Tarot No-No's: 10 Things I’d Never Do During a Reading

Reading tarot cards is an art that requires intuition, sensitivity, and a respectful approach. While everyone has their own style and preferences, there are certain practices I'd never engage in and always aim to avoid. Here’s a list of 10 things I consider essential to steer clear of when reading tarot.

1. Disregard the Questioner's Feelings Always approach each reading with empathy and compassion. Reading tarot can be deeply personal, and it's crucial to respect the querent's emotions throughout the process.

2. Predict Death or Serious Illness Tarot is a tool for guidance and reflection, not a crystal ball. Making grave predictions, especially about someone's health or lifespan, is both unethical and irresponsible.

3. Force a Reading on Someone Unwilling Consent is paramount. If someone is hesitant or uninterested, never push a tarot reading on them. Respect their boundaries and wishes.

4. Read When in a Negative Mindset Your energy significantly affects a tarot reading. If you're feeling particularly negative, stressed, or emotionally overwhelmed, it's best to avoid conducting a session until you’re in a better headspace.

5. Ignore the Querent’s Input A tarot reading should be a dialogue, not a monologue. Encourage the querent to share their thoughts and feelings about the cards to foster a more meaningful and interactive experience.

6. Claim to Have All the Answers Tarot is about guidance and introspection rather than absolute truths. Avoid positioning yourself as an all-knowing oracle; instead, guide the querent toward their own insights and realizations.

7. Use Tarot to Manipulate or Control Never use tarot readings to manipulate others’ decisions or control their actions. This not only breaches ethical boundaries but also undermines the trust and integrity of the practice.

8. Ignore the Ethical Context of Questions Refrain from answering questions that delve into areas like spying on someone else’s private life or gaining undue advantage over someone. Respect ethical boundaries and consider the implications of the questions being asked.

9. Overlook Personal Boundaries and Limits Know your limits. If a question or situation feels too complex or outside your area of expertise, it’s okay to acknowledge that and refer the querent to other resources or professionals.

10. Neglect Self-Care Post-Reading After a reading, especially intense or emotionally charged sessions, it's important to take time for self-care and grounding. This might include practices like meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk to clear your mind and restore your energy.

Tarot reading is a profound experience that can offer significant insights and guidance. By staying mindful of these 10 principles, you can foster a respectful, ethical, and compassionate practice. Remember, the essence of tarot lies in its potential to illuminate paths, provide solace, and inspire self-reflection, and this will always best be served by an approach rooted in care and integrity.