Do we have the Power?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

closrapexa	06 Sep 2004
In previous post, I've often advocated stopping a reading for a querent who refused to open up or get anything from a reading. However, is this always the way to go? Cannot Tarot transcend even those people who are unwilling or unable to let themselves go with the flow of a Tarot reading? In essence, how do we know that we are right? Only by what the querent tells us? I did a reading for some one and I saw that she was letting herself be held back too much by what others expected of her. She denied this fervently, however, I had the distinct feeling that there was more going on than what she let on. But, I didn't push, and let it go and moved on to other areas. One thing bothered me, though. She told me that the reading wasn't a very good one, and that I should work harder. This then goes to the essence of the question; I knew that the reading was a good one, but how far can I go on this inherent knowledge. Or is this a pride thing? It doesn't seem so. I'm not vain, about my knowledge, how can anyone be? Once again, my post is a barage of confusion, hope you got the gist of it. And BTW, glad to be back after an absence of several months.

Cerulean	06 Sep 2004
closrapexa writes: However, I had the distinct feeling that there was more going on than what she let on. But, I didn't push, and let it go and moved on to other areas. One thing bothered me, though. She told me that the reading wasn't a very good one, and that I should work harder. This then goes to the essence of the question; I knew that the reading was a good one, but how far can I go on this inherent knowledge. Or is this a pride thing? It doesn't seem so. I'm not vain, about my knowledge, how can anyone be? Cerulean replies: I think the answer for her is that she wanted you to say something different. So for her, the reading was not good, because she wanted something different and she was only giving you the feedback that she was capable of giving right then. A simple example--maybe she was young, was hoping for a fairytale reading or something to giggle about--if you saw the two of cups and the lovers and she was a young, single woman, would her reaction have been, "Yes, that is a good reading, that is exactly what I want to hear?" Her reaction seems to suggest that she was telling you that she wanted something different from the reading and she was also reflecting the type of feedback that she got in her own life. She might have already known that she lived in a space that fulfilling others expectations was expected. For example, there might be a young woman who has to go through school training and limited job options to start -- her idea of a good reading might be she was going to get more money, meet the significant other that would give her more options, or find others like her to help share her world or interests. If your reading suggested anything else than her hopes, she would say, "That is not a good reading." In the same way, if her life was restricted by others who would not give her positive feedback unless she did what they wanted--they would be judgmental and tell her "that is not a good outcome" or "that is not a good behavior." So she is reflecting that training. If she did not behave in the way they liked, they might say," You should work harder." So perhaps her feedback to you was exactly what she was given, a reflection of her world. This is easy for me to suggest, but may not agree with what you observed? These are just my ideas--I don't know if they help you feel better about the experience that bothered you. Take care and welcome back! Cerulean

HudsonGray	06 Sep 2004
I agree with Cerulean, if the lady says to 'work harder' but gives no feedback to help you, it's going to be hard to get anything going that will make her happy. The other lady is at fault for putting up the brick wall & expecting her life story to be laid out in front of her. The cards don't always work that way, we need feedback & at least an open mind & honesty from the querant to give our best. Don't let it bother you overmuch. She wasn't working WITH you, her actions would make it hard for anyone to please her.

The Do we have the Power? thread was originally posted on 06 Sep 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.