You’ve held the cards in your hands. You’ve studied the meanings, maybe even journaled your own interpretations. You’ve offered a few readings, probably nervously, but with heart. And then, out of nowhere, the doubt creeps in like fog. This is one of the most common new tarot reader struggles: the moment when uncertainty overshadows your early excitement, and you start wondering if you’re truly cut out for this path.
“Am I doing this right?”
“What if I misread the message?”
“Do I even have what it takes to read tarot?”
If any of this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone – and you are not failing. These are some of the most common new tarot reader struggles, and nearly everyone who has walked the path of tarot has encountered them.
It doesn’t matter how spiritual, intuitive, or well-studied you are – the early days of reading tarot often come with a mix of excitement and overwhelm. You might feel imposter syndrome bubble up, question your intuitive voice, or feel pressure to “get it right” every time. You may swing between confidence and confusion, or feel burnout from trying to absorb too much too quickly.
And here’s the truth most experienced readers will tell you: this is part of the process.
This post is for the readers who are in that tender phase of growth. Whether you’re just starting out, reading for friends, or slowly offering readings to others, you’ll find this guide packed with insights and tools to help you:
- Recognize and normalize the emotional landscape of being new
- Avoid the traps that lead to exhaustion or overthinking
- Strengthen your intuition without losing your voice
- Create a sustainable tarot practice that builds confidence over time
New tarot reader struggles are not indicators that you lack talent – they’re signs that you care deeply. That you’re trying to honor something sacred while still finding your footing. And the fact that you’re here, seeking clarity, is already proof of your commitment.
Let’s walk through these growing pains together – and explore how you can stay aligned with your intuition, grounded in your energy, and empowered in your practice.
Key Takeaways
- Every Reader Starts with Doubt, You’re Not Alone – Feelings of imposter syndrome, fear of misreading, and overwhelm are common among new tarot readers. These aren’t signs of failure, they’re signs that you care deeply and are stepping into meaningful growth.
- Confidence Comes from Connection, Not Perfection – You don’t need to memorize all 78 cards or offer flawless readings. True confidence is built through daily practice, trust in your intuition, and a deepening relationship with the cards.
- Overconsumption Leads to Confusion, Simplify Your Sources – Instead of following dozens of books, blogs, and accounts, choose one trusted teacher or resource to anchor your learning. Clarity grows when input is filtered and integrated slowly.
- Burnout Is Real, And Preventable – Setting boundaries around how often you read (especially for others), taking intentional breaks, and honoring your energy are essential for long-term sustainability in your tarot practice.
- Rituals, Journaling, and Real-Life Practice Build Trust – Create daily or weekly habits like one-card draws, self-compassionate questions, or mock readings for imaginary clients. These low-pressure practices nurture skill, intuition, and a deeper sense of self-trust.
Understanding the Common Struggles New Tarot Readers Face
When you first step into the world of tarot, it’s easy to feel like you’ve entered an entirely new dimension. There’s mystery, symbolism, ritual – and so many cards, meanings, and opinions. One moment, you’re energized and inspired, convinced you’ve found something powerful. The next, you’re doubting every interpretation and wondering if you’re doing any of it “right”.
These moments of wobble aren’t signs of failure. They’re part of the process. In fact, they’re often what marks the threshold between curiosity and commitment. You’re no longer just dabbling – you’re building a relationship with the cards, with your intuition, and with your sense of self.
The early days of tarot reading are rarely as straightforward as people expect. There are new tarot reader struggles that almost every new tarot reader encounters – yet they’re rarely talked about openly. Fear of misreading. Imposter syndrome. Overwhelm. Emotional exhaustion. Comparison. The pressure to always give the perfect reading.
If you’ve felt any of that, you’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re in the very heart of learning.
Tarot is not just about interpreting cards – it’s about interpreting yourself through the cards. And that means discomfort is sometimes part of the work.
In this section, we’ll name the most common struggles that come up early in tarot practice. Naming them matters. When you can identify what you’re experiencing, you stop thinking it’s just you – and start seeing a path through it.
No matter how messy or uncertain your tarot journey feels right now, you’re not stuck. These early struggles are not barriers – they’re invitations. Each one can be worked with, transformed, and used to deepen your understanding of what kind of reader you are becoming.
Let’s look at the four most common challenges new tarot readers face – and how to recognize when they’re showing up in your practice.
