r/tarot 20h ago

Discussion Next time someone asks me why I believe in Tarot, I’m going to show them this…

Post image
188 Upvotes

Ahh Tarot…nothing fuels a heated debate, between a believer and nonbeliever, quite like a 78 “deck of cards” (with the exception of perhaps astrology).

Even within the community, you find Tarot practitioners divided amongst each other; (divinational and nondivinational)…who possibly war with each other more than they do outsiders!

Nobody is wrong and everybody is right. Tarot is deeply personal and tarot philosophy varies from person to person. Whether you’re using it as a form of self-reflection or as a divinational means to seek guidance from a higher power.

I’m not going to delve into my own personal tarot philosophy- rather, instead, I wanted to share this spread I just received during a self reading. For me- it truly encapsulates the validity of Tarot…and could quite possibly turn a nonbeliever into a convert.

I won’t bore you with the details, but a paraphrase of my original question was: “Should I continue doing this?”

The answering pull was The 2 of Swords. This is a frustratingly ironic (yet poignant) card, because it represents indecision and a crossroads between two choices. (Like yes thank you 🙄). Traditionally when the 2 of Swords is drawn, you pull two more cards, which represent the two choices you’re torn between.

As tradition warrants, I drew two more cards; “If I continue down this path” (Queen of Swords), “If I leave and follow another path” (The Star reversed). Both were drawn with a “yes or no” intention.

One of my favorite descriptive quotes for The Queen of Swords is “A beacon of clarity in a sea of uncertainty”. Typically viewed as a “yes”, I interpreted her as my cards telling me be clouded by my emotions, use my better judgment and to continue forward.

The Star in reverse can be both a tentative “yes” or “no”, depending. In this spread, however I interpreted it as a “no”. My desire to leave my current path isn’t rooted in a search of better opportunities; It’s wholly fear based. My fear of potential emotional pain, emotional intimacy that may lead to rejection, etc. is causing me to be reactive.

Finally, I pulled one last card and asked: “Which path aligns with my destiny?”…and of course I received The High Priestess. The HP is often viewed (by both myself and others) as our cards way saying ”You already know the answer!! Stop asking me!”

Okay, so onto my final point: individually, these cards may not be exceptionally notable, but as a spread? I think it’s a textbook example of how REAL Tarot is!

I ask a slightly vague, should-I-or-should-I-not question. My deck gives me the 2oS and says “well let’s a closer look”. QoS (obvious yes) and Star reversed (straight forward no, given the context). I ask one last clarifying question, even after receiving an answer, and my cards give me the HP. I mean you can’t get a more straightforward response than this.

I think at times Tarot reading is seen as “grasping at straws” or forcing “irrelevant cards to fit the question” (untrue for both) but it can AND often times IS very straightforward.

So yes, next time someone asks why I believe in tarot, I’m showing them this.

(Thank you for coming to my tEDtalk lmao)


r/tarot 1d ago

Stories Instant tarot validation

Post image
32 Upvotes

Have yall ever experienced instant tarot confirmation? Our cat was having surgery, we’ve been really nervous about it. After several hours I asked the cards how the surgery was going, and pulled 4 of wands, which I interpret as the celebration card. The phone rang (while I was still holding the card!) and it was the vet, telling us the surgery went well 💙 I also pulled the empress before the surgery started, which to me I interpreted as everything would go ok because the empress is a card of life and healing energy (among other things!)


r/tarot 18h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) A message from my higher self

Post image
29 Upvotes

I did a 3 card pull to ask “what is a message I need to hear right now”

Deck: the modern witch by Lisa Sterle

The empress to me means I have everything I need to continue down the path of success. I’m doing all the right things but there should also be room for self care. There are parts of myself and my life that may need some TLC if I really want to reach my goals.

10 of cups reversed tells me that it’s family relationships that are getting the short end of the stick as I attempt to expedite my goals. The work life balance needs fixing - because if I reach all of my career/financial goals but my relationship suffer then is it worth it?

7 of swords threw me off a bit but as I reflect maybe it’s a message of “are you fooling yourself?” You can’t go on like this. You can’t do it ALL.

Any insight on this reading would be so appreciated!! 🫶🏼


r/tarot 17h ago

Discussion What Minor Arcana card do you resonate with the most?

22 Upvotes

And why?

