Sigh. I hadn't heard from one of my "frequent callers" in a few months. She had been calling during the runup to establishing a relationship with a person she really, really liked. Then the two of them connected a few months ago, and apart from doing one reading shortly after that happened, I didn't hear back from her so I figured that all was well.
Well, I just got a call from her. They haven't communicated in a few weeks, and she wanted to get some clarity on the situation.
Shoot. I was hoping that the start of that relationship would lead directly to a happy ending. Looks like we have a few more chapters to go in that situation before we get to the "happily ever after" part.
Nobody warned me, when I took this job, about how much the callers and their situations really grow to matter to the reader. Given my prior job experiences that involved direct customer contact, where the individuals I was dealing with really did matter to me, I should have figured that working as a reader would be a similar experience. As a result, I feel genuinely disappointed to hear that this caller has run into a rough spot.
Drat.
Mind you, I saw enough optimistic things in the cards that I'm not willing to throw in the towel. I think the issues are fixable. But I do wish there weren't issues to fix in the first place.
8.09.2011
10.06.2010
Proactivity: It's What's in the Cards
I'm sure most of us have seen sample images from a Rorschach test, either from having taken the test or from viewing the images online or in books. It's a psychological test in which the subject is shown various inkblots and describes what the shapes of said patterns resemble to them; the results are then analyzed.
As it's a subjective test, different people will see different things when they look at the same inkblot shapes. One person might view the shape to the left and say, " It's a Jack O'Lantern"; another might say, "That's a wolf's head". And the answers are neither wrong nor right, because they're subjective.
That's what reading Tarot cards is like. One reader will look at the cards and offer a particular interpretation of the spread, relative to the question that was asked. Another reader, given the same question and the same cards, might perceive different salient points in the reading than the first. While it's unlikely that two readers would draw opposite conclusions (such as "success" vs. "failure") from the same set of cards, it's not impossible for them to differ on what the most important points in the spread are. One reader might say "You'll sit down and talk to your partner and you'll reach an agreement on what to do from here on out", with the most important point being reaching the agreement. Another reader might see the same cards and respond, "You will have to open the lines of communication between yourself and your partner, if you ever hope to reach an agreement", with the emphasis on communication is necessary.
That's why I liken Tarot reading to a Rorschach test. What the reader sees in the cards is going to be predicated at least in part on their own personality, world view, and intuition at the moment the reading is being done. The combination of those factors is as unique as a fingerprint for every reader in existence.
In my case, when I do a reading for you, what I see in the cards involves proactive steps to take to reach one's goal. I don't believe that the future is something that's sealed or set in stone, and all we have to do is sit around and wait for it to happen. I believe that the cards are a tool to help us navigate, like a compass that tells us what direction we're facing, but then WE have to do the actual traveling. Life is not a spectator sport; it's a game in which we must participate, and this worldview has a concrete impact on what I see when I look at the cards. So when you receive a reading from me, I won't be dictating your fate to you. I'm going to help map out a path for you to get where you want to be. And don't be surprised if you get homework to do. :-)
As it's a subjective test, different people will see different things when they look at the same inkblot shapes. One person might view the shape to the left and say, " It's a Jack O'Lantern"; another might say, "That's a wolf's head". And the answers are neither wrong nor right, because they're subjective.
That's what reading Tarot cards is like. One reader will look at the cards and offer a particular interpretation of the spread, relative to the question that was asked. Another reader, given the same question and the same cards, might perceive different salient points in the reading than the first. While it's unlikely that two readers would draw opposite conclusions (such as "success" vs. "failure") from the same set of cards, it's not impossible for them to differ on what the most important points in the spread are. One reader might say "You'll sit down and talk to your partner and you'll reach an agreement on what to do from here on out", with the most important point being reaching the agreement. Another reader might see the same cards and respond, "You will have to open the lines of communication between yourself and your partner, if you ever hope to reach an agreement", with the emphasis on communication is necessary.
That's why I liken Tarot reading to a Rorschach test. What the reader sees in the cards is going to be predicated at least in part on their own personality, world view, and intuition at the moment the reading is being done. The combination of those factors is as unique as a fingerprint for every reader in existence.
In my case, when I do a reading for you, what I see in the cards involves proactive steps to take to reach one's goal. I don't believe that the future is something that's sealed or set in stone, and all we have to do is sit around and wait for it to happen. I believe that the cards are a tool to help us navigate, like a compass that tells us what direction we're facing, but then WE have to do the actual traveling. Life is not a spectator sport; it's a game in which we must participate, and this worldview has a concrete impact on what I see when I look at the cards. So when you receive a reading from me, I won't be dictating your fate to you. I'm going to help map out a path for you to get where you want to be. And don't be surprised if you get homework to do. :-)
9.16.2010
Gee, I'm glad I do PHONE readings
There's definitely something to be said in favor of doing readings via phone, IM, and email! ;-)
9.09.2010
Keep One Eye On The Big Picture
Tonight, I was walking my dog along a pathway that a lot of people in my neighborhood use. She happened on the scent of another dog that had recently passed. She loves other dogs, so she stopped to sniff along the path and the grass, as if she wanted to track down the other dog and meet it.
