Wrapping Up Your Readings?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Nevada	03 Nov 2003
Do many of you use a wrap-up interpretation at the end of a reading? I'm thinking of an overall statement or conclusion, not from one outcome card, but derived from all the cards in the reading, a concluding summary that draws all the cards together into an overall meaning for that reading? I try to do this for my readings for myself and husband, and I would think it would be extremely helpful when reading for others, especially others not very knowledgeable about Tarot. I'd love to hear (read) others' views on this. Nevada

bunnyhop	03 Nov 2003
i do try to wrap the entire reading into one sentence. i think it gives the querent something to keep in mind, so they don't obsess over details. :)

Umbrae	03 Nov 2003
Always always always...First I do the reading. They and only then do they speak, ask questions, go over each card (and the spaces between the cards)...then I wrap the whole thing up for them.

TemperanceAngel	03 Nov 2003
Like Umbrae, I do the reading, people can speak/ask questions but it is preferable that they do it at the end before the wrap up. After we have chatted/questions/etc. I go through key points/words for my client to remember, making sure that this is a positive, energy-filled and healing outcome. Even if the reading has been about a difficult topic and probably even more so, then I really fill my client with beautiful energy and outcomes! It's great when you have someone like your husband to practice on, do you write the readings in a journal? It's a great way to gain enlightenment even if it's 6mths - 6 years (whatever the time) later. XTAX

Star Spirit	03 Nov 2003
I do wrap up the readings like that when I am finished, yes. And if I feel they were important/successful/interesting, I write them down in my readings book, complete with the spread, card positions, cards, and notes. Sort of like a record.

Teranar	04 Nov 2003
I also like to wrap the reading up by summing it up, and then let them ask questions, but then they seem to have a thing with is that it? Don't you use more cards?! (I just spent 20 minutes reading you for free, I used 13 cards, what else you want?!) Any thoughts on preventing this sometimes rude sounding question? It just seems to irk me a little. Has to say "I'm not Mr. Cleo!" too much, -Teranar

PurpleSal	04 Nov 2003
I always summarise - especially when we've covered a lot of ground - or if I want to point up something like "be careful of this" or "be aware of that". It brings it to a good close... I usually do a celtic cross spread and then end up putting lots of cards down to go "deeper" so people, especialy people who haven't had their cards read before, often forget what means what. I also make sure and ask if they have any questions. Sal x

bunnyhop	04 Nov 2003
lol, i feel your pain Teranar! i get the same ? all the time after i'm finished reading. even if i've done a large spread and explained every card (i always do that) they want more (for free). this is what i've come up with to combat: at the end of a reading i ask them to repeat everything i just said "to make sure they understand" all the points of the reading. of course they don't remember, but next time around they pay attention when i'm explaining. i tell them beforehand that the spread i will do for them is X amount of cards, and if i pull anymore cards after the fact their heads will explode (literally) from the information overload (do this with the most serious look on your face). of course i read for a lot of people who are on the defensive and these querents do (eventually) realize that i'm just messing with them :D, and they need not tell me how to do my job (no one likes that). then we laugh about it. ETA: sorry i kinda hijacked the thread here :)

Star Spirit	04 Nov 2003
Quote: i tell them beforehand that the spread i will do for them is X amount of cards, and if i pull anymore cards after the fact their heads will explode (literally) from the information overload (do this with the most serious look on your face). Haha...I've never read for anyone in person yet, but I'll keep that in mind.

TemperanceAngel	04 Nov 2003
Really?? People ask you to pull more cards?? How cheeky! We are cheaper than psychologists, as someone else stated (good point). One of the places I work at is an amazing shop, with a time limit for readings. I love it, it's not up to me when the reading finishes, the client has paid for a certain amount of time not cards. People generally always want more, especially if you are working psychically. But I wouldn't change my profession for the world! XTAX

Majecot	04 Nov 2003
I always do a wrap up as well. Most people it like to have a reading summarized I find. TemperanceAngel- I agree that is kin of cheeky to ask for more cards. Especially when it is a paid service.

