Tarot Cards for LGBTQ+ Clients: Reading Without Assumptions

You deserve a tarot reading where you can ask about your life without first correcting somebody’s assumptions about it. A Queen does not have to mean a woman, the Lovers need not describe a heterosexual couple, and a conversation about belonging can include chosen family, close friends or a fulfilling solo life.

For readers, inclusion is less about finding one perfect deck than about listening, asking permission and leaving the client in charge of their own story. A spiritual or intuitive interpretation can be meaningful without claiming authority over someone’s gender, orientation or relationships.

Gendered card titles do not set rules for the client

Tarot’s Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages come from a long history of playing-card courts. Many popular decks draw on the Rider–Waite–Smith images created by Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite in 1909. Those historical pictures can carry rich symbolism, but their figures do not determine who a modern client is or whom they should love.

One useful approach is to read a court card as a way of engaging with the suit: a Page learning, a Knight pursuing, a Queen sustaining or a King taking responsibility. These are possible interpretations, not a new rigid system. A card can also suggest a person, a relationship dynamic or an aspect of the client—without letting the title decide that person’s gender.

Decks vary. Marseille-style courts and Thoth’s Knight, Queen, Prince and Princess terminology are not identical rank systems. Check your deck’s guide rather than assuming every elemental attribution transfers unchanged. Our guide to reading the court cards can help you explore the roles more deeply.

Ten familiar cards, with room for different lives

Describe the visible detail, offer a possible theme, then ask whether it fits. These examples use familiar Rider–Waite–Smith imagery; the client does not have to match the person pictured.

King of Wands · Taking the lead

The crown and staff can invite a question about initiative: “Where are you ready to take responsibility for an idea?” The role can belong to anyone, not automatically an older man.

Queen of Swords · Clear boundaries

The raised sword and open hand can suggest clarity with room for conversation. Try “What needs to be said plainly?” rather than inventing a woman’s appearance or history. Explore more in our Queen of Swords guide.

Knight of Cups · An invitation

The rider carrying a cup can suggest expressing a feeling or making an offer. Ask what kind of invitation matters here instead of assuming a romantic suitor of a particular gender.

Page of Pentacles · A practical beginning

The figure studying a coin can suggest learning, an opportunity or a small workable start. Curiosity is not restricted by someone’s age, appearance or gender.

The Empress · Care and creativity

Grain and abundant surroundings can open a question about what needs tending. Nurturing a project, caring for the body or building community can fit without assuming pregnancy or motherhood.

The Emperor · Structure and authority

The throne and armour can raise questions about protection, rules or control. These qualities are not reserved for men or fathers, and the client may have complicated feelings about authority.

The Lovers · Values and connection

The figures beneath the angel can suggest commitment, a choice or alignment with values. The card can speak to different relationship structures—or to a meaningful non-romantic decision.

Two of Cups · Mutual regard

The exchange of cups invites a question about reciprocity. It might concern partners, friends or collaborators; it does not require a romantic pair.

Ten of Cups · Belonging

The family scene can prompt “What does a supportive home or community look like for you?” Chosen family, close friendships and living alone can all belong in that conversation.

The High Priestess · Privacy and inner knowing

The seated figure and veil can invite quiet attention. They are not permission to announce a client’s hidden identity or press for something they have chosen not to disclose.

The Ten of Pentacles can also open a discussion of legacy and long-term security beyond a conventional family tree. The useful question is what support and continuity mean to this client—not whether their life resembles the illustration. For relationship questions, our love tarot guide offers prompts centred on the person asking.

Let the client’s question be the centre

An LGBTQ+ client may want to talk about career, a creative project, friendship, spiritual practice or an ordinary decision. Do not make identity, romance or adversity the subject unless the client wants to go there. Likewise, do not assume everyone wants a partner, a couple-centred future or biological children.

If a client wants to explore identity or coming out, cards can offer language for feelings, hopes and support needs. They cannot assign a label, set a deadline to disclose, or decide that someone should change who they are. A client’s own account matters more than a reader’s interpretation.

Before, during and after: a respectful reading routine

1. Before: agree the words and the question.

   Ask what name to use and invite pronouns without making disclosure a condition of the reading. “You are welcome to share pronouns if you would like” leaves room to decline. Use the words the client gives for partners and family, and ask which topic they want to explore.

2. During: describe, invite and check.

   Offer “This Queen might suggest holding a boundary—does that connect with anything?” rather than “This is the woman you will marry.” Ask before moving into a sensitive topic. The client can disagree, skip a card, change the question or stop.

3. After: let the client choose what leaves the session.

   Ask which thought or next step they want to keep. Confirm whether they want a summary, where it may be sent and which name or wording is appropriate there. Do not assume permission to record, follow up or share a story because the conversation felt warm.

For more on respectful names and pronouns, The Trevor Project’s ally guide offers a useful introduction. Before any session, our reading preparation tips can help you decide what you want to ask.

Questions that create room—and questions that intrude

Useful questions include “What word would you like me to use for this relationship?”, “Would you like another way to look at this card?” and “Is this a topic you want to explore?” They offer choices without demanding an explanation.

A reading does not require details about anatomy, surgeries, sexual history, a previous name or what sex someone was assigned at birth. Avoid “Which of you is the man?” and suggestions that an identity is a phase or a problem the cards can correct. If a client brings up transition, stay with the question and boundaries they choose; do not turn a card into medical advice or an outcome prediction.

You also do not need to ask “Are you out?” to arrange a discreet message. Ask what information may appear in a summary, notification or receipt. That gets the practical privacy choice without requiring a personal disclosure. Our guide to questions to reconsider in tarot explores other ways to keep a session useful.

Choosing a deck that feels comfortable

Some inclusive decks show varied bodies, ages, skin tones and relationships. Others use gender-neutral court titles, non-human imagery or scenes that step away from the Rider–Waite–Smith pattern. That range can help a client connect with the pictures, but no single visual style represents every LGBTQ+ person.

Ask whether the client would like to choose between decks, or briefly explain how you use the one you have. Renamed cards may need a little explanation, and not every inclusive deck follows the same structure or meanings. A respectful conversation matters more than claiming a deck is universally affirming. See how to choose a tarot deck for practical selection questions.

Privacy choices should be specific

Privacy matters for every client. Some people need different names or wording in different settings; others do not. Ask about practical preferences without assuming anyone is unsafe, closeted or comfortable sharing publicly.

Space and screens

Choose a setting where the conversation is not easily overheard. For online readings, ask whether it is a good time to speak and whether an on-screen name or notification could reveal more than the client wants.

Recordings and notes

Explain what the reader and platform retain, who can access it and how long it stays. Ask about recording before starting; do not promise a platform stores nothing unless that has been checked.

Summaries and contact

Agree whether a summary is wanted, which channel is appropriate and what it may contain. A blank-looking subject line may be more welcome than a detailed relationship or identity reference.

Stories, screenshots and testimonials

Do not treat a private reading as material for public content. Removing a name may not prevent identification through a city, job or unusual situation. Use clear, separate permission processes rather than assuming consent.

When someone needs support beyond a reading

If a conversation brings up fear, threats or acute distress, pause the interpretation and ask what support would be useful. Do not pressure someone to disclose to family or use another card to decide whether their safety concern is real.

In the US, call or text 988 for crisis support. LGBTQ+ young people can reach The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or use its online chat. For relationship abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788; use a safer device if yours may be monitored. Call emergency services if you are in immediate danger.

Frequently asked questions