She sniffed avidly for several seconds, making her way slowly along the path as she tried to get every last detail of that scent trail. Meanwhile, I turned my gaze farther along the path and saw... the actual DOG that had left the scent trail, walking along with two ladies and a small child.
"Mini! Let's go! I see the other doggie!" I tried to get her attention and urge her to start walking again. But she was reluctant to leave that fresh scent trail. She just KNEW that dog had to be close by. She did, unwillingly, come along with me, though we stopped several times along the way so she could sniff more of the other dog's scent.
Finally, we did actually meet up with the other doggie, and they got to greet each other. But we'd have caught up with him sooner if we hadn't stopped repeatedly to examine the scent he left on the ground.
The lesson here is, sometimes when we focus ONLY on the details, we miss something *really* important, something that's visible when we pay attention to the Big Picture. So while paying attention to individual details, don't forget to step back now and then to examine the whole situation. Sometimes the whole really is more than the sum of its parts.
She sniffed avidly for several seconds, making her way slowly along the path as she tried to get every last detail of that scent trail. Meanwhile, I turned my gaze farther along the path and saw... the actual DOG that had left the scent trail, walking along with two ladies and a small child.
"Mini! Let's go! I see the other doggie!" I tried to get her attention and urge her to start walking again. But she was reluctant to leave that fresh scent trail. She just KNEW that dog had to be close by. She did, unwillingly, come along with me, though we stopped several times along the way so she could sniff more of the other dog's scent.
Finally, we did actually meet up with the other doggie, and they got to greet each other. But we'd have caught up with him sooner if we hadn't stopped repeatedly to examine the scent he left on the ground.
The lesson here is, sometimes when we focus ONLY on the details, we miss something *really* important, something that's visible when we pay attention to the Big Picture. So while paying attention to individual details, don't forget to step back now and then to examine the whole situation. Sometimes the whole really is more than the sum of its parts.
8.23.2010
75% of Americans Believe in the Paranormal
Here's an interesting article which states that 3 out of 4 Americans hold at least one paranormal belief.
You know what this means, don't you? It's time to start working on convincing that last 25%. :-)
You know what this means, don't you? It's time to start working on convincing that last 25%. :-)
8.20.2010
Different people need different things from a reader.
Over the past few days, I've had some reminders that people seek out a reading for different reasons.
Some people just want to know what's going to happen In The Future. Others want insight into what's going on. Some want a shoulder to cry on, and some want a messenger to kill.
When someone needs a shoulder, I hear them out and pull cards as they talk. Hopefully, the cards that come up will help the person handle the situation that they need to vent about.
As for the people who seem to be bent on killing the messenger, I don't take it personally. I realize that whatever's got their fuse so short is making them so worked up that they are taking it out on the nearest possible person. I know I didn't make their fuse short or light the fuse. All I can do is stay civil and let them blow off their steam.
I can't blame the people who just want to Know The Future. That's how a lot of people who are interested in Tarot and other readings start out.
Hopefully, though, if they become a regular patron of card readers, they'll grow into the people who are in search of insight. That's what the cards are best used for: getting some insight into what's going on, and deciding on what the best actions might be to get them where they want to go.
Some people just want to know what's going to happen In The Future. Others want insight into what's going on. Some want a shoulder to cry on, and some want a messenger to kill.
When someone needs a shoulder, I hear them out and pull cards as they talk. Hopefully, the cards that come up will help the person handle the situation that they need to vent about.
As for the people who seem to be bent on killing the messenger, I don't take it personally. I realize that whatever's got their fuse so short is making them so worked up that they are taking it out on the nearest possible person. I know I didn't make their fuse short or light the fuse. All I can do is stay civil and let them blow off their steam.
I can't blame the people who just want to Know The Future. That's how a lot of people who are interested in Tarot and other readings start out.
Hopefully, though, if they become a regular patron of card readers, they'll grow into the people who are in search of insight. That's what the cards are best used for: getting some insight into what's going on, and deciding on what the best actions might be to get them where they want to go.
7.26.2010
One o' Those Days, I guess
Tonight's readings didn't particularly get off to an auspicious start. I've had two calls so far and had trouble connecting with both callers. Both of them were pretty worked up before the call even started. So I'm not taking it personally.
