Poll: When reading for others . . .

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Nevada	18 Aug 2004
I've wondered for some time whether there are any differences between readings where the querent shuffles and those where the reader shuffles the cards. So here's a little survey. Please comment no matter what your answer, with any experiences that illustrate your answer. Thanks! Nevada

Rusty Neon	18 Aug 2004
I voted "Other". I don't shuffle the cards. I fan them out and then randomly pick up the required number, one by one, from the fan.

Kath	18 Aug 2004
I let the querent shuffle, unless they are not physically present. I find that my accuracy is the same, regardless of who shuffles.

lark	19 Aug 2004
I always ask "Do you feel comfortable shuffling?" If not then I shuffle for them, but they always cut the cards. Between clients I often shuffle the cards to clear them.

raeanne	19 Aug 2004
Hi all, I usually have the other person shuffle the cards but I read for a few people with physical conditions that make it impossible for them to shuffle the cards. Also, I have from time to time done readings for people over the phone. If I read for someone in person and they are able to shuffle, then I have them do it.

Inana	19 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kath I let the querent shuffle, unless they are not physically present. I find that my accuracy is the same, regardless of who shuffles. Same here. I dont usually read for others anyway.

hilde430	19 Aug 2004
I usually shuffle the cards myself, but let the Q cut them. Hilde

Kiama	19 Aug 2004
I sometimes shuffle, and sometimes let the querent shuffle, depending on how in-to the reading they want to be. (Sometimes they are a little nervous, so I shuffle and let them just cut the pack.) Whatever happens, I try to get them to have some active part in the reading, whether that be through cutting the cards, shuffling them, or choosing them. I have not noticed any change of accuracy depending on these things though. Kiama

littlehermit	19 Aug 2004
I've never done an in-person reading where I shuffled for the querent. But I do lots of online readings where I do my own shuffling while reaching out for the querent. That being said, I find my throws much more understandable, and my readings more accurate, when I shuffle. I've yet to have a good, pertinent reading when the querent shuffles and is awkward with my deck (especially when they unthinkingly work in reversals after I ask them not to). So maybe I should start shuffling for them - that just never really occurred to me as a possibility!

Seed Crystal	20 Aug 2004
I prefer to do shuffling so my cards don't get all bent up, then have them cut. Funny thing, I always say how to do the cut the same simple way, but I have seen AMAZING number of interpretations shown by my querents actions. :-)

Thirteen	20 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Seed Crystal I prefer to do shuffling so my cards don't get all bent up Ah. That's why I always tell my querent HOW to shuffle the deck ;) As I don't do reversals, I kinda have to. I have them shuffle one-handed: i.e., hold cards in one hand, take half with free hand, gently shuffle into holding hand. This keeps the cards all going in one direction, no reversals. I've only let one querent who I knew very well do the split-the-deck-bend-and-ruffle-together kind of shuffles that a poker player might do. I *do* shuffle the deck myself so it's all mixed up and "cleansed" before giving it to the querent. But once it's in the querent's hands, it's theirs. They shuffle till they feel ready, they cut, which is why I voted "Let the querent shuffle" instead of "both of us shuffle." I don't really count my cleansing shuffles. Those are to randomize and set the deck back to "zero" as it were. On-line readings where I shuffle have been fine and accurate--but I have had times where the cards really absorbed the person I was reading for when they shuffled. Like Kiama, I like to have my querents participate. For that matter, I always have the querent sit beside me, not a across, so they can see the cards I lay out as I see them.

Nevada	20 Aug 2004
Thank you, everyone. Great responses so far! To date, the majority who've responded include the querent to some degree in the shuffling process, if they're physically present. Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen For that matter, I always have the querent sit beside me, not a across, so they can see the cards I lay out as I see them. Thirteen, I've often thought it makes more sense to arrange seating this way, so the querent sees what the reader sees. Thank you for mentioning that. Rusty, I was so certain I'd covered all the possibilities, but forgot about fanning the cards. Thank you for adding that to the mix. Raeanne, you point out a concern I had, not just for physical ability, but also for people who simply have never shuffled cards much and might be embarrassed by their own awkwardness. I like the idea of involving the querent somehow, and touching the cards carries meaning for a lot of people. So even if there's concern for the cards, it makes a lot of sense to me to have the querent at least cut them. Thanks again! I'm look forward to further input on this question. Nevada

Flavio	20 Aug 2004
Always ask the querent if already know how to shuffle, if she/he knows I teach them how to do it to avoid reversals, I do this because sometimes querent who do not know how to shuffle are more nervous and focused on how to shuffle than in the question. I voted, "It depends..."

Shalott	21 Aug 2004
I'm not comfortable with others touching my cards, but this has more to do being a germophobe than anything...so I'm lucky that I haven't done an in-person reading in years! When I did, I let them cut but I did the main shuffling part. Shuffling has become so ritualistic for me that I don't think I could part with the main part.

Gyda	21 Aug 2004
I awlays get the querent to shuffle the deck, this way they imprint their orlog and wyrd on the cards, instead of mine, I get clear readings this way. I tell them also how to shuffle, I hae a certain way Ilike them shuffled but don;t worry about reversed cards, I like to used the reversed meanings myself. wyrd (AS) fate. Also the proper name Wyrd (ON Urðr), for the eldest Norn who embodies that-which-is and thus determines that which becomes and shall be (http://www.thetroth.org/resources/ourtroth/wordhoard.html) Orlog—“Ur-law” or “ur-layer”; destiny. See Chapter 8. Poetic Edda—See Fider Edda (above). (Teutonic Religion Kveldulf Gundersson 1993) Gyda

tmgrl2	21 Aug 2004
I ask Q to shuffle, then I always shuffle as well, then I have Q cut and put back together. If they don't want to or seem very hesitant, I do it myself. I also sit to the Q's right and lay out the cards so we can both sit close together and see the spread as I talk. I like it much better than sitting across from the Q. terri

jmd	21 Aug 2004
Though I voted for both the querent and I shuffle (first I shuffle, then the querent), I should add the qualitative 'usually'. When I 'fan' the cards, only I usually shuffle beforehand. At other times I ask the querent to shuffle after I have prior to 'fanning' and asking them to select cards one at a time.

tmgrl2	21 Aug 2004
AH, yes...fanning...I do that too. I love watching the Q look at the deck, hover their hand, and pick. terri

The Poll: When reading for others . . . thread was originally posted on 18 Aug 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.