Dear Lovely Young Reader,
I remember the first time I picked up a tarot deck so many moons ago. The anticipation, the curiosity, the nervousness…..would they be hard to learn? Would the cards be creepy? Would I really be able to see my future?
Little did I know then that those 78 cards would soon become an very important role in my life…they became my source of livelihood.
It didn’t even come into my mind then that someone could make a living reading tarot. In fact, I had other plans (artist, chef, bon vivant). But here I am, over thirty years since I first laid hands on a tarot deck – working full time as a professional tarot reader.
Perhaps you are just starting to read tarot. Or maybe you’ve been at it a while and people tell you that you are good. And maybe…just maybe in the back of your mind you wonder – could I do this professionally?
When you ponder that question, what do you feel? Maybe you don’t think it’s possible (I didn’t). Maybe you think you can’t because you don’t know how to run a business. Maybe you have had people tell you to “get a real job” and that left you feeling discouraged. Or perhaps you think that you are too young to be dispensing life advice. I’ve been there, believe me. I get those fears.
But I’m here to tell you that you can do it. In fact, we need you. The average age of professional readers is over 45 (I’m in that group too). We will retire one day and people will need new readers to take our place.
I don’t intend to work forever. In fact, I still have a bon vivant agenda on the horizon. So please, don’t wait. Don’t hold off until you think you are “good enough” or “old enough” or whatever. You’ll learn more by just jumping into the tarot water (plus you’ll develop a thick skin quicker – and you’ll need that, trust me).
Start now while you are raw, hungry and still full of curiosity and passion.
Reach out to your elders – we don’t bite. Step right up and don’t be intimidated. If you are really scared, we are here for you (and remember – we were once like you, young and full of trepidation so we know how you feel).
We need you. Grab your cards. The professional tarot world is waiting for you with open hearts, arms and minds.
Blessings!
Theresa
PS I have a special gift for you – a FREE pdf, ADVICE FOR THE YOUNG ASPIRING TAROT READER. It has lot of business wisdom and encouragement to help you start making the transition from hobbyist to pro. Click on the ADD TO CART Button below (don’t worry, there is no charge – this is just for the digital delivery) and start putting your tarot business dream together. 
Image at the top of post courtesy Marcia Mc Cord
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you, Theresa.
Feeling your love.
You’re welcome Aphrodisiastes!
Since both of my parents recently passed away, I have become more aware of my own mortality. I’m not getting any younger – and I look around me (especially at tarot conferences) and wonder…”where are the young tarot readers?” I would like nothing more than to see more emerge out of the tarot closet and start getting serious about creating careers. I know that one day I will retire (or pass away) and I sure hope that there are plenty of people still out there flipping cards and serving people. I really want to encourage more young readers to get out there and get started – NOW.
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Thank you for posting this. I started tarot reading professionally when I was 25 years old, with the face of an 18 year old!
I certainly had many doubts for the first few years as to whether I was just too young to be assisting people old enough to be my parents, and sometimes grandparents!
I am so glad that I jumped in when I did. The learning curves were many, the people that told me I was too young to be doing this were numerous, and I think I became a better reader because I worked extra hard to prove that I could do it
10 years later – 9 of those years as full-time, I am starting to notice some younger tarot readers emerge in my home city of Sydney, and I am happy they are there and full of enthusiasm. I do find it amusing though that I am no longer the fresh faced tarot reader. No one says I am too young any more (despite having another 10 more years before I reach the median age of 45)!
Thank you Theresa for encouraging the up-and-coming… I can say that as a once very young reader, the support and encouragement from my elders kept me in the game until I really believed I could do it.
Thanks for encouraging the younger Tarot readers! Like Sarah, I started reading at 18. It’s partly why I started reading online, so that my age wasn’t obvious. There seems to be a real expectation that a Tarot reader should be 60+ and look like a gypsy!
Now, though, I’m proud to be on the younger side and I am thrilled to see lots more younger Tarot readers coming out of the woodwork and doing some great, spunky stuff with the Tarot. Bring it on!
Beautiful! Inspiringly beautiful!
I am deinitly ready to take the next step, I have studied since I was 12, now 30, but other than Halloween I find it hard for people to even consider a reading. I want to keep my practice up and maybe apprentice under a pro!
I started reading really young too, when I first started I was reading only for myself and close peers. But now I’m working on establishing myself to read for the public at 27.