Newbie question

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

emillkim	01 Dec 2004
I was wondering if anyone could answer a pressing question? I'm very new to the practice of Tarot reading. Although I've had my cards for some time and have been reading as much as I can about the practice, I've actually been very inconsistent about actually doing 'readings.' When I do read, the querent is often always me. (I've only tried reading maybe less than ten times in the last two months). Well, recently I did a reading about my small business using an unorthodox spread that I personally concocted. My financial future has always been something that I've been worried about. In fact, I had just gotten off the phone with the people handling my student loans (which are many and large). I did the reading...The cards looked disastrous. Without going into specifics there were reversed pentacles, an upright 5 of pentacles, a nine of swords associated with a court card (I connect with my mother, my business partner) followed by a four of swords. Financial ruin and sickness seemed looming Needless to say I was stunned and scared. Later, during lunch, when I was more settled down. I did a spread about my financial situation. It was almost the exact opposite! 9 of cups. Good pentacle cards. Hallelujahs and Hosannas. My question is whether I should trust my readings being such a newbie and more a dabbler than dedicated student? Should I do reading on topics that are so emotionally charged and personal? Did I just see my proverbial ruin, or more my fears manifest in the cards...? Thanks for your time :)

Chubby Mummy	01 Dec 2004
Hiya! Im also new to all this and Ive always been told thats its best to read the cards upright...(well untill you learn all the meanings at least)...Maybe then things will be alot less confusing... I know alot of people may disagree but there are alot of people who dont believe in reversals and that you should read the cards as they are...Just an idea... Also Im not so sure about this but when the cards start giving you contradicting answers maybe its time to take the salt and sage out and cleanse them! (I read this somewhere) Put them in order and then in a box with salt and sage rubbed on them...overnight(I think) Correct me if Im wrong! Just a thought anyway...hope that helps! xx take care CM:)

contradiction	01 Dec 2004
i have often found that when i am in an emotional upheval, i am not able to do readings on myself, because just like you, i get contradicting readings. if you know of someone else who reads, have them do one, if not if you have a close friend ask them to be the querent, or somewhere in here (my memory is on the fritz again), there was a post about writing down your question, putting it in an envelope, and in another envelope a completely unrelated question, shuffling them laying one down as the subject of your reading, this way you don't know which question you are reading for. hope this helps. and to whoever originally posted the suggestion, forgive me my medication kicked in, i am lucky to know who i am right now, but i had some good results using it. thanks contradiction

huredriel	01 Dec 2004
Hi, just an idea, but how about asking someone on here if they would do a reading for you, you could offer a reading yourself for them or feedback. Mind, this is coming from another newbie too!!! :)

emillkim	01 Dec 2004
That sounds like a good suggestion. But can it work that way? I've always been of the mind that it's better if you are there in person (Querent and reader proximity). Any thoughts (to first query and this query)...anyone? Remember I'm very much a novice still. Thanks

huredriel	01 Dec 2004
Well I''ve just had a reading done by Aun which was completely accurate to past and present (and hopefully future hee hee). Aun's insight was unbelievable, and it would give you another variation on your practice of reading. I've offered to do a reading, even though I'm petrified of being complete crap/totally wrong/inept (am I allowed to say that on here???). Plus think of all the feedback you could obtain. Anyway, like I said, it's just an idea. x Huredriel

emillkim	01 Dec 2004
I may be presumptuous (one of my quirks) but sounds like you're offering. Let me think about it. I may take you up on that offer. If I do, I'll gladly return the favor. We can even post the results. I'll let you know. Thanks much

Lurea	01 Dec 2004
Contradiction, that is a killer suggestion for when you are emotionally involved with a question!! Love it--thanks so much for sharing it with us. :D Emilkin, I can't add much to the suggestions--they are all good. I've cleansed my deck and had it help contradictory readings. Good luck!

