The 5 Biggest Tarot Reading Myths and Why You Can Ignore Them

Every week, I am contacted by at least one of Online Tarot students who is worried about a myth they have heard that prevents them from reading Tarot Cards without a whole lot of fuss or fear.

So I wanted to explore the most common Tarot myths and why it’s best to ignore them, especially if you want to be a professional Tarot Reader.

Myths can have their origins in some form of truth- and the myths I explore here can have some element of truth you can pay homage to.

However, in most cases, these myths rarely make logical or practical sense (and I will share why!)

Please note- if these myths work for you, there is no judgment here.

Even after 12 years of teaching Tarot I have occasionally been influenced by some of these misconceptions.

If it works for you – keep doing it.

However, for the most part- the following myths can be disregarded when you are learning Tarot.

Every week, I am contacted by at least one of Online Tarot students who is worried about a myth they have heard that prevents them from reading Tarot Cards without a whole lot of fuss or fear.

So I wanted to explore the most common Tarot myths and why it’s best to ignore them, especially if you want to be a professional Tarot Reader.

Myths can have their origins in some form of truth- and the myths I explore here can have some element of truth you can pay homage to.

However, in most cases, these myths rarely make logical or practical sense (and I will share why!)

Please note- if these myths work for you, there is no judgment here.

Even after 12 years of teaching Tarot I have occasionally been influenced by some of these misconceptions.

If it works for you – keep doing it.

However, for the most part- the following myths can be disregarded when you are learning Tarot.

Myth#1 : You Can’t Buy Your Own Tarot Deck OR You Must be Gifted your First Tarot deck.

I’m not sure where the myth came from that you can’t own a Tarot Deck unless someone buys it for you- but this is the most popular myth I have heard in Tarot circles.

18 years ago I was gifted my first deck, a Thoth deck, by my mother for my birthday.  Even though I had been drawn to Tarot for years and longed for my own deck, I was reluctant to buy one because I had heard it was bad luck to buy your own deck.

Now, nearly over a decade on from doing thousands of readings I have realised that this myth makes no sense- and is also a little unfair!

I believe the Tarot should be available to anyone who yearns to be guided by its spiritual wisdom- it is one of the most valuable divination tools in the world.

So what happens if you don’t have any friends or family that support your desire to learn the cards?

There are many negative connotations with Tarot- especially from certain religious factions.  And if you don’t have anyone around you that is   open-minded about Tarot, you could be waiting your whole life for a deck.

So for me- if no-one will gift you a deck,  then ignore this myth and embrace the wonderful gifts of the Tarot by gifting it to yourself.

You could even wrap it up as a present and say it’s from your higher self!

Myth#2 : You Shouldn’t Read Tarot for Yourself.

And what I have learnt- not only as a tarot instructor and reader, but former manager of tarot readers- is that some professional readers never read for themselves, and some love to read for themselves.

Again, go with what works best for you.

There is a practical reason to not read for yourself- sometimes you may be too emotionally attached to an issue- and you may need to call in the Big Guns (a professional reader)

For me when I am feeling too intense about an outcome or too emotionally drained to think straight- I will turn to a fellow professional to get ‘fresh eyes’ on a situation.

But other than that- I read for myself all the time.

My Tarot deck is like a loving spiritual companion- and not turning to it when I need answers is the equivalent of asking someone elses angels for my solutions.

Often when we read for ourselves, we will know exactly what a card means in a certain position because we have the full story.

It’s also a fantastic way to practice and build up your confidence.

So for me I would disregard this myth unless it makes you feel really uncomfortable to read for yourself.

Myth# 3 : You Shouldn’t do Tarot Readings After The Sun Goes Down.

Firstly- if you think of traditional Tarot readings – we conjure up images of Gypsies at fairs or character films set in the Victorian era with Tarot readings held secretly out the back of some establishment – usually at night. Night time is traditionally associated with mysticism and magic- rituals are frequently conducted by moonlight- prayers are often said at night.

So for me, there is no logical reason why readings shouldn’t take place once the sun has gone down.

Again, I draw your attention to ‘fairness factor’ in that many readers can ONLY work at night- due to having children- or other day jobs while they are building up their business. Some clients can only come and see their readers at night.

The Billion dollar psychic phone line industry has their biggest market share at night- as clients often can’t ring a hotline during work hours.

The only practical reason I can think of for not reading at night is if you get tired easily at night- but other than that- there is no reason why sunset should be the time-line in which all readings cease.

I encourage you to embrace the mystic and magical quality of the night when giving readings!

Myth# 4 : Readings that are given online are less accurate than readings given in person.

It can make sense that we always feel a reader should pick up more about us in person than if on a phone line or on Zoom or via email.

In my Advanced Tarot Training certification program, I explore how you can tune into a clients energy, and ask their guides to pick cards on their behalf. This can be just as effective as in person readings.

It is true that people who are receiving an online reading may be distracted by outside influences- or not as present than if you were seeing them in person- and that can impact upon the reading.

However if you prepare your clients beforehand, request the reading take place in a quiet place where they won’t be disturbed and to turn off any notifications or distractions- you can get just as good a reading as in person.

Online readings do require additional tweaks to ensure you are getting the best reading- but they are relatively easy to make- and in no means your readings will be just as accurate and insightful.

And it’s important to note that the majority of Tarot students who wish to be professionals these days are seeking online opportunities-  and I do believe that the universe- and our guides and the energy of the Tarot can adapt to that!

Distance readings are just as valid- and they shouldn’t stop you from enjoying access to great readers- or running your own successful online tarot business.

Myth# 5 : You Can’t do Tarot with your Periods.

Recently, I have been lucky enough that my Udemy Tarot and Psychic courses have  branched out into India. Consequently,  I have been introduced to a new myth with many of my gorgeous Indian students reaching out and asking me if it’s true that you can’t do Tarot during menstruation.

So- it may be that in certain countries doing any kind of spiritual work or divination with your periods is not considered ok.

However, I will share with you why for me this doesn’t make sense when it comes to the Tarot.

For thousands of years women have conducted psychic work and spiritual rituals when they have been menstruating. Indeed some of the most powerful pagean rituals took place while a woman was in her cycle.

So for me intuition and your connection to your magic doesn’t disappear because you have your period- in fact it can be the opposite Many women report they feel even more connected to their intuition and their magic during this powerful time.

Also- from a financial perspective- if this myth were true- it would mean any female professional tarot reader would be unable to work for one week out of every month.

I know from personal experience that being unable to work for a quarter of the month while trying to build up a t business that pays the bills and can grow into something that provides you with regular income would be extremely challenging.

Sometimes regular clients can only come on certain days- and they might be a day you are menstruating.

While I think it’s wise to honour your body- and if you are feeling tired or worn out from your periods then it’s best to avoid giving readings on bad days- but as long as this isn’t happening throughout your entire cycle- I see no problem with reading with your periods.

Every female professional reader I have ever known does- myself include!

However, as previously mentioned, if you genuinely feel uncomfortable reading with your periods- if this goes against your spiritual beliefs then please don’t.

Your spiritual beliefs and religious beliefs are very important to honour- and the most important thing is that you feel comfortable when giving readings.

So I hope that helps in debunking some of the common myths around Tarot Readings.

Again- take what works for you- laugh at the ones that you may have done and now feel were perhaps inaccurate and enjoy your beautiful journey with the Tarot.

Ps, would you like to know more about how to read Tarot like an expert?

Check out my Beginners to Advanced Level courses on Udemy

Or if you are looking for more Advanced VIP Tarot training and want to run an online Tarot business check out my VIP Advanced Tarot Certification Training program