gloria	05 Nov 2003
This idea came to me after reading the thread about soul-cards. I did a reading yesterday and decided, for the first time, to wrap it up by using the querent’s personal year number. The associated trump card would give an over-view of the querent's life for that year. It was amazing, the card in particular yesterday, confirmed messages in the reading. In fact it reinforced the reading if you like, and and at the same time gave the querent that little bit extra. Gloria.

lark	05 Nov 2003
After doing a summery of the reading I ask them to pick a rock. I paint inspirational words and designs on little polished rocks about the size of a rune stone. Some people close their eyes and pick, some people root around in the bowl picking just the right rock to match their feelings. Then we talk for a minute about what that word means to them or how it has just the right word on it to describe the reading they just had (this happens alot.) It puts a nice finishing touch to the reading and they feel they're getting that little "something extra." Many people have come back to tell me they carry that little stone in their pocket or keep it on there night stand. It's a source of inspiration and a reminder of their reading. One lady keeps hers on the kitchen sink and looks at it when she does the dishes. Well, that's how I close a reading it's a little different but it sure works for me. Namaste

Nevada	05 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Always always always...First I do the reading. They and only then do they speak, ask questions, go over each card (and the spaces between the cards)...then I wrap the whole thing up for them. I will definitely keep this in mind. Thanks, Umbrae. Quote: Originally posted by lark After doing a summery of the reading I ask them to pick a rock. I paint inspirational words and designs on little polished rocks about the size of a rune stone. Lark, that is a lovely thought, that people carry away a tangible reminder of your reading for them. I really appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts on this. Thank you all! :) Nevada

Teranar	05 Nov 2003
Hmmm... considering how high people jump when I pull the death card, I could tell them that and they'd believe me! }) muahahahahaha.... Up to no good, Teranar

Star Spirit	06 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by lark After doing a summery of the reading I ask them to pick a rock. I paint inspirational words and designs on little polished rocks about the size of a rune stone. Some people close their eyes and pick, some people root around in the bowl picking just the right rock to match their feelings. Then we talk for a minute about what that word means to them or how it has just the right word on it to describe the reading they just had (this happens alot.) It puts a nice finishing touch to the reading and they feel they're getting that little "something extra." Many people have come back to tell me they carry that little stone in their pocket or keep it on there night stand. It's a source of inspiration and a reminder of their reading. One lady keeps hers on the kitchen sink and looks at it when she does the dishes. Well, that's how I close a reading it's a little different but it sure works for me. Namaste That's very interesting. Where did you get these little rocks? (Not that I'm going to steal your idea, I just think it's nice and I'm curious :))

lark	06 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star That's very interesting. Where did you get these little rocks? (Not that I'm going to steal your idea, I just think it's nice and I'm curious :)) In the U.S. we have the ever wonderful Dollar Store and that's where I get them. They're the kind of stones people put in water gardens or in the base of a fountain. You can usually buy them at gardening stores too. And Dead Star you can steal my idea if you want, I'd be flattered if you did. :)

Majecot	06 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by lark Many people have come back to tell me they carry that little stone in their pocket or keep it on there night stand. It's a source of inspiration and a reminder of their reading. it sure works for Namaste Namaste That is a beautiful idea, far better than writing it on a piece of paper. I myself keep a rose quartz in my pocket or my purse, kind of like a worry stone.

lark	06 Nov 2003
Thank you for the kind words. Namaste is not my name it is an indian word taught to me by my son's girlfriend. She is of indian decent. It means "I respect the spirit within you." And I sign most of my posts that way out of respect for all of you and respect for your opinions. Even if they're different from mine. I notice Tauni uses this word too. Maybe she'll tell us what it means to her. Namaste

knowledge	06 Nov 2003
what do you write on them? any thing speciel?

lark	06 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by knowledge what do you write on them? any thing speciel? Yes, I pick words that offer a feeling of inspiration. hope wish create plant dream joy play seek love truth trust inspire faith peace calm These are some of the words I've used. Nameste

Dexter	08 Nov 2003
I also close with the persons year card. It does sum up the reading and close the session quite satifactorily for myself and the querrant. I have also at times not always it depends on how a reading has gone given the person a crystal to take with them. One person I gave a samll cat's eye crystal to as she was starting a new job and would be doing a long commute each day. Another a rose quartz as from her reading it was apparent that she needed to draw some of it's energy towards her. Like I said sometimes not always. And Lark I do really ike your idea about the stones. Please excuse the spelling, I just read my post and realized the spelling mistakes. My typing is just not up to speed lately.

