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If I Could Talk To The Animals….

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

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.

Tags: animals, tarot, tarot reading, tarot readings
Posted in animals, learning tarot, reading tarot, tarot, tarot cards, tarot reading, tarot readings | 6 Comments »

Questionable Questions

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

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?

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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Tags: clients, tarot business, tarot reading
Posted in clients, reading tarot, tarot, tarot business, tarot readers, tarot reading | 8 Comments »

A Town That’s Right For Me

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

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 then considered our vision to promote high levels of Tarot education, and realised if we could find a way of providing such a social network, we would serve our own vision by opening it to the wider community. We also recognised that as our members had such a great deal of Tarot knowledge and experience we could connect them to those looking for help in their studies in an open and friendly fashion.

This resulted in us looking at many ways of accomplishing this aim – we reviewed existing sites, new technologies, voice/video systems, on-line teaching systems, and much more. We decided on a package of the “best of the best” even though this required a significant technical and financial investment. The site TAROT-TOWN was born from this research and our desire not to re-create the wheel.

With regard to what can we offer, there’s a line in Keat’s Hyperion which asks of the Titans, “What benefit canst thou, or all thy tribe, to the great world?” We asked ourselves the same question – as Living Oracles, what is it we bring to the world? In Tarot we remind ourselves that the Story is bigger than the individual images that arise in front of us – whether it be life or cardboard. In every divination, we are divined. We hope that Tarot Town will lead to more people coming to that experience of Tarot sooner, and deeper, through an accessible introduction. We are also shaking off the cobwebs – the Tarosophy book is all about mythbusting, and promoting brand new ideas, and Tarot Town is a reflection of that ethos, research and experience.

We’ve primarily aimed to make the Town vibrant, fun and free. There’s an optional Citizen rate of $1/month which ensures we can start to make the Town viable in the long-term and at the same time not exclude anyone on the basis of cost. Participants get access to great teaching experiences, video lessons, a one-stop window on selected Blogs and news, and most importantly peer guidance in a supportive environment. Citizens get special courses and privileges.

We are delighted that Rachel Pollack (age 13!) and many of our other Hon. Members of Tarot Professionals have joined to assist in connecting and sharing their wisdom. Our Deck Study groups are likely to have the deck designers and artists themselves in residence – such as Emily Carding in the Transparent Tarot Study Group.

There’s a readers exchange which has the unique feature of double-blind requests (you offer a reading to someone, but they don’t get informed of the request unless they offer a reading to you also) and peer-review feedback system – the Tarosophy STARS rating. We are also privileged to feature Beyond Worlds Radio Show as the Town’s official Radio Station!

Most important to our hearts is that we have provided a space for Tarot Townsfolk and Citizens to make their own home. The future of Tarot Town is in the hands of its inhabitants – it is an agile environment which will respond to the requirements of its citizens in an organic manner:

There once was an architect who did not build roads, or paths, or paving. He did not even include them in his plans and drawings. He laid grass down between the buildings which were open for all to walk. Then as time went on, he watched where the grass was thinnest, and for where the beautiful curves and shortcuts, straight lines, dells and grooves that the passage of many people created. This was where he then created his paths – where feet naturally walked.

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

Tags: learning tarot, reading tarot, tarot, tarot town
Posted in Tarot Town, forum, learning tarot, reading tarot, tarot, tarot blogs, tarot community, tarot lessons, tarot reader, tarot readers, tarot reading, tarot readings | 11 Comments »

Top Ten Tarot Blogs

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

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

Tags: tarot, tarot blogs, tarot readers, tarot readings
Posted in astrocreeps, learning tarot, reading tarot, tarot, tarot blogs, tarot elements, tarot reader, tarot readers, tarot reading, tarot readings | 17 Comments »

I Read Dead People

Friday, April 9th, 2010

The last picture of my father

My dear 94 year old father (pictured above) passed away recently. It wasn’t a total shock due to his advanced age and he had been struggling with his health for a few months. My younger brother, his wife and I were Dad’s main caretakers in his last few years and we had all received “signs” that the end was near in the last weeks before he died. Most of this came in the form of dreams (I RARELY dream but when I do, it usually is either prophetic, silly or about dead relatives). I had dreamt that Betty White was the “Angel Of Death” and came to have a beer with Dad (Yeah, I know it seems rather stupid but trust me, the dream was quite vivid!). My brother, who considers himself to be logical and not psychic in the least had a dream that my late mother visited him and told him that “Dad would be okay”. We come from a superstitious family so we watched Dad very closely as we knew this was not going to be long. About 2 weeks after my brother’s dream, Dad passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones.

