10 Questions Every Tarot Reader Should Answer #1
Getting to know your tarot reader is an essential part to getting a reading. Sure, you can stop in at any psychic shop and plunk down money to have a reading... but when you have a connection to your reader then the experience is SOOO much better. Here is the first in my 10 part series of questions that will tell you all you need to know about me...
1. Are you mentored or self taught?
This one is a bit of a trick question. The answer is BOTH. Â I started my tarot journey essentially alone. I mean, I had been exposed to tarot as a therapy tool when I was 16, but it was never an in depth teaching of the deck. I was interested enough though that I wandered into our local new age store and picked up a couple of decks and books. In those early days I was all about memorizing the meanings to the cards, and I'll be the first to admit that my first readings were utter horseshit. I mean they were boring, robotic recitations of the card meanings. I was discouraged that I couldn't deliver these mind blowing readings that people seem to get when they go to a reader, so I put the cards away.
It wasn't until some years later that I picked them up again. This time, I took a few tarot classes. I was still memorizing information, but was getting more insight into the "storytelling" aspect of it. Â My readings were getting better, but I still wasn't feeling very confidant.
It wasn't until I discovered a few different people that I really was able to make a connection. A well timed stumble onto Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin over at the Tarospohy world tarot organization was the break that I needed. While they didn't take me under their wings personally the knowledge that they share with their members is life changing. I was finally able to connect to the cards in a much more intuitive way, and I learned to trust my intuition. For the first time my readings left people speechless with the accuracy.
I dabbled in reading, diving into books and buying decks, until I discovered both Benebell Wen and Fiona Benjamin. These two ladies are responsible for getting me to where I am today.
I'll start with Fiona. She was this no-nonsense kick in the pants that everyone needs once in a while. She had a program about being a Tarot Rockstar, and covered everything from knowing your ideal client to how to manage your social media presence. It was her information about branding and creating services though that made the most impact. The things she taught me I still use to this day. These days Fiona is no longer teaching how to be a tarot professional, but myself and others have picked up the slack there...
Benebell Wen has got to be some sort of goddess! She has a fantastic book called Holistic Tarot. The thing is HUGE, but there is no fluff here! She covers everything from how to figure out your pricing to crafting contracts and a code of Ethics. For any tarot reader who wishes to be a professional her book is a must have. Her guidance has helped me price my readings at an affordable rate while still making reasonable money to support my family. Her guidance has really been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.
For those interested in becoming professional readers yourself, here are a few of my favorite links:
It wasn't until some years later that I picked them up again. This time, I took a few tarot classes. I was still memorizing information, but was getting more insight into the "storytelling" aspect of it. Â My readings were getting better, but I still wasn't feeling very confidant.
It wasn't until I discovered a few different people that I really was able to make a connection. A well timed stumble onto Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin over at the Tarospohy world tarot organization was the break that I needed. While they didn't take me under their wings personally the knowledge that they share with their members is life changing. I was finally able to connect to the cards in a much more intuitive way, and I learned to trust my intuition. For the first time my readings left people speechless with the accuracy.
I dabbled in reading, diving into books and buying decks, until I discovered both Benebell Wen and Fiona Benjamin. These two ladies are responsible for getting me to where I am today.
I'll start with Fiona. She was this no-nonsense kick in the pants that everyone needs once in a while. She had a program about being a Tarot Rockstar, and covered everything from knowing your ideal client to how to manage your social media presence. It was her information about branding and creating services though that made the most impact. The things she taught me I still use to this day. These days Fiona is no longer teaching how to be a tarot professional, but myself and others have picked up the slack there...
Benebell Wen has got to be some sort of goddess! She has a fantastic book called Holistic Tarot. The thing is HUGE, but there is no fluff here! She covers everything from how to figure out your pricing to crafting contracts and a code of Ethics. For any tarot reader who wishes to be a professional her book is a must have. Her guidance has helped me price my readings at an affordable rate while still making reasonable money to support my family. Her guidance has really been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.
For those interested in becoming professional readers yourself, here are a few of my favorite links:
Be sure to visit every Sunday for a new post on the 10 things you should know about your tarot reader!Â