Finally, the Tarot Room we've all dreamed of!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Sep 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	08 Sep 2002
I went househunting yesterday in Wales, ad fund a rathe small but nice house-share situation. But becase the ouse-share is between 5peopoe, no more, my boyf and I had to rent out two rooms instead f just the one. So, we are turning one room no double bedroom, and another into a Tarot room! He he... I went to a car boot sale today and mamnaged to find an absolutely gorgeous veneer dining table, near perfect condition, the right height, and arge enough fordinner for four people... For £20! I'm gonna put a really unusual table cloth over it, and decorate the room with really unusual things. I've got a couple of fanstasy pictures to put up, but I was also considering adorning the shelves and surfaces with my deck collection.. . Just to show off! Well, I'll be reading professionally from this room, so I gotta show I mean business! I can't wait. It'd better be worth it though, cuz we're paying an extra £40 a week rent for that extra room... Kiama PS- Here's a quesion for you guys: What would you NOT wanna see in a Tarot reader's room?

RedWood	08 Sep 2002
I would not want to see to much fake beads...Be careful about putting your expensive decks in the room...They could be stolen..In your violated post you trust people easily..I do not..so keep the expensive ones out....I would not want to see the room to "busy"..i would find it distracting..Congrats on finding a room!

Strega	08 Sep 2002
Kiama, congrats on finding your new Tarot room! :)

kayne	08 Sep 2002
WooHoo!!! Congrats Kiama! Sounds fantastic! :D What WOULDN'T I want to see? - kitty litter trays - commercial images such as brand names for fast food places etc - stuffed animals or skin - electric things that buzz (like a fridge or air conditioner) - tables telling you the meanings of the cards (might look bad for your credability :P) - cigarete butts - bright, fluro lights - porn (unless you count Tarot Erotica) I am sure I will think of more later... :D

Umbrae	08 Sep 2002
Spartan - a couple candle holders of brass or pewter. Items keept in baskets. Beaded curtains worked in the '70's. It is important to keep in mind, it is nearly 2003, and our craft is old. Blend.

Laurel	08 Sep 2002
Congrats Kiama! This is a really dumb question... but do the people that rented you the two rooms know that you're planning on turning that second room into a tarot room and charging money for it? Are they cool with that? Once upon a time I had a friend try something similar, only to have it blow up in their face when their landlord (who lived upstairs) freaked out and almost evicted them. The landlord's problem wasn't tarot per se- it was having a "business" run out of their home without permission. Laurel

Melvis	08 Sep 2002
That is so cool, Kiama! Thanks for letting us all help you decorate it vicariously! ;) Don't forget about the scent of the room. I think incense would be great...I always associate that smell with the mystery and allure of my local occult shops...but don't let it get too strong! Your roommates might object, and your clients might be too distracted if they are choking. I burn candles in my apartment, but it's not until someone comes over and their eyes start watering the second they walk in the door that I realize, "Hey, maybe I should put the candles away for a couple of days..." :D Speaking of candles, don't over-do those, either. A single candle for focus could be very powerful. Have fun! It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you! Peace, Melvis :TSTRE P.S. Laurel, that is not a dumb question! You can never make assumptions about landlords...their unwritten 'rules' may not always be so obvious.

jema	08 Sep 2002
oh, i want a tarot room too! if i had one i would have a Beaded Curtain :-P i would always keep some flowers in there. oh and get some good lighting. you can't really do a reading in candle-light. no posters. they look tacky. frame them at least. my brother has lots of fantasy posters pinned up on his walls and i hate them. make sure you have something for them to drink, either just a glass of water or a cup of tea. incense is nice - but don't overdo it also you might have to be careful if the clients has asthma. comfortable chairs. i think i would like a bright and cheerful room (with a beaded curtain!) more then a mystic cave.

amyel	08 Sep 2002
I'd like the room to seem "real", that is, keep it so you could use it as a dining room if you & bf have company over. Once, many, many years ago, a friend & I went to a reader who was obviously very into black and sculls & pentagrams, etc. The whole room was decked out in this fashion. Although she was very good reader, I didn't like the feel of the room and never went back to her. Keep it real, baby! And definitely: a) check with your future housemates; b) make sure you can run a business from that room; c) keep your most expensive/precious decks either behind lock & key, or out of site completely; and d) make sure you are *never alone in the house* when you do a reading for a stranger, who may end up just being strange!