Since then, I have had 3 dreams with Dad and in each one, I was taking care of him. He was frail but happy. Unlike my mother, who delivered intense and very personal messages to me when she died (she still does to this day), Dad didn’t seem to have anything relevant to say. Perhaps it is not his time yet or maybe I am not ready to receive a message. Sometimes a person has to be “settled in” before they can find a way to connect with us. And then, there are times when the deceased simply don’t have anything to say. While that may seem like a bummer, I usually take it as a good sign that the person is in a comfortable place and has no desire to bother with us earthly beings.

A few months ago, one of my favorite tarot bloggers, Bonnie Cehovet, was looking for an idea for a tarot post. I suggested she write about doing tarot readings for people who have passed over to the other side and she wrote a fabulous article. (I hope you read it – she was kind enough to include a story I shared with her from one of my experiences with this subject.) So many people wish to connect with their deceased loved ones and the tarot can be a good resource. I decided to do a reading about my Dad to show you how this can be done.

When you are doing a reading for a dead person, you can use any type of spread you like. I’ll use the Horseshoe Spread in most cases (see an example of this spread at Tarot Elements) but to keep things simple, I have decided to use a Three Card Spread (pictured above), with no positions defined. My question was “How is Dad doing on the other side?”

Notice the 5 of Swords reversed on the left. Fives represent change and the Swords suit indicates struggle. When this card is right side up in a reading, it can suggest a battle and a rather negative one at that. Seeing this card reversed gave me a sigh of relief as I interpreted it as a fight that is over – no more pain, no more strife. This is a good indicator that Dad is no longer in any distress – he has released himself from the earthly battlefield and has crossed over strongly. I also see this card as a good sign that Dad was really ready to make this transition and didn’t want to “fight” any longer. This makes sense as a few days before he died, Dad told me that he “just wanted this to end”.

The next two cards are from the Major Arcana and this indicates strong spiritual energy at work. Major Arcana can represent karma and the path towards enlightenment. The presence of these two shows me that Dad is well on his journey and exactly where he needs to be. The High Priestess is a gatherer of knowledge – Dad may be actively trying to understand the role he played here. If he had trouble understanding his earthly path, it seems as if he is now able to look within and discover the karmic lessons and make peace with them. Self knowledge and intuition vibrate very strongly with this card – but The High Priestess tends to store this knowledge deep within – a sign that Dad is definitely not ready to share his experiences with me or anyone else. Perhaps he has not found the right way to communicate with us yet – or he may be too busy discovering his own way on the other side.

The Chariot is a very strong card, suggesting a “triumph” and a “great victory”. This card also speaks of spiritual maturity. Dad seems to be handling his new role on the other side well. He is in the driver’s seat and following the correct course. If there was ever a card to represent “going in the right direction”, this would be it. He seems to be coming to terms with the former life as well as his new life in a mature and polished manner – a sign of a man moving forward towards a higher mission. He has found the vehicle for enlightenment and is taking the reigns firmly in his hands. He is well on his way and not looking back at all. (Interestingly, the High Priestess is attributed to the Moon and the Chariot is connected with Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon – these two cards seem to complement each other very well and also imply positive energy at work.)

So it appears to me that Dad was not only ready to go but he is speeding off in the otherworld, following his personal karmic mission towards the next level. He has achieved a perfect transition and most likely, will not be popping in to visit with me anytime soon. I wish him well on his journey.

Blessings!

Theresa

PS I’d LOVE to hear your stories about doing readings for loved ones who have passed on. Please share them in the comments section below.

Tags: tarot, tarot readings
Posted in tarot, tarot reading, tarot readings | 11 Comments »

Tarot Gripes

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Years ago, I went to see a psychic who was well regarded by a few friends. I had high expectations and couldn’t wait to see what she’d come up with. A group of us went together and my anticipation grew as each person walked out of the room excitedly sharing their stunning results. Finally my turn arrived and I practically shoved the previous person out of the way to get in the room with this amazing mystic. After paying her fee, I sat down with bated breath and proceeded to get one of the most bizarre readings I have ever had. She told me that I was a biker who danced on bars for men. And that people loved to watch me dance. Um…okay. And that was pretty much the extent of it. (Those who know me well know that a) I can’t dance worth a lick b) I hate motorcycles despite living in Harley land and c) wouldn’t be on a bar dancing as I also have a fear of heights.) I realized the woman gave me the reading based on my wardrobe – I was wearing a rather skimpy top and motorcycle boots!

