How Much Does it Cost?

When you are looking for a Tarot Reader and trying to figure out how much a reading will cost, you will probably see a number of different ways to pay for the services.  Some readers set their fees by the number of cards they draw, some may offer a per minute rate for as long as you want, while others set a fee for a specific length of time.  It can get confusing to decide which method will work best for you, so this is an attempt to help you understand what you might expect from each.

The best way for you to get a good Reading is to know what you want to examine before you set up he reading.  General Readings can be good to identify areas that you may need to focus on, but that takes time away from a question that you really want answered. It is best to offer the Reader the question or situation that you want to have them look at, so neither of you waste the other’s time.  In general, be specific and give details that will help the reader focus in on your situation quickly.  It is better to add details (his name is John and we spoke at a party a week ago) than to leave the reader with few clues as to where to look (“I am wondering about my love life”).

You should be able to get a feel for the Reader through their web site, social media, and reviews from their clients. This is important to do because not everyone reads in the same style.  Difficult news can be delivered gently, but some Readers like to make it so easy to take that you don’t hear anything negative. Other Readers can hit you with the information without any warning, believing that the truth is important and it is not up to them to soften the blow.  What works best for you is the Reader that you seem drawn to. 

Readings Priced by the Number of Cards

I read for the Free Tarot Network (www.freetarot.us) which offers a one-card reading for free every 30 days.  The reading is done via email and I will draw a card and send a reply that attempts to answer the question(s) posed.  One problem with a limited number of cards is that there are often things that could be better clarified by another card or two, and the one-card readings are perfect examples of cards needing some clarification!

Many Readers are able to get a lot of insight out of a few cards, so keep in mind that more does not always equal better.  I have been told that my one card readings are fantastic, and I have had situations where I could not connect with a seeker no matter how many cards I drew!

Readings Priced by the Number of Minutes

Just about any Psychic Hotline will charge a per-minute rate to talk with one of their psychics.  (There are a couple that are trying flat rate plans but they are hard to find.) The advantage of this is that you can stay on the line with them for as long as you want, and you have access to a lot of different people that can read for you.  The down side is that it can cost a lot more than what you expected.  If you are close to the end of the time you paid for and the psychic is in the middle of explaining something, you may have to buy extra minutes to be able to hear it all! 

Some Psychic Fairs use this method to help people better manage their budget.  A number of metaphysical shops in my area offer Psychic Fairs on a semi-regular basis, and they charge about $1.00 per minute to read.  That is easily 50% - 75% less than what a Psychic Line reading would cost, and it is a very good way to get an answer to a question or two without feeling like you have to keep your credit card locked away.

Readings Priced by a Fixed Time

This is the main setup that you will find in a one-on-one reading.  A lot of readers use this pricing method because they know what they can usually cover in a given amount of time, for most people who come to them for a reading.  Think of this in terms of going to any professional who charges for their time – they know what their time is worth and they charge accordingly.  The majority of their appointments are similar enough for them to be reasonably sure that they can cover what you need them to in a certain amount of time.   Although there are some sticklers, there is usually enough leeway for the Reader to finish up with you if the time runs out and the reading is almost over, without paying extra.

So Which One Is Right For You?

Depending on what you are looking for, each of these methods can provide you with a good reading experience.  The trick is balancing what you want to know against what the relative cost is to get that information.

For immediate answers, Readings Priced by the Number of Minutes (psychic hotlines / some psychic fairs) will do you well, but make sure that you are prepared with your question.  At $4.00+ per minute for a Psychic Hotline call, it is in your best interest to be ready with the information that the reader will need.  General questions are NOT the way to go here unless you are just looking for someone to talk with.

If you are not in a real hurry or if you do not expect a certain level of detail, the Readings Priced by the Number of Cards can be very good.  The level of detail that is presented in email readings is usually more than you might expect, but the issue with an email reading is the lack of real time communication.  If the Reader says something that you do not understand or it needs more clarification, you will have to get back in touch to have those details emailed to you (and there may be an extra charge for that).

Readings Priced by a Fixed Time can really help you get the answers that you want in a time frame that is often faster than emails, and at a cost that is less than the hotlines. Each Reader knows what their style is and what their time is worth, and they price accordingly. Readings are often scheduled for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and they can be done over the phone or the Internet (Skype, etc.) as well as in person.   Be aware that the more popular the Reader is the longer it can take to get an appointment with them,  and the higher their rates will be.  As with any service, the more experienced practitioner is going to command a higher price due to the demand for their skills.

Although this just touches on the different methods available to get a Tarot Reading, it should help you understand the differences and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.  If you are not sure which method might work best for you, try each of them to see how they feel.  When you find the right person and method, you will be glad that you took some time to explore the different options to discover your match.