Doubting the accuracy of my readings

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Wildchild	30 Jun 2003
I've been reading tarot for about 2 years now (give or take a few months). Just a baby compare to some here. :D I've been offering readings at another forum that I belong to as means to practice. I've done a fair number of online readings there. I usually get a pm back to tell me that I'm accurate. The feedback was very encouraging. So far, I can remember one person saying I was way off. I did another reading for her using a different deck and it was great. In fact, she had contacted me several times since for more readings. The thing is I can't see myself being accurate all the time. What are the chances of that happening? I can't help wondering if some of these people were less than honest.

Alissa	30 Jun 2003
I think some people do over-emphasize their approval at a reading at times. They're usually the kind of folks who don't want to make the tarot reader "feel bad," so they nod and smile a lot instead. I would encourage you to read for friends more, even just little readings (3 cards, or so) just to get more "realistic" feedback from those whom you know. Find a few people who want readings, and you know they won't try to "sugar coat" what they say in response to what you see. Doubts are *definitely* part of the path of a true seeker. Reward yourself for the courage to keep looking deeper, no matter what you end up finding!

Astraea	30 Jun 2003
Quote: originally posted by Alissa: Doubts are *definitely* part of the path of a true seeker. Reward yourself for the courage to keep looking deeper, no matter what you end up finding! Truer words were never spoken. I think Alissa's advice about reading for friends is excellent, too. Since you know you'll be seeing those folks pretty regularly, you will not only gain feedback, but have the opportunity to witness directly how the cards relate to people's lives.

SingingTarot	30 Jun 2003
I remember a member here saying he/she did a lot of readings on world news. I thought it was a great idea. Personally, I am way to frightened to do a reading for others, and I sincerely wonder whether when I read for myself, I am not just biasing:D Maybe doing reading about news events would allow you to get feedback about your accuracy without having to put up with a potential lack of honesty of the seeker. I know I like to do it so that I can keep for myself how off I can be at times! Alice

Celtic_Dragon	01 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Wildchild :D I've been offering readings at another forum that I belong to as means to practice. I've done a fair number of online readings there. Wildchild~ I'm with you. I have this other site I visit daily and give readings to whomever wants one at any time. And although I love being able to give a good reading I'd like just once in a while for someone to tell me that I'm a bit off, just so I know that they're not just being nice. Corse I also want to know I'm improving so I'm going to do what Singing Tarot suggests....reading for world events. Quote: Originally posted by Wildchild The thing is I can't see myself being accurate all the time. What are the chances of that happening? I can't help wondering if some of these people were less than honest. Glad to know I'm not the only one. ;)

Wildchild	01 Jul 2003
That's a great idea about reading for the world news. Especially I've run out of friends to read. :)

Wildchild	02 Jul 2003
I've been thinking about how to go about doing a reading for world news. Would you set a time frame? What questions would you ask? I have an interesting one here...the whole city is waiting to hear if we're getting the 2010 Olympics. They're announcing it tomorrow. I'll try a reading for that tonight.

Alex	08 Jul 2003
This is true. It's bad because hinders learning. It may help to make clear to your sitter that your self-esteem is not tied to the accuracy of your reading, that you're looking forward to learning. I've been way off sometimes, accurate other times, and for most part I'm not sure, upon the feedback, that I've touched the important issues. But on occasion I was sure as hell that I was right, and came accross a negative feedback. I'm still convinced, in these cases, that I got a point and didn't get it acknowledged. Sometimes, the other doesn't want to hear "that". Alex. Quote: Originally posted by Alissa I think some people do over-emphasize their approval at a reading at times. They're usually the kind of folks who don't want to make the tarot reader "feel bad," so they nod and smile a lot instead.

isthmus nekoi	08 Jul 2003
You can sometimes find the querent who wants to be nice, so they don't contradict you... or those who want to believe so badly in tarot that they'll take anything you say.... I find reading for my friends in science programs is productive given that they respect tarot and myself . The ones who are skeptical but open minded can give you very good feedback.

Little Baron	09 Jul 2003
I have not done many readings for others. When I started, I did a few and in the first year or so, they were a bit shaky. I didn't completely understand the cards, I sometimes refered to books which made the readings a little awkward and sterile, I didn't understand the spreads very well at all. A long time has passed since then and when I look back, I can see that I didn't have very much knowlege. I also remember taking my Art Neuveau to a party and reading for two girls in the hallway. The results were not too bad but in reflection, I wonder what I ever got out of that darned deck; whatever it was, I can't see it now. However, my readings are different now. With that little extra knowlege of the cards I have, a trust in my intuition and some good decks under my belt ... I am not half bad ... sometimes. there are always going to be those times when things don't go as well as you might have liked and like my shaky experiences all of those years ago, I look back and have learnt from them. I am sure that a painter doesn't knock out a masterpiece everytime and the most wonderfully trained singers sometimes have a bad night in sing off key. I have never worked online as a reader. Sometimes, I don't see myself as a reader. I work in fashion but I often don't see myself as a designer. It's a confidence thing; an 'I am not sure I am good enough' kind of thing. However, I am a reader and I am a designer, and sometimes I am good at both. Both can be very hard work but when you get results, its worth it and you love your art. Does anybody know of some good online reading groups? Are these groups where you read for other tarot students or for members of the public? To be honest, I would be more comfortable with someone who didn't know as much or nothing of tarot. It would make me a bit nervy if the querent was an established reader ... I would always be worrying that I had hit the wrong notes. I know that some of you are against working on line like this but I would like to give it a go and test it for myself. Thanks Yaboot (and good luck with all your readings everyone)

Hedera	09 Jul 2003
Yaboot, Quote: Does anybody know of some good online reading groups? Are these groups where you read for other tarot students or for members of the public? Have you looked at the reading exchange here? People are usually really kind, yet usefully honest, and tend to give feedback that is really valuable. If you want to read for people with little tarot-knowledge, perhaps you can specifically request that in your reading offer? Lots of new members sign up all of the time, and I think they only have to have 25 posts to be able to get a reading. But, then again, think how much the comments of someone who actually knows what he/she is talking about would help you!

The Doubting the accuracy of my readings thread was originally posted on 30 Jun 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.