Pet tarot: South Koreans Seek Pets’ Inner Thoughts. In Seoul, a greyhound named Khan recently visited a tarot shop in Gangnam, selecting a card depicting a dog chasing its owner. Tarot reader Hwang Soo-kyung interpreted this as the dog’s anxiety over his five puppies, a concern his owner, Ahn Hye-joo, felt veterinarians could not address.
As fewer South Koreans have children due to high housing and education costs, pet ownership has grown. Government surveys show 29.2% of homes now raise pets, up from 17.4% in 2010. This shift has fueled demand for pet tarot, with owners viewing animals as family. Hwang, who opened her shop in 2014, reports that no client has stopped at one session, noting, Once you start asking what your dog is thinking, you can’t really stop. Sessions cost 20,000 won.
For pet tarot readings, Hwang uses a custom deck for animals, including turtles and reptiles. If a pet picks a sword card, it may indicate physical issues like joint pain. Owner Ryu Su-mi brought her rescue dog E-seul, who is skittish around paramedics since Ryu was hospitalized. Hwang said the dog’s card showed trauma still present but healing. I’d have no way of knowing that on my own, Ryu said.
Pet tarot offers owners a unique glimpse into their animals’ minds, bridging communication gaps. As pet ownership rises in South Korea, this niche service continues to grow, providing comfort and insight to those seeking deeper connections with their companions.