Basic Reading Methodology
Lesson Three – Reading Methodology
Here we’ll explore the many components of performing a reading for another. Performing readings for others puts you in a position where you act as a storyteller, guide, and light to an audience, the querent.
Lesson Topics
- Setting
- Laying Out Your Cards
- Elemental Dignity Rules
- Exercise
- Directing Your Clients to Ask Appropriate Questions
- Layouts
- Placing Cards
- Questions to Practice Asking Yourself After the Layout is Placed
- Your Role as Reader
- Interpretation
- Examples of Different Interpretations
- Exercise
Setting
Secure the Tarot reading space from intrusions and interruptions, such as, phone calls, visitors, and undesirable electronic noise (televisions, radios, computers). If you have control over the environment, such as, in your home or office, this will be easier to accomplish. But there are times when this is not possible such as in cafes, or psychic fairs. Do the best you can because nothing will disrupt your concentration or annoy your clients more than an interruption in the middle of a reading.
Consider what type of atmosphere you want to create for your readings. Soothing? Healing? Mysterious? Business-like? Therapeutic? Sacred? Entertaining? Will you use candles, incense, or crystals during your reading? Keep in mind that clients can have allergies to smoke, and perfume scents. I always ask a client when they arrive if they have any allergies to incense before I light anything.
When you are creating your reading environment, be most aware of what stimulates you – what will aid you to reach higher levels of concentration? Of entering “vast time”? What will be your Chariot to the unseen world? What do you find yourself drawn to for inspiration? Is it trees, crystal’s, candles, sage, mirrors, music, animals, sacred objects, symbols from your dreaming mind? Bring these things to your reading space and be prepared to share these associations with your clients.
In my reading space, I always include:
A “reading” cloth. I have several cloths – two are made of velvet and one is made of black suede. These provide perfect backgrounds to display the reading. A special reading cloth provides a beautiful frame and boundary for your layout, show off the cards well and gives you control of the surface upon which you are doing the reading. It also conveys to the client that this is a special event, and I honour it deeply. (If you are interested in purchasing a cloth I know a woman who does beautiful work and will make a cloth to your specifications – you can email me for more information.)
Crystals. I have 3 crystals – one is a raw, clear crystal attached to a gold chain which I use for cleaning my cards between readings. I pass the crystal over the fanned out deck to clean the cards of energies that might have been attached during a previous reading. I have a 3” crystal ball on a stand which represents scrying (looking into pools of water) to catch glimpses of the unseen world. And the third is a small piece of morganite that is a lovely purple coloured healing crystal.
Some readers have a multitude of stones, each representing and transmitting particular energies that they find helpful and believe are helpful to the healing work they are doing with clients. One reader includes a bowl of small crystals and stones during readings and invites the client to help themselves to one as a parting gift. She believes the client intuitively will choose the stone that offers her the most healing.
I always have a small carving of the Venus of Willendorf on my reading cloth which is a very special sacred object to me! My partner carved her for me for my birthday years ago and she symbolizes the sacred to me. The Goddess – divine loving energy. Most of my clients will instinctively reach for her and hold her lovingly in their hands before the reading – my little carved Venus is quite heavily infused with positive loving energy by now!
Laying Out Your Cards
You can turn the cards so that the clients are looking at them upright while you are looking at them reversed but reading them upright. This isn’t traditional but one of my students did this and discovered that it engaged the client more to be able to see the cards. I typically sit adjacent a client as opposed to directly across so that we are looking at the cards together as they are turned up.
Elemental Dignity Rules
By this stage in your learning, you know you must have clear recall in the meanings of your cards, the placements of the cards in a layout pattern, and how to read the client’s story as it unfolds from one card to the next in the layout. One of the keys to understanding and interpreting the relationship between the cards in a layout is how the primary elements in each card interact with each other.
The four elements interact with each other using 5 rigid rules,
- Fire and Water are enemies; they weaken each other.
- Air and Earth are enemies; they weaken each other.
- All other combinations are friendly; they strengthen each other.
- Fire and Air are active.
- Water and Earth are passive.
