Reading for others, do you prefer to know the question they are asking?

[Grizabella]

Well, it's not that a general reading annoys me at all, because I realize there are times and circumstances where people do want just a general overview and really don't have a question. I don't get annoyed about it. I just like the ones with a question and a little background info better because I feel like I can give a more effective and helpful reading that way.

[BeyondtheVeil]

Originally Posted by MountainGirl

If I read for others (rarely) I definitely prefer a specific question. Context is everything, and general readings for me tend to come out just that - general and fitting almost everything and everyone.

Blessings,
MountainGirl

I agree with MountainGirl I have found that doing 'general' readings give "general" answers. I don't mind giving "general" readings on career, love life, etc. I just don't want to be so frustrated when they say they want a 'general reading" but really have something specific they want to know. I think just ask what you want to know and save everyone some time. lol


Just my two cents.
BeyondtheVeil

[Disa]

Well, I don't mind doing general readings, because my assumption- and maybe I should not be assuming- is that they just want to know what the cards have to say to them about what's going on right now. So, I would take the cue from the cards to see what seemed to be most pertinent at the time.


As for people who do have a question, yes I would like to know the question, because I don't want to be going off on a tangent about a financial situation if they really want to know about a romantic one. If they have a question regarding how to deal with a situation with a specific person, it would help to know if the person is a romantic interest, a child, or a parent, but other than that, I want as few details as possible. I have a person who when she asks a question, she gives me three or more paragraphs in an email and expects me to pull out of all that what the question is- I always send it back and ask her what specifically she wants to know-all the while wishing I had never read those paragraphs.

[Annabelle]

My preferred scenario is to know, in general, the area of their life that is concerning them most -- relationships? home life? kids? work? money? health? etc.

But I'd rather NOT know their specific question ahead of time.

Given an all or nothing choice (knowing nothing about why they came to me for a reading vs. knowing their question), I'd rather know nothing at all.

[closrapexa]

One thing I hate is when people "test" me and the cards in such a way that they almost act as if it were a sleight of hand magic trick. I usually give people a general reading that does, I'll admit, give general answers, but only if people don't have a specific question. In those cases, a bird's eye view is useful in identifying trouble areas, which can then be dealt with in smaller readings. I've had people surprised that I even asked them their question, since they supposed my magic cards would tell me. Sometime the cards do, and sometimes they don't, but I have noticed the tendency not to tell the question from people who were there not to get anything out of the reading, but to try to do a Mythbusters on me.

The only way a question affects my reading is that I will try my best to give whoever asked the answer to the best of my abilities. For me a reading is a cooperative endeavour even if a querent says nothing throughout it, so I find no reason they shouldn't help me help them (up to a point, of course. I don't ask for their life stories, that's not what it's about).

[momentarylight]

Originally Posted by rainbowsmile

I have read only for a few close friends and my mother. Nobody cared to share their questions with me untill the reading was finished. Then I was able to refine the meanings. It seemed not knowing the question, I was flustered. With so many possibilities as to the outcome of any card in any position, I really didn't know which direction to go in. Although, I read for my friend over the phone and it was a general reading and the most accuarate I have given. Does anyone else have a problem reading without knowing what question to answer?

I prefer to have a question but have done general readings. Can't really see the point in general readings, except for practice, but I'm a quite pragmatic person.

I think that readings are much more likely to be worthwhile if the energy is focused on a specific issue.

By the way, you have every right in the world to say you read only for specific questions

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by tarotbear

I tell them to shuffle with a question in mind, but i never ask what the question is; I feel by knowing what they want an answer to they are telling me what kind of answer they are looking for. After I do the reading I ask if it had anything to do with their question.

This is exactly how i have been doing it as well , and i have had very good feedback yet, when i have had a querant that has prefered to tell me the question the results have not been so good, i strongly felt i couldnt connect with the reading most of the time .