Visualize this: a deck of cards holding the secrets of your past, present, and future! It’s not a magic ball or mirror but rectangular cards to spill the tea through the wonder of your existence! 

While you unravel the mysteries, decode the doodles, and figure out whether The Devil means meeting Lucifer, can tarot deck decisions ruin your life? 

1. What Is A Tarot Card?

A tarot deck is a pack of rectangular cards widely used for self-reflection and guidance. It is used for divination and is said to help the individual make life decisions. However, reading a tarot card should not be solely responsible for making decisions. One’s free will also matters.

A standard tarot deck consists of 78 cards divided into two categories: the Major and Minor Arcana. 

1.1. The Major Arcana

The major arcana comprises 22 cards that often depict archetypal figures, allegorical scenes, and powerful cosmic forces. 

Each card has a useful meaning and often portrays symbolic imagery. Let’s examine each card’s interpretation briefly.

1. The Fool: The first card in this deck represents the beginning and pursuit of an adventure. As mentioned, it does not mean you are a fool, but it symbolizes innocence and taking risks. 
2. The Magician: As the word symbolizes, the magician is a card discussing manifestation and the magic of transforming ideas into reality. 
3. The High Priestess: As associated with one’s intuition, it represents the deep, hidden knowledge that the individual has within themselves. 
4. The Empress: The empress symbolizes abundance, fertility, and the nurturing aspects of life. 
5. The Emperor: When we think of an emperor, we think of an authority or a leader. That is exactly what the card represents. It represents the principle of order and the establishment of boundaries. 
6. The Hierophant: This card represents a messenger from heaven. Its work is to bring down the lessons that we need in life.
7. The Lovers: Yes, this is a romantic card, but it is also associated with choices and harmony. 
8. The Chariot: It symbolizes victory over obstacles through willpower and determination. 
9. Strength: The word signifies the strength, courage, and resilience to face challenges. 
10. The Hermit: The hermit represents solitude and seeking inner wisdom. It is more about self-introspection and spiritual enlightenment. 
11. Wheel Of Fortune: It symbolizes a cycle coming to an end. Like a wheel constantly moving, our lives are also continually in flux. 
12. Justice: Fairness, balance, and karma. 
13. The Hanged Man: The Hanged Man doesn’t mean to hang oneself but to let go and surrender in a situation. This also helps one look at the problem from a different perspective. 
14. Death: Again, death doesn’t mean dying. The death card represents transformation, renewal, and the inevitability of change. It talks about ending a phase and starting another. 
15. Temperance: It represents blending opposing forces to create a unified whole. 
16. The Devil: Sadly, the devil card does not mean meeting Lucifer. Instead, the devil card represents temptation, bondage, and illusions that keep us captive. 
17. The Tower: It represents sudden change and revelation in life. 
18. The Star: A card of hope, inspiration, and spiritual insight. It talks about healing and a promise of a brighter future. 
19. The Moon: Signifies our subconscious mind and mysteries of the unknown. 
20. The Sun: Joy, success, and vitality. The sun represents optimism and the warmth of genuine happiness.
21. Judgment: Symbolizes self-reflection, accountability, and spiritual awakening. 
22. World: The final card that talks about completion and fulfilment. 

Each Major Arcana card carries a unique energy and message, providing a holistic perspective and insight into one’s life journey. 

1.2. The Minor Arcana 

The minor arcana consists of the remaining 56 cards in the tarot deck, which focus on the day-to-day aspects of life, such as relationships, challenges, and other important things. It is further divided into four suits and four court cards. 

Minor arcana cards also consist of numbers that signify important messages and the symbols on the card. 

1.2.1 The Suits

The suit consists of the world’s four elements: air, water, fire, and earth. 

1. Air: The air cards are the sword cards that represent thoughts and intellect. Hence, they majorly deal with decision-making and conflicts/challenges individuals face. 
2. Water: The water cards are the cup cards that represent relationships and emotions. They deal with matters of love and emotional fulfillment. 
3. Fire: The fire cards are wand cards that symbolize creativity and inspiration. They deal with ambition and persuasion of one’s goals. 
4. Earth: The earth cards are the Pentacles, representing finances and practicality. They deal with money, career, and other aspects. 

1.2.2 The Courts

1. Page: Symbolizes exploration, learning, and starting a new phase. 
2. Knight: Symbolizes action, determination, and pursuing goals and ambitions.
3. Queen: Symbolizes maturity, nurturing, and a deep connection with emotions.
4. King: Symbolizes authority, leadership, and experience. 

You should look into three things when interpreting a minor arcana card. One is the number on the card. Each number represents the stage of the cycle. For instance, the Ace will discuss the beginning, but the ten will discuss completion.

