I’m really comfortable doing readings in person, but I’m looking at maybe making that move and doing readings online instead.
I read the guides on doing readings for people online and this, but I’m thinking more about how I can get people to practice with me. We had a thread a while ago which was people offering to do practice readings for each other, but I don’t know if that’s still going.
I want to practice more. Specifically with online readings. I was thinking about offering free pulls on socials, or maybe here on the forum, just to get the reps in. The logistics are what I can’t figure out. Do they just message me their question and I shuffle while reading what they wrote? Or do I need to set up some energy connection first, like a grounding ritual or visualization before I even touch the deck? Without that face-to-face energy, I can’t read their mood or ask follow-ups about what they’re actually hoping for.
Maybe that’s just a beginner concern and it stops mattering once you’ve done enough readings, which I obviously haven’t. Anyway, tips from people who do this regularly would help a lot.
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The logistics are simpler than you might think (and I’m not very techy at alll).
You can shuffle on camera and fan the cards so the client can call numbers or point for you to flip. Or have them shuffle and cut on their end while you watch, then they pick the packet or top cards. For text or async, some use online shufflers with a screenshare so it’s transparent. On video, my usual flow is close to in-person. I get them to take a couple of breaths and settle, then shuffle until they tell me to stop. Sometimes I cut them into three piles and let them choose which one to read from. I usually build the spread around their actual question instead of locking one in ahead of time.
Hold the cards up to the camera while you talk through them. Snapping a photo of the spread and emailing it after is handy too. The mood/energy thing does get easier. You start catching their tone, the pauses, and the way they phrase the question.
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The energy worry fades faster than you’d expect. I had the exact same hangup when I started, but it ended up being more about prep than presence. Tarot connections don’t need physical space. You’re linking energetically either way, and that clicks after a handful of readings. My routine’s basically the same as in-person, other than checking my connection is working and the video is clear (wiping your camera lens can go a long way).
Clear the space and my head, light a candle, set crystals if they feel right, do a quick invocation, then sit with their name and question for a few minutes before shuffling. Those pre-reading impressions are often the most useful part. You pick up on tone and phrasing instead of in-person mood cues. Plenty of readers actually prefer remote for that reason, with fewer distractions and more direct focus. The cards respond to intention, so it doesn’t matter who’s physically pulling them as long as you’re tuned into that person.
Ask clarifying questions upfront (what’s been going on, what kind of answer they’re after) before you shuffle. That back-and-forth is the energy connection. Leave space at the end for follow-ups too. Give it a few free practice rounds; the first ones feel weird for everyone.
The best way to learn is by getting the reps in by doing free poems. There is that thread somewhere, but it works well with friends and family.
I would suggest being comfortable with offline readings first. Online creates a little bit more jank with the lag and delay on video. Things are a little bit less organic when you’re not used to it. Start with people who you don’t have any pressure to perform. I wouldn’t start online with paid clients. Friends and family give you a little bit of flexibility to make mistakes while you’re learning.
The best thing about going online is you’ll have more practice clients than you know what to do with, probably within a week. That gives you a lot of opportunity for practice.
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