Reading with a headache?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Elmcarra	04 Mar 2005
Okay maybe this is funny-weird, but if you have a headache and you are trying to do a reading, have you felt difficulty connecting with the cards and possibly get a messy reading? Am I "reading" too much into these little environmental factors? Would anyone like to share? =)

Elmcarra	04 Mar 2005
Well, I decided to do a throw with my headache. I did the three card spread 1. where am I physically? 2. mentally? 3. spiritually? This is greatness: 1. magician reversed: (Mary Greer: ...head injury/affliction...) nice!!!!!!!!!! (2. 6 cups) (3. queen swords) Thats just sick =P enjoy! elm

Annabelle	04 Mar 2005
Elmcarra wrote: Okay maybe this is funny-weird, but if you have a headache and you are trying to do a reading, have you felt difficulty connecting with the cards and possibly get a messy reading? I know exactly what you are talking about. I can't "connect" with the cards at all if I have a headache. I have frequent migraines and simply cannot read tarot when I'm having one. For anyone out there fortunate enough not to get migraines, they not only cause me pain, but also affect my eyesight and my cognitive abilities, and sometimes make me nauseated. Definitely can't focus my attention on anything when I'm feeling like that. On occasions when I've tried to read tarot during a migraine or other headache, I usually end up just drawing the cards and leaving them out until I feel better and can work on interpreting them. Same thing happens when I'm really tired...just can't get anything out of the cards, and have to leave them for the next day when I'm more awake. One thing that's sort of interesting, though--I have done some of what I believe to be my most accurate readings after a glass or two of wine. Somehow the alcohol loosens up my mind a bit, it seems.

tarotbear	04 Mar 2005
Annabelle4 ~ A couple of glasses of wine sounds like a great idea to me! Which wine goes best with your deck? LOL!!! This also will make no sense, but when I do a large reading like a Celtic Cross I usually take my eyeglasses off! It is not because I am 'receiving psychic impressions' or anything that I can actually pinpoint; it probably was an offshoot of doing so many readings in public places under less-than-favorable conditions and maybe I took my glasses off to 'tune out' the environmental stimulation? Sound good? I find I do it almost all the time now. Not so much 'headaches' but there are times when the barometer gets active and those changes in pressures affect my head (yes, I am a mirgaine sufferer although I have not had a fullblown episode for years - knock wood)- and I have done some readings at that time but can't say that it 'affected' my reading ability.

Milamber	04 Mar 2005
Herbal or flavoured teas are my drink of choice when trying to focus through something like that. Notably, wine isn't an option for me -- I cannot drink anything made from grapes. (Ironically, I can eat grapes.) I've only tried such a reading -- and managed it -- once, though. But it wasn't really a headache either. More of a general feeling unwell, or sick -- drained. So I guess I'm not sure. I've actually considered removing my eyeglasses for reading as well. For me, however, I knew immediately that it simply wouldn't work. My vision is far too poor (20:120 and 20:130 I think are the numbers now), and I lose any connection with the cards completely.

Elmcarra	04 Mar 2005
hi tarot bear, Well being the overindulgent capi that I am (DEVIL), I have had to take alcohol out of my diet for numerous safety reasons!!! But also I feel that my own spiritual path requires sobriety in order to grow, learn and be more spiritually fit. Obviously this isnt true for all. I really do miss wine...I feel a little sad that I cant have some while doing a reading. The world is a safer place when elm doesnt drink! =) So thanks Milamber for recommending an herbal tea...I will be sure to stock some this weekend. back to tarot bear...I too, usually due to fatigue, wait until the next day to interpret a spread when Im not up to it. Since Im still new at this, Im working on getting into some sort of schedule for doing readings. I find that doing one every day takes too much out of me, so I may just do a one or three card reading every few days. Do others feel drained after readings? This might just be due to my experience level. Does it get easier I assume? sincerely, elm

tarotbear	05 Mar 2005
I feel drained after doing a lot of readings at one time; rarely for a single, although that has happened. The best thing to do is either wash your hands under running water, or take a shower and visualize the stress, tension, sluggishness, whatever washing off you and flowing down the drain. Sometimes going outside (we are talking in spring or summer here!) and gorunding yourself under a tree, visualizing the same stuff going down into the earth and dissapating harmlessly. If you can't do either of these ( at a party or in public) take your arms and slowly raise them and cross them over your head, drawing them down over your body slowly, visualizing you are 'scraping' the sluggishness off you. Give your hands a good shake and release the stagnant energy.

paradoxx	05 Mar 2005
Elmcarra wrote: Well, I decided to do a throw with my headache. I did the three card spread 1. where am I physically? 2. mentally? 3. spiritually? This is greatness: 1. magician reversed: (Mary Greer: ...head injury/affliction...) nice!!!!!!!!!! (2. 6 cups) (3. queen swords) Thats just sick =P enjoy! elm magician-Mercury was at breakneck speed through pisces for the last 2 weeks and now is in Aries, if these signs are not kind to you, then nauesa and migranes are likely. 6 of cups-do you feel 'stuck' between worlds? Is the duality of your situation getting you down? Are you being decieved? Queen of Swords-This authority is interested in getting to the truth, talk about it some more. Drink plenty of water and eat well, staying in routine works the mind.

Elmcarra	05 Mar 2005
thank you so kindly for your post. How did you come up with that? I dont know since Im a beginner, how to do more than just look in a book to interpret a reading. =) elm

Alpha-Omega	23 Mar 2005
Yes i try not to do readings when i have a headache or sick or when i am not in a good state of mind.

satinangel	24 Mar 2005
As a migraine sufferer myself, I don't know that I would be capable of doing an actualy reading while having a full blown migraine. I do though love tarotbear's idea of a glass of wine before a reading!

The Reading with a headache? thread was originally posted on 04 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.