why pay for a reading?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

rosesred	26 Apr 2005
Why go to a professional reader? What to ask him/her to prevent the reader from getting bored ;) ? Quite a lot of you earn money by reading, and quite a lot of you have been to professional readers, and this got me thinking. (Not as rare an occasion as one might think ;) ) In the other thread people were talking about questions that are interesting for readers, and how there are so little of those. Now, I was thinking that I would be hesitant to ask anything ‘deep’ and put my sanity in the hands of somebody I hardly know. To me it makes sense not to ask about extremely personal issues, such as: I am unable to move on after the suicide of my husband. This requires a bond of trust and friendship that you do not have with a (professional aka you are paying!) tarot reader. Then again, this is exactly the kind of issue that is hard to read for both your friends and yourself, so you need the objectivity of somebody outside your own circle. Furthermore, what question helped you most? The questions that were described in the other thread as interesting, such as: give me spiritual guidance? Or the mundane ones: is my lover faithful? What do professional readers ask other professionals? Regards, rosesred

Arnnaria	26 Apr 2005
In a Capitalistic world economy many of us are conditioned into believing that the amount of monetary compensation directly correlates to the quality of service provided... Or, to be blunt, the more you pay, the better a service you will get. I think that payment gives querents different options: First, it gives them security that the reader will be trying her or his hardest for repeat business. Second, it gives querents an avenue to explore the Tarot - using money reserved for "entertainment" to try something spiritual and unique. Finally, it allows for a fetishized and alienated sense of connection with the reader. The querent did activity X to earn that money. Most likely, activity X was a service that someone else needed. In exchange for the service that you will be giving for the querent, the querent will "cash in" the service-value of the money. Or... Person X pays Querent for Service Querent pays Reader for Service So, it's an exchange of services, albeit not directly. This allows for a connection to foster, although (like I said earlier) a highly "fetishized and alienated" one. [sorry if this post is a tad wordy, my sociological brain is spinning...]

cutiecutie	26 Apr 2005
I've been to professional readers a few times... I sometimes feel like they say what they think you want to hear and not what they really think (at least the ones I've been to). People definetly take chances paying when they don't know whether the reader is honest or not, but I think it's worth the risk if it can provide needed guidance.... I also think people tend to go to them when they are desperate and don't know where to get their answers, so as a "last resort". I go usually for more immediate needs such as relationship problems then for any kind of spiritual guidance... But I try not to go for problems and answers which I can solve myself. :)

ncefafn	26 Apr 2005
I once worked for a lawyer who told me, "Never provide legal services for free, because your client will feel embarassed and never come back to you for repeat business." While this particular lawyer was a complete sociopath who deserves to be on one of the lower rungs of hell, I think at heart he was right. If you don't charge, the querent devalues both you and your reading. That said, I've never charged mony for readings, though I have accepted barter. I think the prevailing attitude in most capitalist societies is, "You get what you pay for." Thus, if you didn't have to pay for it, it wasn't worth anything. Of course, this is just my .02, and I'm sure many will come along to tell you how stupid and wrong-headed I am. Kim

rosesred	27 Apr 2005
Quote: the more you pay, the better a service you will get. Quote: If you don't charge, the querent devalues both you and your reading. As an economist, I agree with both theses statements: people do not value things they get without making an effort, and in a 'perfect information' market quality can be determined by price. (I don't think the second is necessarily the case for tarot readers, but that's another question.) However, I know more than enough tarot readers who go to other professional readers to get a reading. Why not go to your friends? or do it yourself? What questions do you ask? PS. Quote: While this particular lawyer was a complete sociopath who deserves to be on one of the lower rungs of hell, I think at heart he was right. :D Which shows us that the universe likes irony: even evil creepes can learn us stuff.