Two is the combination of cards. Each combination will signify a unique message depending on the different types of cards pulled out. 

Lastly, reversed cards. If the cards pulled out are reversed, their meaning is interpreted differently. Reversed cards usually indicate delays or a need for introspection. 

While some people use tarot cards for divination, others view them as a tool for gaining insight, meditation, or creative inspiration. 

2. Can Tarot Cards Ruin Your Life?

Tarot cards, in itself, do not have the power to ruin your life. However, the way the readings are interpreted and applied may impact your life to a great extent. 

Therefore, before going for a tarot reading, you should know the pros and cons of what these cards can bring to the table! Let us take a look:

2.1. Tarot Readings Pros

1. Self-reflection and insight – Tarot readings help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. The symbols provide a deeper understanding of oneself and insight into one’s situation. 
2. Guidance – The tarot aims to guide and help individuals make life decisions. It provides a new perspective and offers alternatives to approaching the situation. 
3. Spiritual Exploration – Tarot readings deal with energies in the universe and serve as a divination tool. They are a form of spiritual exploration and connection with the divine. The readings can make you feel that God backs up your decision!
4. Confirmation – At times, when we are at par with choices in life, tarot readings can help give us confirmation and validation. It can be just the right acknowledgment you need!
5. Personal empowerment – Tarot readings can also empower individuals by recognizing their strengths, talents, and areas for personal growth. 

2.2. Tarot Readings Cons

1. Subjectivity – The readings are very subjective. Different readers provide different insights into the same cards, affecting the individual’s decision-making process. 
2. Misinterpretations – Sometimes, readers may provide inaccurate guidance that can cause unnecessary concern!
3. Lack of validity – Of course, tarot readings have no scientific validity. They are based solely on the reader’s energy and guidance. Therefore, certain readings can be misleading, causing anxiety or stress. 
4. Externalizing responsibility – Relying solely on tarot for answers may lead to externalizing responsibility. This means attributing life outcomes solely to external forces rather than acknowledging personal agency and decision-making.
5. Dependency – Over-reliance on these readings can also create a sense of dependency on them, making the individual go to a tarot reader every time he/she faces a difficulty. 

3. When Should You Avoid Reading Tarot Cards?

When reading tarot cards, we must avoid certain situations so the impact does not affect our life decisions.

• Firstly, in the state of emotional distress. When you are highly emotional or distressed, it may cloud your judgment and lead to card misinterpretations. 
• Secondly, when making absolute decisions. Yes, tarot readings help in making decisions. However, to know concrete predictions, one must not use tarot readings as a tool. 
• Third, when you feel pressured to do a tarot reading, you should never force yourself to get into a reading. After all, it’s all about energy exchange. And if your energy is negative, then it is best to decline. 
• And finally, for superstitious or fearful reasons. It may not be the best to read when approaching tarot with fear of negative outcomes. 

4. Is Tarot Good For Mental Health?

Tarot cannot be a substitute for any kind of therapy for mental health issues. However, tarot readings can affect one’s mental health positively or negatively.

As we know, tarot reading provides self-awareness and insight. Having a deeper self-understanding makes tarot reading a good tool for mental health. 

Tarot also guides and helps in decision-making. This allows us to fight off our uncertainties regarding a situation, leading to comparatively less overthinking and better mental health. 

Engaging in tarot reading also includes mindfulness and a meditative practice. This contributes to stress reduction.  

Tarot reading encourages individuals to pay attention to the mind-body connection, prompting reflection on emotional and physical well-being. 

In addition, they provide inspiration and creative energy. Therefore, individuals may use this as an innovative tool for exploring their inner world and believing in their intuition. 

5. Can You Read Tarot For Yourself?

Yes! You certainly can. However, certain things should be taken into consideration before reading.

1. Do not lose objectivity, especially when you are doing a reading for yourself. Be open-minded and aware of your biases so they do not influence your interpretation. 
2. Write down your readings. This will help you track patterns and reflect on the accuracy of your interpretation over time. 
3. Be mindful of your emotional states. Check-in with your energy and emotions before doing a reading. Also, do not forget to trust your intuition.
4. Clearly define the situation or areas you want to focus your reading on. 
5. You can always seek clarification from other readers!

In conclusion, while tarot cards do not possess the power to ruin lives, they are largely impacted by their interpretations and the reader’s mindset. 

Engaging in such a powerful tool practice will make the outcomes more positive. There will be more self-reflection, insight, empowerment, and less stress. 

So, let the tarot be your dance partner, offering insights and surprises on this cosmic dance floor. After all, these cards are your quirky companions in your extraordinary life journey!

Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by Annanya Chakraborty