Reading worries ...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Oct 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Little Baron	03 Oct 2004
I have just completed a few more readings in the 'YA and BOOT' threads ... In one reading, unlike any of the other twenty or so I have done here, I had a strong feeling of a person coming into the querants life; possibly just an inspirational force but also, possibly, a lover. After I hit the 'submit' button, I began to worry ... As much as I wrote exactly how I felt about the cards (and I really did feel these things), I worry that maybe I am giving people 'false hope'. It could very well be a valid reading that will make sense to the querant in the coming months, but what if it is not??? I did state at the beginning of the thread that to avoid disappointment, all readings should be regarded as relatively light-hearted, but of course, some questions will be less 'light-hearted' than others. When I began to learn the tarot, I read the Rohrig almost completely intuatively. I will stand by the fact that a lot of those readings were some of the most spot on and I am eager to read my Thoth in the same way. Through what I felt from those experiences, I have learnt to go with it, as I feel I wouldn't be given the querant my 'all' if I neglected to tell them everything I felt from the cards. What do you guys think? Do you feel like this when you read? Do you worry after each one you do? Am I giving false hope?? Best wishes Yaboot

Lee	03 Oct 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Yaboot Do you feel like this when you read? Do you worry after each one you do? Yes, I feel this way when I read for others. The ethical considerations weigh on me, especailly with e-mail or distance readings where you can't see the person and thus you know that much less about them and their situation. This is one of the reasons I stopped doing professional e-mail readings for Aeclectic. I think it's good that you're asking yourself these questions, because it means that you'll always be sensitive to these issues, which is a good thing. There are several different viewpoints one could take on the whole thing. One viewpoint is to say that the person has asked you for a reading, and therefore you are telling them what you see in the cards, at their request, and what they do with what you tell them is up to them. Thus, a large part of the ethical responsibility is lifted from your shoulders. I think this viewpoint has a lot of validity to it, although I still don't think it would be ethical to foretell death or illness under any circumstances. In my readings, I always try to stress the querent's ability or potential ability to take their life into their own hands and create their own future. So, for example, if I saw in the cards that a lover was going to come into their life, I would say so, but I would also look at that card and other cards to see what the querent could do to improve their chances of making the relationship work (assuming a relationship was a desirable thing for them). In other words, I try to focus on choices and opportunities rather than simply telling them what will happen to them, although of course one must foretell events to a certain extent (unless one is doing a reading strictly on the querent's psychological state at present with no mention of the future, but that's a whole other kettle of fish). -- Lee

Imagemaker	03 Oct 2004
With common sense disclaimers for one's skill and cautionary reminders for the querent's own sense, any reader can only put the words out there and note that those cards appeared and you're doing your best to interpret the message. At some level the querent has to take responsiblity for his/her reaction. If the querent is the type to race to high expectations, they will. You can only be a messenger working with intentions for the highest good. And if the querent is a cynic who believes nothing, then if the reading's prospects happen, they'll be pleasantly surprised. You can't allow yourself to feel guilty for great cards! Good things do happen!

lunakasha	04 Oct 2004
Yaboot, I have wondered the same thing myself....but at the same time, I try to make it very clear to the querent that the cards are only there to give them options, information....and what they do with that information will help them make decisions for themselves. I also tell them that (IMO) the future is not set in stone, so the "outcome" of the reading is really only one possibility; our decisions as well as outside influences are constantly shaping the future...and tarot is not an exact science. I am sure that your querent understands this too....I wouldn't worry too much about it....you are a very gifted and sensitive reader. :) Luna

The Reading worries ... thread was originally posted on 03 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.