How Often Should You Read Tarot? Tips And Guidelines

How often should you read tarot cards? Sometimes it’s easy to overdo readings and end up with a cranky Spirit Guide or an overloaded brain. It can be hard knowing what the perfect dose of Tarot is.

It’s easy to get too excited when you get the “tarot bug.” You bombard your tarot deck with questions but soon realize the answers you are getting are making lesser and lesser sense. How often is too often, and what are the signs you might be overdoing things? Let’s take a closer look!

As you get more and more into tarot, it’s common to get a little carried away. It’s often astonishing how cards give you spot-on answers and helpful guidance. It’s easy to get a bit codependent on the cards if you are not careful. 

I remember when I realized what super-powers the tarot gave me. I wanted more and more (who wouldn’t). But as I got too carried away firing questions at the deck, the answers became more and more diluted. The deck got tired, and I had no clue what was going on. 

The deck and your Spirit Guide will eventually tune out if you get too carried away and ask the same question repeatedly. I think they don’t want me to get too codependent on them.

The tarot cards and my Guide want me to be able to make my own decisions plus take the time I need to think things through. The tarot cards are there to give me strength, not make me dependent on anyone.

The tarot is not there to micromanage you – it’s there to give overarching direction and guidance. 

When you feel that you are reliant on readings for everyday decision-making, it’s time to take a little break and step back. The same if you ask the same question in thousands of variations repeatedly. Often hoping that you get the answers you want, not necessarily need.

If you get anxious and codependent on the tarot, you need to take a step back and regain your trust and ability to make decisions. The tarot is a friend you ask for advice, not someone to tell you in detail exactly what you have to do.

SIGNS YOU ARE READING THE TAROT CARDS TOO OFTEN

This is a list of signs you need to look out for when using the tarot. If you notice you are experiencing one or more of these feelings, step back and take a break. You might be getting too codependent on the tarot cards for your good.

Tarot readers

• Get anxious when you can’t ask the tarot for answers.
• Asking the same question (or scope of the question) on repeat.
• Get uncomfortable making decisions.
• Don’t dare to make decisions that go against the guidance of a reading.
• Pulling extra cards to get the answers you want – not necessarily need.
• Buying too many new tarot decks for your budget.

Seekers

• Buying too many readings for your budget.
• Get anxious if your tarot reader can’t read the cards asap for you.
• Endlessly googling the meaning of the cards even if your reader explained them to you.
• Get angry or emotional when you don’t get the answers you want in a reading.
• Get anxiety if you can’t get follow-up readings on short notice.
• Hiding or feeling ashamed for buying too many readings.

SIGNS YOU ARE READING THE TAROT CARDS TOO OFTEN

What might happen if you read the cards too often? Not one thing could happen, but many. The worst thing might be codependency, which leads to a lack of power to steer your life. The tarot is a tool for personal growth, acceptance, and discovery. If misused, it can lead to the opposite. 

In some cases, anxiety might lead to spending too much money on readings, tarot decks, crystals, or other accessories and tools. If you feel uncomfortable telling your loved ones you bought a new tarot deck or went to see your reader again – you need to cut back. You might enter a negative spiral that you need to break.

If you ask the tarot deck the same questions repeatedly, the cards and your Guide will get tired of you. The answers will be diluted and, in the end, make no sense. It’s better to make in-depth readings where you open your heart to receive the message you need to hear (not what you want to hear).

If you want to learn more about the hazards of using tarot, you can read the article “Is Tarot Safe: A Professional Tarot Reader Weighs In.” In the article, I share common hazards using tarot cards and how to deal with them. You find the link. below

WHAT TO DO IF YOU READ THE TAROT TOO OFTEN?

You can get addicted to tarot readings – both as a seeker and a reader. Codependency on the cards can happen when you don’t can’t handle the pressure of everyday decision-making. You rely on the tarot to steer your life. 

To stop the addiction or codependency, the first step is recognizing that it has become a problem.

If you are a seeker and feel that you are buying too many readings and that your economy is taking a toll, you need to hit the breaks. Doing this alone can be challenging, so share your struggles with a trusted friend or seek professional help.

If you are a tarot reader and feel readings control your life, the same applies as above. You need to stop the cycle and regain control over your life. One way is to start tarot journaling. Commit to doing fewer readings but go into depth with the ones you do.

Another trick is to commit to not doing daily one-card pulls. It’s easy to start pulling cards whenever you feel nervous about something. Try to trust yourself and your ability to make great decisions. Another tip is to try Oracle cards for a while. I often use the Kuan Yin Oracle deck when I need friendly and supportive advice instead of deep readings. You will find the Kuan Yin Oracle deck on my recommended products page.

When I feel I overuse tarot (this happens to me at times!) I take a vacation from reading together. I use the app Headspace to boost my mental well-being. 

