Tarot readings are a form of divination where practitioners seek knowledge and guidance from a deck of cards that have symbolic images and archetypes. It is an ancient practice that originated in 15th century Europe and is now experiencing a revival in popularity. TikTok is a social media app where users create and share short videos, usually around 60 seconds or less. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it has become one of the most popular apps in the world. At first glance, TikTok’s brevity and entertainment focus may seem at odds with the contemplative ritual of tarot reading. However, many TikTok creators have found innovative ways to provide mini-readings and spread tarot knowledge on the platform. This raises the question of whether effective and ethical tarot readings can actually be given on TikTok.
Brief History of Tarot Readings
Tarot cards first appeared in Italy and France in the late 14th century, though the exact origins are unknown. They were used as playing cards similar to modern card decks but with an additional suit of 22 “trump” cards. The trump cards featured symbolic illustrations that later evolved into the Major Arcana cards used for divination (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot).
References to tarot cards being used for occult practices appeared in manuscripts as early as the 15th century. However, using tarot cards specifically for fortune telling and divination did not become popular until the 18th century. Cartomancy, or fortune telling using a standard playing card deck, paved the way for tarot readings to gain acceptance (https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/in-season/2016/tarot).
Interest in the divinatory and esoteric properties of tarot exploded in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Occultists like Antoine Court de Gébelin and Etteilla published their theories linking tarot imagery to ancient Egyptian mysticism, spurring tarot’s association with divination. Tarot readings went mainstream in the 1960s and 1970s with books teaching divination methods.
Brief History of TikTok
TikTok is a video sharing app that was launched in China in September 2016 under the name Douyin. It was created by the Chinese tech company ByteDance as a platform for creating and sharing short videos. Within a year of its launch, Douyin had over 100 million users and 1 billion video views each day in China alone (https://www.businessofapps.com/data/tik-tok-statistics/).
In August 2018, ByteDance launched a version of the app for markets outside of China called TikTok. TikTok quickly became enormously popular with Generation Z users who enjoyed creating and watching the short, entertaining videos on the platform. By early 2019, TikTok had been downloaded over 1 billion times globally and had over 500 million active monthly users (https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users).
A key part of TikTok’s success was its algorithm that quickly learns users’ interests and preferences in order to serve them highly-personalized and engaging content. This creates an addictive experience that keeps users coming back. The app also makes it very easy for users to create and share their own videos, empowering everyday people to become creators.
Challenges of Tarot Readings on TikTok
The short video format of TikTok poses some unique challenges for tarot readers on the platform. Most TikTok videos are only 60 seconds or less, which makes it difficult to provide in-depth analysis during a tarot reading.
Tarot readings typically require the reader to give context about the meaning of the cards, analyze how they relate to the question, and provide guidance based on the interpretation. Condensing this process into a very short video can result in readings that lack nuance or sufficient explanation.
As tarot reader Nera Wells explains in her TikTok video, “a reading is not just about the cards that show up” but requires unpacking the deeper meaning behind them (source). This level of analysis is a challenge in the TikTok format.
Additionally, the fleeting nature of TikTok can make it harder for tarot readers to establish trust and credibility with their audience in the same way as longer-form platforms like YouTube or Instagram. Viewers have very little time to get to know the reader and may be skeptical of their skills or legitimacy.
Overall, while the short video style of TikTok has appeal for quick tarot content, it poses limitations for in-depth readings requiring nuanced analysis from a trusted reader.
Benefits of Tarot Readings on TikTok
TikTok offers some unique benefits for tarot readers looking to reach a wider audience. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok provides access to a massive, primarily young userbase. According to Oberlo, 41% of TikTok users are between 16 and 24 years old. This presents an opportunity for tarot readers to introduce younger generations to the practice.
Additionally, creating tarot content on TikTok has a relatively low barrier to entry. Users don’t need expensive equipment or expertise to start sharing short video readings. The platform makes it simple to get started and build an audience. As noted in The Improbable Appeal of TikTok Tarot, “TikTok’s algorithmic feed has created a radically accessible, egalitarian platform for dabblers and experts alike” (https://www.wired.com/story/the-improbable-appeal-of-tiktok-tarot/).
Finally, the bite-sized video format used on TikTok aligns well with modern media consumption habits. People are now accustomed to digesting information in short snippets. As audience attention spans decrease, TikTok makes it easy to share tarot practices in engaging 60 second readings.
Examples of Popular Tarot Readers
There are several popular and successful tarot readers on TikTok that can serve as models for aspiring readers on the platform. Some examples include:
BehatiLife – With over 4 million followers, BehatiLife (https://www.tiktok.com/@behatilife) is one of the most popular tarot readers on TikTok. She provides daily and weekly tarot readings covering topics like self-care, spirituality, relationships, and more. Her soothing voice, compassionate delivery, and insightful messages make her readings both comforting and empowering.
