Tarot Reading as a Business: Ethics, Income, and Professional Practice

By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst

Tarot reading is one of the most accessible and profitable spiritual businesses you can start. With just a deck of cards and your intuition, you can begin offering readings—no expensive equipment, no inventory, no overhead. Professional tarot readers earn anywhere from $50 to $500+ per reading, and many build six-figure businesses through a combination of private readings, online offerings, courses, and content creation.

But tarot reading as a business requires more than just knowing the cards. You need to develop your skills, establish ethical boundaries, price appropriately, market effectively, and create systems that allow you to serve clients professionally while protecting your own energy. You're not just reading cards—you're holding space for people's deepest questions, fears, and hopes. This is sacred work that deserves to be compensated fairly and practiced with integrity.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to build a successful, ethical, profitable tarot reading business—from developing your skills to setting your rates to creating multiple income streams.

Let's explore how to turn your tarot practice into a thriving business.

Building Your Tarot Foundation

Developing Your Skills

How long before you can read professionally?

• Minimum: 6 months of daily practice
• Recommended: 1-2 years before charging premium rates
• Mastery: Ongoing—you never stop learning

Essential skills to develop:

1. Card meanings: Know all 78 cards (upright and reversed)
2. Spreads: Master 5-10 spreads for different questions
3. Intuition: Trust your hits beyond book meanings
4. Synthesis: Weave cards into a coherent narrative
5. Communication: Deliver messages clearly and compassionately
6. Boundaries: Know what you will and won't read on
7. Ethics: Understand your responsibilities

Practice methods:

• Daily draw: One card each morning, journal about it
• Self-readings: Practice spreads for your own questions
• Free readings: Read for friends and family (with permission)
• Online practice: Offer free readings in exchange for testimonials
• Study: Books, courses, mentorship
• Read professionally: Start charging (even low rates) to get experience

Choosing Your Tarot Niche

You don't have to read for everyone. Specialize:

By topic:

• Love and relationships
• Career and business
• Spiritual development
• Shadow work and healing
• Life purpose and soul path

By style:

• Intuitive/psychic readings
• Traditional/book-based readings
• Therapeutic/counseling approach
• Predictive readings
• Empowerment/coaching style

By audience:

• Entrepreneurs and business owners
• Creative professionals
• LGBTQ+ community
• Women in transition
• Spiritual seekers

Benefits of niching:

• Become known as the expert
• Attract ideal clients
• Charge premium rates
• Marketing is easier
• More fulfilling work

Ethics of Professional Tarot Reading

Core Ethical Principles

1. Empowerment, not dependency:
   • Empower clients to make their own decisions
   • Don't create dependency on readings
   • Teach them to trust their own intuition
2. Free will and possibility, not fixed fate:
   • Present readings as possibilities, not certainties
   • Emphasize that clients can change outcomes
   • Avoid deterministic language ("This WILL happen")
3. Do no harm:
   • Don't scare or manipulate clients
   • Don't use readings to control or exploit
   • Consider the impact of your words
4. Confidentiality:
   • What's shared in a reading stays private
   • Don't gossip about clients
   • Get permission before sharing testimonials
5. Know your limits:
   • Don't diagnose medical or mental health conditions
   • Refer to professionals when needed
   • Admit when you don't know

What NOT to Read On

Topics to avoid or handle carefully:

Absolutely avoid:

• Death predictions: Never predict when someone will die
• Medical diagnoses: You're not a doctor
• Legal advice: You're not a lawyer
• Third-party readings without consent: Don't read on someone not present

Handle with extreme care:

• Health questions: General guidance only, always recommend seeing a doctor
• Pregnancy: Very sensitive, can cause harm if wrong
• Mental health: Support but don't diagnose, refer to therapists
• Legal issues: General guidance, but they need a lawyer

Set clear boundaries:

• State what you will and won't read on
• Include in your policies
• Don't be pressured to cross your boundaries

