First time reading for strangers

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Fiona Blackwolf	09 Oct 2002
On Saturday I will be reading for several strangers for the first time in person. I have done a good deal of reading for my friends and for people online. But this is a little different. Anyone have any ideas on how I can keep my energy up and my intuition open during this extended reading time? Is it appropriate to take my tarot notebook with keywords in case I get stuck? Any other words of wisdom?

Jewel	09 Oct 2002
Hi Fiona! just relax, and trust in your abilities and intuition. I would recommend you take something to nibble on between readings to keep your energy up, and if you can take breaks between readings and stretch your legs and clear your mind. I'm sure it will go great! Good lunch!

Teranar	09 Oct 2002
I read off the feeling and what I understand the cards to mean when I read, so if you get stuck I suggest just reading what you FEEL. That can often be closer to the truth than you can imagine. Be one with yourself, the cards, the person you are reading, and your surroundings.

Sulis	10 Oct 2002
Hi Fiona, I haven`t got any advice for you as I still haven`t plucked up courage to read for others but good luck and have a good time. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Mystica	10 Oct 2002
Fiona, I can really relate, as I have only read for friends and family. I'm just now getting the confidence to read for others, but I have not done it yet. There's lots of encouragement and good advice on this forum! Try to relax and trust your intuition. Please let us know how it goes for you, I'm sure you will do an amazing reading. I know it doesn not help you, but I do know how you feel!! Light, Love, & Laughter, Vianne

lawguy51	12 Oct 2002
Fiona: You are very brave! I too have only read for family and friends. I think it would help you to develop some sort of ritual before each reading, be it something physical or meditative. Just something to get you into the 'zone' so to speak.

Fiona Blackwolf	12 Oct 2002
Well I am home.... 14 readings later. Two people spontaneously got added which was really ok since the readings were going so quickly. Everything went great and the readings went smoothly. There were only a couple of readings which were on the more difficult side. I think the most difficult reading was the one where 4 of 5 cards were knights or kings. That was a tough one. I can't believe I actually did it. Two of the girls were talking about maybe having me come do readings at a holiday party even. I think everyone got a lot out of the readings and most of the folks had never had a reading before. Energy wise I feel a little tired but not too drained. It was a good day.

Keslynn	12 Oct 2002
Congrats, Fiona! I'm glad to hear it went so well for you! Looks like you could start a booming business, even just based on referrals. :) Kes

Zhritza	12 Oct 2002
Fiona, congratulations. This is the kind of thing that frightens me so much, despite 10 years with tarot -- I admire you greatly for being able to do it. I hope someday I can do that. :T8P

Alissa	12 Oct 2002
Sounds like you had a beautiful day, with many potential seeds sown as well~! I'm so glad when others share their stories, as I'm a big believer in story telling. By listening, and posting, we get to hear from every sort of Tarot reader around. And we all learn by hearing your story through your eyes. I love that :D I've only recently begun reading for public events myself, and so I'm really learning the ropes as well. Mostly I do palm readings, but some events I do Tarot readings on occasion. These can lead to further calls too at times, so let's hope your path shows Pentacles strewn everywhere across it!!! Namaste~

Mystica	12 Oct 2002
Fiona, that's so great! It's encouraging for the those of us who have not yet tried this. Wow, 14 readings is a lot and I'm so happy that it went well for you. The reading with so many court cards, that had to be tough. Court cards are by far the most difficult for me, you know, like when do they represent a person or is it a behavior? I think that would be so much more difficult when you don't know the person you are reading for! Congrats, keep it up and let us know how it's going! Love, Light, & Laughter, Vianne

The First time reading for strangers thread was originally posted on 09 Oct 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.