HudsonGray	08 Sep 2002
I'd go light on the incense, so many people have allergies they can't even walk into stores that have 'scents' coming out of them. Beaded curtains are way out of style, better to have hanging drapes of see-through fabric with sparklies on. When you have to go to a retro store like Spencer Gifts to find beaded curtains that says it all. NO SKULLS! Stick to flowers & plants instead--live energy is better than looking too medieval. At least the modern idea of medieval. And yes, protect your expensive decks. Maybe a glass cabinet with a lock on it would be better if you did want to show them off. Mood lighting, soft & not too weird a color (if you use filters). A nice table covering. COMFORTABLE chairs. Keep it uncluttered and yes, no litter boxes. A plate of cookies, bottled water, fruit juices in a can/bottle--those are all good ideas. A non-scented candle (again, the allergies come into play--always ask the person if they don't mind incense or scented candles). Floating candles are pretty cool. Framed fantasy pictures if they're not controvertial or too non-artistic. You don't want to come across as a flake, expectations are modern, not 1960's. Keep it tasteful. You're not dressing up like a Gypsy with the big hoop earrings & costume, so keep the rest modern too.

Pollux	08 Sep 2002
NO WAY! Since you have the opportunity, you should go for the MYSTIC CAVE! *LOL* :D I think it would be easier to say what I WOULD like to see... I hear Apple incense is very good in these cases (;)), and candle light, beads and all the other posted so far. Personally, I would also put a nice carpet, but I don't know if you can do that. Maybe you should display your "reading" decks, to help people choose (if the option is contemplated), and keep the colletible pieces aside and safe. I don't know why, but I'd love a mirror too. And stones. A couple big twinkly stones somewhere cosy and visible. Maybe a SALT LAMP. MH... Music. Soft Music. (LOREEEEEENA!!! :D) I would not mind posters, but of course it depends on the type of posters. For example, some gigantic Tarot Cards would rock. A High Priestess, or a Hermit... The unconscious, the inner: after all you are a reader. ;) And BOOKS!!! :D

DarkElectric	08 Sep 2002
Oh, Kiama! You lucky duck! I would keep it minimal, good taste is essential, and less is more! What I would NOT want to see. Garish anything. I'm not big on the beaded curtains, unless they are the natural coloured oriental bamboo kind. No fake flowers, or plastic plants. Or real ones that are obviously unhealthy, or need to be watered. Dead leaves, etc. (Real is always the way to go.) Even though I am pagan, anything of an overtly religious nature. Mine, or any other cultural icon. I wouldn't want to see someone's altar, in other words. Ashtrays, food stuff, or a visible trash recepticle, unless it's kept fastidiously empty. I am of the opinion that tobacco smoke interferes with readings. Incense can be cool, but as was mentioned before, allergies. What I would want to see: A candle, of course! Natural fabric curtains, apealing colours. Oriental rugs. Real plants, and flowers. As far as plants, if there's a window, I would have live trees, such as ficus. But I'm the ficus tree freak, and my home is a forest, literally! I personally would avoid posters, and go with things such as peaceful oriental prints. But I really like Lava Lamps! I wish I could have a reading room! Mine is going to be my huge 11 by11 festival tent, as I have decided to go the faires and festivals route after all! GOOD LUCK! (((((((((((((((((Kiama))))))))))))))))))))))

RedWood	08 Sep 2002
I am not bashing the beaded curtains!! Just ya know 2 or more just seems like a bit much for my taste lol... Umbrae..maybe worked in the 70's...and disco in 70's..there are just some decades that should not be mentioned!! :)

Liliana	08 Sep 2002
No skulls was the first thing I thought too lol, and truthfully no crystal balls either, at least not the hoaky looking kind, makes you look fake, but small crystals spheres might be ok :) What Id like to see, a take home item, buy some copies of a minutes tarot deck or some mixed tumbed gemstones and allow clients to choose one to take with them. Might tellyou more aboyut them, and theyd feel more like they are getting something for their money :) Incense and candles are nice, and dress in a slightly dressed up casual manner if you no what I mean. No all out gypsy outfi, and t shirt and jeans might not go over well, but a nice skirt and a simple blouse would say professional not tacky. Velvet is always a nice warm welcoming fabric for curtains or table covers or whatever, as is maybe some silk :THP

catlin	09 Sep 2002
Kiama, make sure that there are curtains or something else that ppl cannot peep inside when doing a reading. - no skulls please (most ppl freak out when they see such a thing) - the table should be large enough to do bigger spreads on it - keep the tabe uncluttered (usually 1-2 candles or a salt lamp will be sufficient (even when you do readings in a room with drawn curtains) - ppl expect a bit an unusual atmosphere but don't make much "ado" (pl don't look like the gypsy in one of the old Mission Impossible serie) THINK ABOUT YOUR SAFETY BEFORE LETTING COMPLETE STRANGERS IN!

