Doing tarot on the fly is a real possibility (and sometimes a necessity) but I have found that the best tarot readings come when both reader and querent have done a little prepping.

Why?  It’s because the right mindset will lead to a better reading (and experience) for all parties involved.

A reading done in haste is rarely done well – and a reading done with an unfocused mind or scattered agenda leads to a lack of clear answers.  Here’s how to prep for the best reading possible whether you are the reader or the client.

For the reader:  

1. Make sure you are rested.  A tired reader leads to a lackluster reading.
2. Be sober.  Don’t consume too many stimulants (caffeine).  BE PRESENT.
3. Meditate before opening your practice for the day.  A walk or any form of exercise is helpful as well.
4. Energy work helps to get the chakras balanced and chi moving through the body.  Reiki is a wonderful tool for readers.  I’m also a fan of “Energy Medicine” by Donna Eden.  Her techniques work wonders for me.
5. Keep your office quiet.  Soft music can help (although some readers need silence).  Yappy dogs and kids should not be present.  You need to focus.  Turn off the phone.
6. Breathe deeply.
7. Give the client an oracle card to read before you begin your work together.  This gives them a moment to slow down and clear their brain.  Many clients come straight from work and need a little time to center themselves.
8. If you are unwell, cancel your work.  You must be PRESENT for the client – if you are ill, you need to be present for yourself.
9. Cleanse the space before the client arrives.  Smudge, open a window, light a candle – whatever helps you to get your tarot groove on.

For the querent:

1. Do not get a reading if you are freaking out.  You will not be centered.  Wait if you can.  An aggressive, impulsive or trippy mindset will only hear what they want to hear.
2. Take time before your reading to quietly reflect on what you need from the reading.  Write a list of questions before you come so that you are sure to cover the information you most need.
3. Be sober.  Don’t consume too many stimulants (caffeine).  Yup, it works both ways – reader and querent need to be centered.  The calmer you both are, the more clear the answers will be.
4. Breathe deeply.
5. Tape your reading.  This will allow you to listen to the reading later – but it also frees you from having to take notes which can interfere with your ability to deeply listen to the reader.

Phone readings: For phone readings, the rules above apply but it is extremely important for the querent to have a quiet space so that they may be present for the reading.  For example, if you are getting a phone reading and you have too much noise in the background, you may not hear what your reader is saying.

The tarot reader will also need to make sure that they are holding the same sacred space for their client on the phone as if the client were in their office.  Do not be checking email or watching soaps in the background while on the phone.  Cut out your distractions and focus.  You must BE PRESENT for the client even if they are not in your office.

Email readings:  If you are getting a tarot reading via the email, take time to formulate your question.  Be as clear as possible.  Don’t mix too many questions into one as this will muddy your question and lead to confusion for the reader.  If you are comfortable, send a picture of yourself as this gives your reader something to focus on.

If you are giving a reading via email, just make sure that there are no distractions – once again, you want to focus all of your energy on the querent.  Email readings need the same care that in person or phone readings need.  Approach them as if the client were sitting right in front of you.

The main criteria for a solid tarot reading is a PRESENT mind.  If you can manifest that on demand, great (I can’t).  But for those of us who are not that spontaneous, the suggestions above can help everyone walk away from the experience feeling content.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” ~ Buddha

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

How do you prepare for your reading?  Not just as a tarot reader but as a client?  What helps you feel “ready”?

I’ve been in a long term tarot relationship.

In fact, it’s been a 30 year love affair that has outlasted almost every other relationship I have ever had.  (I’m very commitment-phobic and get bored easily – yet I never get sick of tarot and I dedicate considerable time to it.)

After such considerable time together, you develop a certain level of intimacy that allows you to understand your partner’s moods and quirks rather deeply.  My tarot cards have taught me a lot about how they operate.

