what makes some people "easier" to read for than others?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

joya250	13 Jul 2002
At a small gathering the other night, I was doing reading for several of my firends. All of the readings were "accurate" -- however, I noticed that some people were just easier to read than others. One girl in particular, everything was so clear right out in front of me. A few others though were not that clear -- and I had to describe what the cards meant, rather than being able to tell a "smooth story" -- why do you think some people are easier to read than others? The girl I did the best reading for is more "open" spiritually than the rest... maybe this has something to do with it? what do you guys think? what are your experiences with this? thanks. - joy

VGimlet	14 Jul 2002
I think it's much easier to read for people who aren't treating it like a fancy card game, and my personal feeling is that it's a combination of me being more relaxed because I know they are receptive, and an undefinable something else. Better energy exchange? I am not quite sure what to call it (although I am sure someone else will, :D)

HOLMES	14 Jul 2002
many things can affect the quality of a reading. 1. how many reaings you did "you may of needed a break" 2. how much energy is infused in your deck , i.e doing many readings with one deck will get it confused less it is clensed by shuffling very throughly ors smudging. 3. their minds are close. 4. your not grounded. 5. ther is always the possiblity they are not supposed to know. and at such times no matter what you try as a spreading or a deck it won't work. and this is just for starters.

the hermit	14 Jul 2002
Excellent points holmes! In particular the ones concerning the energy aspect. The negative energy of a non-believer, the energy put in or pulled out of the deck by the reader and the querents, the energy around the reader and the deck. All of these aspects will, of course, effect how well the reader does, how many readings can be done without a break and how many readings can be done before the deck and/or the reader needs re-grounding. When I do multiple readings I try to take a few minutes between each when I can reshuffle and just handle the deck to help keep it and myself grounded and refreshed. After about 4 readings, I try to take a longer break and will often stop using the deck if it was used for all 4 readings. I also try to do no more than 7 or 8 readings at a time. I warn folks ahead of time and if necessary have them draw lots to be as fair as possible. I also try to note the names of others and give them my card so as to read for them at a later time if they're interested. On a slightly different note, I've mentioned in other threads that I don't take money for readings. At large gatherings like the ones described above, I'm usually there at the request of the hosts, who are usually friends, and have bartered with them for some sort of trade of services. I seldom do large gatherings like this without some sort of 'payment' because people seem to take you more seriously if they know you're NOT doing it for free. This usually makes it easier to read for them. I also ALWAYS demand the right of refusal, politely but firmly. There always seems to be one person that just has to play the MAJOR sceptic and harasser, no matter how accurate you're proven to be. One can usually identify Mr. Sceptic (yeh, it's almost always a guy) and I'm usually able to tell whether or not reading for him will be useful or not. If I think not, then I decline. And go on reading for the others. I try to get that out of the way first so it doesn't spoil it for the rest. Most of my friends understand this and stop including him on the guest list. :)

mondk	14 Jul 2002
I have noticed this as well. I tend to find that the querents that actually love having the tarot read for them but yet can still maintain a level of maturity about it all (so they don't consider tarot just a fancy parlor game) are great to read for. Some people are just like wide open books. I encounter these people everywhere...I just love going places and being able to size someone up in just one glance. These people make the best kinds of querents usually, and will seriously listen to any advice the tarot may give them. But, on the flip side, it is these people I worry about more too...predators can spot and single them out as easy targets for scams and personal injury and all too. So for their readings, I am always on particular look-out for this. Blessings, M.

divinerguy	14 Jul 2002
While Holmes said it well, there a few things I noted that affect multiple readings that I do. I don't like reading for people I know, it interferes with the objectiveness of my readings. I'm not saying my readings of friends are skewed, I'd just rather not have that monkey on my back. My reading ability diminishes after 3 or 4 readings. It takes a lot of my personal energy to do a good reading. I must either change decks or take a break after a while. I'm not fond of public readings. I do them, but I'd prefer one on one, because the nature of the question is sometimes sensitive. Divinerguy

joya250	14 Jul 2002
hmmm -- good points. In this particular case, it was an intimate setting (only 6 of us -- and 4 got readings.) The girl I read for last had the best reading... In between readings, I shuffled and grounded. ??? so, I guess I just could connect with her the best. I think she is the only one of the bunch who had a professional reading before -- so I guess she was more open to it, and put more energy into it. I didn't find it hard to read for my friends -- cause I know all of them to varying degrees -- and I just describe what I see in the cards and try not to think about all the other stuff I may know -- and sometimes I say, well, I know that X represents your boyfriend X cause I know you, but then I go into detail about what the card means and how it relates to others. I usually hate reading in front of groups -- but this time I totally enjoyed it and was feeling confident and grounded. maybe that helped too. thanks for your responses.

Kiama	14 Jul 2002
I find that people who tell me more about the concern I'm reading about are asier to read for, especially if they actually actively partcipate in the reading: I can't stand a querent who justsits there silently, sceptincally, testing me to see if I get it right with as little info as possble. That's no how I work: I'm reading for omebody about a serious part of their life- They know more about it all than I do, so the cards are gonna mean more to themthan me! prefer having the querent looking at the images on the cards and saying, well, that image reminds me of.... Y'know, things like that... Kiama

catlin	15 Jul 2002
I usually do not read in a crowded public as this often causes a problem of privacy to the querent. I do some sample readings during my reading sessions in book shops, etc.but I point it well out before doing the reading that in case ppl are reluctant to have an audience around they should make an appointment with me to ensure privacy. When I do public readings I never do more than 3 readings. During my very first public reading in a book shop I made 8 readings in succession and I was pretty exhausted afterwards as I had held a one hour lecture about tarot before. This was too much.

Jenny-Li	15 Jul 2002
I think that regardless of the setting, and how many readings you do in a night and all that, there will always be people who are openminded and oozes out their energy to where it's easy to pick up, while others keep everything to them selves, perhaps they are more reserved, a bit scared, a bit more "stiff"... It's only natural that those people are harder to read for. It's like they don't quite reach out and I don't quite reach in...! (If that makes any sense...!) Having a lid on your energies like that, I think is significant to the reading, so I'd probably follow up on that in my reading, as best as I can, of course. Now, I've still only made on-line readings, but I think you sense this openness - closedness about people anyway, whether your trying to read for them or not...! Jenny :)

The what makes some people "easier" to read for than others? thread was originally posted on 13 Jul 2002 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.