Tarot Readings |

Archive for the ‘tarot readings’ Category

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 »

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 »

Lessons Learned From RS10

Monday, April 26th, 2010

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

Donnaleigh teaching about tarot bridges

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

Myself with my tarot partner, Andy Matzner

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

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

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

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

Myself with tarot author Mary Greer

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings!

Theresa

www.thetarotlady.com

Tags: Mary Greer, RS10, tarot, tarot readings
Posted in RS10, learning tarot, reading tarot, tarot, tarot readers, tarot readings, twitter | 4 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 »

You Don’t Own Me – Part 2: When To Let Go Of A Client

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Although I consider myself first and foremost a tarot reader, I am also a professional and I tend to be very business like in my dealings. Most people who have worked with me know that I run my ship tightly – not only do I have regular hours like any job but my days can consist of all manner of tedious tasks from bookkeeping to returning calls and emails. (It’s not all glamorous tarot work that I do here in my hub!)

As a business professional, I have to be realistic that not every person that calls or walks in the door is meant to be a lifetime client. As I wrote in my previous post, some people may never come back for whatever reason. But there are also times when I have had to show someone the door. As much as I hate doing this (believe it or not, my bark is worse than my bite!), it is often not only beneficial for me but sometimes in the best interest of the client.

When is it right to “fire” a client?

Any tarot reader will have their own reasons why. For me, it all comes down to two things – respect and compatibility. Here are some of the reasons I have needed to cut a client off:

1. No shows. This is my number one pet peeve. A client who doesn’t even have the courtesy to give me a simple phone call to cancel never gets another chance. There are some who think I am sitting here with nothing else to do. Believe me, I can either fill that spot if you didn’t show – or there are many other projects I can busy myself with (like writing this blog!). To me, this is the rudest gesture as I make this time available and find it incredibly disrespectful.

2. Dickering over prices. I hate haggling. I don’t even do it when I travel. I know in some cultures, this is a common thing, but for me, it feels uncomfortable. If you can’t afford me, then don’t come. Simple as that. A woman who had booked a few parties with me in the past tried to tell me that “no one will pay that” when my prices changed – and then she tried to negotiate a price break. I refused to do business with her ever again. If you provide a service, you should be paid well for your time. I learned this from my son’s drum instructor. Years ago, he had also changed policies and this required a steep price hike. When I visibly gulped, he said to me: “The lessons are free. It is my time you are paying for and I value my time very much.” I used that as a business mantra ever since.

3. Using the tarot reading in an unethical way. I am not a moralist but I do not want my readings used in any way but for someone’s higher good. Once they leave the office, I have no control over what a client may do with the information I provide. On rare occasion, I do hear through the grapevine that someone may have twisted my words to suit a purpose. For example, a married man got a reading from me and wanted to know if he could “have an affair”. The reading said he “could” if he was so inclined. So what does he do? Proceeds a few weeks later to hit on a woman and tell her that “Theresa the tarot reader said I should have an affair so I’m looking for a woman”. Unfortunately for him, she was a friend of mine and reported back to me. Banned for life.

4. Personality conflicts. Sometimes for no fault of the client or mine, our personalities don’t mesh. If I am uncomfortable with a person’s vibe, I won’t read for them. The reading won’t work well if I am tense. This is never easy but I must face the facts that I cannot possibly read for every person. For example, aggressive or super neurotic types don’t wash for me (I also don’t read well for “Debbie Downers”). I will generally refer them to a more suitable tarot reader. In my opinion, is better to bring them to a person who will be more sympathetic to their energy rather than struggle through the reading myself.

5. They are beyond your ability to help. This is a case where someone may need more help that you can give them – for example someone who needs psychiatric care. I used to see a woman who was in an abusive relationship. She would only come to me when they broke up – and her questions revolved around whether or not her abuser would come back to her. (He always did, unfortunately.) She never wanted to get any help to change her situation – she was only concerned about preserving this sick dynamic at all costs. No amount of tarot readings were going to break the cycle she had created for herself. This was too hard for me to deal with and beyond my ability to reach into her and crack open this vicious cycle she was actively pursuing. This is a sign that someone needs professional help. I gave her the number of a good therapist and refused to see her again. (All readers should not provide legal, medical or psychiatric services – have a list of appropriate resources handy for referrals if you encounter someone who needs to seek professional help.)

