Stereotyping the Tarot

Let's look at the stereotype of using tarot to predict the future. Does a tarot reading tell the future? No and yes. Simply put, no, because you can decide what your future will be. And also yes, it does, as much as a parent can predict the future when they tell their child they could get jammed fingers if they play with doors.

I absolutely believe in free will and simply the fact that tarot cards have been consulted will alter the course of your journey as you have taken a step towards self-awareness. They can be a great tool for mapping out steps to take to achieve a desired goal, working on yourself and any emotional issues that may be hindering your progress or simply asking for an alternative point of view to encourage new thoughts and ideas. Your future comes from your choices and it is up to each person to decide how they want to live and what they want out of their one special life.

In terms of the cards that come up, it is my belief that energy is all around us, alot of which we may not be aware of and it is that energy which can come through with the cards and the reading. Every reading will be different because of the reader, the situation and what life experiences they are drawing on to make sense of the images. Sometimes cards just come up and the accuracy can be startling, either immediately or with the benefit of hindsight. For me this is where the magic lies and I cant really explain how this happens except that perhaps it's just a reflection of energy. Sometimes for me, the joy in life can be found in unexpected things that just can't be explained.

I also believe that tarot can advise what may happen if someone continues on a certain path, though this isn't necessarily psychic but just plain sensible. If you work 18 hr days, don't sleep or rest and eat poorly then there's a good chance you will become unwell/burnt out. This is just common sense or the reality of living in a physical world. It is the energy of the path you are on that can then be reflected in the cards. Often, when you are deep in a situation it can be hard to see it objectively and perhaps this is what tarot does, in picture form, it shows you something you weren't able to see before. It offers a reflection. I view reading my cards like a conversation with a wise friend. They can ask questions that will encourage you to think about the situation and they can offer suggestions as to the way things might be headed or perhaps a new path to take. But ultimately, it's up to you to decide what to do or if you want to take on any of that new information at all.

The best thing about having our human experiences reflected in the cards is that we are all human and will experience much of this journey throughout our time here. There will always be some relevance and resonance with the cards we draw and it's up to us to decide on the lessons attached.

And as for the stereotypically scary death card, it was only once that the death card came up in a daily draw and a family member did indeed die. Let me clarify though, that they were terminally ill, expected to pass at any stage and much of the family's energy/decisions/conversation centred around this person. This case was clearly more of an energy reflection than a prophecy of the inevitable.

Everyone has their own ideas and also gifts when using tarot cards, and though we may be able to read the energy surrounding a situation the future isn't a fixed destination. The power comes from the meanings we take and the reflection the cards provide. Every choice is ours to make and we are responsible for how our own lives will play out. So take the advice (or don't) and know the future is safely in your own hands.

by Cara Templeman