Can Tarot Cards Bring Spirits? Myth Vs Reality

Tarot cards are often surrounded by mystery and superstition. Among the many questions people ask about tarot, one of the most common—and most misunderstood—is: Can tarot cards bring spirits? Some believe using tarot opens a doorway to the spirit world, inviting entities, both good and bad. Others argue that tarot is simply a psychological or symbolic tool with no spiritual consequences.

This article explores both sides of the debate by examining the origins of tarot, its use in spiritual practices, religious perspectives, psychological insights, and real-world experiences of practitioners. By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of whether tarot cards truly connect us to spirits—or if that belief is more myth than reality.

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1. Origins of Tarot and Its Intended Use

Tarot was not originally designed to contact spirits.

Tarot cards date back to 15th-century Europe, where they began as a card game called Tarocchi. These early decks were primarily used for entertainment. It wasn’t until the 18th and 19th centuries that tarot became associated with the occult, thanks to mystics like Antoine Court de Gébelin and later, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

These esoteric groups reinterpreted tarot as a symbolic system for understanding the universe and the self. They believed the cards could reveal hidden truths, not necessarily by contacting spirits, but by tapping into universal energies, archetypes, or the subconscious mind.

Key point: Tarot was not created to summon or contact spirits. Its spiritual associations came later, and even then, it was more about inner knowledge than external entities.

2. Do Tarot Readings Involve Spirits?

Most tarot readers today do not claim to contact spirits when using the cards.

Modern tarot is used primarily for:

• Self-reflection and personal insight

• Meditation and mindfulness

• Decision-making and clarity

• Symbolic storytelling

• Psychological exploration

Some readers, especially those who identify as spiritual or intuitive, may believe they’re receiving guidance from a higher source—such as spirit guides, ancestors, angels, or the user's higher self. However, this is often seen as a form of intuitive connection rather than a literal summoning of spirits.

Still, there are practitioners—especially within certain spiritual or mediumship circles—who use tarot as part of spirit communication. They may combine tarot with practices like channeling, automatic writing, or séances. For them, tarot is a tool to interpret messages from beyond.

So, can tarot bring spirits? Not by itself. But in the hands of someone who’s actively trying to communicate with spirits, it may be used as part of that process.

3. Mediumship vs. Tarot Reading

To understand the difference, it's helpful to separate tarot reading from mediumship.

• Tarot reading focuses on interpreting symbolic imagery and archetypes to gain insight or advice. It’s often a dialogue between the reader and the client (or oneself), grounded in intuition or introspection.

• Mediumship involves direct communication with spirits—such as the deceased, guides, or other entities. It may include hearing voices, seeing visions, or receiving messages that are passed on to the client.

Some mediums use tarot cards to focus their intuition, but not all tarot readers are mediums. In fact, most aren’t. Tarot doesn’t automatically summon spirits any more than a journal summons spirits when you write in it.

4. Religious and Cultural Beliefs About Spirits and Tarot

Many religious traditions warn against tarot, claiming it opens a door to the spiritual realm—and possibly dangerous entities.

a. Christianity

Conservative Christian groups often cite scriptures like Deuteronomy 18:10–12, which warns against divination, spiritism, and communicating with the dead. They believe tarot invites demonic forces, even unintentionally.

Some pastors teach that using tarot—even for fun or self-help—can attract evil spirits because it falls under forbidden spiritual practices. In this view, tarot is not neutral. It’s considered spiritually risky.

b. Islam

Islam generally prohibits fortune-telling and divination, including practices like tarot. Engaging in these practices is seen as haram (forbidden) and could open the soul to unwanted spiritual influences.

c. Indigenous and Afro-diasporic beliefs

Some spiritual traditions, such as Vodou, Santería, or traditional African religions, do believe in spirit communication—but tarot is not typically the main tool. These cultures may have different divinatory methods, such as bones, shells, or ancestor work.

In some cases, tarot has been blended with spiritual practices, but with intentional ritual protection and clear distinctions between divination and spirit summoning.

5. The Role of Intention and Belief

In spiritual matters, intention plays a powerful role.

