How do you do your reading?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Jan 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rosanne	08 Jan 2005
I have often wondered how people do their readings. What process,what ritual (if any)? Does the method change for different people, say this way for family and that way for clients? I am sure their are as many ways as their are stars in the sky. I have been completly rigid in my way for years now and I wonder if that is good or just plain boring. So here is how I go about reading for others. I have a Basket of Tarot packs from my collection and if I know the person I let them choose a pack that resonates for them. If I know them well I let them take the cards home until the time we have the reading.(I have only had one card lost in fifteen years)I ask them to concentrate on a Question until the reading. I have a small table and plain cloth on which I put small bowl of water,candle,jewelled scarab, gold coin and corked empty bottle. Two comfy chairs and a small Koha Basket(Maori term for donation basket)Koha is understood in New Zealand as-if you can and want to, you do put a token amount in the Basket.It is not discussed. I get the querent to shuffle and choose ten cards, nine are placed in a circle, the tenth in the centre.In the discussion I explain I do not have a future answer for them I just read the cards in the hope the querent will see an answer to the question themselves and if they follow the cards advice there is an outcome.I used to have music playing, now I don't as the conversation used to become "whats that playing?" etc.I ask if they want a typed response or just to talk in general.About half want it typed out so I use a notebook as I go. It takes about an hour or so. I start with the first card down as it relates to the question and the rest of the questions are in the order of celtic cross layout. I put my phone on mute, I don't answer the door etc.If anyone becomes upset or agitated I make a cuppa and I usually ask for feedback(and I mostly get it).Sometimes there is money in the Koha Basket,rarely there is nothing.I have had Jam and sweets too! When they have gone I relax, reflect on the reading-Type it out if I have to. I don't do more than three readings(averages out one a day) in a day. How do you do yours? I would love to be refreshed in my method.Regards Rosanne

Arnnaria	08 Jan 2005
That was such a pleasant thing to read! It relaxed me. I have only been reading for other people for the past three to four months, but I suppose you can learn anything from anyone. Here's what I do: A group of friends will usually proposition me for a reading. Close friends that I know really well and know I'm into it. Sometimes there are non-close friends who will display some negative energy, like "he's just makign this all up," but usually a few sharp glances from my friends will quiet the outward display of their negativity. I tell the first querent the rules and procedures. I want them to think of a question or a topic. It could be very specific or one word like "Love?" or "Career?". I also notify them that the tarot cannot make any decisions, only offer advice. I spread the cards out all over the floor and ask them to gather them up into a deck without picking any off the floor. I explain this as that if any are picked up off the floor one of us could see the card and it could taint the reading. I usually close my eyes and visualize my Inner Self during this step. Once they are done, I ask them to present the deck lenghthwise to me. Finally, I ask them to rotate the deck either 90 degrees clockwise or 90 degrees counterclockwise. I fan the cards out, wave my hand over them to feel for energy, and choose ten cards. I almost always do a Celtic Cross because I am a begineer and am not too comfortable with other spreads. It has been my experience that once one person goes everyone else will want to try [or be persuaded into it], so I usually explain very deeply the importance of each position early on so I only have to recap them later. Overall, I've been told that I give accurate yet truthful readings. Sometimes it is hard reading for friends to be completely honest. [how do i explain to my capricorn friend that her sign is ruled by the devil without sounding like an asshole?]

Milamber	08 Jan 2005
I'm still looking for a good way to maintain my focus during a reading. My biggest hurdle is a mind that likes to wander. What I've been doing so far is relatively simple though. While I'm shuffling the cards, I repeat the question to myself over and over, both aloud, and in my mind. I find that when I'm using both "voices" to repeat the question, I'm less likely to be distracted. Recently, I've found that there's a second mental voice that likes to chatter a bit even behind the first one, so I've been trying to focus on that one too. Focusing on a white sort of aura around myself and/or the cards helps to keep my mind clear as well. Beyond what's going on mentally, it's mostly mechanical; whatever's convenient. I hold the deck of cards in my left hand, reverse half of it with my right hand, and shuffle them together. I do this until I get the feeling that I'm ready to deal the spread. (I don't know how to describe this -- it's a sort of "okay, now" kind of feeling.) I make one last cut of the deck, and then deal the entire spread from the top. Sometimes I deal it face down, and flip and examine the cards one by one before reading the whole, and sometimes (usually for small spreads), I simply deal them face-up. I tend to be in a sitting position with my feet tucked back under my legs, knees forward and together (think Japanese), on my bed. I find that comfortable enough given the space I have, and not distracting, or in the way.