I’m not a certified medical practitioner. I meet people of all walks of life in my tarot reading practice, and this is the humble experience from my years as a tarot reader. Please seek help from a therapist if you feel you can’t handle the situation. 

37% THINK SEVERAL TAROT READINGS A DAY IS TOO MUCH

I wanted to know what the tarot community thought constituted too many readings. I asked, “How many tarot readings are too much?” in the subreddit Tarot. In total, 219 readers answered my poll when writing the article.

37% of the tarot readers answered that they thought several readings a day was too much. 33% answered it depends on the situation. If you felt anxiety at any stage, you were reading too much, was the consensus. 

If you are relying too much on the cards and developing anxiety if you can’t consult the tarot for advice, it doesn’t matter if you read once a day or month – it is still too much. So it depends more on the feelings and actions associated with tarot readings than the number itself.

Answer	Number	%
Several a day	81	37%
It depends on the situation	73	33%
I have no idea	30	14%
Once a day	20	9%
Once a week	11	5%
Once a month	4	2%

GENERAL GUIDELINE: TAROT READINGS

As a general guideline once or twice a month is a great frequency. This allows deep readings and lets the answers simmer in between readings.

As I recommend my clients let the readings soak, I apply the same advice to myself. You cannot access the deeper layers of the messages if you force them. It often takes time to understand the messages as things might need to unfold fully.

I might do readings more often when I do tarot practices, but they are generally not “readings” per se but reflections on the cards. I don’t journal them, and I don’t reflect on them. I just read them at the moment and let them go. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU HAVE A PSYCHIC TAROT READING?

As messages received in psychic tarot readings might be very targeted and in-depth, it’s a great idea not to do them too often. Let the reading soak; the answer might be yet to unfold. As the Ether doesn’t follow “our time,” the answers are seldom unveiled in real-time. It’s not uncommon for the answers to reveal themselves later on. 

When you ask a specific question in psychic reading, the answers you get back might not seem to make sense at first. But if you let time do its thing, you will suddenly understand the message from the reading. It’s a strange phenomenon. But this is very common. 

Say you ask the tarot, “what is the root cause for me of my getting a job?”. The direct answer might be, “you need to calm down and focus on what is important to you.”

At the moment, you think that is exactly what you are doing. You are attending yoga classes, doing meditation, and all that jazz. You can’t grasp the message at that time. A month later, when you are making your morning coffee, you suddenly notice a job ad in the paper.

The position has nothing to do with your formal degree but something you always wanted to do. You apply, and BAM, you get the job. The message was not to work on your grounding to focus on your dreams. I hope that made sense. 

GENERAL GUIDELINE: PSYCHIC READINGS

As messages from psychic readings might take some time to unfold, waiting at least three months between readings is a great idea. The Ether doesn’t follow Earthly time, and messages are seldom delivered in real-time. 

If you are getting impatient, try to remember that the answer is about to be revealed when you are ready to receive the message. Trust your Spirit Guides. They always have your best at heart. 

LISTEN TO YOUR GUT FEELING

As tarot is a personal experience, you can’t apply a rule that fits all readers and circumstances. With tarot, you have to go with your gut feeling. Tarot should give you strength and empowerment. If you feel anything else, you should stop reflecting on the situation.

Note that not all feelings of discomfort are due to addictive behaviors or codependency. Tarot is a tool for self-discovery, and the messages we receive might feel daunting at times. We can’t grow without pain. Life is not all roses and sunshine. But if you feel distressed or anxious, something is up.

Please seek professional help from a licensed therapist if the feelings are overwhelming or interfering with your wellbeing.

Note that not all feelings of discomfort are due to addictive behaviors or codependency. Tarot is a tool for self-discovery, and the messages we receive might feel daunting at times. We can’t grow without pain. It’s not all roses and sunshine.

Sandra Törnroth

IN SUMMARY

37% say that several tarot readings a day is too frequent. 33% say it depends on the situation. If you read once a month and experience anxiety, it is still too much. The most important thing is to listen to your inner voice. If you feel anxious or stressed out at any time, you are reading the cards too often. 

If you buy readings online and feel you are spending too much money, you need to cut back. Readings might get addictive if you struggle with codependency or other inner struggles. 

If your cards are getting “tired” and start giving you wonky answers, it might be a great time to cut back on readings. It’s easy to overdo things; we all do that from time to time. 

A balanced frequency is once or twice a month. Do an in-depth reading and let the cards soak for a while. It’s not uncommon that the answers are yet to unfold. If you pull cards every day, you might miss the most important messages from your Spirit Guide. 

As with everything tarot, listen to your intuition. The most important thing is to do things your way.

THE DEFINITIONS IN THIS ARTICLE ARE BASED ON THE RIDER WAITE DECK AND SYSTEM.