yusia	27 Apr 2005
rosesred wrote: Why not go to your friends? or do it yourself? What questions do you ask? Not everybody is objective to one`s own cards. Sometimes you want an opinion from an independent third party. This Saturday i spent $20 for the professional reading about a choice that tortures me for the past year. Her reading (it was blind, I didn`t ask any questions, just shuffled) confirmed my readings, and I was far more than satisfied. :)

psychic sue	27 Apr 2005
I find it almost impossible to read my own cards, as most people do. It's too hard to be objective. If I want a reading, I post it here, and the wonderful people here will read the cards for me (and of course I reciprocate). Personally speaking, I don't think you can get a better reading than the one you will get from other ATF members - and you very often get more than one perspective - something you don't get by going to a face to face reader. I don't think you need to go outside the circle of people you know for an objective reading - and in any case, there aren't any other tarot readers around where I live (mainly catholic community). Thanks guys you are all great! With regard to personal questions, you would be surprised at how people open up to you. I used to find the same thing when I was a hairdresser - you've just met someone and they are baring their soul to you. It's sometimes easier to tell your problems to someone you don't know. Sue x

Gwynne	27 Apr 2005
Personal questions? I get people's life stories! All their insecurities, issues, breakups, problems.... every issue they've ever had with anyone... I know more about my repeat client's issues than I know about my own sister's issues! We're a cheap form of therapy that is easier to digest. There is still the stereotype that if you go to a shrink you're sick. But Tarot is just entertainment right? Uh huh... That's why I go through two boxes of tissues a week....

mike gorth	27 Apr 2005
Well, if you have money to burn and have one of those 'questions', I'd go to two readers and see what they say and then do one for yourself. The cards and your intuition will help you. As of paying people if you read tarot, some people can't get over thier biases and need outside help. If you have one of those extremely personnal questions and you don't want to ask another reader or yourself, I have nnooo idea. Usually readers don't mind and you shouldn't feel embarrased. Think of them as an uncle or aunt that holds secrets and will let you in on one and you hardly ever see them. I might be talking really strangely but that's my advice. Mike Gorth

satinangel	27 Apr 2005
mike gorth wrote: Think of them as an uncle or aunt that holds secrets and will let you in on one and you hardly ever see them. I might be talking really strangely but that's my advice. Mike Gorth Mike, This is very well put! Thank you for sharing this!

manuel ruiz	27 Apr 2005
well, let me tell you here in mexico we think, that if you have a special talent like reading tarot, you dont have to charge or expect to be paid! i have pay some times to readers, and i have a mix opinion some are very very good but others are charlatans!! i have never charge people for a tarot reading!1 i have been doing it for free for sometime!! beacuse i think i can help them or give them some guidance! but that my humble opinion, i dont have anything against a professional tarot reader that charge!!

Tabby	27 Apr 2005
In my case, when I have paid for an reading it was because I wasn't understanding what the cards were showing me or I was too emotional close to the situation. Then I feel like I have to go to another party and get an objective opinion over what is going on.

Fullmoonsinger	27 Apr 2005
I want to see a pro at work! I have a list of Tarot readers that I plan to get a reading from some day. They are all people that I know a little bit about and admire. MoonSinger

mnemosyne7	27 Apr 2005
About once a year, I'll pay to get a reading from someone I don't know in the area, just to see how someone else reads and hopefully to gain some insight to my blind spots. I do have them, and it usually takes a stranger to point them out. I generally don't go in with burning questions or issues - it's more like a check-up. But I do seem to have a few local psychics/readers who come to me for readings ... go figure. I've heard the most amazing things from some of my clients, and every reading has incredible potential. Almost twenty years, and I don't think I've ever been bored with the questions and stories that turn up over a reading. Yes, the big questions are usually about love, money and career. But every single person that walks in has the most important question(s)/issue(s) because it belongs to him/her. I'm just grateful that they trust me enough with their issues to sit down and chat for a while. And, heck YES, I charge for readings - it's a fair exchange of energy. I do have a circle of friends that I don't charge, but if they offer something in return - lunch, candles they have made, etc. - I have learned to say, "Thank you," and accept their gift. It all comes out in the wash. Mnem

rosesred	28 Apr 2005
I think charging for readings is fine (within reason of course) And I also think paying for readings is fine, since a lot of people probably do not have another way to get a reading. I myself never really considered either. When I want a reading that is more objective then I can give myself, I go to one of my brutally honest friends. They're more likely anyway to tell my in no uncertain terms that I have to get up and do something that a professional reader trying to be polite. I do not believe in giving readings for absolutely free either. you do not need to charge money, but there needs to be a balance. Both you and the sitter need to put in effort. When the sitter is kind of a passive person to read for, and you spend a lot of energy, I think it makes sense that in some way they try to give you back that energy. They'll appreciate your reading more this way, they "earned" it. I really like your answers, there are so many more reasons for paying for a reading then I initially came up with for an answer! I guess most people aren't really in favour or really opposed to paying for a reading.

