Christianity & Tarot
Introduction & Personal Relation
John 16:13 “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth”
Everyone’s path is guided by divine inteligence. Spirits specifically Guides us into truth. Not a man. Not a church. Not religious texts. Truth is beyond physical reality
Depending on how deep you go into my blogs and topics - You all will see that every topic I ever try to cover or share my experience with, I always try to do some sort of view of what Christianity believes or says about it.
One. Because I came from a Christian background. My dad, since I was a child, has been an evangelical pastor, but most of my family is non-denominational. When I speak to my family about certain experiences - I speak to them in a relatable, digestible language.
This reality makes it extremely difficult to start in a religious background and find our own path to spirituality and freedom. So, this is why I always will have some sort of Christian view on the things I talk about. For those of you who may be feeling an interest or pull to a more esoteric, spiritual, or your own individualized path with God. I rarely come across modern Christians that know the extreme vastness and the evolution of Christianity to begin with. Such as it's birthing through Hermetic & Esoteric Christianity starting in 100 BCE.
If I had to choose a Christian category - I'd align with Esoteric Christianity. I will begin with the more modern day Christian views, and then go into esoteric views of Tarot. If you want to explore other forms of Christianity and my perspective on those. I will paste links at the bottom of this blog, or name them. Christian views on tarot cards range from strict condemnation to more nuanced or symbolic interpretations, depending on the denomination, theological framework, and openness to mysticism or esoteric traditions.
Traditional Christian View (Generally Opposed)
Biblical Condemnation of Divination
Most mainstream Christian denominations (e.g., Evangelical, Baptist, Catholic) believe tarot cards are a form of divination, which is explicitly condemned in scripture.
Key Verses Usually Cited:
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 (NIV): “Let no one be found among you... who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft... Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:26: “Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
Isaiah 8:19: “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists... should not a people inquire of their God?”
These passages are usually interpreted in a way that says seeking spiritual insight, and guidance outside of God - through cards, astrology, mediumship, etc. - is both forbidden and dangerous.
But wait a second (Contradictions)
This is what I find entertaining. The Bible itself includes prophets who interpret dreams (Joseph, Daniel), use omens, cast lots, and receive visions - all divinatory in nature.
Prophecy and Visions are seen by Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John, that often involve symbolic imagery (Angels, Beasts, Scrolls) Accessing divine insight about the future or hidden truths.
Genesis 44:5: “Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination?”
The Magi who visit baby Jesus were astrologers following a star - practicing celestial divination. If you haven’t looked into Astrology. It’s a very complex divination, or science that is esssentially the blueprint of your life. Of you technically. Some things may resonate, some things may not.
Even the Urim and Thummim used by the high priests in ancient Judaism functioned like divination tools.
Is it divination that’s condemned - or the intention behind it? What if the tool isn’t the problem, but the consciousness thay is engaging with the cards, and the intent using it?
In my opinion. Divination in the Bible wasn’t truly clear. There is divination that alters reality (black magick), and divination that is used to become closer with the divine. I believe the intent, and the person reason for using divination matters.
Common Concerns from Modern Christians:
“Tarot opens doors to demonic influence or spiritual deception”, but even without tarot we are always open to spiritual deception. This is why we pray to our “God / Creator / Source”. This is why we clear our spaces, our homes, our minds, our hearts..
“It reflects a desire to control or bypass God's timing or will”.. First of all, one of God's creations is Free Will.. Even so. God’s timing and will is something so incomprehensible to the human mind. Maybe God's will is for you to discover and pull tarot cards.. see it as another form of communication between you and God. We have to realize. That the intuitional calling within our spirit is God. God is a Being beyond man's logical mind. When we remember this. We set ourselves free from the confines of blind obedience..
“It encourages reliance on tools instead of prayer and scripture.” I always suggest praying about anything first. Turning in naturally. But what if God is answering your prayers by the deliverance of tarot cards? Let's say God at one point did condemn the use of Tarot cards. What if God is an evolving spirit “himself / it’s self”, and now wants to use Tarot Cards to deepen communication with us..
