At some point, you may find that you're adept. In fact, you may g et so good that people want to pay you for your talent. You might be inspired to start a tarot business. Yay! The world needs more good readers as tarot becomes more popular.
I get a lot of questions from people who want to turn their tarot hobby into a lucrative business. In this chapter, I pull back the High Priestess curtain and reveal the things you need to know before you hang out your lantern.
Let's start off with a reality check:
1. Tarot is an act of service. There is nothing better than helping people move through their trials and tribulations.
2. Starting a tarot business doesn't take a lot of capital. In fact, I started with nothing more than a deck and some business cards. You can create a website cheaply or for no cost. At this time, most social media platforms are free too, which means your marketing budget doesn't have to be significant.
3. A tarot business can be fun! Parties and events can bring you into contact with interesting people. You can wear a costume if you'd like (every day is Halloween for tarot pros!).
4. Tax deduction: you might be able to write off every tarot book and deck, as well as those tarot conferences. Business expense! Yay!
5. Tarot is more popular than ever, which means you can find plenty of work out there.
6. Back in the day, we had to hustle hard for business. With the advent of the internet, you can reach people on a global level, and that ups your chances of success!
1. The hours can be long. Sure, it looks as though I'm working a few hours here and there, but the truth is, most days are ten hours. That's not just client work. It's also marketing, writing, doing paperwork, paying bills, learning new technology, and so on. Self-employment is rarely a ticket to freedom despite what some may say.
2. If tarot is your only source of income, you'll have to get used to an unsteady income. That can be terrifying, especially when you consider that you'll need to put money aside for taxes, health insurance, and retirement. You will have to manage your money smartly.
3. Taxes. Oof. This aspect scares many well-intentioned tarot pros from going all the way. You have to pay taxes on that money you're making. There is no way to avoid this.
4. You might just get flack from your family if you want to do this.
5. The learning never ends. Tarot requires consistent practice, much like musicians have to do with their instruments.
1. You will deal with some difficult people. Folks who want to test you. Freebie seekers who play on your sympathies. Rude types who want to attack you for just showing up and doing the work. People who are unstable, unreasonable, and looking to take it out on you. Every business has this issue. Tarot isn't immune from jerks.
2. You may be subjected to big fines, depending on where you are located. There are antiquated laws on the books in some parts of the world that frown on “fortune-telling.” This could cost you.
3. The work can be dangerous. You'll want to rethink allowing strangers in your home or reading at a drunken gathering. I've got lots of horror stories from the time I got stuck reading for a gang leader to the time the abusive ex-husband of a client tried to use a fake name to set up an appointment because he wanted to “teach me a lesson.”
4. You will encounter both skeptics and religious types who want to discredit you . . . loudly. These are the folks who will attack you online, troll you, speak down to you, tell others how fake you are, and do whatever they can to bring you down. You'll have to develop a thick skin.
5. Some clients will ignore your boundaries. They will expect you to drop everything and read for them—even if it's on the weekend. When you don't, they become abusive.
6. You may encounter jealous peers who throw shade at you, local readers who undercut your prices, and scam artists who rip off clients. When you get lumped in with the latter, it hurts. Oh, and you'll have to clean up their messes too.
7. You'll also have dreadfully slow periods when no work comes in at all, followed by a deluge of requests that make you feel as if you cannot keep up. Do not throw in the towel. Ride the wave.
Get the picture? While doing the work you were meant to do is exciting, tarot work, like any job, also comes with plenty of challenges along the way. Those who are called to this work will plow on, good times and bad, lessons learned along the way. But for many, it's too much. I've seen many well-intentioned folks come into this work only to run away screaming.
If I haven't scared you off, let's get down to the basics.
I read tarot for ten years before it became my profession. That decade gave me a solid foundation in both tarot and people skills, which made my transition to a full-time pro rather painless. I knew what I was doing.