The Hood Witch – Brittany (@thehoodwitch) has amassed over 1.3 million TikTok followers thanks to her straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to tarot. She tackles heavy topics head-on, like trauma, mental health, and relationships. Her raw honesty helps followers feel heard and understood.
Ask Kimberly – With over 660K followers, Ask Kimberly (@ask.kimberly) provides uplifting and positive tarot readings. She often ties readings back to self-love, confidence building, and finding inner strength. Her warm personality shines through in her videos.
What makes these readers so engaging is their distinct personalities and reading styles. They also showcase their expertise through insightful interpretations, provide actionable guidance, and focus on connecting with viewers in an authentic way.
Tips for Tarot Readers on TikTok
Doing tarot readings on TikTok comes with unique challenges due to the short video format. Here are some tips for tarot readers on how to provide value and build engagement within the constraints of TikTok:
Focus readings on specific questions or themes rather than open, general readings. This allows you to provide targeted insight in a short period of time. For example, offer love, career or self-reflection focused readings.
Explain the meaning and context behind cards as you reveal them instead of just stating what they are. This helps build trust by demonstrating your expertise.
Engage viewers to ask follow-up questions in comments that you can address in future videos. This creates an ongoing dialogue with your audience.
Use concise language to get key insights across quickly and effectively. Time is limited, so get to the main point faster.
Incorporate visuals by showing tarot cards on screen as you speak or using text overlays to highlight key takeaways.
Adopt an educational approach by teaching tarot principles and reading techniques. Short lessons can provide value beyond just doing readings.
Show your personality and reading style to build a connection with viewers. But remain professional and ethical in your approach.
Check out established tarot readers on TikTok like @thehoodwitch and @tarotbybronx for inspiration on best practices.
Ethical Considerations
When conducting tarot readings on TikTok, it’s important for readers to maintain high ethical standards and avoid exploiting or misleading viewers. Some key ethical considerations include:
Avoiding Exploitation: Readers should not use tarot purely for financial gain or to intentionally manipulate viewers. Readings should empower, not exploit. As one TikTok user commented, “Always do readings from a place of care and empowerment” @moonwaterheals.
Managing Expectations: Readers need to be clear that tarot provides guidance, not guarantees. As The Tarot Talk notes, readers should give “intuitive advice” but avoid firm predictions.
Privacy, Consent and Transparency: Readers should be transparent about their skills, get consent before readings, and protect clients’ privacy. As one Reddit user cautioned, doing readings about third parties without their consent is unethical [source].
By keeping these ethical principles in mind, TikTok tarot readers can provide a genuinely helpful service while avoiding common pitfalls.
The Future of Tarot on TikTok
Tarot readings on TikTok are likely to continue growing in popularity. As TikTok expands its user base, more people will be exposed to tarot content on their feeds. According to one source, tarot videos with the hashtag #tarot currently have over 3 billion views on TikTok (1). The short-form video format lends itself well to bite-sized tarot readings. Viewers appreciate the convenience of getting a quick tarot reading from their phone.
The growth of tarot on TikTok may also help expose tarot practices to a wider mainstream audience. As more amateur tarot readers join the platform, the practice could gain legitimacy in popular culture. However, there are concerns that the simplified tarot content on TikTok misrepresents genuine tarot readings. Some worry the spread of tarot on social media will perpetuate myths and give people unrealistic expectations about tarot’s powers of prediction (2).
Regardless of the criticisms, it’s clear tarot readings on TikTok are tapping into public fascination with divination and fortune-telling. The platform allows anyone to become a tarot reader overnight and share readings with a large audience. As TikTok tarot continues evolving, readers may adopt new innovative approaches tailored to the platform’s unique style of content creation.
Sources:
(1) https://www.teenvogue.com/story/tiktok-tarot-readings
(2) https://vtcynic.com/opinion/tiktok-tarot-readers-mislead-not-predict/
Conclusion
In conclusion, tarot readings on TikTok offer both opportunities and challenges for tarot readers. On the one hand, the short video format makes it difficult to provide in-depth and nuanced readings. However, the massive user base on TikTok also presents tarot readers with the chance to reach a huge new audience. Ethical concerns around privacy and commercialization are valid, but can be addressed through transparency and setting appropriate boundaries.
Overall, tarot on TikTok appears to be a growing trend that is here to stay. As with any social platform, there are both benefits and drawbacks. Responsible tarot readers can leverage TikTok to showcase their skills and spread positive messages, while also establishing necessary safeguards. With an openness to evolution and accountability, the tarot community on TikTok will likely continue to thrive.