Here's to having the rest of my callers not only be willing to call, but in a frame of mind where they'll take what the reading says to heart. I think I got two callers in a row where the person needed to vent at least as much as they wanted a reading. It happens, though this is the first time I've had it happen on consecutive calls.
I hope it doesn't KEEP happening, because calls like that are draining.
Here's to having the rest of my callers not only be willing to call, but in a frame of mind where they'll take what the reading says to heart. I think I got two callers in a row where the person needed to vent at least as much as they wanted a reading. It happens, though this is the first time I've had it happen on consecutive calls.
I hope it doesn't KEEP happening, because calls like that are draining.
7.22.2010
I had to laugh
This is a little bit off the topic, but not much. I've decided to hone the clairvoyant aspect of my readings. When we were kids, any experiments we did with remote viewing or clairvoyant preception was done in such a way that we were lying down or sitting quietly, and reported on or wrote down our impressions afterward.
Obviously, that won't work for phone readings, where I have to receive and report impressions "on the fly". Hence, here I sit with a music channel on the TV and I decided to get some impressions about the song what was coming up next.
The only detail that I picked up was that the song after the one currently playing would have a female lead singer.
Was I right? No and yes. The artists were JAN and Dean. I got a female-like name, even if the singers themselves are guys. Clearly, I need to keep practicing, but it's nice to know my arrow at least hit SOMEwhere on the bulls-eye target. That certainly beats missing the target entirely.
Obviously, that won't work for phone readings, where I have to receive and report impressions "on the fly". Hence, here I sit with a music channel on the TV and I decided to get some impressions about the song what was coming up next.
The only detail that I picked up was that the song after the one currently playing would have a female lead singer.
Was I right? No and yes. The artists were JAN and Dean. I got a female-like name, even if the singers themselves are guys. Clearly, I need to keep practicing, but it's nice to know my arrow at least hit SOMEwhere on the bulls-eye target. That certainly beats missing the target entirely.
5.20.2010
When is a "general" reading NOT a general reading?
When is a "general" reading NOT a general reading? When a person actually has a question, but they want to see if the answer shows up in the cards on its own, without prompting.
I have had more versions of the following conversation than I can count. If you are new to reading for other people, give this exchange a good look and expect to see versions of it come up if you read for strangers on a regular basis.
Caller: I'd like a reading about relationships. I want to know what's in store for me.
Me: Do you want a general reading, or do you have a specific question in mind?
Caller: A general reading.
Note: I've learned to ask that question, because when people are paying by the minute, I don't want to waste time reading generally if they have a specific answer they are looking for. But, as I have learned, some people who want something specific still don't volunteer that fact when I offer them the opportunity.
Me: [pulls cards and starts interpreting]
Conspicuous by its absence, normally, is any hint of the person the caller actually wants to hear about. And when it's a "general relationship reading" for a person who actually wants something specific, you can bet that they have a person on their mind. Why is the secretly-targeted person not showing up? Unfortunately, the person they want to hear about frequently does NOT have my caller in mind. In such cases, he or she does not make an appearance in this "general" reading.
Also in such cases, cards indicating that my caller will be meeting someone new and beginning a new relationship, or news that they will be standing on their own or independent for a while (my positive spin on the concept of being not-in-a-relationship) will go unheard. Sadly, in this kind of call, no matter how good the news is, it often goes unheard. I could see cards telling me the caller is going to hit the Powerball jackpot and retire a zillionaire, and odds are they'll gloss right over it because it wasn't what they were hoping to hear.
Anyway, I give my interpretation of the general cards sitting in front of me. If it's a caller who's secretly harboring a specific question, 99.999% of the time, they're not getting their answer. 99.999% of the time, in my experience, that's because they have a person in their heart who has Moved On.
If this is the case, the caller usually provides followup questions that divulge what they REALLY wanted from the reading. "What do you see about a man named Wilbur? We broke up [timespan in weeks or months] ago. Does he still think of me? Does he love me? Will he come back to me?"
And NOW you can actually get down to business. But be prepared to find diplomatic ways to express yourself if the cards indicate that the answer to any or all of those questions is "No". Frequently, Wilbur's mind is on himself or someone else, rather than on my caller. Often, Wilbur's version of "love" involves a vastly different definition of the word than my caller has [which was probably a contributing factor in WHY he and my caller broke up X weeks or months ago]. And in those cases, the odds that Wilbur is coming back at all, or for any reason than his own gratification, are slim to none.
And this is one of the harder parts of doing readings for people. I so want to have good news for everybody. But sometimes I see cards that I know full well are saying the exact opposite of what my caller wants to hear, on a topic that's very near and dear to the caller's heart.
