Prospectus

Course Overview

What it is

The Tarot Apprenticeship course is a comprehensive online training in the art of tarot divination (communication with the Divine).

Over three distinct Stages, the course combines personal (1-to-1) mentorship, applied theory and actual, hands-on experience to help the student reach genuine proficiency within 4-6 years.

Currently, students can enrol for the first two Stages as Stage III is still under initial development (details anon).

Who it is for

The course is well crafted for you if:

  • You are serious about mastering the art of tarot divination (as communication with the Divine). This includes predictive readings within a broader spiritual context, including the assumption that, whilst free will exists, outcomes are sometimes restricted by outside circumstances.

  • You want to read tarot for yourself and others, including some pro bono work (free and low cost readings). You do not need to aspire to professional reading.

  • You possess the necessary time, money etc. to complete at least Stage I of the training, which is around 18 months (details anon).

  • You are self-motivated, open to constructive feedback, and possess strong study skills (recommended university level or equivalent). You may also wish to self-practice tarot reading for 2-4 months before applying (to make sure it is for you), although this is not essential.

Who it is NOT for

The course is not crafted to your needs if:

  • You are seeking a short-term mentorship program with optional homework and complete freedom. The Tarot Apprenticeship course is antonymical to these needs; it provides long-term mentorship, compulsory homework (with detailed feedback) and freedom within guidelines.

  • You lack the financial resources, commitment, work ethic or study skills to complete a long-term tarot divination training

  • You are concerned that a course taught based on Right Hand Path ideas within the Western Esoteric Tradition (Emanationist and non-sectarian perennialism) is likely to clash with your own spiritual practice.

  • You are not in happy agreement with the ethos of the Pro Bono Tarot Guild (which all Tarot Apprenticeship students join automatically as a key part of the course ethos).

The Three Stage Journey To Mastery

The 140-credit curriculum unfolds across three distinct, scaffolded stages:

  • [Available - Partially Tested] Stage I: Apprentice (Credits: 40 / avg. 18 months): Building solid foundations – mastering RWS fundamentals (Majors, then Minors, then Courts progressively with practice), core theory, essential ethics, energy management basics, and giving readings to yourself.

  • [Available - Untested] Stage II: Journeyman (40 Credits / avg. 18 months): Developing fluency through intensive mentored practice. Includes dedicated training on sourcing/handling pro bono readings, followed by conducting the required free practice hours (approx. 400 hours) for the public, and integrating feedback.

  • [Unavailable - In Development] Stage III: Master (60 Credits / avg. 24 months): Synthesizing all learning, demonstrating advanced proficiency, refining personal style, and completing a major capstone project via one of two paths (see next section).

The 3 Stage Journey In Detail

Stage I: Apprentice – Foundations (40 Credits)

Status: Available - Partially Tested.

This stage focuses on building the essential knowledge base, practical skills for self-reading, and ethical grounding. The core learning includes:

  • Core Philosophy & Context: a) Understanding tarot divination as communication b) with the Divine with a twofold focus on 1. How tarot divination works 2. Pro bono tarot reading c) using Emanationist and (non-sectarian) perennialist ideas.

  • Tarot Fundamentals: Basic tarot history, the Rider Waite Smith deck and basic information on how to get started. Includes beginner information on tarot decks (buying, cleansing, storing, handling, shuffling, cutting etc.) and how to get started with tarot divination.

  • Tarot card meaning assimilation and self-reading practice: A carefully designed, gradual process (which I personally used) that will teach you the card meanings in 6-12 months (without shortcuts or gimmicks). It goes from reading the Major Arcana only with small spreads to eventually reading the entire deck with complex spreads (such as A.E Waite’s original celtic cross).

  • Comprehensive Beginner Video Course (with assignments + tuition): , such as tarot layouts (spreads, lines, tableaus and reading methods), ethics, tarot divination as white magic, card symbolism, how tarot divination actually works and so on.

    Download The Stage I Lessons Objectives (160+)

Stage II: Journeyman – Practice & Integration (40 Credits)

Status: Available - Untested.