Too often, people go pro before they are ready. The reason is usually that their motivation is skewed. They assume that tarot is easy money, and after playing around with the cards for a few months, think, “What the hell . . . I might as well buy a deck and make a living doing this.” If that's your mindset, you'll quickly learn that it's not easy money. It's the most challenging work I've ever done in my life.
I'll never forget the wannabe tarot reader who worked behind the counter at a local occult shop. She was itching to be one of the staff readers, but the shop owners were hesitant due to her limited experience. After a round of begging, they relented and put her on the schedule.
The first person who came for a reading with this beginner was a client who had worked with me previously. He enjoyed his reading so much that he wanted his daughter to get one too. It wasn't long before the reader botched that reading. She was so nervous that she stammered and rambled, and the man got mad. The shop was forced to refund his money, and she left in tears. This is what happens when you are not qualified. I've heard plenty of stories like this about other inexperienced readers over the years. Worse, some of them have done real damage that other readers like me have had to clean up.
Please give yourself time to get to know the cards. Don't rush into this profession. Take classes, read for as many people as you can, and develop your chops.
Author Mary K. Greer wrote an excellent piece on her blog titled Suggestions for Becoming a Professional Tarot Reader (https://marykgreer.com/2009/11/12/suggestions-for-becoming-a-professional-tarot-reader/). She recommends having a “rite of passage” where you “volunteer for a full day (or better yet, a weekend) at a charity or benefit event and donate everything to the cause.”
Mary also adds: “The point is to read non-stop (except for necessary breaks), even to the point of exhaustion (drink plenty of water!). There's a point beyond which a part of you doesn't care what you say anymore, and you totally let go. You'll be surprised at what happens then and how accurate you become when you finally bypass your critic.”
I think this is wise advice. In fact, I am a champion of people doing many of these events before going pro. This experience will separate the professionals from the hobbyists and help you build your skills fast.
Once you've determined that you have mad skills, it's time to get going. Before you even begin setting up a business, you also need to reflect on what kind of business you want and the people you want to serve. Clarity will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run and may prevent costly mistakes. Meditate on what makes you happy. If you don't, you run the risk of hating this work or becoming burned out quickly.
1. Do you want to see clients in person? If so, will you want an office or will you meet your clients at a different location?
2. Will you offer readings by phone or email?
3. Do you wish to work parties or other public events such as a Renaissance Faire?
4. Will you wear costumes?
5. Do you like to work with a particular population? Are there some people for whom you may not feel comfortable reading?
6. Will you offer other services such as massage or aromatherapy?
7. Who is your ideal client? The more clarity you have on whom you want to serve, the more effective you'll be as a business person and the easier it will be for you to create marketing materials that get results.
8. With what situations are you good at dealing (for example, relationships)? For which situations are you not good at giving advice? Be clear on what services you offer as well as your expertise and, more importantly, what you don't offer (for example, as I have said a few times, I don't offer advice on gambling because this is something I do not believe in).
9. Are you going to invest in a website? (My advice—you should.) If so, are you going to do it yourself or hire a web designer?
10. What hobbies or activities make you the happiest? What gets you psyched?
When you are clear about your vision, you need to get down to the nitty-gritty.
Do not neglect setting up your business like a real business. In other words, choose a business structure and understand what it entails.
In the United States, most tarot readers work as a sole proprietorship. The IRS (www.irs.gov/) describes this type of business as follows:
A sole proprietor is someone who owns an unincorporated business by himself or herself.
While this is the simplest way to go and requires little to no paperwork in some cases, there are a few disadvantages to consider:
1. Raising capital for a sole proprietorship is more difficult because an unrelated investor has less peace of mind concerning the use and security of his or her investment and the investment is more difficult to formalize; other types of business entities have more documentation.
2. As a business becomes successful, the risks accompanying the business tend to grow. The primary disadvantage of a proprietorship is that the owner and all their personal assets are responsible for all of the liabilities of the business.
In other words, if your business gets sued for any reason, your personal assets are on the line.
