Volontereed to read tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

WolfyJames	07 Apr 2004
There's going to be a pagan fair here soon, at the end of the month, for Beltane, and I volontereed to read tarot there for free. I though it would be a nice occasion to meet pagans, to celebrate Beltane with people and to read tarot. The problem is that, closer it gets, more I'm doubting of my capacities and think I should cancel the reading part (I volontereed to do other things as well). Am I right to be worried or not? Any tips to make me feel relaxed, any tips for readings? So far, I've only read people I know, and even if I've never met the people I read here for real, I still consider knowing them. My mother and I rehearsed a bit saturday, she played the cold and bitchy querent, and I was quite nervous. We will continue and try the decks I want to bring there saturday.

miss_apples	08 Apr 2004
I think you should just relax and trust in yourself. Think of it, as you said a good way to practice your abilites and to socialize. You could always try and do some practice readings for people you know or on here to get you "warmed up". Also...why not give yourself a tarot reading regarding your anxieties over the situation...let us know what ya get ;)

Star Spirit	08 Apr 2004
What a great mother... :D I think it's natural for you to be nervous if you haven't done this before. I sure would be. But have confidence in yourself, because if you can read well for people on the internet, whom you can neither see nor hear or really know anything about, surely you can read as well for people standing right in front of you. It might actually be easier to assess their personality and situation if you can see them in person (at least that's what I keep telling myself when I think about reading in person :D). Don't let your fears get you down. You know what to do, so just focus on your readings and I'm sure you'll be enjoying it before long.

Kiama	08 Apr 2004
Since you're doing it for free, you can relax a little because there will be no expectations on you from the querents. If you feel nervous at first, just tell them that you're 'practicing', and they'll be hugely supportive. Amongst a group of Pagans you'll find it alot easier aswell: less likely to get scary skeptics and querents who don't say a word! The best thing to remember is that whilst you feel nervous as hell, and whilst it often feels as though everybody you read for knows how nervous you are They don't. Hide it. Put on your best air of confidence, greet them with a big grin, shake their hand firmly and ask them how they are. Hey presto, you seem confident as a jay-bird and they don't know how nervous you are. (What's that saying about a swan, looking calm on the surface but beneath the water they're paddling about madly?) Oh, and take plenty of water with you. This will keep your throat healthy, and you can sip it whenever you get stuck on a card and need time to think, or if you feel exceptionally nervous and need to take a deep breath and calm down. Please don't cancel: this will be an excellent learning opportunity for you: going from reading for people you know to reading for strangers is an important part of your Tarot reading journey I think, and this is a perfect opportunity for that, given the crowd you'll be reading for. :D I wish you the best of luck! Have fun! Blessings, Kiama

Darla	08 Apr 2004
Hey Wolfy, The other answers have been so good that I don't really know what to add. But still I want to tell you that I'm sure you can do it! And I have to be curious again. :rolleyes: ;) Which decks do you want to use?

lunalafey	08 Apr 2004
bring one (or some) of your things to haave with and around you what? What do you have that gives you calm warm feelings? a little stone? a picture? pretty smelling flowers? a "something you got for a job well done when you thought you could not do it" thing? those memories will spur you on

Imagemaker	08 Apr 2004
This is like a public speaking engagement. (I teach public speaking.) Acknowledge the nervousness, thank it for keeping you alert, then set it aside. What I tell a novice speaker is to not get stuck in thinking that the event (each reading) is focused on her and her performance. Seems wrong, huh? The key is to see yourself as a conduit for information flowing through to the listener. Especially in Tarot! If you focus on the needs of the querent and on sharing your tarot excitement with each person, giving what you can, offering information, it takes your attention off the "grade" you're giving yourself and focuses on the light of insight flowing through you. If you stay alert to your intuition, you'll stay in the flow and respond as needed. That will also alert you to any hostility so you can deflect it. (You probably won't encounter that at all.) You can do this and love it!

ros	08 Apr 2004
Challenge yourself to do the free readings! This will build up your confidence & give you good experience. I agree with the other posts also. With the readings being "free" that takes the pressure off. Mabee just do 3-6 card readings,let them pick the cards & tell them that this is what these cards are telling them as of this time. Don't be hard on yourself. Just have fun with it & don't get too serious. They are not paying so they should appreciate the reading they get from you. Besides you offered for free & that's already showing you have a gift to share & a warm heart. Good Luck we'll be here waiting to here how it went.