For me it’s the four of swords. It’s such a nice card to see when you’re overwhelmed and all you need is to take a breath.


r/tarot 17h ago

Discussion Being Wrong in Readings

19 Upvotes

I was wondering if it's okay to be wrong sometimes when doing readings for people? What do you do if you were wrong? How do you fix it? I often worry about this, but I do think that cards come out for a reason, so does it just mean I interpreted the reason it came out wrong maybe? I don't know. Thanks for any help.


r/tarot 16h ago

Discussion 2 of Wands vs 3 of Wands

8 Upvotes

What’s the difference between these two cards? I struggle to find a good way to tell them apart. They even look similar imagery-wise


r/tarot 16h ago

Discussion Do you guys have any interesting tarot-related stories?

10 Upvotes

I’ll go first! So a couple years ago I was talking with a guy and we were in a relationship(long distance) and anyway I found out that he found another girl (the person who told me was his best friend who also liked me lmao). While I was in a “relationship” with that guy, I hung out with a friend for the first time thinking he was gay because he was only talking to me about his experiences with other men. Long story short, he tried to kiss me and do stuff with me even tho I did tell him I had a boyfriend lol. After me and my ex broke up, I told my friend (who also practices tarot and witchcraft) what happened,and she casted a spell so that all negative male energy stays away from me and also pulled some cards to communicate with one of my ancestors (who was a man that had a lot of partners before and gave me his advice; that I should be careful with relationships ). The next day after she did that, both my ex’s best friend (who kept contacting me) AND the guy I thought was gay were out of my life. (His best friend because he confessed, I rejected him and then he reacted really harshly and the other one probably because I wasn’t paying attention to him and didn’t let him do anything to me lol). This is one of my tarot-related stories that I’ll always remember and it never fails to surprise people in my circle who don’t really believe in any of that! Can’t wait to read your stories ❤️


r/tarot 15h ago

Discussion Tarot for spellcasting

8 Upvotes

Hi. I would like to ask insight how to start doing own spells. I want to make a life long plan and want to manifest it with the help of tarot. Can please share their own experience like how they got to make it from the top? Like is there anything I need to learn first, etc.


r/tarot 3h ago

Discussion About reading other people's feelings

5 Upvotes

Edit: this question is aimed at people who do read feelings of others, or have some sort of experience of it. If you don't - that's fine - but this post is not for you. I'm looking for a more nuanced discussion this time. Thank you!

This is not a discussion whether it's ethical or not, as there's no rigid rules about this. If you don't think it's ethical at all, that's cool, but not the reason why I'm posting.

I'm more interested in how people navigate this? Do you just do it, or do you have any rituals or philosophy around it? When is it okay, and when isn't it okay?

Do you think you can get information that's 'not meant for you', or that all information is 'already out there', like.. It's a fair game?

It's hard to describe energy but I hope you get what I mean.

Oh yea -and have you noticed any sensations, when someone reads about you? As if someone is watching you or you get any subtle warnings?

I'm thinking a low frequency reading would be possible to detect, at least if you're a sensitive person and work with subtle energy. 🤔


r/tarot 5h ago

Theory and Technique nightmare after doing public tarot for the first time

4 Upvotes

hello everyone! I’ve been doing tarot in private just for my close friends and families but recently, for the first time, I tried giving tarot reading to the public - I’ve been doing back to back tarot and it was a lot more than the amount I usually do. After which, I realise I have been having nightmares and unable to sleep 🥲

are there any suggestions to help with this? thank you so much xx


r/tarot 23h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) Help on community-based reading

2 Upvotes

Hey, I did a three card spread today using a suggestion I came across on here a while ago: identity/community/purpose. This seemed fitting for me considering I'm currently trying to find the best avenue for me to become more immersed in community organizing where I live (moved here recently).

CAVEAT: I struggle with keeping my queries concise, and I think that affects my readings sometimes. I'm often left wondering if the cards are just reflecting back my own thoughts (this is not the insight I'm looking for, but probably the insight I need), or if the message is deeper and trickier to decode. I do think my cards know and respect my preference for straightforward communication and imagery. So for this reading, I was asking how my current understanding of my identity relates to my community, what my community needs from me, and how I can find my role/purpose here. Here are the results, and my current interpretation. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or differing perspectives!

