Picking Tarot card readers: The Red Flags and Green flags

Not all tarot readers are created equal.

Sure, anyone can light a candle and shuffle a deck—but that doesn’t mean they’re reading for you. Whether it’s your first reading or your fiftieth, choosing the right tarot reader can make a huge difference in how clear, empowering, and healing the experience feels.

Hi, I’m LaTarotina—a PhD trained neuroscientist and tarot reader. I blend modern psychology, ancestral wisdom, and intuitive insight to help people reconnect with themselves through the cards. I created this guide because I’ve seen too many people walk away from readings more confused than when they came in.

Now dear reader, let’s talk about how to pick a good tarot reader—and how to gently spot the red flags before you book.

🚩 Red Flag #1: They Don’t Read Anything But Cards

Tarot is a symbolic system, and good readers are translators. That means pulling meaning from archetypes, psychology, culture, and sometimes spiritual downloads. If someone isn’t regularly reading, learning, or challenging their perspective… their intuition may be running on autopilot.

💬 Ask your reader:

“What are you currently reading or studying that influences your practice?”“How did you learn to read tarot?”

A grounded reader will be excited to share their journey with you. A defensive or vague response? That’s your cue to keep looking.

🌺 Bonus Perspective: Intuition Has Cultural Roots

As a Mexican-American tarot reader, I also want to name this—A lot of what gets sold as “intuition” today is filtered through a Western, aesthetic-driven lens. But for many of us, especially in Indigenous and Latiné cultures, intuition has always been part of how we live.

Talking to spirit. Dream interpretation. Listening to the land. These aren’t trends—they’re ancestral technologies.

A good reader honors the source of their wisdom—not just with vibes and crystals, but with reverence and integrity. Intuition without cultural grounding? That’s not magic. That’s marketing.

🚩 Red Flag #2: They Make It All About Themselves

All tarot readers interpret messages through the lens of their lived experience. But there’s a fine line between relating to your question—and hijacking it.

If your reader spends more time talking about their ex, their healing, or their spiritual gifts… that’s not a reading. That’s a monologue.

💬 Ask your reader (if you're unsure):

“Is that coming from the cards, your own experience, or intuitive download?”

This isn’t rude—it helps clarify how the message is being received. A good reader will welcome the chance to reflect and recalibrate.

🚩 Red Flag #3: They Speak in Absolutes

Tarot offers insight—not certainty. It’s energetic forecasting, not fortune-telling. If a reader says,

“This will happen,” or“You have to do this, or else…”

…they’re selling fear, not empowerment.

💬 Try asking:

“Is this something you see as likely based on current energy, or is this fixed?”

Nuanced readers will lean into that conversation. Overconfident ones might push back—and that’s a sign to trust your gut and walk away.

✅ Green Flag: They Help You Ask Better Questions

The real magic of tarot isn’t just in the answers—it’s in the questions it invites you to ask.

A good reader will help you go deeper, reframing surface-level concerns like:

“Will I get the job?”into something like:“What can I do to align more fully with the path I want?”

📖 Personal story:I once had a tarot reading that told me I’d be great in a tech role. The message was clear. The job was in front of me. But I didn’t take action—and I didn’t stop to ask whether that path was actually aligned with my values.The reading may have been true, but because I didn’t move on it or explore deeper questions… the opportunity passed.

Your reader can see the potential—but only you can choose to meet it.

✅ Green Flag: They Help You Translate Insight Into Action

Tarot isn’t a passive experience. A great reading opens doors, but you still have to walk through them.

If your reader just gives vague advice and sends you on your way, that’s a missed opportunity. A powerful session ends with clarity on what you can do next—energetically or practically.

Ask yourself:

“Do I feel empowered and ready to move forward after this reading?”If not, something was missing.

✅ Green Flag: They’re Comfortable Saying “I Don’t Know”

Intuition isn’t always crystal clear—and a good reader knows that. Some cards show foggy energy. Some messages aren’t ready yet.

If a reader admits,

“This part’s a little unclear, let’s explore it together,”that’s a good sign. It means they’re not trying to impress you—they’re holding space for truth to unfold.

🌟 What I Personally Look for in a Reader

I believe the best tarot readers are equal parts curious, grounded, and connected.

• They’re constantly learning—about psychology, spirituality, history, culture.

• They trust their intuition—but they’re not above questioning it.

• They’re doing their own inner work—processing trauma, building self-awareness, and reflecting on their shadows so they don’t project onto yours.

The best readings I’ve ever had weren’t about theatrics or aesthetics. They came from people who had deep trust in their connection, reverence for their spirit team, and a genuine commitment to helping others grow.

💬 Final Thoughts: Ask the Weird Questions

A real tarot reading should leave you feeling more yourself, not more confused. You’re allowed to ask questions. You’re allowed to get clarity. You’re allowed to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.

Because tarot isn’t about giving your power away. It’s about coming back home to it.

❤️ Ready for a Reading That Respects Your Soul?

If this post resonated with you and you’re ready to work with someone who blends intuition with integrity—I’d love to read for you.🔮 www.Latarotina.com/bookings

Or, check out the Dear LaTarotina video series for bite-sized insights and real readings rooted in ancestral wisdom, self-trust, and curiosity.