MeeWah	01 Dec 2004
Since this thread is not about an actual reading, it will be moved to Talking Tarot. Reading exchanges can be conducted in Reading Exchange. Please review the guidelines in that forum. ~MeeWah Co-Moderator, Your Readings

MeeWah	01 Dec 2004
Emillkin: I forgot to include a welcome to the Aeclectic Tarot Forums! Regarding your question: " ...whether I should trust my readings being such a newbie and more a dabbler than dedicated student? Should I do reading on topics that are so emotionally charged and personal? Did I just see my proverbial ruin, or more my fears manifest in the cards...?" Being new or relatively inexperienced does not mean one is unable to read the cards nor does it mean the intuition is not working. Many find that being too close to a subject can skewer the perception & prevent accuracy, but that depends on the individual &/or the nature of the subject. As to the difference between the two throws: something may have changed in the interim between the readings to produce the difference. Nothing is static nor written in stone. The cards can describe conditions, but the conditions themselves need not be of the permanent or the long-lasting.

gypsy	01 Dec 2004
i think your state of mind has a lot to do with the cards you choose, especially when you are doing a reading for yourself, and especially when it is about something as serious as money. i think that perhaps having just spoken with your loan people made you nervous or worried (it always makes me nervous and worried!), hence the unfavorable reading. theoretically, if you were always in that state of nervousness, your actions and thought patterns could be erratic as a result, causing all sorts of difficulties in your business/financial dealings, and if you were always in that state of mind, that reading may prove true! but later, when you were back to normal, you threw cards that seemed more favorable. i would put more stock in that reading, since you were being more "yourself" so to speak. you were calmer, feeling back to normal, the way you would normally conduct business. many people say that you can't read for yourself. i think that is absolutely untrue... but you need to be calm and centered when you do readings, for yourself and for others. perhaps a short meditation beforehand would help...? good luck to you. :)

emillkim	01 Dec 2004
Everybody thank you for your great suggestions. I will solicit a reading from someone else. Money is such a charged subject for those who have too little and those who have too much (I fall in the former category). I always feel great trepidation whenever I turn each cards for such a reading. Every flip feeling like the fall of a heavy hammer. Can you recommend where and who I might ask for a reading? I'd be welcome to the idea of posting the results for educational purposes as well. Let me know and we can set an arrangement. THANKS A BUNCH! Emill

Keslynn	01 Dec 2004
I read for myself all the time! What really helped me, and still does, is writing all my readings down. Looking back on my readings, I can see how my readings were skewed according to my emotions, and with enough observations under my belt, I can now somewhat adjust for those factors. If you're not keeping a reading journal, I highly recommend it. Also, it seems like your first reading was partially correct anyway. Don't panic! I've just found that for me, Swords cards mean less actual illness and are more indicative of worries about illness, failure, etc. After all, it is the suit of the mind! So those Swords cards were just pointing out that you were worried. But you knew that already. ;) :) Kes

Lurea	01 Dec 2004
Emilkin, once you have 25 posts and a week of membership, you can go onto the reading exchange. Lots of people offer readings there, for practice and for feedback. :)

Ace	02 Dec 2004
another thing to think about, emillkim, when you asked the first time, what was the QUESTION? Did you ask, how will this next year be? the answer may have been an attempt to go UP the Askaskic record to where it isn't done yet, and the answer was "it could be bad, UNLESS you have changed things by the time you get to here" Anyway, look carfully at how you ASK and what you ASK when reading for yourself. also, since I AM too close (no matter what I am asking about) I use the LWB when I read for myself, so that I can't fudge on the answer, it is what it is, so there! (This does contract my usual advice, which is throw the LWB away. That is when reading for others. For yourself, keep the book nearby.)

souljourney	02 Dec 2004
I haven't done much reading mind you, but I have a hard time reading for myself also. I want to get over this as I want to use the tarot as not only a tool to help others, but to get to know myself better, expand my intuitive skills, have a better understanding of my spiritual path, etc. I think some of it is in the question. I don't think I'm specific enough maybe. That was a good thought Ace.

emillkim	02 Dec 2004
Ace's thread (as well as everyone's comments) has reminded me of a current downsliding trend in my attitude. I've been feeling pretty rotten of late. Not sick exactly, just off. My mind has definitely been somewhere else. Mainly not being where it should be, aware and in the moment. That's where it should've been. Maybe the Tarot picked up on that confused chaotic energy. Thanks again. I guess it's back to quiet meditation again :) Equanimity and the Tarot - such a logical connection, I guess the obvious things are hardest to see.

The Newbie question thread was originally posted on 01 Dec 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.