Tarot Cards Ruined My Life: Real Life Story & Things I Wish I Knew

By Alex Assoune May 19, 2025

Tarot cards have been used for centuries as tools for insight, guidance, and spiritual reflection. For many, they offer clarity and comfort during uncertain times. But for some, an obsession with Tarot can spiral into dependency, anxiety, and even spiritual crisis. This is my story—how Tarot cards, once a source of wonder and guidance, slowly took control of my life… and how I eventually found my way back.

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The Allure of Tarot

I discovered Tarot at a time when everything in my life felt unstable. I had just lost my job, ended a long-term relationship, and moved to a new city where I didn’t know anyone. One night, scrolling through YouTube, I stumbled upon a Tarot reading that eerily echoed everything I was feeling. I was hooked.

Soon after, I bought my first deck—Rider-Waite-Smith—and began pulling cards daily. At first, it felt magical. The cards made me feel seen, like the universe was speaking directly to me. I told myself I was simply developing my intuition. In truth, I was searching for something solid to hold onto in a life that felt like it was crumbling.

When Curiosity Becomes Compulsion

What began as a gentle ritual became a rigid routine. I couldn’t start my day without a reading. Then it became three-card pulls, Celtic crosses, clarifier spreads, moon phase spreads—you name it. I even started carrying my deck in my bag, like a security blanket.

I remember once canceling a job interview because I pulled the Tower card in the morning. I was convinced it was a warning. Looking back, I realize I was just scared and using the cards to justify my fears. But at the time, the message felt divine and irreversible.

I’d do reading after reading, trying to get “the right answer.” If I asked about a relationship and didn’t like the outcome, I’d reshuffle. Sometimes I’d ask the same question five different ways. It didn’t matter that I was getting mixed results—I’d keep going until something felt safe.

The Anxiety Spiral

The worst part wasn’t just the dependency—it was the anxiety. If I saw a “negative” card like the Devil, Ten of Swords, or Death, I’d spiral for hours. One time, I pulled the Three of Swords before a family trip. I became so convinced that something tragic was going to happen that I made myself sick from worry.

I stopped trusting people. Every conversation felt like it needed to be followed by a Tarot reading. “What did they really mean?” “Are they hiding something?” I’d lay out cards instead of communicating directly. It slowly ate away at my confidence and my relationships.

I began to feel like I was living under a microscope, always scanning for omens, signs, or hidden meanings. Instead of being present, I was constantly analyzing, decoding, and second-guessing reality.

Spiritual Burnout

Eventually, my connection to anything spiritual began to feel forced and hollow. I was drained. The more I sought answers in the cards, the more lost I felt. I started questioning whether I was attracting negative energy. I even began to fear that I had opened some kind of metaphysical doorway I didn’t know how to close.

I once stayed up until 3 a.m. doing shadow work readings trying to “clear” my energy after pulling the Moon and Seven of Swords cards together. I was convinced they meant deception and secrets were surrounding me. But nothing ever happened. It was all in my head—but it felt real.

Some people describe this as a kind of “spiritual psychosis,” where the lines between intuition, paranoia, and fantasy blur. That’s where I was. Not grounded, not centered—just anxious and spiritually fragmented.

Relationships Fell Apart

One of the most heartbreaking consequences of my Tarot dependency was the toll it took on my personal life. I drove people away. Friends stopped texting. One partner said they felt like they were “dating the cards” more than me. And honestly, they were right.

I remember ending a promising relationship because of a reading that showed the Five of Cups and the Hierophant reversed. I took it as a sign of inevitable heartbreak and misalignment. I never actually talked to the person about my concerns—I just ghosted. And to this day, I regret it.

It wasn’t just romantic. I even began distancing myself from family. If someone said something I didn’t like, I’d do a spread to see if they had bad intentions. I stopped giving people the benefit of the doubt. The cards became my moral compass, and I lost touch with basic trust.

The Breaking Point

The night everything changed was a rainy Thursday. I was alone in my apartment, surrounded by half-burned incense sticks and crystals. I had just pulled three spreads—none of which made sense—and I was panicking.

I kept thinking, Why is nothing clear? Why can’t I get a straight answer? I pulled one last card and got the Hanged Man. For some reason, in that moment, it hit me: I was the one stuck—not the universe, not fate, not my future. Me.

That was the last reading I did for almost a year.

Healing Without the Cards

Putting away my Tarot deck felt like withdrawal. I had to relearn how to make decisions, how to trust myself, how to be okay with uncertainty. I started therapy and talked to a coach who specialized in spiritual burnout. We worked on mindfulness, grounding techniques, and practical decision-making.

At first, it was terrifying. But slowly, I began to reconnect with my own inner voice—the one I had drowned out under piles of symbolism and interpretations.

I stopped looking for signs and started creating them. I went back to journaling, taking long walks, and talking openly with the people I loved. Life felt quieter but more real. And eventually, I began to feel like myself again.

How to Use Tarot Without Losing Yourself

Tarot isn’t inherently dangerous. It’s a tool—one that can be misused, like anything else. If you’re struggling with Tarot dependency, or want to avoid the trap I fell into, here are a few things I’ve learned:

1. Limit Your Readings

Once a day is more than enough. Some days, no reading at all is even better.

2. Don’t Read When You’re Emotional

If you're panicking, grieving, or furious, you're likely to misinterpret the cards. Wait until you're calm and grounded.

3. Avoid Reading for Every Decision

Use Tarot to gain insight, not to make your choices for you. The final decision is always yours.

4. Talk to Real People

If you’re unsure about a relationship, ask the person. If you’re stressed about work, talk to a mentor. Tarot can’t replace human connection.

5. Take Breaks

Rest is sacred. If you feel obsessed or spiritually drained, put the cards away and come back later with a fresh perspective.

Final Thoughts: From Ruin to Reflection

Saying “Tarot ruined my life” is only half the truth. In reality, I ruined my life through Tarot because I gave away my power. I let a deck of cards dictate my feelings, choices, and relationships. But I also learned one of the most important lessons of my life: No tool, no matter how mystical, can replace inner wisdom.

I do use Tarot again now—but with clear boundaries. I read only when I feel grounded, and I never ask the same question twice. I see the cards as poetic, not prophetic. They reflect possibilities, not predictions.

If you’re on your own Tarot journey, I hope this story gives you something I wish I had earlier: a reminder that your power doesn’t live in the cards. It lives in you.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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