first party

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Oct 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

GeminiLady	17 Oct 2001
Well gang, I have "officially" been asked to do my first party. I have to say I am looking forward to it, but I'm also nervous. It will be a small gathering, and several of my neighbors will be there (that do not know I read tarot---SURPRISE!) Any tips, advice or whatnot would be greatly appreciated. Love and Light, Gem

Melvis	17 Oct 2001
My best advice is to have fun! :D I've only done readings at casual parties, where I read for one person while everyone else watches, so if this is a more formal affair (like if you've been hired for the party or if your host had a plan of action in mind for the evening), my advice may not be fitting. (Hey, my advice may not be fitting anyway, but it's free! ;P ) What I like about reading at parties is that when you start out a reading everyone is usually making lots of noise: oohing and ahhing about the cards, speculating on meaning, etc. But as the reading goes on, everyone starts to focus on YOU because they've realized that it's not just what's on the cards that's interesting, it's you, the reader, that really makes the reading meaningful. You'll suddenly feel very powerful! :) The other advice I have is, if you are reading for individuals in an informal group setting, you'll tend to give shorter readings (in order to keep people interested and to fit in as many as possible). It's very helpful to have some way for the querents to write down the spread and position and card meanings to take with them. Also, I've noticed that people tend to get bored if I do the same Celtic Cross spread for more than a couple of people. It's good to have a couple others in mind (if they fit for the querent and the question asked, of course) that you can intersperse with the C.C. Anyway, I've rambled (as usual), but most of the readings I've ever done have been for individuals while a group of people watched, so I actually have a little experience in this area! Good luck, Gemini! :-D Peace, Melvis

Jeanette	17 Oct 2001
Great idea about using more than one spread, Melvis. I would suggest that you practice your technique awhile before the party - just the basics, shuffling, laying out cards, etc. It may be noisy and distracting, you may lose your concentration. Also, do you plan to incorporate any "props" ? Incense, spread cloth, candles? Will there be a table ready for you, will you have to provide one? Will there be children present, who may want to handle the cards (maybe even run off with them)? Be prepared with a plan of action ahead of time on how to deal with practical matters (your cards may end up with food, drink, or who knows where). Do you think you may want to hand out cards for future readings? People may get hooked, you'll be surprised, and you could have potential customers! It might be nice to stretch, move, have a soda, or something refreshing between readings. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! Please let us know how this goes for you, I'm wishing you all the best... Jeanette

Jeanette	17 Oct 2001
P.S. Maybe you could take polaroids of the spreads, and make sure your hands look nice, everyone will be looking closely at them! OK, I think that's it from me, hope it helps. :) Jeanette

Melvis	17 Oct 2001
Jeanette: That is an excellent point about making sure your hands look good! I would never have thought of that...the most I usually do is to put lotion on them so I don't get any paper cuts! ;P Peace, Melvis

Mojo	18 Oct 2001
I enjoy reading at parties for all the same reasons as Melvis. I'm actually pretty shy in a roomful of strangers, but having my cards gives me an instant ice breaker, and you quickly become the center of attention. I agree with the need to have multiple spreads to keep things interesting. You want to choose spreads that can be done in about 15 minutes so that everyone who wants a reading gets one. This means usually 3 or 4 card spreads. I have a series of laminated cards which diagram the spreads and what the positions mean, which saves me time describing them and lets me get right to the reading. I also have a little tarot "game" that I like to play. I ask three people to volunteer, then ask them to clear their minds while each of them shuffles the deck in turn. Then I just lay out 7 cards in a row and I look for the pair which seems most intriguing or even the most entertaining. Then I'd ask a question about the situation they describe and see which of the three it applied to. For example, at one party, I had the 2 of Cups come up next to the Queen of Wands, both reversed. I asked, "ok, which of you guys recently broke up with a girl because she was being a tramp?" The crowd loved it, and the "guilty" party was as intrigued as he was embarrassed.... Once I have a a connection, I slide those two cards up to a new row and I fill in the row with 5 more cards to make a complete row of seven... I use this to tell more about the situation. Then go back to the original line and look for the next pair that tells a story and repeat the process. I find that usually I can tell a story for all three people out of the cards dealt. It's a lot of fun and it involves the entire crowd rather than just one person at a time.

