Most people come to a tarot reader because they are seeking clarity in their lives.

But there may be times when a reading won’t give you the answers you are looking for.  Is it because the reader sucked – or is it you?

In some cases a reader may indeed lack talent or perhaps have trouble making a connection to you but there are some measures you can take to get the most bang out of your tarot reading. And it begins with CLARITY on your part. (Funny how the universe works, isn’t it?)

Here’s what you need to do before you walk in the door and expect to be dazzled:

1. Know what kind of reading you want.  There are many different approaches to tarot.  Some offer straight up predictions, some are therapeutic, some can be interactive and there are those who are only about entertainment.  Find a style that appeals to you and then begin searching for a reader who fits the bill.
2. Pick a reader who is compatible with your energy because simply put, no reader can read for everyone.  A few tips for finding the right reader:
1. You can go by word of mouth but a word of caution: what someone considers a “good reading” may not be your cup of tea.  Be sure to ask details about what they liked or didn’t like about the reading.
2. If they have a website, read it carefully to see if you can get a feel for their personality.  Know their guidelines so you can honor their boundaries (ex: some readers do not answer questions about other people).
3. Contact the reader directly and ask questions about their methods and policies.  If you feel comfortable, it’s probably a good sign that you will be compatible. (In my opinion, this is the best barometer for making your decision.)
3. Get in the right mindset.  Approach your reading with openness. If you are coming in with a skeptical “prove it to me” attitude, you are putting your reader in a hostile and defensive position which is never conducive for a good reading.  Also, never ever get a reading if you are anxious or hysterical.  A desperate frame of mind will only hear what they want to hear, for good or for ill.
4. Write down your questions before you come.  There is nothing worse than walking out the door and forgetting the “big question” you wanted to ask.  Having a list keeps you focused and organized and insures you get the important questions answered.
5. Tape your reading.  This allows you to focus on the reading rather than taking notes. Plus it’s handy for reflecting later. (For the record, I prefer taking notes when I get a reading as I know I will never listen to a recording but that’s just me.)
6. Don’t be vague. Ask specific questions.  Be direct and to the point. Also, be sure to ask questions that empower your situation (ex: “What can I do to achieve _______?”)And please, resist the urge to “test” your reader by dragging a red herring across the question. An honest request to the universe creates honest, clear answers.
7. Give time for things to percolate.  Avoid the temptation to go back and revisit the reading without allowing enough time to pass.  Coming in and hammering the same question over and over only leads to a frustrated reader and mixed messages.  (My cards get very snotty when people are aggressively asking the same questions too often.)

In any service oriented business (yes, tarot reading is one), it is imperative that you be a good consumer.  If you’ve done your homework, you will be able to approach your reading with trust, openness and a clear agenda. And that is the perfect recipe for a great tarot reading.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

special thanks to taoxproductions for the image

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

What are your tips for getting a better tarot reading?  I’d love to hear your suggestions!  Post them in the comment section below:

It starts out innocently enough.

You walk into a modest, ordinary office for a tarot reading. The reader begins laying out the cards and chatting pleasantly but suddenly a dark look crosses her face.  With grave concern in her voice,  she takes your hand and starts to talk about the “negative energy” surrounding you. Suddenly her eyes become wide as she exclaims:  “someone has put something on you!  You’ve been cursed!”  You’re scared but secretly relieved.  Now you know why your life sucks.  It can’t be your choices – it has to be a curse!  It’s not your fault!

And that’s when the reader begins to lay it on thick like the worst sort of used car salesman. They begin imploring you to get a “cleansing” or “healing” (and of course, only they can do it for you).

It will “only” cost you $99.00.

Now if you are a vulnerable type (which is what the reader is hoping for), you may be frightened enough to pull that money out of your wallet on the spot and get your “healing”.  But guess what? It does not stop there.  Before you long, you’ve spent a lot of dough and added a great deal of superstitious anxiety to your life.

You’ve just been conned.  Ouch.

But before you kick yourself for being a sucker, let me tell you this: it happens more than you know and many of the people who fall for this schtick are reasonably intelligent, normal folk.   And most people who work in the psychic arts are decent, hardworking, honorable and kind.  It’s the rare few that rip people off and give honest readers a bad name.

If you know the simple warning signs, you can minimize your risk and be able to walk away with dollars (and pride) intact.  Here’s what you need to watch out for:

1. Fishing for information.  If the reader constantly asks you questions, they are not doing a reading.  You should be the one asking the questions, not them.
2. Heavy handed solicitation.  Calling you at home, urging you to call them, trying to lure you in – any of these tactics are a huge red flag.  A reader should NEVER bother you for business.  You should only be going to a reader when YOU feel the need to go.  Period.
3. Dubious marketing methods.  Years ago, I had a client who got three mysterious tarot cards in the mail along with a frightening letter from a reader who claimed that they had “special information” for them and they needed to call within 7 days or they would “risk losing a major opportunity”.  Of course, this was nothing more than a ruse to get the client to call a hotline and spend money they didn’t have.  A special offer is one thing – scary mail or “urgent” emails demanding your immediate attention are another.  If you get either, throw it in the trash and/or hit delete.
4. The “curse” line.  If a reader begins to tell you about a curse or negative energy that someone “put on you”, stop the reading right there.  This is the oldest line in the book and a total crock.  No one has the power to put a curse on you.  Your problems stem from decisions or choices that you make in your life.  And you, only you, can change course at any time you want. To believe otherwise takes your personal responsibility away from you and puts all your personal power in the hands of others.
5. Charging you large sums of money for a “cleansing” or “healing”.  I once met a woman who went to a local con artist who demanded she give her $6000.00 to “remove her depression”.  (Needless to say, she was still depressed and six thousand dollars poorer.)  No ethical reader would EVER charge you a big fee to remove a curse, cure “negative energy” or solve your problems.  EVER.  If you really do have major emotional issues, a honest reader would refer you to the proper professionals who can help you.
6. Swearing you to secrecy.  If a reader tells you that you cannot tell anyone about your reading or it “won’t come true” this is a sign that they are not on the up and up.  You should be able to tell anyone you please about your reading and furthermore, you should be able to tape the reading if you wish.  This is a tarot reading, not some back alley drug deal – avoid readers who treat it like one.

These general warnings should protect you from getting ripped off by one of these low-lifes.  But this bears saying again: these people are in the minority.  Most of the time, a tarot reading is a positive, fun and empowering experience and most readers and psychics sincerely want to help you.

Take your time to find a reader that you like and trust.  And always remember this: you are the only one who holds the power to your life.  Don’t let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

Blessings!

Theresa

What are warning signs you look for?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section below:

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

special thanks to taoxproductions for the image

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com 

If you’re going to commit your time to the daily grind of running a tarot business, you’ll need to be motivated every day because it’s hard out here for a tarot pimp (and even harder if you are a tarot wimp).

I look for inspiration everywhere.  And I bet you think my main motivational revelations come from the words of business geniuses such as Donald Trump or Marie Forleo.  Or perhaps from tarot superstars such as Mary Greer or Rachel Pollack.  Well, you are mistaken, my friend.

Don’t get me wrong – those people light a much needed fire under my can.  But my best badass business inspiration actually comes from hip hop artists. Yup. You read that right.

Now before you say WTH and back away with hands in the air and a look of disbelief on your face, let me tell you this: my admiration for rappers isn’t just because I like the beat (or think they are sex-say).  I like the way these cats do their thang, man. They run their businesses with cunning street sense, amazing vision and giant fearless BALLS.

And hear this: many of them come from very difficult backgrounds.  Most do not hold an MBA. In fact, it’s EXTREMELY unusual to find a rapper that comes from a silver spoon ivy league educated background like Donald Trump.  But that doesn’t stop them from succeeding. These guys make it because they set the intention and do it.

Do you think Jay Z let his hardscrabble childhood keep him from becoming one of the richest men in the world?  Nope!  Did 50 Cent let a hail of gunshots stop him from being one of the most respected rappers in the industry?  HELL NO.  So let me ask my fellow tarot readers this: what is stopping you from pursuing your dream to become a professional reader?

