What makes a good Tarot reader?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mj07	06 Mar 2004
okay, I went through all the threads in this section and didn't see this question... hope it goes here! I have several questions about what it means to be a good Tarot reader. For one, can just anybody pick up a deck, read the LWB and do it? I ask this b/c I wonder it about myself since I'm so new to it, but also b/c I watched a friend who's not really particularly interested in Tarot kind of casually throw a spread for her brother last weekend and then use the LWB to interpret it (it basically told her all stuff she already knew, or I wonder, what she wanted to hear? but then, I wonder myself when I do a spread for ME if I'm deceiving myself, so confusing!) So, if the answer is that pretty much anybody CAN do it, then... How do you know who to trust? The New Age bookstore near me had a Healing Fair last weekend where they had several different readers. How do you know if you've had a good reading? How do you know if the person really knows what they're doing? or if they (or yourself?) have any "psychic" ability (however you want to define that, intuition, channeling, etc.)

miss_apples	06 Mar 2004
I think that anyone can reat tarot if they really want to. And as far as how do you know if you had a good reading? Trust me...you'll just know ;)

tmgrl2	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by miss_apples I think that anyone can reat tarot if they really want to. And as far as how do you know if you had a good reading? Trust me...you'll just know ;) Hi mj07...and welcome...I am new to Tarot and Aclectic...love miss_apples' response...go for it...BTW, I am an Evanstonian!Been in NY for 27 years though, but born and raised in your area. You will love Aeclectic Tarot Forum...as a newcomer, I would recommend browsing through the threads, subscribing for really neat extras, find Tarot Basics section and Thirteen's pages on the cards...this is available through basics and FAQ on Home Page...I started with Rider Waite because it helps me and I bought some books and some different cards....but putting it all together, it's what comes out when you go inside with the spreads in front of you...just reading the threads posted here by experience readers has been great...won't even begin to name them...there are SO MANY... Again, welcome...PM me anytime as a fellow Chicagoan...terri

contrascarpe	06 Mar 2004
I agree - everyone has the ability to read tarot. I grew up thinking you had to learn the rote meanings from the books. Someone recently taught me to go with my feelings and I really feel like it opened up a door for me. As a struggling writer, I liken a good reading to telling a story - sometimes it just flows for you. As far as determining whether you had a good reading or not, as miss apples said, you will definitely know! My fiancee had her cards read a couple of years ago at Jackson Square in New Orleans. The "reading" broke down into a case where the reader started telling her all his problems! She is a retired therapist, so she gets this alot, lol. I told her he should have paid her! Dan

laura_borealis	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by mj07 For one, can just anybody pick up a deck, read the LWB and do it? I ask this b/c I wonder it about myself since I'm so new to it, but also b/c I watched a friend who's not really particularly interested in Tarot kind of casually throw a spread for her brother last weekend and then use the LWB to interpret it (it basically told her all stuff she already knew, or I wonder, what she wanted to hear? but then, I wonder myself when I do a spread for ME if I'm deceiving myself, so confusing!) Hmmm... I would argue that what your friend was doing is not reading the cards. While I agree that everyone can learn if they want, merely looking the answers up in the LWB is not what I call reading Tarot, any more than looking up answers to a crossword is solving the puzzle. We all go through a stage of having to look up meanings, of course. I'm still there with a lot of the cards. But to me, studying the cards themselves plays a more important role than looking up meanings. The symbols and images are there to assist interpretation. They speak to us if we pay enough attention. For me this has been a long process, as my focus on study has been intermittant... some people pick it up really quickly, though. The more time and energy and focus you bring to it, the deeper your understanding will be. Hope I don't sound too preachy. I'm partly lecturing to myself, here. :)

miss_apples	06 Mar 2004
well I still use my LWB and just simply looking up awnsers in the LWB is not reading however...even if you use the LWB, you still have to put all those meanings together to figure out whats going on and THAT is reading. I pay for a reading about once a year....sometimes its a tarot reading, sometimes its an oracle card reading, sometimes its a channeling reading etc etc. The first reading I got was a tarot reading...and granted she had help from a lot more than just the cards as I think that she was also a medium. But she knew the kind of establishment that I worked in, she knew exactly how our desks were set up, she knew that we called our managers "coaches" and she also knew that at the time I had a crush on the sandy blonde haired, blue eyed older man that sat next to me at work. I bought my first deck of cards that same day....lol.

