How long did you wait until first read for somebody else?

[Jewel]

The beginners sign-ups might be closed at the moment due to the holidays and mentor recruitment, but it will open up again so do keep checking after the first of the year if it is closed right now.  Saturn Celeste has worked so hard to create the feature and she is trying to ensure that it flows smoothly and that as mentor/student teams are created that there is commitment and time on both sides.  I am thrilled that TT&M offers this, it is friendly, fun, and both students and mentors learn something new with the experience.

[unknownpleasures]

The beginners sign-ups might be closed at the moment due to the holidays and mentor recruitment, but it will open up again so do keep checking after the first of the year if it is closed right now.  Saturn Celeste has worked so hard to create the feature and she is trying to ensure that it flows smoothly and that as mentor/student teams are created that there is commitment and time on both sides.  I am thrilled that TT&M offers this, it is friendly, fun, and both students and mentors learn something new with the experience.

 

I think you might be right. I looked at the thread and seems this way. If I am wrong, feel free to let me know and thanks.

[DarkElectric]

Wow, this brings the memories back!

I started reading in response to the atrocious readings from a good friend, who  terrorised our little group of pals with the most horrific readings that could ever be imagined.  This was back in the  late 80's,  pre everything, when the only tarot decks we could get were the Rider Waite, the Thoth, and the Aquarian, although that one was a rare bird.

I decided that there had to be more to it than gloom, doom, and personal tragedy, so I went to the local hippie boutique, bought a Rider Waite,  and meditated on each card for weeks, getting my own impressions and trying to avoid the LWB as much as possible,  albeit in the beginning, its guidance was essential.

 

About  3 mos later, I did a reading for one of the friends who had been spooked nearly beyond hope by my other friend. She was reluctant at first, but curiosity won out, and sure enough, my reading contained  no dreadful elements.  It turned out to be accurate, too. She suggested that I keep going with it, because she thought I had some talent in that area. I expressed skepticism,  and put the cards down for several years, but got back into it around 1997, when there was an explosion of interest in all things metaphysical. I am one who has always been interested in that, and started Priestess training with a Wiccan High Priestess who owned a small Craft oriented shop. She carried many  different decks which were just coming out at the time, and I was able to buy a Spiral Tarot, which replaced my old, long lost Rider Waite. I started  studying Tarot  again, seriously, this time, and  about 6 mos in, I started reading for  any friend or relative who would take one. I learned a lot from those, and again,  the readings were accurate. (Not all of them, of course, but mostly.) 

 

Several years later I discovered AT (I'm pre-crash. Some people might remember that crashy thing happening.) I was able to meet like minded folks, make friends, and learn even more. Books helped- someone up thread mentioned 78 Degrees of Wisdom, that was one  which helped me so much. It's the one which stands out from the mass of books my dear mother purchased for me. She always supported my hobbies, bless. Even though tarot isn't a hobby anymore.

 

I didn't feel ready to  charge for readings until about 2003 or so. That's when I  was confident enough in my ability to interpret the story that was being told through the cards, and to overcome my inherent social awkwardness enough to talk to strangers about what I  was seeing.  For me, that was the most difficult part of all. It still is, but I have  over 20 years of experience now, which does dispel the personal heebie jeebies, when dealing with the public.  Over the years I've developed a reputation for ethics and accuracy,  which is something I  worked hard to achieve.  But it's a lifelong learning process, and it never ends, which to me is a good thing.  I learn about people, most of all, and for a while now, I've been able to help provide insight, and perspective when I can. That's the best part.

(( 

[unknownpleasures]

Wow, this brings the memories back!

I started reading in response to the atrocious readings from a good friend, who  terrorised our little group of pals with the most horrific readings that could ever be imagined.  This was back in the  late 80's,  pre everything, when the only tarot decks we could get were the Rider Waite, the Thoth, and the Aquarian, although that one was a rare bird.

I decided that there had to be more to it than gloom, doom, and personal tragedy, so I went to the local hippie boutique, bought a Rider Waite,  and meditated on each card for weeks, getting my own impressions and trying to avoid the LWB as much as possible,  albeit in the beginning, its guidance was essential.

 

About  3 mos later, I did a reading for one of the friends who had been spooked nearly beyond hope by my other friend. She was reluctant at first, but curiosity won out, and sure enough, my reading contained  no dreadful elements.  It turned out to be accurate, too. She suggested that I keep going with it, because she thought I had some talent in that area. I expressed skepticism,  and put the cards down for several years, but got back into it around 1997, when there was an explosion of interest in all things metaphysical. I am one who has always been interested in that, and started Priestess training with a Wiccan High Priestess who owned a small Craft oriented shop. She carried many  different decks which were just coming out at the time, and I was able to buy a Spiral Tarot, which replaced my old, long lost Rider Waite. I started  studying Tarot  again, seriously, this time, and  about 6 mos in, I started reading for  any friend or relative who would take one. I learned a lot from those, and again,  the readings were accurate. (Not all of them, of course, but mostly.) 

