About Toby Skibinski
Summary
My journey into the profound world of tarot divination began during a time of spiritual crisis which coincided with the 2020 global pandemic. After giving over 2,000 readings to the public (close estimate), I decided to start mentoring students.
Looking around at existing tarot courses and mentorship trainings, what I found surprised me. Information on tarot basics was abundant but structured pathways to deep, ethical proficiency were (quite frankly) non-existent.
I founded the Tarot Apprenticeship programme in 2022 to offer the kind of comprehensive, ethically grounded, and personally guided training which I believe is essential for anyone serious about mastering the art of tarot divination.
Consubstantial to this programme is the Pro Bono Tarot Guild: an association of tarot diviners who provide affordable (free and low cost) readings to the public. I founded the Guild in 2023 to help all sincere seekers get the spiritual guidance that they need (regardless of their financial circumstances).
All Tarot Apprenticeship students join the Guild automatically and you should only apply for my Tarot Apprenticeship programme if you are willing to join the Guild (membership is free).
My Tarot Journey & Experience
My intensive engagement with divination began in late 2019. Driven by a severe existential crisis, I immersed myself in study and practice of oracle card divination before quickly moving on to tarot cards due to needing a pack for a spiritual curriculum that I was undertaking. I was soon fortunate enough to receive mentorship from multiple experienced tarot readers (including from Avery Woodbury of Seldom Dreams and my Mother) to assist me in my learning.
By July 2020, I was reading for others. Over the next two years, I conducted over 2,000 readings on the public (both free and paid) – allowing me to gain extensive experience with diverse querents and situations. In May 2022, I began guiding other tarot learners, accumulating hundreds of hours of teaching experience, refining my teaching philosophy and developing a comprehensive, apprenticeship style tarot training.
Developing The Tarot Apprenticeship Programme
My practical experience in tarot reading and teaching revealed gaps in much contemporary tarot education – often a lack of depth, insufficient focus on tarot reader ethics, or an absence of structured, long-term support. Over three years of dedicated development, my work has included:
Analyzing existing tarot courses and mentorship programs to see what works and what can be improved.
Keeping up with the tarot community on social media (Reddit, YouTube etc.) to see what issues the current generation of readers is struggling with.
Studying and staying up to date with the tarot literature (websites and books).
Considering how tarot divination actually works for practical insights into effective reading.
Based on all this, developing an online tarot mentorship programme from apprentice (beginner), to journeyman (professional level), to master (advanced professional level).
My Teaching Philosophy & Approach
My role within this apprenticeship is that of a tarot mentor and tutor, not a spiritual teacher. I am here to share knowledge and experience (of tarot divination only), provide structured learning, offer personalized feedback on your readings, and support you through the challenges inherent in mastering this art. My approach emphasizes:
Divination: Reading tarot to gain insight and guidance from the Divine (however you conceptualize - or refuse to conceptualize - it). This includes predictive readings but always contextualized within a greater spiritual scheme.
Ethics: Instilling a deep understanding and application of ethical principles is essential - not just for responsible practise but for more effective divination.
Grit: Whilst I will mentor (and tutor) you extensively, apprenticeship style courses require students to be self-motivated, dedicated, and take responsibility for their learning journey (meeting the 300 hours per year workload).
Realism: The course will train you beyond mere professional competency, towards genuine mastery. Thus, the title of Master Tarot Diviner will be an indication not that you have reached mastery but that you are now working on attaining it.
Right Hand Path Occultism: Taught through Emanationism and (non-sectarian) perennial philosophy with a twofold focus on; 1. how tarot divination actually works 2. pro bono tarot divination, the programme is made for Western Esotericists on the Right Hand Path (e.g. Theosophists, Rosicrucians and Hermeticists).
Qualifications/Affiliations
Extensive tarot divination experience (2,000+ professional tarot readings on the public).
Mentorship received from experienced professional readers (including Avery Woodbury of Seldom Dreams)
Former member of TABI (Tarot Association of British and International Members).
Hundreds of hours of tarot teaching experience via 1-to-1 lessons and online tarot forums.
50,000+ words of tarot divination articles written (public and unpublished).
Ongoing spiritual practise within the Western Esoteric Tradition since 2019.
Founder of the Pro Bono Tarot Guild (2023).
3,000+ hours spent on the Tarot Apprenticeship programme so far.
Active Tarot Practice (June 2025)
My commitment to active, ethical tarot divination is an important part of the Tarot Apprenticeship programme. While my dedication has been intensely focused over the last few years on developing this programme and undertaking academic studies (a Psychology degree), I have maintained a regular self-reading practice. This continues to evolve as I philosophize on the art of tarot divination.
You can see a glimpse of my ongoing tarot reading practice in this bonus video on the 'Indication Not To Read (INTR) principle.
Need a personal tarot reading? Book here.