Quitting Smoking and Tarot Readings

[RickInBakersfield]

I have a friend who knows that I read the tarot.

 

She asked me and told me that she is considering having me doing a reading for her regarding her wanting to quit smoking.

 

I told her that I don't know what kind of cards will come up in a reading and that I am not sure what I'll say to her situation when I do see the cards on the layout.

 

If you were in my shoes, and did a reading for this lady, just how would you go about framing the reading or what sort of advice would you give her using the cards to empower her to have the ability to stop smoking? Or what would be your approach here?

 

Thanks for reading this.

[Ferrea]

I'd create a spread similar to this:

 

1__3

_5_

2_4

 

1. Why she is smoking, her conscious thoughts about it

2. Why she is actually smoking (subconscious needs/urges)

3 Why she (thinks she) wants to quit

4. Why she actually wants to quit (higher self or what ever lingo would suit her)

5. Advice

 

Taking a look at the motives and acknowledging them is, in my opinion, the first step toward change.

 

[Raggydoll]

I’d just ask the cards what needs to happen in order for her to successfully quit smoking. No elaborate spread is needed, in my opinion. 

[Chariot]

8 hours ago, Ferrea said:

I'd create a spread similar to this:

 

1__3

_5_

2_4

 

1. Why she is smoking, her conscious thoughts about it

2. Why she is actually smoking (subconscious needs/urges)

3 Why she (thinks she) wants to quit

4. Why she actually wants to quit (higher self or what ever lingo would suit her)

5. Advice

 

Taking a look at the motives and acknowledging them is, in my opinion, the first step toward change.

 

I really like this spread.  It gives several angles to consider.  Including an 'advice' card  in a spread is something I've always advocated as well.  An advice card gives the querent something to do after they walk away from the reading.

You could also include something along the lines of 'what does she see as the main obstacle to quitting' and 'what is her actual main obstacle to quitting,' etc.  As well as 'what would help her to quit,' and 'what would hinder her from quitting,' etc.  
 

I think if a person wants definite answers from a reading, they have to ask definite questions.  Throwing cards at a general topic, rather than asking focused questions, can just leave an indefinite impression rather than a clear path to a good result.  

Edited November 3, 2024 by Chariot

[Chariot]

I think there is also mileage, when designing a spread, in consulting with the querent.  Find out what the querent wants the reading to tell him/her.  THEN turn it on its head a bit ...and ask an 'opposite' question as well.  Along the lines of "What do you hope the reading will tell you?"  Then "What do you NOT want to hear from this reading?"  There is also: "What is best to do. What is best NOT to do."  These kinds of opposing questions can be very revealing.  If you compare the two cards you can often get quite a bit of insight into the issue.  Including aspects of the issue that the querent may not want to admit—or is not aware of at all.

Edited November 4, 2024 by Chariot

[Misterei]

As @Chariot mentioned, the client might have some input. Some clients like this, others just say tell me what the cards say.

 

Along the lines of @Ferrea spread -- One question I might ask is WHAT she gains from smoking. People have all sorts of stories about WHY they do a thing. But as someone who's enjoyed tobacco on and off from age 11, I can say that I gain many benefits from this herb which are a genuine sacrifice when i quit.

 

I never liked when well-meaning people simply demonize tobacco without understanding the wonderful things it does for me.

Edited November 6, 2024 by Misterei

[Ferrea]

12 hours ago, Misterei said:

One question I might ask is WHAT she gains from smoking. People have all sorts of stories about WHY they do a thing. But as someone who's enjoyed tobacco on and off from age 11, I can say that I gain many benefits from this herb which are a genuine sacrifice when i quit.

 

I never liked when well-meaning people simply demonize tobacco without understanding the wonderful things it does for me.

 

I guess that’s what I was aiming for with the first position. However, I find it more helpful (in my approach to inquiry) to phrase it the way you do, suggesting there is something to gain for this person. This way, it gets at the issue from a more emotional than rational standpoint.