Let me dig into some of my favorite rap lyrics that keep me inspired to quit whining and keep on grindin’ and flipping those cards day in and day out like a true tarot thug:

1. “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.” ~ Ice Cube. Before you begin your business, it’s important to reflect on your motivation and to get your personal act together. Money is a good motivator but you must have a burning, yearning passion for tarot and for helping others if you intend to make this your occupation.  It can’t just be about the Benjamins (moola). Oh, and if you are going to be doling out spiritual advice to others, you better have your own life in order.  This work will drain the life out of you if you cannot manage to get your own house clean.  Make your dysfunctions functional and ground yourself.
2. “Gangstas don’t hide so I show my face often.” ~ Slim Thug. You can’t make a living if you are the best kept secret in your industry.  You will have to market your business. Learn how to promote yourself properly (social media is a great tool). And more important: be AUTHENTICALLY you.  Don’t be a weak ass imitation of anyone else.  Put your true self out there, heart on the line, face on the screen.  Let people know the REAL trill you.  Get your website up NOW and get your grill out there.
3. “I’m A Self Made Trillioinaire.” ~ Bun B. It may be tempting to put your business in the hands of someone else and let them host your site through their Ning thing or tweet for you but it is always best to maintain total control of your own content and empire.  Get your own url and host your own damn site (I recommend WordPress).  Be intimately involved with the running of your business, including your own marketing. Don’t give someone the power to pull the plug on your tarot empire.  Be self made, not dependent on anyone.  (PS It’s not as hard as you think.  If I can do it, YOU CAN.)
4. “Paid the cost like a Boss.” ~ Slim Thug. Sure, you can do some things for free but at some point you will have to invest in your business if you wish to grow it.  Paying for an office, accountant, computer, education, tarot conferences, lawyer and marketing may seem like a scary thing but let me tell you this: whenever I have invested in my business, it GREW by a major leap.  You have to spend some money if you want to make money.  Stop being a cheap ass and invest in your career.  It will pay off.  Trust me on that.
5. “Go on brush your shoulders off.” ~ Jay Z. Sadly, you will attract some haters at some point in your career (this happens in EVERY career – tarot readers aren’t the only ones singled out as pariahs in their community).  Negative feedback  and criticism may hit you from people who don’t believe in the tarot; it may come from fellow tarotists or your own family.  Let it go. Focus on good tarot and leave those haters in your dust.
6. “The bigger the bully, the more that bitch gonna bang.” ~ Rick Ross. Think you are going to raise your street cred by talking trash on a public forum?  Think again. Dissing others to make yourself look big will eventually backfire on your sorry ass.  Treat your fellow tarot peeps with respect. Don’t like someone?  Keep it on the lowdown.  Allow people to save face even if you think they are whack. Being courteous is not just good manners, it’s how pros operate.  Remember this – no one likes a hater.
7. “Is it worth it – let me work it.” ~ Missy Elliot. Being a tarot reader is definitely “worth it”.  Every day, you get the opportunity to help people find direction and better their lives.  You’ll have to work harder than you ever thought possible. But it is THE most rewarding career that you will ever have.  So stop waiting. JUST DO IT.

Now go on wid yo bad self and start flipping those cards and living your tarot dream.  No more excuses. Word.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

special thanks to taoxproductions for the superfly image

Who inspires you?  Where do you get the motivation for your career?  Post your role models and their brilliance in the comment section below:

Did you ever see that episode of the Simpsons where Marge decides to become a real estate agent?  Her career gets off to a rocky start when her honesty prevents her from selling a house.  Back at the office, schmucky lawyer-turned-realtor Lionel Hutz berates Marge for being truthful and enlightens her on how to sell by bending the facts.  “There’s the truth….” (he says in a dark tone with a scowl on his face as he shakes his head from side to side) “and the truth!” (said with a wide eyed disingenuous smile and a vigorous nod of the head).

I started thinking about that episode after recently reading a thought provoking post by Bonnie Cehovet called “Tell It Like It Is” where she discusses how a bluntly honest tarot reading could be harmful to a client.  Bonnie made some excellent points but this article raised a few questions for me.  Could a frank reading ever be effective and helpful?  Does a gentle approach serve every client and every situation?

How you deliver the information is important and a tarot reader must always be conscious of the client’s highest good.  I’ve been doing tarot for a long time now and one thing I have discovered is this: a one size fits all delivery does not work.  Each client is unique and each person needs a reading that speaks to them in a language that they understand.

As a parent, I’ve also learned some important lessons on giving advice and support.  My children are opposites in temperament.  My daughter is a sensitive but hard headed girl – with her, I had to be delicate yet know when to draw a line.  My son on the other hand is a practical but spacey lad – humor worked well with him but I also had to make sure he was really listening to me.  They’ve also been in situations where I’ve had to be alternately hands off, in your face, hyper sensitive, brutally honest or simply present.

