I started my career as a tarot professional when I was quite young.  At that time, there were no other readers in my area from the same age group.  Most of the established readers were middle aged or nearing retirement.  I didn’t think much of it but now that I am “mature” (for lack of a better word), I started to look around at the professional reader demographic.  And guess what?  Not much has changed.  Most of the readers I know are lumped into the same age bracket as me – or are much older.  Some of these people didn’t even start going pro until they were well into middle age.

I started to wonder why the tarot profession wasn’t attracting more younger people.  After all, this career has incredible possibilities to touch lives and make a respectable living.  Plus it’s cool as hell!

In the spirit of trying to reach out to the younger community, I offered a contest a few months ago.  And the response?  Very little interest.  That shocked me.  Was there really no one with the “calling” to do this?  Is the tarot industry going to shrink as the current population inches towards retirement age?  I decided it was time to seek out the younger readers that are trying to work in this industry and get some answers.

I went on a mission to interview a few readers that I felt had genuine talent, presence and promise.  It was interesting to get their perspective and I found myself walking away with a better understanding of why there seems to be little interest in this field amongst the younger ilk – and I was also reminded of some of my own attitudes and issues when I was that age.

I will be bringing you each of their stories over the next 4 days.

Blessings!

Theresa

Let me introduce you to our distinguished panel:

Angelo Nasios - Angelo is a talented tarot reader who is currently writing a book.  You can learn more about him at his site: http://www.angelonasios.com.  He also does some really great tarot-centric  videos that you can catch on his YouTube channel.

Jessica Bowman – Jessica is a blogger and a tarot reader.  She has great insights and I love her fresh perspective on tarot, healing and all things mystical.  You can check out her blog at: http://constantine319.wordpress.com/

Courtney Weber – Co-Creator of the stunning “Tarot of the Boroughs” (this deck features MOBY! Hell yeah!) and a respected reader, Courtney is down to earth and real – plus she’s making tarot COOL again.  Check out her blog: http://agirlcalledwoo.blogspot.com/ as well as her deck: http://www.tarotoftheboroughs.com/

Elliot Czaplewski – Elliot has been working as a tarot professional for almost half of his life.  He is also a talented musician, currently in grad school.  But he still makes time for his tarot fans, of which there are plenty. Contact him at: elliotoracle@gmail.com

I started my own tarot journey at the tender age of 16.  Ten years later, I went pro and have been working full time at this gig ever since.  For me, this is a calling that unfolded without a lot of forethought.  In fact, I never envisioned that I’d be working as a tarot reader.  I thought I’d be doing something else (artist, muse for a rock star, chef, gun moll, etc.).  But here I am, decades later and still at it.

How I wish I would have had guidance along the way.  I had to learn (the hard way) how to run a business and deal with some of the rather “unique” situations that come up in this profession.  It’s been interesting to say the least.

I have noticed that there seems to be a lack of younger people diving into this career.  Perhaps I am simply not seeing them – or maybe they are like I was back in the day: uncertain and feeling insecure about their skills (both with tarot and business).  I’d like nothing more than to see a bunch of fresh tarot faces hitting the scene and making tarot their full time job.

To help that vision come to life, I am offering a contest.  If you are between the ages of 18 – 28, I’d like you to post your reply to these questions in the comment section below:

1. What is your vision of tarot in the future?
2. How do you see yourself in it?
3. What are the obstacles that a younger tarot reader may face?

After careful consideration, I will personally choose a winner.  They will receive:

1. A copy of my manual, “How To Create A Sustainable Tarot Business”.
2. Four private mentoring sessions with me where we can begin to get your tarot world rocking.  This will be your chance to get answers, learn about the business and get started on the right path.  This valuable service would cost $1000.00 if you purchased each session separately.

