The best tarot readings reveal the inner workings of your mind — you may even learn surprising things about yourself. These revelations can be helpful when you’re feeling stressed or confused, as they can point you in the right direction. However, tarot reading isn’t for everyone, and there are some cons when using it to improve your mental health.
Positives of Using Tarot for Your Mental Health
Many people regularly use the tarot as a mental health tool. Individuals interested in spirituality can significantly benefit, as reading the tarot is as much a spiritual practice as it is fortune-telling. Due to their interpretive and versatile nature, tarot cards offer several benefits to those seeking help.
Opens Dialogue
Sometimes it’s hard to say what’s bothering you. Speaking the problem out loud makes it feel more real. Using the tarot can help you confront your issue through metaphors and symbols, allowing you to explore it in a safe space. Naming the problem is the first step toward resolving it, so the tarot can be a powerful tool if you struggle with open dialogue.
Promotes Self-Reflection
Each card has layers of meaning, so reading requires careful thought and self-reflection. As you consider each card, you ask the following questions:
- Does this card represent me or someone else?
- Is this card’s meaning literal or metaphorical?
- Is there something I’m missing about this card?
Ponderance puts you in an open state of mind where you’re willing to consider other perspectives and see the bigger picture.
Functions as Self-Care
When you’re stressed, taking a moment to care for and love yourself can refresh your mind and body. Laying out a tarot spread can be part of this routine.
Negatives of Using Tarot for Your Mental Health
Of course, tarot cards aren’t for everyone. For example, not everyone believes in destiny psychic readings or spiritual guidance. If that sounds like you, there are many other ways to improve your mental health that don’t involve tarot cards.
However, even believers can misuse their decks. Before incorporating the tarot into your mental health plan, make sure you look out for the following.
Reinforce Biases
One trap anyone can fall into is selective interpretation. Everyone has pre-existing biases, but you need to set these aside to get an accurate reading. However, this can be difficult if you’re emotionally close to the issue. At worst, a spread can reinforce the negative ideas you have about yourself or the situation.
Can’t Replace Therapy
Tarot reading can complement therapy, but it doesn’t replace it. The cards are one of many tools that can reinforce what you learn in therapy, but if you need help with your mental health, you should always go to a professional healthcare provider.
Requires Self-Reflection
Self-reflection isn’t easy for everyone. If it’s something you struggle with, tarot readings may be more frustrating than helpful. However, mental health professionals teach self-reflective strategies, which you can then practice with the tarot.
The best psychics know that tarot readings are more than predictions — they explore what makes people tick. If you’re comfortable with it, you can use this quality to learn more about yourself and move toward the person you want to be.
