Hey there,
the other day i was watching Tv and on this Tv show there was this stereotypical scene of tarot reader telling fortune. There was this big black lady all dressed in satin, beads and scarves looking like a walking disco circus tent. She was talking veeery slowly as if she was mentally impaired and said 1- 2 sentences (her entire divination) that didnt make sense at all (its really interesting how media portrays readings in general).
So, I was wondering... Have you met any tarot readers in real life that were a complete caricature of this craft? Like theatrical costumes, dimming lights, smoke, obviously making up stuff, being completely deluted or out-of-their-mind?
Also what percentage of tarot readers are really pro in your opinion and how many just really pretend and make up stuff?
I recall years ago, my friend and I going to a tarot card reader in her home. She had her living room and dining room set up for customers, and would greet you in her heavily candle/oil scented living room that had scarves and silky curtains all over the place. very heavily decorated like a gypsy's wagon as she herself was too. jewelry galore on her, but she was still a very attractive looking woman, save the perpetual frown she wore on her face. I don't think the woman could smile. it was almost 'eery'.
She would take one person at a time through the living room into her dining room, which was even more crowded with tables and shelves everywhere, and a small table w/two chairs. each table and shelf was so loaded down with candles and crystals, crystal balls, books, statues, and you name it--New Agey. Right behind where she sat was a picture of the Blessed Mother and also a crucifix. She insisted that you pray the Our Father with her before she would begin your reading.
She didn't give a very good reading what so ever, in my opinion. But, what made me really angry and knew she was a fake was that after my friends reading, I could tell my friend was very shaken. She didn't say a word, but motioned for me to get my reading, so I went in for my turn. as I said before--an awful reading, and then when we payed and left, my friend broke down into tears with her predictions.
She convinced my friend to come back with more money for a magic potion that would help her with the family issues her family was at the time experiencing. I tried to tell my friend not to do it, that she was preying on her and her problems and that it was only money she was after. I thought I convinced this friend and so finally left her at her home and went back to my own home.
Well, a few weeks later, my friend told me that she didn't want to believe me and had been going back and forth to this fortune teller with many hundreds of dollars for magic potions and charms to 'fix' the family issues, and then when she was quite many hundreds of dollars into it, began to wonder why the charms and potions were not working. She c. to tell me how I was so right about it, etc.
It was not long after that, (can't recall exactly how long--days? weeks?) that on our local news, they were showing a huge amount of state police cars at this womans house, arresting her, her sister and their husbands for their 'psychic' scam. Apparently, they had been arrested and tried in a few other states, and fled those states, changing their names and 'starting over'. In addition to my friend who fell for them, they had quite a few other people constantly coming in for more potions and spells that turned out to be no more then some dandelions and other flowers in a baggie--that they were charging hundreds of dollars for! One poor woman had given them many thousands of dollars before a family member caught on and did a bit of investigating and found out they were wanted in other states.
They were, of course, shut down immediately and didn't escape the law this time. they were sent back to the one state where they were put into prison to serve out their term that had been put on them years before they arrived to our home state. and, they had to make restitution as well--but I know there was not enough money to pay back everyone every penny they got. Lesson learned by my friend and the other 'scammed clients', I think.
Also what percentage of tarot readers are really pro in your opinion and how many just really pretend and make up stuff?
as for this, well, the same as in any occupation, I would guess. We once hired a company to do some remodeling on our home and put a down payment on the work. he turned out to be a scammer too and had also fled other states doing the same scan. Luckily for us, he just about completed the job, save a few minor things, and he did do a good job, but I think it was because he liked us, actually. His work was good--but he unfortunately had the nasty habit of not doing the jobs for most of his customers that he was payed to do. He was caught. He made restitution and he is currently in prison for 2yrs. and then will be on probation for a few more. We were satisfied with the results.
Its unfortunate that there are so many scammers out there. But it is in every profession. Doctors, carpenters, tarot card readers and pretty much ALL professions included. Its a shame, but unfortunately it seems with people who are diviners, ( a profession that has many skeptics to begin with), when one turns out to be a scam artist, it seems to hang over all of us as a result.