If you are serious about becoming a tarot reader but think you are too young or inexperienced, you do not want to miss this opportunity!  Get the training and mentoring you need so that you can build your career without the hassles, mistakes and pitfalls that so many of us old school readers had to endure. The deadline is Sunday December 19th at midnight.  Winner will be notified on Christmas morning.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

image from the 1911 Pictoral Key to the Tarot

I consider myself to be a very straightforward woman.  I’m the type that won’t mince words and will tell you if your breath smells like cat litter.  It’s just how I roll.  And I happen to like books that have an honest and no b.s. tone as well.  You’ll find that here in Tarot Dynamics, which I found offers a very straight up approach to tarot reading.

This book is different than the rest in that it combines numerology and Tarot in a way that simplifies yet adds depth to the meanings of the cards.  While that may sound like a contradiction, trust me, the author Anna Burroughs Cook manages to lay a foundation that is solid yet open for interpretation.

The author chooses simple keywords for each card, based on the numbers and the suit, or in the case of the Major Arcana, one word to symbolize that particular card (ex: Hanged Man = Tranquility).  This breaks the tarot down to manageable bites – which is incredibly helpful especially for those who are just beginning to explore the cards. She then adds depth by giving different interpretations for the cards based on whether the reading is negative, positive, reversed, or romantically focused.  She also adds information for what the card could mean if it was surrounded by less reassuring cards.  This gives the reader a lot to work with.

There is a picture of each card from the Universal Tarot but this book is not limited to any one deck.  With Burroughs’ method, you’ll get a solid grip on the tarot that can be used with whichever deck you prefer to work with.

In the final chapters the author covers timing, which I consider one of the most difficult aspects of tarot reading. She once again offers a simplified method (based on astrology) that anyone can use – even if you do not have a background in astrology.   Burroughs then includes a few tarot spreads using her methods as well as sample readings which clearly paint a vivid picture of her techniques in action.  (I only wish she would have had visual images to go along with the samples as I am lazy – but after laying out the cards myself, it brought the impact of her formula to life!)

The thing I enjoyed the most about this book was her section on do’s and don’ts and FAQs.  This part was full of practical advice, written in a manner that felt like my “tarot mom” was giving me the straight talk I needed so that I could avoid the pitfalls and problems that many tarot readers struggle with.  I nodded my head often in agreement and enjoyed her down to earth approach to these issues.

If you are new to tarot or just looking for a new perspective, you cannot go wrong with this book.  I give it Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

Learn more about the author Anna Burroughs Cook at her website: http://tarotdynamics.com/

Most people call a tarot reader to get a glimpse of the future.  Yet the husky voiced woman on the other end of the line insisted that she wanted me to “tell her details about her past”.  Puzzled by this odd request, I asked her why she would want such a thing. It didn’t make sense to me. She then said that she wanted me to do this so I could “prove” my abilities to her.  Sigh.  I informed her that I am running a business and am not a trained poodle who does parlor tricks on command.  I don’t roll like that.  And in truth, her attitude did not create an ideal atmosphere for a tarot reading as it brought out a defensive mindset for me.  Once my brain is in that mode, I have zero interest in connecting with the client.

In order to foster the best tarot reading, both client and reader must have an open mind seeking answers.  The reading will be obscured or complicated when one or the other approaches the reading with a hidden agenda.

For example, a tarot reader must be aware of their own prejudices, which can color a reading and create a situation where the reader “projects” their own fears or experience onto the client’s situation.  Years ago, I met a reader who was very bitter about her love life.  She gave me a reading that reflected this mindset and insisted that I had troubles in my relationship due to my husband’s dishonesty.  (For the record, I live with a goody goody Dudley Do-Right who could not lie if he wanted to and we have a blissful 20 year union with no issues to speak of.)  It was obvious to me that she was projecting her own life issues into my reading.  If I were vulnerable, imagine the damage that this reading could have done.

On the other side of the coin, when a client wants to “test” the reader (like the caller I described above) this skeptical attitude makes their question bifurcated and dishonest and puts the tarot reader in a hostile environment.  The reading is no longer a request to the universe – it’s an aggressive push toward a preconceived notion that a tarot reader is crooked. This makes the experience a onerous chore. Pulling teeth to get answers from a closed off aggressive mindset is neither pleasant nor productive.

