but what I do is this:
1 - I look my oracle pieces over and get an idea in my head of what they mean (well, most of the time I do, though sometimes a meaning doesn't emerge until I try to read with that piece).
2 - I have the sitter select a number of pieces (or I do so with my eyes closed for long distance readings), anywhere from a dozen to about 20, depending on the complexity of the question and how much time we have.
3 - I toss them onto the casting cloth and study the toss.
4 - I study the pattern of the cast and sooner or later, a "picture" usually emerges, like it will remind me of a kite, or a house, or as in Satori's reading, the image of a tree came to mind before I even cast the reading.
5 - I begin to focus on the little pieces and what they might mean to the sitter .
6 - I open my mouth and the oracle speaks or I begin to type for online readings...can't tell you how it works from there, but I do try to stay open for the first thoughts that come to mind (often an intuitive hit).