How long does it take for a tarot reading to come true?


When a person comes out of a tarot reading, they are often filled with positivity and eager to know if the future events play out like it was suggested. Many are wondering – how long does it take for a tarot reading to come true?

The average opinion in several Tarot communities is that Tarot readings are valid for 9 months. Tarot readings can offer possible scenarios of how the future might play out, but the person seeking chooses which path they desire and impose their free will on the actions they take. 

That, of course, is a rounded number, but it all depends on many factors. All readers will have their own opinions on this, so it is impossible to give a definite answer. Also, different topics discussed all have various timelines. To provide some insight into what happens after a Tarot reading, and weather, we can change the outcome of our readings, I will share some of my experiences. Let’s take a look.

What happens after a Tarot reading? 

When I came out of my first Tarot reading, I was feeling vibrantly positive. I felt almost enlightened by the dazzling possibilities that were presented. I couldn’t wait to see if the Tarot reading played out as my reader had interpreted it. 

As I was feeling positively anxious, I just had to turn back and ask my reader one more question: how long should I expect to wait for these things to happen? 

My reader told me calmly that I need to allow some time to let my reading resonate within me and allow the changes to occur.

I will always be grateful for him taking the extra time to explain a few things for me. He told me that I should take into account what type of cards were showing up in my reading. 

He explained that Minor Arcana cards represent the more day to day events and relationships in our lives. The changes in our day to day experience can occur rapidly. 

Major Arcana cards represent bigger stages in our life, like going to college, getting married, or taking a mortgage. These types of occurrences don’t usually happen overnight. They might take months or sometimes even years to arrive.   

He also reminded me that everyone has free will, so I will be in control of what actions I choose to take and what scenarios I allow to play out. If the options presented in the reading don’t resonate, the seeker always has the power to take action so that the outcome is something else. 

This was when I realized that Tarot cards are tools for self-reflection, not fortunetelling. Rather than saying that they are telling definite truths, I acknowledged that they present possibilities. The scenarios allow us to evaluate and interpret the outcomes based on our knowledge and situation in life. 

In the end, we are the ones who have the power to take action and live the life we desire. 

Another thing he stated was that there are occurrences in the world that we have no control over. This really showed up to be true in 2020. 

Imagine if you received a Tarot reading in January of 2020, and the World Tarot card showed up. Everything was pointing to the direction of overseas travel and meeting people from different cultures. Obviously, a few months later, this was a scenario that was no longer valid, even if your whole body desired it. 

Another thing we have no control over is the will of third parties. Sometimes no matter how motivated we are for a change, there might be a third party involved that doesn’t allow for that change to occur. 

How often should I get a Tarot reading?

During my years of visiting my Tarot reader, I have found myself impatient to go to another Tarot reading, especially in times when many things are happening in my life. I tend to have my cards read by another person whenever I need to have some perspective. 

I feel like sometimes my reading experience is so much more than just the Tarot cards showing me possibilities. It’s a chance to connect with another person and look at my personal situation from different perspectives. 

There really isn’t an exact timeframe that you should take between readings, but it’s good to take some time to reflect on your reading and allow changes to occur. 

Even though you didn’t like what you heard, in a way, the reading will encourage you to take action to prevent that scenario from happening. 

If you rush to another reading too often, you might leave yourself confused and not finish the steps you need to take. Allow yourself to get to the destination you wanted to go before running to another reader for a second opinion. 

Another thing we should remember is that the readings rarely just play out without taking any action. Instead of waiting for something to happen, or asking another reader for an explanation, you need to go and get it. 

Don’t expect the universe to give you things on a platter. Sometimes it might, but most of the time, you need to work for your goals to realize. 

What if my Tarot reading didn’t Come True?

I have found myself asking this from my reader and Tarot mentor. After openly discussing, we found several reasons why this could happen. 

Firstly, it could be that I was being impatient with the changes to happen. Had I allowed myself the time to let changes occur? Were the events indicated significant, or was the reading showing mostly Major Arcana cards. Major things take more time to realize. 

Secondly, I hadn’t taken action. Nowadays, I don’t expect anything to happen if I don’t take action and responsibility for my life. 

So if a Tarot reading allows you to see an event that you see positive. Think about what you need to do to get into that outcome. If it is a new exciting job, there is a slight chance that somebody might offer it to you, but I wouldn’t allow myself to wait for too long. I would send CVs to positions that excite me. 

If the reading was indicating that you would meet someone nice. Nobody will come to get you from your couch. You need to allow the chance to happen. Get out there and make yourself available to as many possibilities as possible.

Thirdly, I hadn’t understood the reading correctly, or I was so eager to hear what I wanted to hear? Sometimes we are so fixated on one view of the possible outcomes that we don’t allow ourselves to see other perspectives. It’s good to reflect a moment on the reading and go through what actually was the message there. 

Fourth, sometimes the events out of our control change. The most recent one of these is the virus that is going around. It changed a lot of circumstances around the world and but ourselves in a new world era. The old normal changed to the new normal. The world travel as we knew it might never be the same. 

Fifth, the reader’s connection isn’t always right, which causes us not to accept the interpretation. Sometimes it just is that we don’t connect as humans, and the rapport just isn’t there. This, more often with inexperienced readers, and it is totally understandable. It is something that comes with experience. 

Can you change the outcome of a reading?

As you have noticed, I am a believer in free will and using Tarot cards as a tool for introspection. 

Therefore, I believe that Tarot readings are not set in stone, and everyone can change the outcome of a Tarot reading if it doesn’t please them. When something comes up in a Tarot reading, it gives you a chance to contemplate it.  

If it is something you that doesn’t resonate with you, it will provide you with assurance to take action that will take you to another direction. 

We shouldn’t allow ourselves to give the last decision to the cards. We need to be in control and be the captain of our boats. Tarot cards are just a compass to show us the possible paths. We can sail our ships in the direction we desire. 

Let’s look at an example. If you are in a relationship that is not making you happy, and you would like to reflect with a Tarot reading on what to do. You go to a Tarot reading, and it is telling you that there is a possibility that you will take a mortgage together. 

Instead of going to the bank with your partner, you should first reflect on how this would make you feel. Do you want to be more tied to this person? If the answer is no, you can choose to go your separate ways before you make yourself more involved. 

In my opinion, this would be a very accurate and helpful reading. It allows the seeker to evaluate his or her situation and decide their future actions based on that. 

The cards allow us to put ourselves into scenarios that make us reflect. They help us see the future with a clear vision from perspectives that we perhaps hadn’t wondered about. This allows us to take the steps into the desired direction of our future. 

Eliana Sousa

I am a Tarot lover, a student, and a reader. I live in Portugal and enjoy sharing my Tarot discoveries here at TarotFarm.

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