Both client and reader need to be open to receive questions and answers.  A reading must be approached with honesty. Neither party should engage in a reading with agendas or preconceived notions.  If both the reader and the client approach a reading with an open mind and a sincere question for the universe, then whatever answer comes is more likely to be useful and whatever it is, that’s the job for the client to interpret how it applies to their own life.

Blessings!

Theresa

How do you deal with clients that come with an attitude?  Has there ever been a time where your own attitudes got in the way of you being able to do a reading?  I’d love to hear your experiences!  Post ‘em in the comment section below!

image courtesy of taoxproductions

If you are in my life for any extended period, sooner or later you’ll discover a little secret: my routines are not dictated by me. In fact, my life often marches to the beat of a furry pulse. Or like I prefer to say: “it is ruled by two cats with iron paws”. They are both quite expressive and efficient at letting me know what they want or need at any given moment. I’ve learned to tune in and follow their lead.

My current buddies: TaoZen and Monkey

Many other pet owners can attest to the same connection. Our four legged friends link to our hearts and find ways to communicate with us as effortlessly as we do with fellow humans. (And in some cases, better!)

The tarot can be an effective tool for ferreting out more information about our animal companions and often my clients will come in specifically to ask about them. Questions can range from “will we get a dog” to health concerns or messages from deceased pets. I find that using the tarot in this manner can help the pet owner to make better decisions or to find peace in any situation.

Let me demonstrate a few different examples so that you can see how your tarot reading could shed light on any animal related question.

Sometimes a family may be considering getting a pet for the household. For a simple yes or no, I look for cards that may suggest a “green light” such as the Ace of Cups. This would be a good sign that the time is right for welcoming a pet into the family. If they are needing more details about what kind of pet, I’ll look for the animals present in the cards – such as the dog at the heels of the Fool or the black cat sitting by the Queen of Wands. This may give a clue as to what kind would be best for the family. Court cards can also give an idea of personalities (Page of Swords for example could be a highly intelligent puppy) so the prospective pet owner can be aware of what type of temperament they may encounter. Knowing what you are getting into could prevent issues due to personality conflicts. These creative examples are a great way to help the querent make informed decisions for the best results.

If a client wants to know about a pet’s needs, I read for the pet in the same way I would read for a human. I feel that animals have feelings and needs just like us so I see little difference when I read the cards. Here’s a sample so you can see how this works. I asked tarot “what does my cat, TaoZen, need the most right now?”

The card I pulled was the King of Pentacles. This serious card reflects TaoZen’s stoic and noble personality quite well. I have often considered him to be rather mature and dignified in his mannerisms. TaoZen also likes to be in command of his fiefdom, much like a king. This card suggests to me that he wants to feel “in control” and needs to be treated with a lot of respect. The King of Pentacles is quite well dressed and seems to be living lavishly – an indicator that TaoZen likes the good life so perhaps I need to keep those treats coming and continue to give him praise, comfort and high quality items. Apparently, my cat is a yuppie. Hmmmm……

This same rule of reading tarot as if you are reading for a human can be applied to deceased pets. I believe that spirits can communicate with us. So why not the spirit of a beloved pet? Why should this be limited to humans?

To show you how well this can work, I pulled a card to ask tarot if my dear Sparkle had any messages for me from the other side. The card I picked was the 2 of Cups. This is a beautiful image of two people bringing their cups together as if in a toast. The caduceus symbol sits between them with a winged lion figure above. This card speaks of love and healing. To me, this is a sure sign that Sparkle is sending his love and letting me know that we are still connected in spirit. I always like to say that if there was ever a true soul mate in my life, it was that cat. He understood me like no other and was my fiercest protector. He didn’t like to share me with anyone and we had a bond unlike any I have ever had with any other pet. He’s been gone for 2 years and I still think of him all the time. This was the perfect card to symbolize our relationship.

