Is Tarot Evil? Dispelling the Myths

The Question: Is Tarot Evil?

It’s one of the most common questions people ask when first encountering tarot cards: “Is tarot evil?” The fear is understandable. From horror movies to cautionary religious tales, tarot is often painted as a sinister gateway to dark forces.

But is that reputation deserved? Or is it rooted in misunderstanding?

A Brief History of Tarot: Not Born in Darkness

Tarot began in 15th-century Italy as an elaborate playing card game for nobles called trionfi, later evolving into the game of tarocchi. It wasn’t until the 18th century that tarot started being linked to mystical practices, thanks to occult writers who saw the cards as a symbolic key to spiritual truths.

In other words: tarot didn’t start as a tool of witches and demons. It started as entertainment—only later becoming a mirror for the psyche and a map for spiritual exploration.

Where Did the “Evil” Label Come From?

1. Cultural and Religious Bias

Many Western religious traditions warn against divination, often without distinguishing between harmful practices and personal reflection. Because tarot is commonly (though not always accurately) labeled as “fortune-telling,” it has been lumped into categories considered off-limits.

2. Pop Culture and Horror Tropes

Hollywood loves to cast tarot readers as eerie mystics predicting doom. Think ominous readings in dim candlelight, the Death card appearing just before tragedy strikes. It’s dramatic—but misleading.

3. Projection of Fear

Tarot’s images tap into deep archetypes: Death, the Devil, the Tower. These are not evil forces—they’re symbols of transformation, temptation, and sudden change. When we fear these concepts, it’s easy to project that fear onto the cards themselves.

So What Is Tarot, Really?

Tarot is simply a structured set of symbols—78 cards rich in archetype and metaphor. It’s not inherently “occult” in the dark sense; it’s a tool. Much like a mirror, it reflects back to you what’s already within.

• The Devil card? Often about facing unhealthy attachments, not actual demons.
• Death? Usually signifies endings and new beginnings, not literal mortality.
• The Tower? A dramatic shake-up that clears the way for truth.

Tarot doesn’t force outcomes. It helps you see patterns, explore subconscious drives, and spark intuitive insight.

What Do Practitioners Say?

• Rachel Pollack, respected tarot scholar, writes:

“Tarot does not predict a fixed future. It reveals the energies at play and helps us to align with our deeper truths.”

• Mary K. Greer, another leading voice in tarot, puts it simply:

“Tarot is a book of wisdom disguised as a pack of cards.”

Neither suggests tarot is an evil channel—rather, it’s a creative and psychological one.

The Real “Danger” of Tarot

The greatest risk is misunderstanding. If approached with fear, superstition, or a need for black-and-white answers, tarot can become a crutch for anxiety. But used wisely, it becomes a conversation with your inner self—prompting you to think, feel, and grow.

Tarot does not invite dark forces unless you bring fear-fueled projections to it. Like any symbolic language, it amplifies what you carry inside.

So… Is Tarot Evil?

No. Tarot is not evil. It has no inherent moral charge. It’s a deck of printed images that becomes meaningful through your intuition and interpretation. If anything, it is a powerful ally in the pursuit of wisdom, perspective, and self-trust.