9 COMMON TAROT READING MYTHS (AND WHAT’S ACTUALLY TRUE)
Let's talk about all the BS myths about tarot readings that keep people from booking one when they actually need one.
If you're curious about getting a tarot reading but worried about what might happen then you've probably heard some wild stories. Maybe from movies, maybe from that “one” friend who had a weird experience, or maybe just from general cultural nonsense about "fortune tellers."
Here's the truth about what actually happens during a tarot reading - and what's complete fiction.
TAROT MYTH #1: “THE TAROT READER WILL/CAN PREDICT MY EXACT FUTURE”
The Myth: Tarot readers are psychics who can tell you exactly what's going to happen, down to specific dates, names, and events. Even predict death!! You'll walk in and they'll say "You're going to meet a tall dark stranger on November 3rd at 2:47pm."
What Actually Happens: No. That's not how this works. I wish you could see my massive eye roll right now.
Tarot shows possibilities, patterns, and likely outcomes based on your current path and energy. But life isn't set in stone. You have free will. You make choices. Those choices change outcomes.
What I actually do is look at where you are right now, what energy and patterns are around you, and what's likely to happen if you keep going the way you're going. Think of it like a weather forecast - "looks like rain tomorrow" doesn't mean it's guaranteed. Tarot tells you to bring an umbrella.
The cards show you what you need to see to make better decisions. That's way more useful than some fake prediction anyway.
TAROT MYTH #2: “IF I GET THE DEATH CARD, I WILL DIE!”
The Myth: The Death card means you or someone's going to die. Or something terrible is coming. People literally freak out when they see this card.
What Actually Happens: While pulling The Death card makes for a great dramatic horror movie scene, The Death card is actually one of the most positive cards in the deck when you understand what it means.
The Death card in tarot represents transformation, endings that make room for new beginnings, and necessary change. It's about shedding what's not working anymore so something better can grow. NOT ACUTAL DEATH.
Like, if you've been in a dead-end job for years and the Death card shows up? That's about leaving that job and transforming your career path. Not about literal death. The old job has to “die” so you can make room in your life for a new fulfilling career.
In all my years reading tarot, the Death card has never predicted an actual death. It predicts change. And change, while uncomfortable, is usually exactly what you need. Sorry horror movies.
TAROT MYTH #3: “TAROT READER ARE CON ARTISTS”
The Myth: All tarot readers are scammers who will tell you there's a curse on you and charge you thousands of dollars to remove it. They prey on vulnerable people and make stuff up.
What Actually Happens: Are there scam artists using tarot as their cover? Unfortunately, yes. Just like there are scam artists pretending to be mega church preachers, tv evangelists, contractors, financial advisors, and life coaches. A scammer’s gonna scam no matter their profession or religious affiliation.
But legitimate tarot readers? We're not trying to scam you. We charge for our time and expertise, just like any other professional service.
Here's how you know you're dealing with a real reader vs a scammer:
Real readers:
Have clear, upfront pricing
Will answer questions and concerns prior to a reading
Never tell you there's a "curse" that needs removing
Don't pressure you to book more sessions
Won't ask for additional money beyond the reading price
Give you actionable guidance, not vague warnings
We don’t slide into your DM’s (ugh)
Scammers:
Tell you there's negative energy/curse/hex that only they can fix
Charge extra for "spiritual cleansing" or "protection"
Use fear tactics to keep you coming back
Are vague about pricing
Make you feel dependent on them
DM you unsolicited telling you their drawn to you, or spirit has a message for you etc
If someone tells you there's a curse on you that requires expensive removal work? Walk away. That's garbage and a scam. Call them out. Don’t feel comfortable calling them out? Send me an email about them and what happened. I won't tolerate it in this field and will address it for you. Email me ➤
WHAT MYTHS HAVE YOU HEARD?
TAROT MYTH #4: “TAROT IS AGAINST MY RELIGION”
The Myth: Getting a tarot reading conflicts with Christianity or other religious beliefs. It's dabbling in dark forces or evil. You’ll call in demons or spirits.
What Actually Happens: Tarot is a tool for reflection and guidance. It’s 78 pieces of paper with pictures on them. That's it.
