One card reading for a lecture?

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

M-Press	11 Nov 2004
Hi! I have a dilemma, and thought that this might be a good place to get some advice...;) I have in 2 weeks, my first formal local appearence, regarding the Sakki-Sakki tarot, and i must say I'm quite excited about it... It will be at the auditorium of a Design Center/shop, and this is how I managed to get in there. The owners are not tarot-friendly at all, and they agreed that I give a lecture, only if it's not "too tarot" (can you imagine that?) So, I will be talking about Sakki-Sakki in general, and that tarot will be "just an example".EVEN SO, I would like to have each one in the audience pick a card or two at the end, for some "hand on experience". But I don't know how to do it, since too many people might show up, and I really don't want to do readings in such a forum. Has anyone done anything like this? Have a large number of people pick a card? (it can be up to 40 people...) and how do you technically do it? One very important thing about this lecture is that the audience, most likely knows nothing about Tarot, so if they pick a card, they'll need explanations... Any ideas anyone? thank you!!!

Nina*	11 Nov 2004
Hi M-Press I've never done this, but I have seen it done... I think that if you let them all pick a card you have to give them all some words regarding that specific card... else they perhaps don't understand anything. But you could choose to just ask if anyone would like to try and pick a card. I'm sure some of them want to... Then you could ask how he/she thinks the picture relates to him/her and supply with your own thoughts and insights... Then you can't really call it a 'reading' but just the experience you wanted them to have. And they will all get some experience even though they are not all picking a card.

Kahlie	11 Nov 2004
Just an Idea: Let everybody pass you by and pick a card. Ask them to take a few minutes contemplating (sp?) your beautiful art and what people think on it, and how it relates to them. Then let them all come back to hand you back the card, and you can have a private moment with each to talk about the card. If you do it by rows, by the time you are done with the back row, probably you can start asking the person in the first row to come to your desk/lecture stand and return the card. Hope I explained well. Have a fun time giving the lecture =)

jmd	11 Nov 2004
With most of my courses - though there has never been more than about twenty - I ask they pick a card randomly from a deck I circulate. From there, I allow them to first only describe what they see in the card - no interpretation, simply what is depicted (a far more difficult task than may appear). If the group is small (under ten), we may stay in one whole group and go around the circly, otherwise (8 - 22), small groups of up to five people describe the card as above to each other, whilst I quickly go around each group. In a lecture-style setting, I would probably ask a smaller number of people (perhaps five) to simply describe the chosen card they have, allowing others to simply reflect on how it differs from their own in their hands. One of the beauties of doing this is to show how easy it is to begin to make meaning from the description of an image - for of course as one describes an image, the whole becomes presented in sequential parts, the sequence described often in a pattern or ordering significantly different from person to person, and from time to time. I do not have the Sakki-Sakki Tarot - but do not see why the focus could not be generally broadened out to the qualities inherent in all art, and the creative beauty and meaningfulness it provides. As a gallery, to perhaps even mention that Dali has designed a deck, or that various galleries around the world - and especially in Europe - have various Tarot items showcased (basically as a passing comment), may perhaps heighten the enthusiasm of both the owners of the Gallery as well as those of the artists. Mentioning, likewise, that Tarot may provide a creative framework for artists (at the very least, 22) to be not only creative, but also imaginatively inspired in directed fashion, may also add to the overall sense for Tarot. Of course, there is no reason to avoid the also important other areas of interests - its usage in divination and in gaming, in psychology and in the study of the history of iconography and symbolic art...

M-Press	11 Nov 2004
oh, thanks so much for all these ideas and comments! i find them all usefu, and I think i proceed in "cooking" the evening. Of course I will let you know the outcome, the lecture in on teh 23rd. kahlie- I really like the idea of bringing the card BACK to me. I was wondering that I might be a few cards short after that!!! ;) and jmd, thanks a lot for this so useful stuff... you really have me going here... my wheels start to spin... yes, Dali, of course.. and Niki De St Phale too... i think it also all depends on how many eventually will show up.There are more things to do with a smaller group, but it's a challenge. Ninamagic's idea is also a possibility, it it gets too crowded. I can imagine getting many "personal" calls after that! Thanks...:)