Another route to go would be as a limited liability corporation, or LLC. The IRS describes this type of business as follows:
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure allowed by state statute. LLCs are popular because, similar to a corporation, owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the LLC. Other features of LLCs are more like a partnership, providing management flexibility and the benefit of pass-through taxation.
Setting up an LLC requires some paperwork and initially a fee to file the papers (this fee varies from state to state; it's usually around $200). Each year, your state may require you to file papers and pay a small fee (usually about $25).
While taking this route may seem tedious, it will protect you and your assets should the unlikely event come that someone decides to sue you.
Many cities or counties may require a license to do business. If you don't have one, your business may be considered illegal. The fees are usually small, and you can easily take care of them by visiting with your local county clerk, or you can simply have your lawyer handle it. Be sure to check out zoning compliance rules also to make sure the space you own or rent is zoned for your business. A special license also may be required if you are running your business out of your home. While these are all tedious details, setting yourself up as an LLC could perhaps save you a lot of drama down the road.
If you are going to use a business name other than your personal name (also known as a DBA, Doing Business As, or fictitious name), be sure to check with your state to make sure the name is not being used by someone else. You can find this through your state's website (such as www.wisconsin.gov). Contact or visit your local county clerk's office or your state government to register your DBA. Some states may require you to place a fictitious name notice in a local newspaper for a specific period of time. The costs for this are usually minimal.
If you live in a country other than the United States, laws and requirements may be different. You'll need to consult with your government to see what you must do to get legit.
While there are no special types of insurance for tarot readers in the US, you may want to consider getting a business owner's policy (BOP), especially if you set up your business as a sole proprietorship. This insurance will protect your assets in the unlikely event that someone decides to sue you.
Also, if you see clients in your home, you'll want to purchase additional home insurance (most insurance companies offer insurance for home offices). It is far more likely a client would sue you for falling at your office than for getting a bad reading. Protect yourself as much as you can. If you are doing readings only over the phone or via email, you may not need home office insurance.
If you are full-time self-employed, you may also need to purchase health insurance, disability or long-term care insurance, and life insurance (life insurance is vital if you have people who are dependent on your income).
Because of the high cost of health insurance, many tarot readers I know keep their day job for the benefits and choose to do tarot part-time on the side. If purchasing health insurance is too costly for you, this option may be something to consider.
You don't have to start out with a lot of money to begin your business. But you should make sure the basics are covered. Here is the bare minimum of what you will need to set aside money for (of course, you may not need all of these):
A good rule of thumb is to have six months' worth of income set aside if you plan on jumping in cold turkey. If you are planning to do this on the side until you have a regular list of clients, you may not need as much.
After you have decided it is time to set up shop, you need to figure out how much to charge for your services. This is a loaded topic for many reasons. The main issues are around what to charge and how to deal with the whole “this is a gift” thing.
Before I dive into what to charge, let's tackle that gift notion. There are some people, and some of them are fellow tarot readers, who preach that you should never charge for a tarot reading because it's a “gift.” Therefore, you're expected to do it for free. Somehow that makes it noble, I guess. Frankly, I never understood that line of thinking.
While some people may be gifted tarot readers, it's a skill. Period. And any skilled labor deserves to be paid.
Also, there needs to be an equal exchange of energy; otherwise, people won't respect the wisdom delivered . . . or your time. Don't believe me? Try giving out free readings on social media. You'll not only get slammed with requests but also have to deal with abusive types who expect more, more, and more. Such exchanges will quickly zap your energy and goodwill.
When people pay for your services, they treat them with more respect. That's because they have skin in the game. They've invested with you. That being said, if you're not comfortable with charging and truly do view reading as a gift, have at it. As long as you have other means of support, if that makes you as happy as the Sun, be my guest.
As far as what to charge, you'll have to go with your gut. Some people recommend looking around to see what the going rate is, but I don't subscribe to that approach. Instead, figure out what you need to live comfortably and let that number dictate your price. For example, if you need to make $1,000 a week and can see only ten clients a week, your total may need to be at least $100 per reading.
