who picks the cards ?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

hilde430	19 Aug 2004
This is a question I've had for quite some time already. When you do a reading for others, who picks the cards ? the querent or you, the reader ? I always let the Q pick the cards, but I heard here and there that it is the reader who picks the cards ? I have a reading scheduled for tonight, so would like to know what you all think. Thanks, Hilde

Eco74	19 Aug 2004
Personally I prefer to both shuffle and pick the cards myself leaving the querent to cut the deck. But then I take cards simply from the top for the layouts. If I wanted to do a "card from anywhere in the pile" type reading I'd spread the cards and ask the querent to pick the cards for the layout. Also if there would be a call for an extra card from "somewhere in the deck" I would most likely let the querent pick the card, unless s/he seemed too off balance and unresponsive to the cards, in which case I would pick the card myself while focusing on the querent.

hilde430	19 Aug 2004
Thanks ! Just discovered a thread which gives all the possible links on all the possible questions about reading. It's great and I'm sure I'll find more info there. Hilde

Umbrae	25 Sep 2004
Here's a thought (it's what I do most of the time)...allow the sitter to draw the 5 cards (for a 5 position horseshoe)). Keep them face down. Then I draw 5 and place them on top. Many folks know that I use two cards in each position. They are read ‘together’ (sorta kinda really not-really). One occludes the other showing more dominance; or conscious aspects – the occluded showing more unconscious or background aspects. So when I turn them over – the card I drew will be the occluded card. The card they drew is the dominant card. And for folks you like clarification cards – well hey – you’re already there! :smoker:

floracove	25 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Here's a thought (it's what I do most of the time)...allow the sitter to draw the 5 cards (for a 5 position horseshoe)). Keep them face down. Then I draw 5 and place them on top. Many folks know that I use two cards in each position. They are read ‘together’ (sorta kinda really not-really). One occludes the other showing more dominance; or conscious aspects – the occluded showing more unconscious or background aspects. So when I turn them over – the card I drew will be the occluded card. The card they drew is the dominant card. And for folks you like clarification cards – well hey – you’re already there! :smoker: ooooh Umbrae, That's a cool idea. Never thought of that myself, but I bet it makes for interesting reading. I'm gonna give that a try! ~ I have an aunt, she's a bit of a zany aquarius, sometimes she does a sloppy shuffle, and just let's them fly out as they will. Other time's i've seen her take and lay them in a pile and then just move them all over the place in a rushed hurried circular movement, then pick a card here & there' She's really cool to watch. And she's really pretty good. She didn't go that far in school, and she faked out her reading teacher, so other than basic's she really doesn't read words that well. So she truely goes by the pictures and the story they tell to her.

Alissa	25 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by floracove She didn't go that far in school, and she faked out her reading teacher, so other than basic's she really doesn't read words that well. So she truely goes by the pictures and the story they tell to her. Reminds me of reading with my Drogi deck. I can't read a word on any of the cards, but that doesn't stop me from using it.... ;) I wanna learn your aunt's shuffling technique. That sounds like fun. Like putting random chaos theory to work....

Alta	25 Sep 2004
umbrae, now that is very cool, I'll try that. I saw it in your reading but didn't truly understand what you meant. I usually prefer to handle my own cards, but if querents really want to shuffle and cut I let them. Don't make a huge issue out of it, just don't offer, but let them if they ask or just take the cards.

ros	25 Sep 2004
My clients usually pick the cards. Other times I have them put the deck in three piles and ask which pile they would like. I turn over the bottom of the pile for the first card and then I read from the top of the pile for the rest of the reading.

mingbop	27 Sep 2004
i pick them--or someone does through me. think about the online readers, they do it alone and get good readings...everybody has their own way really. Try everything & see what fits !

The who picks the cards ? thread was originally posted on 19 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.