And this is what I have learned:

You don’t have to be psychic to read tarot cards.  But tarot can help you to become more intuitive.  Practice often enough and soon enough, you’ll tap into that vast well of mystical wisdom deep within YOU.

Physical death rarely comes up in a tarot reading.  My tarot gets all touchy and creeped out and prefers to tiptoe around the subject.  I’ve had a lot of deaths around me the last 5 years and my cards were never comfortable making a prediction on anyone’s demise.  But it has been great for helping me to cope with the grieving process and I’ve gotten crystal clear communication from my deceased loved ones using tarot

Tarot is a sensitive instrument.  If you are highly anxious or obsessive, it will withdraw and shut down.  My cards are happier when I approach them with a calm and centered mind.

Tarot is never a substitute for therapy.  It can play a role in healing but it will never take the place of a licensed therapist.

Tarot does not like to beat a dead horse.  Ask the same question again and again and soon you’ll discover that they will give you the run around.  My cards have ADHD and will get very bored if you continue to pester them.  Oh – and they are not stupid.  So don’t try to ask the same thing in a new way just to get the answer you want.  You’ll get nothing.  Nada, zilch.

Timing is not a perfect science. Many things – including your choices as well as the choices of others – can effect timing.  The cards can give a general timeline but it is still your actions that determine how fast or slow something materializes.

Tarot hates agendas.  An open mind free from attachment to outcomes will lead to the clearest, most accurate answers.

Tarot cannot give you a guarantee. Your future is not written in stone. You always have a choice and you can change course at any time (and so can other people for that matter).

Each tarot deck has a unique world view.  Some of my decks are really sweet and some are kinda bad ass thuggy.  They all have a language of their own.  A diverse tarot collection allows me to broaden my knowledge and expand my tarot horizons (and have  options to suit different personalities).

Whether newly in love with your tarot deck or happily committed for many years, you’ll continuously discover new layers and depth the longer you stay together.

I’m looking forward to my 50 year anniversary one day.  I wonder how I will feel about my tarot cards then?

“The closeness of your relationships is directly proportional to the degree to which you have revealed the truth about yourself.” ~ Unknown

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

What kind of relationship do you have with your tarot cards?  What have you learned about them?  Share your insights in the comment section below:

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 

There it was again. The 8 of Cups. And I was not happy to see it.

I have a weird history with that card.  When I first started learning tarot, I thought it was a rather gentle card that suggested leaving behind worldly success for something more meaningful.  How poetic, right?

But in my own personal readings, this card has taken on a different tone.  It’s become a warning bell especially when it comes to friendships.

Let me explain.  Years ago, I was friends with a very snarky woman.  She was great fun and I enjoyed her acidic wit and sharp mind.  We bonded over mystical subjects, good food and long talks about life.  I even helped her launch a business.

One day, I decided to do a reading on the relationship.  Oddly, the 8 of Cups came up.  Hmmm….was I going to walk away?  Or did that suggest the relationship would take on a more spiritual vibration?  (I envisioned us like wizened old monks traveling the world and seeking wisdom.)  I preferred the second option, so I put those cards away and continued on, business as usual.

And then she betrayed me.  I won’t go into the details but it was the most painful ending to a friendship I had ever experienced.  It took me months to “get over it”.  But eventually, I did.  I simply moved on.

Flash forward many years later.  I meet a new friend.  We hit it off immediately and quickly form a bond over food and other common interests.  I’m thrilled and full of anticipation.

I lay out the cards to see if there is a future. And that damn 8 of Cups shows up.  My heart sinks. Once again, I try to see a positive spin here.   But there is a 7 of Swords for good measure.  I shove the cards into a dark drawer and put on my happy face.

And then I learn a repeat lesson.  Not as brutal but still an element of betrayal. Although this time, I am not so shocked.  I even try to salvage things by explaining how I feel.  Except this person doesn’t listen and just gets uncomfortable with my emotional reaction.  So I walk away, brush my shoulders off and let it go.  It took no time this time to “get over it”.   I was forewarned by the 8 of Cups so I knew this could be a possible outcome.

