Do you suffer from feeling that you’re an “imposter,” who doesn’t know enough or isn’t skilled or experienced enough to give an accurate Tarot reading? If so, know the struggle of Imposter Syndrome experienced by both new and seasoned Tarot Readers is a real thing.
In fact, Imposter Syndrome is an actual mental health phenomenon recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH). And I can attest that Tarot Readers are not exempt from the sometimes paralyzing struggle of Imposter Syndrome.
The Struggle of Imposter Syndrome is Real
Moreover, Imposter Syndrome has been documented to affect participants of all manner of professional activities who experience common thoughts and feelings.
Furthermore, the NIH National Library of Medicine lists a variety of characteristics associated with Imposter Syndrome. And these characteristics may be experienced and re-experienced in any order.
Performance Anxiety
The widely experienced affliction, performance anxiety, is the crux of Imposter Syndrome. And is caused by one’s self-sabotaging thoughts and feelings around performing an activity in public. Specifically, performance anxiety is fueled by thoughts of not being “good enough.” Consequently, these self-sabotaging thoughts cause a paralyzing fear of being outed as a “fraud.”
The below characteristics are a collection of thoughts and feelings underlying performance anxiety and thus Imposter Syndrome. Here, we relate them to Tarot reading specifically.
Denial of Competence/Capability
Denial of competency or capability is basically self-doubt. Specifically, it’s doubting one lacks the knowledge or intuitive skills necessary to conduct an accurate Tarot reading.
And for those who think Tarot Readers must be psychic, you’ll be relieved that it’s a myth. An effective Tarot Reader need not be psychic. Instead, a good memorization of the card meanings, basic intuitive skills, and a spread are all that is needed.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the expectation that one will nail 100% of every reading they give, leaving no room for error. Since no Reader is perfect 100% of the time, this is an impossibly high standard which can’t be reasonably met. Even the most successful Tarot Readers give some inaccurate along with the accurate information in a reading. As long as the reading is mostly accurate, that is what the Querent (reading requester) will remember.
Excessive Comparison to Accomplished Peers
Excessively comparing ourselves to more accomplished Tarot Readers is unfair to ourselves. Rather, keep in mind that everyone needs to start from square one, or the Fool, in their Tarot Journey. And then everyone learns at their own pace and brings their own special perspective and gifts to their readings. If we stay on the path, we will get there in our own time and discover the gifts we bring to our readings.
Super-Heroism
Super-heroism is needing to give our Querent a better reading than any other reader has. In other words, we want to obtain a “best in show” for accuracy. And once we’ve established a “best” reputation, we fear that we can’t live up to our previous successes. Then, these feelings of needing to be the best cause us undue pressure to stay on top.
Fear of Failure
The Fear of failure goes back to fear of being found to be a fraud. However, failure can be a positive event as an important stimulus for improvement.
For example, the Biddy Tarot Reading Platform, on which I’ve given many readings, requires Querents to give their Readers feedback. The feedback is definitely where the growth as a Tarot Reader begins. Although I’ve mostly received positive feedback, I’ve received an occasional negative comment. And consequently I’ve adjusted my reading method for the better due to them.
Fear of Success
Although counter-intuitive, fear of success is a real thing. Specifically, in Tarot this is fear that one may be so successful they are inundated with an over-whelming number of reading requests. Not to worry, the remedy for a high request volume is to establish a wait list and inform Querents at booking. Moreover, wait lists are common in the intuitive arts. In fact, the most successful Tarot Readers have quite lengthy wait lists.
Overcoming the Struggle of Imposter Syndrome
1. Know all 78 Tarot Card Meanings
First, arm yourself with such a thorough knowledge of the 78 Tarot card meanings that you have no need to look up meanings. Yes, I urge Tarot Readers to memorize all the cards’ meanings, even 100% intuitive Readers. For you won’t get an intuitive hit on every single card. And when your intuition doesn’t kick in on a card, you best know the traditional meaning. In this case, I believe the Universe is saying, use the traditional meaning for this card, in this reading.
Therefore, I teach students the meanings of all 78 upright cards in my class, “Mastering the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Card Meanings.” In case you’re wondering, I don’t teach reversed card meanings because I don’t read cards reversed. Not reading reversals means you need to know half as many card meanings and have half the pressure.
See our previous post for more on reading Tarot card reversals, To Read or not to Read Reversed Tarot Cards is the Question .
2. Enhance Your Intuitive Skills
Engage in practices that enhance your intuition and listen to that guidance when conducting a Tarot reading. For in some instances you will intuitively receive a meaning for a card totally unrelated to its traditional meaning. In this case, go with your intuition.
3. Know Your Spread
Know the Tarot spread you will be using. In other words, commit to memory all spread position meanings. Then, you won’t stumble as to if it’s a past, present, future, or outcome, card position. Nor will you need to refer to a spread chart during your reading.
4. Get Experience
Realize that if a Peer is more accomplished because they have more experience than you, it’s an unfair comparison. There is no substitute for actual experience and everyone starts from zero experience.
Getting all the Tarot reading practice in that you can, will give you experience. Read for yourself, your friends, and then strangers. Moreover, reading for the public at local events will give you the confidence you need to overcome Imposter Syndrome.
5. Accept Failures are Necessary for Growth
Accept that failures are inevitable and serve as a catalyst for improvement and growth. To this end, consider if a Querent’s’ negative feedback is truly constructive or is just mean-spirited. In the latter case, simply dismiss it. For there are people who complain about every single thing they encounter.
6. Recognize and Celebrate your Successes
Replace negative self-talk with recognition of accomplishments you’ve already obtained. For example, if you should botch a reading, recall another reading that you totally nailed. The important thing is to learn from your failures what not to repeat, not beat yourself up.
Summary for the Struggle of Imposter Syndrome
When it comes to imposter Syndrome, the struggle is real Y’all. And this is true among newbies and seasoned Readers trying to maintain an established reputation.
Sure, you will make Tarot reading mistakes, but you will also have some accurate successes. Don’t judge yourself harshly comparing your skills to those of other more experienced Readers. Rather, give yourself time to obtain the wisdom that comes along with experience.
And to get experience you must overcome the paralysis of Imposter Syndrome and do as many readings for others as possible. Start with friends and family and branch out to strangers.
I hope you will overcome the struggle of Imposter Syndrome by following the tips provided in this post. As always, thank you for reading and Happy Taroting!
Note: To book a professional Tarot reading with Jeannette see our Book a Reading page.
