Tarot Cards: A Biblical Warning About Divination, Fortune-Telling, and Occult Guidance
What Are Tarot Cards?
Tarot cards are a deck of illustrated cards used by many people for fortune-telling, divination, spiritual guidance, self-discovery, meditation, and occult insight. A traditional tarot deck usually has 78 cards divided into two main sections: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.
The Major Arcana includes symbolic cards such as The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Lovers, Death, The Devil, The Tower, Judgment, and The World. The Minor Arcana includes four suits that are often connected to everyday life, emotions, conflict, money, relationships, choices, and spiritual themes.
Some people claim tarot is harmless, psychological, symbolic, artistic, or simply a tool for reflection. Others use tarot openly for spirit communication, divination, mediumship, fortune-telling, spell work, astrology, witchcraft, and occult guidance.
From a biblical perspective, tarot cards are spiritually dangerous when they are used to seek hidden knowledge, future insight, supernatural guidance, or spiritual answers apart from God.
The Bible calls this divination.
Where Did Tarot Cards Come From?
Tarot cards began in Europe, especially Italy, in the 1400s as playing cards. Early tarot decks were not originally created as modern fortune-telling tools. They were used in card games and included illustrated trump cards. Tarot cards are used to predict your future, which is a form of divination.
Over time, tarot became connected with occult interpretation, esoteric symbolism, divination, astrology, numerology, Kabbalah, secret societies, and fortune-telling.
In the 1700s and 1800s, occult writers began assigning mystical meanings to the cards. Tarot became associated with hidden wisdom, spiritual messages, and future prediction. Later, decks such as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck helped popularize modern tarot reading.
Today, tarot is used in many ways, including:
- Fortune-telling
- Psychic readings
- New Age spirituality
- Witchcraft
- Spirit communication
- Astrology
- Shadow work
- Self-discovery
- Relationship guidance
- Decision-making
- Mediumship
- Divination
- Spell work
- Occult coaching
There is no single founder of tarot cards. However, the modern occult use of tarot was shaped by many esoteric writers, secret societies, occultists, and spiritual movements.
Is Tarot in the Bible?
The word “tarot” is not in the Bible because tarot cards developed long after the biblical texts were written. However, the practice of using tools to seek supernatural knowledge, hidden wisdom, future information, or spiritual guidance outside of God is clearly addressed in Scripture.
The Bible calls this divination, sorcery, enchantment, witchcraft, familiar spirits, and occult practice.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD.”
Tarot reading falls under divination because it seeks hidden knowledge, spiritual answers, or future insight through an occult tool.
Leviticus 19:31
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
Tarot can open the door to familiar spirits because people often ask for guidance, messages, impressions, or spiritual insight from a source that is not the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 8:19
“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God?”
God asks a powerful question: Should not His people seek Him?
Acts 19:18–19
Many who practiced occult arts came to faith in Christ, confessed their deeds, brought their magic books, and burned them publicly. They did not keep their occult tools. They destroyed them.
James 1:5
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…”
God tells us to ask Him for wisdom, not cards, spirits, psychics, mediums, or occult tools.
Why Are Tarot Cards Against God’s Word?
Tarot cards are against God’s Word when they are used for divination, fortune-telling, spiritual guidance, or occult insight.
God does not want His people seeking direction from cards, omens, spirits, symbols, psychics, mediums, or hidden practices. He wants His people to seek Him.
Tarot is dangerous because it can become a counterfeit source of guidance.
Instead of praying, people pull cards.
Instead of reading Scripture, people interpret symbols.
Instead of seeking the Holy Spirit, people seek spiritual impressions from a deck.
Instead of trusting God, people look for hidden messages.
This opens a door to deception.
Is Tarot Just a Game or Art?
Historically, tarot began as a card game. A deck of cards sitting unused is not the same as participating in divination.
However, modern tarot is overwhelmingly associated with fortune-telling, spiritual insight, occult symbolism, and New Age practices. Even when people say they use tarot only for “self-reflection,” the practice often still involves asking the cards for wisdom, direction, confirmation, or hidden insight.
