Is there a difference between a tarot reading by someone else and a self-reading?

Hey, that's a great question, and it's a confusion many people have. Simply put: the difference is huge!

To give you an analogy: having someone else do a reading for you is like seeing a doctor or a therapist, while doing it yourself is like taking your own temperature at home or writing in a diary.

Specifically, the main differences are in these points:

1. Objectivity vs. Subjectivity: Those involved are blind, onlookers see clearly.

This is the most crucial difference. When you draw cards for your own situation, you already have preconceived expectations, fears, and desires in your mind.

For example: You desperately want to get back with your ex. If you draw "The Lovers" card yourself, you might immediately cheer, "Great! We're definitely getting back together!" and then ignore other details on the card that might suggest "choice" or "a fork in the road."
But a Tarot reader, who has no emotional entanglement with you, upon seeing "The Lovers" card, would objectively analyze: "This card represents an important relationship, but it might also be reminding you that you're facing a significant 'choice.' This choice isn't just about reconciliation; it could also be about letting go completely and starting a new life."

In essence, we easily "distort" the card's meaning with our own expectations, only seeing what we want to see. A Tarot reader, however, is a neutral "onlooker" who can see the full picture.

2. Experience and Knowledge Reserve: Novice vs. Veteran

An experienced Tarot reader is like a "veteran driver"; they've seen thousands of spreads and card combinations, and they have a vast "card meaning database" in their mind.

They know that a single card can have myriad meanings when combined with different questions, positions, and surrounding cards. For instance, "Three of Swords" (the heart pierced by three swords) – if you draw it yourself, you might feel "It's over, my heart is broken," and fall into panic.
But a Tarot reader might tell you that while it indeed represents pain, it could also be a reminder that "some truths, though painful, need to be faced for growth," or even, when asking about health, it might point to "needing a minor surgery." This depth and breadth of interpretation are difficult for beginners to achieve.

3. The "Translator" of Energy and Intuition

Many people believe Tarot divination relies on "energy" or intuition. You can think of Tarot cards as a kind of "cosmic language," and the Tarot reader as a "translator."

When you're troubled by your own issues, your emotions are intense and chaotic, and your "signal" might be very "noisy," making it difficult for you to interpret clearly.
A Tarot reader, as a relatively calm third party, can receive and interpret this information more clearly, and then "translate" it into a language you can understand. They can catch those intuitive messages that you might overlook due to emotional fluctuations.

So, does that mean self-reading is completely useless? Not at all!

Self-reading also has its unique benefits; it's more like a tool for self-dialogue and introspection.

Suitable for daily guidance: For example, drawing a "daily reminder" card every morning to see what to pay attention to today. This is like checking the weather forecast, giving you some mental preparation.
Helps organize thoughts: When your mind is cluttered, drawing cards, looking at them, and contemplating their meanings can help you sort out chaotic thoughts. It's actually a great self-healing process.
Develops your intuition: Regularly drawing cards for yourself can gradually help you connect with your subconscious and intuition, and you'll understand yourself better and better.

To summarize, when should you seek a professional, and when can you read for yourself?

Situations where seeking a professional is recommended:
- Facing major life decisions (e.g., changing jobs, moving, marriage).
- Caught in a complex relationship or interpersonal situation, completely unable to see clearly.
- Feeling particularly lost, anxious, and urgently needing objective guidance.
Situations suitable for self-reading:
- Daily self-exploration: "How are my emotions today?" "How can I improve myself?"
- Some less significant minor choices.
- Simply wanting to learn about and understand yourself through Tarot cards.

I hope this analogy makes it easier for you to understand! They are like your left and right hands; it's not about which one is better, but rather that they work best when used together.