When you're first starting out, you may choose to charge less. That's fine. As you build your skills and reputation, you can begin charging more. You may encounter the odd client who wants to talk about the “reader across town” who charges less. This may be a way of seeking a discount. I always reply: “It sounds like that reader is more aligned with your budget, so it might make more sense for you to continue to work with them.”
I also want to remind you that when people are paying you, they are paying for your time. You cannot put a price tag on that.
Many people go into tarot as a profession because they want to help people. But sometimes that can lead to advice giving and trying to “fix” people. Keep in mind that you and tarot cannot do that. People have to want to change their lives and must be willing to do the work. You may be able to show them a path. You may be able to give an opinion. But you cannot fix their lives for them. Do not try to take on that responsibility.
Seeing a client in the same old position year after year can be frustrating. You may even wonder why the hell they are getting a tarot reading in the first place. Some people approach tarot like a magic wand: They don't want to do the work. They are hoping that the cards will somehow show a magic solution. These people are tough to read and can zap your morale. Try not to take it personally if they are unwilling to lift a finger to shift their lives. It is not your life to manage.
If you decide to read for the general public, you are going to encounter some aggravating types from time to time. You'll need to be prepared. Here are some of the various situations you'll need to stay alert for:
1. Skeptics. These are a type you'll run into more often than the other usual suspects. Their goal is to prove you wrong. If you don't mind working with these types, you might just surprise them. The key: you'll need to be confident. Even then, they might walk away, saying your reading was “bullshit.” The truth is: they don't want to believe any of this can work.
2. People who say, “I don't want to say too much.” Clients who lead with that statement are letting you know right off the bat that they want to test you. Like the skeptic, they want you to prove yourself. But unlike the skeptic, they might actually want a reading. Frankly, I find this mindset disrespectful. If you don't trust the reader, why are you there? It's like going to a doctor and saying, “I won't tell you my symptoms because I want you to magically tell me what's wrong.”
3. Penny-pinchers. These clients are frustrating. They want to make sure they get their “money's worth,” so they'll do everything to extend the reading. This may include trying to keep you on the phone when the session is over or sending follow-up questions while feigning confusion. You'll need to be strict with your boundaries on this. When I used to offer email readings, I had one woman who always tried to keep the reading going. She'd contact me and say she was “so confused” as a way to get me to deliver more. One time she dared to say, “I understand you want to work smarter, not harder, but can you really give me enough information with three cards?” I fired her.
4. Pessimists. They are another type of challenging client. If they approach the reading like Eeyore, nothing you say will make a difference. These people don't need a tarot reading; they need help.
5. Those with inappropriate questions. Recently, a woman sat down at the table and said, “I have a question for you, and you're not going to like it. When am I going to die?” I told her that she was right—I didn't like the question, and I refused to answer it. If a question makes you uncomfortable, you can take a pass too.
6. Creeps and freaks. I've had male clients hit on me, touch themselves under the table, suggest a threesome with their wives, and threaten me when they didn't like the reading I gave their wives. I've also had people freak out in the office, step over my boundaries, show up unannounced at ten o'clock at night demanding I see them, arrive drunk, come in a disguise after they were fired—you get the picture. There are some real jerks out there and some scary types too. This is one of the main reasons why I no longer see people in person. If you are going to allow people into your space, you'll want to have some safety measures in place just in case that one-off person decides to go ballistic on you . . . or tries to corner you for a kiss on the way out the door. This stuff rarely happens, but you'll need to be ready.
7. The cursed. These clients are convinced that their problems are the result of a “curse.” They want to believe their problems are caused by supernatural forces, not by bad choices. In some cases, they've been to another reader who has convinced them that this is the case (and the reader offers to “remove it” for a large sum of money!). They don't want to hear common sense; they want to believe that nothing is their fault. If someone isn't willing to take full responsibility for their life, a deck of tarot cards won't be much help.
