Could use some input...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

SongDeva	24 Aug 2003
I'll be reading cards on Tuesday at Friends' Night at a local ice creamery. There will be tattoos for kids, and readings for adults. I intend to ask for a $5 donation, which will go to the Friends of the Library. I'm not sure how many people will want readings, and I've never done a public think like this or a fair or anything. I'll be working on protecting my energy etc. I'm pondering what kind of spreads to use...simple three card, with meanings adjusted for each querent? I know I want to keep it simple with a few cards, because I get alot of information on each, and don't wanna be there all night. I'm hoping someone out there who has experienced doing this type of reading will have some advice, particularly on spreads! Thanks.

RedWood	24 Aug 2003
I have never done something like that...I think offering 3-5 card readigns sound good..That way you dont have to worry about them picking a specific spread that maybe another spread would be more fitting.

Astra	24 Aug 2003
One of the main things you need to practice for something like this is speed. It helps to get a timer and do practice readings beforehand - try for 5 minutes max - and having something like a little sand timer on the table, if you can find it, reminds the person you are reading for that there is a line behind them. When you're going for speed, you're obviously not going to get deep quality (although you may be surprised), so the thing you should be looking for in your readings is a few tidbits that can give the querents a bit of fun, and/or a bit of "oh, wow!". Anything more than that, leave up to the universe to surprise you with. Also, you need to have them pick at least a specific topic for the reading, if not a specific question. General readings should wait until you have time and quiet to sift the information coming in. Last, but not least, you're probably going to get one or more skeptics. Make sure that "I can't do a reading for you" is one of your options in those cases, because that is, after all, the outcome they want from you, and it's about the only thing that will satisfy some of them.

catti	24 Aug 2003
i used to do readings at parks and festivals etc.... how can i put this....dont go for to much depth, think of it as keyword readings. Even if there isnt a line behind the person. Like the suggestion of the sand timer is an excellent idea $ 5 for 5 card spread 15 min ---your limits. And have fun with it. Go with what you see and not necessarily what you know from aecletic, intuitive reading i guess is what it is called Terarnar posted a thread that applies to this let me look for it: AHA it is right here next to us http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16972 Now this advice may sound deceiptive but remember these are public readings for people who want entertainment...it isnt the same as a private reading for a client who is exploring issues. Hope this helps some, and good luck. catti

Chronata	24 Aug 2003
I do these sorts of public readings all the time. 3-5 cards...5-10 minutes per reading is a great way to do this! $5 is also a great price...just low enough to get the casual person who has never had a reading done before but is very curious. Keep a light hearted approach, especially in this sort of surrounding, and don't be surprised if you end up doing a lot of readings! Remember to take a break, because doing a continuous stream of readings(which you may very well end up doing) can really drain you. You may disappoint someone who has been waiting, but they will so understand your need for a break. Also, expect in a situation like this one, to do a number of readings for children...or at least folks under 15...This happens to me more often than not! And just have fun! Blessings and Moonlight, Chronata

HudsonGray	24 Aug 2003
EAT something beforehand so you're going in fully energized and rested. Don't drink a lot or you'll have to take bathroom breaks. At 5 minutes each, plus greetings & sit down/get up time, you can do about 10 people an hour. If there are 50 people there and all want readings....you see how it goes. Pace yourself. Have your name and phone number available in case anyone wants a more in depth reading later on for a different day. And have fun.

catti	24 Aug 2003
is the way to go (IMO) i just wanted to add : dress for the occasion not like you are trick or treating as a gypsy for halloween but something special, different to give people an impression when they see you....Just in the same way if you were consulting a clients as a new psychologist in town, well you arent going to wear jeans tshirt flip-flops and throw your hair back in a ponytail. Chances are you wont get taken seriously even if you are good. Instead you are going to try and project an image of security and confidentiality etc....Same thing here, with a little entertainment thrown in. Keep it simple so you dont feel weird, but special.

SongDeva	26 Aug 2003
You've all given some wonderful advice, and I really appreciate it. I will keep them short, expect nothing and welcome what comes, wear something that makes a statement but not over the top, have my business cards there if I can find them :), pace myself and be speedy if necessary. I appreciate it so much, and I'll read the thread you posted Catti. Wish me luck!

mercenary30	26 Aug 2003
VioletLotus, I am realy interested in how this turns out. Any way I can get you to give us an update on how everything went?

Scorpion	26 Aug 2003
Good luck with this VioletLotus. I've done a few charity evenings which is a good way to start cos people aren't paying a huge amount and don't tend to expect too much - the price usually includes pie and peas along with their reading. There's plenty of good advice here. I know Astra's mentioned at least trying to get a topic out of them, if not a specific question. This is going to be harder than it sounds! I always ask them if there's anything they want to know about before they even shuffle the cards and 9 times out of 10 the answer is "no" - and then as I get to the last card they start asking "oh, what can you tell me about my love life/career/finances?" or "could the Queen of Swords (the first card out) be my mother-in-law and could the Tower be her reaction to......?" and expect you to start all over again! You are going to have to be gentle but firm - keep that egg timer in a prominent place. Yup 3-5 cards is a good suggestion - it should give you an overview of the situation and provide enough detail for the time allotted. Hope this helps! Louise

SongDeva	26 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by mercenary30 VioletLotus, I am realy interested in how this turns out. Any way I can get you to give us an update on how everything went? Let's see....do you have a Servants of the Light tarot, or maybe a greenwood, that you'd like to trade? Kidding! I'll definitely share. LouisQ, thanks, your input was a nice addition. You know, this morning I realized that I have done one similar situation. I did a tarot party, and read for about 10 people. What I recall is that I had not yet learned to do a simple, short reading. The party went WAY over the time the host had hoped for . lol I spent eons with everybody. And they appreciated it, but that just wasn't the plan. So repeated time advice is obviously necessary as I give it a second go, with the general public and not just a few open minded souls. :) Thanks again all...I'll let you know!

SongDeva	26 Aug 2003
This was for my own benefit, but thought I'd post it. Deck: hanson-roberts This is a relationship spread from Complete Book of Tarot Spreads. 1.How I see myself: page of swords 2.How I see querents: 3 Swords (Reversed) 3. How I see our relationship: Emperor (R) 4.What will strengthen: The Hierophant 5.What will weaken - Temperance 6.My hopes: the Fool! 7.My Fears: 7 Cups, (R) 8.My responsibility: 3 Rods 9.Querent's responsibility: Ace of Rods (might have been R) 10.What will happen: Ten of Cups!

SongDeva	27 Aug 2003
Well, I went home and meditated a bit, and felt my divine connection and need for intention come clear. I remembered my intended purpose for doing readings, and felt my fear flow away. More specifically: The first person I read for was a member of our group, someone I'm not completely comfortable with. She said she had $4.94 on her, and was that ok? I said sure, and later found it was $3.94. I took this from the start as a cosmic joke. :)) I read for 4 more people throughout the night, and the readings went fabulously. They didn't go into alot of details on their situations, but said that what I was picking up and reading was very accurate. With one I picked up on a recent romance that had ended - The Lovers, recent past. Isn't it wonderful when the cards are literal? I described the nature of the relationship accurately, picked up on a traumatic situation going on in her life (Tower, outside influences to question - again, Literal is great!), she acknowledged accuracy every time, but was very low key about it if you know what I mean. At the end though, she was the one who took my number. The evening started slow, but when they came (after the first one), they came right in succession. It was a nice, gentle introduction to reading for the public, and I gained some confidence, and had a great time. Catti: I wore a gorgeous purple outfit. Thanks for the advice. ;) All in all, despite the mosquitoes that ate me alive (this is my ghost talking to you, I swear), it was fabulous. I'll definitely be looking for my next opportunity to work in this way! Thank you so much to all who offered advice. I *truly* appreciate it.

mercenary30	27 Aug 2003
Sounds like everything went well. I am glad for you. I would find it interesting to do some thing like that. Of course, since I am a guy, dressing up in a gypsy dress would look rather funny, even if I did shave.

Elle	27 Aug 2003
VioletLotus: What a great confidence-booster and a way to practice! Did you need the timer after all? Warmest, Elle Edited for: Oh, and what did you do with the 94 cents? (!)

SongDeva	28 Aug 2003
Elle said: VioletLotus: What a great confidence-booster and a way to practice! Did you need the timer after all? Oh, and what did you do with the 94 cents? (!) I did not use a timer after all. I had plenty of time for each person really, which might have been a temptation to do longer readings, but I really kept on pace without trying. I used spreads with more cards too, after all. Go figure. As for the 94. cents, first off, I didn't actually count it. The three bucks was funny enough. It's in my pocket right now, to be added to the soda fund in my desk. :) Actually, all the money is, 'cept for the $5 I spent yesterday. I earned about $25 for the group, and for energetic reasons, as well as tax ones, I will make a $25 donation by check. Thanks again all, your input was invaluable! Lotus

The Could use some input... thread was originally posted on 24 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.