The Halloween Tarot by Karin Lee, Kipling West

Draw one card in the morning and notice how it shows up over the day.

Lay out a spread, such as past, present and future, when you want the bigger picture.

Read for friends and family.

Pull a single card for a yes or no, or a fast read on a question.

Work through the deck one card a day. Write what you see in the morning, note what happens during the day, and journal about it that night.

Write about the card you drew: what you see in it, and what it brings up.

Sit with a card that unsettles you and write about why.

Set one card where you can see it and let its imagery hold your attention.

Stand a card on your altar as the focus of a working, so its symbolism points your thinking where you want your life to go.

Pull cards at the new moon to set intentions and at the full moon to see what's grown.

Bring it out for Halloween and Samhain readings.

If you're not sure how you're reading a card, hold a pendulum over it to check.

Pull an oracle card alongside a tarot spread for extra context.

Everyone in our household reads cards, and this is one of the decks we reach for.

It suits beginners, experienced readers and art lovers, and it makes a good gift.

Cleanse it, go through the cards one at a time so you get used to each other, then spread the cards face down on a favorite surface and swirl them together like a lake. Every card gets turned every which way, so the deck starts out well mixed. Our guide to reading tarot walks through your first reading.

A reversed card doesn't always mean the opposite. Read it with the card's imagery and your intuition; sometimes it points to a blockage instead.

Keep the cards stacked neatly in their box or a bag. A crystal on top is a nice touch.