CHRISTIAN MYSTIC & ESOTERIC VIEWS (More Symbolic/Integrated)
Some mystical branches of Christianity - such as Christian Hermeticism, Gnostic Christianity, Rosicrucianism, or Jungian-Christian hybrids - offer more symbolic interpretations.
Symbolic Perspective:
Tarot is seen as a psychospiritual language or mystical book akin to parables or stained-glass windows.
The Major Arcana (22 cards) can be interpreted as a story, or journey of the soul from Fall to Redemption or Fool to World, symbolizing the path toward Christ-consciousness.
Cards like The Tower, The Hanged Man, or The Judgement can align with Biblical stories or Christ’s passion. Death is transformation. The Devil is egoic control or indulgence.
Christian Hermeticism:
Found in Renaissance magic and esoteric Christianity (e.g., works of Jacob Boehme, Robert Fludd, Valentin Tomberg).
In Meditations on the Tarot (anonymous author, but believed to be Christian), each Major Arcana card is used as a symbol to deepen one’s relationship with God.
View: Tarot is not used for fortune-telling, but for contemplation and developing one's self spiritually.
MIDDLE PATH (Neutral but Discerning)
This view seeks a balance between Christian caution and spiritual symbolism:
Key Ideas:
Intent matters. If tarot is used as a tool for self-reflection, guidance, revealing of unseen aspects of our reality, or spiritual connection to God and self - not fortune-telling - it may not inherently violate Christian principles.
Tarot can be seen as a symbolic, energetic and universal language language, not a supernatural power. Like dream analysis, it can help surface and examine the subconscious for healing. Bringing the ignored pieces of us back online. Leading us to our highest or higher paths. Our true self. Our true nature.
Discernment is essential. One must avoid idolatry, ego inflation, or bypassing a relationship with God. Mind over Matter. Spirit over Mind.
1 Corinthians 10:23 "All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful."
Some Christians might even use decks that are reframed or spiritually neutral, such as:
Angel cards
Christian-themed oracle decks
Biblical reflection cards
Suggested Resources for Further Exploration:
“Meditations on the Tarot” – An esoteric Christian text using the Tarot as meditative symbols for spiritual growth.
Richard Rohr (Franciscan mystic) – While not writing about Tarot directly, his embrace of archetypes and shadow work is relevant.
Carl Jung’s work on archetypes – Often referenced by Christians who are open to symbolic tools like tarot.
The Bible and Tarot: A Christian Guide to the Cards by Corinne Kenner – Offers an integration of Biblical understanding with Tarot symbolism.
Conclusion:
While traditional Christianity warns against divination, a deeper look could reveal that tarot - when used prayerfully and reflectively - can serve as a symbolic lens to know oneself and walk more closely with God. Like the parables Jesus told, each card holds a lesson hidden in metaphor, waiting to be understood.
I do not fear a loving God would condemn you, unless you condemn another. God speaks to us through Divination. We have dreams we interpret. We have inclinations that can seem other worldly. This planet is a magical dimension created from divination.
Conclusion pt.2
If you are just getting into tarot and you are interested in somebody's experience or story, I have made a few blogs called “Christopher's Tarot Journal" or something similar. (To be released) I will paste a link below to where you can see how I use tarot in my life and for some of my most recent experiences.
We also have a tarot service people can pay for. You can submit a form and give details for what you want guidance with. And we give interpretation through several of the decks that we have. And we also make custom journaling prompts to possibly help bring even more clarity or to invoke a deeper self-inquiry. We know that oftentimes asking ourselves the right questions is another skill to develop as well.
And then, if you want to go deeper, there is a phone call you can make with us afterward for deeper integration or to gain possibly more clarity, or to have someone help you walk your path. Someone to reflect with. You’ll speak with me directly
Infinite Blessings