sample reading...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Sep 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Smack	11 Sep 2002
i know how to relate the cards to the questions or issues, but i'm not sure how to go about explaining it... could somebody give me an example? like for instance, i did a one card spread for "why i love" and my card was the ten of wands. how would you explain that to me if i was the one getting the reading?

cricket	12 Sep 2002
Aaahhh... Now that's an interesting one. I would personally explain that this way: Life is a burden, and a heavy one. If you love, and when you love, it will be returned. This returned love will be like an extra shoulder to transfer part of this burden onto. It makes your path home easier to see. Yes, there are times that people will walk out on their part of it, making the burden heavier, but there will be others to take it up again.

Laurel	12 Sep 2002
I would probably explain it as follows: The 10 of Wands suggests to me that subconsciously, you love in order to compensate for a lack of love you felt when younger. My gut reaction based simly on this card is that you tend to come on strong, possibly so strong that some people are frightened, misunderstanding your intentions. Your feelings themselves are sincere, however, not based on any falsehoods or pretenses but sometimes they even overwhelm and confuse you, possibly making you question yourself and your motives or the people you have feelings for. However, as a "cold" reading, based on just one card, for a stranger, particularly someone I've never talked to, that could be really offbase. At least for me, there are a lot of factors that go into reading, and once a querent and I build up a rapport I'm able to be more precise about what specific cards represent regarding both their direct and underlying questions. Laurel

Umbrae	12 Sep 2002
If you pose a question for a reading, EVERYTHING is based on the way the question is worded. Some readings will not work, because the question is too broad – too scattered. Why questions generally don’t work. They are too broad (frankly too silly). Try, “why is there air?” It does not work. It is easy to become too dependent upon Oracular devices, to use them for every little thing that arises. They may show you what you want to see, rather then what you are looking for. An oracular device simply reflects the sitters spirit. Often, what we take from the spirit world is only a reflection of ourselves. If you are not serious, answers will be folly.

lili	12 Sep 2002
I agree with Umbrae, Oracles are sensitive tools and it can go deeper than surface appearence and answer your unconscious questions, is very important to think how to phrase the question you want to ask, try to relax and compose your toughts because if there is an underlying question you might not understand what the card is trying to tell you, this happen often when you form a question that is too broad.

Smack	12 Sep 2002
so basically you take the meanings from the card, apply them the situation, and then apply them to the person the best you can... right? so then would part of the reading not only be reading the cards, but reading the person as well? i still feel like i'm not getting something... maybe it just takes a while to get comfortable with the cards and comfortable with the words that come out of your mouth? sorry if i seem a little dense right now. those were some great exaples by the way, i think i could easily relate myself to both of them.

Umbrae	12 Sep 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Smack ...maybe it just takes a while to get comfortable with the cards and comfortable with the words that come out of your mouth? sorry if i seem a little dense right now. Essentially, you are new – and attempting to go too fast too soon. If you want to be a reader, it will take a while (months or years). During that time, you must be patient. Do not be like those who strive for mediocrity by throwing away the book and stating they are an intuitive reader. Memory and intuition are not the same. If you truly wish to learn – if it calls to you from the depths of your soul, you will follow the advice given below, and realize it will take time. Shalom Talmida

Umbrae	12 Sep 2002
My advice. Begin at the beginning Begin with three card spreads. Begin doing 3 card readings (for others). Do them for-ever. Do a lot of them. Buy a spiral notebook. Use it as a Journal (very important). Write down every reading (both cards and your interpretation). Only read for yourself no more than once a week. Three card readings are versatile, and accurate. More cards do not always mean better readings (but they look good on tv). Read books (but remember they are a reference tool, not a reverence tool) (I recommend “Tarot Reversals” by Mary Greer. 3 card spreads? Page 215.

Smack	13 Sep 2002
thanks a bunch... i have a tendency to get ahead of myself sometimes, but i'll take it slow. :)

Laurel	13 Sep 2002
Umbrae is full of excellent advice. I suggested to someone else in another thread this morning to also try the 'card a day' method of learning *one* card, really well, each day. If you are consistent and have the discipline, it takes 2.5 months to complete the tarot. During that time, you'd be journaling and doing practice spreads, readings on self and family as well. Then when you've completed the cycle... start over. LOL. Build on what you've already learned. You'd be amazed at how much more insight you'll get the second time around... and the third... Making tarot part of your daily life is the best way to learn, in my opinion. That whole thing about practice, practice, practice. Laurel

Alex	13 Sep 2002
is not appropriate to be answered by the Tarot. It is the same as asking "why do I have two arms, two legs, a mouth etc.?. It is part of people's biological design, to love, as it is, to have body parts. Quote: Originally posted by Smack i know how to relate the cards to the questions or issues, but i'm not sure how to go about explaining it... could somebody give me an example? like for instance, i did a one card spread for "why i love" and my card was the ten of wands. how would you explain that to me if i was the one getting the reading?

Smack	13 Sep 2002
are you refering to the question in the spread? i got the spread from tarotspreads.com... i was just trying to find an easy example for people to help me with how to read the cards. sorry if i picked a bad one. the first two people that replied and tried to explain the card helped me a lot, whether it was a valid reading or not. i just needed to hear someone read back to me because i've never experienced it before. all the advice that followed was helpefull too, thank you everyone.

Alex	13 Sep 2002
that may help ya, one is the "my readings" where people post readings they do for themselves. The other is the "reading exchange" where people offer and post readings for querents. From these two you can get a grasp on how it goes_ or how it does not go_ with real examples. Quote: Originally posted by Smack are you refering to the question in the spread? i got the spread from tarotspreads.com... i was just trying to find an easy example for people to help me with how to read the cards. sorry if i picked a bad one. the first two people that replied and tried to explain the card helped me a lot, whether it was a valid reading or not. i just needed to hear someone read back to me because i've never experienced it before. all the advice that followed was helpefull too, thank you everyone.

Adjustment	18 Dec 2004
Smack wrote: i know how to relate the cards to the questions or issues, but i'm not sure how to go about explaining it... could somebody give me an example? like for instance, i did a one card spread for "why i love" and my card was the ten of wands. how would you explain that to me if i was the one getting the reading? This type of question are too broad, you need to ask a more formulated question.

The sample reading... thread was originally posted on 11 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.