8. The impaired. If clients show up drunk or stoned, send them away. They are not going to hear anything you say and will waste your time and energy. An impaired person is in no mind frame for a tarot reading. Signals get crossed and you will end up aggravated.
Now, those may be nightmare scenarios, but with a few solid boundaries, you can keep them to a minimum.
Whether you are a tarot pro or a newbie, you can take steps to ensure that you keep the crazy to a minimum in your tarot world. With clear policies and boundaries, you can prevent the wrong people from booking readings with you in the first place.
Take a moment to think about what kinds of boundaries are important to you. What readings might you refuse to do for a client? What are the consequences should someone step over your boundaries?
Consider what makes you feel safe and then draft a solid set of boundaries. Post them on your site so people know what you will or won't put up with in your biz.
Other situations that might arise in your office require special handling. The person who is going through a major transition and is scared. The terminally ill client who is thinking about the end. The suicidal woman who needs support. These types of situations are not the norm, but they may come to your tarot table from time to time. Sometimes you may be the last line of hope.
To be a good tarot reader, you need to have a great deal of common sense but also empathy. Active listening is necessary, and a no-judgement zone is mandatory. Create a sacred space where your clients feel safe talking about what's on their mind. People should feel free talking about any and all situations with you. It goes without saying, but confidentiality is a must. What is said in your office stays in your office.
A few words of advice:
First of all, if clients disclose that they want to end their lives during a tarot reading, always take that threat seriously. Do not brush off such statements or assume that tossing a few cards will change their mind.
Keep in mind that you may be the first person they've told. Sometimes people will open up during a tarot session and reveal things that they may not tell their loved ones. Give them a safe space to talk about their feelings. Listen with empathy. Sometimes this can make all the difference. If they don't want to talk, do not force them. Instead, touching their hand or shoulder or even verbal support can help.
Next, you need to encourage these clients to seek support from the proper resources. While a tarot reading can offer guidance, it isn't the solution, and it's never a substitute for professional mental help. Unless you are a licensed therapist, you cannot take on that role.
Have a list of referrals on hand. Here are a few:
Send a text anytime, 24/7, and a trained counselor will listen to you and reply. Totally free. Text and get support if you're struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or any type of emotional crisis.
Call and get help anytime, 24/7, and a volunteer will listen and help you settle your nervous system and bring you back to a calmer place where you can think clearly.
Text and chat with a licensed therapist. Professional therapy that's affordable and convenient. You don't have to get dressed, drive across town, and find parking. A real therapist . . . right on your phone!
The world's most extensive emotional support system. Connect to caring listeners for free emotional support. They also can connect you to licensed therapists.
In some cases, you'll need to be ready to intervene. If you know their loved ones, reach out. Let them know what's going on. Yes, you will be breaking client confidentiality, but you may save a life. If you don't know anyone who may be connected to them, err on the side of caution and reach out to a professional.
Keep in mind that not everyone will disclose their situation to you. Some people may be keeping these thoughts to themselves. Or they may make the decision to end their lives impulsively. It's too easy to blame yourself for “not seeing it in the cards,” but you cannot take on that responsibility. No one can see it all, despite their best efforts.
Clients may reach out to you in desperation. If they do and you can get them in, please do. Sometimes just having someone to talk to may help. But if you cannot squeeze them in and you feel the client might do something rash, once again, refer them to the proper help and be ready to contact their family if you know them.
Working with a client who is going through a crisis can also be hard on you. Make sure that you are practicing extreme self-care in these types of situations.
If a client does decide to end their life, you may feel awful. You might grieve or beat yourself up. If you're feeling sad, make sure that you get support too. When people commit suicide, the effects are devastating not just for the family members who are left behind, but also for the service providers and other folks who tried to help.
I've had a few occasions in which a client had a meltdown in my office. Usually, this reaction had nothing to do with the reading. The client was at a breaking point and needed a place to unload. In one situation, a woman suddenly stood up, crying and talking about voices that were commanding her to do things. (In that case, I contacted her mother immediately after she left, and she was able to get into a facility.)