This stage focuses on developing fluency, confidence, and ethical application through extensive practical experience reading for others. Key learning areas include:

  • Pro Bono Practice Preparation: Dedicated training (5-10%) covering the ethics and practicalities of pro bono work, strategies for ethically sourcing practice querents via external online platforms (using provided resource lists), setting boundaries, and handling common challenges. Includes understanding the Pro Bono Tarot Guild ethos.

  • Intensive Reading Practice: Conducting the approx. 400 hours of free readings for the public.

  • Mentorship & Feedback Integration: Regular 1-to-1 sessions focus on reading technique, handling querents, applied ethics, preventing burnout and any other topics that arise.

Stage III: Master – Demonstration & Specialization (60 Credits) 

Status: Unavailable - In Development.

This final Stage will be focused on synthesizing knowledge, demonstrating advanced proficiency, refining personal style, and completing a capstone project based on one of two chosen pathways.

Pathway A - Masterpiece Focus:

  • Advanced Tarot Techniques Study: will be focused on learning advanced tarot spreads, specialized reading types (relationships, timing, spiritual path, etc.), advanced dignities, further study of tarot & hermetic qabalah, further study of tarot mathematics & probability, etc.

  • Masterpiece Project Development: I will supervise your completion of a feasible tarot masterpiece such as a tarot book or deck (likely Majors only or with non-scenic pips to maximize the chance of completion).

Pathway B: Business Focus

  • Ethical Tarot Business Foundations Study: Structured learning covering niche definition, branding, online presence (website/socials), ethical marketing, service/package design, pricing, client communication protocols, basic legal/admin for online practice.

  • Business Launch & Mentorship: Developing a viable business plan and launching foundational elements of an ethical online tarot practice, supported by up to 30 months of business mentorship.

Note: In accordance with the non-sectarian nature of this course, any relation between tarot & hermetic qabalah is taught generally i.e. without advocating for one specific esoteric system of set of correspondence lists.

How The Tarot Apprenticeship course Works

The tarot mentorship program is delivered online via one-to-one video calls (using Microsoft Teams or Zoom) combined with independent study, practical application, and structured assignments. It requires dedication, self-motivation, and active participation.

1-to-1 Mentorship & Tuition Sessions: sessions are scheduled based on your progress through the curriculum credits, averaging more frequent contact in Stages I and III where conceptual load or project work is heavier. 

Email Correspondence: As a student, you will have access to my personal email to ask any questions throughout the course.

Curriculum & Credits: The course is completed through credits, with 1 credit being roughly 10-12 hours of work (like at university).

Assignments: Each credit involves specific tasks designed to build knowledge and skills, ranging from theoretical analysis and research to practical reading exercises and project development work in later stages. Timely completion and submission are expected.

Course Benefits: Towards Genuine Mastery

Personalized Mentorship & Guidance: receive consistent, tailored 1-to-1 support from novicehood to professional competency or equivalent (and towards mastery once available).

This close mentorship addresses your unique learning style, helps navigate challenges, provides detailed feedback, and fosters the development of your authentic interpretive voice in a way group classes or self-study cannot replicate.

  • Genuine Proficiency & Insightful Reading: Move far beyond rote memorization and keywords. Develop a deep, nuanced understanding of the RWS system and the art of divination itself. Cultivate the ability to read with clarity, confidence, and profound insight, facilitating genuine communication with the Divine for yourself and others.

  • Robust Ethical Foundation: Learn not just how to read tarot, but how to do so responsibly, compassionately, and with integrity, including navigating complex situations and understanding the principles of selfless service ('white magic').

  • Profound Self-Knowledge: Utilize tarot as a powerful tool for ongoing self-discovery and spiritual unfoldment. The structured learning, reflective practices, and mentored guidance encourage deep introspection and personal transformation alongside skill development.

  • Structured Pathway To Professional Competence (And Eventually, Beyond): Benefit from a clear, comprehensive, and logically scaffolded curriculum that guides you from complete beginner to professionally competent and ethically robust tarot diviner (and will soon take you beyond this, towards genuine mastery).

  • Supported Practical Application: Gain extensive, hands-on tarot divination experience through structured self-reading and mentored pro bono practice (~400 hours). This includes dedicated training and support on sourcing and handling your practice querents.

