What kind of reader are you?

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

miss_apples	14 Dec 2003
Ive noticed by observing that there are readers that are very descriptive and describe the artistics aspects of the card and the meaning and then there are readers that just get right down to what the meaning is. Personally Im the type that just gets right sown to it...because Im impatient...lol How to you describe the cards and meanings to your querents?

DeLani	14 Dec 2003
I'm also a "get to the point" kind of reader too. I use the images of the cards to illustrate or explain my point, but I pretty much get right down to it. My readings usually last about 20 mins.

Mimers	14 Dec 2003
I'm descriptive. I always make my point and then reinforce it by pointing out something in the picture. I especially do this if I am not using the typical meaning of the card, or I'm stuck. When I am stuck, I just start describing the picture and what the person in the card looks like they are feeling and then everything starts flowing again. This is why I love the Ancestral Path Tarot and other cards with lots of details. The cards tell the story. Mimi

Moongold	14 Dec 2003
I have only done about four face to face readings ever. They were quite conversational and "directed" intuitively. Have done quite a few written readings and they vary significantly but I notice I am getting more descriptive. I think that is based on an assumption that Querents might want to know how I reached my conclusions or assumptions. That assumption may not be correct. If I have time, I might leave a reading for a few hours and come back to edit it when the mind is clearer. If I do that the Querent is less likely to get extraneous material. It is a good question, Ms Apples. I have noticed a huge range of approaches in the Reading Exchange and Your Readings. It will be interesting to see what others say. Moongold

ros	14 Dec 2003
I read like Mimers & when I'm stuck I tell them what the card means! Then I try to sum everything up.

miss_apples	14 Dec 2003
basically i will tell what each card means and that tends to sound like I am thinking out loud when I do a reading in person, then I will have a summary at the end...kinda like reading a timeline. I'll say this has happened, and that has led to this and this is happening now, and this is where I see this leading for you in the future.

tarotbrat	14 Dec 2003
i am the type that gets right down to the meaning. i just read the cards as i see them and tell them and if they have any questions, i try to explain (to the best of my ability) by pointing out certain things in the cards that stand out at the time.

Star Spirit	14 Dec 2003
I usually get right to the point, as well. But of course I'm a little cryptic ;)

Majecot	15 Dec 2003
I don't get real discriptive with the images on the cards but I do try to explain the meaning of each card. I tend to "talk out loud" as well, and then summarize, then answer any questions.

ros	15 Dec 2003
Something else I do sometimes: Ask the client if they would like 1 timing card. Shuffle & let them choose 1 card & tell them what time frame I think it would be in. Then I shuffle the cards again & ask them to pick 1 card to tell them what the cards would like them to know.I let them pick 1 card again & then I discribe the meaning & card to them. I guess sometimes I give too much info!

rota	15 Dec 2003
"What kind of reader are you? " I read at a second-grade level. But seriously, folks -- I'm one of the get-to-the-point readers. It works this way for me, in a CC reading or a 7-card, or what-have-you: I'll turn over the cards one by one, after the face-down spread is laid, and explain them. Then, once the whole spread is visible to me and the Questioner, I'll re-explain the spread-as-a-whole. After that, it's question and answer.

Rhiannon	15 Dec 2003
If a certain aspect of the art on a card makes me think of my answer, then I will describe that aspect to the querent so that they understand where I got my ideas from. I frequently do that with the dog in the Fool card. Most of the time I give examples of things. When I get a card like Temperance I will usually explain by saying something like "You are in a balancing act right now. You have one foot in the water (emotions), one foot on the ground (practicality) and your head in the clouds. You need to learn to combine the elements that are distracting you. It's like mixing oil and vinegar. They make salad dressing...." Something along those lines. I like metaphors and similies alot. R :)

Chronata	16 Dec 2003
I take Forever giving my readings. Unless I'm on a tight time-table...then it's a few minutes less than Forever! :D It really does take me a while, because, I tend to point out the symbolic references, and tell stories with the pictures, and give out a lot of information. Plus the spreads I use can be read in multiple directions and ways, so I combine everything I can into one really in depth reading. First it's the general meanings, then it's how they relate to each other in the patterns, and THEN it's how they relate to the querrant and the question... Occasionally, I can just do a quick no-nonsense, right-to-the-point kinda reading, but I like connecting with people, so I enjoy them more myself if I take my time.

Kazz	16 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Rhiannon Most of the time I give examples of things. When I get a card like Temperance I will usually explain by saying something like "You are in a balancing act right now. You have one foot in the water (emotions), one foot on the ground (practicality) and your head in the clouds. You need to learn to combine the elements that are distracting you. It's like mixing oil and vinegar. They make salad dressing...." Something along those lines. I like metaphors and similies alot. R :) I read like this also.....I tend to generalize the card meaning as so the querent understands it clearer, but if some cards in the reading give off a stronger energy and I am "guided" intuitively to go deeper, then I will elaberate on specific card meanings......but I try and do as Rhiannon has said.....like for example the 8 Of Cups...I say it's like having a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing, you still try and put it together, but you know that it will never come to be completed because of the missing pieces, so you need to move on to something else....etc etc....(well something along those lines anyway..LOL:)) Cheers Kazz :TQC

VGimlet	16 Dec 2003
I am more of a get-to-the-point type of reader, however I will use the descriptions, or explain the cards to particularly illustrate a certain point. I also do a kind of summary at the end, and I might explain how the cards have influenced each other. For someone interested in the cards as well as the reading (like my sister) I might be a bit more descriptive, for someone who just wants toast, and doesn't care how the toaster works, like my sister in law, I won't.

The What kind of reader are you? thread was originally posted on 14 Dec 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.