TAROT MYTH BUSTERS

TAROT MYTH BUSTERS

Myths were made to be busted and here are some concerning the Tarot.

~You have to be “psychic” to read Tarot cards

Begging your pardon, but there are hundreds of book and deck sets from which you can memorize the symbols and meanings and therefore give accurate readings.

~Tarot reading is fortune telling

No matter what is discovered in a Tarot reading, the information is not set in stone. It is up to the querent how s/he reacts and what is done with what is discovered during the reading as to how things may manifest according to the reading.  According to Keen.com, “A good tarot reading should serve as guidance to get you to your destination or avoid pitfalls from an unhealthy choice.”

~You shouldn’t charge for readings

A good Tarot reader should indeed be paid for his or her time during a reading as it is not only remuneration for the actual reading but also for time invested in preparation and collective experience as a reader.

~A Tarot deck won’t work unless it is “gifted” to you

A reader can use whatever deck is “bought”that fits the need of the reading or the reader’s personality and it will read just as well or better than a gift deck.

~No one should touch the cards but the reader

I let my querents shuffle the deck in order to put their energies and thoughts into the reading.  They can shuffle in any way that works best for them.  This way, the cards get both the reader’s and querent’s input into them and the reading is more integrated.

~The Death card indicates that someone is going to die

Whenever the Death card shows up, it usually means that it is the end of something. Look to surrounding cards to find out what it is exactly that is coming to an end.  It also can indicate a transition.

~Tarot cards must be kept wrapped in silk

Silk is nice, but you can wrap or store your cards in pretty much whatever your heart desires.  Wrappings don’t affect the cards’ ability to read.  My personal favorite cards to read with are stored in beaded evening ladies’ purses, wood boxes, and hand-sewn cloth drawstring bags. My cards love their storage ideas.  The main thing is to keep the cards protected in such a way as they don't get wet or dusty, or that a pet can get to them and do chewy damage, or small children can inadvertently crease or tear cards.  Protect your investments!

~Reversed cards are bad

To debunk this particular myth, I lovingly refer you to read Mary K. Greer’s book The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals. This book opens up a whole new attitude about reversed cards and a little bit of research and reading in this book will really make a difference in how you view using reversed cards.

~Never ask the same question twice

Ok, maybe ask twice, but any more than that will just get the cards running around in circles and begin to be finicky in their answer.  I will usually ask the same question once, again, and rephrase it to a particular purpose, which usually yields a good response from the cards.  

~Tarot cards are evil

A Tarot card is just a card with symbols that a skilled reader interprets.  The reader tells a story as seen in the cards of the reading.  “Evil” is an emotional concept, and it is not instilled into the cards at the time they are created, much less, present during a reading using those cards.

~You can’t read Tarot for yourself

Uh, yes you can. Just read as if you were reading for a querent sitting in front of you.  Be just as honest and unbiased with yourself as you would for someone else you are reading for.  Above all, be impartial.