Dealing with Difficult Tarot Reading Clients | Biddy Tarot Blog

I like this advice from "Biddy" at Biddy Tarot Blog, which of course, is excellent!:

Dealing with Difficult Tarot Reading Clients | Biddy Tarot Blog

30 Day Divination Picture Challenge | From Seer Pathways-Lisa Frideborg

"30 Day Divination Picture Challenge | Seer Pathways: Lately, I have had a lot of fun with the 30 Day Tarot Picture Challenge (#30daytarotpic on tumblr and instagram). I want to keep going with something similar but not limit it to the Tarot or even the cards this time, so I put together a list of 30 picture challenges for divination. The hashtag/tag to use if you are interested in participating on your blog, instagram, tumblr, G or FB is #30daydivinationpic" - Seer Pathways

I'm going to try this. My personal challenge: to keep up with this every day! But I'll try. Sounds like fun, as well as a unique and fun way to further develop skills.

11 Love Tarot Reading Blunders You Will Want to Avoid | Love Dove Tarot

Sharing this from Lisa Frideborg Lloyd: 11 Love Tarot Reading Blunders You Will Want to Avoid | Love Dove Tarot. Excellent points on common mistakes, for example, asking the same question over and over again.



I particularly agree with her point about what tarot readers are -- are are not. It's not magic; a reading is a participatory happening between client and reader. As Lisa says:

Expecting whoever is reading for you to be able to mind-read – As a reader, I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating this is. When you go to a reader with your relationship question, the point is not to test them by giving them as little information about the relationship as possible to see if they are ‘genuine.’ A Tarot reader may or may not be psychic but that’s by the by. ~ Lisa Frideborg Lloyd

For myself, usually my readings are a combination of interpreting and reading the cards as they are, but I also often get "flashes" strong pictures or feelings/vibrations, a "hit" of energy about the client overall. A strong vibe, sometimes accompanied by images, about the issue. Call it psychic or whatever term, it's part of the process.



I also like what she says about "rose tinted spectacles" -- giving a reading always drenched in happy positive terms. The reading has to be honest, not sugary goodness so as not to offend or put off. Of course you don't' want to intentionally upset your client! But the truth is the truth; ignoring or disguising unpleasant aspects isn't doing the client, or yourself, anything positive for either of you.



I also like the inclusion of "ethical blunders" in her article. Always important to remember!

Cat Attraction: Electric Blue Aura Quartz Crystal

 

I bought three electric blue aura quartz crystals at the Gem Fair last weekend. Even though they are not "natural," having been intentionally enhanced  through a process involving an electrostatic charge applied to the crystal (read about that here) I was attracted to these crystals. Some practitioners don't like to use these because the stones have been tinkered with. However, some, like myself, have found that this enhancement amplifies and can be very useful.

These enhanced quartz crystals differ in appearance depending on the process used and the stone. My particular crystals are also known as cobalt aura quartz.

I wrapped this myself and am very pleased with the result. (The photos don't do it justice.) I've been wearing it all day and right away felt its energy; an interesting blend of calmness but also energy.

Earlier this evening my cat came to visit me as he does at the same time every evening. He loves to sit in my lap for his nightly routine: combing, pets, love, and affection (as well as attention), play time, etc. He began to climb onto my lap, and he stopped and stared -- really stared! -- right at my crystal. Now I wear a lot of jewelry every day, including all kinds of pendants, crystals, stones, etc. around my neck. Often more than one at a time. He's never been interested. But tonight, Mango stared at my newly acquired crystal, then took a few steps closer, looking even more intently at it, put his face to it -- it was very interesting! I wonder if he wasn't picking up on the energies of the crystal.

UPDATE: Angel Dreams Oracle, Nettle, and Mammograms

(Update: After I posted this, I found out I have to go back in for another one. Something about baselines and "undefined mass" . . . ")

I love working with Doreen Virtue's Angel Dreams oracle. I seem to have an easy, comfortable and intuitive fit with this deck. I get strong and deep readings using this deck, whether for myself or for others.

Yesterday I had a mammogram. I had one, years ago, probably fifteen years ago or so. I didn't want this second one at all and fought against it, but because of my health status now I agreed that it might be a good idea. Maybe. So I had one but I hated every damn minute of it. I don't know why I reacted so strongly during the process; I'm pretty earthy and practical and things, sexual, physical, to do with the body, don't bother me. And yet I found it so horribly intrusive, I was crying a little. Yes, it was uncomfortable, physically, but not painful. The invasive nature was psychological. I found this reaction on my part disturbing and curious; why was I reacting so strongly against this? But I hated it and was angry at the whole thing from beginning to end. 

Today, I was thinking about yesterday's experience and how it bothered me so much, as well as why, as I was pulling cards in this deck. A card fell out -- Nettle. When I saw that card drop sharply to the ground I thought "Aha!" Nettle seems to fit here. Rough, painful, prickly, Nettle is not a pleasant thing to touch. Downright painful.

