Why Ireland is turning to tarot card readings on Tiktok
Once confined to crystal shops and niche spiritual circles, tarot reading has found an unexpected revival on TikTok, with some users now offering private online readings for up to €185.
The origin of tarot cards traces back to 15th-century northern Italy when they were used as part of a card game called 'trionfi' (triumphs), but they didn't gain popularity in Ireland and the UK as a tool for fortune-telling until the late 1800s.
In Ireland, tarot cards have long been considered taboo and overshadowed by Catholic cultural norms, but younger generations have begun to embrace them for wellness and mental health purposes, as well as a shift away from religion.
Videos of tarot readings on TikTok have racked up 5.4 billion views, with the hashtags 'Tarot Tok' and 'Irish tarot lady' trending.
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