Reacting to your UNPOPULAR OPINIONS on Tarot & TarotTube!

[@KateyFlowers]

Thanks to everyone who submitted an unpopular opinion for me to react to! 😘

[@AstariaSen]

Thank you for providing a space to discuss. This video really was great to watch and consider.

[@zinzolin14]

One big tarot trend I'm noticing is the erasure of male imagery in a lot of modern decks. With all the talk of needing inclusivity, diversity and representation in decks, why is this practice becoming more prevalent?

[@Axiniana]

Agreed! I just got the White Numen deck, and, although I really love it, I couldn't help but notice there are only 4 male characters in 21 Major Arcana cards. The rest are either female or anthro animals whom I cannot place in a gender box. It is really cool to represent powerful women and non-binary people, but the percentage of male characters was just like women in a 80-s series: one in half a dozen.

[@nurnu349]

Yep. I no longer buy decks where men are not represented. It's great to have powerful women depicted, but the Emperor is not the Empress, it's a different archetype. Also, I use Tarot for divination and men are part of our lives (brothers, fathers, male bosses, etc.) if I only have female characters readings are a lot harder. And really 🥱 boring.

[@zinzolin14]

@@nurnu349 yeah I agree, I think all male/female/NB decks can be fun and quirky but should be made clear first. Nothing worse than getting deck with a cool idea just to see it's heavily skewed towards one gender.

[@cosmic.creeper]

As always, I enjoyed this. Couldn’t agree more that there needs to be more space for disagreement in community. I often recognise how we try to teach children this yet it doesn’t seem to get mirrored often enough in adult spaces. It’s so healthy and a great addition to diversity of opinion. Hope to see more of these from you in the future. I’d love to see other people join in too. It’s really interesting hearing the variety of all that makes up this thing we call our community.

[@KateyFlowers]

That’s such a good point!

[@Ethony]

Yes, we totally need to get more comfortable with disagreement in a respectful way!

[@thewitcheslife2061]

On the hoarding/collecting/consumerism; I do think people are competitive in their collections. I have personally had people tell me I am “less” of a reader for not having a vast collection, despite the fact I’ve rebought RWS 3 times because I wore the cards out! I have also noticed that some people have an elitist attitude over owning or not owning certain decks. I don’t think either of the aforementioned issues are good for the community.

[@arthemiserenee1786]

i love your comments about heavy symbolism-after 5 years of tarot reading with a symbol-heavy occult deck, in 2014 i finally GOT tarot when i found the wild unknown. and now i read best and most often with TdM. so it blows my mind that many other readers find the lack of specific RWS/Thoth symbolism a hindrance, but we just have different minds that work in different ways. and i love that we can share art that maps onto the basic tarot structure in so many different ways.

[@serenityjewel]

I just replied to the "lack of deck diversity is fine" on someone else's video. If an artist wants to create a non-diverse deck, which 95% of the time means an all White deck, that's their right. However it's my right not to spend my money to support an artist who intentionally chooses to create a world that excludes people of color. And to say that using the color brown, orange, yellow, or whatever might limit an artist is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I think there's a reason that opinion is always held by someone who's color and culture will be represented in 95% of these non-diverse decks. I think if all the non-diverse decks were a race other than theirs, if they only saw themselves being validated in diverse decks, they wouldn't be arguing for non-diverse decks.

[@simonfernandes6809]

Tarot consumerism and deck addiction seem to be trending at the moment. I've had strong views on these topics for awhile now so it feels as though more people are experiencing an epiphany. Tarot consumerism has reached extremes - it's unhealthy and deck production is not environmentally friendly. The Tower IS a great card - I keep getting it as a message to tear down my current approach to life in order to rebuild, still trying to do it though...

[@KateyFlowers]

Yes, I realised while filming this about a week ago that it must’ve been a conversation people were engaging in as I had so many responses about the topic. Always great to see people engaging in discussions that make us question what we’re doing and why. All communities that are centred around products tend to come back to this conversation in cycles. I know the tarot community did a few years ago. And the beauty and book communities do, too. Always important conversations!

[@isawhat8712]

I definitely know my comment that Katey replied to about only needing one deck until I started watching Tarottube was a complaint about myself. I went a long time with just one tarot deck and I was happy. Then I watched videos about all these decks and I'm like okay I need this one for this and that one for that. I don't judge people with large collections, but a part of me wishes I'd never joined the Tarottube community and just continued reading with my one deck.

[@MyTimelord11]

Yeah I'm kinda contending with my thoughts on this rn. When I first started with tarot there were a bunch of decks that I wanted and I did end up over time buying like 10ish decks. But like at least half of them I didn't connect with and ended up gifting. After I realized that only a select few decks would work for me and there are many out there that I would never connect with I stopped buying. I haven't bought a deck for years now and I'm very happy with what I have and really predominately use one deck. I feel like for this reason I have a really strong bond with my decks particularly my go to deck. And it makes me kinda sad to see people viewing decks as another "friend" on the FB profile rather than a close friend you could go to for anything. I recently joined a witchy discord server and they have a channel about divination but I found it rather disappointing. I've been lurking there for quite a while and it seems the discussion is almost entirely around deck buying. It seems everyday someone is either talking about a deck they want, a deck that's on the way, or a deck they got. Not only that but if the convo isn't about buying decks its about how they are going to store their plethora of decks. Peoppe ate talking about needing to buy more bookshelves or storage boxes for their decks. I really can't for the life of me imagine why one would need more than one storage box or shelf for their tarot decks. I only have like 3 myself. But then I always think like not everyone is like me. Maybe someone can connect with many different decks at once. Or perhaps for some people deck collecting is more like art collecting and they just buy them for the pretty pictures. I also don't their mental state and I don't know their finances either. So I'm trying not to judge but it's kind of hard. For me personally i think owning that many decks is a waste of space and money. And the idea of a deck just sitting in storage when someone could really use and love that deck is sad to me too. But it's really not my place to police how other spend their money. I think consumerism in the spiritual community is toxic but that's for me to decide for myself. I just want to suggest to the discord server that we make a separate channel for ACTUALLY talking about divination and one for deck collecting. Because those are two very different things and I don't care if other do it but I just don't want to keep seeing it hoping that one day they will actually talk about something of substance in the channel. I just don't know how to say it without sounding rude. Because sometimes I just want to go in there in be like "WHAT ATE YOU DOING? WHAT IS THE POINT? YOU DONR NEED 100 DECKS!!!" 😅

[@Miss_Lexisaurus]

On the inclusivity point, I think part of that is that so few decks have any diversity means many of us are desperate for those decks to include everyone and everything. What we need is more inclusive decks so no one (or set of) decks has to be all things to all people. The consumerism side of tarot and oracle is so complicated and frustrating and depressing for me. It's definitely more complicated by wanting to support smaller deck creators too, especially those who are creating those inclusive and diverse decks. I think some of the pathologising comes from the fact that to get help in most places, you have to be "ill enough" which contributes to a society that thinks if you're not "ill enough" then you're not really ill, you don't really have a problem, so shut up and get on with it. I wish we could move more towards a society and healthcare system that said "if this is an issue for you, you deserve help." Also 100% with you on reversals. I don't read reversals either.

[@MyTimelord11]

It's sad to see a lack of truly connecting with a deck because people are buying to many and spreading themselves so thin. I'm currently in a discord server and one of the channel is about "divination" but it's really just a bunch of consumerism. Literally just people talking about buying buying buying. And for some they have so many decks that they need to BUY more storage for them. It's sad really.

[@AstariaSen]

First, I am loving this video. I think talking in respectful ways within the community about our differences is a good thing. I've been working really hard the last year about putting myself out here in general a little more and your question about unpopular opinions helped me do that because I consider your channel a safe place. I've followed you for a long time and yes I did know you do prefer all inclusive. In retrospect perhaps I didnt make it as clear in my use of "limiting" as I thought I had. The limiting is more that artists would be more limited. Strangely enough art is just as much a day job for some people as any other day job. You're right it doesn't need to be put on a pedestal. But these limitations of all inclusive or I don't buy limits what artists can do too. I didnt mean it limited readers or the people buying the decks. I do think you are right art can be harmful and we all have a right to these opinions and to challenge it as well. One question that I often think about when I discuss all inclusive in art... are artists afraid now because if they don't do this their job is now in jeopardy? Or do the artists still feel they can share their honest work and not be thrown into a the ringer just because it's not inclusive? But I'm not a tarot or drawing style artist. I'm a sculptor who makes a living on art... so my thoughts about how an artist might be limited is honest wonderings. I can't speak for other artists. And personally I just choose decks I like in general. I'm not worried about how inclusive or not they are. I just consider if I like the art or how the book is written or how well I can read with them. It doesn't bother me to see inclusive or non inclusive. I will buy and read with either. I focus more on the artists style as a whole and how I can read with them. I also do not read professionally. I just enjoy reading with cards.

[@KateyFlowers]

Thanks for your comment, I’m glad to hear your consider this a safe space - that is definitely my aim 😊 I suppose the only thing I have to add is that if artists feel nervous about sharing their art, I hope they lean into that discomfort and look at any biases or prejudices that their art may be presenting or contributing to. I hope they use that to question themselves, their art, and to learn and grow. When artists use that as an excuse to not produce art, to me that is a red flag that they’re not willing to do difficult work. I’m nervous every time I upload a video that covers a difficult topic - I was nervous uploading this one! - but I do it anyway. I do it after reflecting and trying to ensure I’ve challenged any harmful assumptions I might’ve made, but I also try to be open to criticism which I see as further opportunity to learn. I think the fear for a lot of people comes from an idea that we have to be perfect or we’ll be ‘canceled’, and I just don’t think that’s true, or that it’s productive. There’s no such thing as perfection. The most important thing in my view is that we try to make stuff that conscious of its real-world impacts, and that we’re open to criticism when we share it.

[@sacredspheres]

I see what you're saying and I appreciate the insight that you offer here. If an artist is afraid of their career being jeopardized due to fear of cancel culture I definitely agree with Katey that they should probably look deeper into the art they're creating and why they feel this fear. "Oh, all of the major arcana cards depict white cis people, now I'm going to be canceled!" Well, maybe. It comes down to the artist's intention. My soul deck is the Green Witch tarot. It depicts white cis people, and that is far from the reason I bought it. It spoke to me in ways that I cannot describe; it made me feel safe and seen and still does. I also highly doubt that Ann Moura created the deck with exclusive, prejudiced intentions. That said, I am the first one to admit is does deserve criticism for its exclusivity, just as the original RWS deck does. It is available to the public not because it appears exclusive but because it speaks to a specific community. Moura didn't go into the creation of this deck with a racist, sexist, or otherwise negative attitudes. It comes down to the artist's intentions and how those intentions are received by the consumer. Wiccans such as myself are often criticized for being too white and too Western-spiritual. I feel sad that Wicca has garnered this reputation when I feel that it has allowed me to embrace inclusivity, freedom, and love in ways that no other belief ever gave me. I hope that more Wiccan and green witch decks are produced to show more inclusivity because Wicca to me is the definition of love and inclusivity. The true artist is driven by passion, not fear. I know you understand because you are a passionate artist yourself. I agree that consumers should be more open minded if a deck happens to lack the inclusivity that they want instead of just resorting to hatred and "canceling." But like Katey said, the return will reflect that because honestly the world just wants to see more inclusivity. I agree with you that no artist deserves hate if they make a mistake or fail to do it right the first time. I love this discussion and it's making me think so much! Thank you all for providing a safe space🙏🏻

[@zinzolin14]

I understand this sentiment, and it makes me wonder if artists and deck creators feel like their vision is being compromised just for the sake of not seeming discriminative to certain groups of people. Personally, I don't feel the need to see myself in a deck to want to buy or use it. I'm more focused on the actual artwork, art-style and theme of the deck, not so much on the number of different skin tones or identities portrayed in its imagery, but I'm an artist and that's just my perspective. I believe that as long as the creator isn't sending a harmful message out, they should feel safe to create their deck however they wish.

[@AstariaSen]

@@zinzolin14 yes. I agree.

[@effie8993]

I have to agree on the bordered decks. I do like a crisp border around the image. As I know with time, any chipping or wear on the deck will be on the border and not the image.

[@jannertfol]

Enjoyed this a lot, and, to my surprise, I didn't find any of the opinions particularly annoying. How people use and see cards is SO individual. I was interested in the short bit about 'ritual.' I have established a ritual I go through when I'm reading for myself ...usually VERY early in the morning before anybody else is around. It's a simple one, involving laying out my tarot cover (pure white cotton square, as it makes the cards easier to see, making myself tea (which I don't normally drink otherwise) in my plain white ceramic 'tea for one' pot and cup and saucer, Depending on the time of year (and the daylight) I light one or more beeswax candles in votive candle holders. I then sit with the cards in my hand, and get myself centred. This is almost like meditation, but it always produces a useful reading, no matter what deck or spread or question I use. If I just throw a reading down on the hoof, I find it very often isn't helpful. It's the quiet time and the sense that this is a special time that seem to produce the best results. I'm intrigued by the people who don't use reversed cards. I love reversed cards, as I feel it adds more language and possibilities, and sometimes forces a person to look at the opposite side of what a card upright will mean. But it would be interesting to get a reading from somebody who does this differently. Anyway, thank you for yet another very useful and enjoyable video.

[@russell136]

I love listening to other peoples opinions on tarot, and your takes are always spot on, it's nice to get some new perspectives from other people

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Both opinions that agree and disagree are helpful in clarifying my own thoughts, I feel. Sometimes, I sort of dont even realize that I thought something until I heard someone disagree. If that makes sense.

[@shannonkilpatrick6054]

Thanks for this! Learning how to disagree is an under utilized skill. I have difficulty with it myself. And seeing someone model appropriate disagreement verbiage and attitude without spiraling into name calling and broken friendships, is refreshing and helpful. So thank you.

[@shamanicarawakpriestess]

I absolutely love this video I love hearing other people's opinions on tarot. I think we do need to have more of these types of conversations. Even if we may not always agree. Thank you so much for sharing this video with us. Hope you do another video on unpopular opinions in the future.

[@KateyFlowers]

Thank you! I think I might try and do these every year or so. I don’t want to overdo it, but I do find them interesting for sure! 😊

[@le-coeur-et-l-esprit]

Thank you for these videos, which are always mind-opening to many of us. As for diversity, I wish there were more "all-inclusive" decks, but even more, more decks made by and for each community, because then, the way the people are portrayed is more authentic and if a companion book comes with it, it is less stereotyped and more informative (if well-made). As for all-inclusive decks, many people look at skin colour in order to categorize decks as such, forgetting about age, body, sex-orientation, culture, social class, etc. Obviously, you don't forget these... Thank you for that!

[@hradecky9855]

Thanks for this video! We just need to talk about these things and learn how to listen to others perspectives, be ok if you don't agree and still walk away respecting one another. This community can benefit from vids like this and maybe "popular" can go away someday, leaving us with different opinions to chat over, consider, etc.

[@gnomie2.0]

Loved this video! I agree with most (if not all) of your opinions, especially the idea that we should be careful not to project our own opinions about Tarot (or Tarot collecting) onto others as if we know what’s right and true for everyone else. I also loved the whole segment specifically about “pathologizing” ourselves and others, and would love to watch a whole video from you about that issue. 💖

[@phoebecasin]

Enjoyed this a lot, Katey! Thanks for sharing and opening up this type of discourse, which is integral in the community. Preach on not reading reversals! I find that the shadow aspects of the cards reveal themselves anyway depending on the context of the reading. New sub here, btw. 🌻

[@KateyFlowers]

Hello! Welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the video 🥰

[@phillwernet9241]

I only stumbled on you today. I love your vibe!!!!! Thanks for your perspective and voice in this space 😊

[@SamanthaMenzo]

I got the notification!! I forgive KZbin again lol OMG I am like halfway through now and PREAACHHHHH about inclusivity in decks and your thoughts YASSSSSSSS. Also my card readings for clients have nothing else in the frame but the cards and it is on a pure white table/desk. Clean and no distractions which I never thought about why I did that but I guess for me it works better to only have the cards because sometimes that is too much info in itself. (typing as I am watching if this it too much sorry) OMG HAHAHAH Skyler is a libra moon he was absolutely not shading you but probably loves that you gave him attention in general hahaha. Loved this video and you and I will now stop writing my novel of a comment.

[@KateyFlowers]

Haha omg of course how could I forget his Libra Moon! 😂

[@linchan7271]

Diversity in decks: absolutely! Tokenism in decks: not so much

[@AmethystAscensionTarot]

I love this video. I think it's healthy to have disagreements, respectful ones that is. How else can we grow if we only see our own perspective. Thank you for sharing. 💜🌞💖

[@KateyFlowers]

Absolutely! And I think remembering that disagreement isn’t a personal attack! ❤️

[@AmethystAscensionTarot]

@@KateyFlowers Exactly! Thank you so much.

[@jamesfeeney623]

Firstly, your eye look IS the moment 😍 especially with the matching rainbow top! I love how you prefaced by speaking about the importance of opinions and disagreements within a community; this is a really fun approach for integrating multiple views on topics. You have wonderful objectivity and deference when speaking about difficult subjects! Side note: loved that some of the opinions made you laugh 😆 Best wishes to you friend 💚💚💚

[@KateyFlowers]

Thank youuuuu! 🥰 Transforming into a fairy is my goal every time I put eyeshadow on so thank you for noticing! 🧚🏻💕

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I love the discussion around addiction here. Like you said, it doesnt have to he addictive behavior for it to be to unhealthy or unhelpful in your life, or even worthy of reflection.💗

[@aquamarine18]

Thoroughly enjoyed this + wholeheartedly agree with you on the vast majority of things (I do at times like reversals). ❤😊 I appreciate you pointing out that art is not some sacrosanct zone beyond criticism -- I feel like when it's treated like this we end up in really concerning territory. Art does something in the world -- representation (or lack thereof) has concrete impacts -- and that means we need to discuss it critically.

[@crownlotus1111]

You’re just amazing. Even if we were to disagree, I have no doubt that it would be nothing less than respectful. ✨Thank you for producing such valuable content. ☺️✨💜🌸🦋

[@sleepycalico]

I very much enjoyed hearing people think about how many decks they wanted to have and why. One of the uses of tarot is to become more self-aware. Mulling over the collection question is another angle of introspection for some.

[@Mrpr0071]

The original ten of swords in The Light Seer's Tarot should have stayed. Sadly, it was changed. I would love to get a copy of the original deck. The card was beautifully designed and had a great meaning. But the "cancel culture" going on now is soooo sensitive, want to ban everything and really hurt an ever expanding creativity for creators instead of helping out. The "woke" culture is anything but "awaken" when to make "their point" become the same as the racists, rejecting, judging, etc. who they are against. I guess this video is about opinions, so here's mine.

[@KateyFlowers]

I have to disagree with you. I think that was a great example of the tarot community engaging in a complex discussion. Chris Ann was not canceled, and neither was her deck. That card was criticised and Chris Ann responded to that criticism. Her intention was not to harm anyone, so when she became aware of the impact, she made the choice to change the card so that her deck could be inline with her intention. She was not forced to change it. She decided to in order to reduce harm. It wasn’t a comfortable or easy situation for her or the community to navigate, but I think it’s wonderful so many people had the courage to try.

[@Mrpr0071]

@@KateyFlowers Disagreeing is perfectly fine and welcomed. I know some people would agree with you, some with me. It's always really tricky and complicated to satisfy everyone. In negotiation, everyone involved wins something but also looses something. Thanks for your time and comment.

[@alexanderspeaks2455]

Excellent video! I hope to get to the next unpopular opinions prompt in time.

[@laurenlockridge5583]

Fool’s journey isn’t linear. Just like our life journeys aren’t linear either

[@src3360]

I agree with you, not using pathological terms like hoarder, when its more than likely not the case, at all. Hoarding is a type of mental illness. Someone having 100 decks or 1000 decks, likely have those decks on shelves or in boxes or something similar. Those tarot decks arent filling the entire house floor to ceilings, closing off rooms entirely, making the house unlivable and make the house condemnable by the county officials. The "hoarding" language is/can be very hurtful even if it isnt meant that way or unintentional. 🎉❤

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Some people who focus a lot on other peoples "hoarding," I think have their own disordered relationship with 'stuff.' I think being a minimalist or "hating clutter," etc *can* become just as unhealthy and obsessive as having too much. (I'm not diagnosing anyone here, just in general saying that projection is real and that disordered thinking can go both ways.)

[@kraewe2367]

Yes! It’s known as Compulsive decluttering. It’s characterized by the excessive desire to discard objects from one's home and living areas even when you are ridding items that are necessary. Often ppl with this will discard items and then have to repurchase. It’s just as serious as hoarding but sadly gets very little recognition.

[@TwentyTwoZines]

I love watching these because I totally agree that we should encourage dissent with kindness! I probably should have submitted this somewhere a while ago (but I think something to this effect was in the first unpopular opinion video?), but here's my unpopular tarot opinion: I don't like when a guidebook has those big full-color images of the cards. I feel like they take up so much room! I can see why it would be easier for some people--a larger images making details easier to see--but I personally am not a fan of them. I have so little bookshelf space as it is; I want more text than images! I know that's entirely one of those personal preference, any-preference-is-valid things though :)

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

Absolutely! It's so important to discuss these topics, especially those that may feel uncomfortable for us. 😊

[@Amyduckie]

100% difficult conversation is absolutely necessary.

[@KateyFlowers]

Yes! Thank you for sharing so many great ones for me to respond to 😊

[@Amyduckie]

@@KateyFlowers You're welcome! I enjoyed your comments and I think it's a good reminder for me to think about access needs a little more and I really appreciate that.

[@lricci007]

As long as people are different in every way, background, language, ethnicity, philosophy, religion, etc. we have to accept a myriad of different ways of looking at tarot or any type of card reading practice. I personally accept that and don't question other peoples methods or beliefs. I might be interested in learning new things, but I've never been interested in bottom lining anyone's beliefs as I feel benefited by all our different view points. For some reason people tend to want to debate anything and everything and I just don't get into that, I look at our differences and celebrate. Great video as always Katey, thank you.

[@lilpinkbear]

I bloody loved this and nodded my head all the way through. You handled some sensitive topics beautifully too. x

[@rote_universe]

Great video! I loved your discussion about pathologizing others and agree that that is very problematic. I hadn’t actually seen that happening in regards to tarot collections, but of course that’s really not ok! I also think it’s a great reminder that it’s not a collection’s size that determines whether it is a collection that “works” for someone. I think the consuming side of tarot is quite tricky, my collection is small and I don’t buy that many decks, still I sometimes experience overwhelm, I guess partly because a lot of digital tarot content is focused on new decks and showing collections. Which I enjoy partly, but I think it’s important to take some time for ourselves and reflect how we want to “shop tarot”, so that we can have collections what work for us.

[@dixiewinxeqandmore356]

I'm so glad you addressed the fact that decks must be gifted. I'm of the opinion that you don't need to gifted them(side note: Because I'd never have any of my own)

[@gv0861]

Just stumbled onto this channel. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. You are a highly articulate and knowledgeable young lady. I love the straight forward delivery and I am now a subscriber. Looking forward to more videos. :-)

[@cas516]

I love watching tarot unboxing or huge tarot haul it makes me excited but I also love people share experience on learning tarot or how to pick a tarot. I have experience on hoarding disorder and I am still working on it. I think hoarding behaviour is a huge topic and it’s hard to identify. At the end, when people feel good about their collection that’s great. English is not my first language hope what I said it’s make sense🥰🥰

[@thehighpriestess8431]

Great video ! Great points ! Thank you! Side note: I have collected over 100 decks in the course of five years. I love most of my decks. I use several decks on a regular basis to read for others. Most of the decks I own I have never read with but I love the images or art work in them. Cardstock is usually a deal breaker for me. I love high quality papers in general. I also love cute Tarot decks over more classical and “serious” art decks. I use decks that follow the RWS when reading for others. I aim to be really considerate and thoughtful to the person I am reading, so I choose carefully the deck I am going to use to read for them. I will buy many decks as I feel like it because I can.

[@KateyFlowers]

Your collection sounds like it brings you so much joy, and that is a wonderful thing! ❤️

[@kimapts]

Always a joy to watch and listen to you, Katey! Thank you!!

[@heidididwhat]

Always enjoy hearing your thoughts! Have you thought about reviewing movies? I’d seriously break out the popcorn and watch.😁

[@KateyFlowers]

Haha I honestly don’t want that many movies! But I do review books on my second channel! 😅

[@QueenOfShovels]

I freaking adore you!🥰 It's so interesting hearing so many opinions. 🤗 This world would be so boring if we all shared the same opinions🖤

[@Heather_Tarot]

100% Yes! to your comments about difficult conversations and disagreement. It can be so hard not to take disagreements personally (speaking only for myself here) and can be so uncomfortable, but it’s important to learn to sit with that uncomfortableness in order to grow. This whole video was 🔥

[@KateyFlowers]

Oh absolutely! I totally take criticism personally as the first reaction, I think that is pretty natural! But I try to breath and reframe it as an opportunity to learn, try to think of it as an offering rather than an attack. Easier said than done sometimes, but that’s exactly why we need more practice! 😅❤️

[@jillthetree9173]

Thanks Katey ! I'm surprised the realistic/collage decks weren't mentioned. I love a good collage but the decks I've seen that layer images just seem souless to me. that's my unpopular opinion ! :O) also, I don't know if I could pull off those bright colors but I'd love to try. great jumper !

[@justinmichaeltarot]

This is very interesting.. Soo happy to hear your perspective on this Katie! Thank you for sharing

[@KateyFlowers]

Thanks, Justin 😊

[@francesrobinson1335]

Thanks, Katey! You are so well spoken and so very smart and down to earth. I agreed with EVERYTHING you said! Have a great day!

[@KateyFlowers]

Haha I think you’re being a bit generous Frances! But thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@lealundquist]

Art has NO boundaries and consider every human on this planet has the right to select use or support which EVER deck appeals to them. It’s their journey no body has a right to tell anyone what is and is not proper appropriate correct or any opinion at all.

[@celestegodwin6656]

Hi Katey, I appreciate you approaching this sensitive topic. I agree we need a lot more discussion on this and agree to disagree by respecting other views. What I would like more to see is people admitting they do not understand someone's view and actually be ok with that or be open to exploration, instead of judging and canceling. For example I used to criticize readers who would focus mainly on materialistic or superficial to me issues, but since I am reflecting all the time, I understood that I actually did not understand their view or experience and need of this. I got deep into it and after a while I got to see this through their eyes, so I got to finally understand and appreciate their view. I now get why and how it is useful and I do not call it in a derogatory way anymore, I simply call it a different focus in a reading. I find many of these issues are misunderstandings and the denial of the fact that we do not understand what view and what definition the other is using. For example for me intuition has to do with the mind, the mind is involved in it and it grows by knowledge, so saying that intuition is not needed is strange to me, considering my definition of it. About inclusivity and diversity. This is a tricky issue. I'm going to use the Criss Ann's card to explain this. I like the first edition which I have. Some of us will always be upset about something in a card or be sensitive by something in a painting or an art form. But this should not limit the artist from expressing. When we let our hurts get the best of us we become fearful and we start blaming and it is part of the natural process to heal, but we need to understand that not all views can be pleased at once. By asking an artist to change a card is asking him/her to change their views and deeply affect their way of expressing. You say that this was not a cancel and that she was included. I disagree. To include her would be to appreciate her view and include her view without changing it or asking her to please your view. By asking her to please the views of a small group you have upset/angered the other group that agreed with the artist, but was not so loudly vocal. Now they feel canceled, not included or unable to express. So there is no easy way with this.. by requiering someone to change so you can be pleased it is canceling him/her. You say that the people should influence the views of an artist, but actually this artist worked with the public when making the deck. You say that ..so what, they have been included so far in so many decks and they should just stop asking for it. This is going forward by perpetuating discrimination in another way. It is perpetuating the same problematic behaviour. Go ahead and ask for decks that you like please. I propose to this community to start by making ones exactly for you instead of trying to fit into others. After a while the ideas will refine and you will likely find a way to fit better into others. I repeat, adding yourself should not mean destroying what was before, but finding how you fit into the puzzle. You do not change the puzzle pieces in order to fit... you find the right spot for you in the whole picture. This is why the anger or the push-back exists, and it is not about the actual groups but the methods employed. I can understand that some groups have a need to be recognized and I agree with that ! I support the recognition of everyone and I think there should be decks for everyone to like, but this eagerness to be accepted needs to be tempered. If you do not like a deck then you go and buy another. If you want one who would represent you then maybe find an artist that can satisfy your needs. You do not need to cancel in order to make room for yourself, this is what I'm trying to say. Inclusiveness is about adding yourself and not about canceling what is. Not everyone needs to like everyone by the way, this is diversity, we are not all the same. Embracing diversity is by accepting people as they are not as you want them to be, and appreciate the differences. About Major Arcana and the journey. I see this also about people accepting that Tarot is not a simple thing, and that is so much in the depth of it. Can anyone get to understand ? Yes, but not without proper delving into it and this is not everyone's desire and focus, and not all will get to the same things. This journey can thake lifetimes, and I'm not exagerating I'm speaking from experience. What I feel the need here is respect for what you do not know and others may know. You do not know what you do not know. I wish there would be a group of people who would preserve the legacy of Tarot.

[@maxheadroom7687]

Interesting views, thoroughly enjoyed the discussions on Tarot. Nice different video, well done!👍🙏😇

[@takoholic]

This video was so refreshing to watch and thank you for this! 💖

[@oldsoulmermaid1543]

Thank you for this! It was fun to hear other opinions on the Tarot and your strong and thoughtful take on them 😁!

[@serenityjewel]

I don't find reversals limiting. To me that's like saying the words not, no, nothing, never, etc are limiting. I don't even understand how anyone else can find it limiting but I know it does because y'all say it does.

[@SunsetBoughTarot]

Especially loved your thoughts on the necessity for community to be able to accommodate healthy disagreement 🙌 your thoughts on inclusivity in decks 🙌🙌 and your thoughts on why “pathology”-based language around things like deck collecting can be supremely unhelpful. 🙌🙌🙌

[@KateyFlowers]

😊❤️

[@lealundquist]

Without COLLECTORS we would not have museums

[@mermaidrisingtarot]

Really enjoyed this Katey. There's so many decks I think it's amazing. There's something out there for everyone. I love hearing others opinions on things and it's important for us to have discussions without judging or getting hurt or angry about the topics or at each other. I find Unboxing and walk through's fun and it's helps people to find a deck they would like to work with. Living in a small home makes me appreciate the things that bring me joy, watching others deck videos helped me choose. The last 2 years has been hard for many I can see the decks helping people who could not go out. It's been a great tool to help me focus and find balance.

[@HazelJaneTarot]

Love your response to my comment... "You do you. I don't care." Indeed. 👍 Great video. I think there's a lot of being afraid to say the "wrong" thing and learning to disagree within community is so important. x

[@HazelJaneTarot]

Ps. This video is visually ❤ Love the colours on your bookcase and top 🌈

[@KateyFlowers]

Thank you! 🌈❤️

[@ErisElizabeth]

That diversity take was interesting 💀 as an artist to me it is important that not every character in my deck is from the same cookie cutter and that more people can find something in the deck. For me it was important that everyone would be able to relate to The Lovers for example, but I realise that one person's 'Universal' is another persons 'Unrelatable'! One thing about gilding and borders is I really enjoy the customisation sub community in tarot... having no borders and gilding on a deck can make it almost impossible to customise so the challenge of getting rid of a border 😈 and adding your own edging I think is a cool an unique aspect of the tarot community! Thanks for this video Katey!

[@No1RicanBeauty]

For the inclusion conversation, I agree with the opinions shared. However , consumers have the right to want inclusive decks but I have seen boycotts and artist changing cards so where is their right to keep their creative expression intact w/out being forced to change it or face “cancel culture”. I think is great for inclusivity, but let’s be honest every deck will not check all the boxes to include every category of diversity. Just thoughts to share.

[@KateyFlowers]

It is absolutely the artist’s right to keep the cards however they want… but if people let them know they don’t want to buy a deck with harmful art in it, and the artist decides to change the art in order to better connect with their intended audience, that isn’t cancel culture. The artist could stand firm and keep the art the way it is, but they then have to accept that not everyone will want to support/buy that deck. Many artists do decide to change some cards, some because they didn’t realise the issues before hand and now are happy to be offered the opportunity to learn and grow, and others because they want their decks to be as successful as possible and recognise that more and more people are wanting representation in their decks. None of that is ‘cancel culture’, it’s a community expressing what they want and the market adjusting to it. No one is asking every deck or creator to be perfect. When marketing their decks, artists are asking for the support (ie payment) from the community. The community will respond according to its values, and right now a lot of artists are playing catch up and that’s on them to be proactive if they want our support. People who don’t care about this stuff due to ignorance or privilege can and will support art that is harmful - the difference now is that more and more people aren’t willing to settle for exclusionary, harmful decks. What I said at the beginning of this video is in reference to these kinds of conversations exactly. Criticising a deck or artist depiction is not cancel culture. And the better we can get at responding to criticism directly rather than calling it ‘cancel culture’, the more productive these conversations can be.

[@No1RicanBeauty]

@@KateyFlowers I have yet to see a deck where I feel visual represented. Maybe one day I will. Although I agree in a lot of your points, it remains an unpopular opinion of mine that if a deck is toting itself to be RWS that it should note on the box if they plan on removing all Masculine aspects. I am very openminded and Have just become a bit frustrated, like within the last three months buying decks where they removed any trace of masculine energy. As a consumer I just wish we had a heads up on the packaging. unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to research the cards before I opted to spontaneously buy them.🙏🏽😊

[@KateyFlowers]

I totally agree that marketing material should align with the realities of the product! I know it's easier said than done, but it's so important to ensure decks find their intended market. It's the same for books!

[@melindasteagall]

Late to watching this video, but I always make it to the end of your videos. You are one of my fave content creators, so thanks for all you do!

[@KateyFlowers]

Oh, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words ❤️

[@kellylyons1038]

Im new to tarot, no formal training. I just do readings in ways that feel right--pull the cards that feel "warm" and use fall outs. I never pay attention to whether the card is reversed. Especially since they sometimes come out sideways etc. However i do look at the reversed meaning just to see if it resonates.

[@georginatoland]

The Tarot community has gotten so toxic. I finally gave up and closed my channel. If I ever come back, I will not allow comments on the videos.

[@georginatoland]

I read reversals because I grew up reading reversals. I can comfortably read without them, but when I do I lean heavily into Elemental Dignities to discern finer shades of meaning. I am a predictive system reader, so details and accuracy are really important.

[@asmrdreamland200]

I miss you in YT Georgina !! 😭

[@jodevonshirenz]

I love the tarot, how much I learn and am always learning. There are a lot of opinions I don't always agree with... but that's ok. What I do think though is that a basic knowledge def helps. Initially, I think it can be a stumbling block, as I also got stuck with HAVING to memorise card meanings. But, it's not something I would advocate completely discarding. What I really wanted to say though, is thank you. I've learnt more today by listening to you and others opinions. Thank you ❤

[@jamieloom22]

I appreciate hearing your opinions, you have been an important person in this community for a long time.

[@KateyFlowers]

Thank you, Jamie. It’s been a wild ride being part of this community for the last seven years! 😊❤️

[@AstralLadyTarot]

Haha. I’m so ready for this video

[@SearingSeraph]

I love your glasses :)

[@lbr88x30]

Love your shirt 🙂

[@KateyFlowers]

Thank you! 🌈

[@FirestyledSamaurai]

Thank you I made an unpublished video about the contradicting ideas of being inclusive and a lit of these other things are not talked about. Thank you. I want to know the tarot story too. Yes of the reasons I gave trouble connecting with it. I do see sone conversations on consumerisms. But I also don't think its our business.. Thank you. I just paused a subscriptions to avoid this. Its our job to interpret the cards, so if we find put someone isn't inclusive, and you still use it sure, but at the same tine definitely spending our dollars on "actively exclusive" decks us a good way of putting it. Art has been used by the church for years to brainwash and strike fear in people. The runes started as a bar game, so why not? Can I do a VR of this? This has reflected all my thoughts exactly.

