Guest libra Posted March 11, 2019 Posted March 11, 2019 I noticed a few people talking about struggling to read for themselves, even when they find it easy to read for other people , so I thought a thread compiling some tips for that would be useful! My main trick is to treat a reading for myself as I do reading for others. As I read mainly online through written readings, that means I do my own readings the same way when I'm struggling. I go so far as to do all the formatting and rewording the question to fit - like, dated of asking "What do I need to know about the situation at work?", I'll ask "What does Libra need to know about the situation she is facing at work?". By separating myself from the reading, I find I can read it with much more clarity! If you read in person usually, try sitting in front of a mirror, or recording your reading. Whatever you need to do to make it more like you're reading for someone else! Another thing I do is to be very, very aware of my physical reaction to the card when I first pull it. Journaling about that can tell me a lot about the true answer to the question - a bit of tension can tell me to look at the shadow aspect of a card, for instance! Do you have any tips for reading for getting over a block when reading for yourself?
HermitWriter Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 On days when I'm completely spent, and just can't tax my brain any more, I'll simply ask the cards "tell me a story?" That way I can just enjoy whatever images come up, and imagine all sorts of scenarios they might fit into. Call it "guided daydreaming" I guess? ;D If you do have a specific question, but are struggling with the meaning of whatever cards turn up, try reading in the second person, as you would with another sitter. "This card suggests that x is troubling you. And this card suggests that y might help you deal with that trouble." I find that I seem to have the most trouble interpreting for myself when I'm trying to shoehorn in a book meaning where it might not fit, so in those cases I'd suggest thinking about what you wish the card would say, and then if your really brave think about what you wish it wouldn't say, and see if one of those might be applicable. And of course, if you're really stuck, you could always reach out to another tarot reader and hire them to do a reading for you :)
Miho Posted March 14, 2019 Posted March 14, 2019 I have this theory that when we "can't" read ourselves, it has to do with the intuition/mind's ability to pin-point energies and situations close to us. After all, to touch something, it has to be at a distance of at least arm's length... too close and we're no longer reaching out, but we remain stationary. Too far and we can't reach the subject at all or the visual will be "faint". So it would seem to make sense that in those cases, maybe moving the "subject" (i.e. you) further away would eliminate that trigger if it's a proximity issue. That's why this part of what you say, libra, "My main trick is to treat a reading for myself as I do reading for others" makes so much internal sense to me. It's essentially giving our minds the "clue" to create arms distance and try to see ourselves as an object in the distance, instead of the querent whose body currently occupying their mind. I have the opposite problem of this, mainly with reading subjects that are "too far", so I understand it from that perspective . Also, there may be internal resistance too if those people feel "reading oneself" is a form of self-deception. After all, it's common perception humans struggle with self-perception/objectivity and so it would seem to be doubly true when we try to deal with anything that is too self-referential. When we are reading others, we are giving others a bit more objectivity and that fits in with common thought. When reading ourselves, however, it can seem like we may just trip ourselves up with self-imagery that is reused and rehashed on a daily basis. Things that already "exist" in our mind... and so can make for a fairly "muddled" reading of self-referential insights. I don't tend to think any of these feelings are a coincidence or accidental, so I view it as part of the larger pie... I have the bits I "know", and then the missing pieces I need to find... One solution I think for people struggling with self-readings is to use reversals as an "known"/"unknown" declarative and use a larger spread to help better pinpoint your own blind-spots... that way, half the battle is over, the "upright" cards are things you have "good enough" grasp on or are already "picking up" fairly well... the reversals would be the cards to pull more information on, or even dive deeper to see if something was missed, maybe you are questioning it's true meaning. Or maybe there is information taken for granted in the upright cards that would be better utilized by understanding your reversals... I think that's a good "diagnostic" approach. I view self-readings as "laying the cards out" so to speak, as a form of emotional clean-up and self-care, so I guess that's one reason I don't have too many blocks. I'm not actively searching for things when I pull a spread, but rather, I'm simply laying out the cards and inviting whatever comes "in". I think taking it that way, it's a more humbled approach... of course, the downside is you may invite things in that you will have to be "prepared" to deal with, but I do think that's requisite for any reading actually... is that initial invitation.