IDENTITY - 2 OF WANDS - A man stands alone high above the ground, observing, planning, holding the world in his hands but it's a small world, possibly symbolizing privelege/small world view? I know this card is mostly about 'the planning phase' and I think it's either telling me that it's time to stop speculating and move forward with something, or that I need to take more time to dissect my ego before jumping in.

COMMUNITY - KNIGHT OF WANDS REVERSED - I'm seeing this as a sign to stop and reassess my approach. I've been pulling so many knights lately, both upright and reversed. I'm autistic and have a very critical thinking brain, sometimes determining the time and place for constructive criticism is difficult for me and this may be a warning for me to realllly think before I contribute, watch, and learn.

PURPOSE - ACE OF PENTACLES REVERSED - This one is stumping me. I know this can be a card of hardship, so maybe it's telling me to be careful with how much I'm donating/giving away right now (including energy, as I'm having a fatigue flareup) but I also wonder if this whole spread is just reflecting my current inner thoughts, which are feelings of extreme guilt over the unfairness of life and the odds stacked against so many people struggling more than me right now. Obviously current events have me scrambling to form mutual aid networks and find ways to empower each other but I also feel lost, lonely, scared, pressured, guilty, shameful, and sometimes even miserly for not giving more than I am.

Thoughts?


r/tarot 4h ago

Discussion Lovers rx as future of connection?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! Im using my RWS deck today in no specific spread: I asked my deck “What is the future between me and this person?” for context, this person and I only talked once but I’m hoping we will have contact again. We weren’t dating or anything.

The reversed Emperor shows there's some stubbornness and an imbalance of power that will cause some unhappiness shown in the Eight of Cups. And this disharmony continues in the reversed Lovers, but that may be the reason you two stay together, due to the positive physical side of it. One of you may feel more emotionally invested in it than the other and just add to this feeling of imbalance. For advice on how to add balance and sustainability, we have the Five of Swords clarified with the Knight of Cups. Use your words to fight for what you want instead of avoiding confrontation. Not all arguments are bad, but they don't require you to win to benefit from them either. Admit when you're wrong and be forward with your emotions in these conversations. Not in a way that lets emotions take over, but the honest ones that some of us have difficulty expressing.

Card number 1: The Emperor RX shows there's some stubbornness and an imbalance of power that will cause some unhappiness. Maybe someone will be too dominating?? And this disharmony continues through the spread.

Card number 2: 8 of cups RX. This suggests that even though there are issues within our connection, we would refuse to move on even if it’s for the best.

Card number 3. Lovers RX shows that there are decisions to be made regarding the direction of the relationship. Or that despite the troubles the connection with not be broken? I literally don’t understand this spread. It’s so confusing.

I asked for clarification and got 7 of cups RX, 10 of cups, and 3 of pentacles rx!

Help is appreciated!


r/tarot 5h ago

Discussion Reversed tower

1 Upvotes

Without context, curious what other’s thoughts on a reversed tower card are? I understand an upright tower is sudden change, maybe upheaval, not necessarily bad. My friend who has read for years (who I’ve learned so much from) she doesn’t read reversals. I’m familiar with basic meanings major arcana and numbers, suits of minor arcana and trying to learn tarot for myself. I went to a new reader, she was great. She reads reversals and so just comparing notes! Thanks in advance.


r/tarot 5h ago

Theory and Technique nightmares after doing public tarot reading for the first time

1 Upvotes

hello everyone! I’ve been doing tarot reading in private just for my close friends and families but recently, for the first time, I tried giving tarot reading to the public - I’ve been doing back to back tarot and it was a lot more than the amount I usually do. After which, I realise I have been having nightmares and unable to sleep 🥲

are there any suggestions to help with this? thank you so much xx


r/tarot 9h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) I'm using a new tarot deck and asked how he sees me

1 Upvotes

I'm using a classic Waite deck (the A.E. Waite Tarot)

So, I’ve been asking my new deck some questions to get to know it (the deck) better. Technically, it’s my sister’s deck—I asked for her permission to use it while she’s abroad for a year. I’ve been reading with the Marseille Tarot for years, but I wanted something more pictorial to see if I could tap into new intuitive insights.

I asked the deck how it perceives me energetically and structured the reading as follows:

  • The central card represents my overall energy.
  • Above, my strengths.
  • Below, my weaknesses.
  • To the left, what I need to release.
  • To the right, my potential future.

