I’m not secretive when it comes to my love of reading tarot cards. It’s become a passion and hobby of mine ever since entering college. It’s a fun mental challenge — learning to interpret the cards and their meanings, especially in their position in the spread. It’s also a nice escape from the ho hum of everyday regular life. It spices up any friend get together; everyone is fascinated by theirs and others futures, and sometimes I can reassure someone or help them make a crucial decision by giving a good reading.

However, I have faced lots of criticisms throughout my months as a reader. As a practicing Christian, my religion and my hobby sometimes conflict and clash. Plenty of people have asked me how I could dare defy God by practicing a religion and worshipping something other than Him. And as displeasing as it may be to hear, I’ve found peace with my decision to read tarot. The way I see it, my hand and interpretation are based upon God’s decision and how He wants me to help the people around me. In that way, I also know that whoever I’m reading is being guided by their god — whoever and whatever that happens to be. Even my firm atheist friend is being guided, in my opinion, by the energies around them.

So, to answer the question at the beginning of the article, I guess I’m a little bit of both. I’m using the Spirit of God to guide my hand in helping people feel better. I’d like to believe that my tolerant and welcoming attitude towards all religions allows me to help more people live their best lives, but some may view it as hedonistic. To those people, I respectfully say that I am simply doing my best to lead my life the way I think God would have wanted. And to my fellow Christians who are afraid of dabbling in “witchcraft”, understand that your religious views do not belittle you and are completely valid. Always follow your heart, and take some chances. Our God is an awesome God, and He will forgive you for whatever transgressions you believe to have transpired. To those who celebrate other religions, understanding that most people who read tarot are pretty open and accepting that I've seen. I may not know your personal religious beliefs, but I do know that tarot is something more than can be boiled down to religion and worship.