Reading Advice Needed

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dylan	12 Mar 2005
Hi, hopefully this thread is posted in the correct section. Im am very new to Tarot and have actually yet to give a reading for anyone. Apart from play around with the cards for myself and read a few books, thats my lot. Im trying hard to learn and take in as much as possible, but im starting to think i need to dip my toes in the water, so to speak. I guess the way to learn is to read for real. Now the downside i see to this is the fact of being quite nervous for the first time. I see you post your readings which seem to flow so well, containing so much information. I know mine would appear quite simple in comparison and would take quite a lot of effort to produce the most basic of reading. Obviously i would want constructive feedback, it just seems there is a very high level readers here to be compared against, i would obviously not give the same sort of quality or probably accuracy. What do you think is the best way to proceed? Try a reading or two? If so would anyone like me to attempt one? What simple spread would you think is advisable to start with? Thanks for any advice given. Dylan

ros	12 Mar 2005
Hi! Don't be nervous Dylan. To start either do a 1 card reading or a past, present and future 3 card reading. Post that you are a new reader & would like constuctive feedback. Also you can put how many reading you would like to do. You will be surprised how good you really are! I'll post on your thread for a reading to start with & so will some of the others. Good Luck, ros

Free Flight	12 Mar 2005
Hi Dylan I am quit new to the tarot as well. I only started a few months back but have learnt so much already. Have you done any readings for yourself? I found the best place to start is always with myself. Try simple 2 or 3 card spreads there are alot posted in the spreads forum. Also pull a daily card for yourself and ponder over this over the course of each day. Try and define events that occur against the cards meaning. A good 3 card spread I like is this 1. Problem 2. Solution 3. Advice If you want to have a go with me, please do. I am happy to give feedback and if you want I can give you a return spread (if I track it down) which is how do I become a better tarot reader? It is quite helpful. Dont be nervous, everyone here is extremely kind and helpful. It is a good place to begin. Blessings to you and yours Ainsley

katie_here	12 Mar 2005
for my first year, I only did readings for my best friend and I. Then as other people saw us, and looked interested, I started doing readings for them too. When things start to happen that you have seen in the cards, your confidence picks up and you feel more keen to do longer more complex readings. I can only echo what other people have said and do three card readings to begin with, building up to larger spreads. I also joined Lotus Tarot a free website, that gave lessons on reading the cards. http://www.free-tarot-reading.net/ Also, draw on the wealth of knowledge you will find here on this website. I have found everyone very helpful and from a nervous beginner, I've got confidence now to do readings for anyone. Good luck and keep at it! The rewards are greater than the work!

Middy1452	12 Mar 2005
Hi there, I'm sure lots of people felt the same after they had built up a relationship with their cards and wanted to try some readings. I know I was nervous about doing readings for other people, but I second everyone else's advice. Do one card/three card readings on yourself and people you know and build up your confidence like that. If you are feeling ready to do readings then listen to your intuition and go for it. I remember the first time I read for someone I didn't know that well. I was so nervous and I'm sure it was the most simplistic reading ever. But after I had finished, the Querent confirmed that many of the things I picked up on were correct. That was a great buzz and confidence booster. The very best of luck to you. Blessings x

SunChariot	12 Mar 2005
Dylan wrote: Hi, hopefully this thread is posted in the correct section. Im am very new to Tarot and have actually yet to give a reading for anyone. Apart from play around with the cards for myself and read a few books, thats my lot. Im trying hard to learn and take in as much as possible, but im starting to think i need to dip my toes in the water, so to speak. I guess the way to learn is to read for real. Now the downside i see to this is the fact of being quite nervous for the first time. I see you post your readings which seem to flow so well, containing so much information. I know mine would appear quite simple in comparison and would take quite a lot of effort to produce the most basic of reading. Obviously i would want constructive feedback, it just seems there is a very high level readers here to be compared against, i would obviously not give the same sort of quality or probably accuracy. What do you think is the best way to proceed? Try a reading or two? If so would anyone like me to attempt one? What simple spread would you think is advisable to start with? Thanks for any advice given. Dylan Dylan, why don't you start with readings for yourself until you feel more sure of yourself when it comes to reading for others. If you do want to read for others. Personally I don't, I use my Tarot just as a tool for self-enlightenment. You will learn a lot from doing just your own first, Then you can go on to reading for other when you feel you are ready, Bar