I hope these creative examples can give you an idea of how you can also use tarot to find out more about your four legged or winged pals. Look beyond the package that we come in and you may see that these animal companions are no different than us. We share the same ability to love, to feel and to understand.

‘It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being.’  ~Henry David Thoreau

Blessings!
Theresa

I’d love to hear your insights about using tarot to read for animals. Please post your stories in the comments section below!

PS If you’d like to see an example of a reading I did about a horse’s health, please check out this link for more.

My beloved Sparkle

I dedicate this post to my late animal companion and best bud, Sparkle.  Still miss ya, Botz.

During my typical day as a tarot reader, I get a wide variety of questions tossed at me by my clients.  It runs the gamut from typical romantic issues to more complex situations such as connecting with a departed loved one.  I never know what to expect and have always allowed my clients to feel as if they can bring any question to the table.

In some cases a client may ask something that pushes outside my comfort zone. This is not odd as you think as most tarot readers have guidelines about what is an acceptable question to ask and boundaries vary greatly from reader to reader. (For example, some tarot readers do not answer any questions about health while others have no issue with this.)  Each reader finds their own “code of ethics” that suits their needs and the needs of their clients.

I often find myself contemplating about what makes a question “acceptable” or “unethical”.  Are there some questions a reader should refuse to answer?  And if you are not comfortable with a question, is there a way to still help the client find direction? Can we safely have a universal “code of ethics” or should that be left up to the reader?

1. Most tarot readers are NOT lawyers, doctors, stock brokers or licensed therapists.  We should never take the place of these professionals. That being said, we can answer general questions about these fields but it is still in the best interests of the reader and the client to refer them to a professional.  Doing otherwise puts the reader and the client in a possibly risky and legally compromising position.  I am careful about how I answer these types of questions and I always keep a list of professionals for referrals. An example: rather than give legal advice, I might look and see if the outcome of a case is favorable to a client.  That is still helpful for them but I am not assuming the role of a lawyer.
2. Some tarot readers will not answer a question about a third party as they see this as “spying”.  I feel differently about this as giving a client insight into another person may pave the way for communication, compassion and understanding.  I encourage follow up questions such as “how can I help” which can empower the client to make better decisions regarding their relationships.  If you are not comfortable answering questions about others, let the client know and see if you can rephrase the question in a manner that still gives the client helpful information.
3. Criminal activity is a dicey topic and giving advice here could put you in hot water should you be called to testify against a client.  In some situations, you might even be seen as party to a crime (ex: giving information on “how” to get away with an offense).    Yes, do not be surprised – criminals DO come to tarot readers seeking advice!  Typical questions may include  “am I being watched” and “who can I trust”.  But some may ask heavier questions and you may find yourself nervously turning over those cards, wondering if you are putting someone’s life at risk. This is where I have learned to draw the line.  In my opinion, if a person is seeking my services only to become a better criminal rather than a better person, then I need to disconnect.
4. If you are uncomfortable with any question, it is best to be honest with your client.  See if you can rephrase questions in a way that still helps them get information while maintaining your boundaries.  And do not ever shame your client by saying something such as “that is against my code of ethics”. This makes the client feel judged for wanting the information they feel they need.
5. A universal code of ethics may be difficult to apply simply because each reader is different and each client is unique. Some tarot organizations have a set of standards that their members agree to abide by.  This is not a bad idea but you may want to  contemplate if these guidelines work for you as a reader and ask if there is room for flexibility.  Do not agree to anyone else’s rules of conduct unless you are absolutely sure that you can stick with it.

Ultimately, this is all a matter of personal preference.  For myself, respect and compassion for my clients is always my number one priority.  I try to serve their needs in any way that I can as I know that sometimes this is the last place they turn to when they  need insight into their problems.  It is not my job to judge what they ask but to find a way to answer their questions with dignity and compassion.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on using the tarot to answer questions.  What do you feel is the best way to handle questionable questions?  Is there a way that you think clients should ask questions?