I'm not summoning anything. I'm not trying to convert you to anything. I'm reading cards that help you access your own intuition and see your situation from different perspectives.
Think of it like journaling or talking to a counselor - it's a way to process what's going on in your life and gain clarity. The cards themselves are just paper with pictures on them.
Many of my clients have strong religious beliefs and don't see any conflict. Some pray before their reading. Some see it as another way God/the Universe/their Higher Power communicates guidance.
But if it doesn't feel right for you based on your beliefs, that's totally valid too. You have to do what feels aligned with your values.
TAROT MYTH #5 “I HAVE TO BELIEVE IN IT FOR IT TO WORK”
The Myth: Tarot only works if you're spiritual, mystical, or believe in psychic abilities. Skeptics won't get anything out of it.
What Actually Happens: Some of my best readings are with total skeptics.
You don't have to believe in anything for tarot to be useful. You just have to be willing to look at your situation from a different angle and be honest with yourself.
The cards work as a mirror. They reflect back what's actually happening in your life - the patterns, the blind spots, the things you've been avoiding. Whether you think that's mystical or just a psychological tool doesn't matter. The insight still hits.
I've had people book readings as a "just for fun" thing and walk out with genuine clarity on problems they'd been stuck on for months. Belief not required.
TAROT MYTH #6: “THE READER WILL JUDGE ME”
The Myth: If I tell the reader about my problems, mistakes, or messy situation, they'll judge me or think less of me.
What Actually Happens: I've heard it all. And I mean ALL of it. I’ve live a life myself and have no right to judge nor do I want to judge you.
Affairs, addictions, family dysfunction, financial disasters, career implosions, relationship chaos - nothing shocks me. This is a judgment-free zone.
You're coming to me because you need help, not because your life is perfect. If your life was perfect, you wouldn't need a reading.
My job is to help you navigate whatever's happening, not to make you feel worse about it. The cards show what they show, and we work with it. Simple as that.
And what we talk about stays between us. I take your privacy very seriously. I'm also an ordained minister, which means I hold client confidentiality to the same standard as pastoral counseling. What you share in your reading stays between us - period.
Your questions, your struggles, your personal information - none of it gets shared with anyone. Not friends, not family, not posted on social media as a vague story. What happens in your session is private.
TAROT MYTH #7: “TAROT READINGS ARE JUST COLD READING TRICKS”
The Myth: Tarot readers use cold reading techniques - fishing for information, making vague statements that could apply to anyone, reading body language and cues.
What Actually Happens: Legitimate tarot readers are actually reading the cards, not playing psychological games.
Yes, some scammers use cold reading. But that's not what real tarot work looks like.
When I do a reading, I'm looking at specific card combinations, positions, and patterns. I'm telling you what those cards mean in your context. If something doesn't resonate, you can say so and we adjust.
Real readings are specific. They address your actual situation. They give you information you can use, not vague "someone in your life cares about you" nonsense that applies to literally everyone.
TAROT MYTH #8: “ONLINE READINGS AREN’T AS GOOD AS IN PERSON”
The Myth: You have to be physically present for a tarot reading to work. Online readings are less accurate or don't have the same "energy."
What Actually Happens: Online readings work exactly the same as in-person readings.
I shuffle the cards, lay them out while you watch on video, and we talk through what they're showing. Distance doesn't affect accuracy. Energy doesn't work that way.
I've been doing online readings for years and the quality, accuracy, and connection are identical to in-person sessions. Sometimes better, actually, because people are more comfortable opening up from their own space.
If you're not in the Ashland, KY or Huntington, WV area, online readings are your option - and you're not missing out on anything by doing it virtually.
TAROT MYTH #9: “TAROT WILL TELL ME WHAT TO DO”
The Myth: The tarot reader will make all my decisions for me. They'll tell me exactly what I should do and I just have to follow their instructions.
What Actually Happens: Nope. I'm not making your decisions for you.
Tarot shows you the situation, the patterns, the likely outcomes of different paths. But YOU still have to make your own choices.
I'll tell you what the cards are showing. I'll give you my read on the situation. I'll point out things you might not have considered. But at the end of the day, it's your life and your decision.
Think of it like getting a map when you're lost. The map shows you where you are and what paths are available. But you still have to choose which direction to go.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS DURING A REAL TAROT READING
So if all those myths are false, what DOES happen?