Jen	09 Nov 2003
How do you calculate a persons year card? That sounds like a great way to wrap-up Lark, I love your idea. I've never read professionally, but I think about it often. I thought of doing something similar with the Angels of Light cards by Diana Cooper. Having a bag of them and letting the querent pick one to take home with them. These cards have a lot of writing on them, though and I think your idea of a single word would be much easier for the querent to digest, especially after a reading. Thanks for sharing.

Jen	09 Nov 2003
P.S My interpertation of Namaste is: "I greet the God in you, that is in me, that is in everyone."

Chronata	11 Nov 2003
oh Lark! You too? I love giving away something at the end of a reading! I have painted small stones...sometimes the flat shiny marbles, and sometimes the polished river rocks. Although I have sold stones with the sayings similar to Lark's, I have never given them away! Something new to do! thanks for the idea! : ) The stones I give away, are either small semi precious gemstone(and I give the querant several meanings behind the stone.) or I give away symbol stones with different images that correspond to the planetary influenes. It's like a talisman, as well as it's own seperate little reading! Many years ago, I actually made little sculptural talismans with beads and clay, that I gave to those who still didn't feel better about things after the reading. And I originally did this because, like Teranar, some people just wanted more cards and more questions! If I am doing a tarot party for a specific number of people, I like to make up little packets of stones, with the meanings of the particular stone included, an inspirational saying on a small card(I used to use little angel message cards, now I just write my own!) and on the back of the card I include my name and number...sort of like a buisness card! (it works well !) Then I add some angel or star confetti and wrap the whole bundle in gold tissue paper with ribbon! As far as summing up a reading. Yes, I try to do that as well. I try to focus on the main points or the overall feeling, and like Purplesal, I also give any warnings or things that might need to be looked into more closely.

lark	11 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Chronata If I am doing a tarot party for a specific number of people, I like to make up little packets of stones, with the meanings of the particular stone included, an inspirational saying on a small card(I used to use little angel message cards, now I just write my own!) and on the back of the card I include my name and number...sort of like a buisness card! (it works well !) Then I add some angel or star confetti and wrap the whole bundle in gold tissue paper with ribbon! Chronata, that is such a creative idea and sure to get you remembered. It shows that extra care that makes people want to come back for another reading. For customers that want the reading to go on and on giving them something else to think about, like picking their little stone is a graceful way to ease them out of the reading. Jen, I think your interpretation of Namaste is beautiful. I also noticed that US Games is selling a new product called Blessing Cards in a Bowl. 200 cards with one word affirmations on them. Their idea is to stick them in cards, gifts or letters, Or leave the bowl out in your house and give a card to a visitor. But I think they would be nice to give at readings. I realise not everyone can paint. So that's just another idea. Namaste

Dexter	11 Nov 2003
[quote]Originally posted by Jen [b]How do you calculate a persons year card? That sounds like a great way to wrap-up Hi Jen; I calculate a persons year card by adding the day plus the month of their birth plus the current year number together and then bring them down to a number represented by one of the cards from the Major Arcana. Example: My birthday is the 11th of October. So my year number for 2003 is 11 + 10 + 2 + 3 = 26 = 2 + 6 = 8. My year card for 2003 is Strength. I will use the number 22 to represent The Fool since it can be zero or 22.

Jen	11 Nov 2003
Ah, thank you Dexter. So let me see my year number is ..... 7 The Chariot. Yes, I think that would be a nice wrap up, but knowing my luck it would instigate new questions from the querent. :)

The Wrapping Up Your Readings? thread was originally posted on 03 Nov 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.