I took my Hinge date to a tarot reader...and here's how it went

Who needs small talk when you can jump straight to the universe’s verdict? That was basically my mood the night I convinced my Hinge date to try something totally unhinged—skip the lattes, and head for a tarot reading instead. He blinked, laughed, and said, “Only if I can ask about my job, too.” So there we were, on a November night, in a little Mumbai tarot studio, letting an elderly woman named Sunita Choudhary shuffle our “fate” together, card by card.

I know what you’re thinking: Who actually does this? Surprisingly, a lot of us. What began as a tongue-in-cheek experiment quickly turned into the best—and weirdest—icebreaker I’ve ever had on a date. As Choudhary flipped through the cards, she muttered something about “hidden tensions” and “fiery attraction,” prompting my date and me to exchange nervous, delighted glances—equal parts embarrassed and intrigued. She warned of communication gaps—“He’s definitely going to miss a text or two,” she said, staring him down—and by the end, declared we had “potential, but only if you two don’t overthink it.” Honestly, it felt more real than most dating app pep talks.

By the time we left, I realised this so-called compatibility check wasn’t just a quirky story to share with my friends—it’s actually part of the new dating normal, especially for women. When I got home and checked my phone, two of my best friends were already swapping screenshots of their situationships’ birth charts. One texted, “Do you see this Saturn placement? Should I run?” while another asked, “He’s a Virgo rising—explain??” Gone are the days of flirty texts and emojis. Now, it’s astrology, tarot, numerology, and “energy checks” before you even agree to dinner. 

And it’s not just for show. “It started as a joke in my group chat, but now it’s a real step,” says Sanjana Rao, a Mumbai-based Psychology student. “I’ve done tarot with friends before important dates. Sometimes, if the cards say ‘run,’ I run. If they say there’s hope, well—at least I can say the universe told me to give it a shot.” What I love is that it’s not even that serious for most of us—it’s just a way to make the whole messy, chaotic business of modern romance feel a little more fun and a lot more like a team sport.

Birth charts and the spiritual-girl era

For many of us, these compatibility checks are just a modern twist on the rituals we grew up with—kundli matching for arranged marriages, star signs whispered over family lunches. But in 2025, they’ve been fully embraced by the “spiritual girl era.” I’ve lost count of how many friends, believers or not, have pulled up their own or their partner’s charts on an app “just to see.”

My favourite story? Back when my boyfriend and I were still in the talking phase, he secretly did a full kundli match for us. One afternoon, he emailed me the results with the sweetest note: “No pressure, but thought you’d want to know what the universe says.” We giggled about it for weeks. Now, whenever we argue, I remind him, “You can’t leave—the stars said so!”

What’s changed is how light-hearted and collective it’s all become. As Rutuja Mhatre, a Canada-based business student, explains, “My friends and I blame Mercury retrograde for every minor fight. Sharing numerology results or tarot pulls is more about bonding and storytelling than anything else. It’s a ritual now—something that makes dating less lonely, more fun.”

Even the pros have noticed. Tarot reader Sunita Choudhary told me, “I get more questions about ‘crush compatibility’ and ‘should I even bother?’ than anything else. Girls, especially, want to feel a little in control before getting invested. It’s about hope, not just prediction.” Astrologer Karan Malhotra sees the same trend: “Single women are coming in with birth details and asking for an honest take—‘Will this work, or is it a waste of time?’ I always say, use it as a guide, but follow your own heart.”

The real magic is the stories we get

Some might say all this is just a way to avoid risk or overthink the obvious. But honestly, compatibility checks aren’t really about answers—they’re about making sense of a dating scene that feels endless, random, and sometimes a little lonely. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the only one checking the stars or blaming them for another ghosting story. It brings friends together, sparks conversations, and makes every new crush a little more magical—or at least, more entertaining.

So, would I recommend taking your date to a tarot reading? Absolutely. It’s weird, it’s honest, and you’ll walk away with a story. Plus, you’ll know right away if your vibe together is game for a little adventure. If nothing else, you’ll always have something to blame your next situationship on (thanks, Mercury). And as for the kundli emails, astrology memes in the group chat, and midnight numerology readings? Keep them coming. Modern love needs all the magic—and chaos—it can get.

Lead Image: IMDb

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