Every single person has experienced a burning desire to know — curiosity.

Why does the moon follow us in the car? Why can we eat chicken but not flamingos? Most importantly, why does the universe act the way it does?

This reflective question follows many deep into adulthood, as people seek explanations for the world they live in. Whether through religion, science or other justifications, everyone finds ways to bring themselves solace in this uncertain world.

For sophomore Riley Gatesman, tarot cards help her understand herself and the world around her. She has always been in tune with the natural world around her and her place in it, helping her become enamored with and harness tarot cards as a tool to gain universal alignment.

“Tarot cards are about recognizing synchronicity within your own life and more about picking up on patterns and things. The cards often reveal things to you that you personally are running from and don’t want to face,” Gatesman said.

She became interested in them as they gave her a way to ground herself in a world that is constantly changing and evolving.

“I think there are a lot of things in the world that we can’t explain and that modern science doesn’t understand, and I think magic is more about whimsy and filling your life with love and joy and making others happy,” Gatesman said.

She has also used tarot card reading practices to aid her friends in navigating personal challenges.

“I’ve done readings for a few of my friends, and everything in their life has matched up very well with what the cards have read, and everything has been very accurate,” Gatesman said.

One of these friends is sophomore Amelia Fido, who was introduced to this unique experience for the first time by Gatesman.

“It was different because I’d never done something like that before…and it was enlightening,” Fido said.

She also believes that the tarot cards helped her find clarity and took part in guiding her during a reflective time in her life.

“The cards matched my situation perfectly and then I ended up making the good decisions in that situation the following week. I resolved that problem and am very happy with the outcome,” Fido said

Gatesman does, however, believe that people often misconstrue tarot cards, and hopes that she can bring light to the true essence the cards hold.

“Tarot cards are not evil or the devil. It’s not a good or bad thing in religion, it’s a very neutral instrument for measuring your life and viewing your life through a different lens,” Gatesman said.

For her, the reason she is so drawn to the cards is that she believes that she has formed a connection with them. They guide her life and, in return, her life guides the cards.

“You draw them, you look at them, you read the meanings of them, understand them and slowly you start to see the connections forming,” Gatesman said.