Last year, I made another acquaintance.  I am a naturally friendly person but I am wary of this one.  Perhaps because I can smell the potential for bullshit this time.  Things quickly take a turn in a very odd and icky direction.

So I pull out the cards.  And guess who shows up?  Yup, the 8 of Cups.  I walk away, brush my shoulders off and don’t look back.  And although I am not happy with the situation, I know I am safe.  I heeded the warning even more carefully than ever.  I am bruised but not hurt.  This time, I move on immediately.

For me, the 8 of Cups has become sort of an alarm when it turns up in any sort of friendship query.  I no longer attempt to see a rosy picture.  I have learned that for me, it is a sign to run as far away as possible.  It says: get out while the getting is good.  Turn your back and never cross that path again. This person is not safe.

I find it intriguing when certain cards become personal “omens” or warnings.  Over the years, I have had other cards that have tried to serve as an alert.  Sometimes it is obvious like The Tower.  But other times not so much (3 of Wands reversed can indicate a need to put distance in a relationship).

Every card has the potential to serve as a sign for potential good or ill to come.  Whether or not you heed the “warning” is all up to you.

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

Have any cards become your personal “four alarm warning” cards?  I’d love to hear your stories in the comment section below:

Talkin’ Tarot With is a monthly feature designed to introduce my readers to different tarot readers from our wonderfully diverse community!  Each month, I’ll be asking various tarot readers 3 questions about their tarot philosophy and style, plus pointing you to their websites and blogs so that you can learn more about them!  I like to hand pick tarot readers that I feel are talented and interesting.

When I first started flirting with social media, I noticed Melissa Tarot’s cute little logo.  As whimsical as that logo was, I discovered that Melissa is no tarot lightweight.  She has one of the deepest, most thoughtful blogs – and better yet – she does killer readings!

Recently I was a “tarot lab rat” for a series she did on her blog.  Melissa picked a few of us (including my homegirl Starcana) for tarot readings on her site and the results blew me away!  I found her reading to be down to earth, accurate and helpful.  And that’s the best kind of reading in my opinion.

Melissa has been doing tarot readings since she was 14.  Twenty two years later, she’s still learning every day.  She’s currently madly in love with the Shadowscapes tarot and the Tarot of Trees deck.  She lives in the St. Louis area with her kiddos and assorted animals.

Website – http://melissatarot.wordpress.com
Twitter – MelissaTarot
Facebook – Melissa Tarot

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

Melissa:  My philosophy about tarot reading is that tarot is like a flashlight.  We can see down our path a bit, but tarot shows us just a bit further down the road.  I’m a big fan of allowing free will into readings.  If I give you a reading, that’s basically saying that right now – if you continue this way with these intents – this is the most likely outcome.  I love giving readings and having the obstinance of the client change the outcome.  I like reaffirming decisions and validating choices.  I love that these cards can give solace or confidence, and I love that they’re challenging.  As a reader, I think that the best realization I’ve ever come to is that I have to be a scholar.  I can’t just learn the meanings of the cards by memory and churn out readings.  There is so much to each picture, each element and each position.  I don’t think I’ll ever learn all of it, but I’m having a great time trying.

2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

Melissa: I think that my clients can get a lot from a reading with me by breathing and relaxing.  That sounds silly, but I have a pretty laid back style and I’ve found myself starting readings by saying, “Let’s see what we can see.”.  Oftentimes, one of my readings will go for 20 minutes or so – interpreting the cards, and then we’ll talk for an hour.  I don’t time my readings, because sometimes they’re 10 minutes and sometimes they’re hours long.  I think that a client can get the most out of a reading with me by being open about what they hear.  It’s hard to hear that something isn’t going to work out, but I always try to look far enough ahead to find balance.  One of my favorite readings to date (in 22 years!) was with Starcana.  Three cards, basically a Universal high five – and then we giggled and talked shop for an hour. I’m very straight-forward, and probably swear too much.  I’m honest, and I’m invested in each reading that I do.  This is a walk that the client and I are taking together, and they’re trusting me to help them through whatever they’re questioning.  I take my job very seriously, but I’m just delighted by it.  What a wonderful, strange gift we have.

