Read Tarot with Confidence

[MODULE 2] READ TAROT WITH CONFIDENCE

Q&A ROUND-UP [MODULE 2] Q&A ROUND-UP

QUESTION AND ANSWER

QUESTION: FEELING DISCONNECTED

I have been reading Tarot on and off for around 15 years and sat in circle. I use my intuition a lot when doing readings...which often works well, but sometimes I feel I am getting nothing. I meditate before the reading and often get messages from spirit which I write down. This helps with the reading. But yesterday when a friend came around for a reading, I really felt she was closed down and I panicked a little and found it difficult to read the cards. I really felt there was only one message about work and I felt like I wasn’t giving enough, but maybe that was all that she was meant to hear? Can you offer any advice?

BRIGIT’S RESPONSE

I think it’s natural to go through periods where you’re not connecting with your cards or your client for whatever reason. The first step is simply to acknowledge that and know that it’s OK to feel that way every now and then. What you don’t want to do is go into a panic and start stressing that you’ll never be able to read the Tarot cards again!

If you feel that your client is not fully open to the experience of the reading and this might be impacting your ability to connect with the messages that need to come through, then call it. Say to your client (or friend), “I’m noticing your energy is not as present in this reading as it could be for a really clear reading. Is there something you want to talk about or share with me so that we can go deeper in this reading?”

I think a lot of the time people come into a Tarot reading thinking that they’re not meant to ‘give away’ what their question is or their situation,

especially first-time clients. There’s a lot of that ‘you tell me, you’re the psychic’ attitude, but not because they want to trip you up, but because they think that’s what’s expected of them in such a reading.

So give your client (or friend) a safe place to open up about what’s really going on and emphasise the value of your time together when you are co- creating the reading. That is, your client is open to the experience and guides the reading just as you open yourself up to the messages from the Tarot and share those with your client.

QUESTION: INTERPRETING THE CARDS

My question is with so many different interpretations for each card and card combinations, how do I decide to which interpretation to go for? When the group is asked what do we think the Lovers and the Chariot means to us...we will all come up with different answers. Does that mean potentially we could give the same client different readings?

BRIGIT’S RESPONSE

There are two parts to this question – how to choose an interpretation, and then what happens when everyone is interpreting the cards differently.

To the beginner, it can be incredibly confusing and overwhelming to know that there is not just one standard meaning for every card. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if the Lovers always meant a loving relationship and the Chariot always meant concentration and focus?! But as you get to know the Tarot, you start to see that each card is multi-faceted and multi- layered - which is beautiful! It means that you can go really deep into each Tarot card and connect with the multiple layers to truly explore what it means in your readings. But of course, it freaks people out when they first realise that there are so many different ways to talk about the one card!

Let me put it another way. If you gave an apple to two people, they would no doubt describe that apple very differently. Sure, they would probably both say it’s an apple, but if you asked them to talk non- stop for 5 minutes about that apple, you’d start to hear different layers opening up and different descriptions of this same object. So, it’s the same with the Tarot cards. We’re essentially talking about the same thing, just in different ways.

Now onto part two of your question… It’s my belief that each reader gets the cards in their reading that are meant for them. So for example, I often see the Three of Cups reversed as a sign of infidelity or being the other woman/man in a relationship. Someone else might see it as stifled creativity or drama with friends. If the message that needs to come through is about infidelity, then I will probably get that card whereas the other readers won’t. And if it’s about stifled creativity, then they will get it and I probably won’t. So, I think if you had a group of Tarot readers reading about the same topic, you would get different Tarot cards but similar themes and messages.

QUESTION: PAYMENT OR REFERRALS

At present I am offering free readings whilst on this course until the end of August so that I can build up a client base, practice and get potential referrals. Some people have wanted to make a donation or pay me and I have said no. I would prefer a referral as I think this will help my business grow. Do you think this is a good way to progress?