Blessings!

Theresa

image by Taoxproductions

One of the hardest things about working in the tarot field is the isolation that some of us feel.  Often times we find ourselves without peers – especially those who may live in a rural area.  It’s not easy to connect but thanks to the advent of the internet and social media in particular, the game has begun to change.  Many of my fellow tarot readers have been delighted to find each other through this medium – and it has made our world a little more inclusive and a lot less lonely.

Recently, a new site launched that has stepped it up a notch and created a true community for us tarot lovers.  It’s called “Tarot Town” and is the brainchild of Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin of Tarot Professionals .  Tarot Town is fun but don’t be fooled by the light tone – there is some SERIOUS tarot stuff going on here – classes, forums, discussions, groups and more!  Not only can you connect and make friends here – you can improve your skills, ask questions, learn about events and more.  If there was ever a Tarot Nirvana for us tarot freaks, I think I have found it here!

Of course, I had to ask Marcus and Tali about the creation and inspiration behind Tarot Town and this is what they had to say to me:

We were inspired to create Tarot Town by listening to the members of Tarot Professionals. We had been asked to provide a service to allow our members to network and socialise outside of the focused studies of Tarot such as Gated Spreads, the Diploma Course, Tarot Houses and other projects. When we looked at our existing forum we realised that it did not fulfil this purpose, although it is where we will continue to hold our Tarot course discussions.

We have exciting plans already in pre-production for Tarot Town. We will be integrating our existing WIZIQ Learning Environment from Tarot Professionals into the Town Hekademia very soon for online courses in the Town. We are already well advanced in a 3d-Avatar environment for Tarot Conferences, Rituals, Discussions and Socialising! If you watch our promo video, you’ll see a sneak preview of the 3D world which will be ready by 2011.

Marcus Katz is the author of Tarosophy: Tarot to Engage Life, Not Escape It (pub. Salamander & Sons, August 2010) and the founder of Tarot Professionals. He is an MBA graduate, M.A. holder (Western Esotericism, University of Exeter) and currently 3-years into a 6-year PhD Thesis on the Teachings of Occult groups in the Western Esoteric Tradition. He is a therapist and trainer.

Tali Goodwin is the Marketing Director of Tarot Professionals and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Her career has also involved healthcare and occupational therapy. She has also practised Reiki healing.

No matter if you are a tarot professional, a newbie, or just curious, I’d invite you to stop by and take a look around.  You can find me as what else?  The Tarot Lady.  Hope to meet you there!

Blessings!

Theresa

Image property of Tarot Town

If you’re thinking about becoming a professional tarot reader, I’d like to let you in on a little secret: tarot reading is hard, taxing work. You may wonder how this could be, as it appears like the reader is just sitting around tossing a few cards on a table and chatting with people.  Well, on the outside it may look like “having a good time” hanging with clients, but truth is, this career demands a lot from those who intend to walk the walk.  Many fellow readers tell me how drained  and burnt out they can feel at times.  Over the course of twenty years as a professional tarot reader, I too have experienced this myself and have had to develop tools to help me remain grounded and balanced.

Self awareness is the first key.  Over the years,  I’ve learned to become more sensitive to the warning signs when my energy is unbalanced:

• Feeling depleted/ lethargic/ drained
• Depression
• Addictive behavior (for me excessive eating of sweets)
• Putting on excessive weight
• Less psychic sensitivity
• Irritability/ impatience

When you are doing any sort of spiritual work, you collect negative energy from the people that seek your services.  Understand this: it’s not deliberate on the part of the client.  A tarot reader has to be open to the experience – and often times the querent may be coming with a lot of emotional baggage or heavy issues, which can be absorbed by the reader.  Once the reading is over and the client leaves, this energy remains with you.  And over time, this can build up, layer by layer and begin to affect the quality of your readings – or in extreme circumstances, your health.  You may not notice it right away but eventually if this negativity is not released, it will weigh you down and undermine your ability to remain a clear channel for your clients.

