Ten things your Tarot Reader may not tell you:
1. I don't know whether the reading I will give you will be helpful or not. I sure hope it is, but even when we have a clear understanding what we are asking and I have a clear understanding of the cards, the cards themselves may not be extremely helpful. They may tell you what you already know and the reading can feel like a waste of time.
2. I don't always get psychic information. Tarot readers are not always psychic just as all psychics are not proficient in tarot. I will occasionally get an unexpected nugget of information that comes totally out of left field, such as a time or date or other specific detail that I couldn't have known naturally, but in general I don't rely on these because they are so random.
3. I am not a mind reader. I cannot read your mind, so if you want to know what the cards say about a certain situation, you have to tell me about that situation. If you hold back crucial information because you are testing my powers, you may not get important information you need. This is because the message from the cards is filtered through my own conscious awareness, so if I don't know about it, I'm not going to address it.
4. I want you to ask questions about your reading. I prefer my reading clients to be actively engaged in the reading process. I know sometimes it seems like a straightforward exchange in which you pay for a tarot reading and I deliver it, but a reading isn't like buying a cake at a bakery, it's about you and your life. It is more akin to ordering a fine suit and having it customized and tailored to you. I want your input during the entire process. I love feedback, both positive and negative.
5. You can't do what I do. A tarot reader invests a vast amount of time, money, and energy into study of the cards and into honing their reading abilities and techniques. I am not reciting your reading from a list of card meanings from a reference book. Certainly anyone can do that. I also have a knack for this and I am using my talent and gifts in reading your cards. Everyone can sing, but that doesn't mean everyone should go on American Idol. There's a reason I get paid for what I do. Even if you do read tarot quite skillfully yourself, I lend objectivity as well as my own unique intuitive insight to your reading that you can't give yourself.
6. I hate when people ask for free readings. I am a professional and I am not always on the clock. Also, see #5. I deserve the same respect you would afford any other professional. Sure, if you have friends in various professions, you might ask their experienced opinion on various things, and I don't mind that, but if you wouldn't ask your doctor friend for a free exam, don't ask me for a free reading. If I offer a free reading, that's one thing, but my services aren't usually free.
7. Unless I advertise other services, don't assume I provide them. Some tarot practitioners also have skills and services in other metaphysical arts but not all of us do. Some practice astrology, numerology, reiki, magick spells, etc., but a tarot reader isn't necessarily going to have knowledge of other practices. So if you provide a tarot reader with your astrological or numerological information, she may have no idea what to do with it.
8. I sometimes miss things. The cards tell a story and I will do my best to squeeze every bit of nuance and all information I can for you out of them, but I am human and I might miss something. So when a situation plays out in a way that, in hindsight, the cards clearly pointed to but I neglected to mention, I feel bad. I wish I had seen that coming. Sometimes, the cards don't warn of an event and it happens anyway. That's not my fault. Tarot is far from perfect. It's like weather prediction. Sometimes that thunderstorm moves in out of nowhere. I am not perfect. I can miss things. I make mistakes.
9. I'm not going to snoop on your friends. Don't ask me to read about your neighbors or your cousin or The Other Woman. It's not that I can't read on their situations, I can. But of what benefit is that to you? How would you even know if what I am saying is true? And how does this information help you decide what to do in your own situation? Expect your reading to focus on you, primarily, and to help you take control of your own life by providing confirmation, affirmation, and positive suggestions for change.
10. Don't lean on me, I'm not your crutch. If you start ordering multiple readings from me on too many subjects, I'm going to start refusing to read for you. The purpose of tarot reading is to empower you to both rely on your own intuition and to give you tools for making your own choices. It is a powerful vehicle for clearing out the mental and emotional clutter and its purpose is to lend clarity. Tarot doesn't make your decisions for you. So if you start to feel like you "need" a reading on practically everything, that's not healthy and I will refuse to read for you until a certain amount of time has passed.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
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Great post, Ginny!
