It wasn’t about “predicting the future,” but more about tuning into the energy and helping her align with it.

Of course, not every reading is smooth. I once did a reading for a coworker at an office event (big mistake—I don’t recommend mixing tarot and professional settings without clear boundaries). She kept asking the same question in different ways, trying to get a specific answer. It taught me the importance of setting expectations before the reading begins. Just because someone is curious doesn’t mean they’re ready to hear the truth the cards offer.

There was also a moment where I was asked to read for a relative who’s a complete skeptic. I hesitated, but eventually agreed—as long as we approached it as a fun exercise rather than something “serious.” To my surprise, they ended up opening up halfway through the session and said, “Okay… I didn’t expect this to actually make me reflect.” That experience reminded me not to judge the outcome before it even begins.

No matter how long I’ve been reading, I still learn something new every time I read for someone else. Tarot has this way of revealing not just messages for the querent, but lessons for me as well—about listening, about trust, and about holding space with compassion.

✨The Power of Reading for Others

Learning how to do a tarot reading for someone else is a beautiful step in your tarot journey. Whether you're practicing with friends, offering guidance to family, or stepping into the role of a professional, the process calls for intuition, empathy, and a deep respect for the energies at play.

By understanding the types of tarot readings, practicing good etiquette, and staying mindful of your limits, you create a space where true insight can unfold. Don’t forget—every reading is a chance not just to help someone else, but to grow as a reader yourself. Keep exploring, keep learning, and let the cards guide you with clarity and compassion.

With Love,
Caitlin & Gerly,
Soul Sisters Tarot