tarjotulla

Tarjotulla refers to a traditional Finnish folk practice involving the use of tarot cards for divination and spiritual guidance. The term blends the Finnish word *tarjo* (meaning "offering" or "gift") with *tulla* ("to come"), suggesting a form of seeking or receiving wisdom through the cards. While tarot is widely associated with Western esotericism, its adoption in Finland reflects broader European influences on Finnish folk spirituality.

The practice gained traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the rise of occultism and spiritualism across Europe. Finnish mystics, healers, and self-taught diviners incorporated tarot into their work, often blending it with indigenous Finnish beliefs, such as the veneration of nature spirits (*haukka* or *tonttu*) and ancestral connections. Some practitioners used tarot alongside traditional methods like scrying, runes, or herbal divination.

Tarjotulla is not formally organized as a structured religion but exists as a personal or communal practice. Participants may consult tarot for life decisions, healing, or exploring existential questions, much like other forms of divination. The cards are often interpreted symbolically, drawing on Finnish folklore, nature imagery, and universal archetypes.

Critics argue that tarjotulla lacks historical roots in Finnish tradition, while supporters view it as a modern adaptation of universal spiritual tools. Today, it remains a niche but enduring practice, appealing to those seeking alternative forms of insight. The term itself is rarely used outside Finnish-speaking contexts, where it persists as a colloquial or poetic reference to tarot-based divination.