Is Tarot Evil? Why It’s Not Dark Magic or Paranormal

Tarot is not the witchcraft it has been portrayed to be.

By Kendall, Island of the Mind Hypnosis & Tarot

The Fear That Never Seems to Go Away

Even now, after years of working as a professional tarot reader, I still hear the same reactions from people who are unfamiliar with tarot. It usually comes through secondhand, when friends or supporters of mine mention they’ve had conversations with others. The comments go something like this:

• “Isn’t tarot a little dark?”

• “Isn’t that like witchcraft or voodoo?”

• “I don’t want to invite anything into my life.”

  
  

Often people dismiss it by calling it spooky, thanks to Halloween costumes, horror movies, and scary stories that have shaped how tarot is seen in popular culture. It’s easy for some to minimize or fear it because of what they’ve seen on TV. But the truth about tarot is very different from the version most people imagine.

My First Concern: Is Tarot Like a Ouija Board?

When I first began learning tarot, I had my own moment of hesitation. I briefly wondered if it was anything like using a Ouija board, where you might accidentally open doors you can’t close. But as I studied, practiced, and experienced true ethical readings, I realized how different tarot really is.

Intention and boundaries are everything. Any reputable tarot practitioner prepares the space with intention. My intention is always for healing, guidance, clarity, and peace. Before every reading, I invite my spirit guides, angels, and ancestors of the highest good to oversee the session with love and protection. I trust that nothing dark or harmful will enter that space because I set clear, strong boundaries.

There is no secret door being opened. There are no spirits being summoned. There is only focused intention and the use of tarot as a tool for reflection, clarity, and support.

What Tarot Actually Is

At its core, tarot is simply a tool to reflect the energy surrounding you. If you have ever had a gut feeling about someone who seemed “off” or walked into a room and instantly sensed tension, then you already know how energy can feel without being able to explain it.

Tarot works with that same intuitive energy. I often ask people, “Do you believe that someone is looking out for you from the other side? Like a guardian angel?” Most people say yes. That belief opens the door to understanding tarot as simply tuning into the energy around you, much like tuning into a radio station that’s already broadcasting.

The deck itself contains 78 cards, each with upright and reversed meanings. Think about how many possible combinations that creates. When the right cards fall into place and perfectly reflect your life situation, many people are amazed. It feels like it was meant to be because it often is.

I explain to clients that my role is simply to interpret the cards. I don’t create the message. I don’t control which cards appear. Once you give me the context of how the cards apply to your life, the message continues to unfold with more clarity as the reading goes on.

You Can Read Tarot Too

One of the biggest myths about tarot is that only certain people can do it, or that it requires special powers. The truth is that anyone can learn to read tarot. Like learning a language or a skill, it takes study, practice, and experience to become confident in interpreting the cards in context.

During a reading, I use my intuition and sometimes feel things I cannot fully explain, but I do not rely on those impressions as my only source of information. I don’t advertise it as a magical ability. I believe most people have these moments of awareness in daily life but may not notice them or honor them the way spiritual practitioners do.

But What About Spirits or Paranormal Hauntings?

Some people fear that tarot invites unwanted spiritual activity. This is one of the biggest misconceptions I encounter. I always assure my clients that I open and close every reading with clear intention. At the end of a session, I send all energies back to where they belong, closing the space and leaving both myself and my client fully grounded in their own rightful energy.

Tarot is not about inviting random spirits into the room. It is about tuning into guidance from sources of light and protection, whether you call that God, the Universe, your higher self, or your guardian angels. I respect the fact that every person may have different spiritual beliefs, and I honor those beliefs during each session.

A Safe Space for Healing, Not Fear

I grew up without any strict religious upbringing. My grandmother attended a Baptist church, and my parents occasionally took us to church on holidays, but religion was never a strong influence in my early years. I was encouraged to explore and form my own beliefs. From a young age, I found myself drawn to tarot and even mediumship. The healing, comfort, and clarity I saw people receive from this work far outweighed any fear-based ideas others might have about it.

With the right practitioner, tarot can offer some of the most profound and healing messages you may ever experience. It is never about fear, control, or darkness. It is about clarity, empowerment, and honoring your personal journey.

What to Look For in an Ethical Tarot Reader

If you are ever concerned about the safety or ethics of tarot, here are a few simple things to look for when choosing a reader:

• Do they clearly explain how tarot works?

• Do they set safe, respectful intentions before your reading?

• Do they focus on empowerment and healing rather than fear?

• Do they honor your spiritual beliefs and boundaries?

• Do they close the session properly and send the energies back?

  
  

When these elements are present, tarot is not dangerous. It is one of the most beautiful tools you can use for personal growth and healing.

Ready to Experience Tarot Safely?

If you’ve been curious about tarot but have heard myths that made you hesitant, I hope this has brought you some peace of mind. Tarot is not dark magic or paranormal. It is a tool for clarity, healing, and personal insight.

I offer private tarot readings in person in Southwestern Ontario and virtually by video for clients anywhere. Every reading is conducted with care, clear intentions, and a focus on your healing and empowerment.

You can learn more or book your session HERE

🖤

Kendall

Island of the Mind Hypnosis & Tarot