If someone believes that tarot is a way to contact spirits—and actively tries to use it for that purpose—they may open themselves up to spiritual experiences. This doesn’t necessarily mean spirits are objectively present. But their belief and focus may create a strong psychological or energetic environment that feels real.

Conversely, if someone sees tarot as a symbolic or psychological tool and does not believe in spirits, their experience will likely reflect that. For them, tarot is introspective, not supernatural.

Some spiritual teachers argue that the energy you bring to tarot influences what you get from it. If you approach it with fear, you might attract fear-based outcomes. If you approach it with curiosity and respect, your experience may be enlightening and safe.

6. Can Spirits Hijack a Tarot Reading?

Some people worry that spirits—especially negative ones—can hijack a tarot reading.

Stories circulate online and in spiritual communities about people who experienced strange phenomena after using tarot: flickering lights, bad dreams, eerie sensations, or even feeling watched. While these accounts are compelling, they are largely anecdotal and can often be explained by:

• Suggestion or psychological priming

• Anxiety or fear-based reactions

• Sleep disturbances

• Misattributed coincidences

Still, in traditions that believe in spirits, protection is often advised. Many readers set boundaries by:

• Saying prayers or affirmations before reading

• Using protective crystals (like black tourmaline)

• Cleansing their deck with smoke or salt

• Calling on benevolent forces or guides

These rituals aren’t necessary for everyone—but for those who believe in spirit contact, they serve as energetic safeguards.

7. Psychological Explanations

From a psychological standpoint, tarot is often described as a tool for accessing the subconscious mind.

Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychologist, was fascinated by symbolism, archetypes, and the concept of synchronicity—meaningful coincidences that reveal hidden truths. He didn’t use tarot, but his ideas have strongly influenced modern tarot practice.

Psychologists generally do not believe that tarot cards bring spirits. Instead, they explain strange experiences as the result of:

• Suggestibility

• Projection of unconscious thoughts

• Emotional transference

• Stress or imagination

Tarot, in this view, works because it helps people reflect on their lives—not because spirits are moving the cards.

8. Paranormal and New Age Beliefs

In New Age circles, beliefs about spirits vary widely. Some practitioners believe in:

• Spirit guides who offer protection and insight

• Ancestors who offer wisdom

• Energy beings or interdimensional entities

Tarot is sometimes used in these communities as a tool for connecting with such beings—but usually in a controlled, respectful way.

It’s worth noting that even within the spiritual community, there's a strong emphasis on discernment. Just because someone uses tarot doesn’t mean they’re inviting any and every spirit. Responsible practitioners set clear intentions, boundaries, and protections.

9. Real-World Experiences: Do People Actually Encounter Spirits?

There are thousands of personal stories online from people who claim to have encountered spirits while using tarot. Some say they received messages from deceased loved ones. Others describe sudden chills, unexplained noises, or vivid dreams after a reading.

However, these experiences are subjective and vary widely. For every story of spirit contact, there are many more from people who have used tarot for decades with no paranormal events at all.

Whether these experiences are real, imagined, or symbolic depends on your worldview. To believers, they are proof that tarot can bridge worlds. To skeptics, they are psychological or emotional reactions.

Conclusion: It Depends on You

So, can tarot cards bring spirits?

The answer is: It depends on what you believe and how you use them.

• If you view tarot as a spiritual tool and try to contact spirits with it, you might have experiences that feel like spirit communication.

• If you treat tarot as a mirror for your thoughts, symbols for your journey, or a creative exercise, it’s unlikely you’ll experience anything paranormal.

• If you approach tarot with fear or without boundaries, you might feel unsettled—not because of spirits, but because of your mindset.

Tarot is not inherently a doorway to the spirit world. But in spiritual and psychological terms, it can be a doorway to deeper parts of yourself—and that journey may feel mystical.

Like any tool, tarot reflects the energy, intention, and belief of the user. Used wisely, it can be a powerful source of insight and inspiration. Used carelessly or fearfully, it can stir up confusion or anxiety.

Ultimately, the question isn’t just whether tarot can bring spirits—but whether you want it to.

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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.