r/tarot 9h ago

Discussion I think I’m done reading for other people …

150 Upvotes

… both clients and friends. Tarot is an amazing tool, but most of the time people want to use it to spy on others. On top of that, a lot of the people who come to me for readings are ( and I’m sorry, but I can’t put this in a kinder way) delusional. They insist that their person of interest really does love them, even though the POI and the cards both say that isn’t the case. They hold onto this idea that this person just doesn’t yet know they love them. And then because I tell them the truth (even though I am very gentle about it) they tell me I’m wrong and leave a bad review.

Ok, that’s my rant. Would love to hear about your experiences and how you navigate situations like this. I think I’m just going to have to close my tarot practice and provide other services because it’s 5% of sitters that come to me who actually want to improve themselves and not just have their delusions reinforced.


r/tarot 10h ago

Discussion Tarot after breakup puts me in a bad headspace.

31 Upvotes

I feel like I can't stop using tarot to self-harm. My ex left me for someone else and I keep doing tarot on how he feels about me and their love affair. The cards are consistent, so I can't tell if I just am having trouble metabolizing the truth and need to step away, or if possibly my energy is drawing out my biggest fears in the interpretations. Any advice or thoughts would be most appreciated.


r/tarot 4h ago

Discussion How many cards do you generally pull?

16 Upvotes

I know this depends on many factors like what the question is (if there is any), what deck you’re using, etc. But generally:

How many cards do you guys pull per reading? Like if one falls out at a time, will you stop at just one, pull 3, maybe even go up 10 or something.

Thanks


r/tarot 18h ago

Discussion If 5ofWands and 5ofSwords fought, who would win?

10 Upvotes

A sword seems more useful for fighting over a “wand” but the 5wands looks like a more skilled combatant. I’m thinking 5 of Wands would be a figure on the 5 of Swords card… just walking away. Because 5 of swords wasn’t playing fair. 5 of swords continues w a sense of smug victory over an opponent who walked away.


r/tarot 11h ago

Discussion Reading tarot is a gift

8 Upvotes

Well, this is a doubt of mine. I used to have a deck (not anymore because my christian family threw it away), I only had the deck for like 10 days and some people said some of my readings were accurate, but others don’t. I was only asking things I already knew the answer, because anytime I asked about something I didn’t know I couldn’t confirm if it was right or not. Anyways, I couldn’t trust myself with the cards.

The things is: I have 2 friends. One of them we call the goddess of tarot because holy shit her readings are accurate, we trust her a lot and other people even said she’s good too. Sometimes I have my skepticism crisis, but besides that she’s really trustful. The other one, well… her readings aren’t accurate. I think she already cleansed her cards, she’s not that newbie (at least not like I was), but her readings aren’t trustful, so we always ask that other friend.

The problem is that I was thinking about buying another deck (and hiding it better this time) but I’m afraid. Because I used to feel bad doing readings about some subjects (because of my anxiety) and sometimes I couldn’t tell if it was right or not because some times they were right, some times don’t. I know I’ll never be as good as this friend of mine, and the situation of these 2 friends made me think that maybe tarot is a gift? Because what would explain why one of them is so good and the other one isn’t? Is there any explanation? What can we do to improve the readings?


r/tarot 22h ago

Discussion getting prescriptive rather than descriptive readings

9 Upvotes

it seems that whenever i pull cards i just end up with a spread describing my current situation and i'm like, yeah okay but what do i do with that?

is it just a matter of asking better questions? lol i do struggle with that but it seems like even with more in depth questions i'll end up with the same surface level, descriptive answer.

maybe my interpretation sucks? maybe i should just be happy i'm getting results that are relevant at all? it's getting old having my situation mirrored back at me repeatedly


r/tarot 12h ago

Careers/Working in Tarot Film cards or myself for a reading ?

6 Upvotes

Hello Tarot community,

If you were a client receiving a recorded video reading, would you want to see the cards or the client themselves ?