The elemental energies interact with each other like this,
Fire – Fire Excessively active
Fire – Water Neutral
Fire – Air Very active
Fire – Earth Neutral
Water – Water Passive
Water – Air Neutral
Water – Earth Passive
Air – Air Excessively active
Air – Earth Neutral
Earth – Earth Very passive
If you find yourself stuck in an interpretation, it is worth considering what the missing element(s) would do if they were included. I often use this technique in health readings. The element that’s missing may suggest how to improve their condition – or an overemphasis in an element may point to the problem.
Analysis of the elemental combinations tells us whether the energies are blocked, flowing, enhanced or diminished.
Exercise
Do a 7 card layout asking yourself, “What primary element is missing in my life? How could this be affecting my health, wealth, happiness and relationships?”
Directing Your Clients to Ask Appropriate Questions
Some questions are easier to address in a reading – think about what, where, how, and why. “When” is tougher. There are a number of methodologies Taroists use to determine the “when” of an event.
- The season of the card (ie. Wands are summer, Cups are fall, Pentacles are winter and Swords are spring),
- Cups are minutes and days, Wands are weeks, Swords are months and Pentacles are years
- The number of the card indicates how many minutes, days, weeks, months and years.
I’ve never found either of these to be 100% reliable. I always explain to clients that the unseen world doesn’t work on the same time experience as the seen world, and so any mechanism I apply is not particularly reliable.
The Tarot works on what one Tarotist refers to as “vast time”. When we focus, carry ourselves deeply into the cards, and open our inner listening ear, we tune into this “vast time” experience. What we perceive may be an event, feeling, or insight that has happened and is relevant to our present and future experiences. We enter a realm where past, present and future all exist at the same time.
Listen for the “unspoken” question – the underlying concern. Some clients will come with a bazillion questions and you can’t answer all of them in the time allotted – so help your clients to identify the BIG question.
What is really on your client’s mind today? Begin by helping them identify what area of their lives they are the most concerned about, such as, health, love, career, life purpose, travel, retirement. Once the main area of concern has been identified, getting to the central question is not so difficult. What do they want to know about their careers? Health? Love life?
A client is not required to ask a question and certainly I read for many clients who don’t wish to ask a question for a myriad of reasons. I explain to clients that if they don’t ask a question they are left with the complex task of translating the messages I convey into something that makes sense in their lives. If they ask a question, I do that translation work for them. It’s been my experience that it’s much easier to establish an interactive style of reading with someone who is open to asking questions.
Questions with a yes/no answer are especially difficult for beginner readers.
Better questions are, “What do I need to pay attention to in my relationship with _________?”
“What will the outcome be if I do ____________?”
“What am I supposed to learn from this?”
“What am I not seeing in this situation?”
If you or your client is making a choice between 2 things then you might do 2 small readings – one for each choice.
Layouts
There are layouts for personal use, such as the single card layout for your coming day, done usually in the morning, or to answer a specific question. The 3 card layout, past, present and future, are helpful for a quick reading to address a single question you or your client have for the Tarot. I often ask the Tarot one question and pull one card for the answer. Be creative with your layouts, just be consistent. If you determine that a card in a certain position points to a certain aspect of your life, always make that the case.
Learn your layouts well. 2 is good for now. Decide what layout you will use in the time allotted. In a one hour reading I do 2 layouts. I find a ½ hour reading is perfect for one simple layout and several “pulls” to answer simple questions that might have been stirred during the course of the reading. Or to address questions that weren’t during the primary layout or other questions the client has come to the reading to ask.
Placing Cards
There are several ways to lay out the cards;
- You can place all your cards face down, following the design spread of your choice and turn over the cards one by one,
- You might turn over three or four cards at a time,
- You can also simply take one card at a time and place it in position, reading it as you go, adding an overall summary once all the cards in the layout have been explained.
If a card falls out during shuffling I will use that card to represent the client (Significator) and what is presently on their mind. You might not do your readings exactly the same every time and that’s okay! Ie. Picking the significator card – experiment!