Black*Cat	08 Apr 2004
Hi WolfyJames, I've never tried to do readings for strangers & I can see how scary it must be - but trust your initial feeling. There's going to be something in this for you - volunteering to give something for free always gives something back to you. I'm getting the Nine of Swords here (Gilded) - scary swords, but not touching you - it's all in the mind. I'm sure that the people you will be reading for will all be enjoying themselves - they're out for a fun day, they're getting a free reading, they're gonna just LOVE you. Pick a card that means confidence to you & carry it in an inner pocket next to your heart. Believe in yourself & have some fun - & then your querents will too. With blessings, Black*Cat Do let us know how it goes

InvisibleSoul	08 Apr 2004
Ditto! :D I was very nervous the first time I read for a girl I worked with in person, but must have done just fine because I saw that she would get pregnant and she was like "Nuh-uh! There is absolutely no way!" and then called me about three weeks later and told me "Ummm... I am pregnant all the day long! We gotta do another reading!" LOL Don't worry one bit, you'll be just fine! :)

contrascarpe	08 Apr 2004
WolfyJames - There is no doubt in my mind that you will blow them away. Once you get the first 2 or 3 under your belt, you will be fine. My experiences with you here show me that you are very intuitive - just trust your intuition. Now bear in mind that this is coming from someone who has yet to take the public plunge, but I feel I will be ready soon. The way I look at it, it is great that you are starting off by doing free readings. You do not have the added pressure of having to feel like you gave the seeker their money's worth. Sounds like an ideal way to start. Good luck!

SongDeva	08 Apr 2004
Wolfy, I had the same problem before my first public (and paid) gig. I bought the table, and the closer it got, the more nervous I got. The day before I decided this was unacceptable and asked for guidance on how to release the tension and fear. I was shown to remember why I would read tarot for these people - out of love for them and a desire to be of service. I was filled with a warm glow, and felt myself relax. The morning of I was a little nervous again, but reminded myself of what I'd learned. After the first two readings (the 2nd was for an "unreadable" woman, I drew an angel card...it said "Trust." Another loving reminder! So I laughed and did just that - and did dead-on readings for the rest of the day. It was a great experience and I hope it will be for you as well. Sd

WolfyJames	08 Apr 2004
Thank you all for your support, it makes me feel better. ;) I'll think about your tips. I was planning to bring a water of bottle anyway, I remember here someone mentionning getting dehydrated fast. And I'll bring an object to help me calm down and focus, I don't know what yet, but I'll find it, maybe my gargoyle (to repulse negative energies). Thanks ImageMaker for all your advices as well, they've helped to make me feel better. I know at least that I will be in a warm environement, with pagans who know tarot, so the clients won't be judgemental and all. The readings won't be free though, I will do it for free, but the money will go to the pagan community center who throws the fair. With the people paying, they will have expectations, so it won't be: "Oh it's free, cool!" I think it's great that my mother is helping me, we're going to spend saturday rehearsing. She has never read professionaly, but she gave me tips as well, while I was reading her. She played the cold and silent client, bitchy on the side, which lost me in the world of nervousness. ;) I'm planning to bring many decks: - The Enchanted Tarot (Zerner-Farber) - The Gothic Tarot (Vargo) - The Light and Shadow Tarot (for the male clients) - The Old English Tarot (kneen) - The Diamond Tarot (RWS) If I get The Golden Tarot by then, I might bring it as well. It seems I've been waiting forever for that deck. I want to thank you again for your support and tips. :)

lark	08 Apr 2004
Wolfy! I am so happy for you! No question in MY mind that you will do great. All my best energy set your way. :)

WolfyJames	08 Apr 2004
Thank you Lark for your support. ;) I got today the Golden Tarot, so instead of using the Diamond Tarot, I'll use the Golden Tarot. What a beautiful deck! I want to bring some choices there but not too many. Fives decks will be enough. I have to meet them a week before the fair, so I'll see more what kind of fair it will be.

ros	08 Apr 2004
Just an idea but why not just take one deck & tell what kind of spread that YOU will be doing. This is what I'm offering to do for the fair... Keep it simple, you are offering to help so do not put too much pressure on yourself. I find people don't understand what we readers go through. They just want a reading. It's about them not how or what kind of cards we bring. They want the info on themselves. I explain to some people & they never hear until I start their reading. Now I just read & forget all what I have, or what I learn etc. unless they ask. Very seldom do they ask! Just an idea.

Cerulean	08 Apr 2004
The Enchanted will do well for RWS style readings. I'm eager to hear how the Golden does for you. And congradulations, this sounds like a new avenue of exploration! Mari H.

Phoenix Rising	08 Apr 2004
GOOD ON YOU BRO! takes alot of courage to do what you're doing, and just think after you've had all that experience, you'll be ready to get paid. Remember "KISS" keep it simple stupid!(Not that you're stupid or anything) Like they've all said, since it's "FREE" who cares if you botch up! But you won't, you seem to perform better under pressure.

WalesWoman	09 Apr 2004
I have yet to read face to face, but Wolfy...GO FOR IT! I don't think you will be sorry that you did, honestly. It will take a lot of courage, but believe in yourself and as Winston Churchill said, "The only thing to fear is Fear itself" You can do it and you will do it wonderfully. I think I will challenge myself and set up a booth this summer for an Island Fair, sell my art and do Tarot readings. I've got to try or I'll never know, it's the same with you, too. Atleast you are doing a pagan event, I might get burnt as a witch here at the Prince of Wales Island Fair and Logging Show. oooweeooo! This isn't the most open minded place in the world, hence I haven't made it known I do Tarot or anything smacking out of the "norm."

Ruby7	09 Apr 2004
You are going to be fine Wolfyjames. You are more than ready for this, you have everything that you need. Wear an outfit and colour that you feel comfortable and confident in, start as you mean to go on. I would only bring a couple of decks, from what I understand the Enchanted is the deck you learned on and are probably most comfortable with, so I would bring that one if I was you, and one other deck just in case. Enjoy this and good luck! I will look forward to reading your glowing report of what a wonderful experience this was, Ruby7

WolfyJames	09 Apr 2004
The decks I know best are the Enchanted and the Gothic Tarot. I've been working and using the Old English and the Light And Shadow Tarot lately. And as for the Golden, my, what a sumptuous deck, my only fear is that it gets stolen. It has so many similarities with the RWS that I'm in a known land with it. I know it's a great opportunity and I shouldn't miss it indeed. Your words of encouragement have made me feel better and strengthen me for the volonteers meeting and the Beltane fair. I'll throw a spell or two to help me focus. ;)

Cerulean	09 Apr 2004
I'm interested to see how a new venture like this goes. I'd be excited about trying something like this myself over time. Mari H.

retrokat	12 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by WolfyJames And as for the Golden, my, what a sumptuous deck, my only fear is that it gets stolen. Hey Wolfy, worry not. It's got built-in protection in the LBB: "Blessed be the Giver Cursed be the Thief May fortune smile upon the True And Liars come to grief" So if it does get nicked, at least they'll get what's coming to them ;) All the best for the Faire! I've only read at one, as normally I don't read for other people - but I went for a Mary Greer sort of method, and really just facilitated them doing their own reading. It was a really positive experience.

