Any Tips for Reading Tarot with Senior Citizens?

[RickInBakersfield]

I copied and pasted what I wrote in my Journal this morning,

 

Today's card is the Four of Wands ~ The card indicates an early celebration of some sort. We have two ladies holding up flowers in the air. Yesterday I called a local senior center located near me and asked them if they would like to have a tarot reader (me) read & entertain their group. The person I talked to told me that they were currently doing a music program, but she would give my number to the president which I gave her. She also told me that if I was entertaining that they network with all the senior centers in the area that I could do ALL the senior centers in the area. COOL>

 

So, I am waiting for this president to give me a call.

 

So, I am looking for tips and ideas on how to read tarot for senior citizens. Any special needs that they may have? I am sure these readings will be different for reading someone in their 30s as they are at the twilight of life. What should I focus on? Anything that would help me out would be appreciated.

[Raggydoll]

That’s an interesting task! Do you live in a place where the individuals are likely to have a religious or conservative backgrounds? I live in a very secular country so even the older generations are fairly liberal, but I don’t know if that’s the case where you live.
 

You’ll probably want to be selective about which decks you use. Do you have any particular ones in mind?

 

And as far as spreads or topics to read on, well I think that it’s good to assume that people, regardless of age, are individuals with different personalities and interests. So I’d let them decide what kind of readings they want. I probably wouldn’t ask “would you like to see what your future holds” though, unless they specifically ask for it 😁

 

Maybe ask them if there is something - anything - that they’d always wanted to know. This would be their perfect chance to ask those questions. I think that could make for a fun reading! 

[RunningWild]

I would imagine the questions would be similar among the generations.  They might ask more about their children or grandchildren.  And don’t be surprised or shocked by what they might say.  Filters stop mattering IMO once you’ve reached a certain age.  I mean, what’s anyone going to do?  😅

 

Most of all, have fun with it.

Edited September 11, 2024 by RunningWild

[Raggydoll]

28 minutes ago, RunningWild said:

And don’t be surprised or shocked by what they might say.  Filters stop mattering IMO once you’ve reached a certain age.

[gregory]

As a senior citizen myself, I am rather offended that you would suggest "we" need to be read for in a different way from anyone else.  

(I'm giggling, but you are making a shocking assumption here, you really are.)

 

We mostly see ourselves as having lives, not as being in any kind of twilight. Treat the seniors you read for the same as you would treat any other group - and deal with any issues - religious, political, whatever, as you would with anyone else. Just deal with their questions, whatever they are. If someone is thinking about being on the way out - they will let you know in their question. If your cards seem to tell you that someone is going to live for another 80 years - that's on your lack of reading skills, not on the fact that a senior asked you a question. Focus on their questions, not on their age. If they want a reading - they are OK with getting one.

 

Go forth and do the thing. We await you with interest !

Edited September 12, 2024 by gregory

[Misterei]

4 hours ago, gregory said:

As a senior citizen myself, I am rather offended that you would suggest "we" need to be read for in a different way from anyone else. 

(I'm giggling, but you are making a shocking assumption here, you really are.)

 

We mostly see ourselves as having lives, not as being in any kind of twilight. Treat the seniors you read for the same as you would treat any other group - and deal with any issues - religious, political, whatever, as you would with anyone else. ...

This brings up some interesting questions about the very nature of getting old. As @gregory suggests, one must approach every reading as an individual with their own unique questions and concerns.

 

@RickInBakersfield there is no *one size fits all* approach to reading for any group of people. But I think your question is meant to be more nuanced.

 

People in the active part of their lives are often concerned with career and love interests. Seniors tend to be retired, so may not be asking the career questions. Then again, I'm semi-retired and will likely keep my tarot and astrology business until I die. Thus we can say you'll prolly get fewer career questions, but you may get some.

 

Love, family, and relationships are the great mystifiers of all people at all ages. People never stop asking about these topics. Even people in their 80s may want to know if they will find love.

