How do You choose a Tarot reader?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moonbow*	23 Nov 2003
I was in a bookshop today, looking at the Tarot section (naturally)and I was asked by a man if I could recommend a Tarot Reader. 'How do you know a good one from a bad one', he said. Now my feelings are that if you speak to the reader first you should get some sense of whether you would 'click' with them. I told him this and he said it sounded 'a bit dangerous'. I dont know if I convinced him but I said that a professional reader would not say anything that would scare him. I was not the best person to give advise because I do Tarot for myself mainly and until I found Aeclectic I hadn't had a reading myself. But it struck me that this would be a good discussion point on the forum. How does someone choose a Tarot Reader? Moonbow*

mzmystic	23 Nov 2003
I think it might depend on where you live. Tarot readers aren't on every corner, or if they are, they don't have the courage to be out in the open with it. So that kind of determines how you choose one------you choose them because you could find one. Other than that, if you do know of more than one, I'd say to tell them to choose the one they felt most drawn to. In saying it's kind of dangerous, I think the guy was just tweaking you about being interested in tarot, maybe.

ros	23 Nov 2003
I like being referred to one. If I go to the Psychic Expos or Fairs &I go to one I'm drawn to & then after I go for a few times & see the readers I'll go to someone who bothers me just to see what they have to tell me. They all learn you something& you learn as you go.There are positive & negative readers just like the balance in all professions.

WolfyJames	23 Nov 2003
I'd say, choose one by its reputation. Try to ask to people around you if they know a tarot reader (or cartomancy, astrology or psychic: some readers use differents tools so don't stop even if tarot is not mentionned, call the reader to be sure), and if so, how the reader was and how the experience was. Don't ignore the negative ones, there are times when people don't like what they hear (because the reader is good), they're going to say that the reader was bad. If you know the person a little, use your deduction to see if that's the reason why the person said the reader was bad. If you're lucky to a good reader, keep it.

Agathe	23 Nov 2003
I totally agree with mzmystic. When I wanted my cards read few years ago, I had no idea about anyone who could do that. Some people told me of someone they went to and that this person was apparently good. I was lucky as this person later became my teacher. But from what I know, here people ask others if the person they went to was good.

Star Spirit	23 Nov 2003
Just go with your gut feeling.

psychiclayla	26 Nov 2003
If I were looking for a Tarot reader I would prefer a personal recommendation. The best readers are usually the ones that don't need to advertise, other than giving out their cards to happy clients. Wolfyjames, that is a good point! Some of my clients don't like to be told certain things that I know to be true....And sometimes they don't like to be told that they are not going to be swept off their feet by a tall, dark handsome King of Pentacles. You are not likely to be recommended highly if you have shattered someone's romantic ideals! If you can meet with or speak to your potential Reader before you make the appointment then do so. A reputable Reader will not mind answering questions or having a quick chat with you. Finally this is a tip from my experience. The clients I really click with and give a great reading to are a lot like me in many ways. So I get a lot of cat-loving, purple-wearing slightly witchy clients with a very stubborn streak. People who fit this description usually tell me that their reading 'clicked' and felt right completely right for them. So if you have a choice of Readers and are totally lost for direction, go for the one that dresses like you, or that reminds you of yourself in some way.

The How do You choose a Tarot reader? thread was originally posted on 23 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.