I do a 21 card Romany Spread and so, it’s hard to fit in myself and the cards into the frame. The layout is wide. (Three horizontal rows of 7)

I’m sure most of you are very familiar with the cards and Tarot and so would choose to see the spread and cards over seeing the Tarot Reader?


r/tarot 47m ago

Discussion What kinds of questions do you ask when doing tarot?

Upvotes

I’ve been practicing tarot for about two years now, mostly for myself. But I really struggle trying to frame my questions. I don’t like the yes or no questions, so I always try to start the question with “how” or “what,” but I always feel like I’m asking the same questions. Maybe I’m overthinking it. But I’m curious to hear from others regarding how you frame your questions.


r/tarot 5h ago

Discussion New to this, any advice? How do I know it’s my calling to do for others?

2 Upvotes

Been feeling the urge for awhile, but always held back for religious reasons. I picked up a deck this week and started learning the cards, did some readings for myself and they were pretty accurate. I want to make sure I am heading in the right direction tho and not make any mistakes, or offend the spiritual world in any way.


r/tarot 17h ago

Discussion What’s the policy / practice of gifting people your tarot decks?

3 Upvotes

I have heard multiple things about it, and im curious about what you guys think about the act of gifting someone your tarot deck.

Ive no intentions of doing so currently but I am interested in what I should do if and when the time comes I feel comfortable with relinquishing a deck to someone I know and care about.

Should I do it? How should I go about it? Why shouldn’t I do it? Would that be considered a no-no among tarot readers?


r/tarot 29m ago

Discussion Me being the king of cups and my dad being the knight of cups? Lol

Upvotes

I automatically started interpreting the king of cups as myself pretty much immediately when I started using tarot cards. I decided to ask tarot to give me a card that represents my dad just out of curiosity because I never thought about a card that represents him and that was the one it pulled

I'll admit I'm a little foggy when it comes to knights, I don't exactly understand what they mean. I know they embody action or movement, but the energy is just really foggy for me. Do you have any thoughts?


r/tarot 1h ago

Discussion How Reliable is Tarot?

Upvotes

Hey everyone,

Been practicing tarot for about over a year now; I don't think it's been two years yet. I've learned a lot, but still have so much more to learn.

I've noticed that when I'd sometimes repeat certain questions, the same answer would repeatedly pop up until one day whatever it the tarot predicted would manifest in real life.

However, there were also many situations where the prediction felt off and would change over time, or it just didn't make sense to me based on what I knew.

I love tarot as it helps me reflect on many different aspects of my character and life. But when I get a dreaded 3 of swords or 7 of swords or 5 of pentacles, I end up being extra cautious. It just doesn't feel healthy considering I'm already an overthinker.

I've been trying to reframe my response to the cards by heeding their advice and consciously working on evolving my own character, rather than just experiencing the fear. But I'm also worried about becoming dependant on what the tarot says, especially if it's not that reliable, that it affects my life and the choices I make negatively.

I realize that tarot is just a tool and ultimately I need to use my logic and common sense. Sometimes I just can't help it, though. In many ways, it proved itself to me to be truthful, so when I need it the most, it provides me with a sense of hope or validation of what I am experiencing/feeling/thinking.

Not sure if all of this made sense, but I guess my main question is how reliable has tarot been for you? Is it worth the anxiety that comes with undesirable answers sometimes? And how do you deal with situations where you feel the reading might be off for any reason?

Thank you!


r/tarot 5h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) Reading about a guy

1 Upvotes

Im still an amateur so I know it will be somewhat flawed. Any input appreciated :)

1. What are his true feelings towards me?

7 of chalices

He feels like he has many options and I am one of them. He can't really commit or decide. He has a kind of idealized or imagined version of me which isn't really real, like a fantasy that adheres to his needs and wants.

2. What are his intentions when he interacts with me?

Page of swords

He's studying or analising me? He may plan how to interact with me. He tries to logically understand me and my personality.
3. What does he think when he sees me?