So I channel my inner Queen of Swords at that point, by offering an honest take on what's in front of me, with a reminder of some of the positives that most likely came up when we were still in the "this is a general reading" phase of the call. For example, "When you meet the new person that the first group of cards spoke of, you will find it easier to put Wilbur in the past and focus on the person who's in your present."
One of these weeks, I am going to COUNT the number of "general" readings I do that get converted into a specific question. Because I can guarantee that there will be multiple such calls in any given week. Sometimes there are multiple calls like this in a given DAY. Be prepared for this to crop up, if you are embarking on the path of reading for total strangers, because it WILL happen.
I have had more versions of the following conversation than I can count. If you are new to reading for other people, give this exchange a good look and expect to see versions of it come up if you read for strangers on a regular basis.
Caller: I'd like a reading about relationships. I want to know what's in store for me.
Me: Do you want a general reading, or do you have a specific question in mind?
Caller: A general reading.
Note: I've learned to ask that question, because when people are paying by the minute, I don't want to waste time reading generally if they have a specific answer they are looking for. But, as I have learned, some people who want something specific still don't volunteer that fact when I offer them the opportunity.
Me: [pulls cards and starts interpreting]
Conspicuous by its absence, normally, is any hint of the person the caller actually wants to hear about. And when it's a "general relationship reading" for a person who actually wants something specific, you can bet that they have a person on their mind. Why is the secretly-targeted person not showing up? Unfortunately, the person they want to hear about frequently does NOT have my caller in mind. In such cases, he or she does not make an appearance in this "general" reading.
Also in such cases, cards indicating that my caller will be meeting someone new and beginning a new relationship, or news that they will be standing on their own or independent for a while (my positive spin on the concept of being not-in-a-relationship) will go unheard. Sadly, in this kind of call, no matter how good the news is, it often goes unheard. I could see cards telling me the caller is going to hit the Powerball jackpot and retire a zillionaire, and odds are they'll gloss right over it because it wasn't what they were hoping to hear.
Anyway, I give my interpretation of the general cards sitting in front of me. If it's a caller who's secretly harboring a specific question, 99.999% of the time, they're not getting their answer. 99.999% of the time, in my experience, that's because they have a person in their heart who has Moved On.
If this is the case, the caller usually provides followup questions that divulge what they REALLY wanted from the reading. "What do you see about a man named Wilbur? We broke up [timespan in weeks or months] ago. Does he still think of me? Does he love me? Will he come back to me?"
And NOW you can actually get down to business. But be prepared to find diplomatic ways to express yourself if the cards indicate that the answer to any or all of those questions is "No". Frequently, Wilbur's mind is on himself or someone else, rather than on my caller. Often, Wilbur's version of "love" involves a vastly different definition of the word than my caller has [which was probably a contributing factor in WHY he and my caller broke up X weeks or months ago]. And in those cases, the odds that Wilbur is coming back at all, or for any reason than his own gratification, are slim to none.
And this is one of the harder parts of doing readings for people. I so want to have good news for everybody. But sometimes I see cards that I know full well are saying the exact opposite of what my caller wants to hear, on a topic that's very near and dear to the caller's heart.
So I channel my inner Queen of Swords at that point, by offering an honest take on what's in front of me, with a reminder of some of the positives that most likely came up when we were still in the "this is a general reading" phase of the call. For example, "When you meet the new person that the first group of cards spoke of, you will find it easier to put Wilbur in the past and focus on the person who's in your present."
One of these weeks, I am going to COUNT the number of "general" readings I do that get converted into a specific question. Because I can guarantee that there will be multiple such calls in any given week. Sometimes there are multiple calls like this in a given DAY. Be prepared for this to crop up, if you are embarking on the path of reading for total strangers, because it WILL happen.
2.12.2010
I finally figured out how to verbalize it!
Hooray! I finally found the words to express the nameless feeling I get when I talk to a caller who sounds like they intend to use a card reading as the basis for a relationship decision.
There were some cards that outlined some problems that existed in said relationship. What I told the caller before I reviewed them was, "I don't want you to make final decisions based on cards. I want you to use the cards to open a dialogue with [your significant other], and based on THAT, make your decision."
I wish I'd had time to say the same thing to another caller with whom I just spoke. This person had less than 3 pre-purchased minutes remaining when the call came through. The question was an odd one: "Which of three men is most likely to marry me?" I pulled cards for each man, and barely got into discussing the first card when time ran out.
I hate when that happens, especially when I can see some difficulties exist. When cards like that come up, I use it as an opportunity to tell the caller to talk to the person they're in the relationship with about the situation. I didn't even come close to having the opportunity to do that this time around.
