Do you have what it takes to be a great Tarot reader? Are you looking at people who seem to have success in the world of Tarot and are worried that you won’t measure up? Are you following all the cool kids that have all the latest decks and gadgets? First of all, let’s look at some of the things people think they have to do to become a great Tarot reader or a Tarot reader who can earn a living doing what they love…
What people think they have to do is largely because of social media influence and, though there are some great influencers out there, some of it can be pretty toxic. Many people have started to equate being a great Tarot reader with having lots of different decks and knowing all about upcoming releases / indie productions.
Some of the Tarot readers with the largest followings are constantly posting about new decks they have acquired and though there is nothing wrong with this, it can easily end up making people feel as if they are somehow insufficient if they can’t keep up. As a professional Tarot reader with a social media platform, I have been guilty of constantly posting about new decks myself…
But I had an epiphany a while back where I asked myself how many decks I actually need to be able to do a great job. The answer is somewhere between 20-30 so that I have enough variety to choose from for every kind of reading request.
I also asked myself if my constant obsession with acquiring new decks was, in fact, a distraction from the real work I’m here to do… and I got a big fat ‘Hell yeah!’ from my soul in response to that question. Ever since, I’ve been slowly cutting my collection down to size and hope to reduce it until I have only decks that I need for my work.
People also think they must be certified to start reading professionally. While this can be true in some countries (for insurance purposes, at least), it may not be true where you live, so you need to check up on local legal requirements for that.
Now, I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with being a deck collector, or buying decks and supporting indie deck creators. Nor am I saying bollocks to getting certified – I’m just saying that neither need be your focus.
Nor does any particular form of spirituality or the latest trends in the world of woo need be of any concern to you, dear budding Tarot professional.
So what should your main focus be? What will distinguish you from every other Tarot reader and make you truly great?
The answer is so simple that you may dismiss it offhand: You doing you!
What the world needs now is authenticity and you have something unique to bring to the table. You have your life story and your unique skill set. Find a way of expressing both so that your audience kan find you. Here’s the thing about marketing… If you find a way of doing it that you love, it won’t even feel like work.
Not everyone who is a potentially great Tarot reader is also a budding YouTuber. I quickly decided that I wasn’t in love with doing videos… so I stopped. I’m in love with this… the written word, blogging, connecting with people in the moment online, through the written word. Though if videos are totally your cup of tea and you love both making and editing them, then you know this is your best way forward for connecting with the people who most need you.
Not every budding Tarot professional is great with taking pictures and arranging them according to the latest Insta trends either… and that’s OK too… But if you are then hoorah!
Just as trying to get our hands on all the latest, hottest Tarot decks out there can act as a distraction from the sacred work I believe Tarot can be, so is the idea that we have to be everywhere on social media, when really, it is better to specialise on the platform where our presence flows organically.
Be weird. The weirder the better. Let your weird light shine! We are all secretly hoping and waiting for someone to shine their weird light a bit brighter so we don’t feel as alone in the world.
Tell your story with the Tarot cards. Make them sing to others the way they sing for you, in the most creative way possible – Never mind how it has been done in the past! Only if you love the way you express your passion for the Tarot, will you have the strength and endurance to keep doing it day in and day out until you have built a sustainable Tarot business.
SO
Stop. Worrying. About. What. Others. Are. Doing. <—- That is the secret.
“I find that the very things that I get criticized for, which is usually being different and just doing my own thing and just being original, is the very thing that’s making me successful.” – Shania Twain
Love,
Lisa
Comments 13
Neat article, thanks.
I’m curious to your thoughts on if I can be a good reader if the aspect of astrology is not one I’m interested in researching. What really floats my boat about tarot is the relationships between the cards, the stories and the artwork. Really there’s a lot to love. I know there’s deep roots that intertwine there but astrology is just not my discipline so is that something you consider a necessary component? (I just know you’ll be honest and am not sure if this is a blasphemous question lol) no disrespect meant towards anyone who is into that angle.
I do readings occasionally and for many years but I’m not a pro
Author
Thanks Jasmin, I think that anything you add on that DOESN’T float your boat is going to lessen rather than enhance your potential as a reader. The Tarot wasn’t created with astrology in mind. It’s an ‘overlay’ but one that works really well for some of us. Take or leave it – Either is fine.
Part of it is learning new things on mom – time! Haha but thanks for the encouragement I really enjoy reading sort of as a right brain exercise. The pictures can really flow together and that’s where my focus is. Happy reading!
That was so helpful! Thank you.I am older and I am slowly finding my thing. It feels like forever.
Author
So glad you found it helpful, Sherry! You’re never too old!!
Thankyou Lisa, I quietly do my card daily . . . I know that the time will come for me to . . . When the Universe is ready for me to take the next step. I am confident with my deck . . . just waiting . . . Xxxx
Author
You’re welcome, Gail xxx
Well said Lisa. Take a step back and see what is really in front of you. Are you listening to yourself or letting what others do guide you.
Author
Thanks Jackie! 🙂
Lisa – what a beautiful (and, much needed!) post. It’s contagious. You have a way of getting REALLY “real” with yourself + your surroundings…that awareness is empowering to read because it gives me (and, your audience) a chance to attune to you. In response, we attune to ourselves. SO TRUE – stop worrying about what other people are doing. The follow-up Shania Twain quote sums it up perfectly. It reminds me of a favorite quote of mine from Alan Ball’s film, AMERICAN BEAUTY, “There’s nothing worse in life than being ordinary.” Thank you for sharing this with us!
-Adam xoxo
Author
So glad you enjoyed this post, Adam, and that it resonates 🙂 xoxo
I love this article so much. I’m not great at marketing myself. I love reading cards both for myself and others but am stuck at the marketing part. The best readers I’ve been to used one deck. the RWS. I believe a person’s personality will shine through whether it’s by writing ( like you) or doing videos. This is very encouraging. Thank You
Author
So happy you find it encouraging, Tara! 🙂