Read This Before You Use Tarot Cards
With aspects of your life changing with each passing day, attempting to take control of your future can sometimes bring some sense of comfort. What if you could know what's going to happen before it happens? Is that something that you would want to know? Well, with the use of tarot card decks, you can — at least, to a certain extent.
Per Slate, tarot cards "likely originated in northern Italy during the late 14th or early 15th century." However, according to the outlet, tarot cards "were not regarded as mystical until the late 18th century, when the occult came into vogue." Rather that predicting one's future, tarot cards instead offer insight into it. Per The New York Times, "Tarot is less about predicting the future than it is about reflecting on your life."
You might have gone to a festival that had a tarot card reader or driven by a shop in town that does readings. These days, tarot card readings are also being done online. But what should you know before diving into a reading or using the cards yourself?
Tarot cards won't necessarily tell you what you want to hear
It's not uncommon for people to turn to things that give them a sense of hope. That being said, if you're on the other side of the tarot cards, you can't simply expect to hear what you're hoping to hear. "My ultimate goal with every reading is to make sure the client feels some sense of hope, purpose, or some clarity," professional tarot card reader Patti Woods wrote for Business Insider. However, she added, "The cards may not necessarily say what they want to hear, but at least they can leave with a plan or a direction."
Woods continued by noting that she doesn't "give absolute, set-in-stone answers." The reason? "[W]e all have free will and the ability to change our situations at a moment's notice." Whether it be a skeptic or a believer, the words that are conveyed during a tarot card reading can open up a conversation about what is to come.
"I always say to look to the cards for guidance, not answers. My job is to present the options and explore the potential results," Woods said.
You can do your own readings
When she penned the piece for Business Insider Patti Woods had more than 20 years of tarot card reading under her belt. However, everyone has to start somewhere. Tarot card reading can be learned and become an acquired skill with practice over time. In this day and age, there are websites, videos, and even online courses to guide you in your journey.
Per The New York Times, "The most important thing is that your tarot deck resonates with you." After taking that first step, it's all about learning the significance of each card that is pulled out of the deck and experiencing the reading card by card. And of course, you'll need to come up with your questions. According to The New York Times, it's important to "[k]eep in mind that tarot cards are tools for introspection, and for that reason it's best to keep questions open-ended."
After learning, the use of tarots cards can even be practiced with loved ones to become more familiarized with your deck. With practice, the readings gets easier to perform. While it may take time, it is an action step that can give insight into the future you seek answers for.