How Accurate are Tarot Readings: Mystic Insights or Illusions?

how accurate are tarot readings

Are you new to Tarot readings? Or are you planning to get one and you’re unsure how accurate Tarot readings are? You’ve come to the right place. We will uncover the truths and mysteries behind Tarot reading. Do they provide mystical insights or mere illusions to our questions? Join us as we explore the complex world of Tarot. And together we’ll unravel the accuracy of Tarot reading. 

Whether you’re a curious cat or a seasoned enthusiast, join us as we explore the mysterious territory where symbolism, intuition, and insights collide. Let’s shed light on the shadows of Tarot reading. 

This article will talk about …

  • The meaning of Tarot reading
  • The Major and Minor Arcana
  • The different Tarot Spreads
  • How accurate are Tarot readings?
  • And so much more

What is Tarot Reading?

Have you heard of Tarot reading before? Tarot reading is a form of divination that provides insights about a person’s past, present, and future. This form of divination uses Tarot cards which the Tarot reader shuffles and lays into a specific Tarot spread. Tarot readers use the Major Arcana, which provides deep life lessons, and the Minor Arcana, which explores the intricacies of our everyday lives.

Unlike fortune telling, Tarot reading uses the interpretation of the cards in the deck to provide personal exploration and guidance. Tarot readers use symbolism, numerology, and elemental associations to interpret the Tarot deck. They will weave each card’s symbolism and develop a narrative about the context of each individual card’s interpretation. The narrative formed by the Tarot reading provides insights, guidance, and possible answers to a seeker’s questions. 

What makes up a Tarot Deck?

Are Tarot cards real? How accurate are Tarot readings? You might ask yourself these questions if you’re still here. Well, to give a concrete answer to your questions. In this section, we will talk about the components of a Tarot Deck, which, by the way, are very real. 

Major Arcana 

Major Arcana is one of the main components of a Tarot deck. The Major Arcana is the first 22 cards in a Tarot deck that carry significant meaning. 21 of the Major Arcana cards are numbered, while only one, the Fool, is unnumbered. Each card of the Major Arcana represents universal human experiences, spiritual and life lessons, or archetypal themes of your spiritual journey. The interpretation and symbolism of a Major Arcana card contribute to the intricacies and mysteries of a Tarot reading. 

In Tarot reading, the Major Arcana sets the tone and premise of the reading. An upright Major Arcana card means you will experience rich and infinite possibilities that will teach you a life lesson. While a reversed Major Arcana means that you are not paying close attention to the life lessons the universe is throwing at you. Additionally, multiple Major Arcana cards in a Tarot reading deck means many life-changing opportunities are coming your way. 

Understanding the interpretation of the Major Arcana card in your reading deck is important in navigating readings. 

Minor Arcana

Minor Arcana, also known as the Lesser Arcana, is the second main component of a Tarot deck. There are 56 cards in the Minor Arcana, which has four suits: the suits of Sword, Wands, Cups, and Pentacles. Each suit relates to an element or aspect of a person’s life. The Swords Suit corresponds to the element of air and a person’s intellect and communication. Next is the Wands Suit, which links to the fire element, which symbolizes creativity and spirituality. The Cups Suit relates to the element of water which represents emotions and relationships. Lastly, the Pentacles Suit deals with the material aspects of life and the physical world – making it tied to the element of Earth. 

The Minor Arcana’s purpose in a Tarot reading is to give insights into a seeker’s everyday life. These cards reflect and address the intricacies of a person’s everyday life. The Minor Arcana’s role is vital as it helps the Tarot reader traverse into the nuances of a person’s everyday life. 

What are the different Tarot Spreads?

In a Tarot reading, the reader uses various Tarot spreads for the drawn cards. These Tarot spreads refer to the arrangement of cards that the reader uses to interpret the cards. Different Tarot spreads are the layout of how Tarot cards work in a reading. These different Tarot spreads will tell you how accurate are Tarot cards. 

3-Card Spread 

In the three-card spread, the three cards represent different time periods – namely past, present, and future. Among all the Tarot spreads, this one is the most concise spread that provides accurate Tarot reading. Thus, most beginner Tarot readers use this spread because it’s easy and provides accurate answers. 

3-Card Spread

The three-card spread consists of three cards. The first card represents the events in the past that may provide guidance or lessons for the current circumstances. This card provides a perspective on your past and how it might shape the current situation. The second card, or the central card, represents the present. It symbolizes your current situation as well as the energies that might influence your life right now. Lastly, the third card in this spread is an extension to the future. This card provides a glimpse of what might happen based on your current decisions and trajectory. 

The three-card spread is a versatile spread. It does not only answer questions, but it also guides you in making big and life-changing decisions. If you’re asking how accurate are Tarot readings using the three-card spread? Well, this deck is excellent if you’re seeking quick and clear answers. 

