Tarot Reading

I’m going to tell you right now that regardless of your religion or training, there is some kind of divination in your life.

My first experience with a forecast was what’s called a Patriarchal Blessing, because I was raised Mormon. I was 14 when I received mine. It was a special occasion when my mother and my stepfather (the man who raised me) took me to an old man I’d never met. He asked me a few questions, then took me into a room and put his hands on my head, and for about 20 minutes, prognosticated about my future life. I still have the transcript, and it’s true that most of it has been fulfilled.

Years later, I became close friends with a wonderful woman who taught me about Tarot. I’m still a novice (better at the I Ching), but every now and then I really enjoy seeing what the cards can tell me about my current situation and what I might be prepared for in the future.

It’s been really interesting using AI to instruct me on the potential meanings of certain cards, so it made sense to me to build my own Taro Reader. Not as a tool for prognostication, but rather to help me understand certain situations.

So here you have the Tarot Reader I coded:

Tarot Reader

Rider–Waite–Smith, 78 cards

Before you draw

A reading is a conversation with yourself. A few minutes of settling makes the cards easier to hear.

  1. Find a quiet moment. Silence notifications, sit comfortably, and let your shoulders drop.
  2. Breathe slowly. In for four counts, hold for four, out for six. Three rounds is enough; the guide below will pace you.
  3. Shape your question. Open questions work best: "What do I need to understand about…" or "How can I approach…" rather than a yes-or-no.
  4. Hold it lightly. Keep your question in mind, but stay curious about what comes rather than hoping for a particular answer.
  5. Remember the purpose. Tarot is for reflection. You remain the one who decides what to do next.
Tap the circle to breatheThree rounds, about 45 seconds

Choose your spread

Each spread asks a different kind of question. Pick the one that fits what you want to explore.

Optional, but it gives the reading focus.

A reflection tool from Dr. Elisa Janson Jones. For reflection and entertainment only; not a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice.