Chiriku
Yes, we want querents to have a question in mind (even if some of us don't want them to tell it to us). We know that having a querent who is mentally focused on what they want out of the reading will often lead to a more satisfactory--and useful--reading experience for the querent.
Yet most querents who come up to us at public events or venues do not have a clear question in mind, even if there are notable events or concerns in their life. If you want to read for "the public," you have to be prepared for their lack of mental preparedness.
Many of you have spreads you like to use when querents (or you yourself) have no question of the tarot but want a reading. Just in time for all those Halloween parties at which you'll be reading, here's my contribution to the genre:
This is a customizable spread. The two optional sets of cards are Card #1 and Cards #6-7-8. You can remove these without compromising the integrity of the remaining cards; they are remove-able to allow for shorter readings at quick-moving venues, or, alternately, if you do not like to do predictive spreads and thus have no use for cards #6-7-8.
You can also leave in just one predictive card (#6) to shorten the reading but retain the predictive element.
...........................................................1.............................................................
...........................................................2............................................................
...........................................................3.............................................................
.................................................4...................5...................................................
...................................................6.........7.......8..................................................
............................................................9............................................................
NOTE: You will turn over cards #1 and #2 one-by-one, but for the rest of the positions, you will turn over all the cards at once to get a bird's eye view of the spread/the forces, elements, suits, etc. at work in the reading.
1- You Have Come Here From -- OPTIONAL
This is the recent "place" (mental) of the querent, the recent setting for their life, their situation, their mindset.
Turn over this card first and as you do, say, "You have come here from a place of ________" (filling in the blank based on the card that's drawn and how you read it. e.g. 10 of Cups, "from a place of emotional stability and contentment.")
2- The Cards Draw Your Attention To
This is the focus for the reading, generated by the cards. The cards usually bring to the fore whatever issues are important in the querent's life; this position just crystallizes the tarot's ability to do so.
* If you draw a Minor in this spot, you can lean towards interpreting the card as a specific situation or current state of being in the Q's life: e.g. for 4 of Cups-- "The cards are drawing your attention to a situation about which you feel or will feel some ambivalence and apathy" OR "The cards are pointing out feelings of apathy and restlessness you have experienced or will experience."
*If you draw a Trump in this spot, you can lean towards interpreting the card as a greater lesson or challenge in the Q's life. e.g. for The Emperor-- "The cards indicate that the major lesson or challenge for you at this point in your life is dealing with authority, whether others' over you or your own potential to exert it over others and your own life."
3- You Are Affected By
This is the environmental/external influences card. People, events, etc. that swirl around the querent vis-a-vis the focus card in position #2.
4- You Should Stop
This is what the Querent should stop doing or not doing at this time in their life.
5- You Should Start
This is what the Querent should begin doing (or not doing) this at this time in their life.
6, 7, 8- Prepare Yourself For --OPTIONAL
Three cards, read in concert per your own preference, to provide insight into potential events or forces that might unfold in the querent's near future.
You can choose to read this as the tarot framework of 3-4 months or so that is often endorsed by contemporary tarot readers. Or, if you are especially into predictions and timing and feel adept at them, you can go further into the future.
You can also apply any particular timing system that you use to determine the timing of the predicted events.
9- A Gift for You
This is a message of encouragement or strength (whether related to the above cards or just a general message), direct from the cards to the querent.
.
Yet most querents who come up to us at public events or venues do not have a clear question in mind, even if there are notable events or concerns in their life. If you want to read for "the public," you have to be prepared for their lack of mental preparedness.
Many of you have spreads you like to use when querents (or you yourself) have no question of the tarot but want a reading. Just in time for all those Halloween parties at which you'll be reading, here's my contribution to the genre:
The Customizable No-Question Spread
by Chiriku
by Chiriku
This is a customizable spread. The two optional sets of cards are Card #1 and Cards #6-7-8. You can remove these without compromising the integrity of the remaining cards; they are remove-able to allow for shorter readings at quick-moving venues, or, alternately, if you do not like to do predictive spreads and thus have no use for cards #6-7-8.
You can also leave in just one predictive card (#6) to shorten the reading but retain the predictive element.
...........................................................1.............................................................
...........................................................2............................................................
...........................................................3.............................................................
.................................................4...................5...................................................
...................................................6.........7.......8..................................................
............................................................9............................................................
NOTE: You will turn over cards #1 and #2 one-by-one, but for the rest of the positions, you will turn over all the cards at once to get a bird's eye view of the spread/the forces, elements, suits, etc. at work in the reading.
1- You Have Come Here From -- OPTIONAL
This is the recent "place" (mental) of the querent, the recent setting for their life, their situation, their mindset.
Turn over this card first and as you do, say, "You have come here from a place of ________" (filling in the blank based on the card that's drawn and how you read it. e.g. 10 of Cups, "from a place of emotional stability and contentment.")
2- The Cards Draw Your Attention To
This is the focus for the reading, generated by the cards. The cards usually bring to the fore whatever issues are important in the querent's life; this position just crystallizes the tarot's ability to do so.
* If you draw a Minor in this spot, you can lean towards interpreting the card as a specific situation or current state of being in the Q's life: e.g. for 4 of Cups-- "The cards are drawing your attention to a situation about which you feel or will feel some ambivalence and apathy" OR "The cards are pointing out feelings of apathy and restlessness you have experienced or will experience."
*If you draw a Trump in this spot, you can lean towards interpreting the card as a greater lesson or challenge in the Q's life. e.g. for The Emperor-- "The cards indicate that the major lesson or challenge for you at this point in your life is dealing with authority, whether others' over you or your own potential to exert it over others and your own life."
3- You Are Affected By
This is the environmental/external influences card. People, events, etc. that swirl around the querent vis-a-vis the focus card in position #2.
4- You Should Stop
This is what the Querent should stop doing or not doing at this time in their life.
5- You Should Start
This is what the Querent should begin doing (or not doing) this at this time in their life.
6, 7, 8- Prepare Yourself For --OPTIONAL
Three cards, read in concert per your own preference, to provide insight into potential events or forces that might unfold in the querent's near future.
You can choose to read this as the tarot framework of 3-4 months or so that is often endorsed by contemporary tarot readers. Or, if you are especially into predictions and timing and feel adept at them, you can go further into the future.
You can also apply any particular timing system that you use to determine the timing of the predicted events.
9- A Gift for You
This is a message of encouragement or strength (whether related to the above cards or just a general message), direct from the cards to the querent.
.