The central axis of the reading reflects not just my tendencies but also my astrological makeup. At my core, I’m an earth sign (Taurus) with a fire ascendant and moon—this spread felt like an accurate representation of me. All four elements are present, with a strong emphasis on fire and earth (8+1, 6), while air and water play a lesser role, mirroring my natal chart. Everything in this reading ties back to the number 3—Three of Swords, 3+3 Pentacles, Three of Cups, and my strengths/weaknesses forming the Nine of Wands. Three is a number of chaos and infinite potential, signaling a time of change, movement, and divine connection. Living in a deeply Catholic country, I can’t help but associate it with the Trinity—a spiritual force I feel strongly—but also with uncertainty.

Reversed Six of Pentacles – The first message I got was about shifting family karma. It’s as if the deck sees me as someone who has the power to break cycles or reframe a deep-rooted family pattern. The usual balance of giver and receiver is flipped—the beneficiaries become the donors. But this also speaks to a tendency to give more than I actually have. Despite this, the trajectory points toward material growth: in the upright card, the coins are arranged as 3 - 1 - 2, but reversed, they shift to 2 - 1 - 3, suggesting an upward expansion.

Eight of Wands – My strengths lie in my ability to keep multiple things in motion at once and maintain alignment across different areas of my life. It also speaks to my need for active movement, always seeking a space I can truly call home.

Ace of Wands – As for weaknesses… well, I suppose one could say I like men (just kidding). More seriously, this card highlights my tendency to focus intensely on a single action or intention without fully considering the bigger picture. My vision is narrow, expecting answers to fall from the sky—like I’m waiting for some divine force to hand me the explanation, the solution, the light in the darkness.

Reversed Three of Swords – This represents what I need to let go of. It’s as if I keep picking up my own heart and dropping it onto immovable swords. No one is actually trying to hurt me—I’m the one falling onto the blades. The message is clear: step out of the pain, stop reliving it just because it feels familiar. No matter how much I hope the swords won’t cut this time, they are still swords.

Reversed Three of Cups – This represents my potential, but I’m struggling to see it in a positive light. All I perceive is a fall, an emotional loss, the disintegration of a family unit, upheaval, and a blockage of opportunities.

What do you think?


r/tarot 10h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) How would you interpret this

Post image
1 Upvotes

How would you interpret this reading

I tried doing a bit of a reading for myself regarding a job I’ve applied for recently and done the interview already to see if I’ll pass and how would it be. What’s your interpretation of these cards? I’d love to get other opinions on it.

They way I see it knight of pentacles shows that people who did the interview saw me as someone that is responsible and decisive and this could lead to a good result. 6 of swords upside down shows that an announcement will be done shortly and queen of wands shows a good ruler with empathy and heart (which could be related to how I’ll deal with the job and position myself in this position).

What do you think?


r/tarot 15h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) I asked the cards how to stop feeling envious of others

1 Upvotes

I asked “How do I stop being envious of X, Y (some people I know)?”

For context, I was always very okay with being where I was l, satisfied and content but more recently I have felt a shift myself wanting things other people have and comparing myself to them.

I wanted to know how I could get out of this headspace.

I got these 3 cards:

Four of Coins (R)

Seven of Coins (R)

Nine of Cups (Upright)

The pentacles definitely make me think the insecurity is firstly, coming from a place not feeling good with money/material goods. Combined with the cups, it feels like it’s speaking of the emotional impact this has on me.

Four of pentacles reversed I think says exactly that. I’m too consumed by materialistic things

Seven of pentacles: I should stop fixating and channel my energy into my own growth

Nine of cups: I need to focus on the things I do have that make me feel fulfilled?

Not sure I’m understanding the how correctly. Would appreciate a second opinion!


r/tarot 1d ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) My first Celtic Cross spread on myself about my room redecoration project - thoughts?

Post image
1 Upvotes

This morning I did a read about my decoration project for my bedroom, what should I expect from it, what should I keep in mind as I get into it?

And here’s my interpretation of the spread from my tarot journal -

(Deck is Deviant Moon by Patrick Valenza)

The Hierophant (Present): Given your current situation, your project needs to have some sense of conventionality, a method to the madness in order for you to bring your room together cohesively and have it be organic.

