What to Really Expect from Your First Tarot Card Reading (Spoiler: No Crystal Balls, Sacrificing Chickens, or Blood Oaths)
So you've booked your first tarot card reading. Congrats! And also... are you freaking out a little bit? Yeah, I thought so.
Let me guess what's running through your mind: You're probably imagining a dimly lit room with burning incense, crystals lining every surface, and a mysterious figure in flowing robes dramatically gasping as they flip over each card. Maybe there's a beaded curtain involved. Definitely some atmospheric candle lighting. And at some point, I'm going to tell you that you're cursed or predict the exact date you'll meet your soulmate, right?
Wrong.
Let's bust some myths, set some realistic expectations, and talk about what your first tarot reading will actually be like—especially if you're booking with me.
Myth-Busting: What Tarot ISN'T
Before we talk about what to expect, let's clear up what you should NOT expect, because pop culture has done tarot dirty.
❌ Myth #1: It's All Mystical and Theatrical
Reality: Most tarot readers (myself included) are pretty normal humans. I'm not wearing a velvet cape (even though velvet capes are cool). There's no fog machine. I might have a candle going, but that's just because I like candles, not because it's required for the spirits to show up.
Tarot can happen over Zoom in your sweatpants. At a party with your besties. It can happen face-to-face with my dog Mugsey at your feet. The setting doesn't make it more or less powerful—your openness and intention do.
❌ Myth #2: The Reader Will Predict Your Exact Future
Reality: I'm not a fortune teller. I can't tell you the exact day you'll meet your soulmate, the lottery numbers you should play, or whether your ex is going to text you back (though let's be honest, if you're asking that question, the answer is probably "move on").
Tarot doesn't predict a fixed future—it shows you the energy, patterns, and possibilities available to you right now. It's more like a GPS showing you multiple routes than a crystal ball showing you one inevitable destination.
❌ Myth #3: Tarot Readers Are Psychics Who Know Everything About You
Reality: I'm intuitive, not omniscient. I can pick up on energy and patterns, but I'm not reading your mind or spying on your texts. The reading works best when you're honest and open about what you're actually asking, not when you're testing me to see if I "know" something.
❌ Myth #4: You're Going to Get Bad News or Be Cursed
Reality: Tarot isn't about scaring you or delivering doom-and-gloom predictions. Even "scary" cards like Death or The Tower aren't bad—they represent transformation and necessary change. And no, I'm not going to tell you you're cursed and then conveniently offer to remove the curse for $500. That's a scam, not tarot.
❌ Myth #5: It's All Woo-Woo and Has Nothing to Do with Real Life
Reality: The best tarot readings are grounded, practical, and actionable. I bridge the gap between spirituality and psychology, using tarot as a tool for self-discovery, clarity, and empowerment—not as an escape from reality.
What to ACTUALLY Expect from Your First Reading
Okay, myths busted. Now let's talk about what your first tarot reading will actually look like.
1. You're Going to Be Nervous (And That's Totally Normal)
Listen, I get it. You're about to sit down with a stranger and talk about your life, your fears, your goals, and maybe some stuff you haven't even admitted to yourself yet. That's vulnerable as hell.
Here's what I want you to know: I'm fully aware you're nervous. It's literally part of my job to help you relax and feel comfortable. I'm not here to judge you, psychoanalyze you, or make you feel bad about your choices. I'm here to help you see your situation more clearly so you can move forward with confidence.
Most people are tense for the first five minutes, and then they settle in. By the end of the session, they're usually asking follow-up questions, journaling, or already booking their next reading.
Pro tip: Take a few deep breaths before we start. Seriously. It helps.
2. We'll Start with a Conversation (Not Dramatic Card Flipping)
I don't just shuffle the cards and start throwing out predictions. We're going to talk first.
I'll ask you what brought you to the reading and what you're hoping to get clarity on. This isn't a test—I'm not trying to see if I can guess your question. I'm giving you the space to name what's on your mind so the reading can actually be useful.
