Am I A Good Tarot Reader or A Good People Reader?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MSPSYCHOMAGNET	12 Feb 2004
I suppose that one would call me an experienced tarot card reader. I have practiced the art, intensely, over a long period time, I have read every source I could get my hands on, I have kept journals, and I have developed my own personal meanings and understandings for the 78 cards. Now, I said, I am an experienced reader, but I would never claim to be a good reader. Which is what I want to discuss here. Now, I have been told that I am a great reader. I have always felt uncomfortable about that, because I have never been sure how much of my reading skills are due to my knowledge and insights of tarot, and how much of it is based on my ability to read people with cunning perception. In terms of reading for myself, I think that I am a good reader. I tend to be ruthlessly honest with myself, maybe too much so. And because of this, practicing tarot and using it for guidance and divination has made me a strong person, because it has forced me to realize many things about myself, and given me the opportunity to change them. It has also made me a realistic person, because it has taught me that some things cannot be changed. But, in terms of reading for other people? I am not so sure. When I read for other people, I have always felt that my interpretations were based more on my perceptions of that person, and what I know about the human condition, than what I know about tarot cards, and I feel like a fraud. You know I tend to be terribly hard on myself, placing exacting standards on myself, and perhaps that is problem. So can anyone relate to this?

Mimers	12 Feb 2004
But why is that bad? If they are complementing your reading skill, isn't it obvious that they are valuing them? And is that not the goal of any sincere Tarot reader, to give the querant something of value? Yes, you are being too hard on yourself. I am sure after so many years of study and practice it isn't all just people skills. Mimi

Aerten	12 Feb 2004
I just want to warn you not to use the tarot too often on yourself. To me, most tarot cards stand for morals of some kind, so every time I did a reading about myself I'd see some way I should change myself. Consequently I had some troubles with my image, and bad things happened as a result... I think in general it's better to realize things about ourselves from real life, and not from cards. No one can be perfect.

Dark Inquisitor	12 Feb 2004
I think if you really want to solve this in your own mind, try reading for people you don't know , with no information from them other than name and location . Do it over the internet , where you can't see them and read their body language. Maybe just a general question with no details, or ask just to give an overall life reading. That is how I began - I told the querents if I was wrong, they didn't have to pay, I didn't want their money. And they all paid. They were people I didn't know at all. But they were friends of a friend. And I was able to verify later with her that the information I was giving them was correct, so I knew they were not just paying me to be polite. I read for myself every day & nothing bad happens because of it. Tarotphelia

Star Spirit	13 Feb 2004
I know what you mean. Sometimes I think that the reason I read the cards well is because I read the people well, and therefore the way I read the cards is influenced by my perceptions of the querent. I don't think this is a bad thing though. It's just another gift you should be happy to have, because it personalizes the readings more and allows you to understand the situation better. But I also won't ever really claim to be a good tarot reader. After all, I'm still learning :D We all are.

tarotbrat	13 Feb 2004
i can totally relate, i have done online readings for people i have never met, but i still believe that i am only reading the people, based on the question or questions they have asked. people at work come to me for readings, but i don't think that it counts, becuase i usually know their current situation and when i do the online readings, i believe that it is just a reflection of the question asked and a lucky guess. i too wonder about myself.

ros	13 Feb 2004
Don't let self-doubt or insecurity stand in your way, it holds you back. If you are getting compliments say your Thank Yous & move on. Each person you read for are helping you as much as you are helping them. If you are reading the people or the cards, you both are learning. Keep stepping forward. Do the best readings you can do & the best will come back to you!

Indigo Rose	13 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by MSPSYCHOMAGNET You know I tend to be terribly hard on myself, placing exacting standards on myself, and perhaps that is problem. So can anyone relate to this? YES...I can relate. The first thing I thought when I read this line is that YOU MUST have some prominent Virgo placement in your chart. For me it is the old Virgo Moon; drives me crazy at times. As for the advice on internet readings, I think that is a great way to read for people you don't know or can't read their body language. This forum is a wonderful place to practice this skill. People here are all learning and therefore offer great encouragement, which goes a long ways in building up your confidence. Blessings, Indigo Rose

starsongs	14 Feb 2004
Hi Mspsychomagnet, I would think being a good people reader would help immensely in reading tarot...one can know the cards, but 'knowing' people may give deeper insight into the cards ...and the relationship between the two... blessings, starsongs

punchinella	14 Feb 2004
Yeah I agree w/ starsongs. Since the goal of reading tarot is to help querant--oneself or other--gain insight into her life . . . how can starting out with knowledge of that life hinder the process??? To my way of thinking, more knowledge can only help . . . unless of course the real goal isn't so much insight as it is proving a point about (or testing) the accuracy of divination. Or the 'psychic power' of the reader. Which, I suppose, is why a lot of people have readings done . . . not so much for insight as for kicks. :rolleyes: P.

Alissa	15 Feb 2004
MsMagnet, reading your post immediately brought an analogy to mind, if you'll humor me, I'll share it briefly. Once upon a time I danced in a concert and that night, one piece we had worked on and rehearsed for months and months completely fell apart. There were 5 of us onstage, several were off the music and couldn't get back on count... I was absolutely distressed inside, but performed the piece, stayed on my music regardless, and despaired. It was the last piece on the program, and if it didn't end well, that left the concert-goers feeling... bad. As an program organizer, you stack the best material to last, of course. And we left our audience in a shambles. I was so distraught. Afterwards, I went out to greet a few friends in the audience. "Oh my god!" I blurted out, hugging them, "I'm so sorry, that last piece was awful, just awful!" And they looked at me like I was crazy. The piece they saw was brilliant, they insisted. I, however, was in tears. Later, alone, I saw a tape of the concert. I cringed when we got to the last piece. What I saw amazed me. The dancers who were off the counts, were on count in "cannon" to our movement. An entirely new dance was performed that night, similar to the one we rehearsed, but different, and unique and really really good. That's when I learned it for real. When you're inside the process, such as performing or reading Tarot, you cannot be objective. You cannot know how important the information you give is truly received - even if the person tells you you're awful... they may even mean it, but only later realize all that they were given. And, worst of all ;), when they tell you you were wonderful, a great reader, really incredible... and their words ring hollow in your ear... just remember the audience. The audience receives what you give. Try not to judge your role in the process of giving it away so harshly. We're usually better than we think, whatever our chosen talents, because we are our own worst critics.

ol_crazy_Legs	15 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star I know what you mean. Sometimes I think that the reason I read the cards well is because I read the people well, and therefore the way I read the cards is influenced by my perceptions of the querent. I don't think this is a bad thing though. It's just another gift you should be happy to have, because it personalizes the readings more and allows you to understand the situation better. But I also won't ever really claim to be a good tarot reader. After all, I'm still learning :D We all are. I have to totally agree... Think of it this way. The fact that your can read ppl so well is a prop to your tarot reading skills. The fact that your can read the personnn give you greater insite to what the tarot is saying. It sounds like to me your becoming quite stong with the tarot that you are becoming on a new unfamiliar level. Trust me, its sounds like what your saying here is diffenantly a good thing. So long your not being biased with your reading.

The Am I A Good Tarot Reader or A Good People Reader? thread was originally posted on 12 Feb 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.