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Introduction: The Importance of Pronouns in Tarot
It’s International Pronouns Day, and while the world celebrates the power of using the right pronouns, it’s also an important moment to reflect on how we can incorporate gender-neutral language into our tarot practices.
As a non-binary tarot reader, I’ve come to understand just how powerful pronouns can be—not just for ourselves, but for the people we read for. For me, tarot has been a huge part of navigating my gender identity, and using gender-neutral pronouns in tarot readings has helped me—and my clients—feel more seen and affirmed.
But pronouns in tarot are more than just a tool for personal empowerment. They are a way of creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone who sits across from you. In this post, I’ll share the top five reasons why keeping pronouns gender-neutral in your tarot readings is a game-changer.
1. International Pronouns Day: Why Pronouns in Tarot Matter
When it comes to tarot readings, gender-neutral pronouns make all the difference in building a safe, inclusive space. As a tarot reader, I always aim to avoid assumptions—whether it’s about my client’s gender or their partner’s.
Using gender-neutral pronouns like “they/them” for clients and their partners can be especially transformative because it creates a safe and affirming environment. It removes the awkwardness of assuming a straight relationship when that might not be the case. In my experience, using gender-neutral pronouns allows the client to feel seen and respected, which helps facilitate a more meaningful and comfortable reading. If I hadn’t used gender-neutral pronouns, it could have created tension or discomfort that would have derailed the session. Using the correct pronouns is just the bare minimum—it’s about making the client feel safe enough to open up.
On International Pronouns Day, it’s important to recognise that inclusivity starts with something as simple as language. In a tarot reading, using the wrong pronoun can completely derail the session, while the right pronoun can help clients feel affirmed and seen.
Gender-neutral pronouns also allow clients who might not be out to feel more comfortable in the session. They know they won’t be forced into a binary assumption of their relationship, identity, or experience. It’s a small shift in language, but it’s huge in making people feel safe to open up during a reading.
2. Embracing Gender-Neutral Tarot Readings for LGBTQ Clients
The beauty of gender-neutral tarot readings is that they create a space where clients don’t have to feel like they need to explain or defend their identity. Tarot readers should be attuned to inclusivity because we’re dealing with people’s inner worlds and identities—things that can be deeply personal.
This is particularly true in relationship readings, where the use of gender-neutral pronouns for a client’s partner can transform the experience. I’ve worked with bisexual clients who’ve had relationships with partners of different genders, and using gender-neutral pronouns has made the reading flow much more smoothly, without the discomfort of unnecessary assumptions.
For LGBTQ clients, this approach can be deeply affirming. It allows them to fully engage with the reading without worrying about whether the reader understands their identity. Using gender-neutral language isn’t just about political correctness; it’s about making your clients feel seen and allowing them to bring their full selves to the reading.
I’ve also seen the difference it makes when I use a tarot deck that challenges traditional gender roles. For example, I love the Fifth Spirit Tarot deck, created by Charlie Claire Burgess, which features androgynous figures and fluid representations of traditionally gendered cards like Kings and Queens. This kind of inclusivity in the cards themselves helps create a deeper, more welcoming reading for everyone, but especially for my LGBTQ clients.
3. How Tarot Transcends Binary Categories
Tarot is full of archetypes, but those archetypes don’t have to be limited by binary thinking. Pronouns in tarot can reflect that flexibility, helping readers move beyond the traditional gender roles assigned to certain cards.
For me, the Kings and Queens in tarot aren’t about men and women—they’re about energies that exist in all of us. The Emperor isn’t just “male energy”; it’s about structure and order. The Empress isn’t “female energy”; it’s about growth and nurturing.
When I teach tarot, I always emphasise that these cards represent aspects of ourselves that aren’t tied to gender. I prefer terms like “active” and “passive” over “masculine” and “feminine” because I believe tarot naturally transcends those binaries. This kind of reframing opens up more possibilities for interpretation and makes readings more inclusive for everyone.
In a way, tarot already reflects a non-binary understanding of the world. Cards like the High Priestess and the Hierophant are seen as opposites, representing inner knowing versus external knowledge, but we need both to live a balanced life. The same goes for gender—embracing both active and passive energies, no matter what body you’re in, helps us transcend traditional boundaries and binaries. Tarot is a perfect tool for exploring that balance.
4. Non-Binary Tarot Readers and the Importance of Gender-Inclusive Language
As a non-binary tarot reader, I know how powerful it can be when someone respects your pronouns. In a world where people often get it wrong, tarot has been a space where I can express and explore my identity without limitation.
When I came out as non-binary, tarot was a massive part of that journey. Through the cards, I found a language that didn’t force me into a box. I wasn’t limited to “feminine” or “masculine” energy, but could move between different forms of expression. I began reading for myself with decks that challenged binary gender roles, and later, when I began reading for clients, I carried that same openness with me into every reading.
I’ve found that using gender-inclusive language in tarot not only benefits me as the reader but also helps clients feel more comfortable. By keeping language flexible, I make it clear that there’s no need for strict definitions or assumptions. My readings are collaborative, and the language we use is just one more way to make sure that everyone feels seen.
For other tarot readers, incorporating gender-neutral pronouns is a simple but impactful way to ensure your clients feel welcome, no matter how they identify.
5. Practical Tips for Using Gender-Neutral Pronouns in Tarot Readings
For any tarot readers nervous about asking for pronouns or using inclusive language, my advice is: just go for it. It’s not as scary as it might seem. In fact, most of the time, I don’t even have to ask for my client’s pronouns because I naturally use second-person pronouns like “you” or “your.”
When talking about people in a client’s life, I default to “they/them” unless the client has specified otherwise. Using inclusive tarot practices like these doesn’t alienate anyone—it actually opens the door to deeper, more meaningful readings. If clients feel seen and respected, they’re far more likely to connect with the reading on a personal level.
If you’re still nervous, try using a deck that already plays with gender representation. Many decks today, like the Fifth Spirit Tarot, are designed to challenge traditional gender norms. This not only helps with your language but also shows your clients that tarot is a flexible, non-binary space where they can express themselves fully.
Creating a safe, inclusive space isn’t just about using the right pronouns. It’s about letting clients feel that they can bring their full, authentic selves into the reading, without having to explain or defend their gender identity. In my experience, when clients feel seen and respected, they are far more likely to engage deeply with the reading and take meaningful insights away from the session. It’s a small step that leads to a much more enriching experience for both reader and client.
Conclusion
Using gender-neutral pronouns in tarot is one of the easiest ways to create an inclusive, affirming space for clients. It’s not about overhauling your entire practice—it’s about making small, thoughtful changes that can have a big impact. This International Pronouns Day, let’s reflect on the ways we can make tarot more welcoming for everyone.
Ready for a tarot reading where your identity is fully respected? Book a session with me here, and let’s explore the cards together.
