Reading Professionally

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 16 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Tarot_Freak	16 Sep 2003
Hey everyone!~!~! How is everyone doing? Ok...i have a question...i'm only 16 but i have a really good psychic friend who thinks that i am ready to get into doing professional readings, and i really want to, thats what i want to do with my life, become a professional tarot reader and reiki master. The one thing that i am a bit worried about is my age, and the fact that people wont take me seriously because of it, and i wanted to know what your guys opinion was about it? Well looking forward to hearing back from you!~ Buh Bye & Blessings ~Tarot_freak~

Alissa	16 Sep 2003
Hello and welcome Tarot_Freak! I know what you mean by being discriminated against due to your age. I'm almost 33 now, but for the past 15 years or so I've felt continually stifled by the age-ists out there. People can "dumb you down" to quite a degree when forming their idea of who you are based solely on physical age. It's frustrating, but I've found it futile to attempt to continually "prove" myself, after too many years of trying. So be who you are, in spirit and in life, and those who see rightly will see just that, no matter what your age. When it comes to starting your own business, I would recommend a slow and gradual approach in order to build up your clientele. You may want to peruse the archives here, there are lots of threads on others' experiences while reading professionally, including good information to know before setting up at coffee shops, or psychic fairs. Talking to local metaphysical shops about their job opportunities is a good idea. I worked briefly for a store who hired psychics as young as 18, and made it a point not to be age-ist in their thinking. But, those people are rare, ... and that 18 is still 2 years away for you, I know. But it doesn't hurt to tell the people in your town that you're interested. In the meantime, you may wish to get some business cards made for yourself to hand out at every opportunity. Consider using a cell phone as a business number in order to maintain your home's sanctity. And, you can turn the cell off when you're not "in business". My experience in promoting my own (non-Tarot) business is that I book 1 out of every 10 people who *swear* they are gonna call me. So be realistic in how much you expect to receive from the business in the short term. Otherwise, best of luck, let us know what you decide, and I hope to see more of you on the Forums :D

Minderwiz	16 Sep 2003
This is one area where age doesn't really influence ability that much - whether you're 16 or 60 with, say five years experience of reading, makes no difference. The more readings you do the more confident and 'expert' you will become - so work on a programme of getting a wide range of experience. However you will get problems about your age which do not necessarily call into question your ability - The forty year old woman (or man) who wants a reading about relationships or romance may not find it comfortable to be read for by a 16 (or 18) year old. So you may well have to work on your inter-personal skills. How do you put such a person at their ease, and convince them that you have the necessary skills. The advice already given is excellent - take it slowly and build a business up over a few years. This clearly implies you will need another source of income - though if you intend to go to college this may well be a problem that you will only encounter in your early 20s. Set yourself a target date/age to be fully professional and work towards it.

Red Emma	16 Sep 2003
Tarot_Freak, in some U.S. states there may be a legal age problem for you. Since a lot of people consider tarot a tool of the devil, some new age shops who don't want to deal with harrassment from the religious right wing, or even problems with the parents of under 18's, discourage young customers. In most states, 18 is the legal age for self determination. Such shops may also be wary, in a legal sense, of hiring 16-year-olds. Best wishes in all your endeavors.

Alissa	16 Sep 2003
In response to ageism ... I forgot to say that I remember in a thread Silverlotus started on the same topic, Red Emma reminded us that the reverse form of ageism also applies. It's good to see you posting Emma :) I've missed you!

HudsonGray	16 Sep 2003
16 year olds can be hired if they have work permits, I remember I was working retail at that age. Your hours would be limited, but it's not all that hard to find a place that'll hire you at that age (they think they can pay you less than the regular guys, so you should try to hold out for more than minimum wage though).

Tarot_Freak	16 Sep 2003
I wanted to thank you all for your advice and opinions!~!~!

Nevada	16 Sep 2003
Tarot Freak, Red Emma is right, make sure you understand the legal requirements for someone your age in your area. Once that's taken care of, it's all up to you. Remember, there are many things you have in your favor, being young. 1. A fresh outlook. 2. A young brain. (Science tells us that the younger our brain the more flexible. Young people learn new things and adapt to new situations more quickly.) 3. Many years ahead of you in which to learn and gain experience. To be taken more seriously now, you may need to find a particular study area, such as history of Tarot, or the writings of Carl Jung. Something you want to delve into and become a specialist in. Add that to your business card, for instance, "Student of Ancient Egyptian symbolism", under your name. This is just an example. Make sure it's an area you know something about and want to keep learning. I'm 46 and starting a new career myself, after being a second level manager. It took years to get there, to prove myself. I'm starting over yet again. Now that I'm not dismissed as too young it's some other reason. Too old, not enough experience in a particular area. This can be humiliating. Concentrate on your strengths and continuously hone them. Believe in yourself. You'll find eventually that people take you as seriously as they see you taking yourself and your work. You can do this. Brightest blessings

lunalafey	16 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Alissa People can "dumb you down" to quite a degree when forming their idea of who you are based solely on physical age. It's frustrating Or what age you appear..... I was once told (basically) that I was not old enough to know what I was talking about....It made me quite mad that I was judged by my youthful appearance. The person making the statement had no idea what my life experiences involved...and because she thought I was 'young', to her it must have been very little. You have an advantge with your age. You can read to your peers that might be to afraid of being read by someone who could fit the mom or dad roll...it might involve a lecture mom might give or something. Be a teen that reads for teens. Be aware of who you read for and the circumstances. You might get a nasty visit from parents. Also, your psychic friend might be able to assist you.....you can be an 'apprentice' in name only, and your friend sends the customers he/she thinks you should have. From that you gather your own clients.

Kiama	17 Sep 2003
I have constantly found my age a burden in most of the things I have tried to do in the Tarot world. When teaching Tarot, I keep my age hidden: I'm 19, but people immediately come to the false conclusion that because I'm only 19, I cannot possibly have any depth of experience with the Tarot and therefore am unfit to teach them. Truth is, 10 years of experience with the Tarot at the age of 19 is more than some people at the age of 40. On the other hand, I can see their point, since many teenagers will just pick up Tarot when they're 15, have a few months at it and consider themselves the Master of Tarot. We cannot judge people's life experience either. A 16 year old may have had more life experience and have more empathy and compassion than a 40 year old. (Though this isn't common.) However, until people realise this, age will be a burden to you with Tarot reading. My advice would be to spend a couple of years reading for your peers, gaining experience into the how's and why's of Tarot reading. When you really get into reading for others, you will come across many experiences you wouldn't have otherwise, and these will improve your reading skills immensely. But it is difficult when these experiences occur whilst you are doing paid readings for people who are already suspicious of your ability because of your age! Hope this helps, Kiama

Jen	17 Sep 2003
Tarot_Freak - Here's an idea. Instead of trying to get a job reading at a bookstore etc. Make business cards and pass them out around your school. Do your readings out of your house for people in your age range. You understand what it's like to be a teenager during this time more than the rest of us - so use this to your advantage. Your target clientele can be something like 14 to 21. If you started reading for people from your school for income, I'm sure you'd get a lot of business through word-of-mouth. You could also do readings at parties. I think this would be a big hit. Best of Luck!

HudsonGray	17 Sep 2003
LOL that's right--know your market. You're sitting on a niche market just waiting for you to ask them. Keep your prices reasonable, don't freak out the Christian ones, and get your reading experiences going with the teenage group. You can seque into an older age group later, or on the side. Check out low cost business cards (you don't need 1,000, start with 200, the copy shops like Kinkos and Office Depot have deals on standard cards). Don't pay more than $15 for them. You can also make them up on your own home computer, but look at the price of the punch out's, it might be cheaper just to get them made up at the store.

Tarot_Freak	19 Sep 2003
Hey everyone Ok...i have another question....what do you guys think i should put on a business card is i make one? I know a few of you said it was a good idea but what do you think i should put on it? and in regards to phone numbers..should i put my house line or my cell phone line or what? Looking forward to hearing back from you all!~! Buh Bye & Blessings ~Tarot Freak~

catlin	19 Sep 2003
MM, I have a Celtic knot, my artist name, my service and my cell phone number printed on them. My e-mail address will be added and a homepage as soon as I will have one. The printing is done in an old Celtic looking print and the cardboard may vary according to the places where I distribute my cards, eg glossy black with silver print for Gothic shops, parchment looking ones for "normal" book and meta phys. stores, "psychedelic" multi-colour ones for growshops (a friend of mine is a printer so I can get that wide range or stuff at a reasonable prize). Make sure that the print you use is an easy-to-read one not that old Gothic typing which only a few ppl manage to read. I don't give my address and my private phone number on the usual business cards, only on special ones reserved for regular querents and a.netties as I want to have some private life and you have to watch out for fundies and freaks.

Kiama	19 Sep 2003
I would advise you to know the location you will be doing the readings at: try to have a place you use regularly, but not your own home- you wouldn't let strangers into your house, would you? I agree with Catlin: don't give out your house phone number. For starters, it coudl cause you problems and you want some privacy, and secondly, I am assuming you still live with parents? It wouldn't seem very professional to the client if they phoned your house phone and your Mum answered! Blessings, Kiama

Jen	19 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by catlin and the cardboard may vary according to the places where I distribute my cards, eg glossy black with silver print for Gothic shops, parchment looking ones for "normal" book and meta phys. stores, "psychedelic" multi-colour ones for growshops Catlin, What a great idea! I've never heard of that. Do you also change your decks depending on who you read for? Say, if your reading for a "goth" client, do you use a darker deck?

lawguy51	20 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama We cannot judge people's life experience either. A 16 year old may have had more life experience and have more empathy and compassion than a 40 year old. (Though this isn't common.) Kiama Hmmm, Kiama, I don't know about that one. Certainly there are 16 year olds who are more in tune with life, more self aware, or have gone through more trials and tribulations than other 40 year olds. But take that same 16 year old and add another 24 years of life experience and tell me who you would rather have a reading from. I find so much of my readings are based on what I have already experienced, what I know about relationships, about career decisions, creative decisions, because I've got a repertoire of experience to draw upon. Sure, I would go to a talented 16 year old for a reading. But my expectations would be adjusted. And this in no way is meant as a discouragement to young readers. Go for it. But I would think 16 year olds are best suited to read for their peers. Just as I'm not terribly comfortable reading for teenagers because I haven't been in that head space for, oh my god, too long to count :). LG51

The Reading Professionally thread was originally posted on 16 Sep 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.