Reading Tarot in Times of Stress, Crisis, or Overwhelm

Stormy feelings can sometimes lead to stormy readings / Image by Felix Mittermeier

We’ve all been there. Something wild is happening in our lives - maybe we’re at a pivotal crossroads, upset at a recent event, or feeling onslaught by waves of stress - and we want to turn to tarot for advice, guidance, something that will make us feel better or, better yet, tell us what one earth to do.

While tarot can be a wonderfully helpful and clarifying tool, it reflects what we bring to it, and in cases like these we can muddy the waters of our reading with anxiety, fear, and worry. That doesn’t mean, however, that we should forego reading altogether. Like any conversation, tarot does best with some thought, guidelines, and expectations. Here are some that help me when reading for myself during tough times.

Set boundaries before you start

It’s helpful to frame readings during times of stress in a way that will be the most healing for you. Are you feeling disconnected from yourself? You might want a grounding reading. Overwhelmed? You might ask for clarity. Lost? You might want to ask for one, simple next step. Take time to sit with yourself, figure out what you need, and then plan your reading around these insights. Choose a spread that reflects whatever you’re experiencing or create one yourself. You’re the one doing the reading; you get to set the tone.

Step away from prophecies and declarations!

Nothing adds more stress to a situation than a prophecy you don’t want! So why ask for this to begin with? Spoiler-alert: You don’t have to! I’ve found that it’s been particularly helpful to remind myself that the cards are suggestions, a representation of a moment in time that we can always change with our actions. Personally, I like to use my time shuffling to contemplate the question, goal, or topic of the reading, being sure to focus on open-ended advice or insight without specific information about the future.

Remember - tarot is just one piece of information to take into consideration

You wouldn’t make a complicated, impactful decision just because one person told you to, right? The insight we get from a tarot reading is just one facet of our complex lives, one piece of information that makes up a much bigger whole. Whatever insights you get from your reading should fit with a bevy of other sources - facts, the opinions of trusted friends and advisors, your intellect, practical considerations, and many more. This removes immense pressure from your reading and allows it to do what it does best: give you insight into your intuition.