The difference between raising a child and serving a client is this: I get to see the results  of my advice close up with my children, which allows me to see how effective I am.  In the case of a client, once they walk out that door, I have no idea of how the reading served them until I see them again, which could be years or in some cases, never.

A skilled reader needs to bring their intuition to the table before the client even sits down for the reading.  They must assess their frame of mind and particular needs. This requires awareness and sensitivity towards the client’s disposition.  For example, if someone seems really upset or mentally fragile, it may be time to go easy.  However, if they are in a dangerous or illegal situation, this may require a more candid approach.  Advice should be delivered in a way that is clear, helpful and empowering to the client.

And that advice must be adjusted for each person and each situation.  Not everyone will appreciate the balls out truth – and not every person will want a sugar coated version.  Some people may perceive a “tell it like it is” approach to be harsh.  Others may feel a gentle reader may not be being 100% honest with them.  It is up to us as tarot readers to bring awareness for the client’s needs and personality to the reading and not get hung up on which way is the “right” way to do a reading.

“Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

How do you like your reading delivered? Do you prefer blunt and to the point or sweet and gentle?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section below:

A SPECIAL CONTEST FOR YOUNG TAROT READERS

I want to start this out by saying that I am a huge fan of The Apprentice.  My late mother and I used to get endless pleasure from discussing the show and speculating on who would win.  (For the record, I was always right as I am pretty good at spotting business acumen.)  My mother also had a huge crush on Donald Trump, but I’ll save that for another story.

Anyhow, this show inspired me to create a contest of my own.  I’m searching for a Tarot Apprentice.  Yup, I want someone that I can mentor in the art of tarot and help guide towards being a tarot professional. I am specifically looking for a young tarot reader as my mission is to inspire and motivate more young tarot readers to enter the field.

Here is what I am looking for:

1. You must be between ages of 18 – 30.

2. You must be passionate about tarot.  This cannot be a passing fancy.

3.  You must be able to handle yourself in a professional manner.

4.  You must be willing to dedicate the time.

Here are the details for the contest:

In the comment section below, post WHY you want to be my tarot apprentice.  I will be taking comments until March 31, 2011.  In April, I will be giving the contestants a weekly tarot related challenge (the weekly challenges will be completed here on the blog so my readers can follow along).  At the end of April, I will announce the winner here in my blog.  (The winner will be hand picked by me – this is not a drawing – so do your best!)

The winner will receive:

A FULL YEAR apprenticeship with me.  We will meet once a month (phone or in person – distance is not a problem) to work on different issues.  I’ll help you polish your skills, get a business started and develop the confidence that you need to make your tarot career rock!  (I am no longer offering full apprenticeships so this is very special to me – the cost for this service would be thousands – but the real cost is priceless.  Imagine having a tarot mentor to guide you all the way!)

And that’s not all – the good people at Tarosophy are also adding this juicy prize to the pot:  FREE placement to the 2-year Tarosophy Tarot Hekademia Course worth $3330! This is a comprehensive course for the SERIOUS tarot reader!  Check out the details at Tarosophy Hekademia Tarot Degree.

So what are you waiting for?  I’m dying to say “You’re Hired!”

Blessings,

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

PS Remember – in the comment section below, post why you want to be my apprentice.  You have until March 31st 2011!  It’s on!

Do you remember those old informercials for Miss Cleo and the Psychic Friends Network?  It was hard to miss them back in the day as those ads were on constant rotation – especially on late night television.  Since that time, some of these companies have gone belly up but psychic hotlines are still big business. In fact, thanks to the internet, they are perhaps bigger than ever.  All you need to do is google “psychic readings” and you will encounter seemingly endless pages of advertisements for live psychic readings – some even proclaiming to be “free”.

Many of my fellow tarot readers and psychics make their living working for these companies – and some do their business exclusively this way.  The beauty of working for a psychic hotline is that you do not need any major business skills to get started. Once you are accepted as a reader, the company takes a cut of your pay but they provide the advertising, the clients and a toll free number that masks your personal phone line. All you need to do is sit home and wait for the calls to come pouring in and voila – you’ve got a psychic business!

Now that may sound remarkably easy and attractive but there are many points to consider before you sign up to work on a psychic hotline.  You still need to do YOUR homework to make sure that the company is a solid, fair and trustworthy business.  A little smart investigation on your part can prevent you from wasting your time or getting defrauded (we often hear about the clients getting ripped off but many readers who work for these companies get swindled as well).