Minderwiz	09 Sep 2002
The plates left over from the last meal (or two) Political posters The TV switched on Anbody else but me and the reader (unless its an agreed joint reading) I think the main issue is that the room should be free from clutter and distractions (including smells) Keep it simple but reasonably comfortable (too much comfort is distracting) so that both you and the client can concentrate on the issues of importance. Minderwiz

Pollux	09 Sep 2002
Reading about Liliana's idea of small stones tokens, that I really like, another one occurred to me: you could get one of those small "fountains", those electric devices where you keep small stones and the waters flow, and the rumoour of it is so plaesant and calming... :) Maybe instead of the stones you could also use Runes, as Talismans, and give them one according to their as well as YOUR perception of whatthey actually need. You might make them out of coloured fabric scraps... It would be cool! (And it would allow you to charge for more, adding an inexpensive feature! ;))

Kiama	10 Sep 2002
Lili: Your advice about small take-home items really appeals to me... I like the idea of small crystals, and I'm sure I can make a few Runes (Both the Ogham and Norse kind!). What a great idea! I am now debatin over cups of tea... I would like to make the querent feel welcome and at home, and comfy, and the first thing I thought about was offering them a cup of tea or coffee... I would love to learn how to read tea leaves, so that they could drik their tea whilst we were doing the Tarot reading, and then read the left over tea leaves afterwards! I was thinking that the tea-leaf reading would act as a sort of clarification, cuz they would be focussing on the question they asked for the Tarot reading whilst drinking the tea, so maybe the question would be infused (No pun intended!) into the tea... I am also a bit confused about the whole 'don't let strangers into your home when you're on your own' thing. I can understand that, but, what if the reading is when there is nobody else at home? Were on Earth do we do the reading then? Where I will be living (Cardiff, Wales) is pretty grim and rainy most of the time and the weather is quite unpredictable to boot. So outside reading is pretty much a no-no unless it's the middle of Summer. I am also wondering about how much to charge... I would like to target the student market, but I know students are essentially poor, so I can't charge too much. I was considering a 'donation' thing for that, or something along the lines of an exchange... But I don't know! I've never done anything like this before so I'm fairly confused scared.... Of course for non-students I would charge a fair price but something around £10 I think. Is that a good price? I mean, hopfully they'll be getting the reading, possibly tea leaves awell, and a crystal/Rune... Kiama

Pollux	10 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama I am also wondering about how much to charge... (...)Of course for non-students I would charge a fair price but something around £10 I think. Is that a good price? I mean, hopfully they'll be getting the reading, possibly tea leaves awell, and a crystal/Rune... Well, here I "charge" the equivalent of £3, but I just give readings. If you plan to include stones, runes, talismans, tea-leaves and tea/coffee you might have different prices for different "services". Like, for example, having a price-table... 1) Plain Reading in Tarot Room: £5 (includes tea-leaves reading) 2) Reading & Talisman:£8 (like #1 plus Talisman, hand-made & charged by the Powerful Hedgewitch Kiama) 3) Reading & Crystal/Stone: £10 (like #1 plus Crystal - they are expensive!!! - charged at the Esbat/Sabbats by the Powerful Hedgewitch Kiama) Thus people choose what to get and how much to spend! :)

amyel	10 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama I am also a bit confused about the whole 'don't let strangers into your home when you're on your own' thing. I can understand that, but, what if the reading is when there is nobody else at home? Kiama Kiama, the easy way to deal with this is to book appointments and ensure someone is around for those times, maybe BF. They don't need to be in the room, but they should be nearby. Maybe you could have a bell or a gong or something nearby and use that as a "code". It also makes you look much more professional to book appointments rather then "spur of the moment things". Maybe, if you get to know your flatmates better and they seem cool and/or accepting kinds of people, you could post your week's scheduled appointments in a common area and your flatmates could make sure one of them is around. But this would take time to establish to this relationship and maybe just won't happen at all. It's hateful that so many of us feel the need to warn you, but we do, and it's just because you are loved by us. Regarding charging, I think you need to have a nominal fee to be taken seriously. Value for money, you know. If you leave it up to them to make a donation, you will end up feeling used and taken for granted. If you really feel it is right, you could waive the fee at the end of the reading, or ask for a lesser amount, or a barter arrangement. For example, if you find someone who is good at Reiki, maybe you two could exchange "gifts". But I'd suggest you make this the exception rather then the rule.

blackthorn	10 Sep 2002
Congrats on the room Its great to hear Just be careful who you let into your home!! I tryed that and got a lot of negative energy in my home. I didn't like the feeling. as far as your room goes make it you!!

RedWood	10 Sep 2002
yes you will probably need to do a cleansing of the room after each client....

Kiama	11 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by RedWood yes you will probably need to do a cleansing of the room after each client.... Sage smudging? Would that do? I usually find it's okay for somethings, but I'm not sure about a whole room where a stranger has been pouring their heart out in for the past half hour or so... Kiama

catlin	11 Sep 2002
Hi Kiama, I did not want to make you frighened by my warning. Ok, when I was the first time in a small seaside resort in Southengland 19 years ago, I was astonished to see that ppl left their back door open even when they had left the house, a thing you could not do in Germany anymore. Life has changed considerably and there might be queer folk around who might want to take profit from the fact that you are pretty young. We just care for you, that's all. As for charging, I would not accept bartering. It is just too unsure and some folk tend to "forget" their promise.

The Finally, the Tarot Room we've all dreamed of! thread was originally posted on 08 Sep 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.