Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
First and foremost: It’s YOUR practice. Not theirs. We all have free will. You are not making them get a reading or making them believe in tarot.
If you get any push-back, I suggest, don’t even try to argue your way to understanding. I never try to change anyone’s mind. If people don’t accept, I generally shrug, say “okay,” and move on with my day.
Overall, remember, if you get push-back or challenged in an emotional manner (and you will KNOW if someone is threatened or freaked out by tarot), know that it is not about YOU. It is touching something in them which most likely has nothing to do with YOU.
Be aware of why you are invested in another understanding or approving of your practice. Explore the underneath of your desire to convince them.
Honest, respectful conversations can be had. I tell people that what has convinced me more than anything else is the consistency of the accuracy of each reading. Tarot almost always begins as just a fun thing to do. The specificity is what draws most in.
Open the conversation up. Bring their beliefs into the conversation. Why does someone pray? How does that “work”? Most/all major religions have a fantastical aspect, a leap of faith quality or requirement. Or why does therapy work for someone?
Also, some people are not visual learners, or don’t like metaphor or the personal exploration one needs to bring to a tarot reading. Again, that’s about them.
There are a myriad of ways people contextualize their world and experiences. Others don’t have to agree with me and my belief in tarot, but they must respect me and my judgement about what is right for me.
Understand your personality and know where you are in your development. Beginning your practice, you may want to talk about it. Find a trusted friend who will listen and not judge. Not everyone is able to hear this.
Over the years, I’ve developed a small circle of tarot experts. One is a group, three of us, who met about 3-4 times a year for big readings, and another one friend who I do more specific, random readings with.
Do be careful. If you live in a more religiously conservative area, being a tarot practitioner could actually put you at risk. Be prudent and understand the actual terrain you are living in.
First and foremost: It’s YOUR practice. Not theirs. We all have free will. You are not making them get a reading or making them believe in tarot.
If you get any push-back, I suggest, don’t even try to argue your way to understanding. I never try to change anyone’s mind. If people don’t accept, I generally shrug, say “okay,” and move on with my day.
Overall, remember, if you get push-back or challenged in an emotional manner (and you will KNOW if someone is threatened or freaked out by tarot), know that it is not about YOU. It is touching something in them which most likely has nothing to do with YOU.
Be aware of why you are invested in another understanding or approving of your practice. Explore the underneath of your desire to convince them.
Honest, respectful conversations can be had. I tell people that what has convinced me more than anything else is the consistency of the accuracy of each reading. Tarot almost always begins as just a fun thing to do. The specificity is what draws most in.
Open the conversation up. Bring their beliefs into the conversation. Why does someone pray? How does that “work”? Most/all major religions have a fantastical aspect, a leap of faith quality or requirement. Or why does therapy work for someone?
Also, some people are not visual learners, or don’t like metaphor or the personal exploration one needs to bring to a tarot reading. Again, that’s about them.
There are a myriad of ways people contextualize their world and experiences. Others don’t have to agree with me and my belief in tarot, but they must respect me and my judgement about what is right for me.
Understand your personality and know where you are in your development. Beginning your practice, you may want to talk about it. Find a trusted friend who will listen and not judge. Not everyone is able to hear this.
Over the years, I’ve developed a small circle of tarot experts. One is a group, three of us, who met about 3-4 times a year for big readings, and another one friend who I do more specific, random readings with.
Do be careful. If you live in a more religiously conservative area, being a tarot practitioner could actually put you at risk. Be prudent and understand the actual terrain you are living in.