When I walked out, everyone couldn’t wait to hear my take on the reading. And they were utterly disappointed that I was not impressed. I was never invited again to a psychic outing because they now assumed I was being snooty and critical because I am in the same line of work. C’est la vie.

Whenever you are in a “service” type of job (and I consider tarot/astrology/psychic work to fit this category), you are bound to get some griping from clients. It’s par for the course. I’ve had it happen too. It’s not as bad as you think and you can learn from your clients if you keep an open mind. A few strategies for some of the most common complaints can help you and your patrons to have a more satisfying experience.

Here’s the usual gripes I have heard about or dealt with personally and my solutions:

1. I can’t remember a thing that tarot reader said! This is a complaint that I have had from many clients when I first began reading tarot professionally (mainly because I talk VERY fast). I found keeping a notepad handy for note taking is a smart move. I also will recommend a client bring a tape and tape player to record their reading – which has been hugely successful for the more absent minded types. I don’t provide the machine or tapes myself because not everyone will have the same players, etc.

2. I forgot what I wanted to ask! A good way to avoid this is to suggest to your customers that they write down their questions before they come to see you. This way, they are assured they don’t walk out without the pertinent questions answered. I’ve learned this the hard way myself. Years ago, I was frantic about some situation and visited a reader for clarity. Well, I got there and forgot all about the big dramatic issue and walked out without asking one question about it! I was really mad at myself for that one. Lesson learned.

3. All my friends said this tarot reader was so great and she didn’t hit on one thing with me! Sadly, not everyone is a good fit. This can’t be helped. The energy may not be compatible and there is nothing the reader or client can do about it. I’m always more than happy to recommend another reader if I don’t feel the chemistry. Keep a list of your colleagues handy in case this situation arises. (I also recommend not confusing the reader by wearing skimpy tops and motorcycle boots unless you really are a biker! LOL)

4. The psychic told me that I had negative energy and wanted me to give them a bunch of money to remove a curse! I’ve had to undo more damage from these types of psychics and tarot readers than I care to discuss. They are a scourge on this industry! These con artists give this work a real black eye and for ethical readers, we are helpless to prevent it. However, you can educate people on this scam. Let your clients know that this is not an acceptable practice and that no one has the power to put a curse on them.

There are other potential issues of conflict but in all my years of work, these complaints were the most common. If you are a tarot reader, I’d love to hear what criticisms you have heard and how you dealt with it. Or if you’ve ever had a reading, what was your biggest grievance? Share your stories below in the comment section!

Blessings!
Theresa

Image from blogs.theage.com.au

Posted in tarot, tarot cards, tarot reading | 21 Comments »

The Comfort Zone – Setting Up A Space For Tarot Reading

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Whether you read tarot for yourself or others, the environment can make all the difference in the quality of the reading. A calm, soothing atmosphere allows for an open, receptive mind, which is favorable for a good tarot reading. It doesn’t matter if you actually see clients in person or only do phone readings – the same principle applies.

The Office

I’m fortunate that I am able to have an office where my clients can visit me directly. I put my personal stamp on my place and it is comfortable for me. There is almost no place I’d rather be than my office (well, except maybe the kitchen!). If you decide to set up a space in your home or rent a space, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Make it relaxed and welcoming. Beautiful pictures, a homey decor and plenty of light lend a cozy vibe. Have your table at a decent ergonomic height so no one has to hunch over it. Get chairs that are comfortable enough but STURDY (I have had more than one chair destroyed by a bigger client). A soft couch is a nice touch, especially in a waiting area. Candles can soften the atmosphere but are not necessary. Keep your office neat and clean. Clutter can be distracting – try to keep it to a minimum especially on the surface you intend to read on. (I’ll admit to being rather cluttery myself but it’s mostly books and I keep it contained well enough.)

2. Keep the temperature comfortable. If your office is too hot or too cold your client will not be able to relax. You may end up having to pay extra in energy costs but this is worth it in my opinion. I’d rather pay a few dollars to the energy man to insure my clients are happy.

3. Some tarot readers frown on “tinkly music” but I heartily disagree. I like to have relaxing new age or classical music playing in the background. Many of my clients come here from work and this immediately soothes their frazzled nerves and helps to set a chilled out tone.

