Umbrae
12-12-2002, 13:54
Kerri came bounding into my office, "I need a reading. I'm wondering about my relationship, and I'm going to Walla Walla, and…"
"Easy there, Kerri, if you tell me too much, how can I read?"
I removed the deck from its bag and slid it across the table. She knew the drill, and began to shuffle.
This was going to be a quickie three-card spread; we didn’t have a lot of time.
Kerri was not just a believer; she’s also one of those poor folks who are stuck in a rut; addicted to a routine, and unable to see it.
Kerri had been coming to me for about eight months; expecting the cards to tell her that the dullness of her situation was about to change, she came looking for hope. I kept reading for her because you never know when you might say the right thing, to cause someone to change his or her life.
It is essential that we identify the true needs of the sitter, rather than their perceived needs (or what they want). Usually, what the sitter believes is their issue, is not the issue at all.
Further, this is their life. When handling the very real lives of others, it can be a minefield; a careless remark can cause damage.
Therefore, my approach is multi-stepped, and comprehensive.
First, there is establishing rapport. I like to work with the sitters ‘other’ senses, to put them at ease. This helps the creation of an empathetic relationship, and aids in setting control. Remember, if they had all the answers, they would not come to you. Often a sitter will attempt to wrest control of the reading away from you, and steer it in a direction of his or her own; sometimes you are not telling them what they want to hear. Establishing rapport helps assure your control. The sitter is more likely to listen, and trust you.
The second is acknowledgement of ‘flashes’.
Third is formula. We will discuss formula later.
Kerri finished shuffling, cut the deck, and put her hands in her lap. “Do you want me to take notes?”
“Sure. Here, use this pad.” I folded some pages over on my yellow legal pad, “and here’s a pencil, oh – let me sharpen it for you - sorry.”
Control during a reading comes with experience.
I slid three cards face down on my desk. “I want to talk about your boyfriend and your relationship.” I said, turning over the first card, which was the Devil.
Sometimes you will hear a poker player talk about being ‘wired into’ the deck. They know where the cards are, when to call, raise, or fold. Most card players who’ve been around a while have experienced this. Is it psychic or intuitive? Is it a wealth of unconscious knowledge bubbling to the surface? I do not know.
I do know this, we all get impressions (what I refer to as ‘Flashes’) from time to time. Folks are awed when you can tell them about something they have forgotten or about something unknowable to you. They do not think they get impressions, or flashes.
People receive guidance and training from darn near the cradle, to censor themselves – ignoring, or dismissing flashes as they ‘appear’ in their minds. We were told as children, “It’s your imagination,” so we train ourselves over time to shut off the recognition of those impressions.
As we begin to speak about our flashes aloud, we will find that often, there is an amazing high degree of accuracy; and, the more you use it – the higher the rate of accuracy you will enjoy.
There is a caveat; you are not to run around spouting flashes at random on a street corner. Moreover, there are things, which you should never share, never say anything negative! You want to develop rapport, and not intimidate.
Never begin to speak about a ‘flash’ with the words, “You…” “You feel,” “You try”, “You had”.
Tell the sitter what you see. Sometimes you will get an image, a feel or an aroma. The best ‘flashes’ will have a combination.
Just tell them (honesty works), “I have this picture of a tricycle, and the smell of fresh rhubarb pie. Does this make any sense?”
You never tell about ‘flashes’, you ask.
Acknowledgement of flashes is more important than flashes themselves, Skeptics, all I ask is that you allow yourself to be open to the possibility of flashes – and begin using them. I am not saying they are a psychic ‘end-all’ or solution or anything (hell, I don’t even know what they are – I simply know they are).
Kerri and I had a very frank discussion about addiction, and beginning a relationship with someone who was just starting on the path to get clean, as her new boyfriend was.
I turned over the second card, the six of cups. “…Photo album…there’s something about a photo album.”
“Well I’m doing a project for the family and gathering old pictures…”
“I don’t know…I just had an image of a photo album.
“…And you know Kerri, mortgage prices are really low – I’d think about dumping your rental and buying a house or a condo. Your relationship issues will solve themselves. Look into buying a house – everything is kind of wrapped up in that – a major change – do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yeah…wow…thanks. Were you going to read the last card?”
“I just did.” I reached over and flipped the four of wands face up.
Kerry bought her new place, the boyfriend disappeared by the time the house closed…and I never did follow up on the photo album…
Perhaps next week we can finish up on flashes and begin to explore finding out what the sitter really wants.
Kerri is a real person, although her name has been changed to protect her identity. The reading above happened as noted.
