Lessons From a Reader

If you saw my Moth story (or just looked around for a little), you'd find out that, among other things, I'm a professional tarot reader. It was not a path I saw myself being on, but here I am anyway. It's already been quite the ride and I feel like it's just going to get crazier.

I've known quite a few other readers and now have a bit of experience under my belt. For anyone looking to start down this path, here's some unsolicited advice.

1: Start with Personal Readings

Tarot is a spiritual practice. As such, it requires a level of faith from you as the reader for it to work best. Doing card pulls for yourself on a regular basis is a bit of a prerequisite to nurture that faith. If you don't already have a personal practice with tarot, you really don't have any business having an external practice.

It's as simple as setting aside a certain time each week (or more/less often as you feel led) to do a simple pull. You'll know when you're ready to start doing more external readings.

2: Stack the Deck However You Like

In fairness, the deck is already stacked. Every card in the deck has good advice attached to it, so you'll always draw something "good" or "useful." Part of the magic of it all is believing that the cards you see are the ones you are supposed to see.

But there's no rule saying you have to use a complete deck. If you want to concentrate on something specific, you can change what you are shuffling accordingly. For example, if you really want to concentrate on something will-based, you can choose to just use the wands suit and leave out the rest of the deck. As another example, when I was just getting started, I only used the major deck for my personal readings until I really felt I knew those cards. Then I started adding the minor deck.

Pictured: Set off on your journey boldly!

3: Respect Existing Readers

Tarot readers are everywhere. Some have their own dedicated shops while others practice on street corners or in other businesses. No matter their methodology, these are now your colleagues.

Always feel free to drop by if they happen to be in and introduce yourself. There's plenty of space in the profession, so most people are friendly and happy to meet another reader. You can swap stories of difficult readings, ask for advice on particular types of querents, or inquire about their practice and how they got to where they are. You can even pay them for a reading for a new perspective on how to conduct a reading (and getting an external reading yourself can help you sort through issues).

Do be aware of any line that happens to be there and be mindful of your colleague's time; you wouldn't want someone holding up your line, would you?

In addition, be respectful of another reader's space. If a reader is already set up at a business, the most you should offer to do is to be their backup if they ever need a day off. Mind your territory.

4: Be Upfront About What You Do

When dealing with the public, it quickly becomes obvious that many people have no idea what tarot really is or what a reading entails. When someone sits down at your table, take some time before you start shuffling to gage the querent's familiarity with tarot and better understand what they are looking for. By going over the basics, you ensure that your querent's expectations are more in line with the service you provide and set them up for a more successful reading.

5: Books Have Limited Usefulness

There is a plethora of books that have been written on all of the various tarot decks that there are. You may be tempted to not proceed with setting up your practice until you have read through these books. You may also be tempted to think of yourself as an expert having read a book or two. Both of these inclinations are faulty as there is no substitution for time spent with the deck itself.

Sure, books can be helpful, but I'd rather have a reader who can picture each card by heart than someone who just recites other people's interpretations.

6: Your Words Will Be Remembered

Once you start doing readings regularly, it will begin to feel a bit more routine. This is just a byproduct of you doing something many times. But never forget, no matter how routine readings become to you, they are anything but that to your querents. Each person coming to your table will walk away remembering their experience and carrying it for the rest of their life. Be careful how you choose your words and always remember to see yourself through the eyes of someone who has no idea how tarot works.

Pictured: A Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, full of symbolism that has made it onto a ton of different decks.

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One of the most liberating things about having a tarot practice is that you set the rules. Feel led to go down a certain path? Go for it.