How to translate the meanings of the cards into a reading that is relevant to the querrant is the most challenging part of your learning at this stage in your development. Storytelling skills. You are becoming “story tellers”. Remember once your spread is completely laid out to weave the story among the cards. You do little pieces as you are going along – after it’s all laid out you look at the whole pattern now – then you go back to see how the pieces fit together into a whole pattern – doing this summersault back and forth between the whole and particular. In a reading you’re attempting to catch the whole situation, evaluating the issues that arise from the dynamic interplay of cards within the formal structure which takes a lot of experience. In a layout you must examine individual card placings within the formal pattern as if they stand in isolation – the beginner should not lose sight of the fact that this gives the impression that cardomancy is a matter of interpreting individual cards and adding together their significance.
Divination is a kind of reverse perception where one has to see the whole picture and work from the whole to the particular yet one must at the same time be aware that the whole is composed of particulars. This is the challenge of reading and what you will develop skill in – you’ll look at the whole pattern – break it down into its particulars and at the same time see how the particulars make up the whole.
Storytelling as a rather complex skill. Most people think of it as a talent which is true but it’s also a skill that can be developed.
Proceed slowly, and give yourself time to reflect deeply upon each card. I draw the cards one at a time and spend time processing the information conveyed by each card before the next one is revealed. It’s always good to begin readings with the now – even in the 3 card spread. This is where you are right now, and then this is how you got here (past) and this is where you’re heading (future).
Remember to stay consistent – one student asked if it made more sense to read one of the cards as the future instead of a past card which is where it turned up in the spread – the answer is no. If you draw a card with the intention to read the card as the “past” card from the beginning, don’t change your mind into the reading because for some reason it makes more sense in a different position in the layout.
During a reading pick up the card and say, “I see this and that. What do you see?” Remember to see the client in your picture – “I see you …and then look at what the character is doing, what are their priorities, how old are they? What are they feeling?”
One woman came for a reading with questions about her marriage. I turned up the Prince of Swords for him and right beside him I turned over the Princess of Swords. What immediately stood out was the fact that he was looking off in the distance away from her and she was looking towards him. That’s exactly how I read it.
I said, “He is looking off somewhere and you are looking at him but you aren’t getting eye contact”.
She responded, “Exactly!”
For the “Outcome” card, I wait until all the others have been carefully examined. After revealing the Outcome card, I will then revisit the rest of the cards in the spread to see how the outcome has coloured the reading. Everything looks different in retrospect as the saying goes and that applies to the Tarot reading as well! Use your “Outcome” card as the place to “look back from” at the cards that turned up earlier in the reading.
The outcome card stands alone – serene in both promise and threat. If it openly threatens, then you must look back over the reading for the demand for change which the rest of the reading suggests.
“What changes have been recommended through the rest of the reading?” you ask yourself.
Always remember to check out the bottom card of your deck at the very end. It’s typically a significant comment yet it was not destined to be in the reading proper. It represents another consideration, an afterword, an extension. I often notice what an appropriate comment it is to me!
For example:
Following a reading I did for an executive at the Royal York Hotel before being invited to read in their High Tea venue (a reading where I felt somewhat stressed!), I quickly glanced at the bottom card. It was the Mother of Cups which in the deck I was using (Haindl) was the Venus of Willendorf! As soon as I saw her I felt a warm glow all around me and felt that Star confidence that the reading had been a success. Shortly after this reading I was invited to read regularly at the Royal York.
What is even more interesting is that I said to the client, “I’m looking at the Mother of Cups. You wouldn’t happen to be pregnant would you?” She laughed and said no.
A year later she called me to say that she’s pregnant which was a total, joyous surprise but she remembered my comment at her reading a year earlier and she wanted another one done right away! The power of that bottom card can never be overestimated!
If you are stuck on a meaning, begin by describing the Card.
For example, the Universe card turns up in the future position: You might describe it like this, “Your body language is open and you look happy, almost as though you are floating and dancing. You are embracing the world. It’s in the future positions so the trend shows an open and happy time for you.” This will assist you in getting a narrative going. One student often drew upon “helper cards” if the card in the layout made no sense to the client. If the client has a question that hasn’t been answered in the reading you can draw another card to help elucidate the earlier card’s meaning.
