Tarot can be a deeply personal and insightful tool, used for everything from introspection to decision-making.
Some people turn to tarot for guidance on big life choices, while others just enjoy pulling a daily card for reflection. No matter how you use tarot, one thing is certain: it’s a tool, and like any tool, it should be used with care.
There’s no single “right” way to read tarot, but there are definitely ways it can be misused. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just getting into it, here are a few things to avoid when working with tarot.
In This Article
- Don’t Use Tarot to Scare or Manipulate People
- Don’t Push Your Beliefs on Others
- Don’t Give Life-Altering Advice (Especially About Health or Legal Matters)
- Don’t Read for Someone Without Their Permission
- Don’t Do Too Many Readings Back to Back
- Don’t Read When You’re Emotionally Overwhelmed
- Make Tarot a Safe Space
Don’t Use Tarot to Scare or Manipulate People
Tarot readings should never be about fear. While some cards can seem intimidating, they’re not inherently negative.
If you’re reading for someone else, always approach your readings with kindness and tact. Be a guide, not an alarmist. A good reading should empower the querent, not make them anxious.
I personally take no joy in delivering warnings to clients, especially when I pull cards that people perceive as “scary” or “negative.” The truth is, every card has depth and nuance.
My job as a reader is to provide clarity and reassurance, not to leave someone feeling like their fate is sealed.
Always read with empathy, and remember that tarot should be a safe space for exploration, not a source of dread.
Don’t Push Your Beliefs on Others
Not everyone is comfortable with tarot. Some people come from religious backgrounds that discourage divination, while others may just be skeptical. That’s okay. You don’t have to “convert” anyone to tarot.
If someone is open to a reading, meet them where they are. Explain things in a way that makes sense to them rather than overwhelming them with esoteric jargon.
I’ve had people approach me for a reading even though they were hesitant at first. Some were raised in strict religious households and felt unsure about engaging with tarot.
In these cases, I always take a gentle approach: focusing on how tarot can be a tool for self-reflection rather than a mystical force dictating their lives.
Everyone absorbs information differently, and the best readings happen when you respect where a person is coming from.
Don’t Give Life-Altering Advice (Especially About Health or Legal Matters)
Tarot is a great tool for reflection, but it is not a replacement for professional advice.
If someone asks about their health, encourage them to see a doctor. If they ask about legal matters, tell them to seek a lawyer.
Tarot can help clarify emotions and situations, but it shouldn’t be treated as a final authority on serious life decisions.
People do ask about their health, and when they do, I always try to guide them towards listening to their bodies and seeking medical advice if something feels off. The same goes for mental health. It’s like I always say: tarot can be a mirror into the self, but it isn’t a substitute for therapy.
If someone is struggling emotionally, I always encourage them to seek professional help. As tarot readers, we are here to offer insight, not diagnoses.
| Tip: Many professional tarot readers include disclaimers stating that their readings are for entertainment or personal insight only, not a substitute for professional services. |
Don’t Read for Someone Without Their Permission
Reading for someone who hasn’t consented to a reading can be unethical and unreliable. Tarot works best when the person being read is present and actively engaged.
Instead of asking questions like “What is this person thinking about me?” try shifting the focus: “How can I better understand my relationship with this person?” This keeps the reading ethical and centered on what you can control.
I’ve had clients ask me to read on people who weren’t there—exes, friends, even celebrities. It’s tempting, but it rarely leads to useful insight.
I always encourage them to reframe their questions: “What can I expect from this person?” instead of “What is this person hiding from me?” or “How is this situation affecting me?” rather than “Why are they acting this way?”
This way, we shift the focus back to the querent’s own agency rather than guessing at someone else’s private thoughts.
Similarly, reading for celebrities or public figures doesn’t provide real insight. You’re not reading them—you’re reading their media persona, which is often a carefully curated image, not the real person. Tarot works best when you’re working with real, present energy, not speculation and assumptions.
Don’t Do Too Many Readings Back to Back
If you (or your client) get too fixated on a question, it can be tempting to keep pulling cards for more clarification. But at some point, this just creates confusion rather than insight.
Tarot works best when there’s space to reflect on the answers given. If a reading doesn’t make sense right away, sit with it instead of forcing the deck to give you more.
Some clients get caught in a loop—asking the same question in different ways, hoping for a different answer. One or two clarifiers are okay, but beyond that, you start muddying the message.
More cards don’t mean more accuracy. If you feel stuck in a reading, take a step back. Let the first message settle before seeking more.
Don’t Read When You’re Emotionally Overwhelmed
Your energy matters when reading tarot. If you’re feeling anger, grief, or simply stressed, your readings may be clouded by your own biases.
Similarly, if you’re experiencing financial difficulties, be mindful that your readings aren’t motivated by desperation. It’s okay to take a break when you’re not in the right headspace.
I’ve had moments where I was too emotional to read objectively. If I was having a bad day or if I had a personal situation weighing on me, I found that my readings became more about what I feared rather than what the cards were actually saying.
That’s when I knew I needed to step away and come back when I was in a clearer mindset. I still take long breaks when I feel like my energy is not conducive to holding readings, not even for myself.
If it takes me days to weeks to months to recover, then so be it. I would not hold tarot readings for people as long as I feel that I cannot be a proper conduit of its messages.
The same goes for financial struggles. It’s okay—and important—to be compensated for tarot readings, but if money is your only motivation, it can cloud your intuition. The best readings come from a place of balance, not stress.
Make Tarot a Safe Space
Tarot should feel like a safe space—one where you can reflect, grow, and ask honest questions without fear or pressure. The more mindful we are with how we use it, the more meaningful our readings become.
If you’re figuring out your own relationship with tarot, I’ve got more guides on the blog to help you learn how to read the cards, understand their meanings, and build a practice that actually feels good.
Ever had a moment where you realized you were misusing tarot without meaning to? Let’s talk in the comments.
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