Do You Need to Be Psychic to Read Tarot Cards?

Rickida Robinson
2026-04-07T14:30:25-04:00

Many people believe you need to be psychic to read tarot cards, but that is not entirely true. Tarot is less about having special abilities and more about understanding symbolism, intuition, and life experiences. In this post, we break down what tarot really is and what you actually need to start reading the cards with confidence.

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Many people believe you need to see spirits, have prophesying dreams, and look into a crystal ball to be considered a tarot reader. The truth may surprise you. The truth is we are all able to tap into our psychic abilities. Some are just a bit better at it than others. Let’s break down what tarot really is and what you really need to read those cards.

What is Tarot?

I went into what tarot will do and what it will not do for yourself and or others, but what is tarot exactly? Tarot is a spiritual intelligence system of cards filled with the mysteries and wonders of life experiences. It has signs and symbols and also uses colors. Its origin has been long debated, and maybe one day I can go on a journey to do some research. I would love to figure that one out.

Looking across Tarot de Marseille, Rider Waite, and Thoth systems, they may not agree one hundred percent on the origin, but they all made sure each system has seventy eight cards in the deck. The deck is split into two different arcanas. I could not find Arcana in my Merriam Webster Dictionary, but I did find Arcane, which means secret and mysterious. Tarot is split into major and minor secrets and mysteries. Things that are hidden to the eye but are still there.

The Major Arcana shows us the different phases one goes through, from the heavens to earth and back again. Starting over at The Fool and moving to its completion at The World, then repeating indefinitely. Each card represents an archetype in society or major life experiences.

The Minor Arcana is broken down into suits based on the four elements. Wands represent fire. Cups represent water. Swords represent air. Pentacles represent earth.

I will get more into this at a later date, but just know that these cards are conduits of your energy and hold human life experiences, both major and minor, illustrated by those who have gone on spiritual journeys to create them. That is what I admire most about those capable of creating tarot decks. They understood the assignment. Were all these people able to hone their psychic abilities? I have no idea. But they were able to get the cards just right to give the message of the secrets they represent.

What People Think Psychic Means

Growing up watching the tv show “That’s So Raven,” the theme song tells what many millennials thought being psychic meant for a long time. Seeing the future, going on a mission to stop bad things from happening, only for it to happen anyway or get worse because she only saw a glimpse. She did not understand what led up to the event. She did not know if it was meant to happen or not. She also had to help people without them knowing she had these abilities.

This was a great Hollywood representation of what being psychic could look like, but it made it seem like she was the only one. Like she was a superhuman with extraordinary powers. In reality, everyone has the ability to strengthen and use their intuition.

So Do You Need to Be Psychic?

The real question is do you need strong psychic abilities? No, you do not. It can help strengthen your readings, your accuracy, and your overall experience, but it is not required.

The reality is some people have not learned what they are capable of. We all have this within us. We may have forgotten, but it is still there, deep within us.

We all have intuitive abilities. That gut feeling when something is off. I know you have felt that before. Some may have felt a chill in a place that did not match the temperature. Ever finished someone’s sentence because you knew exactly what they were thinking? Or had a dream that later played out in real life?

I started journaling my dreams as a teenager, and it strengthened my intuitive abilities. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to better understand messages from their subconscious.

Practice builds confidence. Trusting your intuition is something you learn over time. It is not something that just appears overnight. Your intuition is something you build. However, you do not need to master this to read tarot. Tarot can be learned like a language. You study it, see it, hear it, and eventually speak it. Tarot works the same way.

What You Actually Need to Read Tarot

Reading tarot may seem complicated when you first open your deck. That is okay. Sit with the cards and study each one. Take a day for each card if you need to. Do not rush it.

When I first started, I would shuffle an oracle deck each day and ask, “What do I need to know today?” Once I received my card, I would write it down and freestyle whatever came to mind. This was my introduction to reading cards.

Eventually I moved into tarot. The first deck I used was not ideal for learning, but it forced me to read intuitively. You can do the same.

If you feel unsure, choose a system to learn. Many people start with Rider Waite, and I did as well. Other systems include Thoth and Tarot de Marseille. I find Rider Waite to be the easiest to start with.

Be open to the messages you feel, hear, or see in your mind as you pull your cards. You can even interview your deck to understand its energy.

Also, cleanse your deck. This is important. These cards have been handled during manufacturing. Clearing that energy matters.

Give yourself grace while learning tarot. It is not something you master overnight. No matter what you see online, you cannot fully learn seventy eight cards in one hour. Take your time and truly understand what each card represents.

Create a calm environment. Sit somewhere quiet. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Ask for clarity and intuitive strength. Be open to receiving it.

The Difference Between a Reader and a Professional

There are two types of people who pick up tarot. One is the reader who studies the meanings and uses keywords, colors, and symbols. This is where most people start. There is nothing wrong with this.

Even professionals started here.

A professional tarot reader goes deeper. We still understand the meanings, but we also use intuition. We notice patterns, body language in the cards, and how everything connects. We read the entire spread, not just individual cards.

We trust what comes through and communicate it clearly.

Anyone can read tarot, but how deep the reading goes is what separates the two. Neither is better than the other. Everyone starts somewhere.

When You Should Get a Reading Instead

If you are a reader and feel stuck, it may be time to get a reading from a professional.

Sometimes emotions get involved, and it becomes hard to see clearly. That is part of being human. In those moments, having someone on the outside look in can bring clarity.

If you need answers quickly or your situation feels complex, a professional reading can help you see the full picture and move forward with confidence.

If you are in need of clarity on your situation, you can book a personal reading here. I only take a limited number of readings each day, so get yours today.