One of the most frequently asked questions regarding tarot readings is:
“Is tarot real?”
Which honestly makes me chuckle to myself because… what do you mean, is tarot real?!?
It makes me imagine tarot cards somehow descending from the heavens and the spirit of a psychic magically appearing before you to tell you your whole life's fortunes.
And if we're going by that description, then no, that isn't particularly realistic.
But tarot cards are very much a real thing!
Tarot has existed for centuries, with countless decks designed throughout its history.
One of the most notable is the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, first published in 1909, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and developed with Arthur Edward Waite. It's widely recognized as one of the defining systems of modern tarot reading.
You can learn more about the fascinating history of tarot cards through the Victoria and Albert Museum.
So yes, tarot cards exist. You can hold them, shuffle them, and collect them.
But I'm being facetious!
Because although the question is rather vague and open to interpretation, what people are probably really asking is whether the practice of tarot is real.
Well, why don't I answer that through some of the many other burning questions people have about tarot?
1. Does Tarot Reading Really Work?
This is like asking whether having a deep conversation about your life has the capacity to change your way of thinking.
Only you can be the judge of whether tarot readings work for you.
I've conducted many tarot readings over the years, and you can find testimonials from my clients on my website and Google.
Many people share that their readings have helped them gain clarity, understand their circumstances, and feel more empowered moving forward.
But other people's experiences cannot determine what works for you.
If you're curious about the process, you can dive into some of my other blog posts, including How to Prepare for a Tarot Reading.
So, do tarot readings actually work?
If you want a straightforward answer from a psychic tarot reader, here's what I'll say.
Tarot readings really do work if your goal is to understand yourself more deeply and feel empowered on your path.
By understanding where you've been, where you are, and where your current circumstances may be taking you, tarot can offer valuable perspective.
But if you're asking whether psychics conducting tarot readings are magical beings who determine a predestined fate that you have absolutely no say in, I'm happy to inform you that this isn't how I believe tarot works.
And quite frankly, I wouldn't want it to!
I want people to remain the captains of their own ships.
I want people to have choices and recognize the impact those choices have on how their lives take shape.
Even if a reading could tell you a future with 100% certainty, that would only describe the future as it appeared in that moment.
Because the moment you walk away from a tarot reading, you have new information.
And what you choose to do with that information can change everything.
If you feel like your never quite arriving where you want to be and want to know how tarot can help, I have a blog post about how to use tarot when the goal post keeps moving
2. Are Tarot Cards a Real Thing?
Once again, these questions can feel so ambiguous!
Quite literally, yes. Tarot cards are real.
They exist. You can touch them, see them, and shuffle them.
But the cards themselves aren't inherently magical.
They're just cardstock!
What makes tarot cards so powerful?
What makes tarot such an incredible divinatory tool, in my opinion, is its symbolic system.
A system that helps readers channel their intuition and interpret the stories unfolding within a tarot spread.
The images aren't designed by mere happenstance.
Many traditional tarot decks incorporate:
Colour theory and symbolism
Numerology and astrology
Hermeticism and esoteric traditions
The four elements
Archetypes and mythological imagery
These symbols are thoughtfully woven together to create a rich visual language.
And when placed together in a spread, they can tell an incredibly vivid story.
The magic is in the interpretation
When you have a skilled, intuitive tarot reader interpreting the cards, they can begin translating that story while simultaneously pulling out the lessons, patterns, and wisdom within it.
For psychic readers like myself, this also involves tuning into what I perceive as the energy of the person sitting across from me.
Combining intuition, symbolism, interpretation, and energetic connection can turn what is otherwise an inanimate collection of cards into a powerful and meaningful message.
The cards are the tool. The reader is the interpreter.
3. Are Tarot Cards Accurate?
After over ten years of reading tarot for myself and five years of reading for others (2 as chloe lloyd tarot officially), I can tell you that the accuracy of tarot readings sometimes surprises even me.
If you look through my reviews, or those of other tarot readers, you'll frequently come across words like accurate and accuracy.
I love when clients tell me:
“That is so on the nose!”
“That's so on point!”
Or my personal favourite:
“I couldn't have said it better myself.”
What makes a tarot reading accurate?
Accuracy within a tarot reading isn't necessarily just about the cards themselves.
In my experience, it's also a reflection of the reader's ability to translate the cards in a way that speaks to the person receiving the reading.
It requires intuition, experience, and sometimes the boldness to say what's being presented between the lines of a spread.
Or, as I like to say, reading between the cards.
I believe tarot readings can be remarkably accurate, but the interpretation and translation of their messages are sometimes where things get lost.
And accuracy is only one piece of the puzzle.
It's the part that makes you feel seen, understood, and connected to your tarot reader.
What if your tarot reading doesn't resonate?
If you find yourself scratching your head thinking, “I don't know if that was accurate,” it's possible your reader has overlooked an important contextual clue or interpreted something from an angle that doesn't quite fit.
And that's where I have a little piece of advice.
Be a smidge more collaborative during your tarot reading!
You don't have to reveal your deepest secrets or tell your entire life's story.
Sometimes it's as simple as saying:
“Can you explain that one a little more?”
“I'm not sure that makes sense to me yet.”
“That sounds a lot like my current work situation.”
“Yes, that really resonates with me.”
These small moments of communication can help your reader explore a different interpretation, clarify a message, or dive deeper into something meaningful.
And you'd be amazed at the depth and accuracy that can come from simply giving a little nudge in the right direction.