Oh, well. Maybe the Universe wanted her not to make her decision based solely on a card reading, so she made the call when she was about to run out of prepaid minutes. I hope she'll make her decision based on the relative merits of her three suitors. Cards provide insight, but that doesn't mean that we should use them in place of common sense and conventional wisdom. They're supposed to augment those assets, not supplant them.
There were some cards that outlined some problems that existed in said relationship. What I told the caller before I reviewed them was, "I don't want you to make final decisions based on cards. I want you to use the cards to open a dialogue with [your significant other], and based on THAT, make your decision."
I wish I'd had time to say the same thing to another caller with whom I just spoke. This person had less than 3 pre-purchased minutes remaining when the call came through. The question was an odd one: "Which of three men is most likely to marry me?" I pulled cards for each man, and barely got into discussing the first card when time ran out.
I hate when that happens, especially when I can see some difficulties exist. When cards like that come up, I use it as an opportunity to tell the caller to talk to the person they're in the relationship with about the situation. I didn't even come close to having the opportunity to do that this time around.
Oh, well. Maybe the Universe wanted her not to make her decision based solely on a card reading, so she made the call when she was about to run out of prepaid minutes. I hope she'll make her decision based on the relative merits of her three suitors. Cards provide insight, but that doesn't mean that we should use them in place of common sense and conventional wisdom. They're supposed to augment those assets, not supplant them.
2.04.2010
My gosh, it's been a slow night!
Wow, it's been a slow night. I think I'll log on for some extra time at the end of tonight's session. The later it gets, the fewer other readers are online and the greater the odds are that I'll get a call.
In the meantime, I have a few observations. Tonight was the first time that I had a request for a general reading for this year. It took me until halfway into my fourth week as a reader before I got a call from someone who didn't have a more specific question on their mind.
I also have had ONE call that went against the pattern I've seen, of people asking only about troubled relationships. The people whose relationships are in difficulty are still the majority, by far. But it was nice to get a question about a healthy, thriving relationship. I hope I get a bunch more of those. :-)
In the meantime, I have a few observations. Tonight was the first time that I had a request for a general reading for this year. It took me until halfway into my fourth week as a reader before I got a call from someone who didn't have a more specific question on their mind.
I also have had ONE call that went against the pattern I've seen, of people asking only about troubled relationships. The people whose relationships are in difficulty are still the majority, by far. But it was nice to get a question about a healthy, thriving relationship. I hope I get a bunch more of those. :-)
2.03.2010
The Universe Straightened It Out
Every time I get a call from the reading service I work for, there's an automated voice that tells me how long the call lasted. I wish I'd jotted down the times during the first three weeks I worked, but I'm making up for it now. Starting this past Monday, I have begun recording call lengths.
Thanks to this, I have noticed a definite difference in how long my calls are compared to how long I wait for the next incoming call. Short calls translate into a longer wait until the next call comes in. Longer calls mean I'll get my next call sooner. I'm not sure what the algorithm is, but evidently it skews calls in favor of the people who generate more income for the service. That's understandable to me, as the service is in the business of earning money.
Fortunately, I seem to have gotten myself into enough of a rhythm that I'm giving longer and more in-depth readings to callers, *without* feeling like I'm gabbing just to use up time, and my calls seem to last long enough that it's earning me more calls. My callers get a solid reading and I get more callers = win/win.
HOWEVER, last night I had a bit of a monkey wrench thrown into my flow of calls. Someone called with a wonky cell phone connection.
"I'd like to [garbled] a reading on [garbled] with my boyfriend."
"I beg your pardon?"
[static] :click:
The call lasted only 27 seconds. And I waited an eon between that and my next call.
Fortunately, the Universe apparently agreed with me that my stats shouldn't get trounced by the Technology Gremlins. I got a call right before my login time was over, and it was someone who had multiple questions she wanted readings for. So if the glitched call skewed my stats downward, this last, long call probably brought them back up to where they belong. Thanks, Universe! :-)
Thanks to this, I have noticed a definite difference in how long my calls are compared to how long I wait for the next incoming call. Short calls translate into a longer wait until the next call comes in. Longer calls mean I'll get my next call sooner. I'm not sure what the algorithm is, but evidently it skews calls in favor of the people who generate more income for the service. That's understandable to me, as the service is in the business of earning money.
Fortunately, I seem to have gotten myself into enough of a rhythm that I'm giving longer and more in-depth readings to callers, *without* feeling like I'm gabbing just to use up time, and my calls seem to last long enough that it's earning me more calls. My callers get a solid reading and I get more callers = win/win.
HOWEVER, last night I had a bit of a monkey wrench thrown into my flow of calls. Someone called with a wonky cell phone connection.
"I'd like to [garbled] a reading on [garbled] with my boyfriend."
"I beg your pardon?"
[static] :click:
The call lasted only 27 seconds. And I waited an eon between that and my next call.
Fortunately, the Universe apparently agreed with me that my stats shouldn't get trounced by the Technology Gremlins. I got a call right before my login time was over, and it was someone who had multiple questions she wanted readings for. So if the glitched call skewed my stats downward, this last, long call probably brought them back up to where they belong. Thanks, Universe! :-)
2.02.2010
Today's Daily Draw
Today's question was, "What do I need to know most, right now?" Swords correspond to thought, a topic also reflected by the contemplation in the 4 of Cups.
In this case, the combined pictures are telling me that if I think things out carefully before taking action, it will point me toward the top of the Wheel in the Wheel of Fortune, and to all the benefits that come with the upright Wheel of Fortune card.
It's also my reminder to use ALL of my mental abilities in conjunction with my analysis of the cards, both for myself and for the callers I speak to. If I use only some of my skill, I do a disservice to the callers and to myself. I need to think and analyze the cards in front of me before speaking, even though the temptation is to start speaking as soon as possible, because I know that time is money and I want the callers to get their money's worth.
I'm still acclimating to this new reading job, as it's only my fourth week. But even so, I can feel more aspects of "how to do the job well" falling into place as I gain more experience. Honing my analytical skills is something I've made a conscious effort to do, and according to this reading, it's something I need to continue doing.
Note to Self: Remind Sitters to be PROACTIVE
One of my callers tonight was hoping to hear back from a person whom she'd had a pleasant, though somewhat long-distance, relationship with in the last several months. Offline concerns, justifiable ones, had diverted his attention and she hadn't heard from him in a while. On reviewing the cards, one of my bits of feedback to her was that she might consider sending a light-hearted "Hi, how are you?" note to test the waters and re-initiate contact.
That was when she mentioned that she'd spoken to some other readers, all of whom told her that she would hear from him by Valentine's Day. Tonight's reading was the first one that offered a suggestion that would help MAKE that happen. I explained that I approach Tarot not as a predictor of things that we have no control over, the way the weather report tells us about things that will happen which we have no way of influencing. (Though even then, we do have control over how we respond to those things, such as carrying an umbrella when the forecast calls for rain.) Rather, Tarot tells us what direction we're facing, like a compass. Then, it's up to us to decide whether we want to move in that direction or go a different way.
But there are moments in calls that help ME learn just as much as anything that helps the callers. In this case, I had a "Note to Self" moment: instead of just saying that something looks likely to happen, always provide steps the person can take to help bring their goal about.
The way things stand now, if she re-initiates contact, she immediately skews the odds heavily in favor of hearing back from him, and at that point, ALL the readers' predictions become true. :-)
This lesson served me well in the very next call, where I got a question from someone who wanted to know where her beau stood on commitment. Cards that came up indicated some hesitation on his part, but I didn't want to just let the cards speak for him and have the caller leave it at that. I also reminded the caller that it would be beneficial to open a dialogue with him on the matter, and let him speak for himself. That is the best way for her to be fair both to him and to herself.
That was when she mentioned that she'd spoken to some other readers, all of whom told her that she would hear from him by Valentine's Day. Tonight's reading was the first one that offered a suggestion that would help MAKE that happen. I explained that I approach Tarot not as a predictor of things that we have no control over, the way the weather report tells us about things that will happen which we have no way of influencing. (Though even then, we do have control over how we respond to those things, such as carrying an umbrella when the forecast calls for rain.) Rather, Tarot tells us what direction we're facing, like a compass. Then, it's up to us to decide whether we want to move in that direction or go a different way.
But there are moments in calls that help ME learn just as much as anything that helps the callers. In this case, I had a "Note to Self" moment: instead of just saying that something looks likely to happen, always provide steps the person can take to help bring their goal about.
The way things stand now, if she re-initiates contact, she immediately skews the odds heavily in favor of hearing back from him, and at that point, ALL the readers' predictions become true. :-)
This lesson served me well in the very next call, where I got a question from someone who wanted to know where her beau stood on commitment. Cards that came up indicated some hesitation on his part, but I didn't want to just let the cards speak for him and have the caller leave it at that. I also reminded the caller that it would be beneficial to open a dialogue with him on the matter, and let him speak for himself. That is the best way for her to be fair both to him and to herself.
1.29.2010
LOL! OK, here's something that never happened to old-time readers!
