Reading in public.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Oct 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Nec	22 Oct 2004
Hi, I'd like to know how do you do your reading in public... like how do you decide which spread to use for general reading, or if the querent have a specific question, was it easy for you to make your own spread right away? Do some of you keep your tarot journal close by to refer which spread to use? And if you do charge for your reading, how do you determine the payment is it by the number of cards or by the hour you spend on reading? Just curious.

SeraphSarah	01 Nov 2004
I noticed this thread was never answered so I thought i'd give it a whirl :) Hi, I'd like to know how do you do your reading in public... like how do you decide which spread to use for general reading, --*I don't use a certain spread. I just throw three cards down each time or if the querent have a specific question, was it easy for you to make your own spread right away? Same as before. I don't use a spread I just flip over three cards each time for every question and that tells me all the info I need. Do some of you keep your tarot journal close by to refer which spread to use? I'd advise if working in the public not to have any books beisde you. This will result in people thinking you dont already know what your doing and that could be unprofessional. And if you do charge for your reading, how do you determine the payment is it by the number of cards or by the hour you spend on reading? Just curious. My boss makes up the prices. I only get paid commision and only get half of what I make. Half a deck is 15 dollars(15-20 minutes) full deck is 20 (half hour) Past life 25 (half hour) spirit guides 20 (half hour) Loved ones (deceased) 40 dollars (for one hour) Canadian money lol. I also do some via the phone for free.

Mesara	01 Nov 2004
I determine the spread based on the nature of their question. For those who do not have questions, I like the Dark Goddess and the 3 fans spread. Sometimes I will use the Celtic Cross for questionless querents also. Ive never charged for a reading. I don't usually take my tarot journal out in public, because if I was ever to lose it I would be devastated.

Phaedra	06 Nov 2004
Nec wrote: Hi, I'd like to know how do you do your reading in public... like how do you decide which spread to use for general reading, or if the querent have a specific question, was it easy for you to make your own spread right away? Do some of you keep your tarot journal close by to refer which spread to use? And if you do charge for your reading, how do you determine the payment is it by the number of cards or by the hour you spend on reading? Just curious. It's very situational. Some decisions I make based on how long the reading will be. At US$20, I'll do a three card reading, drawing more cards if I think it's necessary, and take 10-20 minutes. If I expect to spend an hour or more with someone I'll charge $60-100, and probably use something like the Celtic Cross. I have some simple variations I use regularly when looking for answers to specific questions. If it's a general reading, I look at past, present, future (where you are, how you got here, where you're going), which is perfectly simple with a three-card spread. If I go outside the standard couple of spreads, I don't exactly decide which spread so much as I decide as I lay out the cards what each position will mean. I haven't run across folks who charge by the card, only by time. Heck, my husband reads faster than I do, but uses a lot more cards. I'd never use reference books in public, although an attractive binder with your personal notes and drawings might look ok. Along with an accurate reading, a client wants to feel like you know what you're doing. They want to feel they got their money's worth. A nice presentation is good business.

Kiama	07 Nov 2004
I don't charge for 'public readings', because the public readings I tend to do are in pubs, for people who are either friends, or people who find out I'm a Tarot reader, and ask the inevitable questions... "So, you read Tarot cards?" (pronounced with varying degrees of accuracy!) "So, do you believe in it?" "Um... Can you read for me? Now?" But sometimes I get the glorious question... "How much do you charge?" And then it's time to book an appointment for the person to come round my house for a full-on, professional reading in a more private atmosphere. But whether the reading is private or public, I use the same techniques. I make the spread up there and then, tailored to the specific question. If it's a fairly simple question, I'll just throw down three cards-five cards. If it's a more complex question, there'll be more cards, one for each sub-part of the question. If it's a general 'what will happen in the next six months?' question, I'll do a Spheres of Life spread- I fan out the cards, and the querent picks three cards for each area of their life they want to know about. I don't have my Tarot journal handy, and prices vary. I usually read for students who's funds are limited, so I charge £10-15 for an hour's reading. And the pulbic readings in pubs usually end up with me getting a free drink. :D Blessings, Kiama

The Reading in public. thread was originally posted on 22 Oct 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.