Imposter Syndrome: “Who am I to do this?”
That sneaky inner voice that says, “I’m not psychic. I’m not qualified. I’ve only just started.” – that’s imposter syndrome in action.
This is one of the most universal new tarot reader struggles. You might feel like you’re just “pretending” until someone validates your skill or you reach some arbitrary milestone. But here’s the truth: no one anoints you as “ready.” You grow into your voice through practice, reflection, and connection – not through certificates or titles.
You don’t need to be perfect, psychic, or even confident to read tarot. What matters is your presence – your willingness to show up with humility, intuition, and care.
Tarot isn’t about proving something. It’s about building a relationship – with the cards, with your intuition, and with the person across from you (even if that person is yourself).
Try reframing imposter syndrome and new tarot reader struggles as a sign of integrity: you care about doing this well. And that’s the seed of every powerful tarot practice.
Fear of Getting It “Wrong”
Many new tarot readers hesitate to say what they see, afraid they’ll misinterpret a card or give the “wrong” message. You might freeze up when drawing The Tower, or over-explain The Devil to soften the impact.
But tarot is not about rigid correctness. It’s an interpretive tool, not a scientific formula. The same card can mean different things depending on the context, the question, and the reader. The art of tarot is in listening, not only to the symbols, but to your gut, your body, your emotional reaction.
Even the most experienced readers sometimes miss the mark. What matters more is how you stay in dialogue, how you explore rather than dictate.
Instead of asking, “Did I get it right?” try asking, “Did I listen closely? Did I stay honest?”
Mistakes don’t disqualify you. They shape you. And every misreading is a lesson in clarity, communication, and humility.
Overwhelm and Information Overload
If you’ve found yourself scrolling through YouTube videos, devouring books, or collecting spreads on Pinterest until 2am, you’re not alone. The tarot world is bursting with content. But too much input too quickly can numb your natural instincts and show up as some of the most common new tarot reader struggles.
This kind of overwhelm often leaves new readers feeling more disconnected than empowered. You second-guess what you once knew. You try to memorize 78 meanings at once and wonder why nothing sticks.
The antidote is to slow down.
Choose one or two cards a week. Sit with them. Pull them daily. Journal about what they show you in your life, not just what the guidebook says. Over time, your understanding will become lived, not just learned.
You might also explore more embodied learning approaches, such as daily one-card pulls, intuitive storytelling, or creating your own tarot deck.
Burnout from Over-Practicing or People-Pleasing
Many new tarot readers fall into the trap of proving their worth through performance. You might say yes to every reading request. You might read when you’re tired, emotionally drained, or unsure – because you don’t want to disappoint.
This is especially common if you’re a helper by nature. You want to support others, be seen as valuable, or make your practice “count.” But when reading tarot becomes an obligation, it quickly drains your energy and dulls your connection.
If tarot starts to feel like a job rather than a joy, that’s a red flag. But then again, this is one of the most common new tarot reader struggles.
A sustainable tarot practice honors your boundaries as much as your gifts.
Build in recovery time after emotionally charged readings. Say no when needed. Limit the number of readings per week. Protect your intuitive space with rituals, rest, and reflection.
Tarot thrives in honesty – and that includes being honest with yourself about when you need to pause.
How to Build Confidence as a New Tarot Reader
Confidence doesn’t magically appear, it’s built through trust. Not trust in perfection, but trust in your process. Every tarot reader, no matter how experienced, has navigated moments of self-doubt and experienced some of the most common new tarot reader struggles. The key is to develop practices that root you in clarity, presence, and a personal sense of meaning. Below are foundational steps that can help strengthen your inner confidence without sacrificing authenticity.
Anchor in Your “Why”
Before you pull another card, pause and ask yourself: “Why did I pick up this deck in the first place?“
Was it to understand yourself better? To heal from something unspoken? To explore the unseen threads of your life? Maybe you were drawn in by curiosity, or by a quiet knowing that something sacred was calling.
Whatever your reason, write it down. Come back to it often – especially when doubt or comparison creeps in. Your “why” is your anchor. It reminds you that you’re not here to copy someone else’s voice or style. You’re here to find your own. And that matters.
Your tarot path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It isn’t supposed to. The more honest you are about why you’re here, the stronger and more sustainable your confidence becomes.
Practice With Purpose
It’s easy to fall into the trap of “the more readings, the better”. But confidence doesn’t come from quantity, it grows from depth.
