Why are people drawn to tarot card reading? This is something that I often find myself wondering about. I was further intrigued when the New York Times reported that amid the pandemic, interest in tarot cards boomed.
You see, the supernatural was never my thing. As such, anything related to the occult, whether it’s as mundane as tarot card reading or as spine-tingling as conducting a séance, makes me shudder. Basically, the thought of other people knowing my background despite not knowing me per se or being able to talk to my dead relatives are scary to me. That said, I cannot deny that there is an allure to the mystical. I guess this may be one of the reasons why many people are drawn to it. Having said that, since my curiosity got the best of me, I decided to give tarot card reading a try.
A few caveats, though: First, I got my reading for free from TrustedTarot.com. After seeing that it has 66,587 reviews with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars on its website, I decided that it is legit enough to try. Second, my reading was an open reading, meaning I did not ask a question. Rather, I gave a general topic that I wanted to be interpreted– my reading was about my work and career. Lastly, I didn’t meet my reader. My reading was sent to me via email.
While some may contend that I did not really get the full experience of getting my cards read, well, I agree with you. Nevertheless, since I am now in contact with my reader, Margaret, I may get a live reading next time. That said, here are my thoughts from my first reading experience.
***
Side note: If you want to dabble with tarot card reading and you happen to be in Singapore, check this article to find out seven of the best tarot card readers available in the country.
We also have an article answering all your burning questions about tarot card reading– from how it works to tips on what questions to ask. If you want to read that article, you can click here.
***
Now, onto my thoughts and experience with tarot card reading!
My First Reading Experience
Admittedly, at first, I was a bit surprised. You see, the Knight of Pentacles was the first one to be interpreted. According to the interpretation, it says that “a young masculine influence, very traditional and responsible, is likely to lend you aid.” Well, both my bosses are male, young, not sure if they are traditional, but both are very responsible (Hi Nick and Seb!). In my head, I was like, “how did Margaret know that?”
Another example where I felt seen was when I read about the future. Since the pandemic, I’ve felt like I was wasting my 20s away. Having said that, to compensate for the time lost from the pandemic, I have put a million things on my plate. Thus, this situation often gets sidetracked. As such, reading this helped me prioritise what I need to finish now so I can maintain my focus.
Another card that surprised me was the interpretation of the Ace of Pentacles. I did not mention to Margaret that I was starting something new. So, it was a surprise that the interpretation talked about me starting something new. That said, the part “Your life is about to enter a very productive period…” is so encouraging that I became rather motivated with my work.
The interpretation of the Three of Swords elevated my anxiety a bit. Nevertheless, I do understand that in order to grow, I’d need to face my pain head-on.
Apart from those four, other interpretations of the cards seem rather generic. For example, the cards Nine of Pentacles and the Six of wands argue that I must work hard if I wish to gain financial stability. In life, I know that nothing comes easy. My motto with finances has always been easy money = easy loss. Essentially, I did not need a card reading to know that if I wanted to be financially stable, I needed to work hard.
Am I now a believer?
Well, sort of. Given my first experience, I kind of understand why people are drawn to it. Through the cards and their interpretations, I did feel seen– as if my story was being told through the cards. However, I think there was a level of self-projection or manifestation happening–like I was trying to fit my circumstances into the interpretations. That said, it is possible that my current opinions and thoughts about tarot card reading are being clouded by the fact that I did this alone and not with the guidance of Margaret. Nevertheless, I appreciate the introspection that the reading brought. It also made me realise that there is nothing scary, supernatural, or nefarious about it. Rather, I found the reading as a moment of reflection and calm.
Final Thoughts
Having my cards read was definitely an experience. I am now starting to see its allure. Likewise, I am also beginning to understand why interest in it boomed during the pandemic. Being stuck at home, experiencing high levels of stress, and facing tons of change in an instant can cause a person to spiral downward. Tarot cards help pause from everything, even for just a couple of minutes, and calm the mind. Also, it can serve as a good reflection exercise — to know one’s self, intentions, plans, and actions. Having said that, while it can be a source of direction, it shouldn’t be seen as the end-all-be-all solution to problems.
So, will I do this again in the future? Absolutely! However, I will do it either in person or over a video call with Margaret to really get the whole experience.
Do I recommend you try it as well? Definitely! While it may not be for everyone, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! It’s the only way to know whether it’s for you or not.