For me, this happens less these days as I make my self-care and spiritual health a priority.  I have found that it is vital to keep your psychic tools sharp, clean and maintained if you want to continue on this path without jeopardizing your sanity or health.  It all starts with boundaries.  I maintain the strictest of boundaries and put limits on a client’s access to me.  My guidelines, for example,  are:

• All appointments must be scheduled in advance.  No last minute appointments
• I do not answer “quick questions” over the phone
• A 3 – 6 month wait between appointments (sometimes longer for some clients)
• If a client sounds extremely distressed, I may make them wait until they are more calm and focused
• No-shows get banned

You’ll have to choose what boundaries are comfortable for you.  Some readers are a bit more lax and it doesn’t seem to affect them at all.  For myself, I have found that I function better with structure and this allows my readings to remain objective.

In addition to establishing some ground rules with your clients, it is also important that you create time and space for self care.  Not only eating well and exercising, but also tending to your spiritual life.  There are a few things I do to keep my chakras balanced, energy stable and psychic channels clear:

• Meditation - spending time with your inner self connects you to the guidance within and allows you to quiet the mind.  Meditation helps to work out your own issues and allows you to become friends with your SELF.  This leads to greater compassion, and that benefits YOU and your clients.
• Exercise – negative energy can get stored in the body.  Taking time every day to do some sort of physical exercise (I prefer yoga) will insure you are not holding on to difficult emotions or bad energy, which could lead to illness or a feeling of being drained.
• Pace yourself – I keep a schedule and only read tarot 4 days a week and I limit the number of  clients I see.  Avoid over doing it as that is the surest way to burn out.
• Bodywork – Massage is a wonderful way to release trapped energy and restore the mind, body and spirit.
• Eat well – it’s no secret that I love to eat.  Good nutrition paves the way for a healthy body and mind.  However, when I am absorbing too much energy from my clients, I’ll go on mad candy binges!  I try to limit my sweets but more importantly – if I am choosing to eat poorly, I look at my work and see what needs tweaking.  Perhaps a day off or an extra yoga practice could fend off the poor eating habits.
• Salt baths – at times, my boundaries may be crossed by some really negative client and I find myself completely drained.  A salt bath will cleanse the aura and restore my sixth sense.  It’s very simple to do – fill a tub with warm water and about a cup (or more) of sea salt. Soak for a good 20 minutes.  Air dry.  This works wonders and I swear by it!
• Candles – I’m a huge fan of candles for cleansing my tarot room and  charging myself and my cards.  I use the Tarot Tools candles by Coventry Creations, which were made especially for tarot readers!  The Energy Boost and Psychic Cleansing candles are a MUST in any tarot reader’s arsenal!

The wise tarot readers will make sure that they keep themselves in tip top shape, from head to toe to soul.  It makes all the difference  not just in the quality of the readings but in the quality of the reader’s LIFE.

Blessings!

Theresa

image courtesy of taoxproductions

How do you keep yourself sane and balanced? I’d love to hear your suggestions!  Post them in the comments section below!

I’m always on the hunt for new ways of looking at the tarot.  You’ll always find a tarot book on my reading table but I have discovered that some of the best tarot writing actually exists on the web.  There are some fantastic blogs that I visit on a regular basis because they never fail to enlighten me and expand my own abilities.

Here are my top ten recommended tarot blogs:

1.  Mary Greer’s Blog – no list would be complete without Mary’s blog.  This brilliant tarot scholar engages her readers with a wide array of subjects from tarot history to different spreads to tarot references in pop culture.  It is obvious that Mary is constantly learning and we are lucky that she is sharing her knowledge with us!

