Why Tarot Isn’t Scary - You Just Had the Wrong Reader

By Kendall Walton – Island of the Mind Hypnosis & Tarot

Tarot Isn’t the Problem. The Reader Might Be.

Let’s talk about something I hear way too often:

“Tarot freaks me out. Last time I had a reading, the Death card came up and someone I loved passed away right after.”

Oof. Understandable fear but completely avoidable.

In this case, the tarot reader was new, inexperienced, and unfortunately, irresponsible. They likely misinterpreted a complex symbol and unknowingly scared someone away from tarot for good. It’s a story I’ve heard too many times, and it’s why I’m writing this post. Because tarot isn’t dangerous or dark, but some readers can mishandle it in ways that do real harm.

Let’s unpack that.

The Real Meaning Behind “Scary” Tarot Cards

Some cards get a bad rap, especially from pop culture and horror movies. But tarot, when read ethically, isn’t about doom and gloom — it’s about awareness and empowerment. Here are a few of the most misunderstood cards:

🌑 The Death Card

Despite the name, this card almost never refers to physical death. It signals a necessary ending... the kind that makes way for real growth. It’s the closing of one chapter so the next can begin. I once had a client who was terrified his business was going to fail when this card appeared. What actually happened? He closed that business, launched a new one in a completely different industry, and ended up thriving - with more time for family and friends. That’s the death of what no longer serves us.

⚡ The Tower Card

This one feels chaotic... and it often is... but only because it’s breaking apart what was never built to last. It’s the “fall” before the rebuild. The Tower clears away shaky foundations so you can create something sturdier, stronger, and more aligned. Yes, it might sting. But it’s the kind of disruption that leads to real healing.

👹 The Devil Card

This card points to the chains we place on ourselves: toxic habits, self-sabotage, limiting beliefs. It’s not about evil, it’s about awareness. We feel stuck, but we’re not. The Devil reminds us that we have the free will to break those patterns. It's uncomfortable truth, but also deeply liberating.

My Style: Intuitive Meets Therapeutic

I’ve been both the client and the reader. My first tarot reading made me nervous. The reader predicted I’d have many children (I didn’t), but she also tuned into trauma I hadn’t even spoken aloud and accurately foresaw my future partner… who I’ve now been with for over 12 years.

When I started doing readings myself, my very first client was my sister. I wasn’t prepared for how loudly accurate the cards could be. They revealed she was planning to move out of our parents’ house... a truth she hadn’t shared with anyone. That was the moment I realized how powerful, and sacred, tarot can be.

Today, my reading style blends intuition and therapeutic guidance. I don’t just tell you what’s coming, I help you understand why certain patterns repeat and how you can shift them. I hold space for deep clarity and self-discovery. No theatrics. No fear tactics. Just truth.

You Don’t Book the First Hairdresser You Meet… So Why Would You Do That With Your Tarot Reader?

Finding a good tarot reader is a lot like finding a good hairstylist.

For years, I kept my hair in a ponytail because stylists kept messing it up. Some lacked skill, others didn’t listen, and a few gave me what they thought I should want instead of respecting me. I finally found “the one” after raising my budget and trying out several salons... and then she moved away. 😅

The same principle applies to tarot.

Just because someone is available or affordable doesn’t mean they’re the right reader for you. Consider:

• Experience – Have they studied or practiced long enough to understand the deeper symbolism?

• Energy – Do they feel grounded and present, or chaotic and performative?

• Intention – Are they helping you find clarity, or using fear to keep you dependent?

  
  

And one more thing - ideally, your reader shouldn’t be too close to you. Objectivity matters. When we’re reading for people we love deeply, it’s hard not to project our own fears or wishes into the interpretation. A skilled, ethical reader knows how to hold space without personal bias.

So... How Do You Find the Right Tarot Reader?

Here’s what to look for in an ethical tarot reader:

• They don’t predict death, illness, or tragedies because that’s not what tarot is for.

• They clarify the difference between symbolism and literal events.

• They ask for your consent and comfort before diving deep.

• They focus on empowerment, not fear.

• They are honest when a card has a difficult message... but they deliver it with care and purpose.

  
  

Final Thoughts (and an Invitation)

Tarot is a sacred tool, one that can transform lives when used with compassion, skill, and respect.

If you’ve had a bad experience with tarot in the past, I invite you to give it another chance. Maybe you just didn’t find the right reader yet. I’d be honoured to be that person for you. Someone who respects the cards, your journey, and your readiness to receive truth (not fear).

You can book a private session with me in-person (Southwestern Ontario) or virtually from anywhere via video call.

Let’s see what your guides have to say... in a way that leaves you more healed than when you arrived.

🖤

Kendall

Island of the Mind Hypnosis & Tarot

https://www.islandofthemindhypnosis.ca/book-online