In Russia, a growing number of people are turning to tarot cards to seek clarity on the war in Ukraine and the possibility of peace. Tarot reader Ksenia interprets a recent spread, where the King of Wands—often representing President Vladimir Putin—sits beside the ominous Devil card. “There’s a lot of manipulation and deception,” she warns, linking the cards to recent political developments, including Donald Trump’s renewed promises to end the war.
Since Trump’s political resurgence, Russian social media has seen a rise in videos predicting the war’s trajectory using tarot. Topics include the war’s end, Ukraine’s future, and Putin’s leadership. Another reader, Yekaterina, focuses on territorial questions and peace negotiations, suggesting Russia may withdraw from some occupied areas while retaining those “legally” integrated.
Yekaterina, once a relationship-focused tarot reader, shifted her content to geopolitical issues after the war began in 2022. In her most popular video, she predicts Dnipro will remain outside Russian control, citing spiritual protection.
Psychologists say the popularity of tarot stems from a human need for control amid uncertainty. Demand for tarot services surged during the pandemic and war, with one course even offering to train “wartime tarot readers.” By 2023, the esoteric services market in Russia had grown significantly, with tarot card sales increasing sevenfold.
Fortune-tellers are now consulted not only for politics but also by families of missing soldiers. While most clients are women, men like Dementiy also seek answers. His readings focus on secret talks between leaders and often point to manipulation, though he admits the cards have never revealed when the war will end.