These are the things I recommend you check out thoroughly before committing to work for a psychic hotline:

1. What is their business structure? In other words, are they an LLC, a corporation or a sole proprietorship?  They should clearly spell this out on their website.  Why is this important?  You want to make sure that you are doing business with a REAL business that conducts themselves in a professional manner – meaning that they took the time to file the proper paperwork and set themselves up legally.
2. Will you be expected to sign a contract? Most legitimate companies will have you sign one.  But it is important that you read the fine print carefully and understand what you are signing.  For example, some of these companies may have a “non compete clause” which could limit your ability to work for other phone lines.  If you do not understand their policies, take the contract to your lawyer before you put your John Henry on the dotted line.
3. Will you be considered an employee or an independent contractor? This is critical to know for tax reasons.  If you are considered an employee, the company will be responsible for taxes – if not, you will have to take care of your own taxes.
4. How will they market you? Or are you responsible for your own marketing?  What is their advertising budget?  This is extremely important as you want to make sure that the company markets smartly especially if this is an area where you lack skills.  A solid business will invest a fair amount of  money into marketing to ensure their readers are busy and making money.  Even with their advertising, you may still have to do some of your own marketing – so keep that in mind.
5. What is the pay cut? Make sure you understand how much of your $2.99 a minute will be going to you.  And remember – in some cases it may seem like they are taking a lot but when you factor in the expenses of running a hotline and advertising, you will begin to understand the reason behind the percentage.  If a company says that they are only taking a tiny percent, be sure to inquire as to how they are spending that money (advertising, website, administrative, etc.) to insure that they are not just taking a fee and doing nothing to get you work.
6. How do they handle chargebacks? Believe it or not, some clients can insist on a refund and the company may eat that money – or charge you for it.  This gets very tricky and could be costly for you.  Get clear on their policy.
7. Will you be getting a 1099 at the end of the year? If you are an independent contractor, the answer is yes.  If not, they should be providing you with a standard W2.
8. What kind of reputation does the company have? This is where you need to take time and look around.  The internet is a great source of information but even better is to actually talk to someone who works for one of these hot lines.  Ask them about their experience.  How much work do they actually get?  How are they paid?  Have they been happy with the company?  What issues have they encountered?  There is nothing like a solid referral to ease your concerns and help you make an informed decision.  Also, be very leery of any company that openly bad mouths another service and promotes themselves as the “antidote”.  If they don’t have physical proof that the other company is fraudulent or engaging in improper behavior, then that is hearsay and should be dismissed as nothing more than unscrupulous advertising on their part.

Now to be completely honest with you, I have had very little experience with this type of work.  I tried it out for a month and didn’t feel that this was the way I wanted to work.  I don’t like to share revenue and I didn’t like feeling tied to my phone.  So I decided it would be a good idea to ask a few questions from S.C., who has spent many years working the phone lines.  This may help give you further food for thought before you get involved with any of these services.

Here are his answers:

Q: What are some of benefits of reading for a psychic phone line?

S.C.: There are actually a couple of major benefits to working for a psychic phone line service or an on demand service.   Psychic phone line services are a really great place for readers that have only a few years of experience under their belt to get experience working with clients and asking questions.   The pay for these services isn’t the best, but how many other apprenticeship programs can you get paid $24.00 an hour for training? With these services you remain pretty anonymous, and your clients do not have your home telephone number, which is a bit of a protection from the general public.  It gives you a bit of ease working with clients, and not having to expose to the world that you are working as a “reader”.   The greatest benefit is that they supply the customers for you, so its pretty much answer the phone and do a reading.  Further, since you are not putting out any expenses it is pretty easy to do your taxes at the end of the year.

On demand services are much different!  These would be sites like Keen.com or LivePerson, which are really great sites to work for depending on your temperament, and whether or not you can work with clients who are pretty much always in crisis.   These sites usually pay you much more for your services.  For example, on Keen.com you make 62% of the call minus phone charges.  In addition, you can utilize other advertising tools that they have to increase your business.    On Demand readings are a great way to supplement your income between private clients.  Plus, these clients do not have access to your direct telephone line (and crisis clients you do not want to have direct access), so you are protected from that 3 AM phone call from the client who is going through a desperate situation.  On Demand readings are not for everyone, and you have to be able to handle intense crisis, feedback systems, and have very firm boundaries.   I prefer to work with these clients, because they have real issues that need to be worked through and addressed, and in many cases they are not able to go to their social circle or clergy to address them.

