Debunking 3 Common Myths About Tarot Cards

There are many myths surrounding Tarot cards and readings. A lot of Tarot readers even believe things that really aren't true, perpetuating these myths and scaring people into thinking Tarot cards are evil. Here are 3 common myths about Tarot and reasons why they are, indeed, myths.

"Tarot tells what will definitely happen in the future."

This is a myth because, if the Tarot forecasts a future you don't like, you can choose something different in the present. This will, in turn, change the future outcome.

For instance, you ask the Tarot about your future with someone you're dating. Given the person will say yes if you propose, the Tarot will show you what will most likely happen afterward--what kind of marriage you'll have. If you like the looks of it, go ahead and propose! But if you don't, you don't have to propose!

Tarot doesn't take away your choices by any means. Instead, it gives greater insight into your situation and helps you make the right decision for you.

"Tarot is evil and corrupts people who use it."

This myth is most often perpetuated by Christians, because of a Medieval Friar's sermon saying the devil named the Tarot cards. This sermon, however, referred to the fact that the Tarot was most often used for gambling at the time--a practice Christians disagree with.

Also, the Biblical quote "Suffer not a witch to live" is given as a reason for keeping this myth alive. But not all Tarot readers are witches! It doesn't say, "Suffer not a Tarot reader to live."

Furthermore, the Bible is full of prophecy. Take the entire book of Revelation, for instance. So, saying Tarot is evil because it foretells the future is an invalid argument. Otherwise, this whole book of the Bible, and many other parts of the Bible itself, would be evil as well!

A Tarot deck is nothing more than 72 pictures on cardboard. How can inanimate objects be evil? They could be put to evil uses, but this is highly unlikely with the Tarot. If a reading seems evil to you, find another reader. The cards themselves are not evil--they never have been and never will be. Saying they are is like saying money is evil.

"Buying yourself a Tarot deck is bad luck, and you won't be able to use it if you buy one."

Simply put, how could it be bad luck to pick out something you're going to use yourself? Only you know which deck is right for you, and if someone gives you a deck, they probably won't choose the right one. Tarot decks are not one size fits all. Readers need to choose the one they feel most comfortable with.

And why wouldn't you be able to use a deck you choose yourself? Again, the cards are inanimate. They don't contain any magic in themselves. The "magic" is in the interpretation, which comes from the reader's and recipient's intuition. In short, it's best to choose your own Tarot deck, and you will be able to read with it. In fact, you'll read better with a deck you choose yourself, because you'll feel connected to it somehow, even if it just means you like the artwork better than other decks.

You'll undoubtedly hear many other myths about Tarot cards, especially if you plan on studying Tarot and reading for others. Most of the time, you'll know they're myths if you think them through logically. If you're not sure, examine your personal beliefs about the Tarot, and go from there. But don't get hung up on a myth and become afraid of the Tarot. Doing so would be depriving yourself and others of a valuable tool for insight, problem solving, developing intuition, and discovering how you feel about a situation.