You don't have to have a specific question prepared, but it helps. If you're not sure what to ask, that's fine—we can start broad and narrow it down as we go.
Some people come in with a clear question:
"Should I take this job or stay where I am?"
"What do I need to know about my relationship right now?"
"What's blocking me from moving forward in my business?"
Others come in with a vibe:
"I just feel stuck and I don't know why."
"Everything feels like it's falling apart—what's happening?"
"I need direction. I have no idea what my next step is."
Both are totally valid. We'll figure it out together.
3. I'll Explain How I Read (Because I'm Not Gate-Keeping This Stuff)
If it's your first reading, I'll walk you through my process so you know what's happening. I don't believe in being all mysterious and cryptic—I want you to understand how tarot works so you can get the most out of it.
Here's my approach:
I use a free-flowing spread that starts with past, present, and future, then expands based on what the cards are showing
I read intuitively, meaning I follow what feels right rather than sticking to a rigid structure
I'll explain what each card means in the context of your question, not just rattle off generic definitions
I'll check in with you as we go to make sure the reading is resonating
You're not a passive audience member—you're part of the conversation. If something doesn't make sense, ask. If something hits hard, tell me. The more honest you are, the more useful the reading will be.
4. You Can Choose Your Session Length (Start Small If You're Nervous)
When you book with me, you can choose:
Bestie Readings-split 1 hour together- Great for people that want to bring their bestie with them. Share an hour and feel comfortable and relaxed knowing you are with your bestie. It’s also great to have someone help remember what I said. Highly recommend going to dinner/drinks/coffee with your bestie afterwards to process.
1 Hour Reading in Person or via Zoom- The sweet spot for most people; enough time to go deep.
2-4 hour Party- Want to share all this fun information with a bunch of besties or the office? I’ll come to you.
5. This Is a Confidential, Safe Space (What Happens Here Stays Here)
Everything you share with me is confidential. I'm not gossiping about your love life or judging your choices. This is a safe, judgment-free zone where you can talk openly and honestly.
I've heard it all—messy breakups, career crises, family drama, self-doubt, big dreams, scary decisions. None of it shocks me (Remember, I’m also a nurse and have seen more P’s and V’s then a prostitute). None of it makes me think less of you. I'm here to support you, not to judge you.
You can be as open or as private as you want. If there's something you don't want to talk about, you don't have to. If you want to share the messy details, go for it. This is your reading, your space.
6. Emotions Are Welcome (Yes, Even Tears and F-Bombs)
Tarot readings can be emotional. You might laugh. You might cry. You might swear (me more than you probably). You might sit in silence processing something that just clicked.
All of that is not only allowed—it's expected.
Some readings are lighthearted and fun. Others hit deep and bring up stuff you've been avoiding. Both are valuable.
I've had clients laugh until they snort. I've had clients cry tears of relief. I've had clients say "holy shit" about seventeen times in one session. It's all good.
Your emotional response is valid, and I'm not going to rush you through it. If you need a moment to process, take it. If you need to ugly-cry, I've got tissues (virtual or actual, depending on if we're in person or on Zoom).
7. You'll Walk Away with Clarity, Not Confusion
Here's what I care about most: You should leave the reading feeling more clear, more empowered, and more confident about your next steps—not more confused or anxious.
Good tarot readings don't leave you spiraling. They give you:
Insight into what's really going on beneath the surface
Validation that what you've been feeling is real and makes sense
Clarity on what your options are and what you need to consider
Direction on what your next brave step is
Permission to trust yourself and move forward
If you walk out of a tarot reading feeling worse than when you walked in, the reader did it wrong. Period.
8. You Might Have Follow-Up Questions (And That's Fine)
Sometimes the full impact of a reading doesn't hit until a few hours or days later. You might think of follow-up questions. You might want to dig deeper into something we touched on.
That's totally normal. You can always book another session.
A lot of people become regular clients because they realize how helpful it is to check in with the cards every few weeks or months, especially during times of transition or growth.