Saturn Celeste Posted March 14, 2019 Posted March 14, 2019 On days when I'm completely spent, and just can't tax my brain any more, I'll simply ask the cards "tell me a story?" That way I can just enjoy whatever images come up, and imagine all sorts of scenarios they might fit into. Call it "guided daydreaming" I guess? ;D OMG I love the idea of Tell Me a Story! Next time I'm at my table I will give that a try!! Thanks HW! <3
DownUnderNZer Posted March 14, 2019 Posted March 14, 2019 I would try quoting, but cannot seem to do it as easy via phone. I was actually thinking about something I do besides treating it like I am reading for someone else. If I feel like I am biasing what I read for myself - I will actually look at possible meanings elsewhere. This is something not often done, but I will do it if I feel that another perspecrive might be the go. And so that I am not being one way on it. Not often, but sometimes. Having said that, some meanings do not quite hit the mark whereas others are more on to it because they are diversified enough to target the question. So, now and then I will look at other sources for myself if I feel there is a need. So what I'm saying is if you are too subjective or coming up with a perspective that might be a little biased - look elsewhere to make sure you are not influencing your own readings or limiting them unintentionally. Also, do not turn away from cards you might not want to see, life is not a bed of roses so you have to take the good with the bad. Therefore, to be able to read for yourself, you have to be objective and be open to everything whether you like the cards or not. DND X/
Endy Posted March 14, 2019 Posted March 14, 2019 I really appreciate this discussion and have found everyone's insight very interesting and helpful so far. I don't have anything to add, I just wanted to make a couple comments... On days when I'm completely spent, and just can't tax my brain any more, I'll simply ask the cards "tell me a story?" That way I can just enjoy whatever images come up, and imagine all sorts of scenarios they might fit into. Call it "guided daydreaming" I guess? ;D I absolutely love this! There have been days when I really wanted to sit with my cards but I didn't have a question. I'll have to try this when I have one of those days again! I have this theory that when we "can't" read ourselves, it has to do with the intuition/mind's ability to pin-point energies and situations close to us. After all, to touch something, it has to be at a distance of at least arm's length... too close and we're no longer reaching out, but we remain stationary. Too far and we can't reach the subject at all or the visual will be "faint". This makes so much sense to me! I feel this will be very helpful for me the next time I read for myself but am having trouble interpreting the cards. Thanks for sharing your theory!
Alizon Posted March 15, 2019 Posted March 15, 2019 When I read for myself I try to set the intention before the reading to find out the truth about a matter. I kind of ask the universe for the truth to make sure I am not shown something I just want to see (the truth is what I order so to say :-)). When interpreting I try to keep in mind to also think of the possible negative interpretations of a card. I think that your intuition will often tell you what it really is about. Thats why I think its important to also be in the right mood for a reading and to be relaxed, calm and open. Some time ago for example I had the death card come up in a reading and I just had a strong feeling that it is meant as a new beginning instead of a definite ending in the sense of "to start over" and to "start back from zero" - it turned out to be true.
Jewel Posted March 15, 2019 Posted March 15, 2019 I read for myself a lot. I find the key ingredients to be to put aside all expectations and be open and objective to the messages. What helps me set the tone is first identifying patterns in the spread (numbers, suits, elements, spread composition what is there what is not, any abundance of a particular number or court card, etc). That gives me some good ideas about what the spread is trying to communicate. From there I look at individual cards overlaying the pattern which helps remain objective.
Bookworm Posted March 15, 2019 Posted March 15, 2019 On days when I'm completely spent, and just can't tax my brain any more, I'll simply ask the cards "tell me a story?" That way I can just enjoy whatever images come up, and imagine all sorts of scenarios they might fit into. Call it "guided daydreaming" I guess? ;D OMG I love the idea of Tell Me a Story! Next time I'm at my table I will give that a try!! Thanks HW! <3 I really like this idea too. :)
WendyLouWho Posted March 16, 2019 Posted March 16, 2019 On days when I'm completely spent, and just can't tax my brain any more, I'll simply ask the cards "tell me a story?" That way I can just enjoy whatever images come up, and imagine all sorts of scenarios they might fit into. Call it "guided daydreaming" I guess? ;D I love this. I do something similar and ask my inner spirit to show me what I need to know/focus on today? Overall I have the opposite issue. I can read for myself but struggle reading for others. Then again I am not confident enough with myself having picked up the cards again after decades.
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