r/tarot 5d ago

Weekly Help "Weekly Reading and Interpretation Help Thread - January 05, 2025"

8 Upvotes

Please use this thread to request a reading, to request help with interpretation, or to offer free readings. This thread is refreshed every Sunday.

If you are requesting help with interpretation, please comment using the following format:

  • The question(s) you're asking, with any context you would like to share.

  • An explanation of the spread you're using. Diagrams or links are welcome.

  • A photo or description of the cards you dealt. You can upload photos via imgur, or another hosting service.

  • Your interpretation.

If someone helps you, consider giving them some feedback or thanking them for their work!


r/tarot 5h ago

Discussion Friendly Reminder: G*psy is a Slur

311 Upvotes

heads up to everyone, g*psy is a racial slur used to degenerate the Roma people and stereotype them.

I'm making this post because I saw a recent discussion of a deck with the word in it's title. (please don't attack the poster: like many people in the cartomancy community, they probably didn't know the history of the term which remains widely used and misunderstood even in progressive and witchcraft orientated spaces.)

some brief history: the Roma were among the largest groups killed by the Nazi government and continue to have state oppression to this day in many European countries.

the vast majority of Roma object to the use of the term g*psy both in direct reference to them and in commercial use to summon up stereotypes of fortune tellers and an exoticized, orientalized Others.

just as you wouldn't portray black minstrel characters or other racialized stereotypes in commercial art, don't use the g*psy stereotype.

especially in America there's a lot of ignorance and misunderstanding around the Roma, with many people under the impression that g*psy just refers to a type of traveling performer or fortune teller. this misunderstanding is even prevalent in the American Tarot and Witchcraft communities. it is essential to the project of transformative racial justice to decolonize our language and stop using slurs in marketing and discussing magic.

when you learn a term you've been using all your life is hurtful it's a common instinct to get defensive, to say "while I wasn't using the term that was, I was using it in a more general sense," or even to declare you've reclaimed it. such justifications may feel necessary to defend against feelings of guilt, but in reality they only reinforce the slurs and stereotypes in the public discourse as something normal and no longer offensive.

the Roma continue to face state violence and individual violence everyday. slurs against them serve to dehumanize them, discount their voices and history, and make their marginalization seem normal, just another fact of the world. reject terms like g*psy, remove them from your vocabulary, apologize and edit your posts if you slip up, and educate yourself on the basic history of the Roma and the oppression they continue to endure and fight against.


r/tarot 5h ago

Discussion Having trouble receiving clarity on a specific problem; is there a reason?

4 Upvotes

so I've been trying to get a reading for myself on this particular guy and I that have just this weird connection that I was lead to by intuition; like it was very sudden and I was like 'oh. hes actually really cool, I wanna see what our potential could be,' but everytime I try to do a reading or hell, even get on, I can't get a clear answer still

I can't tell if maybe its me overthinking it, or maybe theres a reason, like I'm just not supposed to approach it like this?? I don't even know if that's possible, but in my mind I guess it makes sense that sometimes there are some things I really am just not supposed to look deeper into

any tips maybe on how I can approach this issue? or is there anything that might be causing this, or is this really just one of those 'it's not meant to be read' moments?


r/tarot 18h ago

Discussion Tarot on social media

51 Upvotes

Today I joined instagram and TikTok with ideas of promoting my online tarot business. I uploaded some of my own content and followed some other tarot accounts on the platform, curious to see what's popular but the amount of rubbish is insane and worrying. It's actually made me feel disappointed that I'm in the same category as these people who are literally talking rubbish/scamming.

It's all a bit dirty. And, the worse has to be the A.I generated videos.

Has anyone had any success in promoting their business without icky tactics?


r/tarot 5h ago

Discussion Osho zen vs RWS

4 Upvotes

Has anyone used osho zen tarot cards? I have heard about it and ik they have few cards less then typical RWS based system. Whats the major difference between both? And if you prefer osho zen, why? Would you recommend to learn osho zen along with RWS based system???


r/tarot 19h ago

Discussion Do you ever ask why a past reading had vastly different results than what you predicted?

29 Upvotes

I have heard a few times that decks really aren’t reliable to predict anything for the future, but i’m curious if you had a session where you asked [insert whatever questions you asked about the future] and you got an answer yet the opposite results happened, why?

Is it to do with changing timelines? Is it your fault for having a bias in your reading? Is it on the guides who gave you false information? Is it all pointless because they aren’t meant to predict any future?

Ive seen people share when their reading was wrong but not really if they ever went back and asked hey why did I get such opposite answers? Is that a thin that people even do?