5-Card Spread

The next most used card spread in Tarot reading is the five-card spread. This spread uses five cards, as the name suggests. Each card provides an in-depth understanding of the seeker’s inquiry. Unlike the three-card spread, the five-card spread is more sophisticated, assigning a card for each specific position. 

What exactly is the five-card spread? Traditionally, this spread answers questions about life, love, money, and family. It provides suggestions for decision-making and personal healing. In the life path prediction, the cards drawn, in consecutive order, mean your past, present, future, what holds you back, and how to push forward. This one is quite similar to the three-card spread but it is more thorough. 

5-Card Spread

The five-card spread has different variations. First is the future spread which predicts what might happen in the future. Next is the relationship spread which reveals facets of the current relationship or how to find the love of your life. And lastly, this spread can provide guidance about your career, whether you’re finding a job or wanting to advance in your career. 

The Celtic Cross Spread

celtic cross spread

ArrowTarotCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you want to make sure of the Tarot card reading accuracy, ask your reader to use the Celtic Cross spread. The Celtic Cross spread is the most used in Tarot reading. Many Tarot readers use the Celtic Cross, despite being complex, because it provides deeper insights. By using the Celtic Cross spread, you can analyze every facet of a circumstance and receive a detailed analysis of every event that has come your way. 

The Celtic Cross spread uses 10 Tarot cards and gives a general overview of the situation. Thus, this spread paints a whole picture rather than reading each card independently. In other words, the Celtic Cross tells a story based on the relationship of the cards in the spread. The dynamics of all the cards in the spread tell the story and answer questions. 

Generally, the Celtic Cross layout follows certain positions. The first card is the present or the self, which represents the current state of mind or situation of the seeker. Second is the Problem which reveals the challenges and obstacles. The third and fourth cards represent the past and the future, while the fifth reveals your goals and the sixth your driving force. The seventh to ninth cards provide a broader context about your influences, hopes, and fears. Lastly, the tenth card summarizes the narrative of the Celtic Cross Tarot Spread. 

Are Tarot Readings Accurate?

Are you still unsure of how accurate are Tarot readings? This section will help you better understand how Tarot readings work. 

1. Professional vs. DIY 

The difference between a professional and DIY Tarot reading is quite obvious. One is more accurate than the other. 

Professional Tarot reading requires a trained and skilled Tarot reader who is an expert in interpreting insights from a Tarot reading. If you’re doubting how accurate is Tarot reading, you should get it from a professional Tarot reader. Their experiences and expertise give them the upper hand in providing a more accurate interpretation that fosters guidance to the seeker. \

woman reading tarot cards

DIY Tarot readings may be risky. As a novice practitioner, you might misinterpret the readings because of personal biases and influences. Although it is not advisable, DIY Tarot reading has its own advantages. First, you’ll have more connection to your reading since it’s personal. Second, it is cost-effective. You don’t need to pay, just learn it yourself. 

2. The right and wrong way of Tarot reading

Is there a right and wrong way in Tarot reading? Tarot reading needs personal connection, thus there is no single right way of interpreting the cards. However, there are guidelines that would help you come up with the most accurate interpretation. 

The first and most important thing you need to do when reading Tarot is to connect with your deck. You do this by spending time and familiarizing the cards in your deck – get to know everyone. Next is to follow a ritual. Your ritual could start with positive affirmations, lighting candles or incense, and shuffling the cards in a specific way. Personalize your ritual as much as you want to. Lastly, be intuitive and open-minded. 

While there isn’t really a wrong way in Tarot reading, there are things you should avoid that lead to misinterpretation. The first is to avoid interpreting on a literal level. Do not limit your interpretation to what your guidebook says, instead integrate your intuition in your interpretations. Next is to not overcomplicate things. The cards might overwhelm you, so as much as possible, choose spreads that suit your level and avoid overcomplicated spreads. 

3. Questions to ask 

question marks

What questions should you ask in a reading? Is it limited to a yes and no question? Well, you could actually ask anything but make sure they are very clear and specific. Tarot reading is more suited for providing insights and guidance than for making exact predictions. 

Crafting good questions for Tarot reading requires careful consideration. Ask open-ended questions that are specific and concise. These types of questions will provide more detailed insights. Be careful when asking the Tarot questions. Only ask questions you want to hear answers to. 

4. Limitations of a Tarot Reading

Tarot reading is a form of divination, but unlike fortune telling, Tarot reading does not accurately predict specific future events. But this does not invalidate how accurate are Tarot readings. 

First off, Tarot reading is not predictive science. It is a form of divination that provides guidance based on the surrounding energies. Second, interpretations are based on a reader’s understanding and wisdom making it subjective. A reader might make potential misinterpretations because of a lack of skill, experience, and intuition. 

Final Words 

You cannot entirely measure the accuracy of Tarot reading. This form of divination answers questions in the form of insights and guidance, not giving you direct and specific answers. Despite having limitations, Tarot readings mirror the energies that surround a person and use them to provide insights and guidance.

Draw 6 cards

Pick your cards and get your FREE reading instantly (no email required) Try to be calm during your session

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *