Manifesting Desire via Playful Mechanics in Tarot Readings

Abstract

In this paper, I analyse tarot readings and discern the game mechanics of the process. I specifically look at YouTube readings and document their ludic qualities by means of critical analysis and ethnography. I show the connection between gameness and tarot readings as a form of generating personal meaning from a system of predefined structures. Particularly, I argue that it is the ludic attributes of tarot what facilitates its therapeutic appeal as an act of self-care. I exemplify this argument by focusing on the choice-making mechanics of YouTube tarot readings. As I argue, these mechanics provide participants with the ability to manifest their desire. I draw further connections between these game mechanics, tarot, and self-care within the context of romantic love. Based on this, I finally support the ability of games to offer and sustain experiences of love due to their mechanics.