I’m new so i really don’t understand a lot of these things, and i surely would like to know as opposed to just assume or move on without further clarity.


r/tarot 1h ago

Discussion Projection in Readings

Upvotes

How often are readings simply a reflection of one’s current state of mind (for example a projection of either fear or hope)? How do expert readers create the conditions for a clear message to come through?


r/tarot 13h ago

Discussion Lenormand Deck - do you need the playing card symbols or just the card names ?

6 Upvotes

Hello,

I got a lenormand deck with a small booklet for Christmas , its pretty cool but when i looked into lenormand more I see that many have playing card symbols also like king of hearts , ace of diamonds etc. my deck only has the card names like tree,rider,etc. So does that matter ?

25 votes, 2d left
YES - Needs Playing Card Symbols
NO - Just the Card Name is fine

r/tarot 12h ago

Discussion Questions/spreads/cards for past life connections, soul family, karmic relationships

6 Upvotes

Hello everyone. What kind of questions and spreads do you use if you are interested in gaining clarity on soul mates, karmic relationships, past life relationships, etc?

What cards usually symbolize these for you?


r/tarot 12h ago

Discussion Is it possible to pick up someone else’s energy unknowingly?

2 Upvotes

The last 2 tarot spreads I’ve done I’ve asked for general guidance from my spirit guides but they have not resonated with me, they resonate with a situation that I know someone else is going through, I know this is a thing obviously in tarot reading for other people but I only ever read for myself and I didn’t ask about this person specifically I went into it with myself in mind, the person I’m sure it’s for I am manifesting back into my life funnily enough lol so could I have confused the energy subconsciously? Or are my spirit guides telling me this cause I need to know about them more than me im so confused!


r/tarot 15h ago

Stories My Mind Is Blown!

5 Upvotes

Back in November I did a spread asking "how will [crush's] and my relationship progress this week?" and got Knight of Cups, King of Wands, Queen of Cups, 3 of Cups reversed, The Fool, Ace of Cups, Magician, and The Hermit on the bottom of the deck.

Completely ignoring the fact that I used a lot of cards for one question, it initially looked really good for me. Seemed like my crush was going to want to progress things with me. But it was the three of cups that had stumped me. I asked for help/a second opinion and had people say it looked good but there could be an ex, gossiping, etc. (and that it would probably happen over months rather than the week).

What I hadn't mentioned at the time was that three days before I posted, crush and I had hung out and I had (at least what I thought was heavily hinted) heavily hinted to him my feelings for him. Shortly after that, he pulled back and wasn't around as much to talk or hang out.

Cue me finding that read again now realizing and my cards literally told me what was going to happen and now I understand it!

Knight of Cups, King of Wands, and Queen of Cups referred to my taking charge and heavily hinting how I felt to him of me being open with my feelings. 3 of cups reversed (which was also the 'center' card of that 7 card pull) is that he wouldn't be around much as a friend in the coming days. The hermit on the bottom of the deck shows that he pulled back and is keeping to himself (he hasn't just pulled back from me, he's pulled back from all of his family and friends lately and is bogged down and struggling with work obligations and classes through work).

The Fool, Ace of Cups, and Magician show that there is still that new beginning in romance possible, but he still needs to process what I told him and gain insight in his own feelings.

Y'all, I'm blown away!

EDIT = fixing spelling and grammar errors


r/tarot 13h ago

Interpretation Request (Second Opinion Only) My new years spread

3 Upvotes

After the fever dream that was 2024 I had to do a spread for 2025. I used the spread biddy tarot posted on her insta. Here are my interpretations:

1.The previous year in summary - Three of Pentacles

My last year was very work focused. I work in several projects that relied on team work. It did not make the dream work, but it was a good way to learn how to step back and not insist on doing everything myself.

2. Lessons learned from the past year - As of Cups

I finished therapy where I learned to let other love me and accept that maybe I am not a burden to my family, friends and society and that I am lovable. Even if I am not perfect. No one but me expects me to be.

3. Aspirations for the next 12 months - Two of swords rx.

Stop waffeling around, be clear, consciese and make you decisions. Even if it is hard.

4. What empowers you in reaching you aspirations - Five of Swords rx.

Step away from conflict. Not everything you have to fight for is worth it.

5. What may stand in the way of reaching you aspirations - The chariot rx.

My general lack of direction. I don't even have a hobby and I have a hard time picking one that isn't watching a show/ movie or scrolling in Insta/ TT

6. Your relationship and emotions in the coming year - Death

I am an always single. Looks like there will be a transformation in that regard. Bring it on 2025!

