Are you a speedy reader or a slow reader?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Nevada	25 Nov 2003
This is a question that arises from my nagging indecision (Libra sun :laugh: ) over whether I should try doing readings for strangers--in person. One throw that I see posted here in "Your Readings" will speak to me clearly right away, while another will just produce a blank for me, and perhaps a day or so later, after some thought, something comes through. I found that with Lark's Seekers #2 reading, at first I just drew a blank. After I let it sit overnight, I woke up in the morning and knew what I had to say about that throw. It just sort of poured out onto the page. So, those of you who do in-person readings. How quick are you? What do you do if you don't see something right away and the querent is sitting there waiting? I tend to be quiet in social situations. It's in writing that I blabber on and on. I have worked in sales and customer service, and given presentations, so I'm not worried about stage fright. My concern is whether I'll be able to engage my intuition in these situations, rather than rattle off a lot of useless BS. So am I better off doing readings online? Or does this just take a lot of practice? All opinions welcome! Nevada

ros	25 Nov 2003
I find it depends on the person you are reading for. Sometimes it's too long & then sometimes you can't get the reading over fast enough. Just practice & it all works out, one step at a time!

Majecot	25 Nov 2003
I only read for close friends and family members, I have noit yet taken the plunge to read for a stranger, or acquaintances. (I tend to be a little selfish of my cards and unsure of myself around people I don't know) But as far as the speed I read depends largely on the person I am reading for and their situation. Some readings are very quick, and to the point and others are more complex. Good luck with your endeavor.. you will have to let us know how it goes.

aqua	25 Nov 2003
Some just seem to come....but Larks last one Seekers 2 made me sit and ponder i didnt find it an easy read at all, and struggled with it alot, but being new or fairly new to this I try not to let it intimidate me at all. I shuffled and pulled my cards, then took hers out. I seem to do better with more straight forward questions, not with spreads like the past, present and future, but I tried and felt good at the end... and now I cant wait to hear the response lol I guess i will just have try and do more of this style of readings and get more comfortable with it. practice practice practice....my motto for the next while... lol

Jewel-ry	26 Nov 2003
Hi all, Yes I found larks no 2 question difficult but I did the same this time as last and laid the cards out and went to bed to think on it. It then became quite clear in the morning although I will admit to having to ponder the Judgement card longer (this one always get me!). I usually only do readings for myself or my family and sometimes I can see the answer straight away other times it dawns on me later. I can see this would be a problem if reading for a stranger. I think the more you do the better you will get! J.

Star Spirit	26 Nov 2003
I am like you Nevada, sometimes I just know right away and other times I draw a blank! I think doing the Seeker's readings on the board is a great learning experience (actually the whole board is), but personally I want to be able to see things in the cards automatically before I do any really serious in-person readings. Gotta find that comfort zone with yourself and the cards so you don't totally blank out all the time :)

ros	26 Nov 2003
Just take the step & read for someone you don't know. Everyday you say no is a day wasted. Your stopping your intuition growing. Most people who have never had their cards done do not understand what we do. We open a door for them. Don't waste your talent. Life is short.We are here to help each other & if you draw a blank in person, a lot of the time the other person will fill it in. GET GOING. lol Also tell people at first you are just practicing, most people are very understanding.

baba-prague	26 Nov 2003
I'm a very slow reader. I could never do it for a living because I can't manage more than one reading every few days usually. I tend to relook at readings over the day or two after I do them and often get some follow-up thoughts. But - having said that - I was put in a situation last year in which the new girlfriend of a friend was desperate for me to read for her. We were all about to go out and I said "no time, we need to leave in five minutes" but she insisted. So I did a really quick throw, without asking her the question, and got one of those spreads you can see at a glance. I was able to say right off "Okay, you are thinking of taking a risk in your job and you should do it because it will work out fine". Turned out to be right on the button. In fact she was a bit bemused all over dinner. I didn't like doing it so fast, but it really taught me that it can be done. In an odd way I think it worked because my mind didn't really have time to take control. It was all between cards, eye and voice, if you see what I mean. I said things before I even really thought about them - very unusual for me as I usually mull over cards for some time before saying anything much. Maybe try a few very quick readings yourself - with no anxiety. Just take an attitude of "it may work out, it may not" and see what happens. You might be quite surprised.

Indigo_lady	26 Nov 2003
At the begining I get an overall idea... A fairly quick look at the cards and I tend to go with my first instinct of the situation... and sometimes I also start humming in my head a song that has to do with the situation... hehehehe I'm weird, nevermind... But after I do that, I put that initial thought on wait and start doing a thorough reading on the cards one by one and by different connections, numerology for example to see how that goes. Then I go back to my first instinct and compare those two There are indeed readings that leave me totally blank, and others that I just find chaotic, like when everyone is talking to you at the same time. Blank readings usually I write them down and study them later on. But chaotic readings I usually disregard them and leave the question alone for some time.

Nevada	26 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Indigo_lady At the begining I get an overall idea... A fairly quick look at the cards and I tend to go with my first instinct of the situation... and sometimes I also start humming in my head a song that has to do with the situation... hehehehe I'm weird, nevermind... But after I do that, I put that initial thought on wait and start doing a thorough reading on the cards one by one and by different connections, numerology for example to see how that goes. Hey, there's nothing wrong with humming to yourself if that's what works. I always take singing as a positive sign. :) This sounds like a good plan. I was thinking it would be good to have not only paper for the querent to write on, as Umbrae has suggested elsewhere here, but also a pad of paper for me to jot down any first impressions, then to do a "by the book" reading if nothing came right away. By the time that's done, especially with some feedback from the querent, possibly the intuition would kick in and provide further clarity. Of course, first and foremost, I have faith in my guides and intuition providing what's needed. I'm actually looking forward to trying this. I want to get my current big writing project out of the way first, which will be around mid-December. Then I'll be ready then to devote some time to more readings here, and later take that plunge into in-person readings! I think I have to at least try it. Then do it long enough to get past the practice level. I appreciate all the input everyone has provided! :) Nevada

DeLani	27 Nov 2003
I've been reading for people for over 17 yrs., so I have a bit of practice! But from the very beginning, when I sit down to do a reading, I get right to the point. I just start talking. Sometimes I do draw a blank, but I tell the querent that I'm having difficulty with this card, and I'll come back to it later. Often, after reading all the other cards, the blank one comes clear. But I'm pretty speedy. My readings average about 15 -20 mins. When I was reading the Psychic Fair circuit, sometimes I would have waiting lines, so I had to be to the point. Unfortunately, I also had days where I didn't break even, so I quit doing them. It's too bad, really. I wished that I could have continued. wouldn't it be great if we could support ourselves with Tarot?

The Are you a speedy reader or a slow reader? thread was originally posted on 25 Nov 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.