2.  Tarot Eon – this smart blog is written by Douglas Gibb and I can honestly say that his writing has changed my view on tarot more than any other writer out there.  He is deep, philosophical and playful.  Whenever my tarot brain gets too lazy, all I need to do is hop over to his site and in no time, I am thinking deeper than I have ever before.

3. Tarot Elements – I’ve been consistently impressed by Catherine Chapman’s stellar blog. Excellent tarot writing and delightful guest bloggers (I even got the honor of writing a post here!) round out this blog wonderfully.  There is a cornucopia of knowledge here and I’m always discovering new things!

4.  Tarot Pathways – This is a blog at Llewellyn, new age publishers, written by tarot expert Barbara Moore.  Witty writing, deep insights and so many different ways of working with tarot – it seems as if Barbara is an endless well of ideas and concepts!  One of the things I really enjoy about her writing is her conversational tone – I feel as if I am sneaking a peek at someone’s tarot diary and getting the “real dirt” on what tarot is all about!

5.  Bonnie Cehovet – Bonnie is a prolific writer and deck reviewer.  She takes great care to provide detailed reviews of tarot decks and books and this is the place I go to before I buy a deck.  I know I’ll always get an honest and thorough opinion without any hidden agendas.  Before you plunk down your hard earned dollars on your next deck, be sure to look here!

6.  Corrine Kenner’s Shuffle – This popular blog has it all – deck and book reviews, spreads, and get this – American Idol predictions!  I LOVE this!  Corrine is also a well known tarot author and has written one of my all time favorite tarot books:  Tarot Journaling.  Make sure you stop by here and see what she’s up to.  It’s always entertaining!

7.  Supertarot - If you want to learn  more about the Golden Dawn system as well as get more familiar with the Thoth Deck, then Paul Hughes Barlow is your man and this is the site you want to visit.  I am really new to the concepts he presents here and one thing I can tell you – Paul explains these methods in such a clear and concise manner that even my stubborn brain can ‘get it’.

8.  Melissa Tarot – you know what I really like about this blog?  Melissa has a great sense of humor and an excellent way with words.  She explores cards in depth and melds philosophy with wit for a fun yet serious look at the tarot.  I’m looking forward to watching this blog continue to grow.  Good stuff so far….

9.  Musings On Tarot – Arwen Lynch has one of the freshest tarot voices on the web.  She makes me laugh out loud some times, she makes me think and she makes me hungry.  What you ask?  Well, she sometimes writes about tarot and food!  I love her recipes and for me, this is the Holy Grail because there is nothing I love more than food – imagine reading about a tarot card and getting a recipe for guacamole! Fun!  Don’t let that make you assume the blog is silly – there is some super intense tarot interpretations too!

10.  Donnaleigh – This is a fun page with a potpourri of information and a tongue in cheek attitude at times.  Donnaleigh’s colorful blog is never boring! She writes about her own experiences with tarot and she’s never afraid to take it to places I would never dream of!  And if you’re too lazy to read (I know plenty of people who claim to be), she also includes an audio file “Tarot Minute”.  Listen in and learn!

While this list is big, it is by no means complete.  Be sure to check out these other blogs: Auracana, Big Tarot, Tarot Dame, 78 Notes To Self, Cat ‘N Owl and up and coming awesome tarot blogger Mike Hernandez

I also hope you check out the other blog I contribute to with my good pals Astrogrrl, Starcana and TaurusRising: Astrocreeps and Tarot Freaks.

Keep learning and keep reading!

Blessings!

Theresa

I am currently back home after an eventful week at the Reader’s Studio.  What a week it was!  New faces, old friends, lessons…so much to digest.  I am sure it will take me  while to process this life changing conference!  Even the last day had plenty to do.  I started out my morning attending Donnaleigh’s Breakfast Roundtable.  She gave a lively lecture about “tarot bridges” and explained how the cards can connect with each other to provide insights.  This did not disappoint – she had a lot of information to pack in an hour but seemed to do it seamlessly.  (I must confess that I really enjoyed the Roundtable events – both Donnaleigh and Paul Quinn had a lot to share!)