What Happens During the Actual Reading?
Okay, so we've set the scene. Now let's walk through what the actual reading process looks like.
Step 1: We Set an Intention
Before I shuffle the cards, I'll ask you to focus on your question or intention. This doesn't have to be formal or fancy—just a moment of clarity about what you're asking. You can say it out loud or to yourself. Either is fine.
Example intentions:
"I want clarity on my next career move."
"I need insight into my relationship."
"I'm trying to understand why I keep repeating this pattern."
Step 2: I Shuffle and Pull Cards
Some readers will shuffle the cards themselves. I prefer you do it because I'm reading the energy intuitively and I want your energy in there. As you shuffle, think about your intention.
I'll pull cards one at a time, laying them out in a spread. I usually start with past, present, future—but the spread evolves based on what the cards are showing.
Step 3: I Interpret the Cards (In Context, Not Generic Definitions)
This is where the magic happens. I'll look at each card and explain what it means in the context of your intention, not just what it means in general.
For example, the Three of Cups usually represents celebration and friendship. But in your reading, it might mean:
You need more community and support right now
There's a celebration coming after a hard period
You're being reminded not to isolate yourself
Your friends have insight you're not hearing
Context is everything. I'm not just reading card definitions—I'm reading YOUR story through the cards.
Step 4: We Have a Conversation
Tarot isn't a monologue. As I'm interpreting, I'll check in with you:
"Does this make sense?"
"What's coming up for you as I say this?"
"Is there more context I should know about this situation?"
Your feedback helps me fine-tune the reading and make sure we're exploring the right angles.
Step 5: We Identify Next Steps
A good tarot reading doesn't just tell you what's happening—it helps you figure out what to DO about it.
By the end of the session, you should have:
A clearer understanding of your situation
Awareness of what's blocking you or what you're not seeing
A sense of what your next step is (even if it's just "sit with this and reflect")
Permission to trust your gut and move forward
After Your First Reading: What to Do with All This Information
The reading doesn't end when our session does. Here's how to get the most out of it:
1. Journal About It
Write down what resonated, what surprised you, and what you're still processing. The insights will continue to unfold over the next few days.
2. Take Action on What Came Through
If the cards showed you that you need to set a boundary, have a conversation, or take a risk—do it. Insight without action is just interesting information.
3. Be Patient with the Process
Sometimes the full meaning of a reading doesn't reveal itself until weeks later when you look back and think, "Oh shit, that's what that card was talking about."
4. Book a Follow-Up If You Need It
If you're going through a big transition or working on something specific, regular readings can be incredibly helpful for staying aligned and checking in on your progress.
Common Questions About First Readings
"What if I don't believe in tarot?"
You don't have to believe in anything mystical for tarot to be helpful. Think of it as a psychological tool that helps you access your own intuition and see your situation from a new angle. Carl Jung used tarot in his therapy practice for exactly this reason.
"What if I get a 'bad' card?"
There are no bad cards. Even Death, The Tower, and The Devil have valuable messages. They represent transformation, necessary change, and breaking free from limitation—not doom and gloom.
"Can I ask about another person?"
You can ask about the dynamics between you and another person, but I won't invade someone else's privacy or read their thoughts. The focus should be on YOUR path, YOUR choices, and YOUR growth.
"Will you tell me what to do?"
Nope. I'll give you insight, perspective, and guidance—but you make your own decisions. Tarot empowers you to trust yourself, not to hand your power over to someone else.
Ready for Your First Reading?
If you're curious, nervous, or ready to see what tarot can show you, I'd love to work with you.
Book your first tarot reading and experience a grounded, practical, and deeply insightful session that leaves you feeling clear, empowered, and ready to move forward.
And if you want to learn more about tarot, manifestation, and trusting your intuition, join my email list for monthly insights and tips.
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Remember: Your first tarot reading is just the beginning. This is your journey, your story, and your power. The cards just help you see it more clearly.
Now go book that reading, badass. ✨
- Rachel