 

Grief and loneliness. Even young people lose loved ones to death. Even young people may feel isolated and lonely. But Seniors, it's a whole different level. Friends die. Brothers and sisters and cousins die. These issues are prevalent for seniors in a way that's seldom the case for younger people.

 

Spirituality. Seniors aren't a monolithic group. Some are shallow and nothing more than children grown old. I've met seniors who seem immature or selfish. Others may be grappling with mortality. What it means to die and what they want to accomplish before they die. Or how they can best prepare for death. In our consumerist culture I sadly observe there seem to be more of the former than the latter. People who've been condtioned to think their "golden years" should be all about surface enjoyments. Others are wise. Experience and suffering have given them compassion and washed-away selfishness.

 

The one generality I might make as I've observed it in myself, is less desire to know the future in a general way.  It's become quite real to me that my future is death and hopefully without too much physical suffering first. It's not that I never ask questions about *what will happen*. I do. But these sorts of questions have become quite specific. Generally, I *know* what's ahead in a way younger people -- in the ages where everything seems possible -- dont.

Edited September 12, 2024 by Misterei

[RickInBakersfield]

5 hours ago, gregory said:

As a senior citizen myself, I am rather offended that you would suggest "we" need to be read for in a different way from anyone else.  

(I'm giggling, but you are making a shocking assumption here, you really are.)

 

 

Well, I am almost a senior myself, I am in my 50s. I do apologize for stereotyping the senior citizens, maybe I am a senior citizen IDK?

 

I've just never read for a group of them before. 

 

I promise to treat everyone just like I would read for anyone else.

 

I am just trying to get more reading experience under my belt and sort of do my civic duty.

 

One of my main concerns is how many people are going to be there. If it's a lot, I can give everyone a one-card reading. If there are going to be very few people there, I can give them a three-card reading. I guess I'll just have to improvise when I get there. Any advice on this area of 1 or 3 card readings? Or, how I should handle a big crowd or a small crowd?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

[Raggydoll]

Is this going to be a paid gig or are you offering free readings as a way to practice more ? From what I understood, they want you to come and entertain people for free, but maybe I got that wrong? 

[DanielJUK]

I think the answers we give are largely the same for whoever we read for. You can see it on this forum as when you read for someone, largely you don't know their age or maybe anything about them. They could be 20 or 80 but you just interpret and give what comes up 🙂 

 

There is an interesting thing about the decade or generation we are in. Young people are going to be more insecure in their position and worried about all their future. Older people are going to have more security and have most probably found where they fit in in life and know themselves better. Generalisations of course but their questions and reading topics will be different. We just read what comes up and convey the message over.

[RickInBakersfield]

No, I am just volunteering for the practice. I don't think I am yet good enough to do paid gigs yet.

[Raggydoll]

8 minutes ago, RickInBakersfield said:

No, I am just volunteering for the practice. I don't think I am yet good enough to do paid gigs yet.

Well you will get lots of practice from this 🙂

 

Make sure you choose a chair with a soft seat or grab a cushion to sit on. And have a water bottle next to you. Those things are important when doing longer reading sessions! 

[Ferrea]

If you want to try something new, you could leave the divination path and try more of a coaching style. Mary K. Greer doesn't name it like this in her book 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card, but as soon as you let the sitter read and interpret the card, I would apply that label.

 

Some of her exercises can be condensed into a method like this: Let the sitter pull three cards with the question on their mind "What do I most need to look at in my life right now?". When the cards are on the table, briefly introduce them. Let the sitter choose the one they find most interesting. Now let them describe what they see on a more objective level. What is actually on the card? Then ask them to interpret the card. What does it mean to them? How does it make them feel? How does it relate to them? Would they like to tell a story?

 

This way, you could practice your listening and facilitation skills. For the sitters, who might be in situations where they are being told a lot of things (drink more water, take your meds, go to the doctor, don't eat this, do that...), it could be a refreshing experience to explore and inform others about their reality.