Donnaleigh teaching about tarot bridges

Afterwards, we met up with our original partners for the “Foundation Reading” to revisit the original reading we did for each other and see how the new insights we learned at the conference enhanced our interpretations.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that what I had learned from these different teachers did indeed add a lot of depth to my reading!  Wow.  That was a powerful revelation to me.  Although I have been reading for many years, this was an eye opener.  It clearly pointed out that tarot has many layers and one can never learn enough!  (I was also happily surprised to discover that Andy and I had the same penchant for industrial music which helped me to see him as a kindred spirit in addition to being a reader that I respected!)

Myself with my tarot partner, Andy Matzner

The day finished with a ceremony to hand out certificates and prizes.  Ironically, I won a membership into a tarot organization which was the universe’s way of winking at me.  I am not affiliated with any tarot organizations as I am a lone wolf and have no intention of joining any group.  So, I had to laugh out loud at this turn of events.  What kind of cosmic joke was this to my anarchist nature?  Hmmm……I think I’ll have to ponder that a bit before I come to a conclusion.

After saying my goodbyes, it was time to head to the airport and get home to a very needy (and messy) household.  Although I am glad to be home, I am grateful for all the things I learned at the conference.  Here’s my epiphanies:

Mary Greer, Robert Place, Dr. Elinor Greenberg, Ruth Ann Amberstone

1.  You can teach an old dog new tricks. I’ve been at the tarot game for almost 3 decades and have never had any formal training.  While I do believe I know the tarot pretty well, these classes all gave me new tools.  The class with the Amberstones revealed symbols and subtleties that I took for granted.  Dr. Elinor Greenberg pushed me outside my comfort zone with a therapy technique that challenged my beliefs (although it was not my cup of tea, I will be first in line to buy her book “Tarot Counseling” when it is published next year as I now realize that what she is teaching is groundbreaking and invaluable).  Robert Place humbled me with his vast knowledge and is making me rethink some of my assumptions about chakras.  And Mary Greer is a delight.  I have read Mary’s books in the past and thought her interactive method of tarot reading was too different from my “style” to incorporate into my work.  Lo and behold, this wise woman taught in a surprisingly effective manner and I may never look at tarot the same way again.  She’s amazing and now I can’t wait for my next opportunity to learn from her!

Myself with tarot author Mary Greer

2.  Resistance limits you.  I’ll admit that I am rather set in my ways.  In fact, I am rather fond of my own opinions.  The RS10 challenged me to rethink some of my own beliefs.  That doesn’t mean I am going to abandon my ideals but I am certainly going to open my mind to new insights.

3.  Twitter is a great place to make friends. One of the coolest things about RS10 was meeting many of the friends I have met through Twitter.  Yup, lots of tarot peeps like to tweet.  How cool it was to finally put faces to the names!  I had always been skeptical about meeting people online but this whole experience taught me that there are super people out there and it is worth venturing out of my cave to connect!

4.  Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone are the bomb! I can’t believe what a major effort these two put into this conference.  The Amberstones were a joy to be around – they are approachable, knowledgeable, friendly and really know how to make you feel welcome.  I have the utmost respect for them and intend on learning more with them.  How nice to finally find some mentors that I can look up to!

5.  Room service rocks! For the last four years of my life, I have been busy with care taking.  This was the first time I have ever been in a hotel that had room service as I tend to go the uber cheap route when I travel.  As lame as it sounds, having someone wait on me for a change was a joy.  As the waiter said to me when he brought up my requested glass of wine “You deserve this.”  That was the biggest revelation of all – I do deserve to hang out with cool peers, learn from the best, enjoy my life and be treated well.  This conference has changed me in more ways than one.  I definitely plan on making this an annual retreat.

But now….back to my regular life and my needy cats, my hungry husband, my messy house and my awesome clients.  After the conference, the laundry so to speak.

Blessings!

Theresa

www.thetarotlady.com