Ethical Pricing

The pricing dilemma:

• "Spiritual work should be free" vs. "I need to pay my bills"
• The answer: Charge fairly for the value you provide

Why charging is ethical:

• Energy exchange—you give, you receive
• Sustainability—you can only serve if you're supported
• Commitment—clients who pay are more invested
• Professionalism—charging creates professional boundaries
• Value—free is often not valued

Sliding scale and accessibility:

• Offer some sliding scale spots
• Provide free content (YouTube, blog, social media)
• Occasional free readings for those in need
• But don't undercharge across the board

Pricing Your Tarot Readings

Market Rates

Typical pricing (USD):

• Beginner (0-1 year): $25-$75 per reading
• Intermediate (1-3 years): $75-$150 per reading
• Experienced (3-5 years): $150-$300 per reading
• Expert/Celebrity (5+ years): $300-$500+ per reading

Factors affecting pricing:

• Your experience and skill level
• Your niche and specialization
• Your market (urban vs. rural, country)
• Reading length (15 min vs. 60 min)
• Reading type (general vs. in-depth)
• Your brand and positioning

Pricing Structures

1. Time-based pricing:

• 15 minutes: $50
• 30 minutes: $100
• 60 minutes: $200

Pros: Clear, easy to understand
Cons: Limits depth, feels rushed

2. Question-based pricing:

• One question: $50
• Three questions: $125
• Unlimited questions (60 min): $200

Pros: Flexible, focused
Cons: Can be hard to define "one question"

3. Spread-based pricing:

• Three-card spread: $50
• Celtic Cross: $150
• Year ahead: $250

Pros: Clear deliverable
Cons: Limits flexibility

4. Value-based pricing (recommended):

• Price based on transformation, not time
• Deep dive session: $300 (however long it takes)
• Business strategy reading: $500
• Soul path reading: $400

Pros: Honors value, allows depth
Cons: Requires confidence

Packages and Upsells

Create packages for higher value:

• Monthly guidance: 4 readings/month for $400 (vs. $500 individually)
• Quarterly check-in: 3 readings over 3 months for $500
• Year ahead package: Initial deep dive + 4 quarterly check-ins for $1,200

Add-ons:

• Recorded reading: +$25
• Written summary: +$50
• Follow-up email support: +$75
• Custom spread creation: +$100

Offering Formats

1. In-Person Readings

Pros:

• Personal connection
• Read body language
• Premium pricing
• Memorable experience

Cons:

• Limited to local market
• Requires physical space
• Scheduling constraints
• Can't scale easily

Where to offer:

• Your own space (home office, studio)
• Metaphysical shops (rent a room)
• Events and fairs
• Pop-ups at cafes, markets
• Private parties

2. Video Readings (Zoom, etc.)

Pros:

• Global reach
• Personal connection (face-to-face)
• Can record for client
• Flexible scheduling

Cons:

• Tech issues
• Requires good internet
• Less "mystical" than in-person

Best practices:

• Good lighting and background
• Test tech beforehand
• Use a card holder so client can see cards
• Record (with permission) and send to client

3. Email/Written Readings

Pros:

• Asynchronous (no scheduling)
• Client has written record
• You can take your time
• Scalable

Cons:

• No personal connection
• Can't clarify in real-time
• Time-consuming to write

Format:

• Client submits question via form
• You do reading and write detailed interpretation
• Include photo of spread
• Send within 24-72 hours

Pricing: Often same or slightly lower than live readings

4. Pre-Recorded Readings

How it works:

• Client submits question
• You record video reading
• Send private YouTube or Vimeo link

Pros:

• Asynchronous
• Personal (they see and hear you)
• Scalable

Cons:

• No interaction
• Tech setup required

Building Your Tarot Business

Multiple Income Streams

Don't rely only on 1:1 readings. Diversify:

1. Private readings (foundation): $3,000-$8,000/month

2. Group readings:

• Monthly group reading (10 people at $30 each = $300)
• Workshops ($50-$150 per person, 10-20 people)