Nothing is stated as a recommendation or a suggestion, but merely observation accrued over time. Opinions and results may vary.
"Easy there, Kerri, if you tell me too much, how can I read?"
I removed the deck from its bag and slid it across the table. She knew the drill, and began to shuffle.
This was going to be a quickie three-card spread; we didn’t have a lot of time.
Kerri was not just a believer; she’s also one of those poor folks who are stuck in a rut; addicted to a routine, and unable to see it.
Kerri had been coming to me for about eight months; expecting the cards to tell her that the dullness of her situation was about to change, she came looking for hope. I kept reading for her because you never know when you might say the right thing, to cause someone to change his or her life.
It is essential that we identify the true needs of the sitter, rather than their perceived needs (or what they want). Usually, what the sitter believes is their issue, is not the issue at all.
Further, this is their life. When handling the very real lives of others, it can be a minefield; a careless remark can cause damage.
Therefore, my approach is multi-stepped, and comprehensive.
First, there is establishing rapport. I like to work with the sitters ‘other’ senses, to put them at ease. This helps the creation of an empathetic relationship, and aids in setting control. Remember, if they had all the answers, they would not come to you. Often a sitter will attempt to wrest control of the reading away from you, and steer it in a direction of his or her own; sometimes you are not telling them what they want to hear. Establishing rapport helps assure your control. The sitter is more likely to listen, and trust you.
The second is acknowledgement of ‘flashes’.
Third is formula. We will discuss formula later.
Kerri finished shuffling, cut the deck, and put her hands in her lap. “Do you want me to take notes?”
“Sure. Here, use this pad.” I folded some pages over on my yellow legal pad, “and here’s a pencil, oh – let me sharpen it for you - sorry.”
Control during a reading comes with experience.
I slid three cards face down on my desk. “I want to talk about your boyfriend and your relationship.” I said, turning over the first card, which was the Devil.
Sometimes you will hear a poker player talk about being ‘wired into’ the deck. They know where the cards are, when to call, raise, or fold. Most card players who’ve been around a while have experienced this. Is it psychic or intuitive? Is it a wealth of unconscious knowledge bubbling to the surface? I do not know.
I do know this, we all get impressions (what I refer to as ‘Flashes’) from time to time. Folks are awed when you can tell them about something they have forgotten or about something unknowable to you. They do not think they get impressions, or flashes.
People receive guidance and training from darn near the cradle, to censor themselves – ignoring, or dismissing flashes as they ‘appear’ in their minds. We were told as children, “It’s your imagination,” so we train ourselves over time to shut off the recognition of those impressions.
As we begin to speak about our flashes aloud, we will find that often, there is an amazing high degree of accuracy; and, the more you use it – the higher the rate of accuracy you will enjoy.
There is a caveat; you are not to run around spouting flashes at random on a street corner. Moreover, there are things, which you should never share, never say anything negative! You want to develop rapport, and not intimidate.
Never begin to speak about a ‘flash’ with the words, “You…” “You feel,” “You try”, “You had”.
Tell the sitter what you see. Sometimes you will get an image, a feel or an aroma. The best ‘flashes’ will have a combination.
Just tell them (honesty works), “I have this picture of a tricycle, and the smell of fresh rhubarb pie. Does this make any sense?”
You never tell about ‘flashes’, you ask.
Acknowledgement of flashes is more important than flashes themselves, Skeptics, all I ask is that you allow yourself to be open to the possibility of flashes – and begin using them. I am not saying they are a psychic ‘end-all’ or solution or anything (hell, I don’t even know what they are – I simply know they are).
Kerri and I had a very frank discussion about addiction, and beginning a relationship with someone who was just starting on the path to get clean, as her new boyfriend was.
I turned over the second card, the six of cups. “…Photo album…there’s something about a photo album.”
“Well I’m doing a project for the family and gathering old pictures…”
“I don’t know…I just had an image of a photo album.
“…And you know Kerri, mortgage prices are really low – I’d think about dumping your rental and buying a house or a condo. Your relationship issues will solve themselves. Look into buying a house – everything is kind of wrapped up in that – a major change – do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yeah…wow…thanks. Were you going to read the last card?”
“I just did.” I reached over and flipped the four of wands face up.
Kerry bought her new place, the boyfriend disappeared by the time the house closed…and I never did follow up on the photo album…
Perhaps next week we can finish up on flashes and begin to explore finding out what the sitter really wants.
Kerri is a real person, although her name has been changed to protect her identity. The reading above happened as noted.
Nothing is stated as a recommendation or a suggestion, but merely observation accrued over time. Opinions and results may vary.