 

Several years later I discovered AT (I'm pre-crash. Some people might remember that crashy thing happening.) I was able to meet like minded folks, make friends, and learn even more. Books helped- someone up thread mentioned 78 Degrees of Wisdom, that was one  which helped me so much. It's the one which stands out from the mass of books my dear mother purchased for me. She always supported my hobbies, bless. Even though tarot isn't a hobby anymore.

 

I didn't feel ready to  charge for readings until about 2003 or so. That's when I  was confident enough in my ability to interpret the story that was being told through the cards, and to overcome my inherent social awkwardness enough to talk to strangers about what I  was seeing.  For me, that was the most difficult part of all. It still is, but I have  over 20 years of experience now, which does dispel the personal heebie jeebies, when dealing with the public.  Over the years I've developed a reputation for ethics and accuracy,  which is something I  worked hard to achieve.  But it's a lifelong learning process, and it never ends, which to me is a good thing.  I learn about people, most of all, and for a while now, I've been able to help provide insight, and perspective when I can. That's the best part.

((

 

Thanks and great to hear of your journey.

 

Funnily enough, I was talking to someone yesterday about Angel cards as someone they know uses them and I mention I have started studying Tarot. She asked me to do a reading but I politely declined stating that I too new to it all and don't have the confidence yet, which she understood.

[DarkElectric]

 

Funnily enough, I was talking to someone yesterday about Angel cards as someone they know uses them and I mention I have started studying Tarot. She asked me to do a reading but I politely declined stating that I too new to it all and don't have the confidence yet, which she understood.

 

I was fortunate to have a very patient and understanding Mom, who let me practice on her a lot!  Because I was allegedly some sort of adult(ish) person, and didn't live with her, I was able to get it wrong, or right, without prior knowledge of the situation.  Over time the "get it right"  became more common than the "get it wrong".  And then, of course, there was my D&D group, who got so used to  me bringing my deck along every week, that  a reading from me became part of our group's weekend-ly tradition, along with a bowl of  our DM's home made soup.

[Rarehare]

I’d give yourself a good month of intense study and journaling to give you a little familiarity before reading for someone else, but waiting much longer would make the task more and more daunting.  Be sure you’re able to focus and ground yourself ahead of time.

 

This time around I went the above route and was much more comfortable when I read for Mable in the December reading exchange which I thought went very well, because I was able to pull a bit intuitively as well as reading the cards.  My goal is to keep doing reading exchanges with gradually less time between them to see if I can work to get my intuition to répond faster so that eventually, it’ll be at my disposal when I need it, instead of having to wait for it to form like a little nebula of the senses.

[HermitWriter]

I read for my sister about a month after I got my first tarot deck. Since it was in the LWB, I tried the Celtic Cross. Nothing like jumping in the deep end! It took a few months before I found Aeclectic Tarot Forum, and built up the courage (not to mention even a modicum of skill) to read for strangers. I don't know if I studied enough or not before I starting reading, but the experience of actually doing it was good, and was a big help when I read for strangers in person the first time.

[Arch]

I don't remember exactly how long it was,

but it was some years after I learned how to use them.

 

[unknownpleasures]

 

Funnily enough, I was talking to someone yesterday about Angel cards as someone they know uses them and I mention I have started studying Tarot. She asked me to do a reading but I politely declined stating that I too new to it all and don't have the confidence yet, which she understood.

 

I was fortunate to have a very patient and understanding Mom, who let me practice on her a lot!  Because I was allegedly some sort of adult(ish) person, and didn't live with her, I was able to get it wrong, or right, without prior knowledge of the situation.  Over time the "get it right"  became more common than the "get it wrong".  And then, of course, there was my D&D group, who got so used to  me bringing my deck along every week, that  a reading from me became part of our group's weekend-ly tradition, along with a bowl of  our DM's home made soup.

 

That sounded like an amazing way to learn. Thanks for sharing.

[unknownpleasures]

I’d give yourself a good month of intense study and journaling to give you a little familiarity before reading for someone else, but waiting much longer would make the task more and more daunting.  Be sure you’re able to focus and ground yourself ahead of time.

 

This time around I went the above route and was much more comfortable when I read for Mable in the December reading exchange which I thought went very well, because I was able to pull a bit intuitively as well as reading the cards.  My goal is to keep doing reading exchanges with gradually less time between them to see if I can work to get my intuition to répond faster so that eventually, it’ll be at my disposal when I need it, instead of having to wait for it to form like a little nebula of the senses.

 

That sounds like a great way to learn. Thanks :)

[unknownpleasures]

I read for my sister about a month after I got my first tarot deck. Since it was in the LWB, I tried the Celtic Cross. Nothing like jumping in the deep end! It took a few months before I found Aeclectic Tarot Forum, and built up the courage (not to mention even a modicum of skill) to read for strangers. I don't know if I studied enough or not before I starting reading, but the experience of actually doing it was good, and was a big help when I read for strangers in person the first time.

 

Thanks that makes a lot of sense to me. I need to study more I feel but I am sure I will know when the time is right.