Instead of rushing through multiple readings a week, slow down and spend time with just one. Explore the nuances of the cards. Sit with their symbols. Reflect on how they land in your body, your emotions, and your daily life.
Here are some ways to bring purpose into your practice:
- What emotions does this card stir in me right now?
- If I couldn’t use a book, how would I describe this card to someone else?
- What would I tell a close friend if they drew this card in the same context?
You don’t need to impress anyone. You’re building a relationship, with the cards, your intuition, and your voice. The slower you move, the deeper you hear, and the more you will avoid some of the most common new tarot reader struggles.
Read for Yourself – and Read With Compassion
Self-readings are where many readers discover their voice. But they can also be where self-judgment creeps in. If you’ve ever asked a question like “What’s wrong with me?” or pulled cards hoping they’d confirm your worst fear – you’re not alone.
The cards are not here to shame you. Let tarot be your mirror, not your critic.
Here are some compassion-forward reframes for your self-readings:
- “What part of me needs care right now?”
- “What inner truth is trying to speak?”
- “Where am I being invited to grow?”
By approaching your self-readings with emotional honesty and self-compassion, you create a space where true insight can emerge – not just fear-based stories. Over time, this becomes the foundation of your confidence: not just that you can read, but that you can hold space for yourself through the reading.
Create a Ritual That Grounds You
When you prepare to read tarot, you’re not just opening a deck, you’re opening a doorway. Rituals help your nervous system transition into a space of presence and awareness. They don’t have to be mystical or elaborate. What matters is that they feel real to you.
Here are a few ideas:
- Light a candle to represent your clarity and focus.
- Take three slow breaths to settle your energy.
- Say a few words aloud like, “I’m open to hearing what needs to be seen today.”
- Place a meaningful object on your reading table, something that reminds you of your purpose.
Even one repeated gesture, shuffling slowly, clearing your space, sipping tea before a spread, can create a sense of continuity and calm. Over time, these small acts become confidence anchors. They signal to your body and mind: “I’m here. I’m ready to listen.“
Avoiding Burnout as a Tarot Reader
Burnout doesn’t just happen in fast-paced careers, it can show up in intuitive practices too. Reading tarot taps into emotional energy, attention, empathy, and presence. When we give too much without tending to our own inner reserves, even a soulful tool like tarot can start to feel heavy.
The good news? Burnout isn’t a failure. It’s feedback. And there are meaningful ways to work with your energy so that tarot remains a source of connection, not exhaustion.
Set Boundaries Around Readings
At first, reading for others feels exciting, like an invitation to share what you’re learning, offer insight, and grow in confidence. But without boundaries, that excitement can quickly become depletion.
It’s important to remember: your energy has limits, and those limits are valid.
Try creating a few supportive containers around your reading practice:
- Decide how many readings feel sustainable each week. Maybe that’s two. Maybe it’s one. Maybe it’s none some weeks.
- Choose a consistent time limit for your sessions. Even short readings take emotional presence. Having clear start and stop times helps protect your focus.
- Pause or reschedule if you’re emotionally off-center. If you’re grieving, overwhelmed, or just not feeling clear, it’s okay to say: “Not today.”
Boundaries don’t disconnect you from your intuition, they protect your ability to hear it clearly. And they help you show up for others in a way that feels rooted, not rushed.
Take Breaks From the Cards
Tarot is a tool, not a test. You don’t need to use it every day to stay “in tune”. In fact, there are seasons where stepping away helps you reset your relationship with the cards in a deeper, more integrated way.
You might feel the nudge to pause when:
- You’re drawing cards out of anxiety more than reflection
- You start resenting your readings or dreading client sessions
- The messages feel repetitive or flat
- You can’t tell if it’s your intuition or your fear talking
Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you’re tending to the soil before you plant again. And when you return, your intuition will still be there, likely more grounded, clear, and refreshed.
If it helps, set a timeframe, like a week or a month, to pause. Use that time to journal, reflect, or explore other forms of creativity that nourish you.
Stay Inspired – but Filter Your Input
Social media and online spaces are incredible for connecting with other readers and learning new techniques. But too much consumption, especially without discernment, can lead to comparison, doubt, and information fatigue.
Here’s how to stay inspired without losing your center:
- Follow teachers and creators who make you feel energized, not inadequate. You’ll know the difference by how your body feels after reading or watching their content.