3. Courses and programs:

• "Learn Tarot" course: $297-$997
• Tarot certification program: $2,000-$5,000

4. Membership/Subscription:

• Monthly tarot forecast + Q&A: $27-$77/month
• 100 members = $2,700-$7,700/month recurring

5. Content creation:

• YouTube ad revenue
• Patreon supporters
• Sponsored content

6. Products:

• Your own tarot deck
• Guidebooks
• Tarot journals
• Merchandise

7. Affiliate income:

• Recommend tarot decks (Amazon affiliate)
• Recommend courses or tools

Total potential: $10,000-$30,000+/month

Marketing Your Tarot Business

1. Instagram (Essential):

• Daily card pulls
• Educational content about cards
• Client testimonials (with permission)
• Behind-the-scenes
• Stories: polls, Q&A, readings

2. YouTube:

• Pick-a-card readings (very popular)
• Monthly forecasts
• Tarot tutorials
• Deck reviews

3. TikTok:

• Quick card meanings
• Pick-a-pile readings
• Tarot humor and trends

4. Email list:

• Offer free reading or guide to join
• Weekly tarot wisdom
• Promote your offerings

5. SEO/Blog:

• "Tarot card meanings" posts
• "How to read tarot" guides
• Ranks in Google, evergreen traffic

6. Networking:

• Collaborate with other readers
• Guest on podcasts
• Partner with wellness businesses

Systems and Boundaries

Booking system:

• Use Calendly, Acuity, or similar
• Clients book and pay in advance
• Automated confirmations and reminders

Policies (clearly stated):

• Cancellation policy (24-48 hours notice)
• No-show policy (charge full price)
• Refund policy (usually no refunds)
• What you will/won't read on
• Recording policy

Energy protection:

• Cleanse between clients (sage, sound, visualization)
• Ground before and after
• Set energetic boundaries
• Limit readings per day (don't burn out)
• Take days off

Client management:

• Intake form (name, question, background)
• Keep notes (with permission)
• Follow-up email with resources
• Request testimonial

Legal and Professional Considerations

Legal Protection

Disclaimer (include on website and booking):

• "Readings are for entertainment purposes only"
• "Not a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice"
• "You are responsible for your own decisions"

Why this matters: Protects you from liability

Business structure:

• Sole proprietorship or LLC
• Business license (check local requirements)
• Insurance (general liability, professional liability)

Taxes:

• Track all income and expenses
• Set aside 25-30% for taxes
• Hire accountant or use software

The Path to Full-Time Tarot Reading

Income Milestones

Part-time ($1,000-$3,000/month):

• 5-10 readings/week at $100-$150 each
• Side income while working another job

Full-time ($5,000-$10,000/month):

• 15-20 readings/week at $150-$200 each
• Plus courses, memberships, or other streams
• Sustainable full-time income

Thriving ($10,000-$30,000+/month):

• Premium 1:1 readings ($300-$500)
• Group programs and courses
• Membership community
• Content creation income
• Products and affiliates

The Promise of Professional Tarot Reading

When you build a professional tarot business:

• You help people gain clarity and empowerment
• You earn sustainable income doing sacred work
• You create freedom and flexibility in your life
• You develop your intuition and spiritual gifts
• You build a community of clients who trust you
• You prove that spiritual work can be profitable

The Invitation

Tarot reading is sacred work that deserves to be compensated fairly. You're not just reading cards—you're holding space, offering guidance, and facilitating transformation. This is valuable. This is worth paying for. And when you charge appropriately, you can serve more people, serve them better, and build a sustainable business.

Develop your skills. Establish your ethics. Price for value. Market authentically. Create systems. And build a tarot business that serves both your soul and your bank account.

The cards are calling. Will you answer professionally?

Are you a tarot reader or considering becoming one? What's your biggest question about tarot as a business? I'd love to hear your journey.