Aoife	06 Mar 2004
I guess it depends on what you define as 'good' in this context. And then comes the question - is it something that can be learned or developed, or is it innate - and you've either got it or you haven't. Is it something you get better at the more you try? Or should you not try..... not in the conventional understanding of the word 'try'? Does the ability come from well-honed intellect or life experience or some kind of divine connection or perhaps, a viable connection with the collective unconscious - or all of them, and more? And does it have to be with the aid of cards or can we use sugar sachets or beach pebbles or toothpicks? And what is it that we're wanting from the cards anyway? And how do we know that what we get is good? I think I've come full circle.....

Umbrae	06 Mar 2004
You can read cards, or you can read the LWB… What makes a good reader? Context. Does the reading have context with the sitter’s life? To find the beginning of the path, you must know why you (want) read Tarot (for others). When you know that, then you must figure out why they come to you to have the Tarot read. They can find answers everywhere, family, friends, the clergy, the doctors, and the lawyers – yet they come to you…why? Determine those two things – for yourself – and you will know what it takes for YOU to be a good reader. …and listen to Aoife…

tmgrl2	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Aoife I guess it depends on what you define as 'good' in this context. And then comes the question - is it something that can be learned or developed, or is it innate - and you've either got it or you haven't. Is it something you get better at the more you try? Or should you not try..... not in the conventional understanding of the word 'try'? Does the ability come from well-honed intellect or life experience or some kind of divine connection or perhaps, a viable connection with the collective unconscious - or all of them, and more? And does it have to be with the aid of cards or can we use sugar sachets or beach pebbles or toothpicks? And what is it that we're wanting from the cards anyway? And how do we know that what we get is good? I think I've come full circle..... good questions...can't know if we don't try... life experience certainly doesn't hurt ...if we learn from it.... innate? perhaps some people are more atuned to the "other level" of functiong...C. Castanedas..(read this so long ago, don't know if spelling is correct) his character has to learn to look between the leaves instead of at them...maybe that is what we do... don't know about sugar sachets or beach pepples (love this!) but a psychic I worked with years ago said that the colors and handwritings he worked with were just "tools."....sometimes just to guide him, sometimes to establish belief of Q, but a tool, nevertheless...he did many readings for me without his colors and cards... So...whatever it is, I do believe that many people don't realize they have this great inner voice (often the little, quiet one) that they rarely listen to...Personally, I feel a very strong connection with Tarot and it is new to me...colors and handwritings are there in my distant past, my youth...but still come forward in my readings and understandings....I can tell even by what colors I choose to wear on any given day. For me, Go Tarot! Find your own way with whatever guidance is available to you...sometimes, we look for simple answers to complex questions...I try to use any available resources...and discard what doesn't fit. terri

mj07	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Aoife I guess it depends on what you define as 'good' in this context. And then comes the question - is it something that can be learned or developed, or is it innate - and you've either got it or you haven't. Is it something you get better at the more you try? Or should you not try..... not in the conventional understanding of the word 'try'? Does the ability come from well-honed intellect or life experience or some kind of divine connection or perhaps, a viable connection with the collective unconscious - or all of them, and more? And does it have to be with the aid of cards or can we use sugar sachets or beach pebbles or toothpicks? And what is it that we're wanting from the cards anyway? And how do we know that what we get is good? I think I've come full circle..... okay, now you're blowing my mind! actually, I've had similar questions (which go along with the other question as to how and why tarot works, but I think that's been covered elsewhere!) must go off to commune with my cards for a while I think!

