Being Read in Person on Friday

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Elle	14 Aug 2003
I am a little nervous - I have an appointment with a Tarot reader on Friday at her home. I am going with two other people who are looking forward to going. I am a little apprehensive: what if I read over her shoulder? Do I remain quiet? I am afraid I might "correct" the reading in my own mind, or worse, correct the Tarot reader out loud! I haven't been read in person in years and years. Any advice? Elle

Umbrae	14 Aug 2003
Advice: Watch, listen, and say nothing. Just enjoy.

Diana	14 Aug 2003
When a doctor goes to a doctor for a consultation, he should trust his peer. A dentist won't start correcting his dentist when he goes to get a hole filled either. You have to trust her. She will have a different way of reading to you, so whatever you do, don't judge her. There is no need to hide the fact that you are interested in Tarot - she may be pleased to get your input. But you don't have to mention it - just let things flow as they will flow. Of course, as she may interpret the cards completely different to the way you do, don't contradict her. And have a great reading! I love having my cards read in person.

Chronata	14 Aug 2003
Don't sweat it! Just relax and enjoy what comes! I am one of those people who love to read for other tarot readers! I can look at a card and say one thing, and the other person can see something completely different, and yet both meanings turn out to be valid! I tend to learn a lot when reading for other enthusiasts! I can pretty much bet you that the person who you are going to see will love feedback! My thought on the matter is, say what comes to mind!Don't be afraid to share your self, as well as your own ideas about the cards!

celeste	14 Aug 2003
Also keep in mind that the reader may see other things emerging than the question you want answers to-deep subconcious things that are perhaps only on the perephery of your awareness. In other words you may be interested in knowing when and how you will meet your soulmate(for example) and that question may just be a blip in your concious mind, whereas you soul has other more important things it wants to tell you-and that may be what comes out. You could also make sure to be specific with your questions beforehand -but even then the tarot may choose to ignore it and move onto what it considers weightier issues in your life.

celeste	14 Aug 2003
At any rate, if your comfortable to, let us know what happened!

samreid26	14 Aug 2003
I know I'm not experienced, I have never been to a Tarot reading (I don't really know what you call them) or anything like that. But what I would do (because I really understand what your talking about) is just listen, even if you could probably correct her. And just enjoy it. That's my advice. And this also helped me for the future - you know, just in case. ;) :OL

samreid26	14 Aug 2003
By the way... tell us what happens!!! I can't wait to hear how it goes. :OL

Elle	14 Aug 2003
I will report back as soon as I return home on Friday (while it is still fresh in my mind). I am pretty good at memorizing spreads - I have mentioned on Aeclectic before that I often mull about certain ones for days. So this shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for all of the advice! Warmest, Elle

Elle	15 Aug 2003
Hi everyone, I was able to memorize the spread (sorry, the deck she used was unfamiliar to me - it had a black back - ooh, I should check tarot decks on this site - I will and post that info later). CC: 1. The Emperor; 2. Judgement; 3. The Sun; 4. 5 of Swords; 5. The Hierophant; 6. 8 of wands; 7. The King of Cups (pos 8 & 9, I couldn't see upside down and didn't want to stare) 10. Ace of Wands (with 2 clarifiers: 4 of Wands and 2 of Swords). I was not impressed with her interpretation, mostly because I fell into my own trap of reading over her shoulder. I do not think she actually looked at the spread at all - she just kept asking me questions and guessing! (Boo Hoo!!!) I sort of tuned her out. She was skipping and jumping a lot; reading my palm in the midst of the spread; doing numerology with my birthdate (6), etc. She just confused me by asking way too many questions and when she did pose something it was all wrong ("When you were young, you were not studious; you only learned what interested you" - I replied, "No, just the opposite! I paid close attention to everything!" What was a bit interesting was a nine-card spread for a wish using playing cards/numerology - I got to ask three wishes - she hit on a few things there - I was able to read a bit of it myself and some of it was worse than what she tried to sweeten! All in all, not worth the 45 USD!!!! (Boo Hoo, again)! Sorry to disappoint, Elle

Elle	15 Aug 2003
Oh, this is wierd - I went there with two friends who also got readings. One loved the reading and the other felt the same as I did - disappointed. Neither of my friends read Tarot themselves. Warmest, Elle

celeste	16 Aug 2003
especially after paying all that money you expect more-I know the feeling. At least she didn't traumatise you-I think tarot readers are just like anybody else in the work world(there are some really good ones, some mediocre ones and some that shouldn't even be doing it).Some one mentioned doctors earlier not questioning their peers. Well , before I started working with doctors(I'm kind of a medical secretary)I used to have them on a pedastle. Now I know some that I highly respect and others who just stink and have questionable ethics and practices. Also they have bad days too, (tarot readers)and not to mention when they just don't connect with you and what your all about(which is what sounds like what happened to you). But don't let it stop you from seeing another one(try to find out from others (clients and readers you respect)who are the really good ones),once you've saved up the $$ again :( to treat yourself.I know that is what I'm going to do: when I can afford it go to different ones and compare notes. They each offer me something different-even if the reading is horrible and I suspect their only in it for the money. If someone can give me hope or make me feel better,its money well spent in my view.

