First time reading for a party: any suggestions?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

shelikes2read	11 Sep 2004
Hi, all! Has anyone here got experience reading at events like parties? I agreed to read cards at a bachelorette party a few days ago, for what I understand will be about 10 people. This is my first time doing an event like this -- normally I've read for people one-on-one, if at all, and under normal circumstances it's people I know. If anyone here has experience doing card readings at a party or other large gathering, I'd appreciate any advice that you are willing to offer. My questions include, "About how long should I spend on the average reading?" I'm looking for a time length that won't make a person feel like I raced through the reading, yet won't take so long that they'll start to zone out or risk my running out of time for everyone who wants a reading. Have you got particular spreads that work well in this sort of setting? I'm thinking that a Celtic Cross will take way too long (at least, it will the way *I* do it, because I like to go into detail, lol). I have a six-card spread I like to use (two cards for the past, two for the present, two for the future), and I suspect I can get a good balance between good level of detail/reasonable amount of time with that one, but I'd definitely appreciate suggestions from anyone else who favors particular spreads for events like this. Also, if anyone has any hints for events like this, little things that work well for them, please post them here. I mean, I personally find readings and such very interesting, but I realize that some of the partygoers might need a bit more to keep them entertained. One thing I WON'T do is put on some kind of Hollywood B-movie kind of act, though, but that doesn't mean I can't think of ways to be entertaining WITHOUT being phony. But as someone who's never done this before, I'm open to suggestions. :) Would it be bad form to create little cards for people with my contact information? That way anyone who wants a reading OTHER than during a party setting can get in touch later? I don't THINK it's bad etiquette, but I don't want to tread on anyone's toes. Ultmately, the party's not about ME, it's about the bride-to-be, and I don't want to steal the spotlight in the wrong way. Thanks for any ideas that anyone is willing to volunteer.

Mesara	11 Sep 2004
Ive read at lots of parties before, and I find that the past/present/future 3 card spread works best for such occasions. Its short, simple, and provides an opportunity for more detailed readings later if the spread raises some questions that the querent would like answered in length. I think bringing cards with your contact info is a great idea, that way if the guests do indeed want more readings from you then they can contact you on your own time, and that way no one will feel that you or your querents are stealing the spotlight. One thing that I have done in the past at bridal showers/bachelorette parties is while keeping to the past/present/future layout for the guests, I do a fancier more detailed reading for the bride to be as an extra gift and to make her the center of attention at her party (as she should be)!

floracove	11 Sep 2004
Absolutely! 3 card spread. And do, take, and give out your cards... (if you don't you'll wish you had, because of the asking for them by the guests.) better to be prepared... *you do know* Your gonna have to come back and let us know how it went, huh? I'm looking forward to hearing about it.

Maelin	11 Sep 2004
Just a suggestion. In my experience - and I've only done a few of these, and never very formally - people keep coming back and asking what the card was with the guy in the boat - or that one with the ... you know what I mean. What you might do is print out simply, on your computer, a 1/2 page card with your contact info, and a place to write the names of the cards in their spread - so they have a memento, that just happens to have your contact info on it too. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes, please post an update!

floracove	11 Sep 2004
If you search for Tarot party ideas, you may come up with some interesting ideas.... edited by request, sorry about the boo boo.

shelikes2read	12 Sep 2004
Thanks so much for these ideas! I'm definitely going to keep them in mind. I'm also going to get to work designing cards (or at the very least, card-sized slips of paper with my contact info), and also those half-page forms for people to take notes on. I was thinking of bringing a tablet for people to take notes on, anyway, but a form where people could jot down their cards and any information they deemed pertinent is even better. (Especially if it's got contact info on it :)). I appreciate the suggestions that have been posted so far. Additional points of view will be welcomed, of course, and I'll definitely post here afterward to let everyone know how things went. Also, I'll be bringing my old RWS deck, and my brand-new Gilded deck. I'm very curious to see how people will respond if they're offered a choice between the two decks. :)

cirom	12 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by shelikes2read Thanks so much for these ideas! I'm definitely going to keep them in mind. I'm also going to get to work designing cards (or at the very least, card-sized slips of paper with my contact info), and also those half-page forms for people to take notes on. I was thinking of bringing a tablet for people to take notes on, anyway, but a form where people could jot down their cards and any information they deemed pertinent is even better. (Especially if it's got contact info on it :)). Also, I'll be bringing my old RWS deck, and my brand-new Gilded deck. I'm very curious to see how people will respond if they're offered a choice between the two decks. :) If you plan to offer the Gilded as an option, then why don't you download the Gilded themed letterhead from my web site and print out some copies at whatever size suits you. Its avialble for just the reason you mentioned, to add notes and comments from the reading when using this deck. (its free) Ciro M.

Keslynn	13 Sep 2004
Since I started reading pro, I've offered people a choice between 3 decks. Initially, they're a little hesitant but it's probably because they've never been given that choice before. Also, they want to know if it will affect their outcome. Once I assure them that it won't and that I'm comfortable with them flipping through the cards to see which they like best, it goes pretty well. I think people like having the option of me reading with a deck that has artwork that they like. I have noticed that clients really seem to like the Gilded. I second the yes on business cards. Doing a party would be a nice way to build up clientele. Good luck! :) Kes

Flavio	13 Sep 2004
Before the reading you can start with a short and quick explanation about Tarot, specially for those persons who receive their 1st reading ever and have mixed information on cards such as Death, Devil etc... Another good explanation for 1st time consultants is your code of ethics, and the kind of readings you're willing to do (many readers won't read about medical, legal, finantial matter which require a specialist)

Umbrae	15 Sep 2004
I know I’m late on this…but… I love reading at parties! First consideration – the type of party (or people attending). Take one deck that ‘fits’. Don’t take a dark deck to a happy happy joy joy type party. Taking one deck for the party eliminates the…“He/She used the wrong deck! He/She used the funny one with the dead lady for me and the reading rocked…” If the party is gothic, do not take the Keene Medieval deck. Deck selection is paramount. Drink less than the host. Try to arrange a space to sit away from others so you can talk personal stuff without eavesdroppers. Drink lots of water. Are you working for a set price plus tips? Seed the tip glass with a fiver. Never qwerk your readings. Just cuz itz a bachelorette party – don’t give a false reading. Ever ever ever. However, discretion is the word. Party sessions are as fun as you make them. One last thing…for the entire time you are there…you must smile, (from the eyes).

shelikes2read	15 Sep 2004
I want to thank the people who've posted to this thread so far. I'll definitely give an update on how things went, but that'll be a little while from now. The party is on September 25. I tracked down a business card template I can download for free, so I can create contact cards with my Tarot-reading information on them. I have a separate e-mail address that I use as a contact point for my web page and for Tarot-related mailing lists, and it'd be good to have cards available with that information on them. And I will definitely create worksheets, with my contact information at the top, so people can take notes on their readings and get back to me with questions (or request a reading of their own) later. Oops -- it's later than I thought, and I have to leave for work. But I just wanted to thank everyone who's responded so far. I appreciate it a lot. (And anyone who hasn't posted yet, there's still time -- the party's ten days away. ;)).

The First time reading for a party: any suggestions? thread was originally posted on 11 Sep 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.