Q: What should a reader look for when choosing to work with a particular company?

S.C.: It depends.   I would look for how long the company has been around, and ask your peers whether or not they know anyone that works for them.  I might even consider calling up the line and speaking with a psychic to ask them questions about whether or not they are happy with their experience.  In addition, I would find out how long the line has been in business.   If you chose to do On Demand readings, I would recommend Keen.com or LivePerson since both are owned by reputable corporations.  For example, Keen.com is owned by AT&T interactive, which is a very reputable company.  The stronger the business language of the company the better!

Q:  What are some red flags that a reader should pay attention to?

S.C.: I would be leery of any company standards that asks you to hold clients on the line for any given period.   Some clients only need a 10 minute reading, and do not need a full hour on the phone with you.  I would be very leery of companies that do not have advertising plans in place, or are not transparent when you ask them questions about advertising. If a company does not give you full advertising information (such as where they advertise) it means they are not advertising.  Another thing to be leery of are companies that REQUIRE you to do your own advertising and do not have an advertising budget on their own.  These companies are usually shoe string operations that have no budget, and you could waste your time sitting by the phone waiting for a call.  In the psychic industry, small organizations (Mom and Pop Psychic Shops) are usually not very profitable and it is difficult to make a living with them. Often these companies will offer you large incentives that are not available with other companies, but 70-80% of 0 is 0.   In addition, if companies require you to pay for your own chargebacks (and its not an on demand site) be very leery.  This means that if the clients does not pay for the call the company will subtract the money from you.  This is trickier with on demand sites — Keen.com does not do chargebacks; whereas Live Person does.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember – even if you are working for someone else’s business, it is your job to be an informed employee.  Do not get involved with any psychic hotline until you have taken the time to completely understand their policies and your responsibilities.  This can be a wonderful way to make a living but like any business, it still has some risks.

Blessings!

Theresa

special thanks to taoxproductions for the image

extra special thanks to sc for taking time out of her schedule to chat with me

Have you ever worked for one of these hotlines?  If so, what was your experience? I’d love to hear your stories in the comment section below.

I grew up with a mother who had “visions” so my own psychic ability wasn’t a big deal.  In our household, intuition was “normal” and I didn’t think twice about it until I entered grade school and became aware that for most people, this type of thinking was “weird”.  I was often made fun of for being “different” and I remember how hurtful that was at the time.  Peer pressure is very strong during the formative years and most children want desperately to fit in.  My childhood was a lonely one as I often was made to feel like an alien.

Although my own children have some intuition, neither seemed to have any interest in this type of work.  And frankly, I was relieved as I didn’t want them go through the pain of feeling like an outsider.  I wanted them to have a “normal and happy” life full of friends and parties. But what I never considered was this: just having a mother who worked in the psychic arts made you different.

I recently talked with my children (they are now grown adults) about their experience growing up with a mom who worked as a professional tarot reader.  Both of them had different viewpoints on the pitfalls and benefits.  And they both admitted to vacillating between thinking I was embarrassing or cool.

My daughter seemed to have a harder time with it as she was a bit shy and struggled to find a peer group – and perhaps it was more difficult for her because as a girl, you identify with your mom and emulate her. (Of course, as we get older, we try in vain NOT to be like our moms! LOL)  I remember coming to her school to pick her up and being stared at like a sideshow curiosity.  The nuns openly hated me with a passion and made that point clear to her (funny how religious people can be hateful, isn’t it?).  In fact, one time I was called into the office after looking at another student’s palm and admonished because my work “conflicted with their religion”.  Naturally, my daughter felt mortified by this and distanced herself from my work.   Suddenly, I was no longer “cool” in her eyes – I was an embarrassment.

At the same time, she also was dealing with another negative person in her life who was trying to convince her that tarot readers “worshipped the devil”.  For a young, impressionable mind these types of events could turn a child against their own parent. No child should ever be subjected to this sort of prejudiced thinking.  I am very saddened when I think that she had to endure these narrow minded mindsets.  These types of ignorant statements forced me to work hard to encourage her to see the value of tarot and how it helps people.  (Being that I couldn’t really have a “take your daughter to work day”, that wasn’t easy to do!)