Rosanne	08 Jan 2005
Oh Arrnaria that was lovely. I like the waving of your hand for energy. I am interested that you get the Querent to turn the cards. I have never thought of that. Will definitly incorporate that aspect. It is good that you get such positive feedback,and to know that you are reading so truthfully with insight.The most difficult aspect I find is not to give what I think the asker wants- especially if they are upset. I try to be faithful to the cards, they have always been faithfull to me in their answers in personal readings.Oh I always call the Devil the transformer or the transformation card. I have never spoken in terms of"You will meet a tall dark stranger" etc.And surprisingly I have never had anything uncomfortable happen in my house, or anything go missing. Thank you for sharing your method. Regards Rosanne

Rosanne	08 Jan 2005
I enjoyed picturing you sitting on your bed Japenese Style, repeating the question in a mantra like way. When I am reading for my own growth I sit on my bed also but I have a fold out tray that I use to lay the cards out. I have difficulty not repeating myself. For instance I always seem to be asking "What do I need to know for Tomorrow?" So I have been trying "Show me a way not to be pompous when I read" or maybe " How can I read in a more relaxed way?" etc. I don't ever want to become blase or bored with Querents. Thank you for sharing. Regards Rosanne

Ivy Rhiannon	10 Jan 2005
Thank you Rosanne for this post. I'll explain why in a min. I have a special candle I light and my tarot wrap is also my spread cloth. I have the client choose some gemstones, and ask if they want to hear any music, etc. I cleanse the deck by first riffling them, then lacing a few times. I hold them still and imagine a bright white light entering my crown chakra and flowing out my hands into the deck. Then I talk to the client, about why they want a reading, or what's been going on lately all while shuffling. This does two things...puts thier energy into the deck (a card usually pops out and I read it. If it has to do with what their talking about I know its time), and gives them time to come up with a good question. Then I tell them to clear their mind, and focus only on the question at hand. I tell them to shuffle until they feel their question is "in" the cards. While thier shuffling if any cards pop out I read them. Then I lay them in the spread and read them. Then I give my "its not set in stone speach" after the reading, and smudge the space. I used to do alot for a reading, this is just the basic, now I just whip out the cards and get down to buisness. It's kinda like skipping foreplay with a lover you've had for a long time. (LOL, :P sorry but the only way I could describe it! I'm such a perv...) I've felt like I haven't had the same connection with my cards as I used to...and maybe this is why. It's been a long time since I've done anything special with them. :( Oh I feel bad! But now I know what's been missing...the ritual. Ty again!

September Pixie	10 Jan 2005
The method really depends on whom I am reading for.. I keep a pack in my purse and sometimes close friends and family beg me for readings and I will read for them usually on spot.. I don't charge or even suggest payment from friends as I feel I am repaid by their kindness in other ways... however, if I am at home.. I will pull out my favorite deck (whichever it happens to be that day lol), one of my spread cloths, some crystals (quartz always finds its way onto my table), and sometimes I will light some candles and incense.. For new comers (usually friends of friends), I set up at my kitchen table.. offer the questor something to drink, dim the lights a bit, light candles at 3 points on the table, I have a bowl of crystals I sit in the middle and will usually ask the Questor to pick his or her favorite from the bowl and to hold it while I read for them.. (I will give them a small brief on the crystal they picked once its over, and more often than not a Questor has said they feel more at ease during a reading this way).. there is a small chest on my table (which holds money and/or trinkets the questors leave..) and some incense, and more crystals, and even a bell ... sometimes bottles of aromatherapy oils will be sitting around.. not always but sometimes, and if a questor is too uneasy by my gypsy reading style, I will open them... there is a larger basket I will ask them to pick the deck (usually incased in a bag) they want to be read with, I then begin to shuffle as the Questor asks their question.. Most of the time I will make up a spread, or a basic 6 card spread if there is nothing specific they want to know.. I too will not answer the door and I turn off the phone.. oh! I forgot to add... I have different tastes of music .. most of the time I will play a nature sounds cd.. but if its someone I know or know a little about and know they wont freak out if I play some "new age" music.. I usually opt for that.. :) *whew* I hope I didn't bore you all with that? :) it's interesting to see how others read.. and of course, reading for myself.. I never do anything special.. but i do always read upon my cloth.. but thats as 'special' as i get for myself

Fudugazi	10 Jan 2005
No ritual apart from relaxing when I am shuffling the cards, thinking of the person in a loose fashion (and their question if they have one) and letting them shuffle and choose the cards. Otherwise I read anywhere, on any table, or on the floor if that's all I have, and I don't use candles, stones, incense (even though I am fond of candles, incense and stones), or any particular gesture. Tarot's tarot's tarot, just a pack of cards. I don't think it matters what kind of ritual one has as long as one is comfortable with it. I know that if I had to have lots of props and special gestures I would probably never read - the same goes for writing. What matters to me is how the cards speak. So silencing the chatter in the mind is the important thing for me, even if I am in a smoky crowd or crushed between a couple of suitcases in an airport. Rosanne - if you were in a situation where you didn't have your props , how would you read?: do you have a basic focussing technique?

