The Tarot Apprenticeship: Your Pathway to Tarot Divination Mastery

If you are seeking to move beyond superficial tarot knowledge and truly develop proficiency in the art of divination, you've found a unique path. Many aspiring readers find that standard books and short courses lack the depth, personalized feedback, and ethical grounding needed for genuine competence and confidence.

The Tarot Apprenticeship was created to fill that gap, offering a comprehensive, deeply mentored online program for serious learners committed to mastering tarot as a tool for insight and communication with the Divine. This page provides a detailed overview of this transformative journey.

What is the Tarot Apprenticeship?

This is a rigorous, long-term, structured online mentorship program designed to guide dedicated students towards Mastery (defined as completing the program's final 'Master' stage) in ethical tarot divination over approximately 4 to 6 years.

Built upon a 140-credit curriculum (where each credit represents 10-12 hours of dedicated work), the apprenticeship uniquely combines:

  • Intensive 1-to-1 Mentorship: Approximately 180 personalized sessions with your mentor, Toby Skibinski, providing tailored feedback, guidance, and support.

  • In-Depth Study: Exploring tarot theory, Rider Waite Smith deck symbolism, robust ethics, divination principles, and practical reading techniques grounded in a specific, coherent philosophy.

  • Extensive Supervised Practice: Integrating learning through dedicated self-reading and substantial pro bono practice (360-430 hours in Stage II) with structured training and support.

  • An Ethical & Philosophical Foundation: Approaching tarot as a sacred art and a form of 'white magic' (selfless service focused on spiritual evolution and Divine communication).

Course Philosophy

The Tarot Apprenticship course is grounded in a specific use of tarot cards not just as a predictive tool, but as a means of Divine communication. Toby focuses on developing your ability to access genuine insight for yourself and others, fostering Self-Knowledge and the evolution of the soul. Ethical practice, viewed as integral to effective divination (as part of 'white magic'), is also paramount. While you maintain your own beliefs, the teaching and mentorship are informed by this framework, emphasizing depth, responsibility, and service.

Is This Intensive Path Right for You?

This demanding apprenticeship requires significant dedication and alignment. It is ideal for individuals who are:

  • Genuinely Serious: Possessing a deep desire to achieve proficiency and understanding far beyond the basics.

  • Seeking Mentorship: Value consistent, personalized, long-term guidance over impersonal or short-term training.

  • Ethically Committed: Prioritize integrity, responsibility, and service in their approach to divination.

  • Resonant with the Philosophy: Feel aligned with viewing tarot as a tool for insight, Divine communication, and spiritual growth.

  • Prepared for Rigour: Ready for structured study, extensive practice, regular assignments, and constructive feedback.

  • Able to Commit: Understand and can realistically commit the necessary time (10-12 hours per credit), energy, and financial investment (price detailed in prospectus) over several years.

  • Self-Motivated & Open: Possess the initiative for independent study between sessions and are open to learning within a structured framework.

  • Individuals seeking transformative self-knowledge alongside practical divination skill.

(This approach may appeal most to Western Esotericists on the Right Hand Path, but is open to all who meet the criteria of seriousness, ethical grounding, and commitment).

The Transformative Journey: What You Will Gain

Committing to this intensive pathway offers profound rewards far beyond basic tarot knowledge:

  • Deep Personal Mentorship: Receive consistent, tailored 1-to-1 guidance (~180 sessions) focused entirely on your development, fostering your unique interpretive voice.

  • Genuine Proficiency: Move far beyond keywords to read with nuance, confidence, and insightful understanding grounded in the RWS system.

  • Robust Ethical Framework: Develop the knowledge and practice to offer readings with integrity, responsibility, and compassion.

  • Profound Self-Knowledge: Utilize the apprenticeship structure and tarot itself as powerful tools for deep personal insight and growth.

  • Structured Practical Application: Gain extensive real-world reading experience (350+ hours) hours in Stage II alone) within a supported, ethical framework, including training on navigating pro bono work.

  • Unique Perspective: Master tarot as a sacred art for Divine communication, developing both skill and spiritual understanding.

Capstone Achievement: complete your apprenticeship journey by either a) creating a substantial Masterpiece project (such as a tarot book or deck) or b) by starting a tarot reading business (with pro bono work integrated into your ethos).

Course Structure: The Three Stages

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

  • Stage I: Apprentice (40 Credits / 15-21 months): Building solid foundations – mastering RWS fundamentals (Majors, then Minors, then Courts progressively with practice), core theory, essential ethics, energy management basics, and beginning self-reading.

  • Stage II: Journeyman (40 Credits / 15-21 months): Developing fluency through intensive mentored practice. Includes dedicated training on sourcing/handling pro bono readings, followed by conducting the required FREE practice hours (~216-380 hours) for the public, and integrating feedback.

  • Stage III: Master (60 Credits / 18-30 months): Synthesizing all learning, demonstrating advanced proficiency, refining personal style, and completing a major capstone project via one of two paths.

The Capstone: Stage III Choice

In Stage III, you'll select one pathway:

1. The Masterpiece Path: Create a substantial work (book, deck [Majors + simple Minors], course, or other approved project) while studying relevant Advanced Tarot Techniques.

2. The Business Path: Develop and launch the foundations of your ethical online tarot business, supported by two years of dedicated Business Mentorship.

(Full curriculum details are available in the Prospectus).

Investment & Commitment

Embarking on this apprenticeship is a significant commitment to your development:

  • Duration: Expect a journey of approximately 4 to 6 years, depending on your pace (completing ~27-40 credits per year).

  • Workload: The 140-credit program requires approx. 1400-1680 hours of dedicated student work (study, practice, assignments) over the course duration.

  • Investment: The total course fee ranges from £6,800 to £9,060. Structured payment plans (Pay by Stage, Pay Yearly, Pay Monthly options available).

(Full details are outlined clearly in the Prospectus).

Your Next Step

If this deep, mentored, ethical approach to mastering the art of tarot divination resonates with you, and you are prepared for the commitment involved, please proceed as follows:

  1. Thoroughly Read the Full Prospectus: This is essential. It contains all the detailed information on curriculum, structure, policies, pricing, and the application process.

2. Consider Applying: If, after careful review, you feel this pathway aligns with your goals and capacity, applications are accepted annually during the Summer months (June-August).

N.B: Due to the intensive and long-term nature of the course, a maximum of 4 students can be enrolled per year.

(Have questions after reading the Prospectus & FAQ? Contact details are on the About page).