4. Incense is optional. I keep this to a minimum as many people are allergic or just don’t like the smell. If you really must burn it, consider doing it an hour before work – and keep the window slightly open to get rid of the smoke. Because people can be sensitive to scents, you may want to consider NOT wearing perfume.

5. Pets can be adorable but also unpredictable. You may want to keep Rover out of your office to avoid potential issues. I have two cats and one happens to be extremely obnoxious. I’ll allow them down at times but usually, they get the boot if they become unruly – or if a client is allergic or fearful. Believe it or not, some of my clients actually REQUEST the cats sit in on the reading!

6. Avoid the oogie boogie thing as much as possible. In other words, you may want to keep your images and person rather neutral. Some people are fearful enough walking into a tarot reading and anything too “spooky” could be a turn off. In my own office, I have many religious pictures from the 1920′s (a nod to my Catholic roots and my favorite era). I always get a lot of compliments on them. But I also have a framed antique bisque baby doll that sometimes freaks out sensitive types until I explain to them that I bought it that way! And then there are some who actually prefer the gypsy witch experience and may be disappointed if you appear too “normal”. I’ve had a few that thought they’d walk in and I’d be wearing a turban….they were quite bummed out that wasn’t the case.

Phone Readings

1. Make sure you are in a relaxed place so you can concentrate. This means the baby is asleep, the dog is out of your hair, hubby isn’t walking in and out and the television is off. I find I need my environment super quiet if I am doing a reading over the phone. I want to give all of my attention to the client – distractions destroy my ability to focus.

2. Be sure the client is in an equally relaxed place. I learned this the hard way. I had a few clients who would call me and then spend half the reading yelling at their children or spouse. I now insist they schedule their appointment when they know they will not be disturbed. I need the client to concentrate as much as I am because they are not here to shuffle the cards!

Parties and Public Places

You will have little to no control in this arena. When you do anything at other people’s homes, you are at their mercy. I’ve done readings in freezing cold basements, sweltering bedrooms, screaming loud taverns, next to blaring speakers at a convention, and in a cockroach ridden mouse infested hellhole. I’ve learned to be flexible but now set some boundaries as much as possible.

You can do a little “damage control” by asking your client in advance what the area will be like. If you are doing a major public event, insist on a quiet table away from the action. Ask your hostess to put you in a separate room if possible. Some tarot readers I know even bring their own tablecloths, crystals, candles and music to insure they are able to set a vibe they like! As long as you and the querent can find a way to be relaxed, you may find that you can read your tarot anywhere!

Blessings!
Theresa
http://www.thetarotlady.com

Image from notlob86

PS That is NOT my office pictured above! LOL Just a lovely picture.

Where do you read tarot? What are your tips for creating the right atmosphere? I’d love to hear your suggestions! Leave them in the comments section below!

Posted in office, tarot, tarot cards, tarot reader, tarot reading | 1 Comment »

The Yamas Of Tarot Reading

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Most people who know me also know that in addition to reading tarot, I am an avid yogi and have been practicing for well over a decade. About 6 years ago, I started to teach yoga and meditation so that I could share these gifts with others who are seeking a more enlightened life.

Many Westerners think of yoga as an “exercise” program and begin taking classes in hopes of achieving the so-called “yoga butt”. I cringe inwardly at this idea because yoga is so much more than that. In fact, the physical aspect of yoga is really only a tiny part. Yoga has a rich history and deep philosophical roots. For example, there are “8 limbs” of yoga – and each one gives us an idea of how to live more consciously. When we bring awareness to our thoughts, words, breath, physicality, and actions, we can begin to reach “samadhi” (liberation), the ultimate goal.

The first limb consists of the “Yamas” (translated as “restraints”). These are the ethical principles that guide us on living in the outside world. When we live a life that respects all and treats others with compassion, we can truly begin to live our dharma and find meaning in our lives.

A majority of my contact with the outside world comes through my work. How can I apply the Yamas to tarot reading?

1. The first Yama – and probably the most important one – is AHIMSA – which means “non-violence” . I’m not talking about using the tarot as a physical weapon (I doubt a deck of 78 cards can do much damage on a human body)! It’s about actively practicing kindness and compassion with those who seek to use my services. This can be accomplished by treating clients with respect as well as choosing words that are life affirming and positive. A reader must be as tolerant, sympathetic and considerate as possible. If you have ever gone to a tarot reader that is negative and rude, you know how damaging that kind of vibe can be. I’ll never forget years ago a girlfriend and I went to see a very unhappy tarot reader who did nothing but project her bitterness on to us. We walked out of there laughing because nothing she said applied or made sense. It was obvious that she was down on her own life and wanted us to be as miserable as her. For a vulnerable client, a reader like this can be very damaging.

