This is how you already know how to read the Tarot; and the pitfalls of free-from readings

Even beginners can read the Tarot and I show you how you can make sense of a card, and use it to answer any question.
Next we consider free-form readings - picking a card and applying it to the questioner without knowing in advance what sort of information you want it to give. I think it's better and more reliable to know first what question the card will be answering. I demonstrate with an example from an Internet reading that I listened to.

[@pillarsoflight2607]

I recommended John's channel for learning about the tarot in this way. Unlike many others, he's less concerned about being 'flashy' and more driven to teach. Some of these other channels regarding the subject seem more focused on showing off their collection of decks etc. Some people just want to learn (whilst using the minimal decks they've had since they began reading). John's content is depressingly underrated...

[@johnballantrae001]

@doodlemakers It depends what you mean by 'reading intuitively'. Some people just talk about anything that comes into their mind and give 'good advice' that is not in any way connected with the card, and call it 'reading intuitively'. They'll give names and predict future conditions passed on from their 'intuition". They sometimes say they don't even need cards because they just know 'intuitively'. I think that approach is awful and gets the Tarot a bad name.

[@MrToksik66]

you are spot on that everyone can do it

[@johnballantrae001]

@snjolwa Since it's about getting information from the pictures, then you can apply the method I show with the Rider deck to any other pictorial deck, like the Gilded. So the 7 of Coins in the Gilded deck shows coins in a tree, so the card is about trees and so stability and truth and caring about those ideas, and not so much about hard work being its own reward, because trees don't actually work, and don't really need out help. The Course shows how to make sense of pictures to answer questions

[@cowmax1962]

NO Thank YOU VERY much.. love your take on tarot!! surprises me every time!

[@ZJ427]

Excellent and practical tarot information as always, John. Thank you. Anne

[@johnballantrae001]

@snjolwa About the Course - there are details at thetarot dot ca. Also, I'm putting together a members-only site for those who have the Course, so they can have access to on-going additional videos, audios and text about reading cards, tips, workbooks, and all sorts of goodies. The site will be free as a bonus to those who bought the Course. I am working on it, and will get it ready soon.

[@Crystalwitch1]

Wow! You are amazing. I'm so happy to have found your channel. Thank you so much!

[@AltheaNokomis]

@doodlemakers of course, as I am watching your videos again I realize most of what you do is read from the illustration and explain how that card's images can help answer the question asked...I have a lot of homework ahead of me with all of your wonderful, informative videos. I love your style.

[@johnballantrae001]

@doodlemakers Madame Psychic at the carnival certainly sums it up. Your interpretation, on the other hand, is pretty good. If that's what you get from the picture, then we can all have confidence in you.

[@shaktiveda7041]

Always very interesting. Thank you!

[@Queenie-the-genie]

I’d love to see the cards as you talk about them… I do enjoy hearing your unique point of view. Thank you 💛

[@raults859]

Thank you John for that fine explanation.

[@EsotericOccultist]

This guy knows his stuff!! A very good video in my opinion.

[@Rene411]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@johnballantrae001]

@crystalheart9 Yes, it's better when you can make sense of a card and answer a question, rather than try to make a meaning fit somehow. I do seem to look a couple of years younger with the shorter hair!!

[@Karmabytz]

I'm just starting to learn Tarot, although I bought my Rider Waite deck a few years ago. I had it out while watching your video, and when I turned it over, guess which card was on top? 7 of Pentacles (just after you pulled the same one!) =) I really like your style (and your accent) and look forward to watching more of your videos. ~Blessings

[@biggboitwissted2172]

thank you sir your video help me out alot

[@tamieya05]

I have been reading tarot for 15 years but I am always open to learn...Thankyou for your videos...I would love to converse with you about the tarot...Where is a good place to send you my email an number...?

[@johnballantrae001]

@StruckDownByThunder Well, yes. I haven't been this respectable-looking since I was about 14.

[@babararivera9237]

Hi John, I'm fairly new to tarot. I just "discovered" you on youtube. Thank you for these very informative videos. I enjoy your soothing mannerism and down to earth approach. I'm lacking confidence reading for people other than myself or my daughter. The whole thing seems too vague; one card can mean so many different things. Can you tell us a little about your background? I get the feeling you're a psychology major. Regards, Barbara

[@crystalheart9]

Great informative video on interpreting the cards. Many times I find the meanings in the book just don't fit the question. Your new haircut looks really good on you :)

[@johnballantrae001]

@johnballantrae001 - and they can disagree if they want to and have a reason for their point of view, or say that the suggestion doesn't make sense and that can start a useful discussion with the reader who then has a chance to explain the reasoning.

[@MegaSuperwind]

Thank you so much.

[@7spiritualcompass706]

You are such a wonderful person, inside and out. You've answered some questions for me and I appreciate it. I'm thinking of your course, seriously. I respect the Tarot and only wish to use it for the good. Writing down your info. Thank you for this video, John.

[@johnballantrae001]

Dear Lourdes: I just added 14 videos to the Course website going into great detail about how to read a Horoscope spread. I had put some Horoscope spread Five-minute Tarot videos on KZbin, but they were short and introductory. Then I thought I should make something detailed. It's a good spread - a house can be read from many positions, so the card in the 8th would give information about the first child's partner's career - if you wanted such information.

[@7spiritualcompass706]

Wow! Yes! Love it! Where do I go to check these out?

[@7spiritualcompass706]

Website please?

[@johnballantrae001]

Maybe you're looking for johns-tarot-course.com, but there is a list of some related sites in the description for recent Five-minute Tarot videoS: E.G. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ-7gqV_j6ediqc

[@7spiritualcompass706]

I was referring to the 14 videos you mentioned. Thank you.

[@christahall961]

🙏 thank you

[@michswags]

I get that...Gratitude to you John.....Interesting last name...A High King???

[@johnballantrae001]

@crystalheart9 My daughter laughed out loud when she read that.

[@needinsight]

loving that haircut!

[@johnballantrae001]

@johnballantrae001 On the other hand, if you start with the image itself in the Rider deck - not with other decks - and use it as a starting point for analysis, then I think anyone will do a good job. Is it using intuition? Maybe, but it's also being logical based on the illustration that came up. At the same time the questioner can see a connection and understand how you are arriving at the answer or see the reason for the sugestions that are made

[@TheMysticAngel]

Thank you

[@chibizilla9648]

Wow,are you still teaching this course? I'm interested. Just got my deck yesterday and have found it super interesting.

[@johnballantrae001]

@doodlemakers Ok, doodlemakers: I'll see if I can put something together along those lines for the next video.

[@kristine6996]

Observation, analysation, action.

[@professorTalking]

Full of wisdom, but how to understand difference between world and death cards . They almost say the same thing.

[@MYSUPERFELIX]

Have you been able to find out?

[@crystalheart9]

@johnballantrae001 Yes, you look quite handsome :)

[@7spiritualcompass706]

How ironic where do I get the info for your course? I thought your email would be below your video, but it's not. Thank you, John.

[@JanColdwater]

I am curious... Is the questioner supposed to tell the reader the question or keep it to themselves? It sounds as if they are supposed to tell the reader but I have not experienced that myself when getting a reading.

[@crystalheart9]

@johnballantrae001 :D

[@StruckDownByThunder]

Nice haircut by the way :p