The danger is not just the paper. The danger is the spiritual agreement made when a person uses cards to receive guidance.
A Christian should not use tarot as a spiritual tool.
What Is Tarot Used For?
Tarot may be used for:
- Predicting the future
- Relationship readings
- Career guidance
- Spiritual messages
- Decision-making
- Contacting spirit guides
- Communicating with the dead
- Shadow work
- Psychic readings
- Love readings
- Money readings
- Spell work
- Witchcraft rituals
- Energy readings
- Self-discovery
- “Messages from the universe”
- Manifestation practices
- New Age coaching
Many tarot readers claim they are only interpreting energy or intuition. But Scripture warns that not every spiritual source is from God.
Why Do People Get Involved in Tarot?
People may get involved in tarot for many reasons.
1. Curiosity
Some people try tarot because it looks mysterious, beautiful, artistic, or harmless.
2. Fear of the Future
People may turn to tarot because they are afraid of what is coming and want control over the unknown.
3. Relationship Pain
Many tarot readings focus on love, breakups, marriage, cheating, soulmates, twin flames, or whether someone will return.
4. Desire for Control
Tarot can become a way to control decisions, emotions, relationships, and outcomes.
5. Spiritual Hunger
Some people are spiritually hungry but do not know Jesus Christ. They seek spiritual answers through cards instead of God.
6. Grief
People grieving a loved one may use tarot to seek messages from the dead or spiritual comfort.
7. New Age Influence
Tarot is often promoted with crystals, astrology, manifestation, chakras, spirit guides, energy healing, and witchcraft.
8. Rebellion
Some people knowingly reject biblical boundaries and seek forbidden spiritual knowledge.
9. Entertainment
People may begin with tarot “just for fun,” but entertainment can still open spiritual doors when it involves divination.
How Does Tarot Hurt a Christian?
Tarot can hurt a Christian by opening doors to spiritual deception and demonic oppression.
Possible effects include:
- Confusion
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Obsession with readings
- Dependence on cards
- Loss of trust in God
- Spiritual heaviness
- Nightmares
- Familiar spirits
- False guidance
- False peace
- Divination spirits
- Witchcraft spirits
- Difficulty praying
- Loss of discernment
- Tormenting thoughts
- Spiritual bondage
- Rebellion against God
- Attraction to other occult practices
A person may start with tarot and then move into astrology, crystals, spell work, spirit guides, mediumship, pendulums, numerology, or witchcraft.
Tarot can be an entry point into deeper occult bondage.
Can Tarot Open Doors to Demons?
Yes. Tarot can open doors to demons because it is a form of divination when used to seek spiritual answers, hidden knowledge, or future insight.
The Bible does not say divination is imaginary. It warns against it because there are real spiritual powers behind it.
In Acts 16, a young woman had a spirit of divination. She brought her masters money through fortune-telling. Paul did not affirm her gift. He cast the spirit out in the name of Jesus Christ.
This shows us that supernatural information can come from a demonic source.
A tarot reading may feel accurate, personal, emotional, or spiritual. Accuracy does not prove it is from God. Familiar spirits can provide information to build trust and lead people away from Jesus Christ.
Is Tarot the Same as Prophecy?
No. Tarot is not the same as biblical prophecy.
Biblical prophecy comes from the Holy Spirit and must align with the Word of God.
Tarot comes through cards, symbols, spreads, intuition, spirit guides, occult systems, or divination.
Biblical prophecy points people to repentance, holiness, truth, and Jesus Christ.
Tarot often points people to self, destiny, hidden messages, spirit guides, energy, intuition, or future control.
Biblical prophecy submits to God.
Tarot attempts to obtain spiritual information through a forbidden method.
They are not the same.
Is Tarot the Same as Discernment?
No. Tarot is not discernment.
Discernment is the ability to recognize truth from error and distinguish between the Holy Spirit and false spirits.