On the other side of the coin, my son’s biggest issue with my profession is that he couldn’t “get away” with stuff like his friends did.  And forget about ever bringing a potential girlfriend around me as that becomes a nerve wracking pit stained nightmare! (Thankfully for him, I like the current one.)  For him, I’m like a cross between a cop, Judge Judy, Joan Crawford and the woman from Medium. He has quite a few anecdotes about how I’ve been a killjoy in his teenage exploits and experimentations.

He shared this funny story with me:

“In my more formative years, i.e. when I was in high school, I tried many things. Chess club, Amnesty International, even did a few musicals….and I smoked some pot. I remember it like it was yesterday. My friend and I had just partied the day before, and my mother called me the next day. She asked what I did that weekend. I told her about all the music stores we went to, etc., and then she says with a sarcastic and accusatory tone “What else did you do?” I told her that we also watched ‘Pet Sematary’. She persisted: “What else did you do?  Did you party?” I denied everything but later that night, I called her up and came clean. She simply laughed and said,  “I knew it!” I thought, “Damn! I can’t keep anything from her!”

This psychic stuff came in handy for him though as I saved his butt from some potentially serious trouble on more than one occasion. For example, once I refused to let him drive with his friends to a concert and insisted on chaperoning him because I had a “bad feeling” (embarrassing to explain that to your buddies when you are a 16 year old boy!).  But his humiliation was short lived when the next day came and he found out that his friends got busted for possession.  My son says this: “having a psychic for a parent is a very unique situation. It’s something of a double-edged sword: you can’t get away with anything, but you will be protected.”

One of the hardest things about being a psychic parent is knowing when to step back and let your children learn their own lessons.  I’ve actually gotten pretty good at that.  I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut and avoid the “I told you so” routine.  And I rarely do readings for them.  However, on the rare occasions when they ask for one, they have admitted that my work has helped them in a profound way.  My daughter mused on one situation where I “predicted something that completely changed her life” a few years back.  For her, this reading was so healing it made her see the true value of my work – but it also made her angry for “letting a bunch of narrow-minded people” try to teach her to be “embarrassed” about my profession in the past.

As adults, they both admit that the benefits of a psychic parent far outweigh the challenges.  And now they no longer hide in shame when discussing what I do. In fact, they are rather proud to tell people about their “cool” tarot reader mom.  Yup, I’m cool again. Imagine that.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

Do you work in the psychic arts?  How does your family feel about it?  Do you have a family member who reads tarot or works in any other quirky line of work?  If so, were you ever embarrassed by them?  I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts in the comment section below:

Ever get a tarot reading and feel the reader was dead on accurate?  Or how about this scenario – you get a reading and nothing makes sense at all.  Yet other people you know raved about this person.  Did the reader suck or were you impossible to read?

Here’s the honest truth: not every reader is right for every person.  As a professional tarot reader, it’s very humbling to admit that you cannot read for everyone.  But it’s a fact that some people’s vibes just don’t mesh.  For example, I do not like to read for super negative thinkers.  If someone is overly cynical, they won’t like my practical, no-nonsense style because it does not conform to their world view.  Therefore, it is best for them to find someone who may be more sympathetic to their way of thinking.

Any time you seek out a tarot reading, there is always the risk that the reading won’t be meaningful for you.  However, there are a few measures you can take as a client to insure that you get the right person for the job.

1. Get a referral.  Word of mouth is often the best way to get insights on how the reader works.  If a loved one had a comfortable and positive experience with the reader, you may as well.
2. Get clear on what “type” of reader you wish to see.  For example, some tarot readers (myself included) are intuitive while others may work with a system or perhaps be more esoteric.  You’ll be very disappointed if the type of reading you want is not what you are getting no matter how talented the reader is.
3. Ask questions.  Most readers are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Don’t be afraid to ask about how they read, what questions they will or won’t answer as well as anything that may be of concern to you.  This will help you to get a feel as to whether or not you will be compatible.
4. Research. If the reader has a website, check it out.  Does the website look professional? Can you get an idea of the person behind the site?  Do they provide testimonials?  Most will provide a FAQ section which may give you a clear picture about how they operate as well as their personality.  If they have a blog, see if you enjoy their writing.  If they are on social media, this is a superb way to view how they interact with other people – not just clients but others in their industry.  Do as much research as you can to make sure they are someone you’d like to do business with.
5. Trust your instincts.  If they don’t feel right for you, then take a pass.  Keep looking until you find the perfect person for you.
6. Keep an open mind.  You may be surprised to know that there are many talented readers who may be under the radar or overlooked.  For example, don’t be put off by their age or background.  Some of the best readings I have ever had have been from people who were young or not even in the industry.

