Tarot reading tends to have a great deal of variation, since each card in the Tarot, as well as the order in which they appear, and their position within the 'spread' when dealt, have different specific meanings. The meaning of each tarot card is also open to the interpretation of the Tarot reader, and the same set of cards may have two different meanings to two different readers.

In India Tarot reading is one of the most popular forms of psychic reading. Many types of methods and systems of psychic or extra-sensory readings employed by those who claim to have psychic abilities. A professional psychic may have one or more specialized areas of expertise such as psychometric, distant readings, Tarot reading, astrology or horoscope readings, numerology, palm reading, past-life readings, aura readings or any number of other methods.

Tarot reading revolves around the belief that the cards can be used to gain insight into the current and possible future situations of the subject (or Querent). Some believe they are guided by a spiritual force, such as Gaia, while others believe the cards help them tap into a collective unconscious.