Explaining reading lengths to the general public

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 30 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Teranar	30 Aug 2003
I was doing some readings to some very curious freshmen today. I used my standard circle spread to do a reading that went on for 5 minutes (For some reason I couldn't find much to say, it was pretty straightforeward.) And then for another person I did a three card spread that went on for about 20 minutes. Then one person cut in and asked me why I spent so much time with just three cards when that other spread had 14 cards and was so short. This kinda caught me short, because the way I read, almost entirely on feel, often I tell them everything which can cause a 14 card spread to be over in 5 minutes, usually longer (My record was like an hour I think - I don't actually care) but just how would I explain why a 3 card spread can take longer than a 14? Wow, 2 threads in 3 days and 3 weeks without being called satanic for touching tarot! I'm on a roll!

lunalafey	30 Aug 2003
different peoples issues have different depths. You say the 5 min. 7 card reading was straight forward...reminds me of those readings that spell it all out in the first card ad the rest of the cards that follow just repeat the things expressed in card one. OR compare relationship readings Not much to tell in a happy relationship, a load of stuff comes out of the cards if there are control issues, lack of self-esteem, etc.

Umbrae	30 Aug 2003
This last spring when doing psychic fairs, I noticed that most of the other readers charged by 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour. I charged by a spread. Some folks asked why. I responded that no two readings were the same – some 3 card readings last for an hour. Some 14 card readings last 5 minutes. Many folks went and paid more for a ‘longer’ reading. One woman I noticed would set a timer and keep turning over cards and talking until the timer went off… You don’t necessarily get what you pay for…but you get what you deserve? I have never found an adequate way of describing what I do, for the public. I suppose I could charge by the time units, but if someone wanted an hour reading, and after 5 minutes I’m finished…what then? When I read, it’s my style to be succinct. Perhaps I should charge more because of it…?

oceanpoetry	30 Aug 2003
Umbrae, what about setting one fee for all of your readings, regardless of the spread? Maybe that would encourage the querent to get a reading from you, because it would be simpler choice.

Marion	30 Aug 2003
Yeah, I learned that little fact of life years ago giving inter-shift debriefings. The allocated time (this was back in my unionized employment days) for the shift debrief was 15 minutes. And many staff would talk the entire 15 minutes regardless. My theory was that if not that much had happened on my shift, say it, ask for questions and leave. Once one felow started to repeat himself and I said, "OKay Barry, that's it. Go home". He had the good grace to laugh. So, back to tarot. Sometimes the situation is simple and sometimes it isn't. How do you explain to the querent that, hey, you haven't got any real issues here, get on with it and be happy. There are too many drama queens around as it is, imo. Umbrae, I have always noticed that you deliver what's there.

Thirteen	30 Aug 2003
You have to explain it like this: imagine that you're a doctor. One patient comes in with a cold--straight forward. You examine them, instantly know what's wrong, perscribe cold medicine and rest and out they go. Short visit, quick answer. Then another comes in--they have either several things wrong with them (sprained ankle, chest pains, asthma) or one thing that is complex--(headache, sluggishness, depression)--is it mental? Is it physical? Is it allergies? You wouldn't expect a doctor to take the same amount of time with each patient even though one may be deathly ill and another just a little sick, would you? No more would you expect a psychatrist to spend the same time with all patients (some come in once a week, some three times a week, right?) nor a minister with every member of his flock. So why expect a tarot reader to spend the same amount of time with each subject--or, for that matter, to find more in more cards? A doctor who examines a patient with a cold might go over them very carefully--peer in ears, eyes, throat; check blood pressure, heart, pulse (that's six things they've looked at, right? To CONFIRM one simple thing--the person has a cold). But the doctor might only examine a few ounces of blood from the person in the doldrums; in that one thing--that test tube of blood, the doctor might see a great deal, right. A lot to talk about.

Teranar	30 Aug 2003
Wow, I couldn't imagine charging by the half hour or the hour - or even by the spread! I just say a spread appropriate to their question, and go on about it, and I'd have to start making things up or repeating myself in order to go on for like an hour with a simple straightforeward thing.

The Explaining reading lengths to the general public thread was originally posted on 30 Aug 2003 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.