Are tarot card readings truly accurate?

This question, I've been asked countless times in all my years of playing Tarot. If you ask me, it's "accurate," but perhaps not in the way you imagine "accurate" to be.

Let me explain with an analogy.

You can think of Tarot cards as a highly advanced "life GPS," rather than a "crystal ball" that predicts the future.

When you use a GPS while driving, it tells you: where you are currently, what the surrounding road conditions are like (e.g., where there's traffic, where there's construction), and then, based on your destination, it recommends several routes (e.g., "the highway is fastest but has tolls" or "the national road is scenic but takes longer").

Tarot readings are very much like this process:

1. Telling you your current location (the present situation): The cards you draw often very accurately reflect your current mindset, your environment, and even some subconscious thoughts you weren't aware of yourself. Many people find it "accurate" and are first amazed by this step, wondering, "How does it know what I'm thinking?"

2. Analyzing the surrounding road conditions (problem analysis): The spread helps you sort out the ins and outs of a problem, telling you what the positive factors are, where the obstacles lie, and how people and events around you are influencing you. It acts like a calm observer, helping you untangle a mess of thoughts.

3. Providing route options (future possibilities): Tarot cards won't tell you "A will definitely happen in the future," just as a GPS doesn't force you to take a specific route. They will tell you what outcome is most likely if you continue on your current path (future trends). At the same time, they reveal other possibilities, offering advice on what aspects you can adjust and work on if you want to achieve a better outcome.

So, where does the "accuracy" of Tarot cards manifest?

• Astonishingly accurate insights into your current situation and inner self. It's like a mirror, reflecting parts of yourself you haven't fully seen.
• Highly valuable predictions regarding the trends of events. However, it's not fate, nor a definitive "verdict" set in stone.

So, how exactly does it work?

This part is a bit mysterious, and there are several theories. You can choose the one that resonates most with you:

• Psychological theory: This view holds that the images on the cards are "archetypal images" of humanity, capable of stimulating your subconscious thoughts. The cards you draw are essentially your subconscious choices, and the entire reading process is more like a deep psychological consultation, helping you converse with your inner self.
• Synchronicity principle: This is a concept proposed by psychologist Carl Jung. Simply put, it's about "meaningful coincidences." At the moment you draw a card, a wonderful connection forms between your energy state and the card's imagery, and the drawn card precisely reflects your current situation.
• Mystical theory: This theory suggests that all things are connected by an invisible "energy" or "information field," and the Tarot reader, using the card spread as a medium, reads this information.

To summarize my personal view:

Don't treat Tarot cards as a fortune-telling tool, expecting them to give you a black-and-white answer (like "Does he love me?" or "Will I find a job next month?"). If you approach it with that mindset, you'll likely be disappointed.

Instead, treat it as a wise friend or life consultant. When you're lost, confused, or can't see your way forward, talk to it. It can help you understand yourself more deeply, clarify your current situation, and offer insightful advice.

Ultimately, the choice of which path to take and how to drive remains firmly in your hands. The value of Tarot cards isn't in telling you a fixed future, but in giving you the wisdom and courage to create the future you desire.

Regarding the accuracy of Tarot card readings, let's put it this way: it's quite different from what many people imagine. If you're hoping it will predict the winning lottery numbers for the next draw, then it's definitely not accurate. However, if you want to clarify your thoughts and understand the current state of a problem, it often proves surprisingly accurate.

Personally, I prefer to see it as a tool for psychological projection, like a mirror.

Think about it: when we encounter troubles in our daily lives, isn't our mind often a tangled mess? At such times, Tarot cards act like a friend helping you sort through your thoughts. Each card has specific imagery and symbolic meaning. When you draw a card with a question in mind, these images can stimulate your subconscious thoughts, helping you 'fish out' things you haven't realized or dared to face.

For example, if you ask about career prospects and draw the "Three of Swords" (three swords piercing a heart), it might not mean your career is doomed. Instead, it's more likely reminding you that you feel 'heart-pierced' by your current job, or that a certain colleague relationship or project is causing you significant discomfort. This 'accuracy' lies in its ability to pinpoint your current feelings and state.

So, the 'accuracy' of Tarot cards is reflected in these aspects:

1. Helps you organize your current situation: It can clearly tell you what kind of energetic state you are currently in and what your surrounding environment is like.
2. Offers new perspectives: Sometimes we get stuck in a rut when looking at problems. The cards can act like an observer, giving you a fresh, unexpected angle.
3. Shows possibilities, not definitive outcomes: It won't tell you 'you will definitely get a promotion tomorrow.' Instead, it might say, 'if you continue your current efforts, you are very likely to encounter a good opportunity.' The future isn't set in stone; it tells you what is most likely to happen if you continue down your current path. If you don't like that possibility, you are entirely free to choose a different path.

Therefore, don't treat it as a 'divine predictor' that can foresee the future. Instead, view it as a 'psychological consultant' or 'life navigator' that helps you better understand yourself and clarify your current situation. You'll find that it's truly useful and indeed very 'accurate.' Ultimately, the decision is always yours.