Osher	11 Nov 2004
I can't offer advice, but may I wish you good luck for this lecture

dadsnook2000	11 Nov 2004
M-Press. I've done a lot of seminars and presentations. A few thoughts do occur to me that you might want to consider. When "showing" something to a large group it is important to keep their attention and focus on you. If you are going to comment upon a card, can you project an image of that card upon a screen? This would require a computer connected to a electronic projector, or an overhead reflecting projector which shines a light through a sheet with the image on it, or a slide projector. Everyone can then see and appreciate what you are commenting upon. Second, when commenting upon a picture or a slide, you are imparting a lot of information -- even from the simplest image or slide with three or four comments on it. This takes more time then most people would believe, an average of 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, I've found. This is important to consider because it implies that you can't do a one card reading for 40 people. Perhaps only 8 or 10. Third, if you are going to explain tarot as part of the creation process for this deck, that will take 10 or 20 minutes to do the basics about tarot, then another 10 to 15 minutes to show a few examples of how the creation process and production process was carried out. Fourth, before you start your program you should consider having a display board that notes the 3 or 5 topical areas that you will be covering. In that way everyone can keep track of your progress and the time commitment they are making -- they won't get restless and leave early. By noting that you will have a personal interpretation period near the end of your program, you will be mentally involving and investing them into your presentation. They will remain interested. Finally, your last topical area should be a question and answer period. This can permit those who were disappointed in not having a card read an opportunity to ask for more readings. You can also divert some of this interest into inviting them to contact you for a formal reading later. Good luck and let us know how it works out. Dave.

M-Press	11 Nov 2004
Oh, Dave! Thanks so much for this... Yes your Virgoan comments are very appreciated here, and will definitely use the advise. I 'll have to make it very structured, with open windown for improvizations. And maybe I'll need a plan A if there will be many people, and a plan B if it will be a rainy evening and there will be some wonderful football game on tv!!!! I won't be able to have a screen (although I wish), but I have some enlarged cards... we'll see.. i'll definitely let you know all the details of the evening... and Osher-thanks for the wishes: if you are in your location B on Nov 23rd, you are definitely invited!!! ;)

M-Press	23 Nov 2004
Hi! The lecture was today, and ended a couple of hours ago. after that I went out to eat something. i'm exchusted, but very happy. A lot of people xame. Many of them were friends. It was about 30 people I think, the room was full. it was nice. i had written few key notes on a paper, and in a way i stuck with it, although i never looked at the paper. I talked straight, and till I was ready to ask questions, there were no interapptions. At some point I was thinking that maybe people were falling asleep, but later they assured me that teh audience was captivated. Nice. Most of teh pople were not familiar with the tarot. So, it was a beginners meeting. i asked that at the beginning to know what to expect and where to take it. I first introduced myself, and gave some info on where i was born, and teh affect that mythology had in my life as growing up. Then I explained a little about Sakki-Sakki, how I came up with the ultimate combination of my personal, academic, business and art blending. How they are all inseparatable now. Then I explained a bit about what is tarot, and the main structure of the cards. A bit about how I use astrology and the kabbala in the deck. Then, I went "back" in time, and described my relationshiop with teh word "Artist", and how I came to be an Artist. Then I elaborated on teh extra card in teh deck :The Artist". There was a very powerfull mmoment there. I gave examples of how i have affected other people with my art and vice versa. Then the questions started. A older woman who came in considerably late, asked how can she become rich (and then all her problems will dissapear). it was so off this question. So I told her, that instead of asking that, she can ask the Tarot "what do I need to do to become rich", and then i said, you might even find that this is not the thing you should go after... i felt I had a good grip on the audience. Of course there were questions like "... but every tie I shuffle and ask the same question, different cards show up". There were also questions like: "what media you used for the cards, and what is the target market. Someone asked about the journey of the Fool. I had osted up enlarged cards on teh wall, and at the end i went briefly over a few, and described teh symbolism as is in the traditional cards, and what added value it has in the Sakki-Sakki. I wanted to emphasise that as an artist, you don't always have an exact idea of what you are doing. At the end, there was no reading. it just didn't fit. It was a lecture that mainly described my journey with the tarot, and my journey as an artist, and they all meet. What I did do though, is bringa a bunch of extra cards that were slightly damaged, and have everyone as they leave, pick one, and keep it. No explanations given. I told them they can go online and see what it means... This also gave me the opportunity to give business cards,a nd have a brief personal contact with everyone in teh room. There was a nice closure this way. It allowed everyone room for self expression. All in all, I got out of it really happy and tired. It was an excellent experience taht really filled me with confidence, and even reassurance for this wicked path I take.. i want to thank everyone here for your advice and comments. i had printed them and had them with me. It was what gave me the feeling that I planned the lecture and did my homework. It's the best thing to have a plan and then set everything free and just start. All in all, i did keep the sequence, and having set a time frame for each part, made things flow. i even brough a tiny clock with me, but never even looked at it. It was working though! Thank you! :)

