There aren’t many new things that can still command my attention in the world of virtual experiences. We’ve come a long way since the early days of daily Zoom meetings, group workouts, and interactive game nights at the start of the pandemic.
But now, after more than a year of participating in online holiday shopping events, happy hour with colleagues, and even a cheese and charcuterie tutorial with a celebrity chef, it takes a lot for me to be impressed by an activity through my 13” computer screen.
When Native asked me to join a virtual tarot card reading session last week, you could say I was intrigued but skeptical. This was something I’d never tried, mainly because I have my trepidations about a stranger revealing the unknown to me.
But turns out my fears and apprehensions toward tarot readings were unfounded.
Prior to joining the call, I had expected to see a mysterious, middle-aged individual in a dark room filled with plenty of psychic objects telling me what my future would be like. Instead, a young woman joined our Zoom meeting room in a space with natural light pouring in, creating a more peaceful and calm atmosphere than I had imagined.
Fion Koh is the founder of The Secret Door, which provides services such as tarot, aura, and oracle readings. Self-described as an intuitive reader, astrologist, and psychic, she has been studying and providing this practice of cartomancy for the past three years.
Our mini group session began with Koh, myself, and three other Native team members. Koh started to explain that many people mistake tarot card readings for fortune-telling, when in fact, the former is much more advice-driven with solutions and choices to help alter your future.
She asked what kind of questions we had in mind — whether we wanted to know about our career, love and relationships, or general self-improvement — the topics were limitless.
When the reading began for one of our team members, Koh explained she chooses an appropriate deck for each client depending on their energy and character.
I was mesmerized when she started shuffling the deck of cards at lightning speed, resembling something only a magician could handle. Cards started to fall out of the deck, and we wondered if it was just a random occurrence.
But our tarot reader assured us that each fallen card is deliberate as she was communicating with spirit guides (spiritual guardians assigned to every individual), who were the ones that help power each reading.
While each reader has their own unique reading steps and styles, Koh uses 26 cards for a tarot reading, and arranges them in a five-card cross formation.
Koh’s reading included an explanation of the tarot cards and what they meant, and she also touched on the person’s traits, feelings, and current situation. I learned about the Hanged man, King of Pentacles, the Tower, Justice, the Chariot, and many other suits and elements.
The colour, direction, pairing, and placement of each tarot card also have their own significance, leading to various interpretations, choices, solutions, and advice. Koh was very friendly and informative throughout the entire reading, answering any and all questions we bombarded her with.
When it was finally my turn, I didn’t ask a specific question about my career or personal life. However, I was interested to know what kinds of messages my spirit guide wanted to convey to me. (Patronus vibes, anyone?)
The shuffling started and cards fell out one after the other. Koh began my reading and everything I heard was pretty spot on, whether I wanted to admit it or not.
It felt like I was listening to a therapist who was providing practical advice that could actually benefit my well-being and mental health.
At the end of our tarot reading session with The Secret Door, I definitely had a greater knowledge of this spiritual, divination practice. and began to understand how it can genuinely have positive impacts on a person.
Some people have religion, others have tarot readers.
For those who are open to trying new things and learning about something out of your comfort zone, virtual tarot readings are definitely a fascinating experience to try at least once in your lifetime.
If you’re curious about The Secret Door, click here for more information and to book an eye-opening tarot reading session today.
This article is in partnership with The Secret Door.
