The Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned as a Professional Tarot Reader
Exciting news!
For the first time ever, my books are officially open for virtual tarot readings!
Check out my three premiere offerings!
Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown
Believe it or not, it took me almost ten years to start reading tarot professionally. Now, my only regret is that I didn’t start sooner.
For the longest time, tarot was a deeply personal practice. Tarot helped me rediscover my spirituality, navigate my mental health, understand myself, and, most importantly, make a lifelong commitment to my self-growth.
Truthfully, the idea of reading tarot for others had always terrified me. I always felt that once people knew I was a tarot reader, they would automatically assume I could predict their future, ask me grandiose questions, and expect accurate answers. First, that felt like a LOT of pressure, and second, that is never what tarot has been about for me.
Tarot has never told me my future. What it has done, however, is allow me to understand the nuances of whatever circumstances I’m going through. It has allowed me to embrace an open-minded and holistic approach to the future where definite answers don’t matter; finding meaning in our struggles does. Finding how to live a life that fulfills us does. Cultivating a sense of self-acceptance and self-empowerment does.
Tarot is not mere fortune telling, and we do ourselves and our clients a disservice when we believe it to be only that.
So, What is the Tarot, Really?
I didn’t have the language to describe my perspective on the tarot until very recently. Joining the Archetypal Tarot School and connecting with peers who saw the cards in a very similar way allowed me to find my voice and embrace my perspective despite the fear of the fortune-telling stigma.
Tarot is a portal into the realm of the unconscious, where all the hidden wisdom and inner knowing lie that we need to equip ourselves with to gain a sense of clarity and empowerment. Tarot shows us how to navigate the unknown. It doesn't tell us what we will meet on our journeys, but how we should meet it.
Tarot is a tool for cultivating moments of mindfulness and reflection to better understand ourselves. It isn’t something to run to for all the answers to our problems. When used properly, tarot is a tool for guidance, self-acceptance, and healing.
Tarot has never told me my future. Instead, the tarot helped me to see— to see within myself, to see the world from different perspectives, to see truth beyond my own biases, and through this sight, came a feeling of agency and empowerment.
From the very beginning of my relationship with the tarot, my approach has always been inherently psychological rather than predictive. When I first discovered the tarot, I was a massive skeptic of anything spiritual, but I couldn't deny that the cards worked. Thus, I looked for answers in the realm of psychology.
When we view the tarot from a psychological perspective, it becomes a deck of archetypes: universally experienced and understood emotions, thought patterns, symbols, and dreams that manifest throughout time, geography, and culture. The cards themselves are universally relatable and applicable to any situation, but it is the combination drawn in response to our intention that prompts the self-reflection needed to understand how these archetypes are alive and at play within our own lives. When we can understand the dynamics at play within ourselves, we can integrate the lessons they carry and thus be empowered to move towards the future with understanding and hope.
The magic in tarot is its ability to give form and voice to these archetypes. To allow us a peek behind the curtain; to connect us to experiences, themes, and symbols that are universal and transpersonal; to give us context as to how our experiences are helping us to grow, and how we can move towards a mindset of self-actualization and individuation.
Always having treated the tarot as psycho-spiritual instead of predictive caused me to redefine what “divination” means to me and what it means in the context of my spiritual practice. Now, I try to understand other divinatory systems and tools within an archetypal context. Divination, as I understand it now and as I practice it for my clients, is about answering life’s questions by looking within, not without.
Embracing the Calling to Step into My Power
So, how did I get over the fear that kept me from embracing my true calling as a tarot reader?
Just as the Tarot tells us, all great journeys begin with The Fool:
I took a leap of faith. I organized a weekend-long Halloween retreat for some of my closest friends, and on our second night there, after a Hocus Pocus marathon, I did readings for just about everyone. I went from never reading for others to doing nine in one night.
That experience taught me a few things: First, I am damn good at this. Second, How to get into a good flow, and speak to the cards in a way that understandable by someone who isn’t heavily steeped in spirituality and mysticism. Third, reading tarot for my others is one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.
A few months later, I quit my horrible job to take a brief sabbatical and get soft reset on life. A week into my sabattical, I was pushed into offering public readings by Nicole, the owner of a local wine gallery who has now hosted me there every month for over a yea. Even my earliest clients commended my professionalism and knowledge, which boosted my confidence to keep going.
Over time, I began to receive glowing testimonials from clients who were deeply moved by their readings. Many became repeat clients, seeking my guidance regularly as they navigated various stages of their lives. It has been incredibly fulfilling to bring the wisdom of the tarot to people from all different perspectives and walks of life.
The Lesson?
Take the Leap of Faith
The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a professional tarot reader is that, just like The Fool, great things require us to take that leap of faith into the unknown. The Fool card represents the beginning of a journey, one that is filled with possibilities but also uncertainty. In my experience, stepping into the role of a professional tarot reader was very much like stepping off the edge of a cliff with nothing but faith in myself to carry me forward.
Trusting in ourselves and our abilities is crucial. When I first started, I was plagued by doubts—doubts about whether I was ready, whether I was good enough, and whether I could meet the expectations of others. But I realized that those doubts are just part of the journey. They are the shadows we encounter as we walk our path, and they are there to teach us to trust our own inner wisdom. The more I trusted in myself, the more I found that my readings resonated deeply with clients, and the more confident I became in my abilities.
Another key aspect of my journey has been the cultivation of a community that cares for and supports me. The tarot community, both online and in-person, has been a source of encouragement and growth. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who uplift and inspire you is essential, especially when you’re just starting out. They provide a mirror to your own growth and help you see the progress you might overlook in yourself.
For beginner readers, my advice is this: don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith. Whether you’re reading for yourself, friends, or starting to branch out to the public, the most important thing is to trust in your journey. Remember that every reader starts somewhere, and the only way to truly grow is to keep moving forward, even when the path ahead isn’t entirely clear. Build connections with others in the tarot community, seek out mentors, and most importantly, give yourself permission to learn and grow at your own pace.
If you trust in yourself and your abilities, and if you cultivate a community that supports you, you will assuredly soar. And just like The Fool, you will find that what lies beyond that first step is not a fall, but the beginning of a beautiful and transformative journey.
Now, Some Exciting News!
For the first time ever, I am finally opening my books for virtual offerings! I am beyond excited to expand my offerings and and truly step into my calling as a healer.
I'm excited to connect with more people and share the transformative power of tarot with a wider audience. Whether you're seeking clarity, guidance, or a deeper understanding of yourself, I look forward to embarking on this journey with you. Click the button below to schedule your reading and take your own leap of faith!