Tarot is an occult method used to seek guidance.
The Holy Spirit does not need tarot cards to speak.
God speaks through His Word, His Spirit, prayer, godly counsel, wisdom, conviction, and truth. He does not need a deck of occult cards.
Can Christians Use Tarot for Self-Reflection?
A Christian should not use tarot for self-reflection.
Some people say, “I do not use tarot for fortune-telling. I only use it for journaling or reflection.” But tarot still carries occult symbolism and is commonly used as a divination tool. It trains the heart to look to cards for insight instead of seeking God.
If a Christian wants self-reflection, they can use:
- Scripture
- Prayer
- Journaling with God
- The Psalms
- Godly counsel
- Biblical questions
- The Holy Spirit’s conviction
- Christian counseling
- Deliverance ministry
- Renewing the mind with God’s Word
God has already provided safe ways to examine the heart.
What Spirits Are Connected to Tarot?
From a deliverance perspective, tarot may open the door to spirits such as:
- Divination
- Familiar spirits
- Witchcraft
- Python
- False prophecy
- Deception
- Fear
- Confusion
- Control
- Rebellion
- Curiosity
- Addiction
- Spirit guides
- Fortune-telling spirits
- Psychic spirits
- New Age spirits
- Mind-binding spirits
- Religious spirits
- Occult bondage
These spirits may not manifest immediately. Sometimes they operate subtly through thoughts, dreams, impressions, cravings, fear, and dependence on readings.
What Curses Can Come Through Tarot?
Tarot involvement can open doors to spiritual problems and curses.
1. Curse of Divination
Seeking hidden knowledge through forbidden means can open the door to a spirit of divination.
2. Curse of Familiar Spirits
Familiar spirits may begin giving impressions, dreams, voices, or “intuitive” knowledge.
3. Curse of Witchcraft
Tarot is often connected to spell work, rituals, and occult power.
4. Curse of Fear
A frightening reading can bring torment, fear of the future, fear of death, or fear of relationships.
5. Curse of Confusion
Tarot can create spiritual confusion and double-mindedness.
6. Curse of Control
The person may become dependent on readings before making decisions.
7. Curse of False Guidance
The person may follow demonic direction while believing it is intuition or spiritual wisdom.
8. Curse of Rebellion
Tarot can lead someone away from obedience to God’s Word.
9. Generational Curse
If tarot, witchcraft, psychics, occultism, or divination have been practiced in the family line, there may be generational spiritual bondage.
Signs You May Need Deliverance From Tarot
You may need deliverance if after tarot involvement you experience:
- Nightmares
- Fear of the future
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Obsessive thoughts
- Compulsion to get readings
- Hearing voices
- Seeing shadows
- Spiritual heaviness
- Confusion
- Dreams about cards or spirits
- Feeling watched
- Strong pull toward occult practices
- Depression after readings
- Loss of peace
- Difficulty reading the Bible
- Difficulty praying
- Strange spiritual manifestations
- Sexual dreams or spirit spouse activity
- Repeated relationship confusion
These symptoms are not always caused by tarot, but if they began after tarot involvement, the door should be renounced and closed.
What Should a Christian Do If They Used Tarot?
A Christian should repent, renounce, destroy the cards, and close every spiritual door.
1. Confess It as Sin
Do not excuse tarot as entertainment, art, intuition, or self-care.
2. Repent
Ask God to forgive you for seeking guidance from cards instead of Him.
3. Renounce Tarot
Verbally renounce tarot, divination, fortune-telling, spirit guides, familiar spirits, and all occult practices.
4. Destroy the Cards
Do not sell them, gift them, or keep them for decoration. Destroy tarot decks, guidebooks, altar items, ritual tools, and occult materials.
5. Break Agreements
Break every agreement with divination, witchcraft, spirit guides, psychic powers, intuition spirits, and familiar spirits.
6. Cancel Readings
Cancel every word, prediction, curse, agreement, fear, and false prophecy spoken through tarot readings.
