On-Line Tarot: does it work?

People often ask me if those free on-line tarot readings work. ‘How could they?,’ is the usual perspective, ‘a computer can’t see my future.’ I agree with that. Of course a computer can’t see your future, but for that matter, neither can a pack of tarot cards. Though microchips and cardboard aren’t magical, tarot readings, on- or off-line, can still be very rewarding experiences.

Rather than foretell your future, a typical tarot reading usually validates, or at least brings to your attention, experiences from your past and present that are relevant to your question at hand. On a ‘future’ level, a reading can and most often does, provide some direction going forward.

What matters most though, is your interaction with the tarot images, not the medium in which those images are presented. A skilled reader (or computer program) will of course help with the interpretation of various elements in the pictures. But it’s always about your perspective, not the cards themselves.

So back to the initial question – do free on-line tarot readings really work? Yes – of course they do. It’s not like they’re trying to channel the dead or anything. They’re simply supplying random tarot images for your review. It’s hardly different than pulling cards from a real deck. If in-person readings resonate with you, on-line ones are likely to as well.

On the plus side, these readings are free, fast and mostly private (assuming the site you’re on isn’t some sort of scam portal). One thing I avoid though, are those ‘what is your question’ blanks. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I never fill them in. Why would a computer need to know what I’m asking about?

On the more negative side, the card descriptions can sometimes be stilted and hard to align with your question. They’re typically short and provide hardly more than key words or phrases associated with a particular card. Really though, that’s often all you need.

In person or on-line, taking a good look at the cards themselves will likely be the most valuable part of your reading. What do you see? What do the images mean to you? How might they be relevant to your question? Really look. It’s amazing what you can find. Remember, tarot cards are a series of images – not words. They’re meant to be looked at. The words, if any, are are best used as guides.

Automated on-line readings aren’t intended to replace ‘real life’ readings or readers. They’re sort of like getting your picture taken in a photo booth rather than by a real photographer. You’re going to get a likeness of yourself. Probably not the best shot you’ve ever had, but you’ll know it’s you.

Go ahead and enter the words ‘free tarot readings’ (or something like that) into your favourite search engine. You’ll come up with all sorts of options. Enjoy!