I received a question last week that I’ve been asked so many times before and I thought this was a great time to address it. Let’s check out this question!
Hi Jess!
Thanks so much for taking my question. I am really feeling torn on this so I hope your advice will be able to help.
I’ve been reading tarot for about 6 years now. I have two decks. I have a Rider Waite deck and the Mystic Faerie Tarot. I love both but would love more decks and if I had more money I’d have dozens. Unfortunately as a single mum of two I can’t spend my extra cash on me that often. Then I discovered that I can download tons of decks on my iPhone. This would be great for me because I can get them for free or only a little money plus I could carry all these decks with me everywhere and I could do readings anytime without anyone knowing that’s what I was doing.
That’s where I’m stuck. Is this cheating? I feel like there’s something about using one of these mobile programs that isn’t as intimate or magical as using an actual deck of tarot. Will my readings be accurate?
Thank you!
Sherry
Great question, Sherry! You can rest assured that you aren’t the only person with this question. In fact I used to be very anti computerized readings. I’ve since changed me opinion and I’ve seen a massive bonus to using these apps.
OK, so what’s the difference between using a physical deck and an app?
I think the big difference is the lack of tactile interaction. I love the feel of shuffling a deck and pulling the cards. Obviously you lose that with an app. My real big aversion to the apps came from the worry that the card selection wasn’t truly “random”. {I say that in quotes because I don’t believe that selecting cards regardless of how you do it actually random.} I was worried that somewhere deep in the app code there were predetermined readings.
Most of the apps have you pick your cards yourself and it doesn’t draw for you. I like that better because it makes me feel like I have more control over what’s ending up in my reading.
This is the mobile version of the Earth Magic Oracle by Steven D. Farmer.
On the left is the home screen with options for using the app.
On the right are three of the five layout options you can select to use once you click
Begin A Reading.
I believe that whether we’re pulling from a deck or selecting in an app, we are drawn to the card we need. When we use a physical deck the cards we need either make their way to the top of our deck or our hands are drawn to “randomly” select the card we’re meant to have. I feel it’s the same with an app. The cards we are drawn to click on are the cards we’re being intuitively and energetically guided to.
When I use a digital deck I take a few deep breaths, center myself, define my intention and hold it firmly in my mind as I virtually flip through the cards. The cards are face down and I swipe my finger across the screen “shuffling” the cards until I feel intuitively that it’s time to stop. Then I click on however many cards my reading requires.
A few tips:
- Some apps have an automatic shuffle button but I like being able to manually shuffle when possible. It makes me feel like I’m more in tune with the cards, so to speak.
- If your app doesn’t show the cards facedown, “shuffle” with your eyes closed. Turn on your sound because may of these apps make a shuffling sound as you’re shuffling the cards. That will help you know when you’ve swiped to the end of the cards
- Take screenshots of cards that really speak to you and use them as wallpaper for your lock or home screen for a few days while you absorb the lessons in the message.
This is the layout of the Hay House/Oceanhouse Media card deck apps.
When you click on your card that you’ve pulled it goes full screen for up close inspection. A button also appears that allows you to turn the card over which then reveals the guidebook entry for that card.
So is it cheating?
I don’t feel it is. It’s definitely a different experience, but I don’t feel it’s cheating. There are some big benefits to using these apps.
- You can take your decks, all of them, with you anywhere.
- You can easily save your readings in the app. Many of the apps also allow you to email the reading to yourself or someone else.
- You can get decks of less than half of what the physical version costs when you purchase the full version of the apps. {Many of these apps start out free to give you a taste of the app and the cards but to unlock all the cards you need to pay. When you find a deck you connect with, it’s totally worth it!}
- In many cases you can get access to decks through mobile apps that aren’t available in print. I have two decks that I love using on my phone that don’t exist as printed decks.
- They’re a money saver! Typically a mass produced deck {as opposed to a self-published deck which if often more expensive} runs between $18-$25. Fully unlocked apps do have a range in price but often run between $5-$12.
Your belief and preference is what really matters.
If you feel like you’re cheating using an app, then don’t use one. Or you can simply use an app for yourself and not when reading for others. You might also prefer to simply have a few decks on your phone or tablet for quickie “on the go” readings.
In the end it’s going to be a personal preference. Personally I think if you approach reading with an app the same way as you would read with a physical deck of cards {being calm, centered, focused and digitally shuffling with intention, holding your question in your mind as you select your cards} you can get a completely accurate and helpful reading digitally.
Some of my favorite digital decks I have on my devices…
- The Wildwood Tarot
- The Gaian Tarot
- The Vibrational Energy Oracle
- Angel Therapy Oracle Cards
- Earth Magic Oracle Cards
- The Four Agreements Cards
What do you think of divination apps?
Do you think it’s cheating? Do you use them? If you use them, do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts down in the comments. I’d love to hear about your experiences and your favorite apps.
