It’s natural to be bit skeptical of online readings. After all, many sites seem to be just a step away from 1-800 psychics, their websites littered with dodgy reviews and prominent “pay now” buttons.
However, they aren’t the only game out there, and, as someone who has done tarot reading online, I’m here to tell you that from a reputable reader, online divination is just as solid as anything you would get in the wilds of the physical world.
Tarot readers are no strangers to potential clients questioning whether or not what they do is real. Surprisingly this is less common online, because the people who are seeking you out already believe in what you do, though they may still be a bit skeptical about whether or not the reading they are about to get is real, as it lacks that face-to-face interaction.
The biggest issue with tarot reading online is that it can be easy to fub your way through. After all, your client can’t see you. If you’re new, you can look up meanings and it can be far more relaxed, since there isn’t client sitting right there waiting for you to say something. However, it’s important to treat these readings as you would any other. If you want to make sure you’re giving the best reading, even online, here are some tips for getting the most out of it.
Trust technology
If you’re the type of person who thinks what happens on Facebook isn’t real, or your friends online aren’t your real friends, then reading online simply will not work for you.
This is because you’re already approaching the situation with a bias and a belief that you can’t form a real connection through digital means. Since reading does rely on a connection between you, the cards, and your client, holding that belief is detrimental, and will keep you from being able to read accurately.
In order for you to be successful online, you have to approach it as you would any other type of reading. You have to be completely open to receiving the energy. If you hold some prejudice in your heart, then your readings will be off, plain and simple.
Trust the cards
One of the major differences between reading online and in person is that you often don’t see your client, you may not even have a picture. I have done readings through email for people I know and people I don’t know at all. Surprisingly, it’s the complete strangers who are much easier to read for.
Often when I know someone, the reading tends to come from a place of knowing what they are looking for or hope to find out. This pre-knowledge colours the reading. For example, a friend with known money troubles may ask for a reading for guidance in their finances. Even if that reading leans more towards something romantic, the pull is to fit it into a mould of their expectations.
With strangers, not having background information on them helps to focus on what the cards are actually telling you.
Ask clients what they need upfront
When doing face-to-face readings, it’s not always necessary to ask what the client would like to know. I have given many readings that started with a client just asking for a general reading on the future, but that ended up having a specific focus. Online though, I wouldn’t recommend this.
If you think of reading as a way to process and focus energy, without any other connections, the lack of a focus tends to send that energy in a million directions and I find the readings are scattered. It’s almost as if none of the cards fit together.
Without any guidance, your reading will tend to be on the general side which, unfortunately, may turn the client off to future readings. Taking just a moment to ask what they would like you to look into will give your reading some focus and help you build a better connection.
Still, there are upsides to reading tarot for an unseen client.
The lack of cues is freeing
One of the things that makes reading online so nerve-wracking is that without the client there in front of you, it may seem harder to know if you’re on the right track with your reading. Even if there are no verbal cues, usually clients will give off visual cues and other nonverbal hints. A raised eyebrow or a frown perhaps to help guide you in a reading. Online, you’re flying pretty much blind, which, believe it or not, is good!
Instead of viewing this lack of data as intimidating, think of it as a way of strengthening your skill. Without your client there to frown or smile, you’ll have to trust your readings far more, especially if you’re communicating through email or something similar where there is no sort of immediate reaction.
Readings like this will force you to learn to trust your own powers and knowledge. Without client cues, you are free to focus on exactly what the cards are trying to communicate instead of trying to juggle their expectations of a reading.
Follow up with clients afterwards
This is especially important it you are just beginning to read online. Let clients know that you would love to hear back from them at a later date, as the readings aren’t always clear at the time. For example, I had a client in which I read that there was a change coming to her family. It appeared that there would be a child coming into her life.
At the time she scoffed at the reading, she was well past the age of child bearing — something I was not aware of, because I had never seen her, and didn’t know anything about her. I felt terrible and begun to doubt myself. A few weeks later, she let me know that her daughter had returned home to her. She wasn’t a child, her daughter was an adult, but it was her child. These small distinctions are not always clear right away. If I had not had an open line of communication with that client, I would have carried that doubt with me. Alternatively, had I been sitting in front of her and seen her age I may have disregarded the indicator of a coming child.
Getting feedback from past clients will help you find more confidence in your readings, because when reading online you lack that immediate approval from the people that you read for. It will also help you build a strong client base, and it can provide a source of referrals from a business standpoint.
Conclusion
Tarot reading online is not for everyone, but it is one of many possible options for connecting with clients. The key to being successful is to treat it as you would any other reading. Once you’re comfortable and have settled on a system for using a digital format, you can become a very successful reader without once sitting in front of another person.
Image credits: Rob DiCaterino and QThomas Bower
