If you have never had a tarot reading, the idea of having one over the phone can sound odd: how can the reader read your cards if you are not in the room? This guide explains exactly what happens on the call, how readers work at a distance, how to prepare, what the common spreads mean, what it costs and how to get the most out of your twenty minutes.
Before the call
Decide your focus. Tarot works best with a clear question or area: “What do I need to understand about my relationship right now?” is better than “Tell me everything.” Open questions (“what do I need to know about…”) usually produce a richer reading than yes/no ones, though a good reader can work with either.
Choose your reader. On Luv Clarity every reader’s profile lists their skills, tools and subjects and shows client feedback, plus a live status so you can see who is free. Look for “Tarot Cards” in their tools and pick someone whose style appeals. Note their PIN.
Choose how to pay. Call the Readers Line on 0330 114 0095 (standard rate) and pay by card through reception — £25 for 20 minutes, or £20 for your first reading with WELCOME20. Or call 0907 995 0105 and pay on your phone bill at £1.50 a minute plus your provider’s access charge.
Get comfortable. Somewhere quiet, a pen and paper, and a few minutes to settle before you dial. Readers say the calmer you are, the clearer the reading.
What happens on the call
The reader will greet you and ask what you would like to focus on. Say your question and a sentence or two of context — you do not need to explain everything, and a good reader will not fish for details. Some readers ask you to think of the question while they shuffle; some ask you to say “stop” as they shuffle so you are choosing the cut. Then they lay the cards.
For each card the reader will tell you its name and position, describe what it shows, and interpret it for your question. Cards are read in relation to one another, so the meaning builds as the spread unfolds. You can interrupt, ask what a card means for a particular part of your life, or ask the reader to draw a clarifying card. At the end they will usually summarise the thread running through the spread and what it suggests you do next.
How can a reader draw cards for you at a distance?
Readers describe tarot as a focusing tool: the cards give shape to the reader’s intuition about your question. The connection is made through your voice and your intention, not your presence in the room — which is why phone and even email readings have been part of tarot practice for decades. Many readers say phone readings are clearer, because they are not distracted by body language or appearance and neither are you.
The spreads you are most likely to hear
- Three-card spread (past – present – future, or situation – obstacle – advice). The workhorse of a 20-minute reading: quick, clear, and easy to follow. You can try a free version on our 3-card tarot page.
- Relationship spread (you – them – the connection, often with extra cards for what each wants and where it is heading). The most requested spread on our lines; allow 30 minutes.
- Celtic Cross (ten cards covering the situation, challenge, past, near future, conscious and unconscious influences, external factors, hopes and fears, and outcome). The full picture; allow 30–40 minutes.
- Single card for a quick check-in or a yes/no leaning. Common in text and mini email readings.
Reading the cards: a few basics
You do not need to know the cards to have a reading, but a little background helps you follow along. The deck has 22 Major Arcana cards (The Fool, The Lovers, The Tower and so on) that describe big themes and turning points, and 56 Minor Arcana in four suits: Cups (emotions and relationships), Wands (energy and ambition), Swords (thought and conflict) and Pentacles (work, money and the material). Court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) often represent people or approaches. A card that appears reversed is usually read as the energy blocked, internalised or in excess rather than simply “bad”. Our card guides, such as The Lovers, go deeper if you are curious.
Getting the most from twenty minutes
- One question, well put, beats five rushed ones.
- Write down the cards and the reader’s key phrases; the reading often makes more sense a day later.
- Ask “what can I do about this?” — tarot is most useful as guidance for action.
- If a card doesn’t land, say so; readers can clarify or draw again.
- Take what resonates and leave what doesn’t. You are the one making the decisions.
Phone, text or email?
Phone gives you conversation and follow-ups — best for anything emotional or complex. Text (CLARITY to 78887, £1.50 a message) suits one quick question when you cannot talk. Email (from £6.99) gives you a considered written reading you can keep; the in-depth version (£18.99) covers a full spread. Many people start with an email reading and move to phone once they have found a reader they like. See How It Works for every option and price.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tarot reading really work over the phone? Yes. Tarot readers work from your question and their connection to you, not from watching you; the reader shuffles and draws the cards on your behalf and describes each one. Most readers find phone readings as clear as in-person ones, and many clients find it easier to speak openly on the phone.
How long should a phone tarot reading be? Twenty minutes comfortably covers a three-card spread and discussion of one question. Choose 30–40 minutes for a Celtic Cross, a relationship spread or several questions. Sixty minutes suits a full life review.
How much does a phone tarot reading cost in the UK? Paid by card, around £17–£25 for 20 minutes with established UK services. At Luv Clarity it is £25 for 20 minutes by card via reception, or £20 for your first reading with WELCOME20. Premium-rate lines cost about £1.50 a minute.
Should I tell the reader my whole situation first? No. Give your question and a sentence of context, then let the reader work. Good readers will ask if they need more; you can add detail or ask follow-up questions as the reading unfolds.
What if I don’t like what the cards say? Tarot describes energies and likely patterns, not fixed fate. A difficult card is information you can act on. A good reader will explain what a challenging card suggests you can do, not just what it warns of.
Can I ask about someone else? You can ask about a relationship or situation involving another person, and how it affects you. Readers will not do a reading ‘on’ a third party without their knowledge, and cannot answer medical, legal, financial or pregnancy questions.
Readings are for guidance and entertainment purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical, legal or financial advice. 18+.
When you are ready to book, our telephone psychic readings page lists every reader, price and call length.