LOL! Here's a reading situation that I left me feeling highly amused. I did a phone reading tonight for someone who was asking about her relationship. There's nothing unusual about that. But I happened to get a few auspicious cards for the caller, including The Lovers. Just after I finished explaining what The Lovers means, the caller burst out laughing. Seems that her beau chose that very moment to send her a very suggestive text message. Um, yeah, I'm thinking that The Lovers card was right on target in this case. :-)
The Tarot readers from generations ago never had their sitters get text messages from their Significant Others in the middle of a relationship reading. Today's readers have to handle situations that were undreamed of by our forbears. ;-)
The Tarot readers from generations ago never had their sitters get text messages from their Significant Others in the middle of a relationship reading. Today's readers have to handle situations that were undreamed of by our forbears. ;-)
1.26.2010
Patterns Shared By Different Cards
I mentioned several posts ago that there are some design elements in the Gilded Tarot that are shared between different cards. Last night, as I waited between readings, I examined the cards for one particular pattern. It's found in these places:
The gown of the Queen of Cups
The pillar behind the Queen of Cups
The screen behind the Page of Swords
The screen behind the man in the Seven of Wands
The screen behind the man in the Seven of Swords
There is one other pattern, one which is found in the gilded flowers on the back of the card deck. That pattern is repeated on the arch behind the Page of Cups, and on the screen behind the man in the Four of Pentacles.
There is a sunburst pattern that occurs on the back of the deck. It also appears on all the Pentacles, except the shield of the Knight of Pentacles, and it is in these cards as well:
The Chariot
The Hanging Man
The Sun
Three of Swords
The Knight of Swords's shield
The sides and lid of the box in the Ten of Pentacles
I have a couple other design elements that I've only just started looking at, so I won't post on those yet.
The gown of the Queen of Cups
The pillar behind the Queen of Cups
The screen behind the Page of Swords
The screen behind the man in the Seven of Wands
The screen behind the man in the Seven of Swords
There is one other pattern, one which is found in the gilded flowers on the back of the card deck. That pattern is repeated on the arch behind the Page of Cups, and on the screen behind the man in the Four of Pentacles.
There is a sunburst pattern that occurs on the back of the deck. It also appears on all the Pentacles, except the shield of the Knight of Pentacles, and it is in these cards as well:
The Chariot
The Hanging Man
The Sun
Three of Swords
The Knight of Swords's shield
The sides and lid of the box in the Ten of Pentacles
I have a couple other design elements that I've only just started looking at, so I won't post on those yet.
Didn't I Just Get This Card?
I had an amusing experience last night, during the wait between readings.
It was the start of my third week as a phone reader, and I did one reading where I felt like I'd JUST gotten all three of the preliminary cards that I drew. The followup cards I pulled also seemed like they were cards I'd seen recently.
So I thought, "I pull cards, via intuition, out of the deck. How is it that I get the same cards repeatedly?"
So I did an experiment. I looked at each card in turn, to see which ones felt like recent draws and which ones I don't feel like I've recently seen.
It turns out that there were a grand total of TWO cards that didn't give me a "Gee, I pulled this recently" sensation. That's the result of doing readings four days per week: You actually DO see all the cards "recently" if you do enough readings in a brief time span.
Oh, and my deck has a sense of humor. One of those two "haven't seen them recently" cards, Death, came up as the first card in my very next reading. :-) I presume Judgement, the other one, won't take long before IT shows up in a reading, as well.
It was the start of my third week as a phone reader, and I did one reading where I felt like I'd JUST gotten all three of the preliminary cards that I drew. The followup cards I pulled also seemed like they were cards I'd seen recently.
So I thought, "I pull cards, via intuition, out of the deck. How is it that I get the same cards repeatedly?"
So I did an experiment. I looked at each card in turn, to see which ones felt like recent draws and which ones I don't feel like I've recently seen.
It turns out that there were a grand total of TWO cards that didn't give me a "Gee, I pulled this recently" sensation. That's the result of doing readings four days per week: You actually DO see all the cards "recently" if you do enough readings in a brief time span.
Oh, and my deck has a sense of humor. One of those two "haven't seen them recently" cards, Death, came up as the first card in my very next reading. :-) I presume Judgement, the other one, won't take long before IT shows up in a reading, as well.
1.22.2010
Insight On Reading Requests
I've discovered something interesting during the past two weeks. The only people who have asked for readings regarding existing relationships are having difficulties of some kind with said relationship. Every. Single. Time.
Now, some of those people are well aware that trouble is brewing, and they are lookng for insight on how to handle the situation. But I've also discovered, the hard way, that if the person is in denial about the relationship's problems, the cards that reflect the issues they are facing will be about as welcome as having a bucket of cold water poured over their head. That's when the reader will need to have their flameproof suit on, because even a diplomatic mention of the problems could result in a flare of temper on the part of the caller.