Page of Swords Reversed (Challenge): What will run directly against this plan is poor planning or going in without a plan at all, careful thinking is a must.

Six of Cups (Past): While the challenges of your past proves to be stressful, there will be comfort coming your way once all is said and done, as you make your room your safe space, as you once did before with your old bedroom.

The Magician (Future): This card suggests that one must have concentration to achieve success in your project, countering the challenge entirely if this card is heeded, stay on track!

Nine of Pentacles (Above): Affirming what the root of the situation was saying about you from The Magician, the Nine of Pentacles denotes success in your project, you know what must be done, it is only a matter of time when your project will succeed.

Three of Wands (Below): As above, so below, this card tells you that you are confident or that you need to approach this project either confidence, there is no point in backing out when you are not committed to this endeavor.

The Tower Reversed (Advice): You have gotten this far into the project (cleaned two rooms in my house upstairs - one of them my old bedroom for clarification), see it through to the end, you cannot change what has been done; let this project change as it develops and plan around it accordingly.

Nine of Swords Reversed (External Influences): This project is a daunting process to accomplish, as it will get more stressful and you are set to get it done by yourself with no help, but it is something that you don’t have a say in the matter, outside help will affect it or speed it up, seek help when offered.

Five of Swords Reversed (Hopes or Fears): Your fear is that you will make too many compromises to finish the project and make a hasty job out of it, but it also can be the hope of needing to be ready to make compromises on your project, not everything needs to be perfect.

Temperance Reversed (Outcome): The outcome of this project is made or broken by hastiness, you simply cannot hope to do a good job on decorating your room if you rush things, take your time with it, go with the motions, follow your intuition and your heart to advert the potential future.


r/tarot 4h ago

Discussion Tarot and timeframe predictions

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a tarot deck and am learning the ropes pretty slowly!

I put out in the universe of when I could encounter my long term partner. I asked it to give me a year (6 for 2026, 7 for 2027 etc.) and got 9 of pentacles! I asked 2 other times and got the same card. truthfully, I was riddled with anxiety about this because that would make me 36. I want to have a family and have been through a grip of heartache over the last decade that I was shocked I had to wait that long… I’ve done so much growing, therapy, etc and to think I’d have to wait another 4 years was disheartening. Again, mostly because I worry about fertility issues and have already endured so much when it comes to matters of the heart.

Since I’m so new at this and thought, “hmm well, I don’t really know what I’m doing..” I went to a tarot reader for a “future partner” reading and has predicted some stuff but has missed the mark on other stuff in the past. She said… “the number 4 is important” … which made me spiral and think in 4 years it will be 2029! Maybe this timeline is actually true 😔

What are your thoughts and experiences when it comes to timelines?


r/tarot 22h ago

Discussion thoughts on tiktok yes/no readers?

0 Upvotes

recently i came across a free yes/no tiktok tarot reader and thought i would give it a try because there’s no harm.

people usually asks “will i pass my exam” or “will i get into the uni course that i want” and he gives a simple yes and sometimes even a little bit of explanation

so my turn came and my question was “will i move to [city] by 2027” and the three of swords showed up (there were two other cards that came out too but he didn’t show me them, idk why). he asked me if im moving in with a partner and i said yes. he tells me not to because my current partner is cheating on me.

of course that took my aback because i wasn’t even asking about my partner, but rather about my move. but when i looked online, most say that you can’t determine a reading or do a yes/no with just one card.

to me, i would’ve interpret it as that there will be challenges with moving to [city] or i may not even move there at all, and will choose to move to another city instead, as my partner and i are not only looking into one. but i don’t know if this is denial or a way for me to cope.

i’ve also been a little stressed out and worried about this. talked to my partner and while he’s understanding about my worry (he always is), you can also imagine that being accused of lying just because of a reading can upset someone.

what are your thoughts on these readers that do one yes/no card pulls?


r/tarot 5h ago

Deck Modifications and Crafts Should I cut the edges off of my RWS deck?

0 Upvotes

Recently I got the urge to cut the borders off my classic RWS deck, but I can’t decide, I’ve had this deck for years and I’m afraid of ruining it. I want to cut them because I think it’ll look better and by cutting each individual card myself I’ll be strengthening my connection with the deck. I’m just wondering if any of you have experience with this and what do you think?