Sometimes, though, a reading can trigger a reaction. One such situation happened at a tarot party. I was working in a gorgeous ballroom for a group of doctors. One of the wives sat down at the table. The cards showed an argument with a man about children. Suddenly, she bolted upright and screamed at the top of her lungs, “You're full of shit!”
I was in shock, and so were the other party-goers. A woman standing near me touched my shoulder and whispered, “You're actually right. She wants to adopt a child, and her husband won't let her.”
What do you do when this happens?
First of all, you must remain calm. You might be scared or want to cry (I sure wanted to cry at that party). Gather yourself as best as you can. Allow the client to vent if they need to. Speak in a neutral, reassuring tone. This way of responding will often help you get control of the situation. Refer the client to someone who can help them and end the reading as gently as possible.
The most important thing is to calm them down . . . and move them out of your presence.
In the case of a party like the one I mentioned, you have the luxury of other people around to support the aggravated client . . . and you. Excuse yourself, go to the bathroom, splash a bit of water on your face, wash your hands, take deep breaths, and go back out there. If the situation persists or escalates, you may need to leave. I've never had to do that, but it is always a possibility.
In some situations, a client will not be the right fit for you. If you have an intake form as I do, you can quickly assess whether this is the situation. In that case, you can simply refund their money and let them know that you're not their reader.
Let's say, however, that you don't have an intake form. Or you do but the person seems okay on paper and then proves that they are anything but an ideal client in person.
You must remember this: you deserve to be comfortable with the people you serve as much as you want them to feel the same with you. If they cannot treat you with respect and want to trample over your boundaries, they need to go.
The easiest way to fire someone is via email. That way, there is no room for negotiation, and the abuse is minimized. Be aware that when you fire a client, they may go out of their way to slam you to other people or leave bad reviews online. They are hurt and angry . . . and unwilling to take responsibility for their role in getting dismissed. It sucks when this happens, but every business owner will encounter it at some point.
The customer is not always right, and you don't have to take abuse from anyone, ever.
When a client comes to work with me, this is my routine.
I begin with an introduction. If they have worked with me before, there is no need to tell them about myself. But if they are new to me, I want them to know what I'm all about. An introduction doesn't need to be lengthy. It might be a greeting, introducing yourself, and showing them to the tarot table if it's an in-person session. If you're reading over the phone, a quick “Hello, how are you?” should suffice.
The first thing I do is pull an oracle card. I start out with this as a way to relax the client, break the ice, and get their mind ready for tarot. Sometimes people come to me straight from work or some other event, and they may be harried. Taking a moment to relax while I read the oracle card calms their nerves. You might want to try this approach too. Or you may have another method, such as an opening prayer or invocation. Just find something to create a relaxing vibe.
Next, I explain what we are going to do. That step includes sharing the spreads we'll use, how many questions we will have time for, and my process.
I recommend recording your sessions for clients. For one, this is an excellent way for them to reflect back on the meeting. Also, sometimes people hear only what they want to hear. Having a recording allows them to check in to what is actually said.
If you're seeing a client in-person, give them the cards and tell them how to shuffle and cut the cards. If you're working over the phone, begin shuffling. Ask the client to take a few slow, deep breaths and to say “stop” when they want you to stop.
Lay out the cards and begin the reading. I always start out with a general outlook, but in some cases, we go straight to questions.
Give the client time to ask questions about the spread or about any pertinent issues. Also, let them know when the session is almost up. I announce it by saying we have time for one more question. Sometimes the client will respond, “Oh no, I have three more.” I will then tell them that they can choose one, or I'm only pulling a card for each question. I never allow the reading to go over the allotted time, and neither should you get in the habit; otherwise, people will expect this every time.
Finally, I do a closing spread to pull it all together. You may want to do this or offer another type of oracle card to seal the deal.
Bid the client farewell and cleanse your deck. My friend Briana Saussy recommends washing your hands between each appointment. This is a genius way to cleanse the energy!
