More Than Fifty Years with Tarot

Tarot has been part of my life since 1974. Over the years I have spent more than 90,000 hours reading Tarot, writing books, coaching, teaching, developing courses, and creating my own Tarot systems.

So yes... I don't just enjoy Tarot. I dare to call myself a Tarot expert.

It All Started in Nottingham

My Tarot journey began in 1974 while I was living in Nottingham, England. Some of my friends were reading Tarot cards. Out of curiosity, I asked them to read for me. I was surprised. Actually... I was a little annoyed. The cards described me far better than I wanted them to.

When I returned to Sweden, I went back to reading ordinary playing cards for a while, but it didn't take long before I realized that Tarot was where I belonged.

My very first Tarot deck was a Rider-Waite deck, and I still own it today. Well... almost. Years later, while I owned my metaphysical bookstore Crystal Wolf, one of the girls working there accidentally sold my personal deck because we had run out of new copies. She thought the display deck would do just fine.

I was heartbroken. But everything happens for a reason. A year or two later, one of my students arrived at a Tarot course and complained that her Tarot deck simply didn't work. It turned out she had bought my Rider-Waite deck. Thankfully she agreed to exchange it. Apparently, it had decided to come home.

From Memorizing Meanings to Understanding Tarot

Like most beginners, I started by laying a few cards and reading the little booklet that came with the deck. I memorized keywords. I didn't understand Tarot. There is a huge difference. Even today I see many people learning Tarot that way. It works... eventually. But without understanding the system behind the cards, you miss what I believe is the real magic.

Life moved on.

I had children, which, for me, was when life truly began. Because I had the opportunity to stay home with them, I finally had time to immerse myself in everything that fascinated me. Around that time, I met a shaman who introduced me to the Elements and the Wheel of Life.

One day, while sitting with my Tarot deck, something suddenly clicked. I saw how the cards were connected to Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Spirit. That single realization changed everything. Tarot stopped being seventy-eight separate cards. It became one complete system.

Suddenly I could see how work, finances, relationships, personality, and the soul all interacted. My readings became deeper. Much deeper. Everything Connected

Soon numerology entered my life. Once again I was amazed. The numerologist who interpreted my chart seemed to know me better than I knew myself. Naturally, I began exploring the numbers hidden inside Tarot. Another piece of the puzzle fell into place.

Astrology was already part of my life, so it became another layer that helped me understand the cards.

Today I don't see Tarot as an isolated system. I see it as the place where many different systems meet. That's one of the reasons I love it so much.

Tarot speaks every language.

Every culture. Every religion. Because it speaks about being human.

My First Tarot Courses

In the early 1990s Tarot became much more than a personal passion. After opening my bookstore, Crystal Wolf, people kept asking if I taught Tarot.
"No."
"I don't know anyone who does."
"I have absolutely no intention of teaching."

That was my answer.

Until people started saying,
"Write down my name. If you ever change your mind, I want to join."  Eventually I gave in. One course became another. Then another. And another. I've never really stopped since.

From Passion to Profession

The first Tarot readings I offered cost 200 Swedish kronor (approx $20) Later I realized that taxes and bills also needed to be paid, so the price slowly increased.

In 1993 I published my first book, Tarot Step by Step.

Radio interviews followed.
Television appearances followed.

Tarot was no longer just a passion. It had become my profession.

Building Standards

In 1995 I co-founded the Swedish Tarot Association. Our goal wasn't to create competition. It was to create credibility. We wanted people looking for a Tarot reader to know who had studied seriously, passed examinations, and worked ethically.

Those ideas still live on today through The Tarot Academy, where I personally certify Tarot Masters after extensive training and examinations. Quality has always mattered more to me than popularity.

Online Before It Was Popular

Back in 2000 I created my very first online Tarot course. At the time, students received one lesson every day... By email. Today my courses are completely different, but the philosophy remains exactly the same. Learn at your own pace. Take your time. Understanding Tarot is a journey, not a race.

The Day I Finally Admitted It

In 2002 I had one of those moments.

You know... The kind where you finally admit something you've secretly known for years. I looked at everything I had done.

The books.

The courses.

The readings.

The lectures.

The thousands of students.

And I thought,

"Okay... I really am a Tarot expert."

Sometimes you're simply allowed to acknowledge what you've spent your entire life building.

Books, Decks, and New Ideas

Since then I've written 27 books (in Swedish), including 16 dedicated entirely to Tarot.

I've created several Tarot decks, including Crystal Wolf Tarot, Erotica Tarot, Prisma Tarot, and most recently Rune Witch's Tarot.

People sometimes ask if I've finished. Not even close. Ideas have a habit of finding me.

I Have Tried to Leave Tarot Several times. Every attempt ended the same way. Disaster. Sooner or later, I always picked up the cards again. Because Tarot is simply too fascinating to walk away from.

Teaching Tarot has become my greatest passion.

Not because I want people to predict the future. But because I want them to understand themselves.

This Is How I Read Tarot

People often expect Tarot to be about mysterious strangers, winning the lottery, or dramatic predictions. Sometimes that happens. Usually it doesn't. Most readings are about something much more important.
How are you feeling?
What's holding you back?
Which patterns keep repeating?
How can you create a happier life?

Tarot doesn't control your future.

It reveals the energy you're creating. That's a very important difference. I also don't believe it's a coincidence when someone books a reading.

I believe in synchronicity.

The right person.

The right questions.

The right cards.

At exactly the right moment.

Tarot as a Key

For me, Tarot has never been about fortune-telling. It's about understanding yourself. Understanding your possibilities. Understanding your choices. The cards shouldn't tell you who to become. They should help you discover who you already are.

Perhaps all it takes is one card, one insight, or one key to unlock new possibilities.

I hope our paths cross someday.

Ylva Trollstierna