Rosanne	10 Jan 2005
Thanks for your response- see I said the ways to read were as numerous as the stars. I loved your discription of cards and foreplay. Just stripping down and getting to it. Yes that has its merits. So does re evaluating the method. Like you I feel a little stale and I thought it was a little too sameo sameo with the ritual, and perhaps I need a little spontenaity. Querents have told me they like the specialness of the session, so I have continued that way.I come from a large family and I am the only one not practising Health Medicine in a formal way. They think I practise pyscobabble and humour me. I know better and my clients are in charge of their own well being and I grow spiritualy with using Tarot every day. Thank you for sharing your method and I'm pleased you will re aquire some ritual and I will aquire some stripping down. Regards Rosanne

Rosanne	10 Jan 2005
Hi September Pixie, my daughter was born in September many moons ago and she was an early Pixie and very lovable. You sound the same. I love your Gypsy approach and no - you did'nt bore me. The gemstones are a novel approach and I loved the quester chest. Not so keen on the aromatherapy oils, but a lot of people love all the essential oils, and it would cetainly add atmosphere. It seems friends love to have Tarot read for them.. and family too if they are open people. My Daughters have grown up with Tarot and the ritual I practise. I think they would be surprised If I just took out the cards and read. I am sure everyone would enjoy your romantic read. Regards Rosanne

Rosanne	10 Jan 2005
I have enjoyed your posts on different topics and enjoyed this posting too.I like your pragmatic approach. I have had occasion to read away from my props- at the beach, on a bus,train, at others homes. So I have a little inner ritual. I try to focus on the Artist who made the cards for a few moments. I don't look at the querent in case I get some preconceptions or nuances from them. I give thanks(in my head) for life and take the cards as handed to me and lay them on what ever surface is around. It usually involves sitting on the ground with the cards between me and the asker. So yes I still use props, but they are inner ones. Thank you for responding Regards Rosanne

Fudugazi	10 Jan 2005
Yes, that makes sense, Rosanne - inner props (in that case I have them too). It's not that I chose to be pragmatic - as I said, I like candles and stones and crystals - but that the circumstances of my life made it that I had to learn how to read tarot in adaptable fashions and in different places. Having said that, I can see that for your querents it must be relaxing to come into a place which smells nice and looks welcoming. I once went for a reading and the reader smoked at me during the whole reading. Needless to say, although the reading wasn't bad, I didn't return. A few years ago, I met a lady in London - a very kind warm lady - who would take her querents' hand for a short while (after asking if it was ok) before she did the reading. She actually gave me the most psychically accurate reading I've ever had. Very powerful - and she looked and sounded just like a nice granny. She had flowers on her table, I remember, and some crystals. I went to see her a couple of times, but then I left London and lost track of her. As I am more settled since October, I am wondering if my reading rituals will change or if they will remain outwardly casual. I know that my querents like at least to touch the cards, it makes them feel connected with what will happen after. Thanks for sharing you inner (and outer) props, Rosanne.

Athara	10 Jan 2005
What an inspiring thread! I like to use a few props; get a couple of my Amethyst crystals, burn some candles, maybe some incense and take on a comfortable yet 'spiritual' position. And then I try to empty my mind. This I find hard to do, though. That second voice keeps on rambling! I'll try to focus on that, thanks for the info Milamber! I love your kitchentable-scene, September Pixie! I'm getting comfortable just picturing it! I'm not very fond of taking my deck with me for several reasons. I'm afraid to lose (part of) it, I'm not ready to read for just anyone, I'm not ready to answer difficult questions (what's that? is that evil? how does it work?). But on the other hand it'd be nice to have my cards to guide me (or anyone who needs it) through unexpected difficult moments. You gave me a lot to ponder about. I'm curious what this thread'll bring us more! Love and Light, Athara

The How do you do your reading? thread was originally posted on 08 Jan 2005 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.