Public Blunder

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 16 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

scheherazade	16 Feb 2003
Hey... I made my first attempt at reading the cards for someone else this weekend, in the middle of a dance competition. I made the mistake of simply reading off the translations from the book - none of the cards seemed to have anything to do with each other - some of them even contradicted. Since I don't know what's going on in the life of the person I was reading for, I don't know how to interpret the cards so that they made sense - they didn't speak to me at all (there were fifty girls in the dressing room, talking and gossiping and asking *what are you doing... I couldn't focus at all) and I felt completely blind. And not to mention rather foolish. Any suggestions to help me avoid this situation? Because I do want to be able to learn to read for other people... it's just... I don't know how to intuit when it's another person's issues and not mine.

HudsonGray	16 Feb 2003
Sounds like the environment was about the worst way to start--all the distractions & no ability to concentrate. Try someplace quieter, like a library, coffee shop during off hours, anyplace you can get one on one but no crowds looking over anyone's shoulders. Start with smaller spreads too, like a 3 card, then move onto a larger one with the person if the first 3 cards are spot on. Ignore the Celtic Cross until you get a lot more public reading under your belt, that can be too hard a spread to interprete if you're nervous or having trouble with the deck. But look at it all as practice, regardless. You learn something even from the bad ones. There's been a time or two where I asked someone what stood out most for them in the picture on a card, getting feedback from that that made sense.

scheherazade	16 Feb 2003
LOL - how did you know that I'd done a Celtic Cross? Typical beginner mistake, I assume? I did do it for a friend, so she didn't judge me or anything... it's just that I'd rather have done a better job.

Karenwhe	17 Feb 2003
I don't understand why people have to start reading in public places? I am not trying to be rude or anything, but I don't understand. Until today and I have been reading for quite some years, I refuse to read in noisy places, I don't like it because I can't concentrate. The most noisy place I have ever read in is with my kids around and that is it. I know it is possible to do that, but the querent will not get the most out of the reading - in my humble opinion. If you want to practice.......... after all we have Aeclectic, offer some readings to practice (as many as you see fit), sit in the quite and comfort of your home, and if you really want to go wild go to: http://www.psychic-chat.org/index.php You can practice there as much as you want and most people are out there for a free reading. However even there it is noisy, but you can read to the public one-on-one and you can also learn how others read, plenty of exercise plenty of learning from other people styles (it is a real time chat system). Oh and yes, and the CC, yes I guess one could guess that. When I started off reading for strangers I just pulled cards one at a time, without any positions and I pulled as many I saw fit (maximum I ever done was 9 cards). This created the story line. However this may not suit you ……. just a thought. Hope this helps.

lupo138	17 Feb 2003
apart from what has been said already: there are numerous threads on this forum how to start reading. Most of them contain the suggestion of burning the little white book. IMHO I would recommend to you that you try to do readings for yourself without any help out of books first and then check it with books and then check it with life as the ongoing process of your personal story will show you the meaning of the cards for you. I admit that I did readings for others in my first enthusiasm without really knowing what the cards meant - anyway this is years ago and I stopped it very soon, as I realized I was not ready then. Maybe you give yourself a bit more time ?

Umbrae	17 Feb 2003
Begin by tossing the lwb. Then study. Study the deck, and study your journal. Do readings online (it is a type of study, active as opposed to passive); and do no public readings until you ‘feel’ ready. When you begin your first public readings, be kind to yourself – seek a bit of privacy – a quiet coffee shop, or café… Tarot can be subtle. If you are reading ‘by the book’ you may miss some of the whispers you are looking at, while reciting memorized little paragraphs. Tarot is not a joke, nor is it to be taken lightly. When you look down at the “Happy Squirrel” card, and blithely recite some patter, you have no idea how the other person will react. When you are reading for others, you are insinuating yourself into their lives – their problems are real – and they may misinterpret or over react. More than one life has been ended by a careless readers remark. You are obviously NOT a careless reader (that’s why you are here, and why you posted), so this is not a reflection upon you in any way… After you have read for a while, you will get the sitter in tears, who had a reading from another – with a dire announcement of pending doom… You own personal deities? Involve them in your reading prior to the reading…a little quiet time…

HudsonGray	17 Feb 2003
I figured you used the CC spread because that's one they ALWAYS include in the instruction booklets. It's too big, too many cards to keep track of for most people when they start or even after a while. And it doesn't get you started with smaller spreads which can be a better teaching experience. Smaller spreads can nail something on the head & more cards can be added, or you switch then to a second spread for the person. Plunking those cards down for a CC can be way too much information to make sense of, much less in a place with all sorts of distractions. Check out some spreads sites online, you'll find all sorts of specialty spreads, small spreads, generic spreads. I keep a folder of the ones I like to use when someone asks for a reading. Or I do up my own spread & work from there. That Celtic Cross can be a real killer.

isthmus nekoi	17 Feb 2003
scheherazade, If you're trying to get some practice, I'd suggest finding querents who have a specific issue or question in mind to center the reading. That way, your interpretation of the cards will be unified by the querent's concern. It took me some practice to be able to read completely cold and then pull relavant themes from spreads. Another important thing to do that Umbrae kinda touched on, is to understand your relationship w/the querent and get a feel for what the querent's relationship to tarot is. Why do they want a reading, what is their understanding of tarot, how do they feel towards you etc... Then you can phrase your interpretation accordingly to better aid your querent. And make sure you're comfortable too!!! ^_^ Also, I think I've gotta stand up for the c/c here :D It is true that it can be confusing. But it's a powerful spread worth getting to know; don't write it off just b/c it's been deemed the 'not for beginners' spread. I started out reading for others w/ c/c and I've no complaints... it's still my most prefered spread for general readings.