2. The second Yama is SATYA, or “truth”. Honesty should guide every word that comes out of your mouth. In other words, a tarot reader must strive to deliver a truthful reading. If you only tell the client what they want to hear, you are doing a disservice. However, that does not mean being harsh with your delivery – once again, Ahimsa must be the cornerstone of every action. You can deliver a candid tarot reading without being “brutal”. A heavy hand can be necessary on occasion but a “velvet sledgehammer” is always my preferred tool. I also believe that you can practice Satya by being honest about your abilities. Never pretend to be something that you are not. This could be as simple as knowing when you are not the right reader for a specific client. This is humbling but if you get your ego out of it, you’ll see that this is far better than thinking you can read for any and all who come your way. It’s not possible. NO reader can do that.

3. The third Yama is ASTEYA, translated as “non-stealing”. This can be best practiced with your fellow tarot readers. For example, give credit where credit is due. Don’t take the glory for something if you didn’t do the work. Always acknowledge your teachers and mentors for their assistance. Avoid actively seeking out a fellow reader’s clientele (there is enough work for everyone!). This is a bad business practice born out of scarcity mentality.

4. The fourth Yama is BRAHMACHARYA, or “celibacy”. No, I’m not talking about it from a sexual point of view (however, sleeping with your clients is NOT a smart idea. I know of one guy who used to do that and it brought him all kinds of trouble!). I’m talking about it from an “energy” viewpoint. If you are constantly doing tarot readings without conserving some of your energy, you risk burnout – which is no good for you or your clients. Restraining yourself here is wise and prudent. I adhere to a strict policy of only reading 4 days out of the week and limiting the number of clients I serve. Maintaining healthy boundaries makes for a better tarot reader – and a better experience for your clients and a healthier business and life experience in general.

5. The last Yama is “APARIGRAHA” or “non-grasping”. You can practice Aparigraha by not “owning” your clients. They are free to come and go as they please – and to seek a different reader if they should choose to do so for any reason. A tarot reader should avoid pushy solicitation. There are some unethical readers that take it to an extreme by telling a client that they have a “curse” on them – and then offering to remove it for thousands of dollars! Some of these con artists will resort to calling the client at home at all hours of the day and night. This is unconscionable and downright criminal! NO ethical reader should EVER engage in such practices.

My other favorite way of exercising Aparigraha is by being objective and “letting go of the readings”. I actively work at detaching myself from the outcome – and when my work with a client is done, I also choose to let it go. In other words, I do not obsess over the reading. I close my chakras and move on to the next one without hanging on to what was. I choose to live in the moment. That’s how I roll.

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

What ethics or philosophies guide you as a tarot reader? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Posted in tarot, tarot cards, tarot reader, tarot reading, yoga | 5 Comments »

The Prediction Predicament

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

A few years ago, I was sitting in my office when suddenly a flash came before my eyes. I darted upstairs to breathlessly tell my husband “I just had a vision! Someone is going to give me monkey socks!” He looked at me quizzically and then continued on with what he was doing. Months later, one of my clients sat down for a reading and casually said ”I have a present for you” and proceeds to hand me a pair of green socks with monkeys on them! I almost fell out of my chair as I quickly ran upstairs to excitedly show my husband. “Great… my wife can predict a pair of monkey socks but not the winning lottery numbers.” he replied with a smirk and rolling eyes.

Living with a psychic has taken some of the element (and excitement) of surprise away from him. I’ve even managed to ruin many a birthday and holiday as I am such a good gift guesser that he must now resort to elaborate schemes to get me off the scent. I often will deliver an answer before he even utters the question. So he no longer gets a thrill when I have a “vision”. When every day is prediction day, it becomes second nature and rather common.

Thank goodness my clients never tire of it though or I’d be talking to a blank wall. Working as a tarot reader has allowed me to utilize my intuition in a way that can aid my clients and help them to navigate life’s ups and downs with a bit more grace. However, I have noticed that “fortune telling” has fallen out of favor in my line of work. Many tarot readers and other intuitives shy away from it. Why?