ReplyDeleteIt would be an awesome 'disclaimer' in our offices and reading rooms. Have you considered making it into a pdf so we can print one off and laminate? ;)
Another awesome post, Ginny. I would also add this: "Please do not show up unannounced and expect me to drop everything to do a reading on the spot. I have a life and I also need time to prepare for the reading. Believe it or not, a reader must be in the right mindset. A hastily done reading is rarely one done well."
ReplyDeleteThis is really brilliant! Well done! Waving hand wildly in agreement - I want a laminated pdf to put in my reading room, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with your additional statement, Theresa!
I agree Theresa. Unless we are offering "walk-in" readings, such as at a bookstore, faire, party, or coffee shop, we have appointments for a reason.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear other additions to this list!
Excellent! thank you for this piece.
ReplyDeleteHooray for you Ginny!!! What a MAGNIFICENT post!!
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Anna Cook
Such a great post! Thank you so much for sharing these insights. I'm pointing my readers to this post!
ReplyDeleteThis is EXTREMELY well put and totally accurate and true. Thank you so much for posting it! I'll be following you from here on out. :D
ReplyDeleteThis. You've hit the nail amazingly on the head here! I can't agree enough!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, when I feel necessary, I will read for free... however, I see that it is on the reader's free will, lol
ReplyDeleteLove this...... Absolutely hit the nail on the hid with those comments..... a link will be added from my website....... Love it... so perfect.....
ReplyDeleteVesta's Circle...
Great list... especially #6!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun read. :D
Best,
James Ricklef
Hi, i thought this was spot on, i wish some of my clients would absorb that information- brilliant, take care-Samantha xxx
ReplyDeleteI really love this post. Very true... I may include something like this on my website.... or even reblog this if you dont mind. This is vital information that I believe people should read. I would also add something about how time is very important to the reader... you cant show up unannounced and don't show up late and expect us to still do your full reading and put ourselves behind schedule... and don't "forget" to call if something comes up and you cant show up to your reading.
ReplyDeleteThere is a level of respect that we need to instill in our clients... and its a hard thing to do.
Feel free to share and link back here, Shaheen. :) Theresa had mentioned that "walk-in" client thing, too. I think anyone that has an "appointment" business runs into the late and no-show clients and needs to set some clear boundaries about that behavior.
ReplyDeleteGinny, this post was translated into Portuguese by Tarot Portugal and my friends and I have shared with the Brazilian tarot community through our blog: http://www.divinnare.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete=)
Awesome, Pietra, thank you!
ReplyDeleteGood on you! LOVE your rules/guidelines for those seeking a reading.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Absolutely brilliant! It's all so true. :)
ReplyDeleteThis post inspired my new motto which goes something like this: "Don't try to test my Powers; I don't have any."
ReplyDeleteFrancesca
http://thispaganplace.blogspot.com/
LOL Francesca! Love it! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat post I just have to say! You really pointed out a couple things to take a minute to think about. Looking forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteGreat practical wisdom here!!! Thank you! As an artist and a Tarot reader, I have through out the years come up against people undervalue what I do. There is often an assumption, well you do this as a hobby and getting the opportunity to create art work, and have the exposure is remuneration enough. NOT! It is the same with Tarot reading. Unless I choose to do this for someone, which I have in the past given friends my art, and given readings to them as well. I've learned the hard way not to allow myself to be taken advantage of, and to advocate for myself as a professional. Otherwise, you simply end up with a resentment and an eroded self-esteem. Who needs that? Thank you for you post and I am now a follower!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the "exposure as payment" line -- what is THAT? Like they're doing you a favor by "allowing" you to work for free? Pish! And welcome, Catherine. :)
ReplyDeleteI concur Theresa. Except if we are offering "stroll in" readings, for example, at a book shop, faire, gathering, or coffeehouse, we have arrangements which is as it should be.
ReplyDelete