Getting To KNow the Dragon Lady: Part 1 of 3
 | As a client, I would expect that you would want to know your tarot reader. After all, this is someone you are trusting to give you the guidance you seek - and a connection is really important for that to be successful. So I have snagged an idea from a fellow reader and am presenting you with "30 Days of Tiamat" - but really it will be three Saturday answer sessions of 10 questions each. Are you ready? Let's get going then.... |
1. What introduced you/got you interested in Tarot?
When I was a teenager I had some pretty rough experiences - the kind that make you question God and your very existence. You haven't hit rock bottom until you have had a gun in your hand, ready to just call it quits. But then something happened. I met some local people who clued me in to Wicca, and offered to help me on the healing path. One of the girls in the group carried around a deck of cards, and after school she would read for me. The idea of getting guidance from cards, and my own intuition seemed a million times more appealing then some mythical man in the sky.
2. What was your first deck and how did you get it?
My first deck was a hand me down Rider Waite deck. You know the kind, the one that has seen many readings and is a little dog-earred around the edges. It was the deck I carried around and puttered with when I had some free time. But I never really connected with it and so I was very casual with my reading for many years.
3. Do you have more then one deck? If so do you have a favorite?
I've had quite a few decks now. I have had the Dragon Tarot (which even though I love dragons I hated the deck), Rider Waite (cause I feel like I should have a "classic" deck), Anne Stokes Gothic Tarot (which I was lukewarm about), The Gilded Tarot, The Legacy of the Divine Tarot and a Thoth deck. Of all of them I am probably most fond of the Gilded Tarot and Legacy of the Divine. Both are by Ciro Marchetti. The Gilded Tarot has been my most popular with clients, as it tends to be a bit brighter, but I think I really enjoy the imagery of the Legacy Deck more.
4. How long have you been reading tarot?
I started dabbling in tarot in 1997, but didn't get really down and dirty with it until probably 10 years ago when I went through a divorce and again found myself having a crisis of faith.
5. When and where did you give your first reading?
My first reading for fun was in the late 90s, sitting at a cafeteria table with friends. My first professional (for pay) reading was done for an online client around 2010.
6. What is the first spread that you learned?
I think every reader starts out thinking that the Celtic Cross is the be all, end all of spreads. It was the first that I learned, but to tell you the truth I hate it. I never was able to really connect with it, and now I only do it if a client insists.
7. What is your favorite card, both in terms of artwork and divinatory meaning?
Wow, that really should be two separate questions! My favorite card in terms of artwork is the Devil from the Legacy of the Divine deck. Something about him just makes me say "The Devil made me do it - and I let him!" For a card about lust and addiction it is great imagery!
When I was a teenager I had some pretty rough experiences - the kind that make you question God and your very existence. You haven't hit rock bottom until you have had a gun in your hand, ready to just call it quits. But then something happened. I met some local people who clued me in to Wicca, and offered to help me on the healing path. One of the girls in the group carried around a deck of cards, and after school she would read for me. The idea of getting guidance from cards, and my own intuition seemed a million times more appealing then some mythical man in the sky.
2. What was your first deck and how did you get it?
My first deck was a hand me down Rider Waite deck. You know the kind, the one that has seen many readings and is a little dog-earred around the edges. It was the deck I carried around and puttered with when I had some free time. But I never really connected with it and so I was very casual with my reading for many years.
3. Do you have more then one deck? If so do you have a favorite?
I've had quite a few decks now. I have had the Dragon Tarot (which even though I love dragons I hated the deck), Rider Waite (cause I feel like I should have a "classic" deck), Anne Stokes Gothic Tarot (which I was lukewarm about), The Gilded Tarot, The Legacy of the Divine Tarot and a Thoth deck. Of all of them I am probably most fond of the Gilded Tarot and Legacy of the Divine. Both are by Ciro Marchetti. The Gilded Tarot has been my most popular with clients, as it tends to be a bit brighter, but I think I really enjoy the imagery of the Legacy Deck more.
