Two types of tarot readings

When you start doing tarot readings, it is important to remember that there are two basic types of readings and that these readings are very different.

• The question

Many Tarot readings focus on a question that the querent has asked. Your entire reading will focus on this question and how each card and each location addresses that problem.

• General reading

Sometimes the querent just wants a general reading. “Give me a tarot reading.” In this case, you should orient the reading more towards the things that have affected or are still affecting the querent, and how they can best respond to the situation.

The similarities:

Whenever I do a tarot reading, I like to focus on a few things:

• Consultant participation

  • Have the querent think about their question (if they have one) and shuffle the cards.
  • If the client has a question and feels comfortable, ask him or her to say it out loud.
  • As you go through each card, confirm the meaning with the consultant. This will allow you to modify not only the meaning of that card, but will also give you information to use with each subsequent card.
• Your role as a reader
  

  • Don’t try to “predict the future” or appear “mystical”. The best tarot readings are those that focus on how the querent can best react to the problems in their life.
  • Remember that you are not omnipotent or omniscient. Acting like you have a mystical key to the power of the universe because you spent $ 19.95 at Barnes and Nobles and checked out a book from the library does NOT increase your credibility as a reader.

The differences:

• What spreads can you use

  • General readings

    • For a general reading with someone new, I always use the Celtic Cross extension. I’m not saying this is the best spread, not even my favorite, but it lends itself well to general reading and gives you plenty of opportunities for feedback along the way, and I always find that I can tie things together. in a reading that they will be happy with in the end.

  • Question Readings
    

    • When someone has a specific question, I tend to use fewer flashcards, especially if they are willing to ask the question and I have some idea where it is going. I find that a five-card spread is usually the best for a question, and I do multiple three-card spread if they have a lot.

• Your goals
  
  • General reading

    • Your main goal at the beginning of a general reading should be to read the current situation, including the past. Confront the forces at work in the querent’s life and what attitudes or actions will best help you cope with these forces. This is by nature very general and does not have to be given in the form of advice.
  • question
    

    • Your goal in reading a question should be to answer the querent’s question without telling them what to do. Many consultants will ask you some pretty straightforward questions and want specific answers (a consultant once told me that she was going to invite her boyfriend out for pizza and a movie, and she wanted him to help her pick the size of the pizza and toppings and choose the movie for them to see). Remember that the Tarot is a guide and not a manual. Your job as a reader is to guide the querent and NOT tell them what to do. I’m going to repeat this because it’s important: DO NOT SPECIFICALLY TELL YOUR CUSTOMER WHAT TO DO.