Is Tarot Evil? Debunking Myths and Exploring Intentions

Is tarot evil? Or is it simply misunderstood? For centuries, tarot has been linked with mystery, superstition, and fear, yet its true essence lies in reflection, guidance, and intention. In this post, we will explore where these myths come from, why some people label tarot as evil, and how the meaning of tarot actually depends on the person using it. If you haven't already, check out the first post in this series, The History of Tarot, to see how tarot began before diving into this discussion.

Whenever someone asks, “Is tarot evil?” my first instinct is to flip the question back: is anything truly evil?

Good vs. evil is one of humanity’s oldest debates. And while we could dive headfirst into a philosophy paper here, let’s keep it simple: at the core, yes, there are good energies, intentions, and actions in the world, and there are their opposites.

Philosophers and spiritual teachers have long debated the nature of good and evil. According to Socrates’ theory of opposites, opposites are necessary for comparison and meaning. Just as up needs down and light needs dark, “good” needs “evil” for us to recognize either.

So yes, good and evil exist all around us, in actions, energies, and intentions. But how does this apply to tarot?

The Scary Truth Behind Inanimate Objects

Most inanimate objects are neutral.

Take a chair, for example. It can hold you while you study and work towards solving world hunger, or it can become a weapon in a WWE wrestling match causing havoc and harm to those who come in contact with it. The chair itself isn’t good or bad, it’s the intention of the person using it that defines the outcome.

Tarot cards are no different. They’re made of cardstock or plastic (and although you could argue plastic is inherently evil, for the sake of this post, let’s keep all things without intent neutral). Tarot in practice is about meaning-making through intention. The physical cards themselves are neutral, but the energy and purpose that is brought to them shapes the experience.

The Real Intention Behind the Cards

If you caught my last post on The History of Tarot Cards, you’ll know tarot didn’t even start out as a mystical practice. On the contrary, It originated as a card game, played for fun with friends. The original intention? Pure entertainment, aka a good vibe.

It wasn’t until later that tarot evolved into a tool for symbolism, reflection, and spiritual exploration.

Negative Energies & Attachments

Objects aren’t inherently evil, but energy can attach to them.

Think of the infamous Raggedy Ann doll that inspired The Conjuring franchise. Originally this doll was mass produced as a child's toy and was voided of any paranormal association. She was just a toy marketed to little kids made of soft materials and cotton stuffing. The version locked away by Ed and Lorraine Warren, later acquired by Matt Rife (let's pray he takes this seriously), gained a haunted reputation over time. That doll wasn’t manufactured evil but dark energies and stories attached to it.

The same principle applies to tarot. The cards themselves are neutral, but the energy of the reader and the intention they set shapes the reading and the overall experience. Tarot is ultimately an exchange of energy. When you sit down for a reading, you’re not just opening the deck, you’re opening yourself to the practitioner’s energy, and they to yours.

That’s why discernment matters:

• The practitioner’s intentions count. Are they reading with compassion, or from fear and ego?

• Energy transfer is real. A reader stuck in scarcity or darker patterns may unintentionally pass that vibe on.

• Your intuition is the compass. Do you feel safe, grounded, and understood? Or unsettled and drained?

Trust the Reader, Trust Yourself

Tarot cards aren’t evil. They’re a mirror, a tool, a way to reflect on what’s happening beneath the surface. Like any tool, they’re shaped by the hand and heart that wields them.

Most readers, like most humans, live in that grey space. Sometimes light, sometimes shadow. The key is choosing practitioners who feel aligned with you energetically, spiritually, emotionally, and even physically.

So whether it’s a Raggedy Ann doll or a tarot deck, the real magic is in the intention you bring to it, not the object itself. That’s what turns cardboard into clarity.

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