4. How long have you been reading tarot?
I started dabbling in tarot in 1997, but didn't get really down and dirty with it until probably 10 years ago when I went through a divorce and again found myself having a crisis of faith.
5. When and where did you give your first reading?
My first reading for fun was in the late 90s, sitting at a cafeteria table with friends. My first professional (for pay) reading was done for an online client around 2010.
6. What is the first spread that you learned?
I think every reader starts out thinking that the Celtic Cross is the be all, end all of spreads. It was the first that I learned, but to tell you the truth I hate it. I never was able to really connect with it, and now I only do it if a client insists.
7. What is your favorite card, both in terms of artwork and divinatory meaning?
Wow, that really should be two separate questions! My favorite card in terms of artwork is the Devil from the Legacy of the Divine deck. Something about him just makes me say "The Devil made me do it - and I let him!" For a card about lust and addiction it is great imagery!
In terms of my favorite card divination-wise, I would have to say the 5 of Cups. This card is NOT a happy card, which probably seems a little odd. The 5 of Cups is another card which reminds us that where we put our focus in life has a great deal to do with the quality of our lives and how well they work for us. What are you going to choose to focus on? Most often, a sad or downcast figure is shown, with five cups. Three are spilled, and two remain upright and whole. The implication is extremely clear; are you going to cry over "spilt milk" or are you going to focus on the "milk" you still have, and get on with things? The point is: watch where you put your focus and make sure that the focus is for your highest good.
8. What card do you dread pulling the most?
Oh that's easy - the Death card. Not because I am afraid of it, or that it is a bad card - but because it is the one card that freaks clients way out. Too many believe the urban legend that the death card means that you or someone close to you is gonna kick the bucket! Sigh, if I had a dollar for every time I had to talk a client off the freakout ledge about this card, I'd be rich. This card simply indicates transformation and change. This is definitely a time of deep transformation, likely to be both inner and outwardly in your life. Situations, things, and people that you have counted on or gotten used to may no longer be available to you in quite the same way as they once were, and this transition can be difficult for some people.
9. What card do you pull the most often? Why do you think that is the case?
Hmm, it really varies. Like right now, it seems like every other reading I do either pulls the 9 of Swords or the 10 of Wands. The 9 of Swords is a card of fear and anxiety, and the 10 of Wands is about taking on too much. These seem to be really common themes lately, both with all of the things going on in the world around us right now as well as the fact that people just don't seem to have enough hours in their day...
10. What card best represents your personality?
For me, probably that would be the Queen of Swords. Like me she is an independent woman who sometimes struggles not to let her heart over-rule her head. The trait most like me though is her no BS attitude. She will tell it like it is, and won't sugar coat a thing! She has a lot of life experiences to draw upon and puts them together for a unique world view... Yep, sounds like me!
Oh that's easy - the Death card. Not because I am afraid of it, or that it is a bad card - but because it is the one card that freaks clients way out. Too many believe the urban legend that the death card means that you or someone close to you is gonna kick the bucket! Sigh, if I had a dollar for every time I had to talk a client off the freakout ledge about this card, I'd be rich. This card simply indicates transformation and change. This is definitely a time of deep transformation, likely to be both inner and outwardly in your life. Situations, things, and people that you have counted on or gotten used to may no longer be available to you in quite the same way as they once were, and this transition can be difficult for some people.
9. What card do you pull the most often? Why do you think that is the case?
Hmm, it really varies. Like right now, it seems like every other reading I do either pulls the 9 of Swords or the 10 of Wands. The 9 of Swords is a card of fear and anxiety, and the 10 of Wands is about taking on too much. These seem to be really common themes lately, both with all of the things going on in the world around us right now as well as the fact that people just don't seem to have enough hours in their day...
10. What card best represents your personality?
For me, probably that would be the Queen of Swords. Like me she is an independent woman who sometimes struggles not to let her heart over-rule her head. The trait most like me though is her no BS attitude. She will tell it like it is, and won't sugar coat a thing! She has a lot of life experiences to draw upon and puts them together for a unique world view... Yep, sounds like me!