my public reading premiere

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

january	20 Apr 2002
For the first time, I decided to try my hand at reading for strangers in a coffee house. It was a beautiful, warm night and I sat down with my Spiral deck and Chai Latte. I just sat there shuffling and drew curious attention. This girl came over to me and her question was.... "Should I get my hair highlighted?" Hmmm. She seemed too serious and befuddled that I couldn't possibly smirk or think that she was just "testing" me. I told her that the cards probably won't give her a "yes-no" answer, but lets just see what energies are surrounding her at this time. Well we got 9 of swords, The Emperor and the King of Cups reversed. I immediately saw the King of Cups as a man with an alcohol problem but of course kept my mouth shut. Well, my intuition was right on and I broached the subject very gently. I didn't want to scare her so I merely said, "I think you're not really feeling good about yourself lately. Do you have a boyfriend or husband who makes you feel inferior or doesn't compliment you?" Her jaw dropped and she continued to tell me about her finacee who comes home tipsy a few times a week (spot on!) and he has a bad, bad wandering eye. She also felt that he was having an affair. She was obviously placing the blame on herself and felt she could "fix" it. I said that I really can't prove or disprove infidelity but I can suggest that she take some time to rethink this marriage... if its like this now, and she's not happy, whether about a coif or constitution - she needs to learn to love herself. As an advice card, I shuffled again and drew The Hermit and confirmed that she does need to take some time for reflection and to know herself. She hugged me and offered to buy me another latte. You see, it wasn't about silly highlights at all. It was a mask of poor self esteem fueled by a man who does not appreciate her. And the cards helped to spark a conversation and reveal what was really bothering her. Sometimes we do just need to hear it from someone else so we are inspired to take positive action. Just thought I'd share that with you. If you have any advice for future "stranger" readings, please share! ~ january

fairyhedgehog	21 Apr 2002
I'm really impressed with this. It sounds like a brilliant start to reading in public. All the best, FH

Jenny-Li	21 Apr 2002
This is a lovely story (I just hope it turns out as lovely for this girl you read for....) - hers wasn't the only jaw to drop, I'm so impressed with this...! :D It must have felt really good to have such a great first-timer, to be able to get down to the important stuff even if it was buried deep down in a question about something...er...a bit different! My heart is pounding with excitement right now - these kind of experiences just don't come around very much when you just read for yourself - and I'm so glad you shared!! Love! Light! Jenny :)

Diana	21 Apr 2002
edited

Geenius at Wrok	21 Apr 2002
January, you rule.

Talisman	21 Apr 2002
January, Let me join others in saying that was just a great story. I admire your ability to look below the surface. A treasure. Talisman

Kaz	21 Apr 2002
Well done January, nice reading ;-) and, thanks for sharing this experience, i have never done this in a public place, i have at work, but that's not treally public. kaz

niah	21 Apr 2002
I liked this story. :0)

Original Destiny	21 Apr 2002
WELL DONE,GLAD YOUR FIRST WAS SOOO POSITIVE :TFOOL

cricket	21 Apr 2002
What an inspiration! :) I've been thinking of taking a deck into my fave restaurant next time I get that way (only get to town once a week or so) and now I will. Thanks for sharing!

lunalafey	21 Apr 2002
So beautifully done I must say. Great story and awsome, uplifting experience. Only one flaw, There was not a bunch of skeptics around to witness it and thus making them reconsider their skepticizm.. Maybe next time....

Kiama	22 Apr 2002
Wonderful, January! Wonderful! There's someone better off now, cuz of what you did! Kisses to you! :* :* :* :* I remember my first public reading thing... I was 15, and took a set of Runes, and my Tarot deck, to my school fayre. Me and my friend, who also had a deck, set up our little stand, and made a very poor sign advertising our 'expertise'. We had lots of people come for readings, and we made quite a bit of money (All for the school though!) I remember one man who sat down in front of me, and asked me to do a general reading for him. I dealt the cards, an there were so many Pentacles, plus the King of Pentacles, but also the 2 of Cups reversed ( I used reversals back then) and the 5 of Cups. I looked and though, ah: He works with money and finances, or organising things, but recently there's been a problem with his work life due to a failure or disapointment in love... It turned out exactly like I guessed. He was not only a bank manager, but had organised and provided the funds for the fayre itself, and had recently had a relationship with a work colleague, which had ended really badly. What ensued was a reading as to what he felt, how he could overcome the troubles, etc.... He left the table alot happier, but very surprised. That reading only cost him £1! LOL Kiama

Major Tom	22 Apr 2002
What a great story. :) It must have been a great confidence boost for you. Are you going to make yourself a regular at the coffeehouse? })

Umbrae	22 Apr 2002
January, Wooo Hoooo! That's what it's all about!

Rhiannon	22 Apr 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom Are you going to make yourself a regular at the coffeehouse? Wouldn't that be the greatest job ever???? :D Sitting at Starbucks drinking Frappacinnos all day and reading tarot? My dream job! Of course by the end of the day I'd be shuffling so fast and my hands would be shaking so bad from the caffeine that instead of a reading I'd end up playing 78 card pick up! LOL Wonderful January! Wonderful! ((((hugs)))) Rhiannon :)

New2Tarot	23 Apr 2002
How did you get a man with an alcohol problem out of the King of Cups??

Umbrae	23 Apr 2002
"I immediately saw the King of Cups as a man with an alcohol problem but of course kept my mouth shut. Well, my intuition was right on and I broached the subject very gently." Sometimes readings have little to do with the book meanings of the cards, it that voice that whispers in the back of the skull, some call it intuition, some call it the psychic spirit. It takes time to develop, but like she said, she was "spot on".

MeeWah	23 Apr 2002
January: Bravo on your Tarot debut!!

january	24 Apr 2002
Thanks for the kudos, hugs, kisses and stories, everyone! I feel so good right now after reading your posts (....blushing...) I haven't been back to the cafe yet, as I've been too busy but I plan to give it another try this weekend. It will be a full moon so I hope I'll be a clear channel! BTW New to Tarot: Regarding the King of Cups, Umbrae is right. Sometimes a card just acts as a sort of catalyst for a vision. I've put my books away and try to go with my gut and what the picture is trying to tell me. When I saw the reversed king, I immediately thought of a drunken man fallen down and spilled his cup of booze! Peace! ~ january

Umbrae	24 Apr 2002
You rock gurl!

phirefly	26 Apr 2002
that's -[so]- wonderful!! i've been reading in public for a while now (which started quite by accident at a halloween party a few years back), and have only a handful of such inspiring stories. my brother is just starting public readings (we're tag-teaming at a local restaurant on monday nights!) and gets very down-hearted about a lot of his readings, in which a lot of people seem very insincere with their questions and attitudes. maybe this story will inspire him to trust his instincts and dig deeper. :}

Sam	28 Apr 2002
this story is sooooooooooooooo cool! it really brings out the true power of the tarot!

The my public reading premiere thread was originally posted on 20 Apr 2002 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.