At a recent talk, I said I was on a crusade to change the general public’s perception of Tarot, so it was seen in a positive light. I explained that I believed it was time to look at Tarot from a fresh angle. And I suggested that for Tarot to become accepted in the wider world, we had to leave behind the ‘spooky’ concepts and see it as a practical tool helping us with choices in life.

Here’s my prediction about Tarot itself: In the near future I see people showing greater acceptance of Tarot in the coming years. This has already begun, and here are some of the reasons why this has eventuated:

• There are great books available these days, so beginners can learn from appropriate teachers. Authors like Paul Fenton-Smith, Mary K. Greer, and Rachel Pollack write books that look at Tarot from a practical, down-to-earth perspective. This is the future of Tarot — good sources of information for enquiring minds.
• There are also wonderful websites devoted to an exploration of Tarot and its symbols. If you dig deep enough, you’ll come up with some useful sites promoting Tarot as a way of learning about your true self, and as a way of using the cards to provide guidance for those who need direction.
• There are reputable groups such as the Tarot Guild of Australia, and The Tarot Group of South Australia, which have a huge focus on the development of your Tarot skills, and for using Tarot in an ethical manner.

What does this mean for Tarot in the future?

• In the next few years I believe there will be more Tarot groups forming (online and in the real world) to share information and to provide a support network for people who are beginners.
• I see more people coming together to promote Tarot for self development.
• People will be more aware of their options for learning Tarot.
• More Tarot cards and books will be found in mainstream bookshops.
• Tarot is going to be presented in the media in a more acceptable manner.

Some of these changes have already begun. Listed below are some recent examples…

• Dior have released a series of handbags featuring Tarot imagery.
• An Australian wine company (Alpha Box & Dice) produce a series of bottles called ‘Tarot Grenache’ showing themes relating to the Death card. On the bottle they give the explanation: “The card that has the face of death – fear? No! Let the changes sweep over you, like the blade cuts away dead wood to allow fresh fruit to spring forth.”
• There is a game for Playstation called ‘Persona 4’ featuring the archetypes from the Major Arcana.
• There’s a mainstream novel called ‘Eight of Swords’ by David Skibbins. It’s part of a murder mystery series called ‘The Tarot Card Mysteries’ where a Tarot card reader discovers his readings have become very accurate and he has to help solve the crime!
• Amber Petty is a columnist with The Advertiser newspaper, and one of her blog posts is all about Tarot. She wrote, “I’ve totally and utterly fallen in love with the mysterious and wonderful world of the Tarot.”
• In 2019 an Australian radio host (Jackie O) gave a Tarot reading live on air. Her explanation for each card’s meaning was insightful and I was impressed by her card reading skills.
• On a TV show called ‘The View’, Whoopi Goldberg had a Tarot reader come in and do a three card reading for her. They talked about how the cards worked and the reader explained each card as it turned up in the spread.
• Other TV shows featuring Tarot in one or more episodes are…Xena the Warrior Princess, Mad Men, Torchwood, Criminal Minds, The Young and the Restless, The Simpsons, Monk, Buffy, Charmed, NCIS, X-Files, True Blood, Bones, and many more!

As people become accustomed to seeing Tarot in a positive role on television shows and in other forms of mainstream media, the general public will become more accepting. They will finally realise that Tarot is a handy option for becoming aware of future possibilities, rather than being something to fear or ridicule.

I also know of psychologists, counsellors, and business coaches who use Tarot in therapy sessions and as a motivational tool. As their clients become used to these techniques, hopefully they will feel inclined to explore Tarot as a guide for other areas of their lives as well!

In the next few years I see the general public embracing Tarot as a vibrant, powerful, and contemporary method for personal awareness. It will be recognised by mainstream society as a positive technique for guidance, and a useful tool for making effective choices in everyday situations. It will be acknowledged as an authentic means for insight. The Tarot revolution has begun, and I hope you’ll join me in spreading the word.

Viva la revolution!