Elle	16 Aug 2003
I agree Celeste - if a tarot reader can come up with some positives, it really does help you to bounce back in a better frame of mind. I think I might have been unclear in my thoughts as well (and I was nervous, so I was read first, ahead of my friends). I must have sent mixed signals because I really do not know what I want (other than school/career goals, which she could not pick up at all!!!). I practically had to lead her everywhere - so it was more like a regular conversation of chit-chat with a stranger - nothing like a reading! So here I sit eating peanut butter from the jar at 12:16 AM... Oh well, next time! Warmest, Elle

punkangelgcm437	16 Aug 2003
Elle... I followed this thread but didnt give any advice cuz I'd be repeating what everyone else said...I didnt wanna be an echo. LOL. But as for your disappointing reading yesterday....I think it was probably a connection issue. Sometimes the cards and the client just dont connect...I've had it happen before here on AECT. But I think another face2face reading would be worthwhile...and you'll probably have a better expirence 2nd time around. Yummi...peanut butter...creamy kind right? Heehee. ~Much Love~ ~Sarah~

celeste	16 Aug 2003
I had a quickie (5 card) reading at a street fair this afternoon that only cost me 5 bucks(only focusing on my work situation). And the guy was right bang on about some of the problems their(mostly to do with one problematic personality). It was also nice to have someone(who doesn't know me at all or the situation) to sum it all up factually and reaffirm that I'm doing a really good job there and am appreciated except for this one person who gets in(everybody's) way(really) and makes my job more difficult than it has to be. So there are good readers out there, don't give up looking.

Elle	16 Aug 2003
See that? A $5 reading at a street fair with five cards was better than an hour's worth of $45 nothing! This Tarot reader tried to use every trick in the book - cards, numerology, etc. to legitimize her fee, I'm sure. All it did was serve to confuse me. To tell you the truth, Celeste, I much prefer you or someone at Aeclectic over a "stranger". Everyone here feels like family and have proven accuracy. Good luck a work and with the uncooperative co-worker situation. That in itself can make a great job feel like a chore. Warmest, Elle

Alissa	17 Aug 2003
As readers, we have high expectations, I think. And it's really hard, isn't it, always being "right"? Cuz sometimes you're off. I believe it was Cheiro, the famous Victorian palmist, who drew the correlation between readers vs. doctors. At a doctor's, we perceive the doc as knowing everything. He asks us a whole bunch of questions, and we supply as many answers as we can to help him come to a diagnosis. We usually leave our own intelligence at the counter upon checking in, and refuse to question the doctor's correctness, no matter what the diagnosis. And ... As a readers, clients come to us and tell us *nothing*. They expect us to know "everything" already, and sit quietly, refusing to give us, sometimes, even the reason why they are here to see us in the first place. When readers fail to supply the correct answers (usually to questions the reader already knows, in my expereience) the test-the-psychic mentality often kicks in and we, as querents, doubt everything we are told from the psychic. I'm a good reader, mostly, but I've failed abysmally in readings so try to give the reader the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was an off day, or maybe she just isn't worth her salt, like everyone says. However, I do agree that her methodology, jumping from cards to palms to numerology, seems scattered and confusing for a querent to absorb. And I hope you find someone to connect with, no matter whom, whether it's in your real world, or here at Aeclectic (lots of good readers in the Reading Exchange forum).

Marion	17 Aug 2003
Not a lot to add as many have responded. What did you make of the basic cross of Emperor crossed by Judgement? Just before my move last fall, I was walking down the street on a sunny day and there was a street fair going on. A young lady, mid-twenties, was sitting on a low wall offering tarot readings for $10 or $15 Cdn. I had just read something by umbrae (perhaps) adjuring us to support our local readers, and the move was a big deal, so I sat down. I felt totally friendly towards her and did not plan to do anything but give feedback. She did a CC, but used two cards for each position. What a great reading! We both enjoyed it. And yes, readers can have off days, or can fail to connect. Do not assume she was just a big fake. Relax and enjoy your next one.

purplelady	19 Aug 2003
Elle, excuse me but, if you are wondering that you are going to criticise and "read over the shoulder" of the tarot reader you are going to go to, thinking (KNOWING!) before you even go, it seems to me that you are ready to read for yourself and don't need a "tarot reader " to try and do it for you :) . I have always done my own readings. Trust yourself.

Elle	19 Aug 2003
Yeah, and sometimes I don't like what I see! (Boo Hoo!) I guess we are always hoping another reader will pick up on something we either missed or messed up. But, you are right, we readers know the truth already! Warmest, Elle

Elle	19 Aug 2003
Sorry I missed your question originally. I hope you get a peek at this (not that it is so exciting or anything!) The Emperor crossed by Judgement I took (the reader didn't mention its significance aloud) as my overly controlling, male-dominating role and my awakening to my true nature as such. It makes me very unpopular these days with home, family, and peers (all my relationships). It has been my cross and my power. I intended to plow full steam ahead... Warmest, Elle

The Being Read in Person on Friday thread was originally posted on 14 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.