  • Unique Philosophical Perspective: Engage with tarot as a sacred art focused on insight and Divine communication, grounded in principles that emphasize spiritual unfoldment and ethical responsibility, offering a depth often missing in more superficial approaches.

  • [In Development] Capstone Achievement: Culminate your apprenticeship by creating a substantial Masterpiece project (e.g: book, deck, course) or launching an ethical online Business under dedicated mentorship, providing a tangible demonstration of your integrated skills and specialized focus.

  • Confidence & Readiness: Complete the available program (Stages I and II) not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and demonstrated proficiency based on your chosen pathway (business or project). Once Stage III is available, taking it will consolidate your learning and gently guide you towards your own mastery of the art.

Testimonials

Student testimonials will be added as people make it through the course. In the meantime, here is a testimonial from a professional reader who received mentorship for a few months:

““He helped me get the breakthroughs that I needed as a professional tarot reader. He helped me in becoming the best reader that I could be that would help me in self-actualizing the clients in general and in their love life as well. Because of his mentorship, I am confident in reading for a Psychic Chatline that I am now working at. Book with him; you will be really well taught with the world class mentorship he will be giving to you.””
— -Princessmayumi (pseudonym), May 2024, Phillippines

Pricing/Payment

You only need to commit to Stage I, with the payment options of:

  • Monthly: deposit £420 then pay £110 per month for avg. 18 months (full range: 15-21 months).

  • Instalments: make 3 payments of £650

  • Pay In Full (Stage I): £1,600

Continuing to Stage II? The price is the same because Stages I and II have the same amount of credits.

Refunds: there will be no refunds under the current pricing structure.

Start Your Apprenticeship Journey

Course Materials

  • Microsoft Teams for any virtual meetings.

  • A working headset, microphone and webcam.

  • A Google account

  • A Rider Waite Smith (RWS) tarot deck.

  • [Optional] A mini RWS deck.

  • [Optional] approximately £750 (entire, three stage course) to get the books on the recommended reading list.

Availability: I accept up to 4 students each year. I am particularly keen to enrol students in Stages I and II so that I can improve them with student feedback and release and pre-launch Stage III.

Application & Enrolment Process:  After submitting your successful application letter, I will invite you to a Zoom call (to discuss your tarot divination goals & experience, and answer any course-related questions or concerns that you have). Then I will send you the enrolment form to be signed within 4 weeks. The course will then start as soon as possible but not before your deposit (if applicable) has been paid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • 7-12 hours per week is required so as to keep up with the required credit pacing of around 28 credits per year.

  • We will start with the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck since it is highly influential on modern tarot teaching. But from Stage II onwards you can choose your own deck to work with.

  • Yes, with the following qualifications; I acknowledge free will and believe that fated events are relatively rare.

  • The extensive free reading hours in Stage II (and qualified pro bono practice in Stage III) reflect the program's commitment to ethical service. Specifically, it signals the student’s agreement with the mission of the Pro Bono Tarot Guild (PBTG) - which all Tarot Apprenticeship students join automatically - that all sincere seekers should be served regardless of their financial circumstances. Offering readings without pay also encourages humility, reinforces ethics, provides practical reading experience and allows those interested in selfless spiritual service to practise this effectively.

  • Apart from the general course structure listed, flexibility and personalization is built into the program via personalized tuition, 1-to-1 mentorship and the student’s choice of two pathways during Stage III.

  • The course policies and rules are in the enrolment form, which will be sent if your initial application is successful. Once you receive it, you will have up to 4 weeks to ask any questions and sign it. If you are still concerned about this, please contact me to request a sample/draft contract.

  • Yes - at this time you only need to commit to Stage I (but you can take Stage II afterwards).

  • I will teach you Hermetic qabalah (in terms of it’s relation to tarot divination) generally, without focus on any specific occult order or tradition. This means that if you are a Hermetic Qabalist yourself then you don’t need to worry about me using traditional Golden Dawn tarot correspondences even when you use a different set.

Ready To Become An Apprentice?

If you are ready to start your journey, the application and enrolment process for Stage I (18 month foundational course) is as follows:

  1. Write your application letter.

  2. Attend an informal interview via Zoom/Teams so we can discuss your tarot divination goals and experience.

  3. Sign the enrolment form within 4 weeks.