A Tarot deck interview spread is typically used when you acquire a new Tarot deck or want to reconnect with a deck you haven’t used in a while. This spread helps you understand the deck’s personality, strengths, and potential limitations, allowing you to form a deeper connection with the cards and gain insight into how best to work with them.
The first time I tried to read with a new deck without ‘interviewing’ it first was a disaster. The messages felt muddled, the energy was off, and I couldn’t figure out why this beautiful deck wasn’t clicking with me. That’s when I discovered the power of the deck interview spread. This simple 7-card layout transformed how I connect with every new deck, turning that awkward first reading into an insightful conversation. Let me show you how to unlock your deck’s unique personality and discover the best ways to work together.
The 7-Card Interview Spread
- The Deck’s Voice - How this deck communicates and expresses itself
- The Deck’s Strengths - Areas where this deck excels and offers the most insight
- The Deck’s Limitations - Challenges or areas where this deck may struggle to provide clear guidance
- Hidden Wisdom - Unexpected or unique insights this deck can offer
- Ideal Use - The types of readings or questions this deck is best suited for
- Working Relationship - How you and this deck will interact and grow together
- Lesson to Learn - What this deck can teach you about Tarot or yourself
Significant Cards to Watch For
In a Tarot deck interview spread, certain cards carry special meaning. Every card matters, but these ones tend to lead the message.
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The High Priestess often indicates that the deck holds deep intuitive wisdom and may communicate through subtle, symbolic means.
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Six of Swords suggests the deck will be adept at guiding you through transitions and helping you move past difficulties with clarity and insight.
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King of Wands typically signals a deck with bold, inspiring energy that will encourage decisive action and creative problem-solving.
The presence of these cards hints at a deck that balances intuition with practical guidance, offering both spiritual depth and actionable advice. An interview with these cards is usually a deck I’m going to use very often.
When & How to Do This
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When you first acquire a new deck (gifted or otherwise, it doesn’t matter).
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When reconnecting with a deck you haven’t used in a while.
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During a waxing moon phase (symbolizing new beginnings and growth).
Cleanse your space and deck by burning sage or palo santo. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and clear your mind and set your intention to connect with the deck
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Pay close attention to how the cards interact and complement each other
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Look for recurring themes: repeated suits, numbers, or archetypal figures
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Journal your impressions after the reading
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Note any intuitive hits or unexpected connections
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If reading reversals, consider them as areas requiring extra attention rather than negatives
This approach helps you develop a more nuanced relationship with your new Tarot companion. 
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I set up a little altar space and go through each card slowly over a few days before shuffling for the first time. It helps me pick up on the unique symbols and characters that each deck has.
I’m really curious about how often the 9 of Swords pops up as a deck’s weakness in these interviews. It usually means the deck tends to focus on anxieties or dig up past wounds instead of looking ahead.
Definitely worth knowing, though. Once you realize a deck leans towards shadow work, you can get ready mentally before diving into deeper readings with it.
I’ve been keeping a little notebook on which decks are good for certain readings.
My ethereal deck, for example, is fantastic for shadow work but not career advice. Create your own questions when you interview the deck, rather than sticking with a general spread. You’ll soon see how each deck has its own vibe, and it’s like magic when you find the right one for your questions.
Don’t expect your deck to click with you right away.
Sometimes the Moon card is super vague, or the Knight of Swords shows up with too much sass. It’s like any friendship, takes time to get to know each other.
Your Death card might need a few rounds before it opens up. The High Priestess? She’s not gonna tell you everything right off the bat. Keep at it if the first reading feels off. Even experienced readers had awkward first sessions with their decks.
No way, this is nuts! I literally just got the Six of Swords from my new deck before I saw your post. Scrolled down and there it is in your important cards section.
The universe is definitely trying to tell me something today. I’ve been doing this thing where I ask a bunch of decks about one life situation to see which one clicks. Last month, every deck threw me court cards for ‘how we’ll work together.’ Now, I’ve got a whole royal team of tarot advisors.
I had an interview spread where every single card was reversed.
Yep, every single one! I realized I had been shuffling with the deck upside down the whole time because, apparently, I can’t tell which way is up on minimalist decks. But, it was honestly the best interview I’ve ever had.
It taught me that my deck has a cheeky sense of humor and likes to show me what I’m avoiding rather than what I want to hear.
When I pulled The Hermit as my deck’s ‘teaching style’ card during an interview, it completely shifted how I approach new decks. There’s this technique where you light a candle and sit in silence with just that one card for a few minutes before continuing the spread, I always do this now.
Deck interviews have some crazy vibes!
When I pulled Death for my deck’s style, my left arm tingled like mad. I knew right then this deck was going to be intense. Ever since, I pay attention to chills, temperature shifts, or that electric buzz in my fingers during interviews. Your body’s reactions are just as important as the cards.
Last week I pulled The Magician and The High Priestess just to see what came up. No specific question, just looking at how they work together.
Then it hit me, my client’s whole issue was about balancing what they’ve achieved in the real world with trusting their gut. Turned out that was exactly what they needed to hear when they showed up the next day.
I could try laying out two decks side by side and using the same spread for each one.
Pull cards from both decks for the same question. The differences will really pop and help you see which deck suits different scenarios. It’s like getting two totally different perspectives from friends on the same issue.
Deck interviews caught me off guard tbh.
I thought I’d just be learning about the deck, but the cards kept showing me stuff about myself too. The ‘how we’ll work together’ pulls were wild, they’d always match whatever I was going through with my tarot practice. Maybe there’s no such thing as buying the ‘wrong’ deck at the wrong time.
Just yesterday, my friend was complaining about her new deck feeling totally closed off.
I told her to try leaving it on her altar for a few days after cleansing. She’d been going straight from unboxing to interviewing, but after giving the deck time to settle in first, the interview spread was way different, much more open!
Now I always tell people to treat new decks like houseplants that need time to adjust before they’ll cooperate.
Revisiting your deck after a major life change can be weird.
Back in my early motherhood days, my Rider-Waite was all about nurturing cups. Now that I’m diving into business, it’s shifted to bold wands and swords.
The deck seems to grow with you, matching your experience.