retrokat	12 Apr 2004
Some practical tips that might help: I made a little tent, and even though it wasn't much of a barrier against the noise of the Faire, it gave the querent enough privacy to open up more. I had a few candles too, for a little atmosphere. I had prepared photocopied little slips that had an very brief summary of what the spread was and listed the website, so that I could write down the cards and they could look it up again themself later. I went for a 3 card spread as you can do that in about 15 minutes. I find larger readings take so long that you get to see a lot less people, and I wanted to see as many people as possible to introduce them to reading their own tarot (that was my real intention). When they first sat down in my little tent, I'd explain that THEY were going to do the reading themself, that I'd just show them how. I'd joke that it was because I'm pretty lazy :P Usually broke the ice a bit, since most of mine were first-timers. I'd then ask them if they had a particular question, and get them to shuffle and cut the cards. I'd get them to lay the cards one at a time, ask them what they THOUGHT the card meant from looking at it (big advantage to a deck with like Golden!) and then show them the LBB opened to the right page so they could read the 'official' version and see that it tied in with what they'd seen in the card. I'd encourage them to draw their own conclusions from the card meanings and positions - often ended up as quite a counselling session! They got to take away the note with their spread, knowing that they could look it up at my site later. It all went really well. Even the people who got pretty bleak readings were very positive about the experience. There were some very freaky experiences - like the person who laid out 3,4,5 of swords in a row early in the day. I apologised, thinking that they must have been stuck together and not shuffled properly. We put them back in seperately and then both shuffled the deck for ages and then.. yep, laid out 3,4,5 of swords again. *gulp*

WolfyJames	12 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by retrokat Hey Wolfy, worry not. It's got built-in protection in the LBB: "Blessed be the Giver Cursed be the Thief May fortune smile upon the True And Liars come to grief" So if it does get nicked, at least they'll get what's coming to them ;) This must be the reason why my mother didn't try to keep it, we didn't even fight over it, even though she found it beautiful. She tried to steal stuff from me in the past, including a reproduction of Edward Gorey art: she said I gave it to her, which wasn't true. We viciously fought over that painting. ;) Thank you for your advices, and you made me remember to bring paper and pens there. By the way, not only you create a great deck, you have also a cute autograph. ;)

WolfyJames	26 Apr 2004
Before the fair, I made a reading, and the advice was to detach myself from all this (and to ask for advices from wise people, which is what I did with this thread). Strange because I kind of lost all taste for tarot at the same moment (my inner me working), so I worked on other things, not related to tarot. I went to the fair, and everything went fine. It was a small fair, a bit quiet. I was supposed to do an hour there, but the other readers were late, so I did half the fair after all (2 1/2 hours). I had four querents in all, all very nice. I was not that nervous once I was in the reading, the querents were really nice, it helped me. Two of them were sisters and they said I was accurate. The third one said I was really good. She wanted to know if she was pregnant, my answer was yes, but then I came up with darker stuff like depression, and that she needed time to rest. She told me she just went through a post-partum depression, and that she kind of got pregnant right away (but she wanted to make she was pregnant). Anyway, she was impressed. The fourth woman in the other hand was a mystery, she didn't say much, except that she never was read before. She just said: "Interesting". Let's just say that enjoyed my day, met nice people and Pagans, I'm probably going to volonteer there. For the organisers, they were released I was there, because the other readers were late, and I helped afterwards. Thank you very much for all your advices and words of wisdom. :)

contrascarpe	26 Apr 2004
Bravo Wolfy! Nice to hear you settled in confidently ..... actually, was just thinking about you this morning as I will be going through something similar (hopefully) soon myself. Sounds like you got an interesting mix of people for your first time. Did you leave feeling the need to do more readings or were you fulfilled (or exhausted) by the four? Dan

The Volontereed to read tarot thread was originally posted on 07 Apr 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.