[@KateyFlowers]

Yes of course, I love video responses! :)

[@FirestyledSamaurai]

@@KateyFlowers awesome!

[@Blu-tm1ul]

I appreciate how you share your opinions with respect and how you back up your opinions with clear explanations why.

[@tamipie]

Of course I made to the end...it was really interesting. Thank you! Also, your eye-shadow is really pretty! (not an unpopular opinion!)

[@KateyFlowers]

🥰🥰🥰

[@NobodyHere]

My coffee is hot, it is 8.32 AM Wednesday morning in New Zealand, and I am so here for it ☕️

[@KateyFlowers]

Haha I hope you enjoyed - both the video and your coffee! 😘

[@kayporterfield3919]

Katey Flowers, you rock!

[@RoseHoneyRitual]

well said! this was fun, i agree on some and disagree on others which is OK of course hehe

[@honeypot9867]

I understand where the one cis-het commenter was coming from about not being able to relate to an experience (lgbtq, poc, different bodies types, etc) that they’ve never experience themselves but personally I find that even if the person depicted is black or even straight in the lovers card, they’re still a person/people and therefore still relatable to me🔅

[@serenityjewel]

People are full of BS when they use that argument. I'm not a man but I've been working with men on the cards for almost 35 years. I have fairy decks and I'm not a fairy. I have animal decks and I'm not an animal. People are just making excuses to justify their discrimination.

[@honeypot9867]

@@serenityjewel I agree that it’s used to excuse discrimination but it’s not complete BS. if you’ve ever listened to the podcast tarot for the comfy times, the lady who runs it speaks on her own experience with the RWS deck and how she was unable to connect with it. As a women of colour she had a hard time connecting to the imagery. She couldn’t see herself in any of the cards since they almost all depicted white men. This wasn’t her being discriminatory, she was being honest. The difference between her and the commenter in the video is that it was important for her to point out that there isn’t enough representation if women such as herself in tarot. The guy who commented in the video however has tons of options that already exist, so his comment was redundant. Even though I believed he managed to make a valid point about how the importance of being able to see yourself or relate to the cards plays a role in whether or not you can work with a deck. There’s much more I could say on this subject but I’m sorta tired and not feeling up to typing it out. I look forward to reading your response and your own personal view if you feel so inclined to write one. Have a wonderful day/night. 🌒🌕🌘

[@mikhaellar]

"I don't care" Haha! Really enjoyed this, Katey!

[@Masculineintuitionreadings]

The video was very informative. You’re so nuanced and kind.

[@Masculineintuitionreadings]

Hi, here I am again, a month later, because I like rewatching your videos from time to time. I have a question for you on the topic of reversals. I’ve tried finding out where that concept originated from, and I couldn’t find ANY info. Maybe you know more?

[@KateyFlowers]

Ooh great question that I have asked myself! I haven't been able to find any concrete information, so if you do, please share it with me! The basics I have been able to ascertain is that obviously tarot originated as a game, so potentially that game included reversed cards and that may have carried over into divination practices that developed. But from what I can tell, the first person to explicitly write about using tarot as divination and using reversals was Etteilla in the late 1700s. That's the best I've been able to come up with - and I'm obviously not a tarot historian, so this is all just stuff I've read online over the years, I have no way of verifying it! Interesting at least! :)

[@CandySoulAndSoil]

Loved this Katey ❤️

[@kathyparrow5609]

HI Katey, I just saw this vid and saw you dealt with my unpopular opinion. I have to apologize for my terrible writing. Boiled down, I was saying that I (a cis-het person) can give a great reading using a cis-het deck for anyone that needs a reading. It doesn't matter if they or I resemble the deck at all. The impression I get from the diversity deck discussion is that it's not possible to get a fully accurate read for POC/Differently Abled/LGBTQ/Neurodiverse etc etc etc with a non-diverse deck. I hope I'm missing a point because that's complete b*llsh!t. Again, sorry about not being clear. Thanks so much for the content.

[@KateyFlowers]

Hi Kathy, thanks for clarifying. I haven't seen people saying that it's not possible to get an accurate reading with a normative deck. The argument I see much more, and the one I often make, is more about representation. A creator making a cis-het, white, able-bodied deck is actively deciding to exclude the majority of the world and the tarot community. That exclusion is harmful, in so many ways. And while some people may not mind, a lot of people may feel less connected to the images and therefore the messages if they can't see themselves in the cards. I guess it's kinda like any piece of fiction that includes only characters with normative identities - anyone may enjoy that story, but stories that include representation give the reader a more honest, real, expansive view of the human experience that more people can connect with on a personal level. And the decision to only tell normative stories is an active choice to preference and centre one kind of experience over all others. So the concern isn't so much about accurate readings, it's about the power of representation in media and art, which informs how we understand ourselves and each other. Edit to add: I do think a tarot reader who is ignorant will struggle to provide meaningful and helpful readings. If someone isn't aware of the realities of different people's experiences, or doesn't think those things matter, they will struggle to give practical advice or be sensitive to the diverse needs of their clients.

[@kathyparrow5609]

@@KateyFlowers Ah! got it. I was just kinda focusing in the smaller issue of a reading rather than the larger societal stuff. Thanks so much for such a thoughtful explanation.

[@KateyFlowers]

@@kathyparrow5609 thanks for chatting with me 😊

[@DerekJohnThomas]

I totally agree with 99% of your opinions. As far as practice, I do have some differences (I read with reversals from time to time, for example), but as far as ideas surrounding this topic there is only one point that I disagree with. That point is intuition. After hobby-reading (I'm not a scholar) the works of Carl G. Jung, I understand that intuition is not some special, mystical, woo-woo thing, but rather a way of processing information from diverse sources. It is an ability that we all have and use to one extent or another. Some of us may recognize its functioning more than others. Some of us may have easier access to it than others, but we all have it. Intuition, to my understanding, is a way of processing information holistically. Where the rational brain will dissect information look at the parts and see how they relate, are different, or parallel, for example, the intuitive mind will gather broad swatches of information and discern patterns and pathways. I imagine it as looking at a map and just seeing the path from point A to point B without looking at each step of the way. We more easily observe the process of rational thought, we cannot observe the process of intuitive thought because it happens in the non-linguistic area of the brain. I've gone on too much, I know. I just wanted to say that you, I, and everyone who can process information are intuitive. Personally, I have been spending a lot of time developing my ability to connect with intuition and discern which voice is actually my intuition and which is just the chattering monkey mind. 😉 Cartomancy has helped me with this immeasurably.