This routine works well and gives the clients a comprehensive, professional tarot experience.
1. Get some business cards, and always keep a few with you. Even in this day and age of Google, business cards are a great way to promote your work. I cannot tell you the number of times people have said to me that they found the card in an old purse and remembered that they hadn't had a reading with me in a while! Plus, you never know when you'll run into someone who wants a reading!
2. Do not barter for your services. Although you may be tempted to do so, you will quickly end up with a lot of stuff you don't want. Massage therapists are notorious for trying to swap with me. I'm picky about who touches me, so it's no dice. If you're going to trade for a service or product, make sure it's something you really want and is equal in value to your services.
3. An online scheduler will save you the hassle of setting up appointments and nagging people. You can send clients a link to your online scheduler or have it right on your site. This tool eliminates back and forth too, which can waste hours of your time.
4. Use social media and other sources (such as ads in local papers) to promote your work. Marketing is essential if you want to build a name.
5. Offer to speak or read at community events such as farmers markets and spirit fairs. This is a fast way to grow a local audience.
6. Attend tarot conferences. This is another way to get your face out there and to meet your peers. There is nothing better than the support of fellow tarot pros!
7. Encourage people to refer others to you. You may want to have a referral program when you first start out. For example, “refer ten people, and your next reading is free.” But don't keep that going too long. I have found that sometimes such programs lead to people sending any old person to you just to get that freebie. Plus, you'll have to keep track, and that can be a pain as your business grows.
8. While costumes can be fun, I refrain from those. I think it makes people treat the work as a joke. You're more likely to get folks who respect your work if you ditch the typical fortune-teller costume and wear your regular duds. That being said, if you enjoy dressing like Morticia Adams, go for it! Some people want the goth experience and expect a reader to dress the part.
9. Keep a regular schedule of hours. Do not work outside those hours. Sometimes people will request an emergency reading. If you feel the situation warrants it, go ahead and do the reading. I do not offer that service because I have found it leads to more emergency readings, usually on the same subject.
10. Parties are an excellent way to grow your business. I've gotten tons of referrals from the days when I did bachelorette parties! One time, I was hired, and so was a male stripper. There I was, tossing cards while a greased-up, deeply tanned man with a mullet and neon green G-string gyrated around the room. It was . . . interesting.
11. Self-care needs to be a priority. You can quickly burn out from this work. Know when to take time off and do it. You don't need to be on 24/7, and you shouldn't.
A tarot business can be a satisfying way to earn a living while serving others. After all, who doesn't want to help people? If your heart is in the right place, this may become your life's calling too.
Alrighty—that's the skinny on the tarot business.
I'd like to remind you one more time to be mindful of the impact you may have on people's lives. Choose your words with care. Be compassionate. Try not to judge. Above all, let your readings be full of hope. Because life always is, no matter what. Let people walk away feeling empowered and ready to live their best life. Do that and you'll inspire folks to rise up and live conscious, healthy lives.
And that's all I've got for you, friends.
In conclusion: Tarot rocks and intuition is Queen!
I hope that this book has given you a thorough intro to intuitive tarot reading and how my tarot brain operates. For some, my wish is that it inspired you to take it seriously and read professionally.
I'd like to finish by saying that tarot is always evolving, and there are new decks, insights, and ways to use the tarot coming out all the time. You mustn't get too stuck in your ways or develop what I call “bad tarot habits” of only seeing the cards from one perspective, including mine.
Keep an open mind. Take classes when you can. Attend conferences. Read as many books as you can get your hands on, including the classics such as 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack and Tarot for Yourself by Mary K. Greer. Get readings from other tarot pros and see how they approach the cards. Test-drive new decks and spreads. Never assume that you'll be a “master” of this. (Tarot has a way of mastering you!)
No matter how long you're at it, remain curious. That way, your tarot practice will continue to evolve as you do.
Keep shuffling,
—Theresa