psychic sue	14 Mar 2005
Dylan wrote: Hi, hopefully this thread is posted in the correct section. Im am very new to Tarot and have actually yet to give a reading for anyone. Apart from play around with the cards for myself and read a few books, thats my lot. Im trying hard to learn and take in as much as possible, but im starting to think i need to dip my toes in the water, so to speak. I guess the way to learn is to read for real. Now the downside i see to this is the fact of being quite nervous for the first time. I see you post your readings which seem to flow so well, containing so much information. I know mine would appear quite simple in comparison and would take quite a lot of effort to produce the most basic of reading. Obviously i would want constructive feedback, it just seems there is a very high level readers here to be compared against, i would obviously not give the same sort of quality or probably accuracy. What do you think is the best way to proceed? Try a reading or two? If so would anyone like me to attempt one? What simple spread would you think is advisable to start with? Thanks for any advice given. Dylan Ah Dylan you sound so sweet! When I first started I began reading for my friends. Try it out with someone you feel comfortable with. I would try the simple three card past present and future spread first. I know it's difficult but try not to rely on the book too much. Just take the basic meaning of the card and let your thoughts flow. Don't worry if your interpretation isn't "text book" - just try and let your mind do most of the work. In my experience, the first readings you give are usually amazing accurate - maybe this is the card's way of encouraging us to work with them? Anyway Dylan, I wish you well and I'm sure your reading will be great. Love Sue x

Orion	14 Mar 2005
Hi Dylan: Boy does this ever sound familiar! My first year, I basically only did readings on my self and my sister! And I stuck to just using one deck. As I got better, I expanded my reading skills to friends and friends of friends. My journal was a big help in all of this. Every single reading I have ever done is documented in this journal -- a very plain coil note book! I know it is frustrating at times, but stick with it! Try not to compare yourself to other experienced readers. Take advantage of using AT to post your readings (only if you feel up to it!) here in the forums. The feedback is always good! All the best to you! :)

crazelion	14 Mar 2005
If have friends that is in to tarot. Start a tarot group that have different levels of readers of tarot that learn from each other. I join a local tarot group and has up me lot. I starting learning the cards to help develop my psychic ability. Do 3 cards reading to death. Then readings for self and on friends and family. That get more confidence in self.

MeeWah	14 Mar 2005
Dylan wrote: ...What do you think is the best way to proceed? Try a reading or two? If so would anyone like me to attempt one? What simple spread would you think is advisable to start with? Dylan Dylan: Regarding your questions-- Just *do* it. Yes, do try a reading & for yourself. Yes. & post it in Your Readings with your own immediate reactions. A 3-Card is "simple"; however, let not that fool ye. Its apparent simplicity belies its capabilities of depth. Just enough cards to see interaction between the cards & not too many to cloud the view, may also be read in layers. Or do a a 3-Card New Deck Reading, for which I think the spread originally posted by a member (sorry, do not recall who to give credit): Card 1: What do you want from me? Card 2: What will you teach me? Card 3: What will our relationship be? In addition: one need not be experienced in reading to read.

Free Flight	14 Mar 2005
Dylan, Although we liased via PM I wanted to state publicly that you have nothing to fear. You did a good reading for me, trust in yourself. You do have the ability and skill. Ainsley

Dylan	15 Mar 2005
Thanks for all your replies, kind words and encouragment. Well i have gone public and posted my first reading for people to see :) I was invited to join the Circle Of Stones after posting this thread, so the real readings have begun. (Now how good they are is another story completely :))

Dave's Angel	16 Mar 2005
Hi Dylan, maybe I'm a bit late but here's my two penn'orth... (1) Keep a written record of your readings. Do the reading, make jottings as you go, then write it up. When you have the discipline of writing it, you'll be surprised how easily you can make what felt like a disjointed reading flow. (2) Along the same lines, when you do a reading for someone, don't do it face to face. It puts a lot of pressure on you to keep a patter going. On your own, you're less self-conscious and the words come a bit more freely. (3) Practice at "joined up thinking" - lay out three or four cards, and turn them into a story (not an actual reading). Treat them as if they are frames in a cartoon strip, and try to "tell the story" of what is happening. That should give you practice at blending one card's meaning into another and getting the cards to interact with each other. And let us know how you do! :)

The Reading Advice Needed thread was originally posted on 12 Mar 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.