Lets just keep in mind that this thread is from 2008, and the poster is long gone.
Very entertaining.
I'm considering going to check out a "professional" reader down the road from my job. ...I've complied a list of questions that I expect answered before I make an appointment with this person...
Do I sound like the Spanish Inquisition here? Think I'll offend?
It would depend on whether the questions were being asked in an offensive "Spanish Inquisition" manner... and - I would answer the questions with a view to finding out where the seeker was coming from, with such a list of questions. Lol.
Unless I got a "dodgy" vibe off the seeker and my instincts told me that I should do a HOLMES - and say
"So sorry - I just can't connect with you today - you'll have to seek your fortune elsewhere..."
or something along those lines.
The questions:
- How did you come into this profession?:
I was depressed and had dropped out of University, and didn't know what to do with myself - one afternoon I walked into my 1st occult bookstore and saw this wonderful assortment of beautiful cards. I wished to know more about them immediately. They cheered me up. That was 20 years ago. (And - I went back to University after that.).
- Why do you read for other people?:
I like to help if I can. I love the human interaction over beautiful pictures and usually learn
interesting things about humanity.
- Do you believe that you can solve other peoples problems via "spell work"?:
No. That generally only works if they believe it themselves.
- What type of deck will you use and or will I have the option to choose my own deck?:
Depends on my mood that day. Mostly - I use the deck that I'm in the mood
for (and therefore am in-tune with). Very occasionally, the sitter gets a choice.
- Are you comfortable with the fact that I do read for myself and I am aware of the "book meaning" behind each card?:
Why not?
- How do you think that the tarot works?:
Uncertain. I think the cards are a framework for the unconscious mind to be
expressed and examined. I also think that a combination of my affinity for the images
and connection - perhaps on a bioenergetic level - with the sitter, results in me
being open to receive helpful messages/ideas to be shared. Perhaps a higher power has a hand?
Perhaps it is an interaction of our higher selves.
- Do you use reversals?:
Sometimes.
- Do you allow any particular religious beliefs to influence your readings?:
Well that's tricky - how does one divorce themselves in their interactions, from what they truly
believe about how life works? I do my best not to project my "religion" if you like - onto my sitter,
and am aware of, and open to the possibilities of a variety of beliefs.
But I think reading the cards without looking through my particular "religious" filter - is quite
impossible.
- Do you believe that the cards themselves hold any kind of "power"?:
Only if I believe that they do. The power is in me.
- Have you studied psychology (Such as Jung) and do you apply that to your interpretations of the cards?:
Nope.
- Do you believe yourself to be psychic? If so, explain to me how that will come into play during my reading:
I am psychic on-and-off, but I don't describe myself as "a psychic". I believe we all have psychic ability.
And so during your reading - I may present ideas, insights, and relevant information to you which comes
to me like a "memory" or "vision" that I see. This may have nothing to do with the cards I'm looking at the time.
- Are you comfortable with my active participation during the reading?:
Define active participation.
- Are you put on the defensive by sitters who have a prior understanding of the tarot?:
No. It's usually a more interesting reading if they do because of their "informed" participation.
- What type of spread will you be using for my reading if any are used at all and why?:
Whichever one I feel is most appropriate.