Ultimately, it all comes down to healthy boundaries and mutual respect. While this is an intuitive and often times emotionally charged business, it IS still a business. If you are working as a tarot reader, it is up to you to decide who you can serve and how best you can serve them with policies that create appropriate boundaries and a fair and clear presentation that allows clients to know what they can expect.

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

©The Tarot Lady | Theresa Reed

image from buzzpal.wordpress.com/

Posted in clients, tarot, tarot business, tarot readings | 8 Comments »

You Don’t Own Me – When Clients Leave

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

A few weeks ago, I had a client call me in a panic. “I cheated on you” she breathlessly proclaimed as she launched into a tale of woe about an experience with another tarot reader. Cheating on me? That dramatic statement made me laugh but it got me wondering. Why do clients go to other readers, especially if they claim to like your services? Why do some leave, never to be heard of again? And more importantly, what are my own feelings regarding “loyalty”?

A client may decide that they want to visit another reader for some of the following reasons:

1. They want a second opinion. Perhaps they are a Nervous Nelly type that needs a lot of confirmation. Or maybe they don’t feel your read is accurate for them and may want to see if someone else says something more to their liking. There are even a few that will go from reader to reader to reader – until they get the answer they want. (This is rather obsessive in my opinion.)

2. They may want to try something different. I am mainly a tarot reader. If someone is looking for deep chart analysis, past life regressions, mediums, dream interpretations or palmistry, they may be better off seeking the services of a specialist. I am not all things to all people (I’d like to be, but am wise enough to know my own limits!).

3. They can’t wait. Oftentimes, my schedule is jam packed. This can leave a client in a bad position if they need a reading pronto. So, they may look around to find someone who is more available. Also, a client who lives at a distance may want to meet with someone in their area. If I could astral travel, I would – but that ain’t happening.

Why would a client leave permanently?

1. Budget woes. Whenever I raise my rates (which is rare), there is always a little fallout. People sometimes can’t afford it – or feel angered that I am not at the prices I was at 20 years ago. I had one lady yell at me and hang up the phone when I told her my new rates. She never called again (although if she did, I would have fired her in a heartbeat!).

2. Personality clashes. I like to think of myself as a pretty easy going type. But on occasion, a person may walk in the door and feel that I am not in sync with them. And vice versa. Pushy and aggressive types don’t seem to stick around me very much (this makes me quite happy). Super negative types also tend to slink away if I don’t reinforce their crummy world view. On a few rare occasions, a client has suddenly become super religious and decided I was “evil”. That pretty much nipped any relationship we had in the bud.

3. You offended them. This can happen quite innocently. The reading starts off fine but all of a sudden, you drop an F bomb or say something that makes the client squirm. Remember the androgynous SNL character, Pat? Well, I had one sit in front of me when I was reading at an occult shop years ago. For some puzzling reason that I still cannot fathom, I opened my mouth and these words tumbled out before I could catch myself “What are you?”. She was a she – and she had a great sense of humor about it but was obviously deeply hurt by my remark. I recovered and did a decent reading but she never came to see me again. I would run into her in the shop, we’d nod but pretty much avoid each other. Politics and religious talk can also alienate clients – so you may need to keep some of your beliefs to yourself.

4. Your reading sucked. You may think you are a tarot superstar but sooner or later, you’ll run into that one person you couldn’t read. And yup, to them, your reading was “way off” or “crappy”. This is a huge blow to the ego but it happens to all of us. You can’t read for everyone. There are lots of reasons why this could happen – an off day, a lack of vibe between you, they may be closed minded, etc. And some people will think you stink even if you are accurate because they simply don’t want to believe. Get over it.

How to handle it?

The first thing to learn: don’t take anything personally. This requires a lot of inner work and a good dose of humility. And I don’t mean false humility: the “it’s not me, only spirit doing the readings through me” statements that are so frequently tossed about. I mean REAL soul searching humility that requires you to take responsibility for your readings. Realize your own limitations as a reader and be realistic about your client’s needs. Know that you will at times offend, disappoint, piss off and even do a poor job. This comes with ANY profession. Let go, brush yourself off, laugh and move on.