[gregory]

4 hours ago, RickInBakersfield said:

Well, I am almost a senior myself, I am in my 50s. I do apologize for stereotyping the senior citizens, maybe I am a senior citizen IDK?

No chance. I'm 79. When I was 50 I was still working, busy as all get out, travelling all I could. I have slowed down - but my mojo is still up there. The risk you are taking is in stereotyping ANY group of people. Even by sex. I, for one, cannot abide the idea of the "sisterhood" - I feel no more automatically in tune with other women than I do with men. Ever single person on this earth is different from every other person. When we read, we always ALWAYS read for someone completely new.

 

4 hours ago, RickInBakersfield said:

I've just never read for a group of them before. 

You are doing readings for a group in one lump ? No - you are reading for - say - 20 people. As you might do in a shift in your local woo-woo store !

 

4 hours ago, RickInBakersfield said:

I promise to treat everyone just like I would read for anyone else.

 

I am just trying to get more reading experience under my belt and sort of do my civic duty.

You have reading experience. Just use it. (Civic duty though - don't you ever DARE to read for me as any kind of duty !!!!)

 

4 hours ago, RickInBakersfield said:

One of my main concerns is how many people are going to be there. If it's a lot, I can give everyone a one-card reading. If there are going to be very few people there, I can give them a three-card reading. I guess I'll just have to improvise when I get there. Any advice on this area of 1 or 3 card readings? Or, how I should handle a big crowd or a small crowd?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

You handle a crowd as you would a queue for your burgers - by doing as many readings as you can in the time and - if appropriate - you can agree to return to do the people you couldn't get to. You are overthinking that side of it.

Edited September 12, 2024 by gregory

[RunningWild]

I have a question and it’s one I’m almost afraid to ask but at what age would you say the label of “senior citizen” starts being used?  I know, it’s sort of off-topic.  I’m just wondering.  (Mostly I’m wondering if I have to start using that label myself LOL)

[RickInBakersfield]

27 minutes ago, RunningWild said:

I have a question and it’s one I’m almost afraid to ask but at what age would you say the label of “senior citizen” starts being used?  I know, it’s sort of off-topic.  I’m just wondering.  (Mostly I’m wondering if I have to start using that label myself LOL)

There was a buffet restaurant in the town I used to live in, where I qualified for a senior discount card at the age of 55. Really, I don't know what age the term Senior Citizen applies to.

[Raggydoll]

2 hours ago, RickInBakersfield said:

There was a buffet restaurant in the town I used to live in, where I qualified for a senior discount card at the age of 55. Really, I don't know what age the term Senior Citizen applies to.

That sounds young to be called a senior. Here you need to be at least 65 years old. 
 

Im curious, what’s the difference between a senior citizen home and a care home? Is the former some sort of comfy living place that people pay lots of money go to? We don’t really have that here, that’s why I’m asking. The elderly people that live in care homes here are always quite sick, either with dementia and/or other extensive conditions. Most people want to keep living at home instead.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

22 hours ago, gregory said:

As a senior citizen myself, I am rather offended that you would suggest "we" need to be read for in a different way from anyone else.  

(I'm giggling, but you are making a shocking assumption here, you really are.)

I agree.  People are people.  Yes we can be at different life stages in some respects, but we all have way more in common than not.  I consider myself an elder, but I have never considered myself a senior citizen.  I don't think that anyone who knows me thinks of me as a senior citizen.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

12 hours ago, gregory said:

don't you ever DARE to read for me as any kind of duty !!!!

right on...

[DanielJUK]

I think this discussion is a little confusing because of international differences. We have different terms for older folk and different definitions when they get there.