[@KateyFlowers]

That is certainly one definition of ‘intuition’! I was referring to the definition that I felt was implied by the commenter which is how I think a lot of people use it, and that is sort of a ‘psychic-lite’, which I don’t identify with or think you need in order to read tarot. 😊

[@DerekJohnThomas]

@@KateyFlowers Truth. I think it's inappropriately used with the consequence of making the bearer of this special gift somehow more "spiritual" than common mortals. 😉

[@lealundquist]

Pathological language is like breathing poison through the channel. Words dripping with venom.

[@soniasulaiman]

I love the whole idea of nurturing disagreement, and being comfortable with it. Re: hoarding, yeah I would say that it's ableist to harp on about someone having a lot of something that makes them happy. So long as they can afford them and they're not impeding their life or making their environment unsafe, it's not hoarding. Re: inclusive decks, anytime someone says an image of a person is "universal" I squint a bit. It's sus AF. It's an appeal to some noble ideal that doesn't exist, an attempt to justify as 'artistic' and neutral what is simply a reflection of a given society's norms.

[@KateyFlowers]

Yes yes yes!

[@vkestrel3519]

Loved this! 💕 I especially appreciated the comment made about the ‘fools journey’…I agree that this can be a bit limiting so it was nice to hear it articulated 👏

[@Masculineintuitionreadings]

Errr… saying that make playing card cardstock is crappy is … an opinion. 330 gsm cardstock is heavier than most mass market decks.

[@KateyFlowers]

That is true! That was a big generalisation on my part and I apologise for that!

[@N-nh4mw]

Love this ❤️

[@TaleRavenTarot]

I've been pretty clear on my channel about lots of these "unpopular opinions" in the past. Diversity in tarot being a good thing. Not diagnosing someone else as a hoarder based on seeing a tiny slice of their life on YT...etc. Love your rainbow jumper and that lush bookish background. 😍

[@deelaity2917]

That was a refreshing, coherent and courageous half hour. Thanks so much Katey.

[@AnnieTsukino]

I really enjoyed this

[@kiaradrake541]

I loved every second of this! I’m there with you on not (personally) finding much value in a bunch of symbolism in cards... I’m a Tarot reader. I’m not an Astrologer or a Kabbalist. If that extra symbology helps you then great! I do feel when such heavy emphasis is placed on those symbols in a typical Tarot deck it becomes less accessible/more intimidating for people who may just want to learn how to pick up a deck and play/work with it... But I’m a Pip/Marseille reader so I’m more drawn to basic cards to begin with. For me; the more simple or basic the image is, the more open and free I feel when reading the cards...

[@effie8993]

A reader, and a good reader at that. Doesn’t necessarily have to read or incorporate reversals, in their readings. I feel the deck is already a very balanced system. Representing light and shadow. But nothing wrong with reading with reversals either.

[@velvetandverain]

Interesting points made here! As far as intuition goes, my accuracy doesnt come from any psychic interepration of the cards. I use my inituition as I fan the cards and choose them for each position.

[@isawhat8712]

I'm an intuitive reader but I definitely don't think I'm psychic. It's more like when I see all the cards laid out in front of me (for myself or others) I'll sometimes get an intuitive pull that the card in a position means something different than the traditional meanings.

[@wishnik1959]

real trooper here! you are awesome....

[@KateyFlowers]

🥳❤️

[@AuntyKsTarot]

🙌🏼 well said on many fronts. As for the critic who finds diversity “limiting” - I think we can all imagine who has an issue with it.

[@Arignon]

If you‘re implying that she is a racist, that is a shocking accusation. Not everything is black and white, so there is more to it than just „every deck needs to include trans, gay, disabled, black, elderly people“ and „everybody has to be white and beautiful“. I think what she was trying to say was that it limits the artist because they feel forced to make changes to their artwork or the kind of deck they‘d normally want to do because of some quota. To me, it‘s fine if there are decks that include different people but it‘s also fine if that isn‘t the case. Figures in decks are not real people so they don‘t need to be depicted as such. And no, I am not a straight white man.

[@AuntyKsTarot]

@@Arignon I’m pretty sure you just apologized and made excuses for racism. As a Lakota let me tell you that your paragraph of explaining away racism is disgusting. You are clearly a racist. ANYONE who makes an all white deck is upholding white supremacy and anyone who buys that white supremacy consistently is financially upholding racism. Maybe they are Gay, or trans, or disabled but still white - guess what - still racist. Just like you - a racist.

[@AuntyKsTarot]

@@Arignon a LMAO omg I read the bottom “not a straight white man” lol but you are white - and that’s all that matters you little racist.. that’s funny bc a BBIPOC person like my self would have stated their ethnicity (like I did). Even if they were assimilated. You didn’t. LMAO oh yeah you racist

[@Peekaboorose]

Bring it!! 👏🏼

[@KateyFlowers]

🥳

[@CommonHawthorn]

I'm struck by how many of the unpopular opinions were framed very judgmentally, and by how you side-stepped that energy and engaged with the substance of their opinion without becoming enmeshed in the judging.

[@KateyFlowers]

I did my best to approach these with as much good faith as possible! I know tone can be tricky to convey in text, and I thought focusing on the points rather than delivery allowed for some more interesting conversations anyway 😊

[@slowmotionsweet]

This video was so fun!!! You put such a positive spin on everything and on some of the slightly negative unpopular opinions! That rainbow top!!❤️🌈🌈🌈🥰

[@InspiringAlien]

We can disagree AND be nice! Ok i'll watch the rest of the video now lol 💙💙💙