If you’re a pet parent, chances are you’ve wished your furry friend could tell you exactly what they’re thinking. Whether it’s understanding their moods, habits, or simply knowing if they’re happy, most pet owners have dreamt of a way to communicate better with their companions. Well, in South Korea, many are now turning to tarot readers in the hope of gaining insight into their pets’ thoughts and emotions. Here’s everything you need to know about the unusual trend.
South Koreans Are Turning To Tarot To Decode Their Pets’ Thoughts
South Korea’s rising pet ownership has given way to an unexpected trend: pet tarot. Instead of taking their furry companions to trainers or behaviour experts alone, many pet parents are now consulting tarot readers in the hope of understanding their pets’ emotions, fears, and behaviour a little better.
According to The Print, the practice has grown into a niche industry, with sessions costing around 20,000 won (approximately ₹1,314). The readings use custom-made tarot decks for animals and pets are invited to engage with the cards, Reuters reported. Then the tarot readers interpret the selections to provide insights on everything from anxiety and emotional well-being to past trauma and behavioural changes.
For example, at Ace Sophia, a fortune-telling parlour in Seoul‘s Gangnam district, tarot reader Hwang Soo-kyung conducts readings for pets by laying out tarot cards and letting the animal choose one. During one such session, a greyhound named Khan placed his paw on a card, which Hwang interpreted as a sign that he was feeling anxious about the five puppies he was helping raise.
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What’s Fueling This Trend?
The rise of pet tarot reflects a much larger shift in South Korean society. As more people delay or choose not to have children, many are instead welcoming pets into their homes and treating them as family members.
According to the South Korean government, 25.4% of households currently have pets, with dogs being the most popular (75.6%), followed by cats (27.7%) and fish (7.3%). At the same time, South Korea continues to record the world’s lowest fertility rate, with births remaining at historically low levels despite government efforts to encourage parenthood. As pets increasingly fill the role of companions and family members, services like pet tarot are finding a growing audience.
The reason? As per official statistics, raising a pet costs an average of 150,000 won (around ₹9,845) a month, while the monthly cost of raising a child is significantly higher at 210,000 won (around ₹13,783). The data also showed that single-person households spend more on raising children than larger households.
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What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Josh Hild & Canva Pro/Luca Paul Droß (representative image)
FAQs
What is pet tarot?
Pet tarot is a practice where tarot readers use specially designed card decks to interpret a pet's emotions, behaviour, and overall well-being based on the cards the animal interacts with.
Why is pet tarot becoming popular in South Korea?
The trend is growing alongside South Korea's rising pet ownership, as more people choose to have pets instead of children and seek deeper ways to connect with their animal companions.
How much does a pet tarot session cost?
According to reports, a typical pet tarot session in South Korea costs around 20,000 won (approximately ₹1,300).