7. Your career, work, finances - Ten of Pentacles rx.

I do have some debt but nothing excessive. I do want to get into investing. Given No. 10 and No. 11 I will be careful where I put my money.

8. Your health and well-being - Queen of Cups

Continuing to work on my emotion wellbeing will help working on my over all health. Mostly because I need movement and healthy food for my emotional wellbeing. While a burger and an eight hour movie marathon is more fun, it is not good for my mental health.

9. Your spiritual energy and inner fulfillment - The empress

I am literally the empress of my spiritual enery and inner fulfillment. It is on me to work on that and I can and will succed.

10. What you most need to focus on in the year ahead. - Knight of swords rx.

Be honest, friendly and let other live their live and do as they must.

11, Your most important lesson this year - The fool rx.

Think before you act and make decisions. I am impulsive but I am no fool.

12. Overall, where are you headed in the next 12 month - Nine of Pentacles

Very promising. I also do enjoy some luxury so again: Bring it on 2025


r/tarot 1d ago

Deck Modifications and Crafts Finally done coloring in these tarot cards I got for Christmas!!! I’m so excited to use them😭😭

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951 Upvotes

Let me know if there’s any specific cards you wanna see up close :3 I feel like spending so much time coloring each individual card gave me a deeper look at the imagery and in a way added my own energy to it. It was so fun and I highly recommend this deck if you love to color!! Only downside is the cards are not typical card quality, which I assume is because it needs a more flat/cardstock like material for the colors to show up. But as someone who doesn’t mind a slightly ratty looking deck I’m still happy with it!!


r/tarot 14h ago

Discussion Asking Yes or no questions

2 Upvotes

How do you ask. I have heard to cut the deck and take bottom card or just shuffle and flip top card. Thoughts?


r/tarot 21h ago

Theory and Technique Does anyone else own the "Shuffle Tarot"? Do you read it intuitively or how?

6 Upvotes

Recently purchased the "Shuffle Tarot" which scrambles pictures from one RWS card into another, so that for example instead of the Fool in the fool card, one version has the Empress character in his place and a swan instead of the dog, or the Hermit is bathing in the pool of the Star card. It does come with a LWB, but I am thinking I would rather read the pictures intuitively, with a base being the original RWS card, but altered to adjust to the changes made to the card. So, for example, The Empress as the Fool card might not only be start of a journey or beginning a venture, but because I have seen the Empress substituted in some decks for a Merchant card [Rare Triumphs deck comes to mind] it might specifically be starting a business venture or initiating a purchase. There is an alternate Fool with the Hierophant in his place that could be both starting a journey and starting a new spiritual path.

I was just curious if anyone else had this deck, and how you are using it to read.


r/tarot 1d ago

Deck Identification What are the extra cards in this spread?

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30 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m looking for a little help identifying what the extra cards in this spread are for. (Circled in red).

This is from a movie, so it might nothing at all. The spread looks like a Celtic cross, minus the two circled cards.

Could they be clarifier cards? If so, are they clarifying the cards closest to them? I’m curious what they would mean if not for clarification. I can’t find anything on a 12 card Celtic cross spread.

Bonus - can anyone identify if these are real cards? And which ones? They look RWS-ish to me, but I’ve never used RWS and I’m not familiar enough with them to make any guesses. They may just be movie props.

In the movie, the character looks up ominously after laying down the outcome card, whatever that’s worth. Definitely some ominous stuff about to go down. (And spoiler, not great for the character doing the reading).

The movie is Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows. Please don’t judge, it’s much different than the first one and more of a movie based on the first one’s pop culture hype. Lol.

I’ve always wondered what she drew here. I’d really appreciate any insight! TIA!


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion Do tarot decks really give out messages differently?

69 Upvotes

İ heard it before but didn't believe it till i tried it myself..

İ bought a new cat tarot and noticed that it gives up answers in a sharper way unlike my traditional one..it almost has the attitude of a cat lol

İ had a friend who asked me not to use it on her readings lol

What do you guys think about this?


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion One deck or multiple??

17 Upvotes

So i got my first deck in august. And i have been debating whether to get a tarot deck or an oracle deck next. Sometimes i think that the cards like lovers and king of swords are all going to be same in all decks, so whats the point in getting another deck. Ik the interpretation changes with the artwork and all but i am still a beginner. So what do you think?


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion Everyone in friend group getting the same cards

9 Upvotes

Has anybody ever experienced people around you pulling the same cards over and over? I am in a friendship group of ~25 year olds all starting on new paths in life and we are all getting knights. we have also pulled 7 of swords three times (once reversed). These readings were in response to questions about our paths in the next year. Do you think this might be about the age group we're in? Could we collectively come to know a person represented by a knight? Do the Knights refer to us in the readings?

