11 Crucial Things You Should Never Do with Tarot Cards
You can use tarot for different purposes (to boost personal growth or just have some fun), but it’s still a great tool to self-reflect, find answers to the questions that bother you, and clarify all the what-ifs and whys. There are different Arcanas, suits, symbols, and meanings that you should learn to have an effective reading session. Together with that, one should also take into account things to never do with tarot cards. They might affect the process and the result of the practice. Read and remember.
#1. It’s Not a Joke!
One of the key tarot reading mistakes is taking this practice as some sort of fun. There’s no doubt that TV shows have created the image of the tarot card reading as a fun and lighthearted process that doesn’t have much meaning. That’s so not true! The reality is that every card comes with a deep spiritual significance and is symbolic for tarot fans. That is why if you do pranks or simply mock those who practice tarot reading, you might make these people feel alienated, reducing cards’ value as a tool used to self-reflect. You simply diminish their work and vocation.
#2. Letting Others User Your Tarots
There’s always a strong bond between the deck and its owner. In other words, there’s a non-stop exchange of energies. As a result of such a connection, the tarot deck becomes your sacred personal tool. We recommend keeping the integrity of your cards by avoiding any sort of sharing them. Consider your deck a kind of personal journal that contains secret information that should be hidden from the others. You can show cards and do readings for others, but keep them away from querents to avoid infusing their energies into your cards.
#3. Using Cards That Don’t Belong to You
Like the above mistake, many people tend to use secondhand decks, not having the slightest idea of who the owners are. Never (ever!) take cards used by someone else (especially strangers!), and never buy cards that were once used. Places like garage sales and flea markets are the no-go-to places in such a case. Even when someone you know provides a used deck as a gift – we strongly recommend staying away from using it for reading practices. Better use it as a décor. The point is that the used deck might be the source of negative energy that comes from the previous owner, so stay away from it at all costs.
#4. Doing Reading Sessions When Emotions Run High
One of the things to never do with tarot cards is pull out cards when emotions are swirling inside. Whether it’s a tough break-up with a SO or a sudden firing that has just happened, do not turn to cards. When highly emotional, people can’t do accurate readings and be clear. As a rule, drawing a card in such a situation might get things even worse. Chances are you won’t stop and keep on pulling out cards, getting more and more upset in the process. If you feel like you can’t do without cards, ask a professional practitioner for help.
#5. Predicting Future
A lot of people consider tarot cards an instrument to tell what the future will be like. Wrong! Even though it looks like telling possible outcomes for a particular situation, the whole process is based on unfolding patterns of the situation the querent is curious about. In other words, if you practice the language every day, you’re going to speak French sooner or later. To cut a long story short, you shouldn’t tell your querent things like “This is what is going to happen to you.” If you do so, people will most likely get stressed about your prediction. Nothing good will come of this.
#6. Asking the Same Question Over and Over (and Over!) Again
We know why people do that. It’s always that little hope that this time, the cards might show a different outcome. However, asking the same question repeatedly means you don’t trust cards. Instead, we recommend rethinking or rephrasing the same question. After all, tarot cards might give very nuanced insights, which means you should get productive and ask the same question but put it another way.
#7. Hurting Others
Taboo! When wondering what not to do with tarot cards, always keep in mind that reading sessions should be used for good. In other words, getting a deck to control someone, make them afraid of you, or do any other harm is forbidden. All evil intents go against the ethical use of tarot cards, which, by their nature, are helpers used to clarify, enlighten, and empower.
#8. Asking Questions That Call for YES or NO Answer
Technically, tarot readers can use decks for such types of questions; however, it’s better to use your time wisely. Instead of demanding the exact yes or no answer, focus more on what exactly the tarot cards are trying to tell. It’s a great opportunity to introspect and grow spiritually rather than trying to drive cards into the framework of the yes/no question.
#9. Disrespecting Cards
Just like people around you, every card on your personal deck should be treated with respect. Make sure to take care of your tarot cards by keeping them in a clean place. Get a special bag or a little box to keep the deck inside and out of reach of others. Thus, both the symbolism and the energy of the deck will be maintained while you keep a solid connection with each card.
#10. Ignoring the Importance of Cleansing Your Deck
…regularly. The truth is that your cards can (and will most likely do!) absorb energy from the people who came to you for a reading session and your environment in general. Be ready for that! Make sure to cleanse your cards on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter how often you use them and whether you practice solo reading or do it for someone else. Maintain effectiveness and clarity of cards by placing crystals next to them, smudging with sage, or/and doing some meditations using tarots.
#11. Doing Tarot Readings without Permission
One of the things to never do with tarot cards is disrespecting the beliefs, choices, and privacy of others. If you choose to do a reading session for someone else, always ask that person for permission. No matter how tempting it is, respect other people’s decision to participate or not participate in the tarot reading session. Forcing someone to join the process might lead to inaccuracy of the whole process and distress. All this is similar to checking someone else’s diary when no permission was given. If it’s a NO, never do the reading session. Respecting the ethical boundaries that the other person has set is a must not only in tarot cards but also in life.
Conclusion
As you can see, we have covered some of the things to never do with tarot cards. However, there’s more to it, of course. As many there are tarot readers – as many there are points of view and rules they stick to. With time, you may come up with your own tarot etiquette and improper manners for reading cards. But for now, make sure to follow the rules mentioned above, rely on intuition, and spread positive vibes, and that’s what you are going to get back. For a deeper understanding and guidance, consider trying an online tarot card reading with a professional reader.
