A readers' name?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

sagitarian	07 Jul 2003
Has anyone else heard of using a readers' name? I was thinking about how I want to set up my business cards and after talking with a friend of mine who also does readings, she asked me if I wanted a readers name. So I decided to go with a readers' name, just to protect my real name as I live in a HUGE city. I'm leaving my last name out of it completely, which makes just the single name look lonely. I decided to use the name Rowan. It looked odd putting Lady Rowan, or Madam Rowan, Rowan by itself looks and "feels" better. Just looks odd with the one name is all. I did numerology on the name last night, and the name comes to a 7 (surprise, surprise :)). For those that don't know numerology (and I just had my first lesson myself last night), 7 is a "witches" number; it signifies a strong sense of spiritual awareness. Then the Rowan tree (which is where I got the name from) is believed to have many spiritual properties, mainly dealing with protection against negative energies. Also, in the last 6 months, I have found out how much exactly I really am a faery person/spiritualist. The Rowan tree is also believed to be favored by the faeries. So I believe this to be a great readers' name to use. I'm really excited, I've never had business cards before (and I'm almost 30 LOL). My mind is just spinning in excitement to go pick everything out and get all arranged. I'm so impatient and anxious, like a 5 yr old the night before xmas. In any case, what are others' opinions about this readers' name, and have any of you had one? How did that work out, or did it? What problems (if you don't mind sharing) did you have with using a readers' name?

Alissa	07 Jul 2003
I love Rowan! A reader's name will insure your anonymity. Maksure you express your intentions to use it to ALL of the store's staff. You don't want people calling up askin for Rowan, and the new guy behind the counter thinking, "There's no one here by that name." Do you have a way to retrieve messages? If you are listing the store's number, i would suggest calling them every day or two once some cards get circulating, unless you know they're great about returning messages to their readers. And cool! I'm glad you're getting business cards, you will need them to build referrals and a steady return of clientele. Once you get them, offer them often. At the end of every reading you do, just *give* your client *a few* cards, don't ASK if they want a card. And don't give them just one, because you want them to go tell their freinds about their amazing reading and have cards to hand out :D. Encourage your clients to keep in touch with you if they have any questions about their readings, that's another openner when you hand someone a card, "Here's this so you can call me if you think of anything later that you need clarification on." Or whatever. This just encourages communication to continue. Get a freaking TON of them made and find other good places to leave them around, **where they will be welcome**. Many coffee shops, etc. have community bulletin boards, or shelves for displaying people's business cards. Always have a handful in your purse, always. Business cards make you feel Big huh? ;)

Sulis	07 Jul 2003
I think that Rowan`s fine. It`s a lovely name. I`m sure that once you`ve got used to seeing it on your business cards it won`t look lonely anymore. LOve and light Crystalmynx xx

Astraea	07 Jul 2003
I really like the name Rowan. If it looks lonely on your card, you might want to consider placing a small graphic of the tree next to it, perhaps with a bough or two overarching (and/or underlying) the name. Congratulations, Sagitarian!

tarotpharot	07 Jul 2003
Rowan sounds great. Reading names is how I got my nickname, although it was assigned to me! Brad }) TarotPharot

littlegreen	07 Jul 2003
Good. Alissa's advice is sound! My first "tutor" (shall we say) was called "Bapu". It s a bit weird at first - well, it was here, in a sm,all suburb, weird stares etc, but once ppl are MADE to use it, itsticks. And especially w younger ppl - they re always wanting to "go all different", well, you know what I mean? Funniest bit was though (and a possible down side) , once I found out Bapu's real name, I couldn t stop laughing - it sounded so "normal" and plain-y. A bit like the way "Norman" strikes you. Have fun with it, but be 100% on it - as it s your money!

Umbrae	07 Jul 2003
Hmmmm…I am torn between two opinions… On one hand, I am listed nowhere by my real name…no phone listing. I have an unlisted cell number for my reading business – and so, I am able to use my real name. On the other hand…the need for privacy is paramount – we do get weirdo’s in this trade, danger from stalkers is a real issue. And if I ever hear of another reader called Madame Sosostris… I may upchuck…

Major Tom	08 Jul 2003
I advertise using Major Tom. I let my clients know my real name. I read at a festival last weekend and there was a man who called himself Merlin there also reading tarot. I wonder how many Merlins there must be in the world? :joke:

baba-prague	08 Jul 2003
The splendid "Madame de Thebes" of Prague's Golden Lane (WWII era) was actually called Matylda Prusova (which I guess was not as romantic). I like "Madame de Thebes" - but I don't think it would work these days! She also famously had a lot of "props" - stuffed owls and that sort of thing. Again, I wouldn't fancy being surrounded by that kind of stuff now. Definitely not.

sagitarian	08 Jul 2003
Thanks Everyone for giving me your advice. I really do appreciate it! It's gonna be a lil odd (at first) being called a different name. But I'll adapt :).

Trogon	09 Jul 2003
Hi Sagitarian... I forgot to reply to this yesterday... senior moment I guess. :P Anyway, I think "Rowan" is a great name! It reminds me, not only of trees, but of one of my favorite novels by my favorite author; "The Rowan" by Anne McCaffrey, its a sci-fi/fantasy type novel which actually has nothing to do with rowan trees. The main character is named Rowan. Ah, but I digress... back to the point... yes, wonderful name. :D

wavebreaker	09 Jul 2003
I think Rowan is just fine! (It reminds me of Rowan Mayfair, from Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches series... ;) ) I wouldn't add Lady or Madam or something, I think that sounds too artificial. Good luck, Rowan! ;)

sagitarian	09 Jul 2003
I decided to put on my business cards: Faerie Guided Readings By Rowan That way just Rowan didn't look so lonely. I didn't like Lady Rowan, or Madam Rowan, sounds too corny for my personality. I think it works great for other people though.

punkangelgcm437	09 Jul 2003
Sagitarian... Sorry Im late on responding...but that's why I was born at 12:55 instead of at noon. Always running alil bit late. LOL. Congrats on business cards. I never had them either (but im only 15 so I guess I shouldnt complain)...but they sound so fun. LOL. I remember when my mom got her first business cards...just like a lil kid on Christmas Eve...waiting until it was midnight so they could say "Ok...its Xmas now". Rowan is a really neato name. I wish I could think of that. I always wanted something different too. Sarah is so...plain. There's this one book called "Sarah Plain & Tall"....I'm tall...and my name is plain. Maybe that book was about me. But I dont think I wanna be *destiny* either...so I guess I'll have to try again. LOL. Good luck with your business...wish I could get mine started. (My dad has surgery...so there goes the next couple weeks. I gotta stay home and take care of him.) ~Much Love~ ~Sarah~

The A readers' name? thread was originally posted on 07 Jul 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.