 

Aside from the ritualistic aspects, I have a hard time seeing anything wonderful in inhaling carcinogenic combustion products. Nicotine, of course, is a lovely drug. It decreases the density of dopamine transporters in the synaptic cleft, allowing more dopamine to linger, which increases motivation and alertness.

 

Sincerely yours,
the enlightened ex-smoker

 

[Raggydoll]

I know this is a reading for a friend, but I also know that TS has the goal of working professionally. One piece of advice that I have, based on that goal, is that you discuss with your clients how complex a spread they’d want. Presumably, you’ll eventually charge more money for larger spreads and longer sessions, and I think it’s good practice to ask the person what level of reading they want. Some might be interested in paying extra for a deep dive, while others just want a fairly straightforward answer to their question. 
 

Another aspect is also whether the client wants to explore deeper layers. What I mean is this, imagine that someone comes to you and wants to pay for a reading to get insights on how they can lose weight. You could then  do a rather uncomplicated reading that allows the cards to give practical advice, or you could try and dig deep to see why they are overweight or why they have the specific ideals that they have (etc). However, what if that is not what the client wanted? Make sure to ask first before you go analyzing people’s issues more deeply. Also, what if you did so much digging that you uncover something that requires professional assistance and might leave the client deeply unsettled? It is not unthinkable that someone has deeper issues or actual trauma that plays a role in an addiction.
 

This advice is well meaning, based on personal experience, so I hope that is how it is received. And it is aimed at professional readers. What goes on between you and a friend is different, so take what resonates and leave the rest 🙂

[FindYourSovereignty]

37 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

Another aspect is also whether the client wants to explore deeper layers. What I mean is this, imagine that someone comes to you and wants to pay for a reading to get insights on how they can lose weight. You could then  do a rather uncomplicated reading that allows the cards to give practical advice, or you could try and dig deep to see why they are overweight or why they have the specific ideals that they have (etc). However, what if that is not what the client wanted? Make sure to ask first before you go analyzing people’s issues more deeply. Also, what if you did so much digging that you uncover something that requires professional assistance and might leave the client deeply unsettled? It is not unthinkable that someone has deeper issues or actual trauma that plays a role in an addiction.

This ^^^

 

Some people are doing the healing or the deeper work on their own and simply want their best ‘how-to’ option or what to-do. There are so many ways available to quit smoking, losing weight, organizing your home, etc. and they want to know which one to invest their time in to achieve success. 

[Ferrea]

7 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

I know this is a reading for a friend, but I also know that TS has the goal of working professionally. One piece of advice that I have, based on that goal, is that you discuss with your clients how complex a spread they’d want. Presumably, you’ll eventually charge more money for larger spreads and longer sessions, and I think it’s good practice to ask the person what level of reading they want. Some might be interested in paying extra for a deep dive, while others just want a fairly straightforward answer to their question. 
 

Another aspect is also whether the client wants to explore deeper layers. What I mean is this, imagine that someone comes to you and wants to pay for a reading to get insights on how they can lose weight. You could then  do a rather uncomplicated reading that allows the cards to give practical advice, or you could try and dig deep to see why they are overweight or why they have the specific ideals that they have (etc). However, what if that is not what the client wanted? Make sure to ask first before you go analyzing people’s issues more deeply. Also, what if you did so much digging that you uncover something that requires professional assistance and might leave the client deeply unsettled? It is not unthinkable that someone has deeper issues or actual trauma that plays a role in an addiction.
 

This advice is well meaning, based on personal experience, so I hope that is how it is received. And it is aimed at professional readers. What goes on between you and a friend is different, so take what resonates and leave the rest 🙂

 

I'd like to add two thoughts to this. 1) Buried issues can surface even in a business coaching without any intentional digging. 2) Whatever service one provides, it is essential to be clear on the limitations of that service. What can be achieved in a session, and what cannot? What is this method good for, and what is it not?

 

Also, while I'm at it, it’s not only clients who have preferences; providers do as well. Knowing what type of reading one is good at and enjoys performing is also crucial to avoiding burnout and continuing to be happy at work.

 

Edited November 7, 2024 by Ferrea