Most of the things that make us nervous about reading tarot... didn’t come from tarot itself.

They came from myths. Handed-down half-truths. Outdated “rules.” Things that sound legit when you first hear them (especially if you’re just starting), but actually do more harm than good.

And if I’m going to be honest…I believed a few of them too. For way too long.

So if you’ve ever felt hesitant to pick up your cards because you're not psychic enough, not serious enough, not “ready” enough…This one’s for you (and maybe for me too lol). Let’s clear the air together.

“You have to be psychic to read tarot.”

This one’s everywhere. But the truth is, you don’t need clairvoyance or cosmic downloads to use tarot. You just need curiosity and a willingness to listen to yourself.

Tarot is a tool for reflection. A way to hear the quiet stuff your mind usually skips over.

Psychic ability might show up over time, sure, but it’s not required. Think of it like learning a new instrument. You don’t need to be a virtuoso to play a few beautiful notes.

Start small. Start clumsy. That’s where intuition lives.

“You have to memorize all 78 cards.”

Nope. Big nope.

You’re not taking a pop quiz! You’re building a relationship – a very beautiful one.

Some readers memorize every card's meaning. Others rely on imagery, gut feelings, or storytelling. I honestly still pull out a guidebook sometimes when I feel stuck, or when a card hits differently.

And if you’re the kind of person who likes writing things down or tracking your readings as you learn? That’s where a journal becomes a lifeline. Mine is full of scribbles, aha moments, and spreads that made no sense until a week later.

We have to keep in mind that sometimes, clarity arrives in reflection, not during the reading, but after.

That’s why I keep my Mystic Muse Journal close.

“You shouldn’t read for yourself.”

I don’t know who started this one, but… have they met a modern tarot reader?

Reading for yourself is one of the most intimate and empowering things you can do. Sure, sometimes you’re too close to a situation to get a clear message, and when that happens, it’s absolutely okay to ask a friend or reader you trust.

But reading for yourself doesn’t mean you’re getting it “wrong.” It just means you’re human. And honestly, that’s when the cards become the most powerful – when you show up to them real and raw.

“You must be gifted your first deck.”

Nope again.

There’s nothing unlucky about choosing your own deck. In fact, it’s one of the most intuitive decisions you can make.

Your first deck should feel like yours. Like a friend you actually want to hang out with. That’s why I’m always drawn to oracle decks that feel warm, like an inner voice I can trust. Lately, we’re creating something that feels exactly like this, and it’s Trust: An Oracle a deck that has been whispering to me and our team for the longest. It doesn't care if I’m a polished reader or a beginner and we can’t wait to launch it on Kickstarter soon!

It mirrors the creative process we have for it…it just waits for you to show up.

“You shouldn’t read if your energy isn’t clear.”

This one kept me from pulling cards on some really hard days…and now I kind of regret that.

Your energy doesn’t have to be “cleansed” or perfect to do a reading. You can come to the cards heartbroken, overwhelmed, unsure. Sometimes the mess is the message. Sometimes you just need to lay the cards out and breathe.

They’re not magical paper. They’re just tools. And they work because of your honesty, not in spite of it.

“There are good and bad cards.”

Here’s a hard truth: if you only trust the “pretty” cards, you’ll miss half the story.

Cards like Death, The Devil, or the Tower aren’t curses, think of them as invitations.

Invitations for you to release, to examine your patterns, and to grow (it’s not so scary when you shift perspective, right?)

They might be uncomfortable, but they’re not evil. Every card has a spectrum. Every person has light and shadow.

Instead of asking “Is this a bad card?” maybe try:
What is this card asking me to see that I’ve been avoiding?

That shift alone changes everything.

“Tarot tells the future.”

This one depends on your beliefs. But for me, tarot’s not here to predict a fixed fate. It reflects the energy around you right now.

It can highlight possible outcomes, point out patterns, and help you make aligned decisions. But the future? That’s still yours to shape.

Personally, I like to ask:
“What’s rising in me that I need to nurture? Or let go? What’s shifting? What’s ready to be seen?”

Those kinds of questions leave space for choice and that’s where empowerment lives.

So…in case you need a reminder:

You don’t have to:

• Be psychic
• Have the perfect mood
• Memorize 78 definitions
• Use a Rider-Waite-Smith deck
• Avoid certain cards
• Get permission from a higher power
  

You’re already allowed to explore tarot just as you are.

And if it helps, keep a journal nearby, if you’re still a bit skeptical about keeping your thoughts written, why not a journal that has protection runes? The Mystic Muse Journal is adorned with it, so pulling a card and writing what comes up isn’t so daunting.

Try a one-card reading before bed. Ask your deck something simple and silly. Let it become a conversation between you and your thoughts, not a performance.

It doesn’t matter if you’re using a full 78-card tarot deck, a softer oracle like Trust: An Oracle, or even just sitting with your thoughts and pen in hand.

The point isn’t perfection. The point is to create a connection.

To yourself, to your intuition, and to the mystery that wants to speak – if you’re willing to listen.

— Mona Moon