Here's the real deal:
You show up (in person or online) with questions or situations you need help with
I shuffle and lay out the cards in a specific spread based on what you're asking
I read what the cards are showing about your situation
We have a conversation about what that means and how it applies to your life
You leave with clarity, new perspectives, and a better sense of what to do next
That's it. No drama, no scary predictions, no curses, no BS.
Just honest guidance using cards as a tool to help you see what you need to see.
READY TO BOOK A READING WITHOUT THE MYTHS?
Now that you know what actually happens (and what doesn't), you can book a reading without all the weird anxiety from believing the myths.
Whether you're in Ashland, Huntington, or booking online from anywhere else - you're going to get a straightforward, honest reading that actually helps you.
No fortune telling. No curses. No judgment. Just clarity.
Book your tarot reading today and see for yourself what it's really like.
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ONLINE & IN PERSON AVAILABLE
Feeling stuck, confused, or like you need clarity on what's next? This tarot reading cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what you need to know right now.
In this focused 45-minute session, we'll explore your questions using the wisdom of the tarot. You'll gain clear insight into your situation, understand what's blocking you, and discover the path forward. Whether you're navigating relationships, career decisions, spiritual questions, or life transitions, the cards reveal what you need to see.
What's included:
45 minutes of personalized tarot guidance
Clear interpretation of each card and how it applies to YOUR life
Photos of your card spread sent to you after the session
Written notes summarizing key insights and guidance
A recording of your session (optional)
You'll leave with clarity, direction, and a sense of what needs your attention. Plus, you'll have your card photos and notes to revisit whenever you need a reminder of the guidance you received.
Perfect for: Anyone seeking answers, needing direction, or wanting insight into a specific situation or question.
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You're stuck AND drained. Your head is spinning with questions you can't answer, and your body feels heavy, anxious, or just off. You need answers, but you also need to feel like yourself again.
This session gives you both.
You'll get 40 minutes of focused tarot guidance to cut through the confusion and show you exactly what's going on and what you need to do next. Then we'll shift into 20 minutes of chakra balancing to clear the energetic blocks keeping you stuck, anxious, or scattered.
Here's what this does:
Gives you clarity on your situation so you know what to do next
Clears the mental fog so you can actually think straight
Releases the energetic blocks making you feel stuck or heavy
Balances your chakras so your energy flows the way it should
Grounds you when you're anxious or overwhelmed
Helps you leave feeling clear-headed AND lighter in your body
You walk out with answers in your mind AND relief in your body. The confusion clears. The heaviness lifts. You finally know what to do AND you feel capable of actually doing it.
Perfect for: Anyone who's mentally stuck AND energetically drained. When you need both clarity and a reset to move forward.
Includes photos of your tarot spread and written notes.
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IN PERSON ONLY
This isn't just a tarot reading—it's a sacred pause in your life. A moment to sit, breathe, sip something beautiful, and receive the guidance you're seeking in a space designed for clarity and connection.
Before we begin, I'll intuitively select a tea blend that matches your energy and intention for the session. As you settle in with your tea, we'll start with a sound clearing ritual using a singing bowl and handcrafted folk water to cleanse the space and your energy, creating a clear channel for insight.
Your 75-minute reading goes deeper than a standard session. We'll explore your questions through the tarot, and I'll also pull a seasonal oracle cards connected to the current season to add an additional layer of guidance aligned with the energy surrounding you right now.
After your reading, we'll take 10 - 15 minutes together to simply sit with your tea, process what came through, and let the insights settle. No rush. Just space to integrate and ask any lingering questions.
What's included:
Intuitive tea pairing chosen for your energy
Sound clearing ritual to open the session
60 minutes of deep tarot guidance
Seasonal oracle card pull for additional insight
10 minutes of integration time at the end
Photos of your card spreads sent to you
Written notes summarizing key guidance
Beautiful, intentional atmosphere, comfortable setting, presence)
You'll leave feeling clear, grounded, and like you just gave yourself the gift of real sacred time.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants more than just answers—you want an experience that honors your journey and gives you space to truly receive.
These session must be booked at least 24 hours in advance to allow me to prepare for your experience.
