How do tarot cards work?

Tarot cards are a tool used to come up with ideas or predict future events in a different way to how you would usually think. The seemingly random combination of cards that come up in a reading can trigger realisations from your subconscious mind or help you to analyse a situation with less personal bias. Depending on your religious or spiritual beliefs, you may feel that the cards drawn are a result of divine guidance. Some also believe that each deck has its own spirit or personality and this plays a part in the reading.

What happens in a tarot reading?

During a tarot reading, the querent (person asking questions) first describes what they want to get out of the reading, then the reader draws multiple tarot cards from the deck. These cards may be read on their own, in combination with each other, or be placed in different positions of a “spread” to provide further detail.

Will my tarot reading come true?

No reading is 100% guaranteed to happen. If you’re doing a reading about the future, it will generally describe the most likely outcome that you are heading towards as of right now. There is always room for you to change a possible future.

Are tarot readings dangerous?

Tarot readings are used to help you find answers to unclear situations or prepare for the future, similar to asking a wise friend for advice. There is no risk of summoning evil spirits or opening portals. The main risks from getting a tarot reading come from the reader themselves being irresponsible and telling you things in a way that make you anxious. Take some time to find a reader that you trust, and remember you can always choose to follow all, or some, or none of the advice you receive in a reading.

Is tarot scary?

Tarot has a way of being blunt, and a reading may bring up subconscious fears and biases that you need to face in order to grow. Predicting the future can also bring up possible challenges you might face. A good reader should deliver this kind of information to you gently and leave you feeling empowered and positive, not scared.

Is tarot unchristian?

If you take the bible 100% literally, then yes. The only type of divination specifically allowed in the bible is the use of two stones, known as Urim and Thummim, for yes and no answers. However, many modern christians use tarot cards for personal spiritual reflection and growth. It’s up to you to decide if they fit into your view of christianity.

Is tarot safe?

While there is no risk of accidentally summoning evil spirits during a reading, it is important to approach tarot from a grounded perspective. Tarot is a tool for reflection which you can use to help make positive changes in your own life. Before you make any decision based on a reading, check with your own intuition whether you feel like it’s the right thing for you, and if you’re working with a tarot reader, find one who is trustworthy and professional.

Are tarot readers fake?

Unfortunately, some tarot readers are fakes. These readers will usually promise you all of life’s answers, say that they can make you a millionaire overnight, or make other outlandish claims like that. Good tarot readers will want to listen to you and work with you, to help you understand a situation or make a positive change in your own life.

What happens if I pull the Death card? Will I die?

Nope! In Tarot, the Death card typically represents the ending of a current situation. This ending is often needed to allow a new and positive opportunity to enter your life. Think of it like clearing the field of old crops so new seeds can be planted.

Is tarot real?

Tarot is mysterious by nature, and there’s no real way of knowing if the cards are truly just random or guided by some kind of supernatural force. What is real and verifiable though is the many people who have found tarot helpful. You don’t need to know how something works to be able to benefit from it.

How often should I have a tarot reading?

It can become addictive to seek a tarot reading every time you have a problem or something goes wrong. I recommend not having a reading about the same subject more than once a month.

Are tarot readers licensed?

You do not need a license to read tarot cards professionally in the UK, but there are some courses you can take with certificates. The best way to find out if a reader is “qualified” is to see how long they’ve been learning and find out about them through testimonials or recommendations. To read publicly, a reader should have public liability insurance.

How much training does it take to become a tarot reader?

There’s no one answer to this. Generally, the longer someone has studied, the better, but sometimes people can have very good intuition and perform great readings from very early in their tarot reading career. I’d say someone has “graduated” as a tarot reader when they have developed their own style and unique interpretations. Of course, it’s still good to recognise that you’ll never know everything and always be curious about new ways of reading familiar cards.

Who are the best tarot readers?

The best tarot reader for you is the one that you personally feel drawn to. I really like Madam Adam for his blunt, no-nonsense approach, and Red Fairy Tarot for her professional mystique. You can find them both on Instagram.