Special thanks to the members of Tarot Nerds and the anonymous readers who provided intel and anecdotes for this post.
1. Let's just get this out of the way: the Death card isn't bad.
2. In fact, there aren't "good" cards and "bad" cards. It's all about context.
3. Tarot reader =/= being psychic or a medium.
4. There is no ~type~ of person who reads tarot.
5. Despite what misconceptions you might have, reading tarot requires a lot of study and skill.
6. That said, some readers have a special knack for it — kind of like how some people are natural musicians or artists.
7. It's never too late to start learning.
8. You don't need to be gifted a deck to get started, despite any superstitions you might've heard.
9. It's an incredibly useful tool for self-care and self-reflection.
10. It's also a fun way to tap into your intuitive abilities, imagination, and creativity.
11. Tarot can help you make decisions, but it doesn't necessarily make choices for you. Instead, it can serve as a compass to guide you to the choice that feels right.
12. And the cards also don't straight up tell the future — they lay out possibilities, sure, but in the end, you're the one in charge.
13. There is no “right” way to read the cards. Everyone has a different style.
14. In fact, there are very few rules about reading tarot, so follow your intuition, personalize your interpretations, make up your own spreads, design your own deck, go wild!
15. The more specific question you ask, the better reading you'll get.
16. Some of us may do it professionally, so don't go around calling it a party trick or asking for free readings.
17. On that note, we read cards, not minds, so don't try to play ~trick the reader~ if you want to have a positive experience.
18. For many of us, tarot is a personal thing that we do for ourselves and loved ones.
19. Whether you're reading for yourself or getting a reading, only ask a question if you’re prepared to hear the answer because the cards will drag you.
20. No reading is going to be 100% accurate — we're human, after all.
21. But if a reading doesn't resonate with you, it's worth remembering it anyway. It could wind up very relevant before you know it.