Star Spirit	06 Mar 2004
I think anyone can read tarot if they really put all of themselves into it. As long as they have the will to learn, the interest, and the ability to be intuitive and honest with themselves and others, I don't see why not :) As for knowing who to trust....you don't. But if you're that into tarot, you can probably use your intuitive abilities to guess :laugh:

mj07	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star As for knowing who to trust....you don't. But if you're that into tarot, you can probably use your intuitive abilities to guess :laugh: thanks, that's great advice, I think I'll use it! :D

Star Spirit	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by mj07 thanks, that's great advice, I think I'll use it! :D Haha...half-joking there...but you really don't know. It's different here, everyone is honest and the readings are free. But if you were going to see a "professional" in a private setting or at a fair or trying a call-in or internet tarot reader, you're taking more of a risk, especially since it costs you money. It's better if you know someone who has had one from someone, or can see feedback on this person, or you can see them in person and use your intuition to guess what kind of person they are. I'm usually a good judge of character, so if I was in that situation that's what I'd probably rely on :)

mysticali	06 Mar 2004
I have a bit of trouble with this - I am not sure that anyone can read tarot -although there is an argument that says that if you are drawn to doing it in the first place - maybe you have ability. i also have trouble defining what is 'psychic' and those people who claim to be that. I would liken finding a tarot reader who is genuine - to finding a friend - you can't describe exactly what makes one person a friend to another - and we can't all have the same friend either. I know of those who have had a reading and found it profound from one reader and others who just can't accept the reading from that same reader. Does that make them more or less genuine? I firmly believe that accurate readings require a genuine 'receiver' as well as a genuine' reader' being open and communicating is a 2 way channel. Does that make sense - or am i just waffling ?

tmgrl2	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by mj07 thanks, that's great advice, I think I'll use it! :D I agree with mj07 mysticali....I do think our intuition tells us pretty quickly whether we want to move forward reading or being read. At least it does for me...terri

Mojo	06 Mar 2004
How to make the perfect Tarot reader. Ingredients: 1 Part familiarity with the cards and their traditional meanings 1 Part familiarity with spreads 4 Parts story-teller 3 Parts good listener 2 Parts intuition 2 Parts arcane knowledge of mythology, symbology and history 1 Part sheer moxie 1 Part empathy a healthy dose of pure bulls**t Mix thoroughly. Apply vast amounts of patience while the mixture ages and settles. Serve on public display with a splash of showmanship. Tip often.

purple_scorp	06 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Aoife I guess it depends on what you define as 'good' in this context....... .....And what is it that we're wanting from the cards anyway? And how do we know that what we get is good? Hi Aoife, I agree. See my signature at the bottom for further clarification. LOL. Quote: I've seen this discussed in some other threads where members are saying that they just use the cards as a focussing tool, or perhaps draw a card after the reading etc. I don't read professionally but I am interested to know. Why do so many people with medium/channeling (call it what you will) ability still use the cards? Is it because the uninitiated person (being read for) is more comfortable with the thought that the knowledge, wisdom, and advice has come from the cards, rather from our heads, even though it's actually coming from our heads? Is it a perception thing for our clients (family, friends, whoever we read for)? Cheers purple_scorp

miss_apples	06 Mar 2004
Well since the name of the post is "what makes a good TAROT reader" I think that awnsers the card. pebbles, and toothpicks question...in this case we are talking about cards. I am seeing what I think is making tarot too complicated. Yes tarot is a very complex subject but I think that reading tarot, (and I would like to state that even if you need the aide of the LWB...that does not make you any less of a reader), is something people do because they find an interest in it for some reason or another, and I think that its important that you keep it enjoyable for yourself and not be so worried if youre doing it right or not. You just keep doing readings as long as you dont get burnt out on it, and the more you do it I think the better you get at it. When you are ready to explore the more complicated side of tarot...then go for it. Mojo...I love your recipe, except I dont think theres any such thing as a perfect tarot reader...lol

Rusty Neon	07 Mar 2004
Quote: Hmmm... I would argue that what your friend was doing is not reading the cards . While I agree that everyone can learn if they want, merely looking the answers up in the LWB is not what I call reading Tarot, any more than looking up answers to a crossword is solving the puzzle. Using tarot cards and then looking up the meanings in the LWB is arguably a form of Bibliomancy. :)

