Paying for a tarot reading... (with Checklist for Choosing A Reader)

Payment for tarot readings can be a hot button topic for some people. And it is easy to see why when you look around online. There are hundreds of readers who have hung their shingle out on the world wide web with prices ranging from free to hundreds of dollars per session. So why should you pay for a reading, how much should you pay and what should you expect for that payment...? Let's explore the nitty gritty details.

This is a question I encounter A LOT on any given day. I mean google "tarot readings" and something like the first 100 results are for free reading sites.Now that's not to say that free is bad, but a closer look at these sites usually reveals an app or website that has you tap on the screen to choose your cards after entering your question into a box. The reason that these are not ideal readings is that they aren't really addressing your question. The program will spit out a random card and a generic reading, often leaving people more confused then before.

And there are people out there who are good readers that don't charge for their services. Some feel it is a gift and therefore it isn't right to accept payment, while others are still practicing and may offer a free reading for experience. And that's ok - really it is.  Paying for a reading though is much like going to a salon or out to dinner. You go in with the expectation that someone will be doing something FOR you and you will pay them or leave a tip for that service. Tarot is the same way. Paying a reader for a reading means you are serious about your question, and that you value the input you are going to recieve.

It can be hard to know what to pay when looking for a reader. There are simply so many different price points that it can make your head spin. The most important thing to remember is that a higher price does not mean higher quality! It would be nice if it worked that way, but sadly it isn't the case. The more famous readers and psychics can charge $800-900 a session! Your average reader though is likely to be in the $20-$100 range.  

Personally I want to be able to offer something for everyone. Our basic readings start at just $10 with our premium readings costing about $300. The way I price my readings is often on a $ per hour basis rather then per card or question.  

When you look at readers you need to take a couple of things into consideration (besides your pocketbook)

• How well known/reputable are they? The more well known or the more positive feedback a reader has generally the higher price they will charge.
• What is the area they read in like? Readers in big cities may charge more money then those in smaller towns. For example a reader in New York City may charge $300 for a simple reading, where a person in a small town may charge $40 for the same reading. It has a lot to do with what the local economy is like.
• How long have they been reading? The longer a person has been reading the more you might expect to pay.  A person just getting started shouldn't be charging enormous prices until they get more experience. 
• Do they read full time, or do they have another job? A reader whose sole business is reading has to pay the bills. There may be things like rent, utilities, payroll (if they employ several people), etc.. Those who have another job can afford to charge less since it isn't their main source of income.
• Have they invested in their education? A reader doesn't have to be certified - and ANYONE can learn to read the tarot. We even offer a tarot class here. Those who have gone through a certification program, or studied with tarot gurus, or even take continuing education classes all factor in that cost, both monetary and time wise.

Before you pay ANY reader, do some research.

If they have a website check it out thoroughly. Do they have a code of ethics, a privacy policy - even a refund policy? Look at their contact page - is there an actual address for the business? PO Boxes can be a red flag, although not always. I live in an uber-religious town and before I "came out" I used a PO Box so as not to draw attention to myself. I have since abandoned that policy.

Do they have feedback? Look for feedback from clients - what do they have to say? The best feedback is that which is verified, either by social media or a site like yelp. A small amount of feedback isn't always a bad thing - I get only about 2% of my clients who leave feedback on the site! Look for info in those reviews about how they were treated, how fast the reader was, if they responded to any issues...

Look for a code of ethics. A good reader won't read for everyone. Most will not read for children, or offer legal/medical/mental help. They should be willing to be objective and not discriminate. If they have a membership in a professional tarot organization then they most likely have a code of ethics. It is a good way to know that you are dealing with someone legit.

What do they accept for payment? Beware of anyone who will only use Western Union to accept payment. It is WAY too easy for them to run off with your money and for you to have no options to get your money back if they don't deliver. Look for Paypal or a verified shopping cart provider to be sure that your transaction is safe.

Overall, talk to the reader. I welcome people to ask me questions, browse for a while - get to know ME. I like to think I am a warm and friendly person, but I am also a no nonsense person. I'm not going to sugercoat your reading or blow smoke up your bum. I AM going to tell you what you need to hear in the most supportive, caring way possible. Look for that with any reader you are considering. If they have a blog, read it - it can give you a really good feel for how they are as a person. If they won't let you ask questions or they treat you like just a dollar sign then keep looking. A tarot reading is a deeply personal experience and you should feel comfortable with the person doing your reading. 

​I hope that helps give you a better idea about the monetary aspect of a tarot reading. Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions!