When NOT to do a Tarot reading? Do’s and don’t’s of Tarot? What to never do with Tarot cards?

Honestly, there’s no official rule about when you shouldn’t read your Tarot cards. They won’t jump up and bite you. Your reading space won’t spontaneously combust. No one will report you to the Bureau Of Delinquent Tarot Readers. That being said…

There are times when reading Tarot can be unhelpful.

As a rule, I discourage folx from reading Tarot when they:

  • Are feeling especially anxious
  • Have asked the same question more than once within a few days (it can become obsessive)
  • Are only open to one possible outcome being the “right” one
  • Are in the midst of deep grief and/or deep anger

Further reading: “Should I ask Tarot about health?”

A key note: Tarot readings function best if the person seeking the reading is open to whatever messages the card offers.

Tarot readings are NOT helpful if you are only focused on one outcome.

If you are heartbroken over your lover ghosting you and any answer other than “10 OF CUPS: YES! THEY WILL RETURN AND YOU WILL MARRY!” will put you in the depths of despair, then it’s not time to look at the Tarot.

In those cases, you may want to:

  • Seek the help of a professional reader or trusted Tarot-proficient friend
  • Take a break and ask the question later

If you JUST CAN’T STAND IT…

  • Draw a single card and take notes of three different outcomes it could possibly mean. Then, walk away. Return to it later and compare your different interpretations.
  • Pull a card for the question: “How can I best navigate this?”
  • Draw a single card that says, “Tell me something good about my situation that I don’t see right now?”


Some Magickally-Minded offerings you may enjoy:

I’m so excited to invite you to announce that I am offering a NEW CLASS on Hekate and Moon Magick at Mooncamp™, a two-day online gathering happening on February 11th and 12th, 2025.Other offerings from my Magickal colleagues at this event include:

  • Lunar Wealth Codes with Pamela Chen
  • Opposites Attract: The Astrology Of The Full Moon with Tenae Stewart
  • Lunar Intentions: Harnessing New Moon Energies with Wendy Mata

    Register Here

Tarot maven Maria Minnis (author of Tarot for the Hard Work) will be a keynote at Spirit Northwest: the new in-person conference I am honored to co-facilitate. I will also be offering in-person lectures at this event, but couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t tell you about Maria’s incredible presentation!

Maria Minnis is a tarot reader of 20+ years who teaches people about blending their spirituality with magic, liberation work, and eroticism in their everyday lives. Maria’s keynote will explore a deeper relationship with the cards. Individual tarot cards offer transcendent insights, but tarot is also about relationships. In this session, participants will explore the three-column grids of the Major Arcana to name and transform their sense of personal and community power in a world that suppresses individual expression, visibility of marginalized groups, and space to collaborate in building a more ideal future for all.

This is a learning session, be sure to bring a notebook!

Register Here!