Tarot & Saju Cafes: Where to Try Fortune Telling in Seoul

“Fate, fortune, the brave,” meaning those who act boldly and take risks will likely achieve success and good outcomes. But what if destiny could be known beforehand? Although one’s fate depends on one’s actions, clarity on the path ahead will help a person overcome many obstacles. This is where a Korean Tarot or Saju Reading comes. This traditional fortune-telling practice is popular among youths and older generations. If this is your first time hearing about it, then you are not alone. Join us as we explore how Saju and tarot reading have gained traction in a modern country like Korea.

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🔮 What Is Saju Palija 사주팔자?

In today’s modern society, fortune-telling is almost immediately regarded as a feudal practice. However, Korean Saju Reading is more of a self-discovery and guidance than superstition. Saju Palija (사주팔자) is a Korean tarot reading by date of birth. “Sa” (사) means four, and “Ju” (주) means pillars, referring to “Four Pillars of Destiny.” This refers to four components of your birth: year, month, day, and time (hour). Likewise, Palija translates to eight letters and represents ‘destiny.’

Saju Reading is an ancient Korean divination practice that calculates predictions based on the person’s birth year, month, day, and hour. It allows the fortune teller to read a person’s past, understand their present, and predict their future. This traditional practice firmly believes that an individual’s destiny is predetermined by the surrounding conditions at the time of birth. Just like how birth information is fixed, your fate can’t be changed, only navigated.

🎴 Are Korean Tarot And Saju The Same?

First things first, Korean Tarot and Saju Palija are both associated with fortune-telling. They offer insight into life, love, family, career, and personal challenges. However, their methods, origins, and styles vastly vary. Saju is a traditional practice with roots in Chinese astrology. On the other hand, tarot reading originated in Europe and gained prominence in Korea over the last few decades. It primarily uses standard tarot decks, containing 78 cards. Among them, 22 Major Arcana cards represent significant life lessons and archetypal situations, while the 56 Minor Arcana are similar to playing cards.

The process is different from Saju Reading. The interested will first ask a specific question about love and career or request a general fortune reading. Then, they will draw a card from the ancient deck and give it to a reader. The latter will then analyze the meaning of the card and interpret it to give answers to the previous inquiry. Since tarot reading is more flexible than Saju, it is trendy among younger Koreans—especially for daily guidance, love, and decision-making.

💗 Who Seeks Korean Tarot Or Saju?

The best thing about Saju or Korean Tarot reading is that it’s for everyone. There is no limitation on who can book a fortune-telling session; even non-believers are welcome to try a short session to seek guidance and clarity. That said, not everyone is eager to have their fortune read. Most people who seek Korean fortune-telling are:

• Curious/First-Time Visitors: Saju cafes attract individuals curious about their fate and future, and tourists traveling to Korea for the first time.
• Couples: Korean tarot reading is popular among couples who seek to gain insight into their connection, marriage, and future.
• Koreans facing major life decisions: Locals who are about to begin a new milestone in their life (like marriage, making an investment, or starting a new job), seek fortune tellers to affirm their actions.
• Individuals seeking future guidance: Those who feel stuck in their lives and are seeking advice on love, luck, and career frequently turn to fortune telling.

In a nutshell, Korean fortune-telling is for those curious and seeking self-discovery, guidance, and entertainment. It will be a cultural experience for tourists traveling from outside.

🤔 Are Korean Tarot And Saju Reading Accurate?

Saju and Korean Tarot readings offer insights into personality, career, relationships, and life path. They also provide guidance on understanding one’s strengths to overcome challenges. That said, fortune tellings like Saju and Korean Tarot are based on “ancient philosophical systems, not verifiable facts.” Neither gives absolute answers—they provide advice, reflection, and perspective. To answer whether Saju or tarot reading is accurate is debatable. Some people might find reading insightful and personally resonant, while others might consider them feudal and superstitious.

We suggest you take fortune-telling as guidance rather than a fixed destiny. You can use the experience for clarity, self-discovery, and personal growth. If you decide to have a reading in Korea, go with an open mind. A private consultation with a reader will feel like an intimate session where you will discover many things about yourself. Whether it resonates with you or not, respect cultural etiquette throughout the reading.

🧐 Where To Find A Korean Saju Fortune Teller in Seoul?

Since fortune-telling is pretty much famous in Korea, you will come across fortune-telling cafes or specialized Saju houses in almost all regions. Seoul, in particular, has many such places offering Saju, face reading, palm reading, and Korean tarot reading services. Many fortune tellers operate their own stalls at tourist spots, streets, and parks. Some also open up a stall during fairs, festivals, and special events. You can find fortune-telling services in the following areas in Seoul:

• Seoul’s trendy shopping areas: There are many fortune-telling cafes just a short walk down the main shopping avenue of Myeong-dong and Hongdae.
• Hongdae and Gangnam: These areas attract younger crowds seeking tarot readings about love, work, or friendship.
• Insadong or near Temples: These areas feature traditional Saju houses specializing in Four Pillars of Destiny readings.
• Cheonggyecheon Stream: The area around the stream features several colorful tents where street fortune tellers offer their services.
• Online Readings: These have become popular among Koreans who seek consultations via video calls or chat apps.

Remember, most Korean readers don’ speak English. If you want to book a fortune-telling session in Korea as a foreigner, bring a friend who can speak Korean. Also look for a sign that says “English Ok” to find places that offer readings in English. One such place is Eros Tarot Cafe in Mapo-gu.

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🌟 Other Popular Fortune Telling Experiences In Korea

🖐️ Palm Reading

Palmistry might not be a new concept for most. Palm reading is an ancient fortune-telling practice in which a palmist predicts a person’s future by examining their hand. The palm reader will study specific features of your hand, including the color of your palm, the shape of your hand and fingers, and major palm lines, such as the heart line, life line, head line, sun line, and fate line. It is quicker than Saju reading and more specific than tarot cards. Palm reading can reveal a person’s personality, past events, love life, career potential, and health. You will find many palm reading stalls in Hongdae and palmistry services in Saju cafes.

P.S. As someone who has tried Palm Reading, my experience is somewhat mixed. While the palmist correctly revealed some of my past events, his future predictions haven’t necessarily been accurate 🤷‍♀️

🙂 Korean Physiognomy/Gwansang

Did you know your face can tell about your fate? As absurd as it sounds, many people believe that face reading can reveal their character, personality, abilities, and destiny. Physiognomy has been practiced for thousands of years across various cultures, including ancient China, India, and Greece. It is popularly known as Gwansang in Korea, where Gwansang practitioners believe that destiny is revealed on the “Eolgul” (face). They study three parts of a face: the upper part (Heaven’s part), the middle part (Human part), and the lower part (Earth part).

Specific facial features reveal different readings and potential outcomes. For instance:

• The forehead can reveal information about one’s fortune, reputation, career, and parental background.
• Eyes indicate love, marriage, and children.
• The nose is associated with financial flow, wealth, and personality.
• Mouth indicates aspiration and capacity.

Saju Reading and Korean Tarot Reading are two powerful practices in South Korea’s vibrant culture. They invite visitors to explore into the realm of mystery beyond the factual truth. Whether you are interested in fortune-telling or a firm believer in scientific practices, a fortune-telling session will offer a unique experience and an insightful journey into self-discovery. So, are you ready to discover what the universe has in store for you? If you are skeptical, try a free reading first!