But I have yet to see anyone who is happy and confident about any situation, not only a relationship, who asks for a reading about that situation. So I actually believe that the people who are in denial DO realize that things are amiss, even if they understand it subconsciously rather than consciously.
It's a help to ME to comprehend this pattern in my callers' questions, as it will help me manage the situations with clearer insight. I always use as much tact and consideration as I can, when I'm talking to people, because I know that the topics they ask for readings about are things that are close to their heart. But my recognizing this facet of human nature will help me do an even better job of handling my part of these conversations. And anything that enables me to leave a caller feeling more empowered at the end of the call than they felt while they were dialing is a boon.
Now, some of those people are well aware that trouble is brewing, and they are lookng for insight on how to handle the situation. But I've also discovered, the hard way, that if the person is in denial about the relationship's problems, the cards that reflect the issues they are facing will be about as welcome as having a bucket of cold water poured over their head. That's when the reader will need to have their flameproof suit on, because even a diplomatic mention of the problems could result in a flare of temper on the part of the caller.
But I have yet to see anyone who is happy and confident about any situation, not only a relationship, who asks for a reading about that situation. So I actually believe that the people who are in denial DO realize that things are amiss, even if they understand it subconsciously rather than consciously.
It's a help to ME to comprehend this pattern in my callers' questions, as it will help me manage the situations with clearer insight. I always use as much tact and consideration as I can, when I'm talking to people, because I know that the topics they ask for readings about are things that are close to their heart. But my recognizing this facet of human nature will help me do an even better job of handling my part of these conversations. And anything that enables me to leave a caller feeling more empowered at the end of the call than they felt while they were dialing is a boon.
Note to self...
Note to self...
Some people who call these phone-in services are placing the call because they're unhappy. And apparently, some of THOSE people will take it out on the reader when the reader's not forthcoming with the answers they've pre-determined that they want to hear.
So yeah, I'm a bit miffed at the moment for having been rudely treated. But I'm not going to hold onto it. And compared to what's weighing on Caller X's shoulders, one rude caller is minor. My annoyance will fade and go away. X's issues don't appear to be things that will be fading any time soon. Maybe if I was in X's shoes, my fuse would be short, too.
Breaking confidentiality is unthinkable, not to mention against my code of ethics, so I'll just say this: I wish I could send Caller X the previous post on this blog, the one that hammers home the YOU DESERVE HONESTY, SO ACCEPT NOTHING LESS proclamation. Because unfortunately, that's the crux of the matter, and it's a situation that only Caller X can resolve.
Some people who call these phone-in services are placing the call because they're unhappy. And apparently, some of THOSE people will take it out on the reader when the reader's not forthcoming with the answers they've pre-determined that they want to hear.
So yeah, I'm a bit miffed at the moment for having been rudely treated. But I'm not going to hold onto it. And compared to what's weighing on Caller X's shoulders, one rude caller is minor. My annoyance will fade and go away. X's issues don't appear to be things that will be fading any time soon. Maybe if I was in X's shoes, my fuse would be short, too.
Breaking confidentiality is unthinkable, not to mention against my code of ethics, so I'll just say this: I wish I could send Caller X the previous post on this blog, the one that hammers home the YOU DESERVE HONESTY, SO ACCEPT NOTHING LESS proclamation. Because unfortunately, that's the crux of the matter, and it's a situation that only Caller X can resolve.
1.21.2010
A Common Theme in Relationship Readings
I've noticed a common theme, when people call me with questions regarding a relationship that already exists. Almost universally, they are concerned that their significant other is not being honest with them. They are questioning whether the other person's feelings are genuine, whether the other person is cheating on them, and so on.
Without fail, I find a card in the reading that will lead me to tell the caller, "You deserve honesty."
So, anyone here who's interested in receiving a Tarot reading about a relationship, please do this for me. Go and look in a mirror. See that person in the reflection? That person deserves honesty from anyone they're in a relationship with.
YOU. DESERVE. HONESTY. Period. End of sentence.
Give your complete honesty to other people, because they also deserve honesty, and require -- yes, REQUIRE -- honesty from other people in return. Anything less is unacceptable. Anyone who can't or won't be honest with you doesn't deserve to be in your life.
Without fail, I find a card in the reading that will lead me to tell the caller, "You deserve honesty."
So, anyone here who's interested in receiving a Tarot reading about a relationship, please do this for me. Go and look in a mirror. See that person in the reflection? That person deserves honesty from anyone they're in a relationship with.
YOU. DESERVE. HONESTY. Period. End of sentence.
Give your complete honesty to other people, because they also deserve honesty, and require -- yes, REQUIRE -- honesty from other people in return. Anything less is unacceptable. Anyone who can't or won't be honest with you doesn't deserve to be in your life.
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