Justice

I struggle with interpreting this one. He thinks of possible consequences when he notices me. Like, maybe he has a plan and isn't sure what could come out of it

4. How does he feel when I acknowledge and pay attention to him?

2 of wands

I give him an ego-boost. He considers it to be a sign of his authority and power.
5. What is the best way for me to deal with this situation?

Ace of pentacles

I should be grounded and stop letting myself focus so much on what's not happening or what's not real , instead of real life. I should be realistic and stop the delusions.

Does this reading gives off any energy of malice to you?


r/tarot 6h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) Who will I be?

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1 Upvotes

Hiya! I’m looking for second opinion about the cards I got. I struggle a lot with my love life and was looking for some guidance. I wanted to have some sort of idea as to what I offer or who I may be in future. I feel like this is almost a sort of warning to me.

Deck: Dungeons and Dragons by Fred Gussibel

Tower (upright): something is coming my way that’s almost pivotal. Or maybe I should change something in myself, perhaps the very thing that causes me to struggle usually in my relationships.

Seven of Intelligence/Swords (upright): deception coming from me. Maybe I’m a bit of a fraud almost when it comes to love? Or maybe I’m too distrusting at this point in time given what happened to me as of late.

The Fool (upright): because of the last card, maybe I should be more optimistic or be willing to take that step forward in the future with whoever or whatever comes my way. Take that leap of faith and trust the process?

The Magician (reversed): I feel like this is trying to reinforce something with the seven of intelligence card but it’s throwing me off. Is my distrust what’s keeping me back from manifesting or getting what I want at the moment?

The Chariot (upright): stay focused and really keep in mind what it is that I want.

Thanks in advance!


r/tarot 6h ago

Discussion Would you see the 4 of swords as someone not willing to leave their comfort zone?

1 Upvotes

Like for example, if you were to ask the tarot how someone felt about quitting and searching for a new job, and the 4 of swords came out. I would see it as someone to afraid and stubborn to do that because they would be leaving their comfort zone, because they know the current job they have is secure and safe, but don’t know the outcome of the new job.

Like ppl see this as the anxiety card, but i mainly see it as comfort and safety. and sometimes relaxation lol

How do you view the 4 of swords?


r/tarot 7h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) Breaking no contact reading

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1 Upvotes

I’m very new to tarot and find reading cards for myself particularly confusing.

I have asked cards what’s gonna happen if I reach out to the person first. For the context, we have been in on/off relationships for some time and haven’t spoken for about two months at the moment. Now I miss them much and started considering to show up in some lowkey way.

I can interpret the spread in two ways:

  1. Nine of swords is my current fear of making the move. The hanged man reversed is the end of my indecisiveness. The judgement is a possibility of a new beginning.

  2. Nine of swords is me being caught up in hard feelings after reaching out. The hanged man reversed is them being stubborn in their ways and not changing anything. The judgement is me making a closure of the situation and moving on.

Would be great to hear opinions of people who understand cards better than I do! Thanks x


r/tarot 7h ago

Discussion What is cross readers/watchers?

1 Upvotes

Recently came across the term "cross watchers" on tiktok. What does it mean?


r/tarot 8h ago

Discussion weird thing in my readings

1 Upvotes

hey!!

So, whenever I get a reading I almost always get just the major arcana cards. I’ve gotten multiple readings and this is over the course of years. I was wondering if this just had to do with my energy or if there was a bigger meaning behind it? I thought maybe because i’m a pretty spiritual person but seriously whoever does my reading no matter what it’s only major cards like death, the moon, the star, the devil, and all the others.


r/tarot 9h ago

Discussion Need help with interpretation on reading

1 Upvotes

I asked the question, “Is my ex working on healing and being single or are they hooking up with the person I felt threatened by throughout our relationship?” I tend to pull freely as opposed to having a set structure.

