Tarot Musings
A collection of thoughtful reflections on Tarot: its meaning, mechanics, symbolism, history, and cultural reputation. Essays, rants, and reckonings from a reader who loves the cards but isn’t afraid to ask questions.
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Tarot and Religion: Why the Cards Aren’t the Enemy
People often ask me whether Tarot is “compatible” with religion; or more bluntly, whether it’s evil. As someone who reads professionally and also grew up within a Christian cultural framework (and has a very beloved brother-in-law who’s a vicar!), I think it’s time we unpack that a little. When I’m on my Tarot stall at the market, I often get Christians and Muslims who come over to critique the cards and admonish me for reading them (Jewish folks, in my experience, don’t tend to mind – maybe because Judaism has a more flexible relationship to divination, or maybe they just have better things to do with their time than harass…
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The Maths of Tarot: How Many Tarot Spreads Are There (Really)? And How Long Would It Take To See Them All?
Every time you lay out a 10-card tarot spread, you’re arranging a tiny paper universe. But just how many possible universes are there? And what are the chances of ever seeing the same one twice? It turns out that there are so many possible variations on a 10 card spread like the Celtic Cross, the odds are no one else has ever had your exact spread before, anytime you do a pull. Which honestly blows my mind. Each 10 card reading is probably unique to you (and to your reader if someone else is reading for you). A message from the cards just to you, one they’ve never given to anyone else.…
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Is Tarot Evil? In Defence of the Cards
Tarot isn’t supernatural by default. It doesn’t demand belief, summon spirits, or replace faith. It works through metaphor, archetype, and conversation - much like art, poetry, or scripture. This post is a response to the lazy habit of branding unfamiliar spiritual practices as “evil,” and a defence of Tarot as a reflective, humane, and deeply misunderstood tool.
