When you dive deep into the world of tarot, there are many intricacies and mysteries to explore.
One question that often comes up for enthusiasts is: can tarot cards get tired? While at first it might seem like an odd question (after all, they’re just cards, right?), there’s more to consider than meets the eye.
We also have readers ask us whether it’s normal to get tired after they do a tarot reading. This is super interesting to me considering this did in fact happen to me a while back for a period of time.
So let’s discuss this topic in detail and give some clear answers! Remember, the world of tarot is fairly subjective and personal, this may or may not resonate with you and that’s completely okay!
Tarot cards can definitely become drained or tired if frequently used in intense emotional readings. While the cards likely can’t get physically tired, their spiritual energy can certainly take a hit.
Can Tarot Cards Themselves Get Tired?
🌘 Physical Wear and Tear
From a literal standpoint, tarot cards can show signs of wear and tear with regular use. The edges might fray, the colors might fade, and they could bend or crease. While this doesn’t mean they’re “tired” in a traditional sense, it’s evidence of their frequent use and the energy they’ve absorbed.
🌗 Energetic Perspective
On an energetic level, many believe that tarot cards can accumulate energy from readings and their surroundings. If a deck is used frequently, especially for heavy or emotional readings, some tarot enthusiasts believe they can become “saturated” with energy and may need a break to return to their natural state.
Understanding the Energy Behind Tarot
🌖 A Tool for Intuition
Tarot cards are, at their core, tools for tapping into our intuition and the universe’s messages. They channel the energy of the moment, the reader, and the person being read for.
🌕 Energetic Residue
Each reading can leave an energetic imprint on the cards. Over time, and especially if you’re delving into emotionally charged topics, this can accumulate. Think of it like footprints in the sand; the more footprints, the less you can see of the original smooth surface.
Can You Get Tired from Tarot Readings?
Absolutely! Reading tarot can be mentally, emotionally, and energetically taxing.
🌔 Emotional Drain
Connecting with the cards and interpreting their messages requires a lot of mental focus. If you’re doing readings that touch on deep emotional issues, it can be draining.
🌓 Energetic Exchange
Each reading involves an exchange of energy between the reader, the querent, and the cards. Like any energetic exchange, it can be tiring if not managed properly.
Why You Might Feel Tired After Specific Readings
🌒 Tackling Tough Topics
If you’re exploring topics of trauma, loss, or significant life changes, the emotional toll can be particularly heavy. Remember, tarot readings often bring hidden emotions to the surface.
🌑 High Energy Querents
Some querents bring a lot of energy with them, either due to their personal energy levels or the nature of their questions. Reading for such individuals can sometimes leave you feeling zapped.
Do Your Tarot Cards Need Rest?
🌘 Clearing and Cleansing
After heavy or frequent readings, it’s a good practice to cleanse your tarot cards. This can be done using methods like smudging with sage, placing them under moonlight, or using crystals.
🌗 Taking a Break
Just as you might need a day off after a lot of work, giving your tarot cards a break can help reset their energy. Store them in a quiet, clean space, preferably wrapped in a cloth or in their box.
🌖 Intuitive Check-ins
Trust your intuition. If you feel your cards are “off” or not giving clear readings, it might be a sign they need a breather.
Do Certain Tarot Cards Have More Energy Attached to Them?
🌕 Equal Energy, Differing Significance
In essence, all tarot cards carry the same potential energy. It’s important to remember that tarot cards are tools that help us tap into our intuition and the energies around us. It’s not the cards themselves that have energy but rather the meaning and significance we assign to them based on their imagery and symbolism.
🌔 Major and Minor Arcana
The Tarot deck is divided into the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards often hold more weight in a reading because they’re associated with significant life events and deeper spiritual lessons. On the other hand, the Minor Arcana cards deal with everyday situations and are typically viewed as less intense. However, the ‘energy’ of a card can also be perceived as heavier or lighter based on the querent’s personal experience and the context of the reading.
🌓 The Energy of Specific Cards
Some tarot cards, like the Death card, the Tower, or the Devil, might feel heavier due to the significant changes, disruptions, or challenges they represent. Similarly, cards like the Sun, the Star, or the Ace of Cups might seem to have a more light-hearted energy as they’re associated with positivity, hope, and new beginnings. This perception of energy isn’t intrinsic to the cards themselves but rather a reflection of the reader and the querent’s interpretation and emotional reaction to the cards.
🌒 Personal Associations
Everyone has cards they resonate with more or less based on personal experiences, beliefs, and intuition. You might find that certain cards consistently hold more ‘energy’ for you. This connection could be because the cards are reflecting something within your own energy or life experience, adding a personal layer to their traditional interpretations.
A Personal Experience: The Weight of a Difficult Reading
Alright, let’s get a bit personal…
I remember a particular reading that left me feeling quite drained. I thought of this the other day and is actually what prompted me to create this post.
Anyway, back to the story.
The reading was for a friend who had been going through a tough time and was struggling to find a sense of direction. They asked me to do a reading to gain some clarity and guidance.
We decided on a Celtic Cross spread, and right from the start, the energy was heavy. The first card I pulled was the Tower, a card that often signifies sudden upheaval and change. It’s a challenging card, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life.
The central theme of the reading revolved around significant transformation, and the subsequent cards reinforced this theme. There was the Death card, symbolizing endings and new beginnings, and the Ten of Swords, often associated with painful endings or deep emotional pain.
As I interpreted the cards, I could feel the intensity of my friend’s emotions. The palpable anxiety and sadness hanging in the air seemed to seep into the cards and the space around us. Each card I turned over felt like a weight adding to this energetic load. I was not just reading the cards; I was experiencing my friend’s emotional journey with them. It was an intimate and profound experience, but it was also exhausting.
When the reading was over, I found myself feeling emotionally and energetically drained. My friend left with some much-needed insight and a lighter heart, but I was left feeling heavy, like I was carrying remnants of their burdens within me.
Reflecting on this, I think the combination of my friend’s potent emotions and the themes of the tarot cards led to this exhaustion. I was channeling a lot of energy, interpreting the powerful symbols of the Tower, Death, and the Ten of Swords, and simultaneously holding space for my friend’s emotional processing. It was a reminder that tarot reading is not just about understanding card meanings, but also about managing energy and emotions.
I’ve since learned the importance of grounding myself before and after readings, and I regularly cleanse my tarot deck to ensure I’m not carrying over any residual energy from intense readings like this one. It’s a crucial part of my practice now, a lesson learned from an exhausting, yet enlightening, experience.
Last Thoughts
In conclusion, while tarot cards aren’t living beings that tire in the way we do, there’s a shared consensus among many tarot enthusiasts that cards, and readers alike, can benefit from periods of rest and rejuvenation. It’s all about balance, understanding, and connection. So, the next time you feel a sense of heaviness after a reading, or you think your cards might be energetically saturated, don’t hesitate to take a step back, recharge, and let your cards do the same. After all, self-care is a two-way street in the world of tarot!