Rusty Neon	07 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mojo 1 Part familiarity with the cards and their traditional meanings 1 Part familiarity with spreads 4 Parts story-teller 3 Parts good listener 2 Parts intuition 2 Parts arcane knowledge of mythology, symbology and history 1 Part sheer moxie 1 Part empathy a healthy dose of pure bulls**t Mix thoroughly. Apply vast amounts of patience while the mixture ages and settles. Serve on public display with a splash of showmanship. Tip often. Wow ... that's a pretty stiff cocktail. :)

laura_borealis	07 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Rusty Neon Using tarot cards and then looking up the meanings in the LWB is arguably a form of Bibliomancy. :) Maybe if you chose a random passage from said LWB. :) If I may be serious for a moment (not too serious, I hope) -- at what point do you draw the line? Someone not very interested in tarot, probably with no intention of studying it, picks up a deck of tarot cards when bored. She lays out a spread and casually interprets it by looking up the meanings in the LWB (which most of us tend to agree are woefully inadequate). Is that person really a tarot reader? or is she a dabbler -- perhaps with potential, perhaps not. I'm not saying she's doing anything wrong, or even anything different from the way many of us started (including myself). I'm just saying I don't call that reading the cards. I did appreciate miss_apples' comment about how putting the meanings together to make an interpretation is part of reading. That's a good point.

Astraea	07 Mar 2004
When I first started learning tarot, I was dogged by the idea that one either had to be "psychic" in order to read effectively, or memorize meanings from a book. As time went by and life experiences accrued, it dawned on me that it is our shared humanity which forms the basis of a useful reading (or any helpful enterprise). When we realize that we're all in the same boat, encountering identical dilemmas in a variety of forms and guises, we can relate to each other in increasingly meaningful ways. This very process awakens the intuition, which in my view is the ability to sense what is happening within that web of relationship -- detecting where pressures are greatest, where tension has choked the network, which area of the weave needs restoration. We can read people, cards, body language, faces because within them we meet aspects of our own awareness and experience. Querents bring questions around the kinds of dilemmas I, myself, face -- so a "good reading," for me (whether as reader or querent), involves openness to the question/issue at hand and a willingness to explore, invent and seek creative solutions or coping strategies. It is a humbling experience, because in it we find what we share with others, rather than what separates us. As readers, we see ourselves in our querents; as querents, we know we have had a "good reading" when we feel seen, heard and accepted (rather than preached-to), and when our field of vision expands as a result of the reader's attempt to help us to locate areas of the web that need attention. It seems to me that this mutual relationship arises -- at a very particular point in time -- for reasons that benefit both parties equally.

mj07	07 Mar 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star Haha...half-joking there...but you really don't know. It's different here, everyone is honest and the readings are free. But if you were going to see a "professional" in a private setting or at a fair or trying a call-in or internet tarot reader, you're taking more of a risk, especially since it costs you money. It's better if you know someone who has had one from someone, or can see feedback on this person, or you can see them in person and use your intuition to guess what kind of person they are. I'm usually a good judge of character, so if I was in that situation that's what I'd probably rely on :) hee hee, well, since the example I gave was from a fair where there were several different readers I'd say I WAS somewhat using intuition on who to pick, but also asked the owners who they'd recommend. As for judging whether I got a good reading, usually if they're talking about current situations I can get a gauge for how "accurate" they are, but in the case of predictive statements I take a "wait and see attitude". Quote: I firmly believe that accurate readings require a genuine 'receiver' as well as a genuine' reader' being open and communicating is a 2 way channel. I wondered about that, too. If the q. is totally skeptical, how good a reading can you get? Example, my best friend went to the same tarot reader I did. I felt she was right on track, my friend came away saying "I don't think so." Was the reading made difficult by my friend's existing skepticism, or rather, is my friend perhaps not open enough yet to the challenges the reader put before her (that she should change her job, etc.)? Quote: I am seeing what I think is making tarot too complicated. Yes tarot is a very complex subject but I think that reading tarot, (and I would like to state that even if you need the aide of the LWB...that does not make you any less of a reader), is something people do because they find an interest in it for some reason or another, and I think that its important that you keep it enjoyable for yourself and not be so worried if youre doing it right or not. I like your advice here, miss_apples! keeping it enjoyable is key, and for me as a novice, continual practice and learning, I think anyway! Quote: Using tarot cards and then looking up the meanings in the LWB is arguably a form of Bibliomancy. what do you mean by Bibliomancy here, Rusty Neon? The definition I found refers to randomly opening a book, putting your finger on a passage and then following the advice of whatever it says. Personally, I haven't yet found the cards to be random when I do a reading! Astraea wow, all I can say is, wow, I really liked what you had to say! Thanks everyone, this continues to be very helpful! :D

The What makes a good Tarot reader? thread was originally posted on 06 Mar 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.