The best way to build your Tarot reading skills is, of course, through practice. But that's easier said than done!

Reading for yourself can be a challenge. Being objective is not easy. You're likely to second-guess yourself, and that makes it hard to build confidence and develop your intuition. When you read for someone else, though, you're often able to get instant feedback on your interpretation of the cards for the querent. Knowing when you're connecting and on track is validating. It also helps to see the cards through the experiences of others.

However, gaining proficiency reading for others can be difficult, as well. It's not ideal to put yourself out there professionally without some solid practice. Nor do you want to be offering free readings while accidentally undercutting professional readers in your area. So, how do you get comfortable with reading, gain experience, and not create economic drama all at the same time? Having a safe space to learn and to practice in makes all the difference!

In my new book Tarot by Tempest, I share how I got started on my Tarot journey. I was feeling pretty isolated at that time: in a new state, new relationship, starting college, rather broke, and I didn't know a lot of folks who were into Tarot or witchy stuff. So when I got my first Tarot deck, I did readings for folks I knew through the internet via IRC (Internet Relay Chat). The exchange was basically through just all black and white text (there were no graphic emojis back then!). I typed out my interpretation of the cards I pulled. Then I waited for the other person to type back to see whether or not that made sense for them.

After a year or so, I started doing readings by donation on my lunch breaks out by the riverfront behind the store where I worked. There is nothing like having the person right in front of you with whom to directly interact, especially if you have a bit of social anxiety and are neurodivergent, like me. It was definitely a bit scary, as well! However, soon I had folks coming back and I graduated to doing readings at local metaphysical shops and psychic fairs.

Skip ahead to today, and I've been reading Tarot for over 30 years, as well as teaching classes and workshops. I still see folks struggling with figuring out how to best practice their skills. And because I'm me, when I see a problem, I wonder what I can do to help. I decided to start up a regular local gathering I call "Tarot Team Up with Tempest." Basically, for two hours every month, folks get together to both give and receive readings, while also learning new spreads and techniques in a safe and inclusive environment.

As soon as I announced the event, I had folks asking if I would do it online as well. While great to hear, it's unfortunately not ideal for my schedule nor my technical capabilities right now. I'm already doing (as part of my weekly Patreon Zooms) a monthly Tarot Time, which is where we discuss the cards we've all pulled for that month. Sometimes there's also an opportunity for someone to read or be read, but that's with people taking turns one at a time in front of everyone else. That doesn't exactly offer the intimate one-on-one reading experience that really comes in handy when you're learning to read for someone else, especially when it comes to in-person encounters, which is a big part of why I've started up Tarot Team Up—to help build face-to-face interaction and foster community locally.

The truth is: many other folks are totally capable of doing exactly what I'm doing and can hold their own similar kind of gathering. (Like yes, I'm made of magic—but so are you!) So I'm sharing with you how I'm modeling the Tarot Team Up—that way folks like you can bring this idea to their own backyards.

Here are the major elements to consider.

Who Should Organize a Tarot Team Up?
Ideally, whomever is hosting the gathering should have a basic understanding of Tarot and an interest in reading and sharing with others. That doesn't mean you have to be an expert or professional yourself. It should be a collective learning experience for everyone—and frankly, no matter what level you're at, there's always something new to learn!

Location, Location, Location!
First, you need a place for your gathering. You may be surprised to discover that there's a lot of venues that work for gathering spaces that are free or are very cheap to rent. Many libraries offer free meeting space. Cafes, bars, breweries, and some restaurants may be very amenable to reserving space for free—especially if your gathering is during a typically slow time for them. Check with your local metaphysical shop or bookstore to see if they have a classroom or community space available; more people through the door regularly means more business for the host space. Also, don't be afraid to think outside of the box; galleries, creator spaces, even parks might be a good option to host your gathering.

I always advise folks to think big but start with small bites. You don't need a huge space to begin with, but you do need the right one. How many people can the room comfortably fit? Can you adjust the furniture so it's easy for folks to pair up and do readings? Already present tables and chairs that make reading easier is a big bonus. What's the vibe of the place? Does it feel like a good environment for this kind of gathering?

Ideally, your chosen location should be easy for people to find, be close to public transit, and have parking options close by. Other considerations: how accessible is the space (and if it's not fully ADA accessible, be sure to let folks know in advance what to expect) and are there bathrooms? If it's not at a place that serves food or drinks, are there such options nearby?

