The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings
Tarot Card Meanings

How Long is a Tarot Reading ‘Valid’ For?

by Brigit on May 11, 2010

Oftentimes, clients want to know when they will get married, have children, get rich, etc. – all events which may occur now or far into the future. However, can a Tarot reading really ‘predict’ what will occur 2 months, 2 years or even 22 years down the track? In this blog post, I want to spend some time thinking about how long a Tarot reading is actually ‘valid’ for, or how far into the future it can ‘see’.

Let’s start with the short answer. Having read various Tarot blog and forum posts, the general consensus is that a Tarot reading is valid for six to twelve months. No doubt this takes into account that life changes along the way, and that six to twelve months is a reasonable amount of time for these changes to occur. However, this does seem quite generalistic.

The long answer – it all depends!

In my opinion, a Tarot reading reads on present conditions to determine the likely path ahead. However, those conditions can change. There may be changes outside of the client’s control, such as global events (volcanic ash clouds?!) or the actions of third parties, that then change the course of the client. Or, the client themselves may exercise their free will and make changes to improve the outcomes in their own life, particularly if current circumstances are likely to lead to negative or undesirable consequences. So, in both these cases, a Tarot reading that has been conducted now may only be ‘valid’ until these major changes have occurred. Once the changes have occurred, then the present circumstances have changed and so too has the message of the Tarot reading. Nonetheless, I still believe that there will be certain messages that will still hold true no matter what changes have occurred, particularly around the Major Arcana Tarot cards which speak of longer-term and more permanent influences.

I suppose the opposing view to this is that our future is predetermined, and no matter what we do or what action we take, we are all on a set path. (This is very much like the movie, Final Destination!) In this case, a Tarot reading is valid for a longer period of time and is not dependent on any actions taken by the client to improve their life circumstances. Personally, I find this disempowering and fatalistic. It suggests that we cannot make any positive changes in our lives to avoid potentially negative consequences. That’s not me at all!

So, if you are reading the Tarot cards for others, think about your position on how long the Tarot reading is valid for. Consider whether you are a believer of free will or a predetermined future, and the impact this will have on the advice you give to your Tarot clients.

Depending on your personal stance, there are many implications for your Tarot readings. Consider how you will respond when your client asks you questions such as, “When will I get married?” or “When will I have children?” What will you advise your client who asks for a second or third reading on a similar topic within a short amount of time? How will you explain your Tarot reading to a client who tells you that, when another Tarot reader read for them, they got a completely different message? Be prepared to have an open discussion with your clients about how far into the future the Tarot cards can ‘see’ and what your personal views are. All of these components will help you become a better Tarot reader.

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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Barbara December 13, 2010 at 8:24 pm

I had a tarot card reading done in September 2009 and none of what was predicted happened, but 12 months after the reading things are starting to happen with what was predicted in the Tarot card reading I had done over a year ago. So as a client I would have to agree that the Tarot card does look further into the future and does not necessarily give immediate future predictions but does look at the bigger picture in your life. I have to say I am a huge believer in free will but I it. also believe if Destiny wishes us to experience something no matter how hard we try we will end up experiencing it. It all depends on which route we take (sliding doors the movie)

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Biddy_Tarot December 19, 2010 at 2:25 pm

Hi Barbara,
Thanks for sharing this great, personal example of how a reading can be relevant even in years to come and how destiny plays a role, in tandem with free will.
Biddy

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EsraC. January 12, 2011 at 3:19 pm

Whenever i make a reading for myself ,mine is valid about 3-6 months but one my best friend,she always get the ‘reading occur’ within one week or something.
Do you think ‘Hanged Man’ makes the timing longer?
Just a night after i met him,made a Celtic Cross Spread -as whats gonna happen w/him.
Somehow, i only remember these 3 cards:
Crossing card(2nd) :The Fool
Near Future (6th) :Hanged Man.
Far Future (10th) :Knight of Cups.
Result: after almost 2 months : I feel like a ‘Hanged fool
” collapsed for that ‘knight’ :-)
Nothing happened since.I attempted to talk to him once he broke my heart,refused me and developed a grudge against him.
I am still trying to get over this heart ache ,probably then my “Knight” will appear in my life.

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Biddy_Tarot January 13, 2011 at 6:38 am

Hi Esra,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think you’re right – there are some cards which would indicate that there may be delays, such as the Hanged Man, Death reversed, Eight of Wands reversed, and Three of Wands reversed. On the flipside, there are a number of cards which could indicate that events may occur more quickly than anticipated, such as the Eight of Wands.
With your reading example, I would see the Knight of Cups as a potential new suitor, rather than the guy you were asking about. Watch this space, huh?!
Biddy

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Esra January 25, 2011 at 8:52 am

Hi Biddy,
Thank you for your reply.
I am also counting on “picking the same card” several times for the same question.
The day i got heart-broken, i picked “five of cups” three times for -whats gonna happen if i go to talk.And it did happen!
I would believe the same about potential new suitor but not only it will take same time,i also need to let something-someone go to get this new “chance”. Thats what “Hanged Man” suggesting sometimes.
It still better to wait as a hanged man than feeling like a fool :-)

Thank you for your e-book i bought,its really helpful.

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Angela December 12, 2011 at 4:59 am

Hi Biddy, I’ve had a number of telephone and face to face tarot readings and nothing has ever started to happen for at least 2 years. Although when I speak to a reader to they talk as if the the event is happening in the present time and dont believe me when I say none of the previous readings have started to come true till 2 years later.

When e.g. they mention that an exboyfriend will be in touch in a week, I wait and wait and low and behold a year later still nothin! The same with jobs, I’ve been told for three years now that I will get a new job early next year, this reading was done in october 2008, I was told this new job would come around 2009. I’ve applied for new jobs but still nothing. Im hoping this new job will be early 2012.

So as a client I would believe that timing is never as exact as is stated unless you’re able to give the reader details, e.g. if you are married and when you got married, or if you moved and when, then a reader might be more able to give accurate timings on a reading.

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Biddy_Tarot December 12, 2011 at 8:01 am

Hi Angela. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences with the cards and timelines. And good advice about not being overly specific or focused on timelines. Brigit

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Seema April 26, 2012 at 4:53 am

Hi,

I have recently gone for a tarot card reading regarding my relationship, I got an opposite feedback to what I wanted for.. Donno, Some how I want to go for another one may be i can get a hope… So wanted to ask…. Does 2nd time tarot reading helps and is effective…If yes , do we need to have some time gap between them..

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Brigit April 26, 2012 at 6:32 pm

Seema, you will probably get a similar message. I would suggest working with what you have already received from the Tarot and thinking about what actions you can put in place to improve your situation. Re-reading the cards for the answer you want isn’t really an effective way to use the Tarot. Remember, it’s about seeking insight and truth. You can still derive hope, but from working with the messages of the cards that were dealt in your reading.
Hope this helps, Brigit

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