3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

Melissa: For a new reader I’d suggest to study!  I used the book with my original Rider Waite deck for ten years – I needed it.  I didn’t want to half-ass the readings, and I didn’t want to be stuck without a resource and be uninformed.  Each card is so layered and has so much inside of it.  Each can be interpreted so many ways – as I said before, I feel very strongly that if you’re going to be a reader, you’re going to be a scholar.  Also, I’d advise keeping your nose clean.  There are a lot of unscrupulous readers out there who make the rest of us look bad.  Just remember that the Universe is watching you.  Always.  I had a friend ask if I could make more money, have more clients, etc., if I were a little more theatrical.  If I played up the “I am a spiritual advisor, hire me and I will set you free.” angle.  Yeah, probably.  I think I’d also get my ass handed to me by karma VERY quickly.  Also, the internet is a wonderful resource.  Not just for the cards, but for people like Theresa, Starcana, Catherine Chapman at Tarot Elements, etc.  I never would have found these wonderful colleagues without Twitter, of all things, and they teach me more than I could imagine.

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Many thanks to Melissa for taking the time out of her crazy busy day to chat with me.   Learn more about Melissa and great a kick ass reading from her at her website.

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

If you read tarot long enough, one fine day you’ll deliver a reading that truly blows chunks.  In fact, you may be so off the mark that it will leave you filled with fear and insecurity about your reading abilities. You will know DOUBT intimately.

And while that scenario may sound horrendous, there will also come a day when you do a reading that is so perfectly, sublimely dead-on-accurate that you will almost scare yourself as your chest swells with pride.  And in some ways that may be worse than the former example.  Why?

Because you’ll start to BELIEVE YOUR OWN HYPE.

You’ll think you’ve got it down. You might become a cocksure tarot rock star, smirking at those “unspiritual” plebes who cannot “see the future” like you do cause you have a “gift”. Hell yeah! (If you get like this, you’ll soon experience the other side of the coin – failure. The universe never likes a smart ass.)

And eventually you’ll start to understand that these mindsets come from a very similar culprit: the EGO. The ego will fawn all over you when you are “right” and it will crush your spirt like a sledgehammer when you are “wrong”.

And this, my friend, will get in the way of your ability to read clearly.  When you approach tarot with attachment to being right or the fear of being wrong, you will muddy the works. And then you will  REALLY struggle to read.  Or worse yet, you’ll be haunted by the “bad” readings or gloating over the “good” ones and keeping yourself emotionally tied to every single reading.  Maddening.  And not a good place to be.

So what is the answer? DETACH. Tame that sucker. Shut it down. LET GO.

But how?

First of all, the more you practice tarot reading, the better.  Do it often enough and you’ll stop being enamored of your abilities and you’ll also be less devastated with your mistakes.  You’ll see that this is all part of the work.  Now, that doesn’t mean you get sloppy or careless – you still do the best damn reading you can but you no longer attach yourself to the outcome.  You LET GO.

You begin to allow the reading to be about YOUR CLIENT – not you or your abilities.

Meditation is another tool for coming to terms with your oh-so-fragile ego.  A daily practice allows you to find compassion for yourself. As you begin to make friends with the essence of you, the ego dissolves.  You find inner peace. And the more you meditate, the more insignificant things become.  You LET GO.

But if meditation isn’t doing it, try spending time with a child.  Kids are egoless.  They tell the truth without any fear and then quickly move on to other things.  They’re slick that way.

