What Is Tarot Reading?
What is tarot reading? You’ve probably heard of it – maybe seen tarot cards in a film, or scrolled past someone doing a reading on TikTok – but what actually is it? And, more importantly, how can it help you?
A tarot reading is basically a chat with a deck of 78 cards to help you figure out what’s really going on in your life. It’s not about predicting the future or summoning spirits – it’s about cutting through the noise and getting clear on where you’re at, what’s in your way, and what steps you can take next.
What are tarot readings good for? Honestly, anything. Big decisions, messy breakups, feeling lost, or even just making sense of a shit week. No crystal balls or spooky nonsense – just a tool to help you get real with yourself.
What Are Tarot Cards, Anyway?
Alright, so what are tarot cards exactly? A tarot deck has 78 cards, split into two main parts:
- The Major Arcana – Big life themes, major turning points, the heavy shit.
- The Minor Arcana – Day-to-day stuff. Four suits: Cups (emotions), Wands (action), Swords (thoughts), and Pentacles (money, stability).
Each tarot card is packed with symbols and stories that reflect the ups and downs of life. Think of tarot as a visual language that helps you spot patterns and understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Want a full beginner-friendly breakdown? Check out my Tarot Basics guide.
Want to nerd out on card meanings? Check out my Tarot Card Meanings page. And if you fancy a deep dive into the story the tarot cards tell together, have a read of The Fool’s Journey.
How Does a Tarot Reading Work?
So, what is tarot reading, really? What actually happens when you sit down for one?
Honestly, it’s pretty simple. You show up with a question (or not – sometimes we just see what the cards want to say). I shuffle the tarot deck, lay them out in a spread, and we read them together. It’s a proper conversation – not me chanting over a crystal ball or summoning the dead.
What are tarot readings showing you? A story. The cards lay it all out – what’s going on right now, what’s getting in your way, and where things could be heading if you keep on as you are. The cards don’t tell you what to do—you get to decide what happens next.
Want to make the most out of your tarot reading? Here’s a guide on How to Prepare for a Tarot Reading before you dive in, and once it’s done, check out What to Do After a Tarot Reading to help you process it all.
Who Is Tarot For?
Short answer? Everyone.
Tarot readings don’t care if you’re spiritual, sceptical, or just nosy. You don’t need to believe in anything for it to work. It’s for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, get unstuck, or just get a bit of perspective on life.
What are tarot readings doing, really? They’re holding up a mirror, helping you see what’s already there – even the stuff you’ve been trying to ignore.
Still side-eyeing the whole thing? Fair. Here’s my take on Tarot for Sceptics.
How Can Tarot Help Me?
Life is messy. Tarot is a way to untangle it.
Whether you’re facing a major life shake-up, stuck in a work rut, trying to figure out a relationship, or just need to get your shit together – tarot readings can offer clarity and direction.
Here’s how tarot readings can help, depending on what you’ve got going on:
- Big Life Changes & Shadow Work: When you’re in the thick of it and need to figure out what’s next. Explore Tarot Readings for Life Change & Shadow Work
- Career or Creative Ruts: When work feels like a dumpster fire, or you need a creative spark. Find Clarity with a Career & Creativity Tarot Reading
- Love & Relationships: When things are messy, confusing, or you just want some clarity. Get Insight with a Love & Relationships Tarot Reading
- Self-Care & Empowerment: When you need to check in with yourself and reclaim your energy. Reclaim Your Energy with a Self-Care Tarot Reading
- Seasonal or Special Occasions: Birthdays, new beginnings, or just celebrating life. Mark the Moment with a Seasonal or Special Occasion Tarot Reading
- Bog Standard Readings: Sometimes you just want a tarot reading, no big reason. Get a No-Nonsense Tarot Reading
I mean, let’s face it, what are tarot readings if not a tool to help you get unstuck and see a way forward, whatever life’s throwing at you?
Can Tarot Predict the Future?
Let’s bust this myth: tarot isn’t a crystal ball.
When people ask, “what is tarot reading?” they often think it’s about predicting the future – but that’s not really it. Tarot readings don’t tell you what will happen; they show you what could happen based on where you’re at right now. Life’s full of choices, and tarot helps you see your options clearly so you can decide what to do next.
Curious about the whole future-predicting thing? I go deeper into that here: Can Tarot Predict the Future?.
Is Tarot Dangerous, Evil, or Witchcraft?
Nah, babes.
Tarot readings freak some people out, but let’s be real – they’re just cards with pictures on them. It’s a tool, like a mirror. There’s no spirits being summoned, and it’s definitely not evil. It’s just a way to help you get some clarity on your life.
Want the full rant? Here’s more on Is Tarot Witchcraft? and Is Tarot Evil?.
Tarot vs Oracle Cards – What’s the Difference?
Tarot readings follow a structure – 78 cards, split into suits, with a whole system behind it. Oracle cards? They’re more freeform. Both are great, but they work differently. Tarot is like learning a language; oracle is more like tuning into the vibes.
If you want to know more, I’ve broken it down here: Tarot vs Oracle Cards.
Diving Deeper: How to Learn Tarot
Learning tarot reading isn’t about cramming a thousand meanings into your brain – it’s about getting to know the cards in a way that actually clicks with you.
Start simple: pull a tarot card a day, scribble some thoughts in a journal, and don’t stress about getting it “right.” You’re building a relationship, not taking an exam.
I’ve got plenty of stuff to help you get going:
Embrace the Journey
Tarot readings aren’t a quick fix or some magic answer machine—they’re a tool you can keep coming back to as life twists, turns, and occasionally punches you in the gut. They’re there when you’re stuck, when you’re smashing it, and when you’re somewhere in between, trying to figure out what’s next.
The tarot cards won’t tell you what to do—they’ll show you what’s already there, even the stuff you might be avoiding. They remind you that you’ve got choices, power, and a hell of a lot more resilience than you probably give yourself credit for.
So, whatever’s brought you here—whether you’re curious, lost, or just fed up with your own bullshit—tarot’s ready to meet you where you are. The next step? That’s on you.
