Things have come a long way from decades ago, when readings were frequently done by mysterious old women in secluded booths, masked by beaded curtains. Now, as with most other things in the world, you can get a tarot reading done online. Divination of all forms and tarot card readings in particular, have attracted its share of dubious online readers and psychics. But there are also several legitimate online tarot card readers and mediums that are honest and trustworthy.

So how do you choose a legitimate tarot card reader for yourself?

The difference between dubious and legit readers/mediums

The dubious readers and psychics will often claim to see your future and make predictions. They will also charge you exorbitant rates per minute – yes, per minute! And by the end of the reading, you will have spent hundreds of dollars in return of little to no value addition or problem solving for your life.

However, the web is also full of several legitimate tarot readers and mediums who do not claim to be fortune tellers (because no matter what anyone says, the Tarot is not a fortune-telling tool). Many of these readers may even go so far as to say that their reading may change over time depending on the actions you take over the coming months. If a reader or medium tells you to trust your intuition over their reading and openly claims that their readings may change over time, they are usually reliable.

But how can you be sure whether the reader you’re considering is legit or dubious?

Identifying genuine online tarot readers and mediums

Many readers engage in their work with a genuine desire to help clients sort out life issues and offer the right insight to help them do so. Some are in it purely to make money and I think that to a certain extent this has made people skeptical – and that’s valid. There is, indeed, a need to be careful.

With so many people advertising readings of various kinds, how do you tell where you are likely to get trustworthy guidance and what is likely to be a rip-off? Look out for the following details.

Personal contact

Well, for one thing, you should look out for personal contact. In my experience, individual tarot readers or mediums who set up their own websites are more reliable. If a site has been around for some time, if the reader is experienced and is willing to answer any inquiry you may have, then the signs are good.

Social proof

Most people and businesses have a social media presence. In all likelihood, you found this blog post through one of my social media pages. Similarly, any other online tarot card reader or online psychic medium you find should also have a presence on social media. It does not matter how many followers or subscribers they have, but the fact that they are out there, posting videos or reels or pictures of tarot readings can act as proof that they are not trying to con you. Even if they don’t have business pages, you should be able to Google them and find their personal profiles. (There are some old-school readers who are nowhere near social media, but they usually come with brilliant references from trusted people who have used their services.)

However, do bear in mind that many genuine online tarot readers who have a large following on social media also have a lot of scammers. Meaning, people who want to earn money from social media will imitate famous tarot readers and when you try to book a reading with them, you will lose your money and not even get a fake reading in return.

That brings me to my next point.

Trustworthy payment methods

Dubious online readers or scammers that feed off of famous (and genuine) online tarot readers are not likely to have a secure payment system set up on their social media page. They are also not likely to have a website with secure payment systems.

Apart from not being scammed, you also want your credit card or other payment details to be secure. Websites where secure payment systems are used are a good bet. PayPal, Stripe, and other similar systems are an example of well-established payment agencies. A good website is likely to use these types of secure systems to protect its clients. It pays to be more cautious about sites which don’t use these types of systems and which take your card details themselves. You must be especially cautious if they request payments to phone numbers through their social media chats.

Do keep in mind that certain genuine readers may not have websites with payment gateways set up if they’re new in the business. However, they should still have at least one legitimate payment option such as their personal PayPal account.

Clearly defined readings

A bona-fide website will also outline clearly what type of reading you get for your money and how much that reading is. To avoid problems it is best to select a reading type from a site which offers a range of options. If you want detailed information about your life over the coming year, then you would be looking at a reading which is quite substantial and for which you would pay more. Simpler questions such as, will I find a lover? can be usually be covered in smaller layouts such as a Yes or No reading or if you want more details, it can be covered in a three-card spread.

Information about the reader

Most of these websites will also have identifiable details about the reader, in addition to the reading.

If there is no interaction with a real person, be cautious. If it’s organized by a virtually anonymous company, what are you getting? Will the information you receive be genuine or something printed from a long list of options by a computer?

Mode of delivery

If you are asked to send in your mobile phone number to receive your reading in that way, be very cautious. Most genuine readers will send you readings via email or conduct live sessions on a video platform such as Skype or Zoom. The genuine readers may also reach out to you on the email you provide with any questions or requests for additional details they may need for the reading, but they will not ask for your phone number.

Also keep in mind that no genuine online tarot card reader will ever ask you for sensitive information such as your banking details or your shipping address for the reading. You have already paid them online and they’re sending the reading to you on email. So, why would they need these details? Ask yourself this before providing anybody with any extra information that is not warranted by the service.

Tarot reading charges

Always ask the following questions before you pay someone, if they’re not already outlined on the website or service page of the online tarot reader or psychic:

• How much are the charges?
• Is this a one-off reading or will you be sent regular readings and how much will they be?
• If you are going to speak to a psychic on the phone, how much are the per minute charges?
• How much will they add up to if you speak for an hour, which is not uncommon?

Often these kinds of operations are run by people who teach their readers to keep clients talking so they will spend more and more money.

Ethical readings involve a one-off payment for a well-defined service.

The idea is that you should choose a reading and know the cost beforehand (and it should be a fixed fee, not a per-minute rate). Sometimes clients think if they pay more they will hear more. This is a misconception about the nature of divination and it can be encouraged by readers whose focus is on making more money. There is usually a limit to how much can be seen about an issue at any time by a reader. So, if you choose an appropriate reading, it should cover the issue you are looking at adequately and there should be no need to have more readings on that topic.

Most honest online tarot readers will clearly mention what kind of information you may receive from a specific type of reading. They will also often include the kind of questions that you can ask for a particular layout so you know exactly what you need and don’t waste your money (and the reader’s time) on unproductive reading requests.

The takeaway

Provided you bear the above points in mind, there are several well-respected online readers and mediums, from various traditions, who can help you in your quest to understand your life better. And that is precisely what a reading should be.

It should not be a lip trembling moment of consulting about your fate but a genuine enquiry into the possibilities around you at the time. Remember – the tarot is not a fortune-telling tool. And you should not let anyone tell you otherwise. It only explores the possibilities that are open for you at any given time and the outcome ultimately depends on what you do with those opportunities. And any honorable reader will tell you the same thing – that these are the possibilities, but you must trust you intuition and choose what feels best for you.