They don’t care how hard you work to hold up a carefully planned veneer to the world. They’ll rip it down and let everyone know what an ass you are in “real” life.  Your secrets are not safe with them.  You don’t get to have an ego with a kid around. They see you as YOU ARE.  And they’ll let you and the whole wide world know it. KIDS WILL MAKE YOU STARE YOUR OWN SHAKY EGO DEAD IN THE EYE AGAIN AND AGAIN.

But a child will also make you realize how wonderful and beautiful you are.  They SEE YOU but then they let it go and get back down to the business of being a kid.

Oh and if you are not kid-centric, get a cat.  I’m serious about that.  Here’s why: a cat won’t give a crap about “who” you are or how talented you think you are.  They are indifferent to all that nonsense.  (My cats treat me like a treat dispenser.)  They don’t care one iota about how sacred you think your tarot cards are.  In fact, most cats will be more than happy to flop right down on a tarot spread and pass the hell out.

And cats are the ultimate teachers of detachment.  If you really want to learn how to master your ego observe a cat as they chase a bug. They are completely focused and in the moment during the act. It’s full on, baby!  But after the job is done and the bug has been eaten, they SIMPLY WALK AWAY. They don’t obsess if they did it right.  They don’t get too bent out of shape if the bug got away.  They JUST MOVE ON.  (And maybe take a nap in some cases.)

So the next time you find yourself getting hung up on being the “God of Tarot” or the “Biggest Tarot Loser”, just chill.  Let it all go.  DETACH. Meditate. Take a nap. Just be.

“Ego has a voracious appetite, the more you feed it, the hungrier it gets.” ~ Nathaniel Bronner Jr.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

The image is my cat and tarot card destroyer, Monkey.  He is the true master of the “monkey mind”.  :)

How do you deal with ego issues as they arise in your tarot readings?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below:

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:

This is a guest post by the winner of my Tarot Apprentice contest – Hilary Parry.  Enjoy!

It’s bad enough learning the “accepted” meanings of all 78 cards in a tarot deck. If you read with reversals, that’s 78 x 2! Add on your own interpretations if you’ve read long enough and have come to know that in your head, the Empress + [blank] = pregnancy (or whatever tarot formulas you personally have seen to be true). Tack on spreads and where each card lands positionally and you’ve got a whole lot for you and a client to talk about. But did you ever stop and think, “Which cards are NOT here?”

I know, tarot is complicated enough thinking about all the scenarios that can play out when the cards are on the table, so you might be wondering, “Why bother with discussing the cards that are not present during a reading?” Well, sometimes the absence of certain cards says more than what the cards actually dealt in a reading say.

A couple of scenarios to illustrate my point:

Someone comes to the table, asking about a potential love interest. It isn’t a yes/no question, but more of a how/when. The cards are laid out. But the solution isn’t so obvious, and there are no Major Arcana cards that arise in the reading. What do we look for? What do we note that is missing?

If it’s about love, and there are no Cups in the reading… well, there are a couple of things that could be interpreted from that, but not limited to just these interpretations (in general):

1. a frivolous crush that isn’t substantial enough to constitute a true emotional connection; the client’s romantic intentions might be best suited elsewhere or a focus inward is in order; or
2. the object of the client’s affections isn’t interested (again, keeping in mind this is a hypothetical)

Still talking about a potential love interest, what if there ARE Cups present, but no Pentacles (Coins)? This might indicate lots of emotion, but little stability, if any. There may be lots of love but perhaps not enough of the practical aspects that go into making a relationship work.

Moving on to another scenario. Someone has to pick between two jobs. In this case, you might choose to do two spreads, one for each of the potential jobs. In one spread, lots and lots of Coins. Of course, depending on the specific cards laid out, you might suggest the job that’s abundant in the money would be the “correct” choice. But what about job fulfillment? So you look to the other spread. Wands and Cups, but no Coins. Again, depending on the cards, you might conclude that this choice would be more fulfilling, but not likely to be as lucrative as the other choice.