Danielkirk1	02 May 2005
I agree very much that if you don't charge, you get poor judgement. If they gave away vasachi suits for free, and there was a old dirty suit that someone was selling for $20, people would feel more secure to have something they have paid for(if you look at it with an open mind) but i do think you get poor judgement if you do not at least ask for a fee. Because it feels likes your saying to them "Well this tarot reading is damn acurrate, i deserve somthing for it!". And woulden't it be fun if you could make a living from doing somthing you love :D That's my 2cents.

Gwynne	02 May 2005
Danielkirk1 wrote: I agree very much that if you don't charge, you get poor judgement. If they gave away vasachi suits for free, and there was a old dirty suit that someone was selling for $20, people would feel more secure to have something they have paid for(if you look at it with an open mind) but i do think you get poor judgement if you do not at least ask for a fee. Because it feels likes your saying to them "Well this tarot reading is damn acurrate, i deserve somthing for it!". And woulden't it be fun if you could make a living from doing somthing you love :D That's my 2cents. *shhh* It's supposed to be a secret but.... you actually can make a living from doing something you love.....

mullein	03 May 2005
i dont actually agree with readers charging vast amounts of money ..it doesnt mean they are better..some readers i have worked with just see money and they dont really care about the client..i used to work with a man in a new age shop and he told me to talk less and the customer would then do their own reading..if i let them talk more..this man in question charged £50 a reading i only charged £10 and £5 for unemployed people..within a few weeks he had no customers as i run him out of town..as i genuinely read to the best of my ability..and will even do it for free if someone cant pay..their are readers where i live who keep advertising themselves and a lot of people i have read for have visited them as they think they must be good as they charge so much and are on the radio etc..and when they visit them they get the worst reading of their lives..then they come and moan to me about it ..i have never advertised if you do a good reading they will tell others and you allways get work..i have had the opportunity to do it on tv and radio i am not really interested as its not me..my ego is under control..i havnt put my prices up in 10 years some times even my customers tell me to charge more and some have even given me more than i asked for..and i will still do it for charity when asked..i believe in my case its a gift and should not be exploited and i have noticed that all the readers that charge vast amounts keep advertising..if they were as good as they say then they wouldnt need to advertise as it would be done through their readings and reccomendations..

Satori	03 May 2005
Hi Roses, This is an interesting question Rose. Let me tell you a little story. I have a friend who has been asking me to read for her for years. I would. Well, one day she comes to me for a reading. And I've been posting to AT for a while now and my confidence is high, and I'm a better reader now, yadayadayada. And I break out a deck, and we go at it. I see her a week later and she says, "You know I went to a professional reader after you gave me that reading the other day, and well, your reading was better! She was good, she told me some things, but well, your reading was much more accurate." Then she tells me she paid $60.00 for the reading. Gulp. She has never offered me a dime. She doesn't offer me crystals or earrings or candles or even a crust of bread. So after much thought on the subject, I went professional. Other considerations came into it, but after a great reading with Dadsnook at our local AT Tarot circle I decided to go Professional. Never looked back or regretted it. Who reads for me? Songdeva most of the time, and Gardener and Contrascarpe have read for me, at our meetings. At fairs I will sometimes trade with another reader if I feel the need for a reading. Rose, under your question is what we who have been in sales call a red-flag question. You are asking why pay for a reading right? I hear you saying, "Would you pay me for a reading?" Thinking about going Pro are you? And yes, I would pay you. Top dollar.

Mesara	03 May 2005
I myself am uncomfortable with the exchange of money, but that is just me:). However, if I needed the money as a source of income, then damn straight I would charge for my readings. I see nothing wrong with utilizing your talents and knowledge in a way that generates income. Artists sell their creations, money is thrown into the guitar case of the street musician, ticket revenue pays the salaries of the ballet dancers and the orchestra. What is so different about tarot? So far reading for others has not been an inconvenience for me. Most of the people I read for come to me, or we meet unexpectedly at a party or a friend's house. I often have my cards with me, so I do not mind doing *on the spot* readings. Nearly nothing brings me more pleasure in this world than reading cards, and I am always happy to do it, for free. But if I was using lots of gas money to meet clients, or if my time was being usurped by querents in a way which left me feeling depleted or short-changed, then I would definately consider charging them for my time and my resources. So far this hasn't been the case with me, so Ive gotten away with avoiding *the money issue* to date.