Secondly, practice the law of non-grasping. This simply means that you must acknowledge that your clients have free will and don’t owe you anything. Respect them as independent, intelligent human beings who will always know what is in their OWN best interest. If they are not happy with your services, recommend them to someone that may be a better fit. This is not only good for them but for YOU.

I’ve been grateful over the years for the many clients that continue to use my services. Some have been with me since my humble beginnings almost 20 years ago. I am always thankful for their support. A few have even become dear friends. But I am equally appreciative for the ones who have taught me lessons and made me learn the art of non-attachment. I go with the flow and could not have learned to do this without them.

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

Watch for “You Don’t Own Me Part Two – When To Fire A Client” soon!

Image from onmypaper.wordpress.com/

Posted in clients, tarot, tarot readers, tarot readings | 9 Comments »

Guest Blogging At Tarot Elements

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

I had the excellent opportunity to guest post at one of my favorite blogs, Tarot Elements. My article was about one of the spreads I use, The Horseshoe Spread. I have been using this layout for years (many of you who come to my office will recognize it) and find it to be deep and reliable.

Check out my entry by clicking HERE.

Psssttt……….while you are at it, be sure to check out some of the other fabulous posts at Tarot Elements! There are many great articles that you may enjoy!

Blessings!

Theresa

www.thetarotlady.com

Posted in spreads, tarot, tarot elements, tarot readers, tarot readings | No Comments »

5 Things Every Professional Tarot Reader Needs

Friday, October 9th, 2009

You think all you need are a deck of cards and you’re ready to roll? Not quite. If you make the leap from tarot fan to tarot professional, there are a few things you’ll need:

1. Sturdy Tarot Cards – If you have a lot of people handling your decks, you need to purchase decks made on good card stock. So choose carefully. I’ve had some decks that lasted years and others only a few months. Recently, I purchased the Sharman Caselli deck, which was made on rather thin paper. One aggressive shuffler later, the deck was toast.

2. A Quiet Room – I’m lucky as I have my own spacious office, right in my home. This allows me to control the environment and make it as peaceful as I need it. My clients often remark at how calm and relaxing my space is. If you are not able to have your own office, try to find a local coffee shop or other public venue that is as laid back as possible. Even a small corner in a room at your home is fine as long as there are not too many distractions.

3. Phone And Email – This is a no brainer but you would not believe how many tarot readers I know who have neither! (This is one of the many reasons we have a flaky reputation!) I don’t know how their clients can find them! I’ve had the same phone number for 15 years – so my clients have no trouble finding me if they lost my business card. The world wide web has made things even easier and many clients love being able to shoot me an email, which can sometimes be easier than catching me by phone! If you change your number, make sure that your clients are able to get the new one. And while you’re at it – don’t forget to have business cards with your phone and email plainly written.

4. A Good Accountant – I adore my accountant, Sam and he is worth his weight in gold! He keeps me on track, makes sure my taxes are paid and always has good advice about money. If you decide to go pro, remember that you will be paying self employment tax (which feels like a penalty at times!). A reliable accountant will ensure you keep your books straight and stay on good terms with the taxman!

5. Thick Skin – This is one profession where people feel free to call you a devil worshipper, a fraud, etc. so if you are sensitive to judgments, you are going to get your feelings hurt a lot. Some clients can dump on you or have unrealistic expectations of your services. And there is always one jerk who wants to prove you wrong. This comes with the territory. Learn to let things roll, do the very best that you can and don’t take anything personally.

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

Posted in tarot, tarot readers, tarot readings | 14 Comments »

It’s My Party And I’ll Scry If I Want To

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Since the beginning of my tarot career, I have worked at various types of parties and venues. In fact, this time of year tends to be quite popular with Halloween right around the corner! (That date usually gets booked a year in advance!)

Over the years, I’ve had great experiences and not-so-good ones. Let me share a few as this may help you to know what to expect if you are ever asked to work a party.

