preparing for a reading

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Nov 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Butterfly	17 Nov 2001
Out of interest, do people have a "ritual" that they follow prior to doing a reading. I always used to do my readings in the one spot in my house. I had particular music and burnt an oil combination prior to shuffling (frankincense, orange and lavender, I think). Now I have a one year old daughter, my only preparation is keeping them out of her reach, and taking them off her when she still manages to grab them! I find it's definitely affected the quality of my relationship with the cards. Do other people have specific preparation routines, and does it help their reading? Love and light

kayne	18 Nov 2001
Hey all, I always use the Cosmic Tribe Tarot for readings so before a reading I shuffle through all the cards, loosening them up and swapping the appropriate "Lovers" card (There are three variations; I only use one in a reading). Then I close my eyes and shuffle the cards, concentrating only on shuffling and clear my mind. When satisfied I get the Querent to shuffle the cards and ask them to concentrate on a question. Lately I have been fanning out the cards, telling the Querent the position of the card (eg. Question, Past Influence etc.) as they randomly choose one, rather than cutting the deck, and place the cards in position. That has been working really well and the readings are always very 'true'. I look forward to reading others personal rituals :) K.

cj	18 Nov 2001
Hi all, Thanks to some of the posts I have read here I have started using rituals. They are not elaborate. before a reading, I do a quick grounding and then a short prayer asking God to send Gardian Angels to protect (from the north to the east, to the south, to the west and back to the north. from above an below(I visualize myself in a white robe with a sword in my hand pointing to the directions} and guide me and the person I am reading for. Then I or the person I am reading for shuffle while thinking of a question or clearing their mid for a general reading. When they or I stop I read the top cards or cut them and read from the bottom half, which ever feels right. cj

tarotbear	19 Nov 2001
Before a reading, velcro (R) your kid to the wall or ceiling. Works like a charm!

cj	19 Nov 2001
Quote: tarotbear (20 Nov, 2001 08:14): Before a reading, velcro (R) your kid to the wall or ceiling. Works like a charm! If only I could....LOL PS don't forget to duck tape their mouths...screeching children and Tarot don't mix. PS THIS IS A JOKE. I love my little girls with all my heart.. cj

EveAnna	19 Nov 2001
I used to go into so much preparation for a reading, using the same table in the same room, lighting incense or a candle - but just recently I've been doing readings wherever lol - outside or on the living room floor, and usually on the ledge in front of the pc, sometimes when I come into the forums :) I've just done a reading - it seems to be working ok, still getting good readings.

catlin	20 Nov 2001
Before starting a reading, I make sure that all cards are upright. When I do readings for clients, I use my Celtic knot cloth, burn incence and take much care in the shuffeling. When I do readings for myself I am content with feeling grounded and focused on the question I have in mind.

MeeWah	20 Nov 2001
Whether I am reading for myself or someone else, the first thing I do before a reading is to announce to my family I am doing a reading. This alerts whoever is here to answer the phone or the door because I will not. I only use an elaborate ritual to raise power on special occasions when I incorporate a reading. Otherwise, it is a simpler preparation. I prefer to wash my face & hands before I lay out the items I will use: one candle or more, the spread cloth, several decks (so I have a choice handy), paper & pencil on my kitchen table. A short prayer & meditation follows before commencing the reading. Often the prayer & meditation do not happen because I go right into a "reading mode", but I like to give myself the opportunity to do so. Sometimes in warm weather I read outdoors on a lounge chair. For my own readings, I occasionally do them in bed. I light a candle on my nightstand & do the throw on my bedspread. I've done readings on the spur of the moment on whatever surface is handy--the floor, the ironing board, a chair. Also at other people's homes, in the car (as a passenger).

mr.cleo	22 Nov 2001
My ritual is before I do any readings I close my eyes and pray for protection. Then I ask my inner guide to help me and guide me with whatever the querent wants. I then ask the querent to tap the deck. I begin shuffling the deck several times, I do it at least three times. While I shuffle, I constantly repeat the querent's question in my head. Then when I feel comfortable with the shuffling I ask the querent to tap the deck again. Then I cut the cards and lay them out. So far I've been pretty accurate. The tapping really isn't necessary in my opinion but I feel that it lets the querent feel a connection with the deck.

Kassia	23 Nov 2001
My preparation is mostly mental - a matter of feeling grounded and focused, relaxed, and concentrating on the question (and layout I have in mind) as I shuffle. I don't have a set number of times I shuffle or cut, I just do it whilst focusing and start when it feels "right." I do like to use incense and create more of a ritual at times, but I also like to be able to read in any kinds of surroundings and worry that if I get too used to an elaborate set-up, it'll be harder for me to do readings more spontaneously.

Kalin	23 Nov 2001
Over the past year I've developed a ritual of sorts. First I loosely shuffle the full deck from front to back nine times. Then I cut the deck and shuffle another nine times (my birthday--including birth year, and the letters of my full name all break down to the number nine, so the nine has meaning for me). All the while I am shuffling I envision a square. At each corner of the square I visualize loved ones who have passed. I don't specifically ask for their help but this is my way of calling on their energies to help with the reading if possible. Two shuffles of the deck per corner of the square. On the ninth shuffle I visualize either myself or myself with elements corresponding to the question at the center of the square (for example, could be myself and images of a happy life--garden, writing, books, etc.). I always have a specific layout in mind BEFORE I start shuffling. When I finish shuffling/visualizing, I deal the layout from the top of the deck. Sometimes during a reading I'll look to see what card is at the bottom of the deck. If I do this, I consider it a possible inner motivation for the reading. Kalin

Kimon	24 Nov 2001
Hello, there are two completely different situations for readings: Personally and via email. When I do a reading personally with someone there, I am more nervous, so I have since the very beginning a candle holder and a little water pot, both never used anywhere else as for readings. This comes from candomble, where you have a white candle and a water to atract and then to keep all negative energies. The client gets the candle to do whatever he likes with it after the reading; the water I pour away with a lot of other running water to get it far away. :-) I fill in the water before the reading, what gives me the opportunity to get concentrated alone, because for that I am in the kitchen or the bathroom (all very spiritual places, arent they?). Anyway, I have done readings for people without all that. Like the ones via email, where I dont prepare anything, just my own mind to get clear and empty. Greetings, Kimon

Kiama	25 Nov 2001
I always carry a deck around with me, wherever I go. I have read for people underneath a tree at Oxford University, on a beach, in a college common room with loud music blaring, ina computer room, on various friends' beds, floors, lawns... But my preparation is the same. I find I cannot effectivel read if I am somewhere else. So, I have to take a moment to sit and ground myself into the here and now, and the person I am reading for. The last thing I need is my own worried and niggles jumping in on me and hijacking a querent's reading! When I shuffle the cards, I will usually tell them (In my head) who I am reading for. I will then thank the Gods for giving me the gift to be able to do this, and ask them for help to keep my mind open to the reading... When I am in the comfort of my own home, I prefer soft, relaxing music, and some incense to create the mood and make me feel more comfortable. Unforetunately, I am very rarely in the comfort of my own home! So, no incense or soft music, just purely mental and spiritual preparation. I usually sit for a second and centre myself, and surround myself and the querent with light... Then, I talk to the querent, and off the reading goes! When I am done, I will thank the querent, pack the cards away, whilst asking them if there is anything else they would like to know. If no, then I will shuffle the cards, and give thanks once more. Kiama

The preparing for a reading thread was originally posted on 17 Nov 2001 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.