I know this has probably been asked before, but it still puzzles me. I think tarot can be accurate, especially if the reader (or you) is really intuitive about what they’re seeing. But sometimes, I feel like the card descriptions don’t always fit when predicting the future.
For example, a while back, I kept getting the Page of Cups as the outcome of a relationship. By the book, it seemed like a positive sign, like an offer of love or something. But deep down, I knew it meant he was going to meet someone new.
Has anyone else had this happen? How much do you trust the textbook meanings of the cards versus your own gut feeling when it comes to predicting the future? I find it’s easier to read cards about the present because you know what’s going on in your life right now.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! 
In your opinion, are tarot card reading true?
- Windows
I think a hallmark of a good tarot reader is taking the “textbook” definition of the card and combining it with their intuition and the rest of the spread to craft a meaningful message.
Take your example—the “textbook” definition of the Page of Cups is a romantic offer. Your intuition told you that this romantic offer would be for someone else, not you. This interpretation doesn’t invalidate the textbook definition; it actually supports it. The skill in the reading came from identifying how the Page of Cups would play out in your specific situation, and you did that perfectly.
Tarot doesn’t predict the future—your brain does. One of the brain’s main functions is to use its vast life experiences to predict what might happen next. For example, when you see a chair and decide to sit in it, your brain makes countless micro predictions to ensure it’s safe (the chair won’t break, it’s clean, etc.). We’re not aware of these tiny decisions, but they’re happening.
That gut feeling of “this feels right but I can’t explain why” is intuition. It’s your brain tapping into all your stored memories, which your conscious mind can’t fully access. Tarot cards don’t predict anything by themselves, but they can help your intuition tap into that stored data, acting like a creative prompt.
So, while I believe tarot aids in divination and predicting the future, the cards are just tools. The real magic happens in your brain.
As for me, I don't think tarot can help you foretell the future. In my view, it simply does not fit the bill.
Using a tarot card to foretell my future seems weird to me. Our futures aren't fixed in stone because, in my opinion, we make them.
On the other hand, I believe divination tools like tarot and oracle cards might help us better understand the options we have. They provide a new viewpoint and assist us in investigating possible results. 
Regardless of external factors, I firmly think that everyone of us is the ultimate master of our own destinies. In the end, it's our decision.
We can gain a clearer view of things and make wiser choices going forward with the guidance of a good tarot reading. 
Hi, there!
Textbook prediction is shallow. Trust your intuition, interpret cards in the context of the overall picture of a spread, and rely on your own meanings and perceptions of the Arcana.
For example, my friend sees The Lovers as a symbol of paradise, making it a great card for love readings that shows harmony in relationships—never cheating, never choices. For me, it’s a tricky card that often means choices, seduction, or love triangles rather than a happy couple.
Another example is the King of Pentacles. Many readers on TikTok see him as a generous businessman and a dream husband. For me, he’s more of a Scrooge—wealthy but greedy.
When it comes to predicting the future, some big things like war, disease, and death are unavoidable. But there are many more little things that depend solely on your actions. I had a querent ask if his export license would be ready before a certain date. The cards were positive, so I said yes. But then he decided to apply for the license later and claimed the prediction was inaccurate! Like, man, you altered the course of events. If you didn’t apply for the license, how could it possibly have been ready?
So, trust your intuition and remember that your actions play a huge role in how things turn out.
- Windows
GraceM
Hey there!
Your point of view is completely understandable. Many people find this subject perplexing, and it does arise frequently. Having a strong intuitive sense of what the cards represent can greatly enhance the accuracy of tarot readings. When trying to foretell the future, nevertheless, the conventional card interpretations don't always work. A combination of intuition and textbook interpretations is, in my opinion, crucial. Your intuition adapts the reading to the particular scenario, building on textbook definitions. I put a lot of faith in my intuition when making predictions about the future because it draws on a more nuanced comprehension of the situation than what the cards can reveal on their own. Because you are cognizant of your existing situation, it is simpler to understand how the cards relate while doing a reading for the present. However, going forward, trusting your gut feelings might help you make sense of the card based on its traditional interpretation as well as your own unique circumstances. Your intuition is correct, so go with it. They play a significant role and can provide you with a more precise and tailored interpretation.
This might be helpful!