Have you ever had a tarot card reading?
Tarot cards are used for spiritual guidance and self-understanding, each card symbolizing different things to help answer questions or understand situations.
The problem is that tarot cards are largely considered to be demonic, even if you’re just pulling cards to understand a situation better. Oftentimes, when tarot receives pushback or is perceived as demonic, people look to their religion for why it is wrong.
I personally had a conversation with my Christian family member where I explained that I had picked up tarot card reading, something that he believed to be witchcraft and demonic. Personally, I don’t see any harm in pulling cards and “reading” someone’s fortune.
I understand why he is against it; it seems fairly obvious. It goes against his religion, but I encourage you to shift perspectives for a minute. I also believe in Christianity, though I don’t agree with everything that it upholds.
Personally, I believe there is a higher power. This is not the first conversation I have had with people who identify with that religion. There are a few issues wrong here.
What if I told you it wasn’t witchcraft and the actual story behind tarot and its purpose for creation? What if I told you it wasn’t demonic or that there is another side to the story? Don’t take my word for it. Use facts and evidence alongside critical thinking.
There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s start with textbook definitions. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, witchcraft consists of rituals that incorporate belief in magic and sorcery and is associated especially with neo-pagan traditions.
Tarot cards originated in northern Italy as a game for the wealthy around the 15th century. They are a set of cards distinct from regular playing cards and typically hand-painted. Over time, the allegorical imagery led to the development of their use for divination. So where is the connection to demons?
The short answer is that there really isn’t. Some cultures view tarot cards as simply inviting demonic intervention. Performing a tarot card reading and doing witchcraft are two separate things.
Could tarot cards be used for evil intent? Of course. People can use just about anything with bad intentions, even the bible. There is no evidence that the cards themselves are evil.
It all comes back to one thing: critical thinking.
People believe that tarot is an evil practice because of their own religious beliefs or religious texts that prohibit witchcraft, but these people may not have a full understanding of what tarot really is. The problem is the lack of understanding and the lack of willingness to research things before labeling them as demonic.
My opinion is not to believe what something or someone says without viable evidence and logical reasoning.
A lot of Christian African Americans, including myself, are taught not to ask questions about religion from a young age. This encourages backwards thinking and being naive because it allows people to believe whatever is said without proper analysis and critical thinking.
If you can’t give a logical reason and explanation for why you believe something, that is a problem. You should reconsider your beliefs.
If you’re going to believe something, believe because you want to, not because someone told you to.
Always consider both sides of a story or narrative and do your research. After reading this, I encourage you all to write down your beliefs and ask yourself why you believe them. Researching your own beliefs helps you better understand them and also fill gaps that you didn’t know were empty.
I want to encourage you to be open-minded and think critically about your own beliefs. This is not meant to be something offensive or written with malicious intent, but something to spread awareness around what tarot is, and what it isn’t.
As we go forward, let’s practice critical thinking and not limit ourselves to certain experiences because of a limited or lack of knowledge on a topic.
Always remember, knowledge is power.