Reading – presentation, reputation, style, charisma

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moongold	17 Sep 2004
I have just quickly read through most of the posts on various aspects of reading {much kudos to firemaiden for organizing these in such a wonderful way) and think this is barely touched on in those recorded discussions. I have been most interested in the discussions about reading with and without questions and, less commonly without spreads. I can remember issues of style amd ambience being referred to implicitly and explicitly at different times but thought it would be interesting to have some reflective discussion about these themes separately. By charisma, incidentally, I mean “gifted by God” which is the word’s fundamental meaning. It is a word we commonly associate with politicians and public figures but can belong to the most humble of people has well. Charisma is the sort of quality that stops you in your tracks – makes you notice – makes you feel that this person has something quite special. I have a friend like this. She is so articulate and authentic and insightful that I always knew she was going to be important in my life. She came to Tarot long before I did but simply never mentioned to any of us, her friends. She is truly gifted by God on many levels – mother, spiritual scholar and housewife. Sometimes one simply intuits the depth of this kind of ambience. By the way, sometimes people make other people Gods or attribute extraordinary qualities to them that are not always substantiated. I don’t mean this perception of charisma. So how important are these qualities to us as readers in our own practice and how important are they, do you, think, in the consciousness of people who actively seek readings? Would a clumsy shuffler turn you off? Would someone who needed to consult with a book during a live reading make you doubtful about competence? Is eye contact important to you in readings? Is the way a person looks and dresses important to you? Do you see through these things to the content of the readings? What qualities do you think are important in the connection or relationship betwen querent and reader? In written readings, what are the qualities of a reader that would make you seek them out? Are reputation, knowledge, style, charisma, the way s/he use the written word important to you? In what measure? Sometimes people here use the phrase “you have a really good energy” and we all know what it means but a newcomer might not. The word “energy” captures some of what I am thinking of here, but not all. I guess I am thinking of those often indefinable qualities that are part of the alchemy of Tarot reading. How important are they to you as both reader and Querent, if at all?

ros	17 Sep 2004
For me it all comes down to truth. I don't care where I go, who I go to, when, how they dress, anything, as long as when I receive my reading it is from their truth, or their heart. I like going to anyone who's willing to read for me, even if they have to use a book. I like to go to people who understand that reading is a "gift". The person should not work with their ego and be true to themselves.

Moongold	17 Sep 2004
Thanks Ros ~ How would you make that judgment - intuitively I assume or by trial and error? I have been thinking a lot about whether to use questions or not (I learned with questions) and about different styles of reading (intuitive, analytical, therapeutic and so on) and began to wonder what it is that determines how we act in any situation as readers. And also - what it is that attracts us to seek a reading from another person. And also what qualities of the reader and the reading make it work for a person at any given time. I guess it can differ from person to person and situation to situation. Moongold

Moongold	18 Sep 2004
Hmmmmmm ......... are these silly questions or are the answers so obvious that I've missed them? Or maybe the principles are the same as they would be in our own professional practice whatever field we are in, or as they would apply in our choice of hair dresser or doctor? :)

ros	18 Sep 2004
Moongold I feel it differs from person to person. Everyone has their own style and reasons why they read and why they go to search for a reading. My answer was not a judgment. When people tell a truth their readings flow. I may be wrong but this works for me.

Moongold	18 Sep 2004
Thanks again Ros ~ I'm aware that preferences vary from individual to individual but am curious as to what things matter to people. I recognise also that situations might vary from time to time. If I wanted a serious reading on a critical life issue there are some people I would approach now that I know their expertise and style of reading. I would be looking for awareness, knowledge of the tarot and human nature , a connection with some kind of deep spiritual understanding and experience. The latter I would call charisma This is not to say that I would not regard the chance encounter with someone else as very significant. Before coming to Aeclectic I had a reading from a Greek reader in World Tarot Readers which was so accurate that it pushed me along the way to learning more about Tarot. I did not know that woman at all. I have also had some very enriching readings from people here in the normal day to day operations of the forums. When people become professional they must promote themselves in some way. I guess a lot would be by word of mouth. The thought of tarot as a spiritual connection or gift is important. Because the Tarot is a window to the Divine, each reading is actually a gift . For a few moments someone gives another person their undivided time and attention using using the hallowed windows of Tarot That is an invaluable gift. But if I needed something in particular I would look for the qualities I mentioned above.

Leleii	19 Sep 2004
I don't think it matters much on what kind of reader you are as long as the reading is accurate and there is a connection, a flow between the cards, the reader and you. I did readings for my friends where the cards just flowed and the connection was fantastic. Most people want reassurance about their life choices or if they are going through a rough patch they want to see if their is a light at the end of the tunnel, some want to know if they will find their true love. At least that is what most people want from me when I read for them. I always tell them that the cards are a connection to their higher self and it will reveal what they need to know at this moment. It works for me but then again I am not a professional reader.

Moongold	20 Sep 2004
Leleiii ~ I love the way you say that -: ....... a connection, a flow between the cards ..... and you are quite right. Thank you very much for your comments :) Moongold

Teranar	20 Sep 2004
Sometimes little things you do and don't think about make an impression. When I do a reading I try to have them shuffle. Only my friends Kaylis and Johanne I don't have them shuffle because I rarily see them, for years I only knew Johanne as Zeromage. Something else I do that seems to have an immense impact that my friend Kori told me about is that when I do a reading I ask them if they have a question they want answered. Usual answer is yes. Then I ask may I know the question, or must I figure it out myself? The usual answer is no. I have yet to not answer a question. But asking them if I can know, then saying ok when they say know seems to impress them, or at least Kori. And I do this wierd thing where I take the card, then slap it down hard with two fingers so it goes whack. That's style! I also ask them to ask themselves a lot of questions, but without asking them. That kind of mystical air seems to give it some push. Just some random bits. -Teranar

Eco74	20 Sep 2004
For me to get a more indepth reading from someone I would need to feel some confidence and trust in the person. Something that tells me that this is an okay person to allow to look into my life and who I am, that s/he will not abuse the trust and who will honor the connection that is created during the reading and that sometimes resonates over a longer period of time. More general readings like "what should I keep in mind in this situation", "what will the upcoming day/week bring" or "what would aid me in xyz situation" are fine to take with people I fell no such confidence or connection with but even here I do have to feel that the person means well and does the reading with no preconceptions of either myself or what the answer should be.

Moongold	20 Sep 2004
Teranar ~ I love your account of the stylish but emphatic gesture with the card. And also, you seem to have won the trust of your friends in a sensitive and powerful way. Eco ~ I am alittle bit like you in seeking out particular people but I'm also open to the winds of chance and have had some remarkabale experiences that way. Thank you both, :)

The Reading – presentation, reputation, style, charisma thread was originally posted on 17 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.