One reason is that some modern tarot authors have presented the tarot as a tool for psychoanalysis – and a new trend of using tarot not as a fortune telling device but as a method of therapy has become very popular. Some authors prescribe to an “interactive” style of tarot reading where the querent looks at the cards and tells the reader what they mean to them, turning a tarot session into a therapy session. While this can be helpful in many cases, the art of prediction gets lost in the process.

An argument I have heard is that fortune telling is “disempowering” or “unethical”. How? Its been said that a predicted event implies that the querent has “no control” over their lives. As a huge believer in free will, I find this to be nonsense. After all, nothing is cut in stone. In my opinion, having an idea of what may transpire empowers a client in a major way. It’s like doing a road trip with a map. If you have an idea of where you are going, can’t you decide if you want to go down a different path if you don’t like the view? And isn’t that easier to do when you have the map in hand?

Another consideration is the ego factor. We tarot readers tend to be a sensitive lot. Some are not comfortable with the idea that they’ll be proven wrong. Like weathermen, we look at the patterns and make predictions to the best of our abilities. It is definitive fact that only a certain percentage of our predictions will truly hit the mark. That is why this is not work for lightweights or people who are controlled entirely by their egos. It takes a fair amount of cojones to make a prediction. A thick skin is mandatory because in this line of work you’re fair game, and many people will WANT you to be wrong. Using the tarot as therapy may be safer in some ways, but you shouldn’t let the “fear of being wrong” inhibit you from making predictions and giving your client’s reading the full breadth and depth that could provide them the insight they need to guide their lives in a truly practical way.

It may be intimidating to use the tarot to predict But think about it this way – why do people come to see psychics, tarot readers and astrologers? They come to learn about future events. Not providing this service to a client is akin to visiting a dentist who talks about cleaning your teeth rather than actually doing it.

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

I’d love to hear your thoughts about predicting. Leave your comments below!

Posted in predictions, tarot, tarot cards, tarot reader, tarot reading | 18 Comments »

How To Give A Fabulous Tarot Reading

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

In my last post I wrote about getting a great tarot reading. But what about how to GIVE one? Many new readers struggle with this and I get asked all the time for advice. Whether you are a tarot reading newbie or an old pro, here are a few tips to help you give awesome tarot readings:

1. Ground yourself. No matter how talented you are, if you are not calm and present, your readings will suffer. It is imperative that your mind is in a good place so the information you receive will be accurate and not tainted by your moods or issues. I highly recommend that you learn to meditate. A consistent meditation practice will center your mind, allowing for more focus and a better connection to your own inner wisdom. If you are the ansty type (I am), take up yoga. It has a wonderful way of “tricking” you into a meditative state. Every day I do a yoga practice and meditate. I can personally attest that it has helped my readings immensely.

2. Prep your environment. Be sure the place you read in is tranquil and clean. Although I am a cluttery gal, I keep my office neat and free of messy distractions. I like to burn a little incense to create a nice vibe and I play some soft music in the background. Candles and crystals are also a nice touch for creating a spiritual mood. My clients often remark that my office is soothing.

3. Uncross your legs and arms. This sounds silly but if you like to sit with crossed feet or arms, it can “block energy”. Plant your feet firmly on the ground and refrain from a closed off stance. I sometimes like to put my feet up on another chair. While this may not be totally grounding, it is relaxing for me.

4. Get rid of unnecessary distractions. In other words, if you have unfriendly dogs, screaming kids or a nosy spouse, scoot them out of your room. I have two friendly cats that can really be a pain. At times I will allow them in the office (some clients even insist on their presence!), but when they get too obnoxious, they get the boot!

5. Be sober. No one enjoys a cocktail as much as I do – however, a tipsy tarot reader is never a good thing. You need to be conscious in order to receive information properly. (I know of one psychic who did a reading for two senior citizens while he was tripping on acid! He said it was NOT a groovy experience as he could barely function!) If you like to imbibe, do it after your work. Your clients deserve a fully functional reader!

6. Practice often. The best tarot readers constantly practice to perfect their art. Whether this means doing readings on a regular basis or learning new techniques from other sources, keep on practicing. The more you do it, the better you will get. Read for everyone who is interested.

7. Get your ego out of it. If you are worried about “being wrong” or on the other hand enamored with your own abilities, you are bound to fail. Learn to be neutral. Deliver information without attaching your emotions, ego, or need for validation to the reading. Simply read.

Happy tarot reading!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

What are your tips for giving a good tarot reading? Share them in the comments section!

Posted in tarot, tarot cards, tarot reader, tarot reading | No Comments »