About first readings

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Aun	02 Aug 2003
In one of mt first readings, I asked a specific question about a career project that I have right now. Funny thing is that I felt that the cards were telling me much more about my actual situation as a whole, than regarding to the specific question that I asked... as if I had made an open reading, with no questions at all! in your opinion, is this possible? Or could I be distorting the view? Should I try to relate the cards my specific question? One other thing: i used the celtic cross... As a begginer, should I use a spread that is more specific to career issues? Please let me know your thoughts about it... Regards, Aun

Umbrae	02 Aug 2003
What is needed is to learn to listen to the cards well. If you cannot read a 3 card spread well, 28 cards laid out in the shape of the Hale-Bop Comet will not produce a better reading or outcome but you will look swell in your purple tabard. Then there is the Kool-Aid spread… You know, every book uses the Celtic-Cross as a spread starting point. It’s what folks expect. But it is neither a cross, nor Celtic. It’s a fair spread, but I believe it is not suitable for beginners. It uses too many cards. But then beginners want to ‘look good’, so they attempt to use too many cards… I have never used a Celtic Cross…ever. The layout has never made sense to me. Simply put, the fewer the cards, the easier to read. I have often said that more cards look good in the movies or TV, but more cards my not provide more information, or clarity in the reading. Often – less is more. Why not use a three-card spread? It’s a better starting, or learning point. Sometimes cards will dig to an underlying issue – in your case they spoke of your overall situation. That’s wonderful. Never try to distort the message. Listen to what the cards are telling you – not what you want them to say.

Aun	02 Aug 2003
Thanx, Umbrae I've tried the 3 card spread a couple of times today. It made total sense every single time, I think I'm on my way! Also, one of these readings confirmed the answers from my celtic cross reading as well... Peace, Aun

M-Press	03 Aug 2003
Hi! just food for thought... i started by using singe cards-daily ones, for years... then turned to 3 card spreads, and recently to that CC... although I do agree with everything said above, there is something about the mass of cards , like a bigger story. For myelf, sometimes when i do a 3 card spread, and there are cards there that i'm less familiar, ot that thay are of a kinbd that are not so "definite", i get stuck. i look at them and feel as if ;I don't understand'.... So, i keep a journal with the spread, and check if later it makes sense.... The CC somehow leaves me with a more definite impression... I guess it's like in myths (and life???): there is no definite interpretation!!!!!! ;-)

Aun	03 Aug 2003
I agree with you M-press... the cards need reference around the spread to bind one of the many meanings they carry on... Sometimes, a couple of cards dont make sense along the spread, but the overall picture is always there for me on the CC... Peace, Aun

Teranar	03 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae ... 28 cards laid out in the shape of the Hale-Bop Comet will not produce a better reading or outcome but you will look swell in your purple tabard. Hmmm... (Starts figuring out a spread using 28 cards in the shape of the Hale Bop Comet and what it would be used for) For the record I used the celtic cross, and then my circle spread, for years until actually when I found this forum when I learned things like a 3 card spread. I actually learned the celtic cross spread from my gypsy godmother from the rennasance fair, though hers was different because she used more cards and went on for 20 minutes at least, and told them a lot. (She used 2 cards for each position BTW instead of one so she ended up using 18 cards.)

lawguy51	05 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Simply put, the fewer the cards, the easier to read. I have often said that more cards look good in the movies or TV, but more cards my not provide more information, or clarity in the reading. Often – less is more. Oh great, this from the person from whom I learned a very effective 14 card spread! :D Lawguy51

The About first readings thread was originally posted on 02 Aug 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.