Tarot: Taboo or Truth-Teller?

People have a visceral reaction whenever they hear I use tarot cards to give people spiritual readings. They either are fascinated by the process or they are repelled by the thought that I am "playing with fire". There really doesn't seem to be a middle ground. While I understand the emotions surrounding the use of tarot, I try not to let it steer me away from using it as a tool. If a client seems scared of the tarot cards, I do refrain from using them. However, I wanted to explain my view of the cards. Now, this may not match up with the "actual" history of the tarot, but I don't feel the need to because of the way I use them (more on that later).  Here are my Tarot Truths:

1. The tarot tells a story. It is about the Fool's journey through spiritual ascension. There are two types of cards, Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana shows the different phases/reactions of the Fool as he/she progresses. The Fool is innocent (in my eyes), excited, and sometimes a bit impulsive, and I love getting this card in a reading. It shows an open-mindedness that escapes people as we age. Fear overtakes us and we may not pursue our dreams as readily as we would in the past. There are different sign posts along the way that show the Fool's maturity or lapse into behaviors that may knock him/her off the path. For example, the Hermit signifies a time period where looking within for answers is needed while the Chariot signifies a time to move forward with confidence. Of course, the interpretation of these cards changes according to the question and the spread. But the overall story structure of the major arcana helps me advise my clients. 

2. There are no evil cards in the tarot. Many people are frightened of getting one of the "evil" cards from the tarot in their reading. I have found that the scariest of cards actually have some of the most helpful messages for my clients. For instance, the Death card is the one that people hate to see. When it comes up in my readings, I actually smile because I interpret it as meaning the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. Now, some of the cycles may represent relationships or jobs that are special to my client and I know that might upset them. However, there is always an element of rebirth which is the hope that I try to pass on to the person I'm reading. Another scary looking card is the Tower. This card shows people being thrown from a tall tower by a lightning storm so I get why people get scared. But again the interpretation is a hopeful one. Life changes and sometimes we initiate the changes and sometimes we don't. But the Tower allows me to remind my clients that the Divine is allowing this to happen because he/she deserves better. While the messages of these cards may not be what my client wants to hear, they are far from negative. I don't view any of the cards as evil. However...

3. The spirits I invoke are only from the Light. I do believe that tarot cards are tools and like all tools can be used for good or for evil.

I always take a moment to call in my spirit guides and other angels/archangels to protect my space and to give me the most positive messages to deliver. Archangel Michael is always with me (I consider him my spiritual sidekick) and I choose to keep my tarot space sacred. It is a bit more cluttered than I'd like, but the crystals that I collect help contribute to the positive environment. So I try to assure my clients and anyone else who might be afraid of the tarot to remember that I only use them as a tool to speak with Spirit. 

4. The cards don't hold any magical power. They are just the communication tool I use with Spirit.  I learned how to read tarot from an intuitive reader. He taught me to learn the basic meaning of the cards but to always check with what "my gut" was telling me. It took a long time for me to actually trust myself to do so for others. I was always afraid of "getting it wrong". But the more I trusted that voice inside of me, the more accurate my readings became. I remember being very concerned about how to shuffle the cards and if my client should touch the cards. But after so much practice of giving online readings for free, I now know that I'm able to read the messages whether or not the client touches the cards. I do think having the client shuffle the deck can help me pick up on the general energy, I actually don't like anyone touching my cards because of that. I'm calling on MY guides so I only want MY energy in those cards. I don't want to have to worry about a past client's energy getting mixed in with a current client. 

So, those are some of my Tarot Truths. As I said before, if a client is too nervous for the tarot to be used I do accommodate him/her. But in the end all of the cards, crystals, and now charms that I use in my readings are just tools that help me pick up on a clearer message. 

If you are interested in viewing some pick a card readings, there are over 100 on my Youtube channel, Angelite Messages with Francesca.