Imagemaker	23 Nov 2004
It sounds wonderful! I wish I could have attended. To hear the artistry part and the background to your development sounds like the depth and expansion that many of us would like to find in the companion books to decks. Is there any of this talk that could fit into your Sakki-Sakki book?

M-Press	24 Nov 2004
Interesting point Imagemaker. I always have this dilemma. What do people really want to know? the juicy stuff, the profound stuff, the very tarot stuff, the history, or the mixture that each one that is this world brings? Last night, I was very much myself, on all levels. I even stated that I'm not a fortune teller. That's an important part, or people will follow me around so I can tell them their future. I really don't feel doing readings for money is my thing (although I have nothing against it), and I might be missing something here, but... I just feel there are other things I should do instead, other priorities...things that only I can do...and it's a pity not to devote the time to them... Regarding the book, hope to get back to it seriously on Jan. and then we'll see. in a way, i'd rather put in all that stuff, than to explain each card. But all this talk definitely motivates me, and thank you for that. :)

closrapexa	24 Nov 2004
The lecture was amazing!!! I really enjoyed every minute of it. When I bought the deck I thought I liked the artwork, but I didn't think I would be able to read with it, since I'm accustomes to more "solemn" decks like the Thoth, but then I spent half the night looking at it and reading with it.... Instantly readable!!!!!!!11 Thank you so much M-Press for the amazing opportunity and for all that you've done with the deck. I feel priviledged to own it...

Imagemaker	24 Nov 2004
Quote: Last night, I was very much myself, on all levels In writing stories, it's sometimes said that the most personal is the most universal--meaning that the pure feeling that arises from even a tiny event is recognizable by everyone. My thought is that if you write about your experiences in learning, creating and reading tarot, readers will find ways to relate and expand their own knowledge. For those of us who have even 2 tarot books (or many more), yet another one on history, lists of meanings, and the Celtic Cross spread does not appeal. The Fey companion book has quite a lot about concepts behind the artist's drawings, and how the images developed. It's a fun book to learn from.

M-Press	24 Nov 2004
hi there! It was GREAT having you there! Thanks so much for coming! I think you were the only person who really knew what I'm talking about... I also find it incredible that the place where we first met is actually RIGHT HERE!!! (((((AT))))) :)

M-Press	24 Nov 2004
Imagemaker wrote: In writing stories, it's sometimes said that the most personal is the most universal--meaning that the pure feeling that arises from even a tiny event is recognizable by everyone. this is an amazing statement Imagemaker... and a very familiar one! I wrote it too in a paper of mine... i guess it's TOTALLY true then! I found that out after seeing the movie "A River Runs through them" by Robert Redford. Tht movie was about brothers and brotherhood (I'm a girl), was in Montana (never been there), had to do with fishing (never done it and don't care about it), but I just loved it SO much, as if it was made just for me!!! I think that the technical parts about writing are the ones that scare me most. I always feel not confident enough, as if there must be better ways to say something... Anyway, I think there is a momentum being build here... I better keep "listening to it..." :)

jmd	24 Nov 2004
Wonderful to read through your post-delivery impressions, M-Press... ... thankyou, and hopefully others (such as myself) will have a future opportunity of also listening to one of your presentations :)

The One card reading for a lecture? thread was originally posted on 11 Nov 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.