Hi All,
So today was my first day and I had nerves!! but thanks to all those who sent light!! It really helped
I had sorted out a list of the things I was going to take earlier in the week, and during the morning I packed my basket and checked over everything.
I took with me:
Tarot: RWS, Gilded: Ciro Marchetti, Oswald Worth TdM: Oswald Wirth, Native American Tarot: Magda Weck & J. A. Gonzalez, Egyptian Tarot: Comte Saint-Germain, Thoth: Aleister Crowley
Oracle:
The Oracle of Magdalene: Toni Carmine-Salerno, Ask your Guides: Sonia Choquette, Healing with the Angels: Doreen Virtue, Dreamcards: Strephon Kaplan-Williams, Sabian Symbols - Lynda Hill.
Other: Pendulum and Numerology Forms.
Also along for the journey:
Rosie the pink Quartz crystal, My purple silk reading cloth, Tablecloth clips, Business Cards, Blank Tarot Cards - for querant questions, Diary, Phone,Note pads / pens, Info Brochures (prices, resource and referal), Coupons and Change
These all fit in my basket.
I arrived a bit early and set up. I had the choice of which table i wanted to read from and weather I wanted to sit inside or outside. I chose outside, its a little more private and I can be seen easily. The setting is a courtyard with a covered roof where I sit, but with an opening so as the sun comes through. There are tree in planter boxes and little gardens.
The table isnt very large, but the chairs are very comfortable.
I unpacked my basket and laid out my reading cloth. Put my Tarot Box and Crystal on the table, put up my coloured sign on the wall next to me, I pulled out my pens and paper, pulled up another chair. I tidied the table so it looked nice and inviting, and I ordered a coffee, sat down and waited. Then I white lighted the courtyard and my space - my surroundings.
The gig isnt for a very long time about 4-5 hours in the afternoon - but long enough to start with. I havent worked for a little while with people face to face and I havent read publicly for a long time.
While I was waiting I started writing down questions I thought people might ask - and then I wrote my answers. Things like 'what is Tarot', 'What does it do?' LOL!! This kept me busy for over an hour. During this time I was aware of the people who were strolling through the courtyard often looking up and smiling then going back to my writing.
I also practised my numerology calculating skills and I brought out 2 decks shuffled and them and drew some cards for how it would go.
Card 1: Death. LOL!! - OK its not going to be busy - business is a bit dead, but its a new start and the first day, and thats OK too
Then I remebered something else -
Story: The owner has told me (just prior) that the last reader had passed away
(Yes I was a bit shocked) Hmm OK, what was I thinking before I pulled this spread beside the question -I was thinking of the Lady who used to read there.
So I pulled another card: High Priestess!! - Silently - she is still around! Im in good hands and Ive got help on another level
So I wrote her a letter, as things were still quiet. I thanked her for the path she had made - (not the concrete one - the Tarot one
) and asked for her help during the time I would work there. I finished up the letter and sat for a while just looking at the scenery, occassionally shuffling a deck and sipping my coffee.
The waitress asked if I was staying for long, I said I'd give it another hour! Within 5 minutes she had borrowed some money from the owner - asked for half an hour off - and was sitting opposite me. She handed me some money and asked - Would you do a reading for me?
Well the reading was wonderful - it just flowed. I started to shake a bit - I do that sometimes - my jaw freezes up - but I know its going to be a good reading. I just took a breath and relaxed - I read for 45 minutes and she didnt want a coffee, but she did have a couple of cigarettes - she was nervous, but she was leaning over the cards eagerly as I explained them to her during the reading.
To start:
She had not had a reading before - so I talked her through what we were going to do together. I explained the different types of Tarot and Oracle cards and she chose the deck she wanted - (she asked for me to use 'my favourite') - and when I got them out she said 'thats them! I like those'! (RWS) We explored what type of question and how to fame it. The question was written on a card with some other words, and then it was placed under the reading cloth. After some explaination - from the deck she then chose a signifier.
I used a Celtic Cross spread. During the reading, she asked many questions as the first card out explained what was happening all at once. I overlayed all these cards with another layer (just what I do) and then read and explained the next layer and intergrated them into the first layers reading.
We were running out of time - as I thought might happen - but I finished the reading asking her would she like anything clarified. She was very happy she said no - so I just said 'OK Ill summerize'
As put the cards back into the deck a pair at a time, and in the order of her story (no necessarily the order of the card layout), I gave each one a defination using a statement. This summarized the reading points. I removed her 'question' card from under the cloth - I shuffled my deck as she was saying she had to get back to work and off she skipped!! I shuffled again to clear the cards and my reading - cut the deck and folded them (ritualistically) into their cloth and put them back in their box. Reading complete.
I wont always explain each reading evey post - maybe makes points aabout things I discover on this journey, but I know there were those who wanted to know how it went today so I must say the first reading was a pleasure!
The ice is broken!
Some things to bring for next weeks list:
Warmer shoes/socks - my feet were very cold being outside.
Tissues - for me and for the client. Didint need them but I forgot I didnt have any. Dont want to splutter all over their reading or have a runny nose. Forgot that some people may get upset. (I will leave them in my basket though)
Little Receipt book: Record takings easily - not all people will want one but better to have the book there and write them out. (keep in basket)
Oh, and I recieved a sms from my sorta bf who said the most wonderful things and wished me luck.
So my day was very pleasant in the end. I packed up my basket - which only took a minute to do, close up my reading space with white light, put the salt & pepper shakers, menu and ashtray back on the table I was using, paid for my coffee, said goodbye to the owner and the waitress and then skipped off myself!!
Looking forward to next week!!
Many Blessings
Elven x
Yuko