Remember, that any time you are using any service it is always important to be a good consumer.  Know what you want, ask questions, shop around, take your time and get informed.  With this strategy you are more likely to have a tarot experience that is insightful, helpful and enjoyable.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

I’d love to hear your insights on what kind of reader you like to work with, how you found your tarot reader or if you are a reader, any thoughts on this post in the comment section below.

image courtesy of taoxproductions

Years ago, I walked into a local tea shop and noticed the sign for tarot readings.  As I was led into the back room, I was surprised to see a very young man sitting at the tarot table.  He gave me a thoroughly enjoyable reading and we’ve been friends ever since.  In fact, Elliot Czaplewski is kind of a friend of the whole family – he’s a fellow musician like my son and they went to college together.  Yes.  I am old enough to be his mother.  Don’t let our age gap fool you though as Elliot is a wise and reliable tarot reader and he’s helped me out of some jams when I couldn’t read for myself and needed a different perspective.

What’s really unusual about Elliot is that he started reading as a pro when he was still a teen. This is almost unheard of.  He even had a shop at one time called Athena’s Oracle but closed that down when his passion for music became top priority.  Elliot is currently in grad school for oboe but he still serves his tarot clients via the phone (or in person when he comes to visit).

Over the years, we’ve shared readings, clients, laughs and Starbucks.  And recently, he shared his feelings with me about what it’s like to be a super young tarot reader.

Read his answers below and you’ll get a feeling why Elliot is so very special to me:

1.  What age were you when you started?

Elliot: I started at age 15.  I found a deck that someone had thrown away in a house we used to live in and I started playing around with it.  My family freaked out and thought I was going to hell!  And then my brother came back from Germany and bought me a Connolly Deck.  It was so magical to look at the book and study and memorize!  I found it fascinating.  I went professional at age 16.  I had just quit a job working at the Pick and Save and thought screw this.  I went to a tea house and ended up reading for the owner and got hired on the spot.  I was getting $20.00 for a reading and thought it was great – but also felt guilty as in “are people really paying me for this?”

2.  What drew you into tarot?

Elliot: Other young people didn’t get me because I stopped and reflected. I usually kept to myself.  Tarot was just so magical to me.

3.  Why do you think more young people don’t get into tarot as a profession?

Elliot: Tarot doesn’t feel “legitimate” which may be why young people don’t get into it.  They are afraid of what their peers may think, their parents or people in the community.  Young people want to fit in and you don’t want to be seen as weird or abnormal.  You don’t know how people are going to react or if you’ll be treated disrespectfully by people who never got a reading.  I’m living on the fringe of society.

4.  What are some of the stumbling blocks that you faced as a young reader?

Elliot: This is the only job I’ve had since I was 16. When I first started reading, some people would look at me like I was a scam artist or treat it like it was fun and not work.  I didn’t feel legit when around professional people.  I didn’t believe in my abilities and worried that I was scamming people.  It took time to develop confidence.

5.  How have you been treated by the tarot community?

Elliot: I don’t talk to them much.  I’ve never been taught or mentored.  I’ve had to learn on my own.  But overall, the people I have met have been kind to me.

6.  Have you faced any prejudices because of your age?

Elliot: Yes!  But as soon as they sat down and talked, there were mine!  I love being underestimated because then they are always surprised.

7.  How do you think we can get more younger people interested in tarot?

Elliot: Something has to be in popular culture in a way that is positive.  There is a jaded viewpoint and it’s cool to be cynical. What’s not cool is messages about spirit.  We need to change that.

8.  What would be your message to younger readers?

Elliot: You have to connect to the client.  It’s all about people.

If you’d like a reading by Elliot, you can contact him via email at: elliotoracle@gmail.com or by phone at: 414-841-44526.

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Blessings!

Theresa

This concludes my Young Voices In Tarot series.  I’d like to encourage more young people to get involved with tarot and to consider it a career path that can be rewarding and meaningful.  I’d also like to encourage more older readers to reach out to the younger ones and give them a hand.  This can be an isolating line of work and as Elliot said we are “living on the fringe of society”.  If we can connect the young and the old and create real community, this journey in tarot will be a little less lonely.

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