I've read Tarot for many years, but I don't read for myself. I tend to see what I want to see, rather than what's there. Instead, I use it to provide empowerment and reassurance for others. I've tried to scrye in a concave mirror, and can achieve a trance state, but it hasn't been an effective divination tool for me. I've also tried runes and the iChing, but they do not speak to me either. I guess I'm a one-trick diviner.
As for how I use them... People think they want to know the future, but in reality most of them just need to be reminded of their own strengths and their own ability to make sound decisions. In my experience, the messages in the Tarot are more about the person for whom the reading is performed, and not really about any future event. Since I can't read for myself, I use meditation for introspection.
Anda