Thirteen	18 Oct 2001
Great advise so far. Let's see what I can add: (1) Make sure there is a special area for you to do your readings, separate, away from noise (well, as much as possible at a party), curtained off (or with a screen), a large table (even with small spreads you don't want cramped cards) and a big, comfy chair (you're going to be sitting for a while). (2) Make sure someone checks on you and brings you food and drink, especially drink. Cold water, juice, iced tea or coffee. You're going to get dehydrated doing all that talking. (3) Wear fun clothing to make yourself stand out as the mysterious tarot reader--play with your look, but keep in tune with the party (casual or elegant, you get the idea). Just make sure what you wear is also comfortable and cool. It can get hot at parties. (4) Most important advise is the one you were already given. Have at least 4 spreads of no more than 7 cards. People will be waiting and you can't do the Celtic cross for them all, it takes too long. And three card spreads are boring to look at. Have: a) A relationship spread for the couples b) A future love life for the singles c) A career/job spread d) A general future spread for all else Practice these spreads so that you can do them up fast and they speak to you. Here's two general spreads that are easy to use: Star 1 5 6 7 3 2 4 123 form one triangle, 456 form the other so you get a Jewish style, 6 pointed star. 7's in the middle of it. 1 = foundation of question 2 = present 3 = immediate future 4 = action or lack of action needed for a good result 5 = Others who can help 6 = Opposing forces 7 = Outcome Horseshoe: 1 is down to the left, go up 2, 3, 4 at the top, start down 5, 6, 7 at the bottom right opposite 1. 1 = Past 2 = Present 3 = immediate future 4 = Something on the querent's mind 5 = person connected to the querent and their additude 6 = obstacle 7 = outcome Have fun and let us know how it goes!

Thirteen	18 Oct 2001
Sorry, that star spread didn't come out quite clear. Let me try to explain it, just in case. Here's hoping these little partial diagrams work. 1 is the apex--at the top, the highest point. Down to #2 to the right, #3 to the left (across from one another), as if you were drawing an upward pointing triangle. 1 /\ 2 3 4 is the apex of the downward triangle, the lowest point (#2 is to the right and just above it, while #3 is to the left and just above it). 2-\/-3 4 Draw up to 5 (just below and left of 1) and across to 6 (just below and right of 1). 1 5-/\-6 Six pointed star, yes?

Thirteen	18 Oct 2001
:P I'd modify but I can't get the damn thing to work on my Mac.

Jeanette	18 Oct 2001
Thirteen, my brother has a Mac (he's an art student & only Mac's run his programs). My mom's always calling me for help with her stuff on that Mac, and I can't even begin to help her. Sometimes even the Mac guys can't explain things! Oh well. Anyway, thanks for the spread suggestions, I'm going to try them too. Your diagram did help! Jeanette

bec	18 Oct 2001
Jeanette : I´ve never done partyreadings - and would love some feedback on how you did it and what reactions you came across - this being your first party, I feel you´d be the best to give me an idea of what it´s about. Others might already be too experienced to tell a newbie - you know - looses a lot of "the first time nerve" when rutines and rituals becomes a habit ............. thanks :) May it be a great party for you !!!

tarotbear	18 Oct 2001
I used to do this kind of thing more often in the past. Get a timer or a stopwatch and stick to your time restraints. Nothing is worse than someone who wants to monopolise your time. You have to be fair. Get in a room away from the 'party'. You have to be able to concentrate, and loud talking or disco music is not conducive to a reading. Also, you should be doing these as 'private' readings since not everything you see will be something the client wants you to say in front of a room full of strangers. Having two or three different spreads is a good idea, depending on if you are going to ask their question beforehand. ( I don't) A friend of mine used to make them write their question down, that way they could not change their mind or start asking multiple questions. Time restraints, you know! Remember - this is a PARTY! Although you may get some serious questions, people are there to have some fun, not ask for the 'secret to the mystery of life'. Don't treat it like you are the all-knowing oracle. Get cheapo business cards printed up and give some to everyone you read for- you never know who will refer you for private readings or for another party. CHARGE! Do not do this for free. Charge something, even if it's only $5. To charge for it gives everyone the impression that you are worth the time it takes. To do it for free cheapens the process. Drink and pee breaks - yes, you need to have a break or two during the night. Have a set schedule or a limited number of readings during a set time span. Have you ever tried reading 12 people in a single evening? ENJOY! Remember , you are there to have fun, too!

dolphingirl	18 Oct 2001
Hi Wow everyone has such wonderful ideas here is my two cents. Decide before hand with the hosh if you are getting paid by the person or for the evening. Take a 5-10 minute break every hour. Just to keep your bearings. Bring asprin, all the concentrating; noise and people you never know when one will sneak up on you. Have a plack to put your cards away or keep them with you when you leave the table. Otherwise curious people may play with them. Bring several decks one good for kids or people that are nervous about having there fortune read. Several others to keep it interresting. Have a idea how much you would charge for private readings so if someone wants to be read for later you know how much you quoted and it is fair. Other thing I think I would like to do if I read is find a rock show that has small cheap natural crystals in different colors and give one to each person with there reading as something to remember you by. Have blank sprea card sheets ready so that you can fill in there spread that you did for them. Also have your namen and contact info on it so that people can contact you even if they loose your card. Also ask your host if you can use candles for atmosphere. Bring crystals and a table cloth and spread cloth if these things are not providid for you. Make this a memorable event for all. Sory about being long winded :)