Or gently redirecting a reading when something feels amiss.
Of course, a good reader should also be comfortable acknowledging when something simply doesn't fit.
Not every message needs to be forced into relevance.
For me, tarot isn't about proving how much I know about you.
It's about helping you understand yourself and your circumstances more deeply.
4. Is There Some Truth to Tarot?
I believe there's a whole world of truth within tarot.
Whether you particularly want to hear it or not!
But here's where things get interesting.
Tarot cards don't discern whether you're emotionally prepared to receive an uncomfortable message.
That's where the reader comes in.
And that's also where I believe people should exercise some caution.
Because the truth presented within a reading can be influenced by the reader's own biases, interpretations, personal experiences, and relationship with honesty.
What one reader perceives as a difficult truth may be interpreted entirely differently by another.
Can tarot readings tell you things you don't want to hear?
Absolutely, in my experience.
And personally, I believe honesty is the best policy.
But honesty doesn't need to feel like you're being throat-punched.
When uncomfortable truths come up during my readings, I prefer to direct the conversation toward the lessons they may be teaching.
And the opportunities for growth that can come from receiving those messages with grace.
I will not attack your character or judge your choices.
Because, quite frankly, that's none of my goddamn business.
But!
I will highlight when certain patterns, behaviours, or choices appear to be keeping you stuck or may no longer be serving your best interests.
And more importantly, I want to explore what possibilities might open up when you begin to face those truths.
I don't believe a tarot reading should leave you feeling powerless, ashamed, or afraid of your future.
It should leave you feeling more aware of the choices available to you.
How do you choose a good tarot reader?
Once again, the tarot cards are simply a tool.
It's the craftsperson who makes the difference in how that tool is used.
So choose a tarot reader who is willing to explore difficult messages with honesty, compassion, and integrity.
Someone who can deliver uncomfortable truths without making you feel attacked.
And be cautious of anyone who tells you only the lovely things you want to hear.
Because, in my opinion, that's a red flag!
My advice is do your research on your prospective tarot reader: check out their website, their reviews and see what language their clients are using to describe their services. If that matches what you are looking for then give it a shot!
If you like my perspective and want monthly free insight join my mail list!
5. Do Tarot Readings Ever Come True?
Yes! In my experience, they absolutely can.
But not always in the way you initially expect.
For instance, one of my favourite and most polarizing cards in tarot is The Tower.
The Tower can symbolize upheaval, collapse, revelation, and the breakdown of structures that are no longer sustainable.
I once pulled The Tower during a relationship reading for a friend, and the relationship subsequently ended.
Interestingly enough, during another relationship reading for that same friend, The Tower appeared again.
Followed by another breakup.
Now, does this mean The Tower guarantees a breakup every time it appears in a love reading?
Absolutely not!
The Tower can represent many different forms of change, and the surrounding cards, context, and circumstances all contribute to its interpretation.
But these experiences certainly left an impression on me.
Can tarot predict the future?
I believe tarot can offer insight into possible future outcomes based on the circumstances and energies present during a reading.
But those outcomes aren't necessarily set in stone.
As I mentioned earlier, the choices we make and the paths we take can change the direction of our lives.
I often say:
“This is why we come to divination: to feel empowered to change course if we don't like what we see, or to feel ready and capable of handling whatever comes our way.”
Some circumstances are within our power to change.
Others, like the choices of other people or certain external events, can exist almost entirely outside our influence.
And sometimes things unfold whether we particularly want them to or not.
In those moments, I believe a good tarot reading should have offered you more than a prediction.
It should have given you some perspective and guidance about how to approach those circumstances if they arise.
Can tarot predict positive life events?
But it's not all breakups, upheaval, and collapse!
I've also had readings where I interpreted the cards as pointing toward some wonderful possibilities.
Proposals, purchasing a home, moving to another country, meeting someone new, and other exciting life transitions.
And when those possibilities eventually become reality, it's always exciting to hear about them.
But here's something I want to make very clear.
The tarot reader doesn't get to take credit for your life unfolding.
YOU do!
You're the one who makes the choices, takes the chances, navigates the obstacles, and follows the path that leads you toward those outcomes.
Tarot may offer a glimpse into the possibilities, but you're the one living your life.
So, Is Tarot Real? My Final Thoughts
Yes, tarot is real.
It's a centuries-old tradition with a rich history, an intricate symbolic language, and a deeply personal relationship with the people who use it.
Whether you believe tarot connects us to something spiritual, helps us access our subconscious, or simply creates space for meaningful reflection is entirely up to you.
There isn't established scientific evidence that tarot cards can reliably predict future events or reveal hidden information through psychic means.
But that doesn't mean people can't find genuine meaning, clarity, or personal insight through a reading.
For me, tarot is both a spiritual practice and a way of helping people navigate the winding roads of life.
It's about recognizing patterns, exploring possibilities, and finding clarity when the road ahead feels uncertain.
And if there's one thing I hope you take away from this article, it's this:
Tarot doesn't have to determine your future to help you navigate it.
The cards may be on the table, but the choices are still yours.
Curious About Getting a Tarot Reading?
Whether you're navigating a major life transition, facing a difficult decision, or simply looking for a little clarity, I'd love to explore the cards with you.
I'm Chloe Lloyd, a psychic intuitive tarot reader based in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, offering personalized tarot readings for people seeking clarity, connection, and guidance through life's twists and turns.
Explore my tarot reading services and discover which session is right for you.
Life is full of mystery. Why not gain a little clarity?
