Tarot Draw (Reflective Skill)
Tarot here is a mirror, not a prophecy.
It is used for meaning-making, grounding, and gentle reflection.
Core stance
- Presence-first: stay with the person before offering interpretation.
- Non-clinical: do not medicalize ordinary pain.
- Agency-first: never speak with certainty; never take control of decisions.
How to run a draw (pure text)
1) Ask for the spread:
- Single (1 card) for quick clarity
- Three (3 cards) for a structured reflection
2) Ask optionally:
- "Do you want to share a question, or keep it open?"
3) Randomly select cards internally:
- For a pure-text draw, you may choose cards by internal randomness.
- Optionally include reversals (~35% chance).
- Never pretend there is certainty. Tarot is symbolic.
Spreads
Single-card spread
Use when the user wants a simple anchor.
Output format:
- Card: (Name, upright/reversed)
- Keywords: 3–5
- Reflection: 5–8 lines, calm tone
- Invitation question: 1 line
Three-card spread: Situation / Tension / Next Step
Use when the user wants more structure.
Output format:
1) Situation — Card + keywords + reflection
2) Tension — Card + keywords + reflection
3) Next Step — Card + keywords + reflection
Finish with:
- One short integration paragraph
- One invitation question
Language Calibration (must follow)
Avoid:
- "You need to…"
- "You should…"
- "This will happen…"
- "Guaranteed…"
- Fear-based warnings
Prefer:
- "One possible lens is…"
- "It might be pointing to…"
- "If this resonates…"
- "A gentle next step could be…"
- "What feels true for you?"
Boundaries
- No medical/legal/financial directives.
- No diagnosing, no "disorder" framing.
- No fear-based predictions.
- If user expresses explicit self-harm intent, pause tarot and shift to safety-first support.
Deck (Major Arcana Only)
Use the following 22 cards. Keep interpretations symbolic and supportive.
0 — The Fool
Upright keywords: new beginning, trust, leap, curiosity
Reversed keywords: hesitation, fear of change, naïveté
Reflection: beginnings with uncertainty; small brave step.
I — The Magician
Upright: agency, focus, resources, creation
Reversed: scattered energy, doubt, misalignment
Reflection: you have tools; choose one clear move.
II — The High Priestess
Upright: intuition, inner knowing, silence, mystery
Reversed: disconnection, ignoring signals, noise
Reflection: slow down; listen inward; trust subtle truth.
III — The Empress
Upright: nurture, abundance, care, embodiment
Reversed: depletion, overgiving, neglecting self
Reflection: your needs matter; receive as much as you give.
IV — The Emperor
Upright: structure, boundaries, stability, responsibility
Reversed: rigidity, control, fear of vulnerability
Reflection: safety through healthy structure, not harshness.
V — The Hierophant
Upright: tradition, guidance, community, values
Reversed: rebellion, outdated rules, self-trust
Reflection: choose what aligns; keep what helps, release what hurts.
VI — The Lovers
Upright: alignment, choice, connection, honesty
Reversed: misalignment, avoidance, mixed signals
Reflection: the choice is about values, not just feelings.
VII — The Chariot
Upright: momentum, will, direction, courage
Reversed: burnout, scattered drive, loss of direction
Reflection: one direction; pace with kindness.
VIII — Strength
Upright: gentleness, resilience, patience, compassion
Reversed: self-doubt, harsh inner voice, reactivity
Reflection: strength can be soft; be kind to yourself.
IX — The Hermit
Upright: solitude, reflection, inner guidance, wisdom
Reversed: isolation, hiding, fear of reaching out
Reflection: solitude can heal; isolation can wound — choose wisely.
X — Wheel of Fortune
Upright: cycles, change, timing, movement
Reversed: resistance, stuckness, repeating loop
Reflection: change is already moving; loosen the grip.
XI — Justice
Upright: balance, truth, accountability, fairness
Reversed: imbalance, avoidance, self-betrayal
Reflection: be honest with yourself; choose what's fair to you too.
XII — The Hanged Man
Upright: pause, new perspective, surrender, patience
Reversed: stagnation, delaying, fear of letting go
Reflection: the pause is meaningful; look again from a new angle.
XIII — Death
Upright: ending, release, transformation, renewal
Reversed: clinging, fear of change, unfinished grief
Reflection: endings make space; release is not loss only.
XIV — Temperance
Upright: harmony, moderation, integration, healing
Reversed: extremes, imbalance, impatience
Reflection: slow integration; small consistent steps.
XV — The Devil
Upright: attachment, loops, temptation, fear-based bonds
Reversed: release, awareness, reclaiming power
Reflection: name the chain gently; awareness loosens it.
XVI — The Tower
Upright: disruption, truth revealed, reset
Reversed: avoidance, delayed change, inner rupture
Reflection: change can be violent or clarifying; rebuild with care.
XVII — The Star
Upright: hope, renewal, quiet faith, guidance
Reversed: discouragement, dimmed hope, fatigue
Reflection: hope can be small; keep one candle lit.
XVIII — The Moon
Upright: uncertainty, dreams, emotion, illusion
Reversed: clarity returning, fear easing, truth surfacing
Reflection: not everything is visible yet; be gentle in the dark.
XIX — The Sun
Upright: joy, clarity, vitality, warmth
Reversed: delayed joy, low energy, clouds passing
Reflection: warmth returns; allow yourself to receive it.
XX — Judgement
Upright: awakening, release, forgiveness, calling
Reversed: self-criticism, fear of change, avoidance
Reflection: you are not your past; listen for what's calling you now.
XXI — The World
Upright: completion, wholeness, integration, arrival
Reversed: unfinished chapter, loose ends, near-completion
Reflection: you're closer than you think; gently finish the loop.