7. Seek Deliverance
If torment, fear, nightmares, confusion, or spiritual manifestations continue, seek biblical deliverance.
Should You Send Tarot Cards Back or Give Them Away?
No. Do not give tarot cards to someone else. That passes the occult object to another person.
Acts 19 shows believers destroying occult materials. The safest step is to destroy the cards and renounce the spiritual agreements connected to them.
Do not donate them.
Do not sell them.
Do not keep them.
Remove them from your home.
Deliverance Prayer for Renouncing Tarot Cards
Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come before You in repentance.
I confess and repent for any involvement with tarot cards, oracle cards, angel cards, fortune-telling cards, divination, psychic readings, spirit guides, mediumship, witchcraft, occult practices, New Age spirituality, astrology, numerology, pendulums, crystals, spells, and every forbidden spiritual practice connected to tarot.
I repent for seeking guidance, answers, comfort, direction, hidden knowledge, future insight, or spiritual wisdom from cards instead of seeking You.
I renounce tarot cards and every spirit behind them.
I renounce divination, familiar spirits, fortune-telling, witchcraft, python, false prophecy, spirit guides, psychic powers, occult intuition, New Age deception, and every counterfeit voice that is not the Holy Spirit.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I cancel every tarot reading ever spoken over me, every prediction, every false prophecy, every curse, every fear, every word agreement, every soul tie, every spiritual contract, and every demonic assignment released through tarot.
I break every agreement I made knowingly or unknowingly with tarot cards, tarot readers, psychics, mediums, spirit guides, occult teachers, and familiar spirits.
I command every demon that entered through tarot, divination, fortune-telling, witchcraft, spirit guides, or occult practices to leave me now in the name of Jesus Christ.
I close every open door. I break every legal right. I cancel every assignment of darkness.
Lord Jesus, wash me in Your blood. Cleanse my mind, my spirit, my dreams, my emotions, my home, my bloodline, and everything connected to me.
Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Restore my discernment, peace, wisdom, and relationship with You.
I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I will seek God, not cards. I will trust the Word of God, not divination. I will follow the Holy Spirit, not familiar spirits.
In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.
Scriptures to Study
- Deuteronomy 18:10–12
- Leviticus 19:31
- Isaiah 8:19
- Acts 16:16–18
- Acts 19:18–20
- James 1:5
- James 4:7
- Galatians 5:19–21
- 1 Samuel 15:23
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
- Ephesians 5:11
- Ephesians 6:10–18
- Colossians 2:8
- Colossians 2:14–15
- John 14:6
- John 10:27
Final Warning
Tarot cards are not harmless when used for spiritual guidance.
They are not the Holy Spirit.
They are not biblical prophecy.
They are not Christian discernment.
They are not innocent self-care.
Tarot is a tool of divination when used to seek hidden knowledge, future insight, spiritual messages, or direction apart from God.
God’s people are called to seek the Lord, not cards.
Jesus Christ is the true Shepherd. His sheep hear His voice. We do not need tarot cards, psychics, mediums, spirit guides, astrology, or occult tools to receive guidance.
If you have used tarot cards, received tarot readings, watched tarot readings online, owned tarot decks, or followed tarot readers, repent and renounce it. Destroy the cards and close every spiritual door.
You may need deliverance to break the legal rights of the enemy and be set free through Jesus Christ.
Visit the comprehensive Occult Checklist:
https://www.touchofgod.org/post/occult-checklist
Read more about the Seven Biblical Curses Listed in the Bible:
https://www.touchofgod.org/post/the-seven-biblical-curses-listed-in-the-bible
Schedule a one-on-one deliverance session:
https://www.touchofgod.org/ministry-programs/deliverance-ministry
See all programs, free ebooks, and scheduling links:
https://linktr.ee/teresamorin
Teresa Morin
President and Founder of Touch of God Int’l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance
Ordained Minister, Public Speaker
Featured in Who’s Who of America