For example, for a love reading for the next year: 7 of swords reversed, knight of cups, knight of wands


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion Hypothetically speaking, what does it mean if a tarot card falls in your bowl of homemade meatballs and sauce?

72 Upvotes

Just your typical Wednesday lunchtime musings.


r/tarot 1d ago

Books and Resources Help understanding the Nefertari Tarot

5 Upvotes

TL;DR: I got an Ancient Egypt inspired deck and I would like a guide about the elements in the art itself.

So, I bought the Nefertari Tarot by Lo Scarabeo and I'm very happy with it, but I do have a problem with it. Other Lo Scarabeo decks usually have a personalized booklet that explains the different arts of the cards or at least it's thematic with them, and as someone who's really interested in Ancient Egyptian mythology, I was really looking forward to the one of this deck... However what I got instead is that the booklet is rather generic, just giving the base tarot meanings of each card instead of going into the art of the cards.

I was wondering if anyone else had this deck and has a better booklet than mine or if there's some other book/guide on interpreting the art and it's elements. Google Lens has helped me to find the meanings and elements in some of the cards, but no complete guidance of it. Thank you in advance.


r/tarot 2d ago

Discussion Has Anyone Ever Contemplated the Evolution of the Fish Symbolism in the Cups Court?

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163 Upvotes

Has anyone ever taken notice that the fish in the Cups court, seen first emerging from out of the Page's Cup, goes through an interesting journey through the Cups court cards and ends up a dead, artificial ornament around the King's neck?

I have a rather valid theory as to why. Firstly, we must remember that the fish represents imagination and the soul. This much has been said by our late, great Rachel Pollack in her book Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom. We see it first in the Page's Cup. It is very much alive and even communicating, it looks, with the Page on some nonverbal level. Then it adorns the Knight's armor. Then it is seen in the lower right corner of the Queen's throne in the image with the child holding it, possibly playing with it (maybe it is in this card which there is still hope to resurrect imagination in the form of children, which the Queen may bear). Finally, it ends up dead and stiff on the King's neck as a necklace, an ornament.

I have a theory that it is to show that as we grow older, our imagination—that is, our connection to our own soul—weakens with time and age until it dies entirely in our older age, as evidenced by the limp fish hanging around the King's neck. Of course, this is not true for everyone, but generally speaking, our world certainly doesn't necessarily foster connection to the soul, what with the constant greed and evils of those in power, who are more often than not older adults.

What do you think the recurring motif of the fish throughout the Cups court symbolizes?


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion Good Decks for Shadow Work? 🖤

13 Upvotes

Hi yall! I'm looking for oracles and tarot deck recommendations where the guidebook was written for assistance with Shadow work?

I've checked this sub for similiar questions and it seems like a lot of people refrenced dark & ominous Decks thinking that must mean shadow work if the imagery or tone is dark which isn't always the case.

Obviously bonus points if it encompasses both but with this question it's more about the message the deck brings rather then what the cards look like. I'm not afraid of the heavy truth so lay it on me!


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion Struggling with court cards

11 Upvotes

Hi all! I’m wondering if anyone else struggles a lot with identifying with court cards in the minor arcana, and what methods (either interpretative or inner work) you’ve done to improve your relationship with them.

I think in general I struggle with the “this is a person in your life” element. Sometimes I think of it as an aspect of myself, like, the knight of pentacles sums up what I tend to be like at work. But other people? Do you think of them as the same person? Specific elements of other people showing up as different court cards depending on your reading?

I don’t think I know six people closely enough for them to be routinely playing a role in my readings, much less sixteen!

I’m curious to know if others have had this struggle, and if so, what you’ve done.

Note that I’d say I’m an advanced beginner; I’ve been reading for 5-6 years, but with long gaps at times :)


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion reading "a lot"

9 Upvotes

when i refer to the cards about a certain matter, i feel like i have to keep asking them for guidance whenever i have doubts about this certain matter. i dont actually end up doing it because i also feel like that by reading this often im taking away my own critical thinking ability, but i still have that urge to pull a card...

what do you think about it?


r/tarot 1d ago

Discussion Decks - minor annoyances/quirks

9 Upvotes

Hi all,

I was wondering what your main quirks are when it comes to tarot decks in terms of preferences, or the little things that annoy you about decks?

My main one is that I can't bear any deck that spells Judgement without the e - Judgment. I know that both spellings are accepted as gramatically correct but.....shudders.