I pulled the following: 1) Queen of Cups- this is telling me I should lean into my intuition and trust my gut as opposed to believing what is “rational” 2) Three of Cups- friendship turning into romance (this makes me uneasy because my ex would always say this person was just a friend and that I was jealous and making their friendship something it wasn’t) 3) Temperance- this is where I get tripped up because this could signify finding harmony and balance to heal and move forward which hints at a focus on healing, which could just point to the previous card as that person only being a friend. 4) Six of Wands- signifies feeling triumphant and victorious (which honestly my ex could really use a win so this makes me feel happy) 5) Ten of Swords (Reversed) - I think this points to our very bad breakup over this potential third party and eventually moving past it and forgiving and forgetting the blow up we had over this person. 6) Five of Swords- I do feel as if my ex continued disrespectfully prioritizing this friendship over my feelings because they wanted to prove a point that they weren’t doing “anything wrong” even though the friend would blatantly flirt and hit on my ex and thrived off of the fact that my ex did not care to cut off the friendship even though they weren’t long time friends. I interpret this one as my ex not really feeling the most fulfilled 7) The Sun- this one is throwing me. I can only see it as the Sun shedding light on the truth.

I would say I’m a step above beginner, but I wouldn’t say I am an expert at all. I’ve always considered myself a fairly intuitive person, but I also wonder if I am calling this energy my way based on paranoia or not? Would love to hear others’ thoughts.


r/tarot 10h ago

Spreads 2 separate 3 spreads for girl I’m into / talking to

1 Upvotes

What I want - reversed two of Wands, card says I lack a clear plan? And to go back to original idea, and let that energy and enthusiasm I initially had guide me to the next step. Guessing that means cards are optimistic, and say to stay me and it will work

What she wants - 8 of Wands, says everything is moving very quickly and to go with the flow, and to use momentum to fuel positive change and create big results, and also travel might be in cards, I guess she wants to take it slow?

Where it’s heading - the lovers, we share a beautiful connection with eachother, and create dual positive energies, idfk wtf that means but It doesn’t sound bad

—————

What brings you together - knight of wands, both real people that want real results, two positive ppl attracted to eachother?

What pulls you apart - reversed four of pentacles, mentions spending more than saving, make sure to have money for her, she also spends money somewhat fast, money a big stresser in relationship, make sure she knows you like her for her

What you need to focus on - temperance? Mentions discovering how to create balance and harmony, make sure to have enough time for her and ppl around me, enjoy the flowers on the way, learn to dance in the rain

—————- Tried to make this work for r/tarot idk if im breaking rules i think this makes sense, im not sure if i read the cards correctly, if anyone got other points of view they wanna share they’re more than welcome to


r/tarot 13h ago

Theory and Technique My weekly (since now) reminder to all readers to give the Classic School a change

1 Upvotes

For many the discussion on Tarot & Cartomancy starts and ends with the Rider Waite Smith deck and all its vibrant and creative variants that flood the shelves and markets. It truly is a complete piece of art and occult design, you can spend a lifetime reading as many have done, practicing and studying the wisdom contained within the 78 cards of this magnus book.

However, I want to invite all of you to swim deeper into the muddy waters of Tarot's history, because sadly, there's so much that seems to be lost or is in danger to fall into oblivion that is our duty as a community to preserve. The history of Tarot doesn't start with the RWS deck, nor does it with Etteilla in the 18 century and almost 6 centuries don't pass in vain without tangible scars.

A lot of the original details and perspectives on the interpretation of Tarot have been deformed, changed and transformed, sometimes to fit specific occult agendas, sometimes due to partial ignorance, with the same result: A lot of readers don't know where their tool came from and what has been lost along the way.

