When Good Readers Go Bad

Years ago, I had the best reading in my life from a man who was not a professional reader. Although I initially doubted him (never underestimate a triple Scorpio!), it turned out he had amazing abilities that blew me away. But he never directed his talent into a career as he had other aspirations. I have since lost touch with him but always wonder what “might have been” if he continued on this path.

I am sometimes surprised by the people who should be doing tarot but aren’t – but more shocked by the ones who do this as a living and probably shouldn’t. Who am I to judge you may ask? (I even ask myself that!) Well, sometimes I am here, undoing the damage that some of these readers do to people. And I have been witness to many readers who seem to do worse damage to themselves.

Here are some of the pitfalls that many readers need to watch out for:

  1. Ego. As the old saying goes, “pride goeth before a fall”. It is
     easy to fall into the trap of thinking you are “powerful” when you
     get some accurate results from your readings. It is even easier to
     begin to think you “know it all”. This is NOT a good place to be
     in because this type of thinking blinds you. I have seen some well
     intentioned readers become so enamored of their own abilities that
     they begin losing sight of the real purpose of a reading – it is
     to EMPOWER the client, never about your authority. If you find
     yourself feeling smug, it is time for an attitude check. Readers
     who become egomaniacs often lose their abilities.

  2. Burnout. Doing reading after reading, working all hours of the
     day, 7 days a week, available to everyone’s beck and call won’t
     make you a popular reader. It will make you sick and tired.
     Working in this manner does not serve your clients – it makes you
     a slave to them. Eventually, resentment sets in and then you are
     no good for anyone. Set boundaries. Do other things in addition to
     tarot. Most importantly, make time for YOU. When you take care of
     yourself first, you are always a more grounded conduit.

  3. Stereotyping. Some readers really get into the whole “show” aspect
     – which is similar to ego. However, this takes it a step further
     as the reader will go with every awful stereotype – crazy “witchy”
     costumes, turbans and affectations ala Gloria Swanson in “Sunset
     Boulevard”. Although this is harmless, no one will take you
     seriously and this runs the risk of making tarot a joke. If you
     are doing a Ren-fair, go for it – but if you want to be seen as a
     professional, drop the act. (If you are a full on goth though and
     love the fashion aspect, then rock on!)

  4. Negative Nancys. There are some readers who thrive on telling
     people bad stuff. In fact, they seem to only focus on negative.
     Why? It can feel powerful to make someone frightened is my only
     guess. This does not help a client. I have found that these types
     of readers tend to live negative lives themselves and have a
     crummy attitude. Which leads to the next and most important issue:

  5. Projecting. If your life is not in order, it is easy to put your
     own crappy spin on other people’s readings. The first thing every
     reader should do is fix their OWN lives. If you are not living a
     life that is healthy, positive and balanced, you have no business
     doing this work. You are a living example and should be a beacon
     of integrity, love and divine spirit! Manifest the best for you
     and you will be in a position to help your clients to create lives
     that are full of abundance and joy!

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

©The Tarot Lady | Theresa Reed