Readings for Others

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Jun 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

amyruby	11 Jun 2004
I'm a beginner, I just got my first deck; The World Spirit Deck. And I was just wondering.. how exactly do you do a reading for others? Is it a necessity that they shuffle and cut the deck into three piles? Do they just think about their question while you lay the cards out in a spread? Also, I've heard that no one else is supposed to touch your deck. Is this true?

Thirteen	12 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by amyruby how exactly do you do a reading for others? I went over these with someone else, but I suppose they're worth repeating: Three simple rules on getting started with readings for others: 1) Start by practicing on yourself. Don't take these readings seriously--they're practice and the cards know it. So if you get the Towers, don't panic. Just consider how you'd read the card given a particular question. 2) Whether reading for yourself or others, start with simple spreads: 3 card first, then 6-7. Avoid the Celtic Cross until you're really ready. I know it's in every rudimentry tarot book, but it shouldn't be. It's a very tough spread. Consider the CC graduate work. 3) Check out two other boards on this forum: a) Spreads b) Your readings These will show you spreads and give you an idea of how people do readings. That's how you get started. After that, you begin to ask friends to be test subjects--or you just go to Reading Exchange here and offer to do readings. Quote: Is it a necessity that they shuffle and cut the deck into three piles? Do they just think about their question while you lay the cards out in a spread? Also, I've heard that no one else is supposed to touch your deck. Is this true? As for these questions, it really depends on you. You can go all out with candles, tablecloths and incense, or bare bones--you, the cards and a flat surface. As for people touching the deck, same thing: If you're not comfortable with people touching your deck, then they don't. You do the shuffling. If you don't mind, they shuffle. If they shuffle, you can have them cut it once with the left hand (traditonal) or create 3 piles, or just fan out the cards and pick them randomly. It's all up to you. As for the question--I think we'd all agree that it's best if they ask it aloud, if they make it specific as possible, and if they concentrate on it while they (or you) are shuffling. It's up to you, but this usually helps with the reading.

The Readings for Others thread was originally posted on 11 Jun 2004 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.