Getting a tarot reading is a lot of fun. There are a lot of readers out there (including me) and we’re all ready to help you. Before you go in for your first reading, look over these tips to find the right reader for you.
Knowledge. First and foremost, you may want to do some homework and research some of the other readers in your area. Online search engines and social media are a great start to finding readers around the world. Your local New age, or pagan, bookstores may host in-store readers for you to choose from and display many brochures and business cards from other readers. Collect all the information you can find. Do they seem to share your beliefs of what the cards can do for you? How long have they been working with the cards? Are they new to reading or have they read the cards for quite a while? Many Tarotists post a page of testimonials from past clients. This is useful to gleam information about a reader’s style of reading and what help they’ve provided to people in the past. There are many types of readers with many types of styles. You may want to understand a reader’s background and techniques to make sure you’re finding a person who’s compatible with your style of learning.
Cost. The next thing you’ll want to find out is the range the reader offers for their readers. In Portland, Oregon these rates can be as low as $20 for a half hour, or $40 for an hour. Some readers also offer sliding scales or discounts.
Expectations. Tarot Readers help people just like your health care professionals. As such, there will always be certain expectations from both you and your reader. The best way to get the most out of your reading session is to tell your reader what you expect to know or learn. Be upfront and forthright in this. If they cannot meet your expectations, they may offer to refer you to someone else who is better suited to address your concerns. Likewise, your reader may expect certain information or behavior out of you during your session. For example, before I meet with my clients, I always try and get their birthdate information so that I can understand what energies are going on around them and can try and tailor responses to their goals better. I also expect my clients to be truthful, open, and willing to try new things and ideas. Setting expectations and knowing what you are getting into can relieve fear and can pave the way for a wonderful relationship with a Tarot reader and the cards from the very start.
Psychic ability. Not all Tarot readers are mind readers. While we can read the cards for you and for ourselves, we may not understand how the information will relate to your life unless you help provide the context. A Tarot reading is a two way street, which involves a dialog between you and your reader who are discussing the symbolism and meanings of the cards. When I read for others, I allow you to speak and we interpret the cards with your language. After all, this is your reading. It’s important to me as your guide to use your own symbols, language, and patterns with the cards. Be ready to help your reader by giving them as much information they need to help you out. I do not consider myself a psychic. The information I give from the cards are given from the years that I have studied with them, worked with them, and the input I received from my clients. Sometimes, I get statements or thoughts in my head that seem like they come from somewhere else, but I do not get them all the time, and it doesn’t mean that I am a true psychic.
Finally, there is one more question that you need to prepare yourself for. Are you really ready to hear what is said? From my experience, not all Tarot readings go “as planned.” Something as a simple “who is my love?” can turn into a deep dark discussion about an event that happened in your family while you were a child. When these sorts of things come up, you need to mentally prepare yourself for it. Sometimes the Tarot doesn’t tell you what you want to hear, it tells you what you need to know.
When all is said and done, you should leave a good reading experience feeling like you have the answers, hope and some control over the issue or concern that bought you to seeking advice from a Tarot reader in the first place. You might not always leave with the answers you were hoping for but you should be able to use the information from the reading to lay out a road map for you to reach you goals.
