Going pro

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Sep 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

bec	25 Sep 2002
I am going to start out as a pro tarot reader this coming tuesday, client is going to be a complete stranger sitting next to me when I read the cards. My first time ever doing this. I have done tons of readings by distance, so I am not really worried about getting the cards right, or how to read - what I am looking for is - what you guys have of rituals before receiving the client ? Relaxation exercises, rituals, what ever would be greatly appreciated. NB I live in a very small christian like town, so not to much mumbojumbo is in my clinik, essence and other "stuff" that might cause allergy to some will not do me any good either, as I do reflexology treats there too. Any suggestions ?

MeeWah	25 Sep 2002
Bec: Congratulations on becoming a pro!! I tend to gear myself mentally & physically prior to an in-person reading because my focus & the client's comfort are crucial to the success of the reading. This means preparation ahead of time to aid the "atmosphere"; to avoid distractions. I let my family know ahead of time so they answer the phone or the door. I make sure my reading table is set: a few decks for a variety of choice; a clipboard with paper & pencil to take notes during the session. I also keep paper & pencil on hand in case the client wants to take notes. Though I do not always use candles &/or incense as some are sensitive to fragrance, I still keep a "portable altar" (a large bamboo plate) on my table on which I leave some of my business cards. Usually, I do a bit of stretching exercises (limber the body) followed by a short meditation (limber the mind) & a prayer to ThePowersThatBe that what is needed be given in the name of the client. Since I tend to get thirsty during a session, I keep water handy & a pot on the stove for tea. I also offer a choice of drinks to the client after the client is in place. It lends a coziness to the atmosphere & I have not had anyone refuse. If you have not already done so, for the benefit of the client & yourself you might incorporate a brief explanation of what a reading can offer; include disclaimers. This would be a good time to hand out a flyer &/or a business card. Not every client will act/react in the same way, so be flexible & do not worry. If you act like you know your stuff (& you do!), the client will follow your lead. Blessings on going live! I am sure you will be fine.

MystiqueMoonlight	25 Sep 2002
Good luck Bec Let us know how you go with your first face to face client. In Australia (well Sydney at least) readers are usually only "carnival folk", ie not the real McCoy, or they are in esoteric bookstores. I'm about to put a little advertisement in our local newspaper. Before I do though I think I'm gonna pay me a visit to one of those bookstore readers. Should be interesting. I'll let you know what happens. :)

catlin	26 Sep 2002
Good luck and congrats, Bec!! I do nothing like a ritual before a reading as ít also happens that I have to work in public space with roaring cappuccino machines or rumbling trains LOL.

Major Tom	26 Sep 2002
so much I'm emulating it. }) I'm not doing face-to-face readings because they're frownded upon in my community. :( I'm setting up a website at http//www.majortom.biz to offer readings either on-line or via MSN Messenger. I would welcome any constructive criticism. The website is set up to accept credit/debit cards but I'm having a bit of trouble with the call back script - if anyone knows anything at all about what I'm talking about? :rolleyes: I think MeeWah gives excellent advice. :TSUN

nina	28 Sep 2002
Hello, Congratulations! One of the best readers I've ever been to talked to me for a bit before reading. She said the cards would call my attention to things I might be missing but wouldn't tell the future and that the more open I was with her the more clear the reading would be. I sort of chuckled and said "Yeah, of course." She told me some people deliberately withold information because they want to "test" the reader and that she didn't have a lot of patience with that, but if I really wanted to "look into something with her help" she would love it. While we talked I got the very strong impression that she absolutely loved doing this and it made me feel more relaxed, positive, and open than I had felt with any other reader/ psychic (am I the only one who usually gets nervous in these situations?). The reading was so interactive and helpful- I wish she still lived around here. So I don't know if that's helpful, but I wish great success! -Nina

