Why “Fortune Telling” Isn’t in the Cards in These Arizona Cities

Ever have a problem where you just needed a little bit of advice? Maybe you spoke to a friend or family member. Sure, they may have some helpful advice, but if they know you well, they might not be very impartial.

That's when some folks will seek out a tarot reader, someone who can give them guidance without injecting their own opinion into their situation. Believe it or not, the practice of cartomancy, or "fortune telling with cards", has seen a resurgence lately.

There's some controversy surrounding the practice, and as a result, some cities in Arizona have regulations governing professional performance.

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A Brief History of Tarot Cards

So, what is card reading or cartomancy? According to Wikipedia, cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards.

Tarot cards are not new, and if you break down a standard 78-card deck, you'll see their relationship to a standard deck of playing cards. The minor arcana has 56 cards that are divided into four suits, the same way playing cards are separated. Each suit contains 14 cards, including the Ace through 10 and four court cards similar to Jack, Queen, and King.

Tarot originated as 15th‑century European playing cards. Over time, the deck acquired mystical meanings as it was adopted in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Eventually, people began using the cards for intuition, symbolism, and personal insight rather than fortune‑telling. Most modern tarot card readers will tell you that the cards are not "fortune tellers". They're used to help someone make a decision, to understand their true feelings about a situation.

What Counts As “Fortune Telling”

In most of Arizona, reading tarot cards, even paid readings, are not regulated. However, some cities consider this “fortune telling", and if money changes hands, the practice is regulated.

These towns use the regulatory term "fortune telling" to describe services such as tarot reading, palmistry, clairvoyance, astrology, and other forms of divination offered commercially.

Glendale, for example, explicitly lists “Fortune Teller” as a regulated business category requiring a special application packet.

Why Some Cities Require Permits

Here's why some cities regulate these practices. Fortune telling can fall under consumer‑protection rules. These ordinances are designed to oversee businesses that are operating in sensitive or trust‑based fields. Practitioners may be required to undergo background checks or additional reviews.

Glendale classifies fortune‑telling under “special regulatory” business types, which require a little extra documentation that goes beyond a standard business license.

READ: Can You Legally Put a Tiny Home in Your Cochise County Back Yard?

Where Permits Are Required

Currently, Glendale is the only Arizona city that requires a specific fortune‑telling permit. The city provides a dedicated “Fortune Teller Packet” as part of its regulatory licensing system.

Other cities, such as Avondale and Surprise, may regulate fortune‑telling through general business licensing. Tarot readers in cities such as Phoenix and Tucson may also be required to obtain a permit if they plan to offer professional services. It's always good to check the local ordinances if you plan to conduct paid readings at a fair, a show, or a private venue.

READ: How To Secure Your Home Against Burglars In Arizona

A Little Bit of Caution

If you're looking for a tarot card reader, it's always good to get a recommendation from someone you trust. Most tarot and oracle readers are above board, but in every profession, there are outliers looking to take advantage of someone else.

If someone asks you for a large sum of money or insists that you come back again and again for readings, step away and find someone else. Or just schedule coffee with a friend. Sometimes, the power of a good conversation is all you need to find "clarity".