- Mute or unfollow accounts when comparison creeps in. Not as punishment, but as energetic hygiene.
- Limit your scroll time and balance it with your own reflection. For every 10 minutes of tarot content you consume, spend 10 minutes in your own practice.
Your voice as a reader is shaped as much by what you filter out as by what you absorb. Be protective of your inner creative space.
Real Stories from Real Readers
Behind every polished reading or confident voice is a human who once sat with uncertainty. And in those quiet moments, when you wonder if you’re doing any of this “right”, sometimes the most affirming thing is hearing that others have stood exactly where you are.
These aren’t just quotes. They’re lived experiences from tarot readers navigating real emotions, building trust in their intuition, and finding rhythm in their practice.
“I thought I had to have all the answers…”
“When I first started reading, I was terrified someone would ask a question I couldn’t answer. I’d worry that I’d freeze or pull a card I didn’t fully understand. But over time, I learned to be honest, to say: “I’m not sure, but here’s what I’m picking up based on what I see.” That shift, allowing myself to be real instead of perfect, was powerful. It created more trust in my readings, not less.”
– Tara L., tarot reader and artist
This story highlights something many new readers forget: you don’t need to be a walking encyclopedia. You need to be present, honest, and willing to explore what’s arising with the person in front of you. Tarot is a dialogue, not a performance.
“I read every day until I couldn’t anymore…”
“I did a reading every single day for three months. I thought that consistency would make me more intuitive, more ‘legit.’ And it did help, until it didn’t. One day, I noticed I wasn’t excited to pull cards. I was tired. I had to give myself permission to stop. That was harder than I expected. But now, I read when I feel called, not out of obligation. My readings are stronger for it.”
– James C., intuitive reader
There’s often pressure to prove your dedication through constant practice. But real growth in tarot isn’t always about doing more, it’s about doing what’s aligned. Allowing rest, pacing yourself, and listening to your internal cues doesn’t weaken your practice, it deepens it.
“I thought I’d never be as good as others online…”
“Scrolling through Instagram used to make me feel small. Everyone else seemed to have it figured out, gorgeous spreads, confident captions, perfect intuition. Meanwhile, I was sitting in my bedroom, unsure if I even understood what the cards were trying to tell me. I almost stopped. But I talked to a few other readers and realized we were all doubting ourselves at some point. That changed everything. I stopped comparing and started creating space for my own voice.”
– Anonymous, tarot learner
Comparison can quietly erode your confidence, especially in the age of curated social feeds. That’s why it’s important to stay connected to your “why,” to follow accounts that inspire instead of intimidate, and to find safe spaces where you can share without pressure.
Why These Stories Matter
The struggles you face don’t mean you’re not intuitive. They don’t mean you’re doing tarot wrong. They mean you’re showing up with care. And that care, your desire to read with clarity, to support others, to do this work with meaning, is the foundation of a lifelong relationship with the cards.
Let these stories remind you: you’re allowed to grow slowly. You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to feel uncertain. And you’re definitely not alone.
Do you want to share your story of a challenge you overcame as a tarot reader? We’d love to feature more real voices in future posts. Reach out here and let’s uplift each other in the process.
Practices to Build Trust in Your Tarot Journey
Trust isn’t something that magically appears after a few accurate readings, it’s something you build through experience, observation, and reflection. If you’ve been feeling uncertain or disconnected from your intuition, these practices are designed to help you rebuild that bridge, gently and consistently, one step at a time.
These aren’t “rules.. Think of them as invitations to reconnect with your own voice, your inner wisdom, and the way tarot naturally speaks through you. Which is also what will help you avoid some of the most common new tarot reader struggles.
Daily Draw and Personal Reflection
One of the most transformative practices is also the simplest: draw one card a day, but resist the urge to immediately look it up. Before turning to a book or app, ask yourself:
- What do I notice in this image?
- What emotion does it stir in me?
- How might this card relate to my day or energy?
Jot down a few thoughts. This helps you build a personal relationship with the cards, grounded in experience rather than memorization. Over time, you’ll notice patterns, meanings, and associations that are uniquely yours.
Tarot Journal Prompts to Deepen Your Inner Trust
Journaling helps you move beyond surface-level card meanings and into the heart of your relationship with tarot. Try reflecting on prompts like:
- When do I feel most confident as a tarot reader?