Mesara	03 May 2005
The place I almost offered my services to charged their guests $125. an hour, with half hour minimum. I of course, would only get a percentage of that.. I cringed for the people paying up at that cost. that was my first attempt at making money, and why I think I have grown uncomfortable with the idea of charging for my services. Of course, if I had been allowed to set my own prices, I may have felt differently. That experience just seemed like pure exploitation.. of the clients and the tarot readers who work there.

Satori	03 May 2005
I read at a Psychic Fair this past weekend. One of the readers there was an entertainer. Make no mistake, he was total show. He had a lovely red crushed velvet table cover, and he had a vase of red roses on the table. In his down time he fashioned white paper roses out of napkins to hand out to the ladies. He also did card tricks. He read palms. He was selling little color printed booklets about Tarot and Cartomancy. He had the Hanson-Roberts majors out and three nice little stacks of Karma Cards. When the ladies sat down for their palm readings, he held them by the palm, by the hand, but by the end of the reading he would be cradling the entire forearm in his hands, one hand cupping the elbow. He made it intimate, and frankly, watching him, I was creeped out. But he deserved every dime he made because he worked for it. And the sitters? They all walked away happy and satisfied and seemed entertained. So both parties were happy. The reader and the sitters. Who am I to judge? I offer a high quality product to my clients. They pay me for the product, they trade with me for the product and I love it. I love getting paid for reading Tarot. And I love to read for free too. But I must say, getting paid is very, very rewarding. Who knows, I might be getting paid to write a book on Tarot someday, just special for Umbrae's fires. Stranger things have happened! ;)

Mesara	04 May 2005
Elf- I think your last post was maybe in response to mine? There is nothing wrong with charging what you (the tarot reader) believes your skills and talent to be worth. If you believe your services are worth X amount, and your client agrees your services are worth X amount, then all is good. :) My problem was that I wasn't the one controlling the cost of my own readings. Other readers may be very comfortable working that way, I was not. Im a good reader, but personally Im not worth $125/hour. And I do feel that working in an enviornment like that does exploit the tarot readers to an extent. Like I said, the reader only comes away with a certain percentage, based on *experience*, and yet the client ends up paying the same price regardless of the experience of the reader. I just didn't find that fair. My problem there was more with the establishment, not the readers who work there. I find nothing wrong with *high-priced* readers. Like you said, who am I to judge? If the clients feel they are being taken for a ride, then they obviously won't come back a second time. However, if the clients feel they are getting quality readings worth the price, then both client and reader come out on top I think. :)

rosesred	04 May 2005
Quote: Rose, under your question is what we who have been in sales call a red-flag question. You are asking why pay for a reading right? I hear you saying, "Would you pay me for a reading?" Thinking about going Pro are you? And yes, I would pay you. Top dollar. Awwww, *hugs Elf* Thanks, that means a lot coming from you, dear lady. Actually, when posting this I did not conciously consider going pro, but this weekend I payed for the first time in my life for a reading and that got me thinking. The nice lady told me a lot of things that I've been trying to avoid. These are things I could not see when reading for myself because I did not want to see them. At the same time I knew that I could be at least as accurate for other people as she was for me. Elf's story makes this very clear. The friend needed a second opinion, because in her mind Elf was an amateur and the reading was not 'enough'. Furthermore, she did not even consider the effort that goes in to a reading, leaving our poor Elf rather depleted in more then one sense. I don't think professional reading is for me though. I'd probably yell at people who refuse to get the message :D. Not a good thing.... I love reading for people, but for me it's better when there is no monetary exchange. ;) Back to topic: I don't mind paying or being paid when I know there is integrity on both sides. The reader needs to be for real, and the sitter needs to be seriously interested. As a matter of fact, exchanging money can make things a lot easier: I do not own you an (emotional) debt, and you own me nothing in return. Things tend to get messy when no clear exchange of goods or gratitude is made.

The why pay for a reading? thread was originally posted on 26 Apr 2005 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.