Reading tarot for LGBTQ+ clients can feel complicated, especially when traditional decks don’t reflect their identities. But inclusivity starts with awareness, language, and flexibility. You don’t need a perfect deck; you just need to approach each reading with respect, empathy, and an open mind.
When Cards and Clients Don’t Match
The Queen of Swords and the Trans Client
If you pull the Queen of Swords for a trans client, you might feel a moment of discomfort or confusion. That’s normal—but it’s also a signal to shift perspective. The card isn’t about identity on the surface. It’s about energy, traits, and archetypes.
Decks Aren’t Always Built for Everyone
Most decks are still locked into the gender binary, with titles like “King” and “Queen” and images of young, white, able-bodied people. These visuals don’t always reflect the reality of your clients, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still give a powerful, inclusive reading.
Shifting the Way You Read
Adjust the Lens, Not the Client
When your tools are limited, your perspective matters more than ever. You can adapt how you use traditional decks by shifting your mindset, changing how you interpret cards, and being intentional with your language.
Rethink Gender in Tarot
Gender is a spectrum, shaped by culture, experience, and identity. Instead of taking cards literally, interpret them symbolically. “King” might represent assertive energy, not a literal man. “Queen” might reflect intuition or receptivity, regardless of gender.
Energy Over Identity
Look Beyond the Illustration
Avoid assuming cards refer to literal people. For a nonbinary or trans client, the “King of Wands” doesn’t have to be a man—it could symbolize leadership, confidence, or transformation. The “Empress” might speak to creativity and emotional depth, not a woman or mother figure.
Speak to the Message, Not the Gender
If you draw the “King of Swords” for a trans woman, don’t panic. Reframe it as a card about owning her voice or stepping into mental clarity. Strength and wisdom aren’t gendered—they’re universal.
Inclusive Tarot Practices
Use Gender-Neutral Language
Try using “they/them” pronouns for every card. It neutralizes gender expectations and gives clients the space to find their own reflection in the cards. This small shift in language can transform how safe and seen someone feels during a session.
Give Clients Options
Be transparent if your deck lacks diversity. Let your client know and offer alternatives when available. The conversation alone shows that you care. It also builds trust and opens the door for feedback and a deeper connection.
Growing Through Conversations
Keep the Dialogue Open
The more we talk about how to make tarot more inclusive, the better we become at it. Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters most is your intention to make each client feel safe, respected, and seen.
Final Thoughts
Tarot isn’t about being perfect. It’s about presence. When you focus less on how the cards look and more on what they mean—when you speak with intention, shift assumptions, and listen deeply—you create space for true connection. And that’s what makes your reading powerful, especially for someone who’s rarely seen in spiritual spaces.
“Gender is a spectrum”—what a novel idea! 🙄 The tarot world has its traditions for a reason. You can’t just change everything because it doesn’t fit modern ideals; that’s not how history works.
‘History’ doesn’t justify exclusion, Gizmo! If we’re going to evolve as practitioners, we must challenge old norms and adapt to new understandings of identity.
Why bother changing how we read? Tarot has been doing fine without catering to every single identity out there. It’s not like everyone needs their own custom deck with their favorite colors and styles or anything… 😂
I absolutely loved this article! It highlights the importance of inclusivity in tarot readings, especially for LGBTQ+ clients. Approaching each reading with respect and empathy really resonates with me. Thank you for sharing such valuable insights! 🌈
I appreciate this approach—it’s about time we make spiritual practices accessible and relatable to all identities! Inclusivity in tarot isn’t just good practice; it’s essential if we want everyone to feel represented.
“Use gender-neutral language”—this is golden advice! It’s such an easy change to make that can have huge impacts on how safe clients feel during their readings. Time to update our vocabulary, folks!
This post is really insightful! It’s refreshing to see a discussion about how traditional tarot decks can be limiting for LGBTQ+ clients. Adapting our interpretations can truly enhance the reading experience for everyone! 🌟
‘Adjusting your lens’ sounds great and all, but at the end of the day, a card still shows what it shows. Can you really redefine something that has been around forever? Seems a bit unrealistic!
I totally agree with Baby! It’s high time that we break down these outdated views in tarot. This shift is essential if we want to make our practices more relevant and inclusive!
While I appreciate the intention behind this article, I find it somewhat superficial. Just saying we need to be inclusive isn’t enough; the underlying issues in tarot practices need to be addressed more deeply.
‘King of Swords’ means clarity? More like ‘King of Confusion’ when you pull it for someone who doesn’t identify that way! 😅 Let’s just admit some cards need rebranding or new meanings!