Why is TikTok Obsessed With Tarot Card Readings?

“What the heck is this guy talking about???

*“Hey! Don’t be rude, remember what he[*Nostradamus] said…”

“Yes, yes. When in doubt, get yourself a Tarot reading…”

Above is the statement that my friend - a self-proclaimed atheist and a non-believer in the mystic arts - told me jokingly in the middle of a history class when we were listening to a presentation about Nostradamus…

First of all, Nostradamus has nothing to do with Tarot cards.

(Although one researcher is trying to make that claim.)

Second of all, the conversation happened 2 years before my friend became a Tarot reader herself. She said she just wanted to make some money, but I remain doubtful.

To be fair, she got quite good with her Tarot deck, scaringly good, witch-craft-shifting-a-non-believer-in-the-mystic-arts-level good even.

I mean we are talking about an agnostic, Harry Potter hater who predicted, no, “sensed” several crucial moments in my high-school life for the sake of “experimentation.”

“What’s the deal with you and Tarot anyway? Why the sudden 180-degree turn?”

“I don’t know…”

“So now you just happen to be a Tarot expert? Do those tiny people in the cards just come to life and whisper the future into your ears?”

“Are you dumb? Do you even know what Tarot is?”

At that point, I was just messing with her. Unlike my friend, I was raised in a semi-religious household and my mother --though not following any religion--used spiritual stories to teach me lessons growing up. It ultimately resulted in my curiosity about superstitious things.

To be perfectly honest here, Tarot does pique my interest and till now I still can’t phantom how ‘practitioners’ can interpret pieces of information from pulling out random colorful cards.

There is More to Tarot Than a Deck of Cards

A wide misconception of Tarot is that it is a tool of fortune-telling.

In my perspective, the definition you might have read from the Cambridge dictionary is not entirely correct.

From my observation, while people often seek Tarot readers for predictions of the future, it does not give someone the ability to actually tell the future.

Tarot spreads are more about uncovering insights into the truths and desires of one’s mind. You can view it as a way to guide manifestation.

I view the act of seeking Tarot readings as consulting or looking for advice.

As my friend emphasized:

“Tarot cards are bridges for readers to understand their customers and from that, enable them to give advice and sometimes, even predictions of what about to come as well as how should they act accordingly.”

“But why did Tarot get so popular all of a sudden?”

“Anxiety… and TikTok”

Tarot has been a well-known medium for a long time, dating back to the early 1900s.

It is not until the beginning of the pandemic, and with the emergence of TikTok, that I saw the rise in popularity of Tarot reading. My friend became what she called “an avid Tarot reader” around that time too.

“Ooooh, I see good things coming up… yes, yes this is good…”

“You are not giving yourself enough credit, you are doing great and you’ve already known what you want to do next…”

Or even…

“The person you’re thinking of is also crazy about you…”

“They don’t deserve you…”

Sounds familiar? As a TikTok user, you have probably scrolled through a forest of these 60-second reading videos on TikTok that have millions of views.

But… Why?

Validation.

COVID-19 has taken away many things, one of which is our ability to reach out for actual human connections and understanding. This ultimately leads to feelings of loss and uncertainty.

By seeking Tarot reading, or even watching those random reading videos on TikTok we are able to experience that sense of authenticity. That feeling of being understood; The soothing sensation of reassurance from someone.

We are all humans who seek comfort in utterly uncomfortable times. This pandemic has proven to be a perfect time for the thrive of Tarot readings.

When phrases like “Self reflection,” “Inner peace” or “Self-care” appear repeatedly online, it is rather unsurprising that people have started to turn to spiritual mediums to cope with this unrest time.

After all, it does not hurt to be a little bit superstitious sometimes, right?

Editor’s note: Please treat Tarot readings and other such activities as entertainment only. In the event that you must make a serious life decision please consult a properly licensed mental health professional as well as base your decisions on peer-reviewed academic research only.