I get a little jittery before trips. Planes, buses, rental cars—there’s a lot going on. So I do my normal checks, like tires and tickets. And then I pull a few tarot cards. I dive deeper into that habit in this breakdown of why I carry a tarot card when I travel. It’s simple, it’s quick, and—honestly—it keeps me calm enough to think straight.
And no, a card won’t drive the car. It just helps me pay attention.
Alongside my cards, I keep a pragmatic packing and safety checklist from ValidTravel on my phone so the real-world details stay just as clear.
My go-to “safe travel” cards
These are the cards I reach for when I’m on the road or in the air. I’ve tested them on many trips, from rainy ferries to packed flights.
- The Chariot: movement and control. I carry this when I need focus.
- Six of Swords: smooth passage. Great for boats, trains, or when I’m changing plans.
- Temperance: slow and steady. Reminds me to pace myself and pack smart.
- Wheel of Fortune: delays and twists. I set backups when I pull this.
- Eight of Wands: fast travel. Nice energy, but watch speed and rushing.
- The World: trip complete. I keep this card in my passport sleeve.
- Two of Wands: choose the route. Good for planning and maps.
- Knight of Swords: too fast. If I pull this, I slow down and re-check.
- Tower (reversed): prep matters. I double-check tires, chargers, weather.
You know what? I don’t see these as “magic shields.” I treat them like little flags. They point. I steer.
Decks I actually use on the road
I’ve tried a bunch. Some look cute at home, but on a sticky airport bench? Different story.
- Smith–Waite Centennial Tarot in a Tin (U.S. Games): My top travel deck. The tin takes a beating in my backpack. Cards are a touch thin, but they shuffle well on tiny trays. The tin can rattle in a quiet train car, which is kind of funny and kind of not. It’s a faithful take on the classic Rider–Waite Tarot, so any standard guidebook works in a pinch.
- Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle: Bold art, easy to read at a glance. The cardstock is thick and glossy, though. In bright airport lights it can glare, and on a cramped bus seat it’s hard to riffle shuffle.
- Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne: So calming. Great color cues when I’m tired. The edges chip sooner than I’d like in a carry-on. I keep it in a soft Baggu pouch.
- Golden Thread Tarot (Labyrinthos app): When I can’t spread cards on a tray table, I use the app on my phone. Quick notes help. But it misses the feel of real cards. No paper, no snap, no little ritual.
If you’d like an even bigger menu of pocket-friendly packs, this travel-tarot roundup lists dozens of compact decks that slide easily into a jacket pocket or side pouch.
Tiny gripe: agents have asked me about the cards at security. I just smile and say, “It’s like travel chess.” They usually grin and wave me through.
Real trips, real pulls
Here’s what actually happened—not theories, not wishes.
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Flight Seattle to Denver, spring storm season:
I pulled Temperance, Eight of Wands (reversed), and The Chariot. That told me: don’t rush, expect slow movement, stay in control. So I left early, packed a snack, and moved my airport train one hour sooner. Security got messy that morning. My train change saved me. The flight had turbulence, but I felt steady. I kept The Chariot in my phone case like a little “hands on the wheel” note. -
Southwest road trip to Santa Fe:
Spread: Wheel of Fortune, Knight of Swords (reversed), Page of Pentacles. Twists, slow down, check the small stuff. I stopped in Flagstaff for gas and a tire check. They found a screw in the rear tire. The shop patched it in 15 minutes. That card combo likely saved a roadside meltdown in the desert. I still sent a “not late, just careful” text to my friend. Felt good.
If you end up with a longer layover in Flagstaff and want to explore its more adventurous nightlife, the locally focused listings at AdultLook Flagstaff can connect you with verified companions and up-to-date availability, making it easier to weave spontaneous social plans into an otherwise tightly scheduled road trip. -
Ferry to Bainbridge Island on a windy day:
Pull: Six of Swords, Two of Pentacles, The World. Cross over, balance, and finish. I stayed on the lower deck, held the rail, kept my backpack zipped. The ride was bumpy, but the mood stayed soft. I tucked The World card in my passport sleeve. It’s become a habit now. -
Train from Rome to Florence (summer crowds):
I drew The Tower, Temperance, and Six of Swords. Yikes, right? But here’s the thing: Tower doesn’t mean doom to me. It means “secure the basics.” I screenshotted my tickets, charged my battery pack, and brought an extra water. There was a signal issue and we sat on the track for 40 minutes. No panic. I read my book, had water, and rolled on.
How I read for safety, fast
When time is tight, I use a simple three-card spread:
- Route: the path as it stands.
- Risk: what could jam me up.
- Remedy: one small fix.
A quick example: for a red-eye to Chicago, I pulled Two of Wands (route), Eight of Wands (risk), and Temperance (remedy). Translation? Plan it, watch the rush, slow the pace. I pre-packed my liquids, used PreCheck, and walked to my gate early. Pretty boring. Pretty perfect.
I also use my “light system” if I’m frazzled:
- Green: go as planned.
- Yellow: add a buffer.
- Red: change something simple now.
What works—and what bugs me
Good:
- The ritual helps me check real stuff: tires, chargers, tickets, meds.
- It cuts stress. I stay kind and patient with staff and with myself.
- I remember small things, like printing one paper copy. Just in case.
If a spoken or silent prayer feels more natural to you, you can also look at my take on a prayer for safe travel—it pairs surprisingly well with a card pull.
Meh:
- Glossy cards can slip right off tiny plane trays.
- Wind on ferry decks makes cards fly (use a pouch; learned the hard way).
- Pulling The Tower before a trip can spike nerves. I breathe and make a list. It passes.
My tiny travel kit
- Smith–Waite in a tin
- A soft pouch (so the tin doesn’t clang)
- One calming card tucked somewhere handy (I pick Temperance a lot)
- A mini notebook and a pen
- Phone with the Labyrinthos app for quick pulls
- A rubber band, because wind is rude
Quick tips that pair well with any card
- Screenshot your QR codes and bookings.
- Put an AirTag or label in your checked bag.
- Pack meds and a charger in your personal item, not your carry-on.
- Check tire pressure and wiper fluid on road trips.
- If you pull a “spicy” card—like The Tower or the Devil—don’t panic. Do one safety task, then one comfort task. That’s my two-step fix.
Still wondering whether formal prayers hold up on real trips? I put one to the test in this honest hands-on review of a classic safe-travel prayer.
Who should try this?
Nervous flyers. Solo road trippers. Parents hauling kids. Students hopping between cities. If you like a small ritual that helps you slow down and think, this works.
If part of your travel ritual includes meeting adventurous, open-minded locals along the way, you might want to explore the libertine community described here: NousLibertin — the in-depth review breaks down how to create a secure profile, verify fellow members, and arrange discreet meet-ups, making it easier to fold spontaneous social encounters into an otherwise well-planned trip.
Would I trust a card over a map? No. I trust both. Cards help me notice. The map gets me there.
Final word from my carry-on
I’ve used tarot on dozens of trips, short and long. It’s not about magic shields. It’s about a clear head and a kinder pace. When I pull The Chariot, I feel my hands steady on the steering wheel. When I see Six of Swords, I ease into the crossing. And when I pull Temperance—well,