Preparing to Read

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dexter	18 Jan 2004
Does everyone feel that they have to prepare themselves before doing a reading? I mean centreing, grounding, protection etc. When I was first was starting to read there was a type of ritual that I went through to get myself prepared. But is this necessary all the time? Sometimes I just want to pull the cards and this feeling that I need to go through this process before hand interferes if I only have a couple of minutes. Is this necessary only when you read for someone other than yourself or at all times?

Diana	18 Jan 2004
Dexter: I tried out rituals and preparations for a long time to see if they made a difference to my readintgs. I even went through the whole Grounding, Shielding and lighting Candles and other ceremonial and ritualistic preparations. (There must be some old posts of mine on Aeclectic somewhere where I say I do this kind of thing.) My personal experience is that it makes no difference at all. There are times when I have noticed that I need to take a deep inspiration and expiration before I do my readings, but not always. If I feel the need, I do it. And if I'm reading for people who are not in the same room as me, I like to visualise that our energy is connected on the big "spider-web" of energy that is present in our universe. It makes the reading less impersonal for me that way, but I doubt it makes any difference to the actual reading. For me, doing readings for people with Tarot is not a mystical magical process. It is more of a scientific nature.

Mimers	18 Jan 2004
What I do is take a few moments to ground myself. Some deep breaths, clear my mind, relax my body. Then I imagine a white light coming through my crown chakra, this light is from Father God and contains all the wisdom I need to do the reading for everyone's greatest good. Then I envision roots going from the soals of my feet deep into the earth where I can draw love and strength from Mother God (as I call Her). After this I feel ready to do a reading. Sometimes time and circumstances don't allow me to do this. But I do try to just clear my mind and relax before a reading. I ask for assistance from the powers that be that the reading be for the querant's highest good. My prayer goes something like this, "Mother/Father God, I am about to do a reading for another. Please give me the words that will best help this person follow their path" and that's it! My readings are much better when I take the time to do this. Mimi

Osher	18 Jan 2004
I try and relax, to calm down. Where possible I open my Chakras, however, the most important thing for me is to be create the right frame of mind.

Diana	18 Jan 2004
(Just a little interlude here to welcome back Happiness! It is good to see you again! :) )

Chronata	18 Jan 2004
Hi Dexter! Hey, if you only have a couple of minutes and you don't feel like going through a whole ritual of grounding and protection etc. then you probably don't really need to do it! I find that, for me at least, grounding and centering are neccessary if I am about to embark on a days worth of readings for clients, without a lot of stopping in between. But most days, just picking up the deck, and having at it is the way to go. I do usually start with a deep breath, though...just to relax, clear my intentions, and open myself to whatever comes to me. And often, when I do this, I am using a deck that I am very familiar with...one where all the cards are facing upwards, and where I do the same kind of shuffling and dealing that I have been doing for a decade with this very deck. So I suppose they have thier own built in ritual that is sort of automatic. But I suggest that if you want to forgo all the formality, and just pick up the cards and read them, then you should try it! It's about what works best for you!

Star Spirit	18 Jan 2004
I know that when I first started reading tarot, before I began I would always read in the same spot, I would light a candle on either side, and meditate. After being non-active for a couple years, it came back to me full-force and now I'm reading like I've never read before! :) But one thing I certainly noticed is that now, I follow no rituals. Not really, I mean I don't do anything beforehand usually, I don't feel the need to create any kind of atmosphere, I don't even have a spread cloth and read whereever I please! Most of the time this happens to be on my bedroom carpet. The only thing I really do for my cards is make sure they all have a special bag to sleep in :)

baba-prague	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Diana My personal experience is that it makes no difference at all. I wonder if it's the querent that it makes a difference to? I usually at least clean off my surface, wash my hands (well, that's to protect the cards as much as anything) and often light a candle. I find it all helps to get the querent to settle down and take the whole thing seriously. Not sure if it really makes much difference to me. I got quite a block on reading and only came out of it fairly recently. There was something about working on a second deck that threw some of my interpretations for a while - now I think (hope) that I've somehow absorbed this and it's helping to enrich the readings.

Aerten	19 Jan 2004
I've recently started meditating before a reading, to focus myself on the present. I visualize time as a thread, that I'm a bead on this thread. I focus on this bead, and not the thread ahead of it or behind it. This just works to keep me from letting my mind wander to the past or from wondering about the future. But as many have said, just do what's best for you! I personally think it's fun to do a bit of a ritual before working with the cards :) It keeps readings from feeling too mundane.

TemperanceAngel	19 Jan 2004
I like to have a few moments before hand where I relax, close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I try to move my focus to my client. That's at home :) At the shop I read from, it's *bang, bang, bang*, usually 4-5 in a row. I definately have a period of stillness before that :laugh:, the quiet before the storm you may say :) I always burn incense before beginning, not all day, I smell the incense and know it is time to work. I also burn a candle, color depending on my mood or what mood I want to create for the day. XTAX

DeLani	21 Jan 2004
I usually take a few minutes to ground and center before the reading, if possible. I have my special crystals I hold while I do that. But if I'm in a "hurry" so to speak, I just be sure and ask the Great Goddess to let Her wisdom flow through me, directing me towards my highest good. That way, at least *some* part of my mind acknowledges that I am doing something very important, and not to take it lightly. When doing fairs, I try to ground and center at every opportunity. Those things can be very draining! But I would suggest, do whatever works for you. Even a brief prayer/affirmation before laying out the cards, just to ask for guidance or affirm that you are seeking that which will serve your highest good, I think would be helpful.

Moonbow*	21 Jan 2004
I don't tend to ground and centre and all that anymore, but I do like a nice calm atmosphere. I like it quiet - ish and I sometimes light a candle and incense and dim lights (when I am at home) Do whatever makes you feel right. I try different things but mainly its important to be calm I think. Moonbow*

KelarSkye	21 Jan 2004
I have some minor rituals, but I have them so that I can read anywhere. I usually light a candle (I have a little votive that I typically throw in my bag if I tote the bag instead of simply the cards). I need a clear space to work on. And that's about it. If I have the wherewithall I grab a silk cloth and use it to read on...but I don't always have that. If I have the time I will set up a few candles and a clothe and sit on the floor at one of my coffee tables. Funny, I typically prefer reading while I sit on the floor and use a short table...or I need a table that is high on my chest...guess I don't like bending :-) Kelar

Dexter	24 Jan 2004
Thanks to Everyone for Responding; I guess I'll do a reading for myself without the full ritual etc and see how I feel. I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable forgoing it when reading for someone else yet or if I should. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again! Dexter

The Preparing to Read thread was originally posted on 18 Jan 2004 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.