These scenarios are a lot more black and white than normal readings go, I know. But as readers who spend a lot of time in the crossroads of other people’s lives serving them as a guide at the juncture of the roads, it helps to keep in mind that what isn’t present in a reading is often just as important as what is.

Contact Hilary Parry for a tarot reading:
Email: tarrytowntarot@gmail.com
Blog: tarotspell.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarotbyhilary
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hsparry

PS I’d love to hear your thoughts on “missing cards”.  Post your insights in the comment section below!

image courtesy of  Sam Javanrouh (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wvs/2493556367/)

This is a guest post by one of my awesome Tarot Apprentice contestants, Iseke.  I’ll be featuring some more guest posts by these talented young tarot readers in the near future.  Be sure to watch for them!

Divination tools are languages we use to communicate with our sub or higher consciousness. In this way, we can use any divination tool to string together letters, words, and sentences into full ideas. A certain pattern of coffee grounds means one thing. A certain direction of movement from a pendulum means another thing. Whatever system of divination one uses (and really, you can use ANYTHING for this purpose) becomes a language.

Tarot, with its complex levels of historical and cultural meaning, art, symbolism, and connection to other esoteric systems, creates a very deep language with a lot of study put behind it. That means that when choosing Tarot as your language of communication, you have a whole lot of depth to explore your circumstances. Tarot is great for really looking at the subtlety of an issue, as anyone who has had a reading or done one can attest to!

A lot of people may assume that Tarot cards (or any other divination tool) have a magical property of their own. Really, they have no more magical properties then a pen or a paintbrush do! They possess only the magic you put into them. Just like how you won’t get a novel out of an alphabet itself, you won’t get magic without a practitioner. A Tarot deck sits in potential, waiting for you to come along and make something of it. What you make out of it is entirely up to you, because while there is a well established system for reading the cards in place, they are YOUR tool of communication when you read!

So what does that mean? It means that when you sit down with a deck of cards, you have a rich grammar and vocabulary present for you to work with. This is commonly referred to as the “Little White Book” definitions but it goes far beyond that, because it draws on a pool of everyone’s practice and experience. Like spoken languages, divination languages grow and evolve over time. However, as you work with the cards (or the tool of your choice) you will find that the cards take on special meanings for you, and this is when you can see for yourself that it is truly a language of your own!

For instance, in my own practice, I’d notice a card keep turning up in certain contexts. It wasn’t in the standard context you’d expect to find, but it connected with me and my experiences and so I began to notice when that card would come up in that context. That was when I began to see the Tarot operating less in the “refer to the LWB” fashion that overwhelms us all at the beginning and more like my own personal system.

The most important thing about understanding the Tarot as a language is that it frees up flexibility in the way we understand the Tarot itself, as well as how we use it. Those of us who read Tarot cards all know what one means when they mention the six of cups, because we all share the umbrella language developed by centuries of cultural thought, study, and practice. But, like a dialect, we all have our own flavor of the meanings. Allowing this and encouraging it will help those who are beginning their Tarot journey from feeling completely swamped staring at a book of meanings they feel they need to memorize! Instead, it’s all there as a support network so that the reader can develop the most intuitive way for them to reach their sub or higher consciousness during readings.

So if a client who knows a thing or two about the meaning of the cards sits down for a reading, and a while into it disputes that your interpretation, you can explain to them why this may be: in your practice and development you have come to learn what the cards mean personally to you. So long as you are consistent throughout the reading! Also, if you are teaching someone the Tarot, you can encourage them into further developing their intuitive interpretations by reminding them that ultimately, the goal is the conversation between the reader and their higher selves (or the reader, the client, and their collective higher selves). Tarot is what makes that conversation tangible!

~ Iseke

You can learn more about Iseke through her website: http://www.aelestrid.net/

What do you think tarot is?  Post your thoughts in the comment section below: