Do I Need Permission to Read Tarot?

What is it about tarot that makes people shy?

Well, there's the mystery. The poetic images seem both familiar and foreign. What messages are they hiding? What do they mean? And how can one lean about them?

There's also the mysticism. Tarot comes with a lot of history, lore, and superstition that, depending on who you ask, means everything or nothing. Are the cards a tool of the devil? An inscrutable magical system only understandable after years of study and an elaborate initiation? Both?

No wonder tarot can seem overwhelming to new learners. 

While I've yet to encounter any wild tarot initiation ceremonies or tarot-related demons, I have encountered lots of anxiety around getting tarot "right," especially from people just starting out.

It's interesting how when we want to learn something new we throw out a lot of obstacles for ourselves. For example, getting caught up with the sheer number of cards - it's too much to memorize! I'll just buy that deck I've had my eye on later...

This is especially true for things we're deepy interested in or areas that reflect a part of ourselves we may be afraid to express. Tarot gets at all these tender spots. As a system it excels in teaching us more about ourselves and encouraging spritual expression. Unfortunately, these aren't always valued by our culture and often it's easier to push our curiosity for the cards aside, directing our focus to more "serious" matters.

I think that's a shame.

I always tell anyone I read for that if they have even the slightest interest they should pick up a deck for themselves and get to know it. Whether you're going to be reading professionally or simply drawing a card a day for personal inspiration, the tarot has so much to offer each and every one of us. You can even buy a deck and ignore it! When the time's right, I bet you'll start shuffling through it.

So if you're looking for permission or some sort of calling, I'm happy to give it to you. Here it is, nice and official: you have my enthusiastic support and permission to embark on the study of the tarot. You are blessed in your jouney wherever it may take you and you are absolutely qualified to add the wisdom of your interpretations to the practice of tarot. We need you. Welcome!

And as for the calling, if you're reading this you've probably already heard it within yourself.

Now get out there and snag yourself your first tarot deck. 

And if you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out. I love to help people along their tarot journeys in any capacity, whether it's through a class, card meanings, this blog, individul mentorship, or a simple email. I'd love to hear from you.

---