Registration and Costs
If you're limited on seating, if there's a rental fee, if you need to have a certain number of people for the event to take place, then it's imperative that you have a registration system—particularly one that allows for you to have tickets and charge as necessary. Honestly, unless your location requires an event to be totally free (this is true for some libraries and community spaces), I encourage you to charge a sliding scale and to have registration in advance. Sites like Eventbrite, Paypal, and others make it fairly easy for almost anyone to set up payments and registration for an event. Even just a Google form can go a long way to collecting necessary information.

Why charge or have advanced registration? Having produced all sorts of events for years now—both in person and virtually—the reality is that people are far more likely to not show up for something they don't have to pay for. Even a small token amount can make a big difference.

Also: what you collect can cover costs such as space rental, snacks, printing flyers and handouts, and other materials such as name tags, loaner decks, breath mints, tissues, swag, as well as stipends for local professionals or deck creators to come in and be a featured guest instructor from time to time. Making sure these costs are covered puts less strain on you as the host and creates a better producing experience.

Registration also ensures that you have people's contact information for future events and opportunities. Collect that info!

What's the Frequency?
How often you hold a Tarot Team Up depends on your schedule, the venue availability, and what the local community can support. I find that a monthly meetup works best for me. Some places could support twice a month (especially if the space is small or you have two different times/days that attract different crowds), but I don't recommend every week. Less is more so that you don't burn out and folks don't take it for granted. If you can do it on the same day and time regularly, that helps folks to remember and keep it on their schedule. Consistency is key to building a regular event.

Ok, Now What Do We Do at Tarot Team Up?
The point of a Tarot Team Up is to have every person both give and receive at least one reading, preferably several at each event. This means that every person should bring their own deck to use. I do bring some "loaner" decks in case someone forgets or wants to try a different deck, but be sure to keep mark these and keep track of them!

Here's a typical rundown: The first few minutes involve getting folks checked in, nametags applied, and people paired up or otherwise situated so that everyone knows who is giving and who is receiving readings in the first round.

Next the host introduces a spread, technique, or idea to try. Then the Round 1 readers use that approach to give readings to the querents while a timer is set. When the timer goes off, everyone moves down one and the readers will work with a new querent. How many switches and rounds you do will depend on how long the readings are set for and how many people are involved.

Once everyone has had a chance to both give and receive at least one reading, discuss how it went. What worked? What didn't work? What did folks notice about the spread, technique, or the readings? You can also try situations where one person is the querent and the rest of the room pulls cards on their question. It's a fun way to compare insights in a group setting and works especially well with smaller groups so that everyone can give input and be the querent as well.

If you have enough time, you can do a second spread or technique and repeat. Make sure to leave enough time at the end to wrap things up and remind folks about your next event. Make sure everything is collected, tidied up, tabs are paid, etc. so that the venue is happy and you'll be able to come back again.

If you're only just a little ahead of the Tarot experience curve yourself as the host, it's ok to pull spreads and exercises from books and online resources for the group to work with. Just be up front about your sources and give them credit so other folks can learn more. For example, in Tarot by Tempest I include several of my signature spreads as well as other sample spreads and exercises to try. Some of the smaller spreads especially are great for the Tarot Team Up environment.

Tarot Team Ups are also great opportunities for deck swaps, inviting special guests to share a technique or spread, and, of course, networking! You can also try other forms of divination as part of the experience. Take notes about what worked and what didn't work—and don't be afraid to collect suggestions and ideas from the attendees.

Last, But Not Least….Promotion!
The most important part of a Tarot Team Up is the team! Once you have the basics of a venue and date sent, you need to get the word out. It's good to reach out to the folks you know who may be interested, but you also need to cast the net wider. Make a graphic and don't forget the who/what/where/when/why parts. Make sure the date, time, location, how to find out more, and what's it all about is easy to read. Post it to the various social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Nextdoor, etc.—whatever has a wide, local reach in your area) but don't forget about the analog approach, too. Make some flyers (either letter size or quarter-page "postcards") and post them to community boards at cafes, metaphysical shops, and other relevant spots. Adding a QR code is helpful, too. (FYI: if you use a free service to make your QR code, make sure it the link won't expire before your event!)

Once you get folks attending, sending out a monthly newsletter or email to let folks know about upcoming events can also be helpful.

Fortune's Favor
Overall, the Tarot Team Up experience should be positive and inspiring for everyone involved. Take care to craft an inclusive environment in which people feel comfortable sharing. It's not about who's the best or most knowledgeable tarot reader, but what wisdom and insight we can all take part in. And, most of all, have fun!