How tarot reading emerged as popular party game

Drop by a mall on a busy weekend and along with busy shoppers you are likely to spot a tarot card reader in one corner reading out fortunes and answering queries for a nominal charge. Tarot card readers can now be spotted a dime a dozen at parties, malls and exhibitions, as an add on entertainment feature. So, how did this alternative practice go mainstream in such a big way? We got Shirley Bose, one of the earliest tarot card readers in the city and Shradha Salla, a celeb tarot card reader and numerologist to share their thoughts on it.

Early days of tarot in the city
Popular tarot card reader Shirley Bose who has been practicing tarot reading since 1988 says when she started off she and other tarot card readers like her approached tarot card reading with a certain amount of respect, reverence and a lot of faith, hoping to get answers to questions that would otherwise go unanswered. Shirley says, 'Tarot started being covered and written about in the late 90's and it gained a lot of followers. This created a demand for tarot readers. People are constantly looking out for newer experiences, so that spawned a lot of other people who took up tarot, but they for their own reasons, chose to do readings at parties, malls, etc. A tarot reading is very personal and private experience which should be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and quiet and being one with the universal vibes."

Then and now...
Shradha had a similar experience. She adds, 'I was at a wedding in Delhi 10 years ago, and at the sangeet party, amongst all the loud music, drinks and dance was a small white tent with room for a tarot card reader. I walked in for a session. I could barely hear her, had no privacy but still there was a line of people waiting too see her. This is generally how tarot sessions at parties go. However, it's not the way it's meant to be.'
Shradha adds, 'Tarot works on an energy between the client the reader and the cards and cannot be done in crowded spaces. I don't understand the concept of one question five min and three questions 15 minutes. In my opinion it didn't work like that.. A session needs to be complete no matter what.'

Why tarot?
So why has tarot become so popular. According to Shradha it's because of our intrinsic curiosity to know about ourselves, the universe and what it holds for us. There is a certain mystery attached to it and the knowledge that you may be able to find answers to questions that would otherwise allude you. It keeps people engrossed and occupied and is probably why people are going in for tarot card readers at parties as a diversion or something to do when you are bored. And it's just not limited to that, it's an interactive process with a colourful spread of cards that supposedly hold answers to some of your most private thoughts. The medium is engaging and that's probably why it has gained popularity, egging a lot of people to join in, taking that which was sacred and traditional at one point to remodel itself to become just another way to keep people entertained. And even though early practitioners would like to hold their cards close to their heart, the fact is tarot has gone mainstream and the cards are literally on the table, and anyone and everyone is game to play.