Tarot cards are powerful tools for reflection, guidance, and self-discovery. Rather than predicting a fixed future, tarot invites us to explore possibilities, uncover hidden patterns, and gain deeper insight into ourselves and the energies surrounding a situation. If you're new to tarot, it's completely natural to feel both curious and a little intimidated.
We recently sat down with Katie Taylor of A Touch of Zen Reiki & Tarot, an intuitive reader and energy practitioner. Her approach to tarot is rooted in the belief that guidance should feel supportive, empowering, and accessible. She shared her unique perspective on receiving tarot readings and how tarot can become a meaningful part of your daily practice—offering clarity, inspiration, and a deeper connection to yourself and your intuition.
Can you share a little about yourself, your journey, and what first inspired you to begin working with tarot?
I've been drawn to tarot ever since I was a child. I was raised in a very religious household, so I wasn't allowed to have tarot cards or explore them growing up. I actually had a hidden deck as a teenager, but I became so afraid of getting caught that I threw them away.
I have a degree in Technical Writing, and one of my favorite things to do is write guided meditations. I am the founder and owner of A Touch of Zen Reiki & Tarot, a wellness center in Caledonia, where I offer Reiki, tarot readings, classes, meditations, and other spiritual wellness experiences.
Before opening my business, I spent many years working in education, most recently as an elementary school secretary. During that time, my interest in Reiki, tarot, crystals, and energy work continued to grow. I had been reading tarot for myself for a year or two before I started bringing my cards to work. My coworkers would stop by my office, and I'd pull cards for them during the day. That's really where I first began sharing tarot with others.
My first public reading came about when the owner of a local wellness center invited me to offer readings at one of her community events. I still remember my very first client, Angie. Reading for strangers was a little intimidating, but that experience gave me the confidence to continue, and eventually it became the foundation of the work I do today. I still thank Angie for that great first reading. I believe she was sent to give me the courage to do what I had always dreamed of!
I'm a mother of three sons and I absolutely love animals, especially my two dogs. I'll be turning 50 at the end of September, which I'm actually really excited about!
What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards?
Tarot follows a specific structure. Every tarot deck contains the same Major Arcana and the same four suits of the Minor Arcana. The artwork may differ from deck to deck, but the overall system remains the same.
Oracle cards are completely different. Each oracle deck has its own unique theme, structure, messages, and number of cards. One deck might focus on angels, another on animals, nature, or affirmations. There are no universal rules for oracle decks like there are with tarot.
Read more on the blog: Powerful Insights: Our Practical Guide to Working with Oracle & Angel Cards.
How would you describe tarot to someone who is completely new to it?
Tarot is a system of 78 cards used to gain insight, perspective, and guidance. The deck is divided into two parts:
The Major Arcana
These are the 22 cards with titles such as The Fool, The High Priestess, The Empress, and The Hermit. They often represent significant life lessons, major themes, and important turning points.
The Minor Arcana
The remaining 56 cards are divided into four suits:
By reading the cards together, they tell a story and offer guidance based on the energy surrounding a situation.
Do you need to be psychic or intuitive to benefit from a tarot reading?
No. I don't believe you have to be psychic or especially intuitive to either receive a tarot reading or learn to read tarot yourself.
I believe intuition is something we all have. Some people naturally connect with it more easily, while others need practice and experience to build that trust. Tarot is one of the tools that can help strengthen that connection.
Whether you're reading for yourself or someone else, or getting a reading, tarot is less about having a special gift and more about learning to listen, observe, and trust the wisdom that’s already within you.
How often do you recommend pulling cards for yourself?
I recommend pulling cards every day if you can, even if it's just one card. Do a simple three-card reading for yourself in the morning, and practice with friends and family. The more time you spend with your cards, the more comfortable and confident you'll become. Personally, I pull cards every single day. Sometimes it's one card, sometimes an oracle card, sometimes a full spread, but it's become part of my daily spiritual practice.
What guidance would you offer someone who is just beginning to learn tarot?
Really look at the cards. Especially with the traditional Rider-Waite deck, so much of each card's meaning is contained within the artwork itself. The symbolism tells a story.
I encourage people to learn the basic meanings of the cards while also allowing their intuition to develop. For me, the two go hand in hand. Once you understand the foundations, your intuition naturally begins adding deeper layers of meaning.
And above all... practice.
Can tarot be used as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery rather than simply predicting the future?
Absolutely, 100%. This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about tarot. Personally, I don't use tarot to predict the future. Instead, I use it as a tool for guidance, self-reflection, and personal growth.
Tarot reads the energy surrounding a situation. And because our energy changes as we make choices and decisions, the guidance can change as well. That's why I see tarot as empowering rather than predictive; it helps us understand where we are and what options we have moving forward.
One of my favorite questions to ask is:
Those types of open-ended questions almost always provide the most meaningful guidance.
Which types of questions work best for tarot?
The best tarot questions are open-ended. Rather than asking yes-or-no questions or trying to predict exact dates or timelines, I encourage people to ask questions that begin with:
These types of questions invite exploration and insight instead of limiting the conversation.
Can you give us an example of how tarot can provide clarity, guidance and support in everyday life?
Recently I was creating one of my custom healing journeys with a client. She knew she wanted to grow but wasn't quite sure what direction to focus on. We pulled tarot cards together and asked what this journey wanted to become. The cards consistently pointed toward inner child healing.
Because of that guidance, we were able to build her entire journey around reconnecting with and healing that younger part of herself. That experience is a perfect example of how I use tarot, not to predict the future, but to uncover the areas that are asking for our attention and healing.
Final Thoughts
If there's one thing I'd like people to take away, it's that tarot is a tool for guidance, reflection, and self-discovery. It encourages us to slow down, ask meaningful questions, and look at our lives from a different perspective. In my opinion, there is nothing evil or scary about it.
For me (just the way I use it for myself and my clients), tarot isn't about telling someone exactly what their future holds - it's about helping them better understand themselves, recognize the choices available to them, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