scheherazade	17 Feb 2003
Oh, the Celtic Cross has spoken beautifully to me - when I'm doing the reading for myself, that is. I guess I did overshoot it a little. I'll work my way up, though it may be awhile before I read for someone else again. Thank you for all your advice, it was ridiculously appreciated. ;)

theredhead	17 Feb 2003
Scheherazade, I sympathize, you have lived what i feared in reading for another. I know I could not do a reading in a public place, i would freeze, not be able to concentrate. When i did end up doing my first reading, I used Kazz's 7 card horseshoe, went pretty well, then we moved on to cc for another question. I had a harder time and i felt that i was having trouble focusing myself and quieting myself, and this was in my own house. Still this person was gentle and curious and someone i have known for years, it was a good place to start. I have a suggestion, why don't you do a reading for me, and if you want I'll do one for you. I don't know if i can do online readings, would seem difficult for me to read for someone i can't see in my mind. But I'm willing to give it a try. I would hate to see you give up reading for others, when i think all you need is to give yourself a better chance. Pm me if your interested and we can post it in the readings sections if you wish.

Umbrae	18 Feb 2003
Psssssst… Three card readings…it’s a great place to start…even in public…once you get proficient, you’d be surprised at how much you can do, with a three card reading…once you loosen up, relax, and stop the ‘committee’ from being too self critical…you really can go for hours on three little cards…

anjocoxo	18 Feb 2003
the first time I did a public reading for someone I didn't know, I did the three card reading and it went wonderfully...I was even surprised with myself and the woman I was reading to was really nice and was very surprised with what I saw (especially with the "past" part, b/c there was something she hadn´t told me and I guessed by the cards)... it was good, and I felt ok, but I haven't done another since (no time/place). keep up the good spirit, don't feel down b/c it wasn't like you've planned.... stick to few cards now in the begining, you'll become better and better Anjo

Alex	18 Feb 2003
but for some reason I couldn't get myself into reading. I'll tell you why: there were several people waiting for a reading at any time I logged on, but I could not figure out a fair way to pick one. Often I saw some disturbed people getting readings in front of everybody else because they "screamed" more than the ones who had been waiting and waiting... Oh well, it's worthy trying for some, I guess. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by Karenwhe If you want to practice.......... after all we have Aeclectic, offer some readings to practice (as many as you see fit), sit in the quite and comfort of your home, and if you really want to go wild go to: http://www.psychic-chat.org/index.php You can practice there as much as you want and most people are out there for a free reading. However even there it is noisy, but you can read to the public one-on-one and you can also learn how others read, plenty of exercise plenty of learning from other people styles (it is a real time chat system).

Alex	18 Feb 2003
I think we can avoid by placing ourselves "at service" rather than "on test". If I'm volunteering my time, knowledge and energy to help another human being, I cannot go so wrong, no matter what the cards tell me, or fail to tell me. I think it's important not to look at the process as a test on your abilities as a cards reader or furtune teller; it's more about establishing some contact with that person, and sincerely trying to say something that will make a difference in their lives. I find it helpful to observe them shuffling and picking the cards, their reactions to certain pictures in the deck, and the way they formulate certain questions. So there's always something I can point that might be of use to them. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by scheherazade Any suggestions to help me avoid this situation? Because I do want to be able to learn to read for other people... it's just... I don't know how to intuit when it's another person's issues and not mine.

Karenwhe	18 Feb 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Alex but for some reason I couldn't get myself into reading. I'll tell you why: there were several people waiting for a reading at any time I logged on, but I could not figure out a fair way to pick one. Often I saw some disturbed people getting readings in front of everybody else because they "screamed" more than the ones who had been waiting and waiting... Oh well, it's worthy trying for some, I guess. Alex. I am not sure I understood (but then again I am very tired today, so it must be me). If you mean reading for someone.... then in that place I wait and listen to the conversations for a while then I offer a reading and from the people that answer I choose the one that I most connect with in the general conversation. That is my way of doing it. There were days that I just did a few readings in order of the requests (first come first serve). As for as getting a reading from other readers.... I know there a few people that are not beginners and I just ask them for a reading. After you are there for a while you get to know people and you choose the person you want to read for you and of course I usually give a reading in exchange. I hope it helps, this is how it works there for me. But I must admit you have to be patient and you have to be there for a while to get to know the residents (not the comers and goers for a free reading).

Alex	18 Feb 2003
I see. I had trouble every time because I wanted to read for the ones who'd been waiting for longer but there were so many "jumpers on" when I offered readings that I felt intimidated and unable to pick one from the crowd. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by Karenwhe If you mean reading for someone.... then in that place I wait and listen to the conversations for a while then I offer a reading and from the people that answer I choose the one that I most connect with in the general conversation. That is my way of doing it. There were days that I just did a few readings in order of the requests (first come first serve).

Marion	19 Feb 2003
Hi folks, I moved this thread to Talking Tarot. Although you are talking "about" a throw, you are not actually posting it and asking for comments.

The Public Blunder thread was originally posted on 16 Feb 2003 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.