- What scares me most about giving a reading (for myself or others)?
- What does intuition feel like in my body, and how can I recognize it more clearly?
- What would I say to my past self who was afraid to pull a card?
These questions don’t just help you unpack fears or build self-awareness, they help you clarify what kind of reader you want to be. And they also help you fall into the trap of the most common new tarot reader struggles.
Read for Imaginary Clients
This may sound quirky, but reading for an imaginary client is a powerful way to practice trust and narrative-building.
Create a fictional name and background story, or borrow a character from a book or movie. Then ask a realistic question (like “What’s blocking me in love?”) and read the cards as if you were guiding someone else.
This practice strengthens:
- Your ability to translate symbols into story
- Your confidence in reading without needing feedback
- Your skill in reading for others when they’re not physically present (which is key for online readings)
Bonus: This can also be a great warm-up before reading for real clients or friends.
Choose One Teacher or Source at a Time
It’s easy to fall into the tarot information rabbit hole, scrolling through dozens of Instagram accounts, watching YouTube videos, and reading blogs all at once. The problem? Overexposure creates noise, not clarity, and this is what’s bringing you to experience some of the most common new tarot reader struggles.
Instead, choose one teacher, book, or resource to focus on for a while. Let their voice guide your learning until it feels integrated.
Some trusted beginner-friendly resources include:
- Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack (deep, philosophical)
- The Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea (creative and real-life focused)
- The Tarot Handbook by Angeles Arrien (symbolic and psychological)
Sticking to one perspective doesn’t limit you, it creates a foundation. You can always expand once your inner compass feels steady.
Read With a Friend and Debrief Together
Reading tarot doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Sharing your process with a friend, whether they’re also learning or simply curious, can be incredibly affirming.
Set up a reading where you pull a few cards for each other. Then, take time to discuss:
- What you each saw in the spread
- Where your interpretations overlapped or diverged
- What emotions or intuitions came up
You’ll be reminded that tarot is interpretive, not absolute. This kind of dialogue helps normalize different perspectives and helps you trust that your voice belongs in the conversation.
Keep in Mind:
The more you treat your tarot practice as a relationship rather than a performance, the more trust will grow and the less you will experience new tarot reader struggles. You don’t have to “arrive” anywhere to be valid. Every shuffle, question, reflection, and spread read with care is part of your path.
You already carry what you need. These practices just help you hear it more clearly.
Final Thoughts: Your Tarot Practice Is a Relationship
Confidence in tarot isn’t born from mastering all 78 meanings or flawlessly performing readings. It’s built, over time, through an evolving relationship with the cards, your inner voice, and the questions that move through you.
This relationship is like any other meaningful one: it asks for presence, patience, honesty, and trust. It deepens not when you get things “right,” but when you show up – curious, engaged, and willing to listen. Even the most experienced readers continue to have off days, missed messages, and stretches of doubt. None of that disqualifies you. It just means you’re still in it.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or burned out, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you care. It means you’re meeting the edge where growth happens. The middle of the learning curve can be messy, but it’s also where the magic starts to take root.
This Week’s Invitation:
Choose one small practice from this post that speaks to you right now.
- Maybe it’s pulling one card and reflecting with no guidebook.
- Maybe it’s setting a firm boundary around how often you read for others.
- Maybe it’s reading for a fictional client just to hear your voice in a new way.
- Or maybe it’s giving yourself permission to step away for a bit, and trust that your cards will still be there when you return.
Whatever you choose, let it be something that moves you toward trust in yourself, not away from it.
And when you feel ready, come back and share in the comments: “What helped you feel more confident this week? What surprised you? What shifted, even slightly?“
Your story may be the exact reflection another new reader is waiting for, someone who’s where you were a week or a month ago. And that’s part of this work, too: not just building your practice, but building the collective space where all of us can grow.
May your readings support you as much as they support others. May your practice be a place of refuge, reflection, and remembering who you are.
Stay curious, stay open, and trust that you’re already more Connected than you think.
If you resonated with this post and want to keep nurturing your confidence as a tarot reader, you might also enjoy our recent article: Emotional Overload and Tarot: Why We Can’t Read Clearly When We’re Too Upset
It dives into how heightened emotional states can cloud our intuition and offers strategies to pause, regulate, and reconnect with clarity, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain in your practice.
Let your learning be slow, rooted, and meaningful. You’re doing great!
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