In some ways, parties are more challenging than working in my own office. First of all, I have no control over the environment. Which means I am either in a calm room or a chaotic mess. The most extreme example was the time I entered a dim apartment above a bar. I have terrible night vision but I thought I saw something run across the table. After my eyes adjusted, I watched cockroaches running up and down the wall and mice scuttering about with great urgency. Horrified, I clutched my purse to my lap and silently prayed that I would not take any roaches home with me. I refused to read for these people again. In fact, I now avoid going to areas that may be sketchy. It’s just not worth it.

I’ve had the good fortune of meeting some wonderful hosts that make me feel very welcome. There is nothing nicer than coming into a home where you are made to feel like a valued guest, rather than the “hired help”. One of my favorite clients has a party every November and it is always a treat to go to her house. Not only does she have a beautiful and comfortable home, but I am made to feel like a friend of the family. There is always an invite to eat or imbibe as well as a cozy room to read in.

There will always be a few rude ones who expect that you “owe” them something since they booked you. One time, a woman asked me if I wanted to join them for a bite to eat before I began reading. I took a very small plate of chips and snacks. We were chatting a bit when all of a sudden she asks me in front of the whole group of people if I was going to give her a “hostess gift” since she was “providing the space and the food”. I was so shocked that I could barely utter a word. It was not easy to get in the mood to read after that!

At another event, a client brought me a sandwich to eat and then asked me when I would be “giving him a free reading”. He added “we’ve been awfully good to you” (because he gave me a sandwich??). As you can probably guess, I stopped doing parties for both of these clients. I can’t or won’t read for people that offend me. I find myself being unable to because this attitude makes me incredibly uncomfortable. And when I am not feeling relaxed, it is difficult to read.

On occasion, you may find yourself getting stuck reading for a jerk. When you are in the party atmosphere, you are at the mercy of whoever the host invites. I remember walking into one house where the whole gathering was a group of gang members! It was a scene straight out of “Training Day”! The questions revolved around police and who was betraying who. I read those cards on pins and needles, worrying that if the wrong card came up, I’d be helping to sign someone’s death warrant!

I’ve gotten better at screening who will be at these parties – but you never know. Sometimes there may be a drunk in attendance. Or the one “skeptic” who wants to challenge you in front of the whole group. I take it all in stride now. I have dealt with enough mean people that I no longer take any of it personally. I’m not even afraid to say that I won’t read for a person right to their face. “Is it worth it to me?” is what I ask myself. If the answer is no, I won’t even put myself into a situation that isn’t healthy or positive.

When I was first reading, I would travel all over the place. As I’ve gotten older, I realized that I really don’t like driving much. So, I’ve put some limits on my driving time. I’ve lost a few clients who were mad at this development but I just don’t see the point in driving for an hour each way. Especially in bad weather. I’ve driven in a few blizzards and won’t do it any longer. Last year, I got stuck in an unexpected snowstorm that developed during the party. It was a white knuckled drive the whole way home and I barely missed being hit a few times!

Once in a great blue moon, I’ve gotten shortchanged. It is an embarrassing thing for me and the host. I don’t have an issue calling and getting my money – but that uncomfortable exchange has cost me a client or two. I don’t really care as it is the principle to me. If I am owed another 20 dollars, then I am owed it. Period. I’ve even gotten overpaid in one situation! The client called me the next day (I had not even counted the money yet!) and I was able to get the money back to her immediately. It works both ways!

One of my biggest pet peeves is an unorganized event. This is when I end up sitting, with nothing to do. It usually happens because the hostess has not gotten her situation under control. I now insist that readings MUST be back to back and that has pretty much solved that problem. I also request an EXACT head count. This way, I know how to budget my time and this makes the hostess take her party more seriously. It may seem a bit controlling, but saves countless headaches in the long run. Trust me on that.

Knowing my own limits is probably the most important lesson. I have restricted the hours I will read. Back in the day, I would do parties that lasted 6 hours or more. It was like a psychic gang bang and very draining! I gradually cut my time down. Now, 3 hours is the max because my voice starts to go after all that talking. My body has given me the signal that my stamina is not what it used to be and I must heed that. In my opinion, a shorter party means more quality readings anyway.

If you decide to venture into doing parties as part of your tarot career, make sure you have some basic boundaries in place. Not only will you stay sane but you’ll help to make these events a success for the hosts as well! Party on!

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

Posted in tarot, tarot parties, tarot reader, tarot readings | 10 Comments »