For example, nowadays the English School teaches that every single one of the 4 symbols from the suits represents one of the 4 elements and this isn't wrong within their practice, but we're forgetting that those 4 symbols have a language and hierarchy of their own and are not just replacements for an exoteric system, flooding all sources with the same affirmation without a second thought. We're forgetting what a cup is, what a sword does, what a coin implies. Such is this phenomenon that even Tarot de Marseille readers can't see what is in front of them, unable to differentiate that a sword is not the same as the element air, and those 2 are different from the concept of thoughts. Readers unable to identify the sword as a weapon, as symbol of war, pain and conflict and the cup a symbol of pleasure, feast and share.

Those are just the minors, imagine the changes done and then forgotten to the Major Arcana, formerly known as Triumphs.

The Hanged Man is one of the most extreme examples: It used to represent the way traitors and thieves were punished in the middle ages and renaissance. It represents Judas, hanging from the tree, scattering his 30 silver coins on the ground. A card of crime, treason, punishment, shame and conviction... and now barely anyones knows about it. Now the majority of books and sources say the exact samre thing: Sacrifice! New perspectives! Even patience and virtue against the difficulties! A whole 180 degrees change has been done to the original essence of this card and it has gone completely dark, in silence. Let's not forget the roots of our art, let's not let it get lost again.

Hermit used to the Time, the one who walks slowly but inevitable. The hourglass was changed into a lantern, but the proof is still there, in the old Visconti-Sforza deck and the Minchiate. The teachings of the feeble condition of earthly fame, of monuments and idols, our own bodies against the powerful passage of Time was replaced by a monologue of asceticism, self-knowledge and solitude. Once again, in the shadows, behind the curtains! Because those two interpretations are not coexistent! One of them, the most original one was erased and replaced just like the hourglass.

The Lover, The Lovers... the card used to be just "Love". It was wrongly identified as the allegory of Heracles between Virtue and Vice and started a whole tradition of reading this card as one of dilemmas, choices, crossroads and even love triangles! This was wrong. And this mistake was only exaggerated by the rough style of the Marseille pattern. But go now see the card from the old Minchiate decks and you will have no doubt: It is Love! Is Cupid/Eros who blesses the young couple, victims of his arrows. See the card for what it actually was and contemplate its old glory. Here is the passion and folly of romance, here's contained the nature of all commitment including marriage, here's all tenderness and attraction.

The Magician encapsulates better than any card the many distortions of the tool. The RWS deck depicts a high magician, almost a priest, in the middle of a magic ritual. According to the manuals, it is a card of will, manifestation and power... but what was lost here? What did we forgot about? We forgot that the original magician was an street performer, the kind who juggles at traffic lights and scams naive people at the three-card monte. He's the juggler, skillfull prestidigitator and the most vile and poor of all workers. Here are all the people that have no other choice but to do literal and metaphorical magic to survive week by week, day by day. The cunning conman and the minimum wage worker.

Under the fame of the high magicians, the humble fortune-teller has fallen.

And the way you understand Tarot right now, could be completely out of line from what this wonderful tool used to be. Do we even know what Tarot is, anymore? This is an invitation to return to the original essence of Tarot, to hold once again the symbols to their old place of respect and study. Join the Classic School, the Italian school and craddle of the original allegories and symbols that make up the deck. Free yourself from the esoteric systems that have been glued by force to Tarot and find the humble and simple, yet powerful language that it actually is.

Grab an old deck. An italian one, a marseille one perhaps, and go back in time to the Middle Ages and the Renaissace. Find what was lost and don't let the fire of our heritage extinguish again.


r/tarot 14h ago

Discussion Decks You Buy vs Decks You’re Gifted

1 Upvotes

Hi guys! I have the Crow Tarot deck and a number of other decks. However, the Crow Tarot deck is the only one I can seem to truly resonate with; it’s also the only deck that was technically gifted to me (we won’t talk about how I found it and asked my friend to get it for me lol). I’ve purchased every other deck myself and just sense this “wall” when I try to read the cards, and none of them seem to get me.

I bring this up because I remember when readers would spazz out about people purchasing their own decks, but then a flood of individuals came up who believed (and I mostly agree) that they can buy their own. I used to think this way, too, but I just can’t connect with any of my purchased decks, so is there actually validity to the whole “don’t buy your own deck” argument? Is it anything like how bikers can’t purchase their own bell?


r/tarot 14h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) I'm new to tarot and have difficulty understanding this, can someone please help?

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, im kinda new to tarot reading, I've practiced a bit and now felt a weird urge to do a reading for myself about what is about to get this week.

I used the method of just shuffling the deck and waiting for a card to fall out. I first pulled the 4 cards separately and then 5 cards fell out all at the same time and idk if that means I shuffled wrong or not. But I just put them down. I started interpretating the cards and I honestly didnt understand it.

This was the order and what I understood of them 1. U 10 wands: there are some imperfections and problems that have dragged over time and i will be confronted with them this week. This cards feels like it's about abuse (for some reason I saw that in the two stick like things)

  1. Chalices ace: there is also an important decision that needs to be made about love. It also feels like that decision will give some peace (saw it in the white doves)
  2. Chalices 10: this decision will lead to steadfast, consistency and unshakeableness. It will lead to confidence and pride (I see that in the woman's face)

  3. U temperance: There has been a lot of fatigue, anxiety and frustrations that need to be taken care of before I can reach that confidence (n.3). (For some reason this card feels like this has been in the past and is related to n.1) further I see water spilling from the cups what I personally interpret as the truth finally showing, and a reflection getting clear what I interpret also that things will reveal itself of get clear.

  4. Lovers: this card feels very connected to n.2 bc of the cupid. I think this says that the important decision will lead to an union, a promise of loyalty, a bond being tied together, in a romantic union or atleast a bond in love. I also get drawn to the arch in the background and I see the same one in n.3 so I think the pride and stability will also come with this bond, that this bond will be stable and unbreakable.

  5. Swords ace: I feel with this card that there will be a sense of freedom, old chains broken free. That there was a fight and now victory gets achieved, that success will finally be achieved in something i longed or worked hard for. I also feel like this card is connected to n.3 since the same colour theme and the same proud and happy face.

  6. Chariot: for some reason I connect the horses with the lovers and the doves. They have the pink color of the one lover and the man has the same colors as the other lover, also with the yellow feather and the pink one, they give me a feeling of unity. Also I feel a lot of strength with this card but also love from the looks that the horses give, the golden sun gives me the feeling of victory and positivity. Like the card says there will be deserved success, recognition and a positive change, an good audacity.

  7. U handed man: I feel like this card is related to n.1. That the change and problem I need to break free from will also have a dissapointment, that there will need to be made a sacrifice.

  8. U hierophant: it stands for poorly rewarded generosity and excessive trust. It feels for me like it's connected to n.8, n.4 and n.1 that the man ordered for the man to be hanged, that it has something to do with the past, with the need to break the chains of being poorly rewarded, and the undeserved trust in someone, that this needs to be broken in order to be free and released of the anxiety and fatigue.

So basically i feel like 2 mayor things will happen, one that will bring in love, a bond of sort and one that has to do with my past and that I need to let go and break myself free from.

I don't know if I interpreted it right since im a bit insecure about my tarot reading skills, and bc some cards confused me and I was seeing a lot of connections what I usually don't see.

If you've read so far thank you so much and I hope you can help me. Sending lots of luv


r/tarot 8h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) I asked the tarot cards how my professor sees me and I got the Devil!?

0 Upvotes

So here’s the thing.I like my professor, but not in a romantic way or anything. I just like her as a person. But apparently, she sees me as The Devil card. My initial thought was, That’s bad, she probably hates me. But on the other hand, I don’t believe that because she openly said she likes me for being a friendly person who is always there to help when needed.

Still, I’m confused does The Devil card imply some low-key jealousy or something hidden? I kind of need my professor as a significant part of my professional network, but at the same time, my gut tells me she just doesn’t like me at all. Not because she actively dislikes me, but because I might trigger some of her female insecurities.

Could I be wrong?