And yet Nettle has wonderful healing properties. (Natural News has a good article on benefits of Nettle.)

Nettle: Boundaries, caution. "Maintain your boundaries." "…approach with caution and respect." "Nettle is a plant of maternal and metaphysical protection that encourages adaptability and flexibility." (Angel Dreams Guidebook, Doreen and Melissa Virtue, p78)

Interesting that this card speaks about boundaries and respect, as well as assigning the maternal aspect to Nettle. Breasts are obviously a maternal symbol, providing nourishment, and Nettle "…provides deep nourishment…"

The need to be adaptable and flexible is interesting; maintain boundaries, yet be adaptable. Sounds contradictory at first, doesn't it? Yet it is possible to be flexible within one's boundaries. Finding balance seems to be one of the messages from this card. Nettle also protects from negativity. 

Maternal, nourishing, balance, protection.

I saw this card as a direct reflection of my prickly reaction to the mammogram. As usual when working with this deck, the card or cards that jump out -- and they do jump out! -- are a visual depiction of what I'm feeling at the moment.

Is Tear-O, Tah-Row, or What?

How do you correctly pronounce the word "tarot?" I've heard it said many ways: rhyming with sparrow, carrot (pronouncing the t at the end of tarot, which sounds the strangest), and Tah-Row. I use tear (as in ripping something or tearing something apart)-row (to rhyme with sparrow) and TAH-row interchangeably.

Top 10 Things I Hate About Being a Professional Tarot Reader | Seer Pathways

Great "rant" list of things from Lisa Frideborg Lloyd, a professional tarot reader (who has excellent blogs and sites, follow her on tumblr and twitter, etc.) Top 10 Things I Hate About Being a Professional Tarot Reader | Seer Pathways.



All excellent points, and many I too wish clients would understand. I'll add my own: since at this time, I do the bulk of my readings long distance and on-line, there are a couple of simple but specific instructions I give to clients in order for the reading to happen quickly and smoothly. No matter how many times I restate the directions, there are those who ignore those instructions and simply don't communicate, then wonder why things aren't going the way they're supposed to be going. So damn frustrating! Takes up more of my time to chase after them and follow-up due to their laziness, or stubbornness, or inability to follow clear steps. Okay, that's my little rant.

A Journey, Not a Punishment: A Small Bit of Advice

   

     Often, people new to reading tarot become overwhelmed, confused and frustrated very quickly. There's an expectation that you should know all there is to know about the tarot as soon as possible, and you need to know this before doing readings. 
     The feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated are heightened by the reality of the situation: you can't possibly learn all there is to know in a short period of time. And you can't become a good reader without doing readings! It seems counter intuitive -- how can you become a good reader if you're doing readings when you don't know all there is to know about the cards?
     Reading tomes on the tarot, often contradicting each other at times, soon becomes not only overwhelming, but the excitement and joy of learning about tarot is replaced by sheer frustration. You give up, put away the cards, get rid of the books, and wonder why you can't read cards.
     You can read cards. Anyone can.
     First of all, you have an affinity for the cards. They've called to you -- something about the tarot attracted you. What was it that called to you? Explore that energy. 

     Secondly, learning about the tarot is a life long process, a journey of discovery and learning, of sharing and healing. It doesn't matter if you've been reading cards for two weeks or twenty years, you are always learning, always developing your skills and insights.
     Thirdly, trust yourself, your intuition, your instincts. What deck do you feel comfortable with? What book or books, on-line resources, click with you? Use those, discard what doesn't work for you. Everyone is different. What works for one may not work for another. There is no right or wrong, it's a matter of what best fits your style.
     Remember that tarot is a journey, one that will continue for the rest of your life. Along the way there will be changes, adaptations. Your tastes in decks will change, your reading style, methods of reading and opinions, techniques…all part of that journey, that process.

     Aside from knowing that having tarot in you life is a life long journey, allow yourself to relax. Have fun. Tarot is your friend, not a somber and aloof pontificator from above delivering ponderous teachings.  
     Trust yourself, your intuition, have fun, and enjoy the journey.
     Blessed be!

On Tumblr

I'm really liking my White Wolf Tarot/Tumbling Tarot place on tumblr. Visit the realm, explore awhile.

Tarot Mythology: The Surprising Origins of the World’s Most Misunderstood Cards | Collectors Weekly

In-depth and useful article on the history of the Tarot, which is always changing, morphing, adapting.

Tarot Mythology: The Surprising Origins of the World’s Most Misunderstood Cards | Collectors Weekly: Contrary to what the uninitiated might think, the meaning of divination cards changes over time, shaped by each era’s culture and the needs of individual users. This is partly why these decks can be so puzzling to outsiders, as most of them reference allegories or events familiar to people many centuries ago.Caitln Matthews, who teaches courses on cartomancy, or divination with cards, says that before the 18th century, the imagery on these cards was accessible to a much broader population. But in contrast to these historic decks, Matthews finds most modern decks harder to engage with.