I think magic would come very handy right now, especially in times like these; in a seemingly apocalyptic world where everyone who goes out risk contracting a deadly virus making physical social interaction a rarity, magic and powers like teleportation or the Floo Network would be a godsend.
Thankfully, before the pandemic even began, we were all living with one foot irl and the other already online. So a certain kind of magic that’s not so fictional is also being discovered by people in quarantine in the form of tarot cards and its archetypes. Online tarot readings have helped people navigate living in the midst of the coronavirus crisis as well as setting up plans for what comes after.
As we’re suddenly thrust in an unfamiliar situation, tarot can be entertaining, comforting or eye-opening. Jessa Crispin, the author of “The Creative Tarot: A Modern Guide to an Inspired Life” says that tarot can help people get past their protective layers and set them on their way to self-understanding. So for those exploring tarot as a way to better themselves or at least get a semblance of direction in life, here are some tarot-centered Instagram accounts that can get you started.
@chester_reads_tarot
Discerning your future and working towards a better self is not just for people, animals can be in on it too. Chester’s Instagram is a good blend of cat puns, advice you never knew you needed and cute cat portraits. He also provides “hot takes” on real-life situations based on one of the cards from the tarot deck. You can be assured of tough love and solid advice when it comes to this Instagram page.
@lightdollreadings
Lois Veloso has been a professional tarot consultant for more than a year already. This “millennial manghuhula” approaches tarot as a way to advocate for better mental health practices. In an Instagram exchange with the Preen team, she says, “I believe that tarot is an amazing tool for self-awareness and being more conscious of our thoughts and actions. By understanding who we are, it is easier to accept the good and bad and this would be a good start to take actions for self-improvement.”
@fablesden
Tarot is almost always looked at as mystical and mysterious but illustrator and tarot reader Fables Den turns that stereotype on its head. She shares with the Preen team that she approaches tarot and spirituality with a geeky, whimsical and creative lens—which we see in her Way of The Panda Tarot deck that features pandas drawn as fanciful versions of the tarot archetypes. As with all other tarot enthusiasts, she sees tarot as a tool for personal development and spirituality but hopes to make it fun and relatable. “A lot of people seem to have the idea that spirituality is either religious in nature or you need to be covered in crystals and the smell of sage from head to toe. But spirituality is about accepting your own quirkiness and really tuning into your own language. For me, that’s accessing spirituality through the creative storytelling of tarot, activating the playfulness of my inner child through cute doodles and art, as well as venturing life as if it’s a big adventure.”
@blackandthemoon
If you’re already an astrology-enthusiast, Claire Goodchild’s approach to tarot will be an easy entry point for you. Her spreads incorporate astrology and tarot, making the readings a bit more comprehensive. The card reveals are timed with astrological movements, like eclipses or retrogrades, so you know what’s in the future for you based on different aspects. Aside from extensive readings, her feed is a visual delight—it’s a blend of dark academia and cottagecore that we can only hope to achieve.
@biddytarot
Owned by Brigit Esselmont, Biddy Tarot, established in 1999, is a pioneer of internet tarot reading. Biddy Tarot’s Instagram page is a haven of good nuggets for self-discovery—there are quizzes to discover your leadership style, interpretations of each card in the tarot deck and even a guide on how to form the best questions for your situation. Veteran tarot card readers will appreciate this account as well because it provides tips on how to create spreads based on the seasons of the year or problems of the person they’re reading. A social justice tarot spread might just help us out in our fight to #VetoTerrorBill.
Art by Dana Calvo
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