 

In the UK, this was defined by when you took your pension and retired, apart from some people being offered early retirement. This used to be 60 for women and 65 for men but for equality became 65 for all. So most people would see a pensioner / senior as over 65. However you become eligible for different things at different ages, some after 60, some after 65, some after 70 and finally some after 75. Also the pension age is moving up, it's going to be over 70 by the time I get there. The language has also changed, we used to call older folk Old Age Pensioners (or O.A.P's), that's a socially slightly frowned upon term now. Although some people use OAP's as an abbreviation still, you mostly find the term pensioners or senior citizens (this is the politically correct current term and comes from the American term "seniors").

 

I think most European countries follow that same idea there

 

In the UK you can join an organisation which does discounted holidays and insurance for "older people" from 50, this age has come down to get more people signing up. In America you can join AARP from 50 for retired Americans.

 

There are no definite ages or policies on it these days. Also what age is someone in a nursing home? We can have good and bad health at any age, again it's not clear-cut. But it's more likely to be someone over 70 perhaps or towards older age.

[Raggydoll]

27 minutes ago, DanielJUK said:

I think this discussion is a little confusing because of international differences. We have different terms for older folk and different definitions when they get there.

 

In the UK, this was defined by when you took your pension and retired, apart from some people being offered early retirement. This used to be 60 for women and 65 for men but for equality became 65 for all. So most people would see a pensioner / senior as over 65. However you become eligible for different things at different ages, some after 60, some after 65, some after 70 and finally some after 75. Also the pension age is moving up, it's going to be over 70 by the time I get there. The language has also changed, we used to call older folk Old Age Pensioners (or O.A.P's), that's a socially slightly frowned upon term now. Although some people use OAP's as an abbreviation still, you mostly find the term pensioners or senior citizens (this is the politically correct current term and comes from the American term "seniors").

 

I think most European countries follow that same idea there

 

In the UK you can join an organisation which does discounted holidays and insurance for "older people" from 50, this age has come down to get more people signing up. In America you can join AARP from 50 for retired Americans.

 

There are no definite ages or policies on it these days. Also what age is someone in a nursing home? We can have good and bad health at any age, again it's not clear-cut. But it's more likely to be someone over 70 perhaps or towards older age.

You’re very right, I feel really unsure about the terminology used here, and like I said before, I’m not entirely sure if I know exactly what a ‘senior citizen center’ entails. So there is both a language barrier and a cultural barrier for me. 

[RickInBakersfield]

All I know is that I am interested in doing the work, not getting caught up in petty internet arguments.

 

Rick

[Natural Mystic Guide]

1 hour ago, RickInBakersfield said:

All I know is that I am interested in doing the work

Well, it's a great idea and a wonderful opportunity both to hone your skills and to be of service to others.  May it be a wonderful learning experience and super fun, @RickInBakersfield.

[Raggydoll]

17 minutes ago, Natural Mystic Guide said:

Well, it's a great idea and a wonderful opportunity both to hone your skills and to be of service to others.  May it be a wonderful learning experience and super fun, @RickInBakersfield.

 

Also, I hope we get to hear about your experiences later! @RickInBakersfield 

[DanielJUK]

3 hours ago, RickInBakersfield said:

All I know is that I am interested in doing the work, not getting caught up in petty internet arguments.

 

Rick

 

Its fair to define what we are talking about as we have members from nearly every country in the world. Several people were confused by the age range we were discussing and the terminology

 

Now we have attempted to define it, we can get back to the topic in hand....

 

Quote

So, I am looking for tips and ideas on how to read tarot for senior citizens. Any special needs that they may have? I am sure these readings will be different for reading someone in their 30s as they are at the twilight of life. What should I focus on? Anything that would help me out would be appreciated.

 

[gregory]

Well sorry - but as a senior (almost 80)  by EVERYONE's definition, I would like any reader simply to listen to my question and answer it in the same way as if I were 21. Focus on me and my question and you'll be fine.  If I ask about a possible marriage or a new job - that's down to me. As for pregnancy - there is at least one reader here who determinedly insisted that their sitter was pregnant; even though she then pointed out that she was 47 and had had her tubes tied, he was adamant - so.... (I am NOT naming them, but it happens, so these things aren't all to do with anyone's age.)