Going professional
Oh my word . . . I'm not sure whether I discovered Tarot or it discovered me! I went to some classes locally and they were incredible. As each card was explained I just "got it". It all made perfect sense. So, after the 6 week evening course ended I enrolled for the "Advanced" classes. Then my teacher asked if I would read in her shop. I asked if she thought I was good enough and she said "Absolutely! And you'll get better by reading and practising more!"
So, I did (read professionally AND get better). That meant that I went professional within a few months of starting to learn. I am a fast learner and for me it just seemed to consolidate so much other learning (of life!, of psychology, of counselling, training, teaching . . .all sorts of things just seemed to come together naturally through the Tarot).
Well, I can totally identify with Solitaire . . . the more I know, the more I realise there is to know and to learn.
I now have hundreds of decks, tons of books and I regularly read, teach and speak on Tarot. I also organise monthly global teleconferences and webconferences plus local "Tarot Drop In" meetings.
So, it's become a real passion for me and is so rewarding.
I'm glad someone encouraged me to read professionally as they kind of set the fees for me to start with. That made it easier.
Now, I'm very comfortable charging fees as it means that my Tarot business is sustainable . .. it sustains me (for a start!) and I continually reinvest in my business by reading, studying, attending conferences and events and improving my skills. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)!!
So, I think it's a bit of "how long is a piece of string?" . . . depends on each of us, how confident we are and . . . just sometimes . . . how much confidence others have in us.
Hope this helps,
Mary