BRIGIT’S RESPONSE

Why not accept both?! Testimonials are indeed priceless and I think you’re very smart in asking for the referral. This is what will build your professional Tarot reading practice as you get started.

But at the same time, if you have free reading clients offering you payment for your services, why not say yes? They’re offering you a gift in exchange for your gift, so it’d be rude to say no, right?! *wink* It’s a true testament to the value you’re offering in your readings so I don’t see any problem at all in accepting their offer of payment. Of course, it might be different if you were asking for the payment after a free reading, but I don’t think that’s what is happening here.

That said, at the end of the day, you just have to go with what feels right for you. I would just ask you to question yourself about why it is that you’re saying no to the offer of a financial gift after you’ve delivering your gift of a reading.

QUESTION: TAROT READING VIA SKYPE

I really want to work across the globe and feel excited about working via Skype. The question is - as I work really intuitively, how can I tap into someone’s energies in this way as well as use the cards as a tool to get a worthwhile and inspiring reading for the client?

BRIGIT’S RESPONSE

I LOVE the internet because it means we can reach our clients from right across the world in multiple ways – via Skype, email, audio and so on. Sure, it’s a little different to reading face-to-face where you are both physically present, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get a connection. Think about energy – you don’t need to be physically next to someone to feel their energy, you can often pick up that energy through meditation, a photo, writing and so on.

I’ll go into this in a lot more detail in Week 2 & 3, about how you can create a connection, even when you’re reading online. For now, though, I want you to know it is by no means impossible! In fact, it can be a very enriching experience!

QUESTION: REMOVING SCARY TAROT CARDS

How do you feel about removing cards from the deck - the cards with ‘scary’ images. Normally, I would not do this, but I’m thinking about reserving a table at our local ‘Pumpkin Fest’ and doing a day of free readings. The event is family friendly and I may have younger folks come by. My area of the country in the USA is called the Bible belt and I believe the Tarot could be considered way too ‘woo woo’ for some. Honestly, I’m not even sure they will ‘approve’ my table request.

BRIGIT’S RESPONSE

My first question to you is what are the ‘scary’ cards?! Sure, the Death card looks a little grim on first glance, but we all know that this is a positive card for change and transformation. The skill will be in how you talk about those cards to your clients.

If you want some tips on how to find the good in the ‘bad’ cards of the Tarot deck, check out http://www.biddytarot.com/good-cards-bad- cards/.

If it’s a family event, you may want to set some parameters around who you will and won’t read for. You might not feel comfortable reading for under 21s unless they have parental supervision or permission, for example.

I understand also that in some communities, Tarot is seen as evil and undesirable. Even so, be proud in what you do and don’t make compromises just to accommodate what you think might be more

desirable especially if those compromises impact your ability to do a great job as a Tarot reader. If you don’t think this event will be welcoming, then find another event where they will LOVE that you’re offering free readings.

QUESTION: USING NOTES

I sent it ever okay to refer to your notes during a reading? If you are absolutely stuck? I personally feel guilty if I do. I was always taught that to do so was very unprofessional.

BRIGIT’S RESPONSE

Well, I’ll be honest, it’s probably not the best way to go about doing a face-to-face Tarot reading, especially if you have a paying client. But if you’re still learning and you’re in a safe environment (such as reading for a friend or doing a free reading where the client knows you’re still learning), then I think it’s OK. You’ve got to learn somehow, right?!

Of course, if you start off with doing email Tarot readings, then no-one knows that you’re taking a quick peek at your notes or that you need 5 minutes of silence to figure out what everything means. That’s why I started out with email Tarot readings and then moved to some face-to- face readings when I felt more confident.

And one final thing, see if you can do a reading without looking at your notes. I used to rely on my notes a LOT during a Tarot reading, but it meant that I was so focused on reading my notes that I lost my connection with my intuition. When I put down the books and the notes, my intuition kicked into gear and I started to read a lot better.