Coming Out of The Tarot Closet – Despite Historical Bad Press

Are you reluctant to reveal that you read the Tarot? or do you hide your Tarot cards from visitors, out of fear of being judged unfavorably? These are common symptoms of Tarot Readers imprisoned in the proverbial, “Tarot Closet.”  I must admit, for years I too was a “Tarot Closet” roommate, and occasionally feel a pull back to the safety of its anonymity.

It astonishes me, that of all the “woo-woo” type practices I’m known for e.g., Practitioner and Teacher of Reiki, Acupressure, Chakra Therapy, Crystal Therapy, Psychic Development, etc., I‘ve felt the most hesitant to announce my professional Tarot reading services. I believe my hesitancy was due to numerous long held misperceptions around Tarot reading, dating back to its origins in 15^th century Europe.

Common Tarot Misperceptions:

• Tarot is evil.
• Only Gypsies read the Tarot.
• Tarot Readers are scammers.
• Tarot is only for foretelling the future.
• Scary Tarot cards (Death/Devil/Tower/10 of Swords) can cause bad things to happen.
• A Tarot Reader must be super psychic to be effective.
• A Tarot Reader’s Deck must be gifted to them.
• Tarot Readers must not read for themselves.

Tarot is evil – Tarot is most definitely not evil. It’s benign like any Spiritual tool used for divination by Readers of many different Faiths. Tarot cards, when laid out into patterns, unlock the inner wisdom held in the “Higher Consciousness” that we each possess, no matter our chosen Religious beliefs.

Only Gypsies read the Tarot – Throughout Tarot history, Readers have indeed come from the nomadic tribes of Europe, (aka Gypsies), but also from all walks of life e.g., common folk, business moguls, legal practitioners, politicians, even royalty. Since its origins, Tarot has spread from Europe to the far reaches of the Globe.

Tarot is only for foretelling the future – The Tarot doesn’t concretely foretell the future. Rather than predictive, Tarot readings are considered more a “heads up,” helpful for knowing whether, or not, a Querent (person requesting a reading) is headed where they want to go.

A Tarot reading shows the Querent where they currently are, have recently been, and are most likely headed with the situation they have inquired about, at this point in time. Because we all have free will, the information revealed in a Tarot reading is not written in stone. If a Querent is unhappy with where a situation is seen to be headed, they can make a change now that will change their outcome.

Tarot Readers are scammers – As in any profession, there are some unscrupulous Tarot Readers around, but they don’t reflect the entire profession. There are many ethical Readers as well. Asking for recommendations and reading reviews will guide a Querent (customer asking for a reading) to a legitimate Tarot Reader.

Scary Tarot cards (Death/Devil/Tower/10 of Swords) can cause bad things to happen – The Tarot cards that elicit fear in Querents, aren’t meant to be literal. Neither the Death card, nor the 10 of Swords card mean that someone is going to die, but rather that something is coming to an end, sparking a new beginning.

The Devil card doesn’t mean actual imprisonment, as the figures shackled to the Devil can easily unbind themselves from habits that hold them back in life.

The Tower card pictured being hit by a lightning bolt and engulfed in fire doesn’t foretell personal disaster, but rather a shake-up/wake-up moment in a belief, or viewpoint.

Tarot cards are only ink drawings on cardboard and have no power of their own to cause anything to occur. The Querent is the only one who can make something happen, or not happen when empowered with the information gleaned in a Tarot reading.

A Tarot Reader must be super Psychic to be effective – A Tarot reader doesn’t need strong psychic abilities in order to give effective readings. Tarot cards each have assigned traditional meanings which Readers learn early on. However, in a reading, the cards often elicit other intuitive meanings for both psychic, and non-psychic Readers. These intuitive “hits” relate to the specific Querent and question currently before them.  

Many Tarot Readers, who consider themselves intuitive, rather than psychic, use the cards to aid in Spiritual Life counseling/coaching sessions, with fabulous results. All types of Tarot Readers aid their clients in both realizing and removing their personal blocks to creating the life they most desire to live.

A Tarot Reader’s deck must be gifted to them – This belief may have originated back in the 1400s when Tarot decks were most often handed down because they were rare, and difficult to acquire, for they were hand painted by commissioned Artists. However, today Tarot decks can be easily obtained from bookstores, New Age shops, as well as the internet.

Besides the old standard, Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, featuring medieval characters, there are a plethora of new decks featuring such things as, birds, fairies, butterflies, angels, dragons, witches, and wizards. The artwork of each modern Tarot deck is as beautiful, and as whimsical as the next.

Many Tarot Readers collect decks, I among them, for their beauty and variety. My recommendation for new Readers is to choose, for themselves, the deck (or several) they are attracted to, and which personally resonates with them.

Tarot Readers must not read for themselves – To this I say, Rubbish! Reading for oneself is super empowering in discovering a Reader’s blocks, mapping out necessary steps to achieving their best life, and in setting and attaining their personal goals. Many Readers read their own cards often, some daily. The more practice, the more effective the Reader becomes, and no serious modern-day Reader sits around waiting for a Querent to request a reading.

Things to consider in coming out of the Tarot Closet – If you are hiding the fact that you read the Tarot, either professionally, or non-professionally, It may be time to consider living in alignment with your personal Truth.

You might take it slow by letting a few close friends and family members know before you make it public knowledge for everyone in your world. Then gradually let more and more people in on your Tarot “secret.”

When I announced that I’m offering professional Tarot readings on my own social media pages, I fully expected a mass exodus in followers as they systematically “unfollowed” me. To my surprise, that didn’t happen. My followers stuck with me regardless of their personal beliefs around the Tarot.

Many of your followers will likely stick with you, as well, after your own Tarot revelation. If not, there are many Tarot friends worldwide to be made.

On the other hand, if announcing that you are a Tarot Reader would seriously be unfavorable for your career, consider using a pseudonym. Brigit Esselmont, Tarot Author, Tarot Instructor, and Founder of the world renown, BiddyTarot.com, used the Biddy pseudonym for many years before coming out of the “Tarot Closet,” revealing her real name.

There are many others who also have, and still do, use a pseudonym for their professional Tarot reading, such as the Attorney, and Tarot Author, who uses the pseudonym, Benebell Wen.

Today, Tarot is enjoying a renaissance, some would say a revolution, as Tarot decks and instructive Tarot books have become much more accessible than in previous centuries. Additionally, there are many Tarot blogs, podcasts, and Facebook groups online to enjoy. Brigit Esselmont often states that she “would love for Tarot to be as commonplace as Yoga and Meditation,” and I’m right there with her.

I hope what you’ve read here, encourages you to finally come out of the “Tarot Closet.” I would love to meet up with you some day, here on the other side of that closet door!

NOTE: For more posts on Tarot, check out Jeannette’s other blog devoted exclusively to Tarot, MysticArtsTarot.com