Wanderer Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 Wanderer, I love that you discuss your thoughts with the querent, "uncertainties and all." I love having that kind of dialogue, too, when the querent is active -- rather than passive -- in the unfolding of the reading. Thanks, Portia! Good to know I'm not alone; it sometimes makes me feel a little bit 'amateurish', that I need to work through it rather than just knowing the answer, but I do find it helps both them and me. I've only occasionally read for someone who was resisting discussion and giving nothing away, and that makes it much harder - especially when they haven't told me their question in the first place! ???
Grandma Posted September 25, 2018 Author Posted September 25, 2018 it sometimes makes me feel a little bit 'amateurish', that I need to work through it rather than just knowing the answer, but I do find it helps both them and me. Doesn't seem amateurish to me. We each have our own style, and while it is invaluable to share in order to learn and grow, we don't all need to end up the same. (I don't mean to invalidate your feelings. I try never to do that to anyone. My intent is to offer support and encouragement as we continue this wonderful journey of Tarot together. The encouragement and support I've received here is also invaluable and I am blessed to be able to pass it on.)
Wanderer Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 Hi Grandma, and thanks - I do know exactly what you mean! And yes, I agree - but there's always that nagging little fear that some people expect mystical opacity rather than rambling discussions! ;) But what matters is whether it works and helps people... and if it does, then that's what matters, whatever approach we use.
Grandma Posted September 25, 2018 Author Posted September 25, 2018 Wanderer[/member] 've only occasionally read for someone who was resisting discussion and giving nothing away, and that makes it much harder - especially when they haven't told me their question in the first place! Why would someone do this, I wonder. It's like going to one's doctor and declining to tell him or her what one's symptoms are or why one made the appointment, isn't it? These "querents" (quotation marks because they are not "querying") don't want a Tarot reader, they want a mind reader, and if they don't know the difference you may have to educate them! Same thing applies to your "mystical opacity" comment in your most recent post - great wording by the way, and thank you for your feedback on my observations.
Portia Posted September 27, 2018 Posted September 27, 2018 I think some people feel like they want to test the reader. I don't think it's generally malicious -- I just think people associate Tarot with their idea of a psychic and the notion that the reader IS going to be somewhat of a mind reader, yes. I think the only way to dispel this is to talk to people about our personal reading style and open up a dialogue about what a reading with us entails.
Thoughtful Posted October 11, 2018 Posted October 11, 2018 When l do my face to face readings with people l always ask if they have a question or questions. They look at me and hesitate, and l know immediately they just want me to get on with the reading. So l offer them a general reading, shuffle away and off we go. l leave it to the cards to bring in the knowledge that is needed, it never fails. During and after the reading my sitters are satisfied and pleased that what was on their mind has been revealed and answered. This is why l love tarot its like working with a living entity. It never fails to amaze me that the right cards always show up for each individual person. Sometimes people have so many questions or problems that they cannot articulate a question, or know which question to ask. My tarot realises this and gently puts it all on the table for them.
Grandma Posted October 11, 2018 Author Posted October 11, 2018 Hi Thoughtful - Thank you for your contribution to the thread. I had started it so that I could learn from others and I certainly have. I've just reviewed some of the comments and will try to re-read them all as the day goes on. The first thing that jumped out at me was the extent to which I used to rely on only one set of meanings - Joan Bunning's - and how much that has changed. I still build my interpretations of the cards with Joan's definitions as the base, but as I started studying readings that other people do in various threads and researching meanings on other tarot websites I began to understand these definitions in a more nuanced way. For example, the Eight of Cups means walking away, searching for more - but in any given reading it is important to try to understand not only that someone is doing this, but why; or with the Five of Cups, not only to address the fact that there is disagreement, but to examine who is disagreeing, why, in what way, and how or if the disagreement can be resolved. Of course I always knew these things, but I've incorporated them more meaningfully into my readings as a result of what I have learned in this thread and on this site. It amazes me how often the cards give me the right perspective, the meaning relevant to the querent. So again, thank you for your input. I will put it to use. The sentence that resonates the most for me is when you say "It never fails to amaze me that the right cards always show up for each individual person". And as I said, not only the right cards but the best interpretation of each card in any given reading for any given querent. I'm starting a thread to explore this sort of phenomenon and other philosophical ideas. I have a few specific questions in mind and should have the first one ready to post in a day or two. Check it out if you have a minute, and if you'd like to join, that would be great, and if not, that's cool too. (Sometimes I date myself with my vernacular - "that's cool" indeed.)
Jewel Posted November 1, 2018 Posted November 1, 2018 It often takes a bit of explaining to show that I read for insight and perspective, rather than prediction. Thank you for your post, Portia. I could have written it myself, that's how much it resonates with me. The section that I quoted is a perfect summary of what I try to express to people. I will remember your words the next time the subject comes up in conversation. This really resonates with me as well and perfectly describes my approach when reading for myself or others.
Jewel Posted November 1, 2018 Posted November 1, 2018 I started doing readings for fictional characters, historical characters, etc. on my own. But later, I found out other people do it, too. There's a book called TAROT TELLS THE TALE by James Ricklef that uses a "Dear Abby" style to teach the art of 3 card readings. I was delighted when I found it and it's a nifty little book on Tarot. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that book! I would recommend that book to anyone. It is one of my favorites. His fun and conversational tone makes you feel like you are sitting with him and not a book. Aside from his cool fictional character info there is a lot of other stuff in the book that I really enjoyed.
Jewel Posted November 1, 2018 Posted November 1, 2018 Wanderer, I love that you discuss your thoughts with the querent, "uncertainties and all." I love having that kind of dialogue, too, when the querent is active -- rather than passive -- in the unfolding of the reading. Thanks, Portia! Good to know I'm not alone; it sometimes makes me feel a little bit 'amateurish', that I need to work through it rather than just knowing the answer, but I do find it helps both them and me. I've only occasionally read for someone who was resisting discussion and giving nothing away, and that makes it much harder - especially when they haven't told me their question in the first place! ??? When doing face to face readings I am also very open with my querents, and enjoy it when we can make the reading interactive. Those end up being some of my best readings.
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