bec	28 Sep 2002
Thanks you guys :) MeeVah, you give excellente advise here, I really like the one about 2 notepads, and the loosing up both body and mind. I too followed your advise about making a flyer on tarot, to hand out to interested. I already mentioned the possibility for more info in my main clinik brochure, you giving the same advise confirmed what I am doing. Thank you. Nina, yes your story helps me out, cause the nervousness and feeling of having to do good, might interfere with clients impression of my abilities and passions. Working hard on confidence in my self here :D I have translated my flyer, any comments will be greatly appreciated. If any should feel it of use, feel free to copy it. What is tarot, and what can you use it for ? What is most important to know about Tarot, is all the things it can't do for you. Let me make it clear once for all, Tarot is not a crystal ball that will show you the future, it can not make decisions for you and it can not tell you what to do or not to do. We all have our own free will and right to make our own decisions, it is in no way the meaning that Tarot should take over this roles. Also it is important to tell about me as a reader. I have 11 years of experience in interpretating and reading the card/spreads meanings. I do not withhold any information I see, nor do I give you a nicely wraped package. It is in my experience very seldon that people are told what they wanted to hear from a reading. Truth is hard to handle, and this often is manifested in the world of tarot. Tarot should never be your overruling factor in situations concerning law, medical issues or any other kind of situation where you should seek professional counselling. If you come to me with a question in line of; " Am I pregnant ? and if, is my child going to be healthy ?" I will deny you a reading imediately and advise you to seek your doctor. Will your question be in line of "Is he the one for me ?" you will get a relationship spread hopefully reveilding your strong and weak sides in this relationship, telling what seems to be there to build from. Tarot will always seek to guide you to the best solution regarding the question you have. Those who will gain the most from a reading, is the ones with maturity and openminded about their own personality. We all have our weirdnesses and bad sides, bad habbits making it hard for us to gain the success we are all looking for. Tarot is an unique tool for seeking with in and learn of our selves, our motivations and our routines in life. Why does everything you touch turn to gold or dirt, the answer is there for you in the cards, it is your role to listen and stay honest to your self. The reason why I wont read for youngsters under 18, is that a reading does take a certain maturity and understanding. Some of the cards are illustrated very harsh and calls out for imediate conclussions, I garantie are incorrect. What parents confirms is that the youngster is mature enough to listen to what I have to say, that I can be able to guide them out of the death and misery images they are bound to see there. I do a ritual before using my cards for readings, asking them never to show survere diseases and death. I am no psychic and have no metaphysical powers of my own. What I do is a simple handcraft everyone can be taught.

Laurel	29 Sep 2002
Bec- tell us how your first session goes! I'm looking forward to knowing if the relaxation ritual helps, etc., etc., as well as just hoping you have the best experience possible. Laurel

Mystica	29 Sep 2002
Bec, Good luck, be sure to let us know how it goes for you. I would like to eventually read professionally myself, but I don't have the confidence yet! I do a relaxation and grounding meditation before working with the cards. I also do a brief "clearing" meditation after reading for another person, so as not to hold anyone else's tension or energy. :TMOON Love and Light, Vianne

ladycj	30 Sep 2002
Maybe this should be a new thread, but when do you know you are ready to go Pro?

wavebreaker	30 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by ladycj Maybe this should be a new thread, but when do you know you are ready to go Pro? Interesting question... I should say: if it feels right for you. I know, that sounds very vague... ;) But I've experienced it in another discipline (scuba diving): people were telling me I should go pro, that I was good enough and experienced enough to make that step, but I didn't feel ready for it myself; I waited another 6 months or so until I did feel ready. So it was more like a gut feeling: maybe technically (as in skills and experience) I was ready for it, but to me that wasn't enough. If I would ever want to go pro with tarot reading (don't even know whether I would), I'd follow my gut feeling again... ;)

Pollux	30 Sep 2002
Good Luck Bec!!! :D I still don't call myself PRO, but I do charge for readings... Beig without journal, notepads and flyers makes me feel freer to do what I please, but now I think it's time to get more serious, after all I'm dealing with people and their lives/problems... I hope you will learn lots from this experoence, and that you will achieve fulfillement and satisfaction! Oh, and I also wanted to thank you for the site!!! My Fav Spread Source ever! THANK YOU!!! :) ============ As for going Pro... mh... I agree with tarotlady. There must be some experience behind, and smoe more advanced tarotical knowledge, but after all I started reading without having read any book on the subject... *LOL* It's all abuot gut feelings, and self-awareness. It also comes to a problem of courage: I would not be that brave to face readings knowing that I am not experienced enough, knowledgeable enough, or capabl ewnough to deal with people and their problems... Someone else might be more "indifferent" to the issue! ;)

Alissa	30 Sep 2002
Pollux, it's nice to hear I'm not the only one who jumps right into things :) I also started reading without ever having picked up a book to study tarot. But now that I have started studying, I of course would encourage others to educate themselves fully first. I think I was just more brave or stupid, and willing to follow my intuition.

Mystica	30 Sep 2002
Good question Ladycj...This is what I have been asking myself lately. I think it's a personal choice for each one of us. You just have to feel that you have enough confidence; that you can trust your own ability to read for people you have never met; and the sincere desire to try to help other people with their questions and concerns. Hopefully we will each know when the time is right. I am not quite there yet. Love and Light, Vianne

MystiqueMoonlight	30 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Alissa But now that I have started studying, I of course would encourage others to educate themselves fully first. I think I was just more brave or stupid, and willing to follow my intuition. Why would you think it brave or stupid to follow your intuition? Essentially that is what the cards are to develop....

Alissa	01 Oct 2002
MystiqueMoonlight -- I meant that it was with the braveness of the Fool (i.e. I knew no better) that I was reading. The Fool's path is often Divinely inspired and intutive, which can be brave of him to follow, but can lead him into danger as well. My sister taught me to read Cards. When I first asked her what books to read, being the studiious type, she said, "You don't read a book to find out how to fall in love." And so, I read with no education on Tarot. That was brave, in a way. But it was ignorant of the teachings that are out there.

The Going pro thread was originally posted on 25 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.