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By Deandre James | Medialab@FAU
As more young people try to make sense of an uncertain future, tarot readings are becoming a go to source for guidance. What was once seen as a niche spiritual practice is now everywhere online, especially on platforms like TikTok, where quick readings and advice reach millions. For some, tarot offers comfort and clarity. But experts say it is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
Recent data helps explain why this shift is happening. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they feel a spiritual connection to something beyond the physical world, even if they are not religious. Younger adults are especially likely to explore practices like tarot, astrology, and manifestation.
At the same time, access to traditional therapy remains a challenge. A Pew study found that about 4 in 10 Americans who needed mental health care in the past year did not receive it, with cost and availability listed as the biggest barriers. That gap may be pushing some people to look for alternatives that feel more accessible and immediate.
“People look for guidance wherever they can find it,” said Robin Vallacher, a psychology professor at Florida Atlantic University. “In today’s world, that is not easy because we do not have a shared reality anymore.”
Tarot has grown especially popular among younger audiences dealing with stress, uncertainty, and major life decisions. Instead of turning only to traditional therapy, some are exploring other ways to reflect on their emotions.
Vallacher said the appeal is rooted in a basic human need for clarity.
“People have a deep need for consistency and coherence,” he said. “They want simple answers to big questions.”
That is where tarot comes in. Unlike therapy, which often takes time, money, and emotional effort, tarot offers quick insight that can feel immediate and personal.
“Tarot cards and astrology provide simple answers without much effort,” Vallacher said.
For Christiana Gaudet, a tarot reader with more than 30 years of experience based in Palm City, Florida, the cards are less about predicting the future and more about helping people reflect on their current situation. She also works as a professional speaker and teacher in the field of tarot.
“In the short term, the sugar high you get from tarot cards might feel just as good as therapy,” Gaudet said.
Still, both experts agree that tarot and therapy serve very different purposes.
“Therapy is hard,” Vallacher said. “A therapist asks difficult questions and pushes you to deal with serious problems.”
Gabriella Bravo, 26, a South Florida resident who reads tarot cards for friends and acquaintances while working a part time job in retail at lululemon, said many people turn to tarot for reassurance and direction.
“It can give people a sense of security or help them understand what they are feeling,” Bravo said.
She said social media has played a role in making tarot more visible, even though the practice itself has existed for centuries.
“TikTok made it easier for people to see tarot,” she said. “But there are still people who spend years studying it before reading for others.”
While some people see tarot as harmless or even entertaining, Bravo said it can sometimes create unrealistic expectations.
“It can be fun,” she said. “But it can also be harmful when people want to hear things like their ex will come back. That can create false hope.”
Even so, she believes tarot can exist alongside traditional mental health care rather than replace it.
“I think tarot and therapy can work together,” Bravo said. “Tarot deals with spirituality, while therapy helps people actually work through their problems.”
Elijah Maduro, 28 lives in Boca Raton and is a musician, said his interest in tarot began through someone close to him.
“My girlfriend is the main person who helped me learn more about tarot about 10 months ago,” Maduro said.
He said tarot serves more as a tool for reflection rather than decision making. “It can help give you some guidance on how you feel certain emotions,” he said.
As tarot continues to grow in popularity, Vallacher said the trend reflects a larger shift in where people place their trust.
“If people cannot trust media, political leaders, or other traditional sources of information,” he said, “they start looking elsewhere for answers.”