truthsayer	19 Oct 2001
set a limit on the number of readings you realistically can do during the hours of the party. perhaps have a sign up sheet. if you can't do everyone that evening, have a stack of business cards the others can contact you by. i wouldn't do more than 4 readings an hour so that you won't get too drained. know your limits. if being around a crowd invigorates you, then reading w/ others watching isn't a problem. being introverted, i simply don't have the mental energy to perform tarot to a group. i tire quicker than i do if i do one on ones in a room set off from the party. having a timer is an excellent idea b/c ppl can get intrigued and want to go over the time limit. even if their dilemna tugs at your heart strings, you have to be fair to the others and end the sesssion politely and firmly but have a business card ready if they want another reading at a later time. you may even want to set up rules to the group early that there are time limits so you can only do a "shallow" reading. if they want something in depth, they can contact you for that at a later time. this way it'll be easier to cut them off w/o appearing rude. estimate how many readings you can honestly do during the length of the party. if the party last 4 hours, do you think you can do 16 readings or is 12 your limit? if you manage to do everyone listed before the party is over, you can always have a second list of ppl who want a reading if time allows. if the host or guest wants to supply a tape, you can tape the reading for the person or they can take notes if desired. i always ask that the querent remain quiet while i read. when i read for my mother, she interrupts me so many times that i totally forget where i was in the reading. it's hard to pick up the thread of thought once my concentration has been broken. when i'm finished then the querent can ask questions. i like to play the part so i wear flowing clothing, jewelry, play soft music, and burn candles. incense makes me sneeze! :D i like to do an energy cleansing of the room before the evening starts. this can be a prayer of protection and inviting in white light, burning a cedar smudge stick and cleanse the 4 corners of the room and bless myself or just do a simple cleansing w/ a mixture of vinegar and water while doing a prayer. the lord's prayer is a good one if i can't think of anything else. i might change the wording slightly tho... ;)

MeeWah	19 Oct 2001
Great advice here; seems as if all bases have been covered admirably. I only want to reiterate the importance of having an area away from the crowd available, especially for those who will want/need privacy or to avoid inadvertently being part of the floor show. Also, the lack of "privacy" may discourage some prospective querents (but be prepared to hand out business cards or flyers). The first "party" I did was while I was a teenager, at a social gathering held by the parents of a friend. I was the entertainer. One of the women I read for was accompanied by a young daughter who refused to leave her side. I felt uneasy as I'd already had some impressions, but the woman was insistant. As soon as I threw the cards, I knew--what I saw confirmed my initial impressions. By then, an audience had gathered around us so I limited my comments to there being some major changes coming up; decisions to be made; things would be clearer in a couple of weeks. I felt for that poor woman--she obviously already knew. She didn't say a word, barely nodded & immediately left the party with her daughter in tow. One man also left with his protesting wife--now that was funny! Afterwards, the hostess pronounced me a "hit". It was a lot of fun, but I never forgot that one woman.

GeminiLady	20 Oct 2001
Lots of good advice! :) I'm taking notes, there's some great tips that you guys offered. I'm waiting for confirmation, my host is trying to get this together for Friday the 26th. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again! Love and Light, Gem

StarShine	31 Oct 2001
I know I am jumping in after the fact and in the middle, but my pc phone line broke about two weeks ago and I just got it fixed. Anyway, I have been reading this thread with great interest. I have my first Tarot Party coming up this weekend. There are some great tips in here! Thanks to all! One thing that I did for my hostess that she really liked, I printed up postcard size invitations. I put the logo that matches my business cards on it and under that I outlined my terms (for me, that was price, $1 a minute, minimum of 10 minutes, max of 30, a request to have specific questions ready, and that I could do a general what's up kind of reading) Over to the side, I put spaces for the hostess to fill in (Hostess, when, where, time, RSVP). I also put my name and where I can be contacted. I think that giving your hostess invitations not only makes less work for her (so she is less likely to cancel), it looks professional, and helps limit the number at the party for readings. (10 for me). I too am nervous, but now that I have all of these great tips, I feel much more prepared. Man, I missed you guys!

Sam	01 Nov 2001
I think u should use more than one deck to keep the folks interested. This way a person could choose which deck u would use to read for him or her. You could also use the ol' past present future spread. Or, u could use this spread. 1 234 1.future 2.past 3.ponder this 4.solution to a question Good luck!

The first party thread was originally posted on 17 Oct 2001 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.