Ask your client questions, such as, “Does this make sense to you?”, “Do you have any questions so far?” Invite your clients to participate in the reading as much as they are willing. Some clients are resistant to this, expecting you the reader, to know everything, to be able to intuit all, but this rarely leads to a fulfilling reading. Tarot reading is an interactive activity and functions best in this context. Wrap up a reading at the end by asking, “Do you have any more questions about the reading.” I ask sometimes if there is time left at the end – would you like to ask more questions and I lay out the deck in a fan style and draw a card to answer one specific question.
Questions to Practice Asking Yourself After the Layout is Placed
Reading is like weaving an intricate blanket – the cards are the weave and woof of the fabric. The cards in the layout represent the canvas upon which you weave your story.
Beginning a reading. Always begin with the suits – what you know about the suits, their primary elements, then go to the number – what does that number signify? – or if it’s a court card – how old is the character in the card?
Notice the placement of your Major Arcana cards; are they predominant in the beginning, middle or end? Are they placed in the past, present or future positions? Imagine that you are laying down under your reading and looking up. Where is the weight (Major Arcana) in the reading? Are they clustered in the centre?
Is there a predominance of Major Arcana? This may point to a very important decision or plan.
Is there a predominance of one suit? When a certain suit prevails, you know that the energy and attributes of that suit predominate the client’s life right now. What feeds fire is air (SWORDS, Conflict, etc) Wands and Swords coming up in a reading it points to hot argument, passionate fighting, etc. Cups puts out Fire – cools it down.
Is there a predominance of one number? With a predominance of a particular number, the symbolic associations of that number are strong.
Is there a predominance of Court cards? This indicates that there are a lot of players in the situation and that the people in the client’s life are very important to them. Interpreting Court Cards as a “dark” or “fair” person is ethnic specific which doesn’t make any sense in my experience. I read the people cards as psychological qualities. Rachel Pollack in her work with the Shining Tribe Tarot describes her “court” cards,
“Shining Tribe removes the Court Cards completely, replacing them with the Vision Cards. Place, Knower, Gift and Speaker. We can describe them as a progression of learning and using the energy of the suit. The Place allows us to enter the suit and feel its power in our lives. The Knower depicts understanding the inner qualities of that suit. The Gift tells us that we have reached the point where we can use these qualities in our lives. With the power of the Gift we become a Speaker, able to share the suit’s power with others.”
Your Role as Reader
Who are you? One of my students identifies herself as “Madam Salonga”. Another woman’s first name is Hilda and she calls herself “Broom Hilda”. What is your name as a Tarot reader? Rethink your evolving identity. Who are you? Why are you being called to be a Tarot reader? Do you descend from people who have done channeling or spiritual work of some kind for many generations? How many generations would you have to go back to find that? What country will this exploration take you to? You might begin with the Court cards you have identified with.
Summarize a reading in 3 minutes or less. Practice closure and firmly saying, “Time is up.” Ending a reading can be more difficult than starting one. I use a timer with a bell and set it for 3-5 minutes before the agreed upon end. This serves several purposes; I’m allowing myself enough time to close, I don’t have to look at my watch or time keep which is distracting and rude, and the “time’s up” is not my doing but the timer’s!
Be mindful of your facial expressions and your body language!
Tone of voice – where is your emphasis?
Your readings will evolve to a methodology that is right for you. They will make sense and feel right.
What do you do when you’ve done a reading for someone and later you look up the meanings of the cards and discover the interpretation wasn’t quite correct? Let go of that worry! I just tell myself that that’s what was meant to be said to that person at that time – or if possible I call the person or email them and say you have been giving their reading more thought and this is something else that came to you. Clients deeply appreciate this specialized attention.
Keep your reference books within reach. Keep up your work on memorizing your cards. Apply catch phrases for each of the cards, such as, “going within” for the Hermit, or “bountiful harvest” for the Empress.
Interpretation
If you have a number of books on card meanings which seem to conflict don’t be shy about picking the meaning that feels right for you and stay with it! The key is consistency – add to your meanings with the other interpretations you read – each time you switch decks you will learn a whole new aspect of the cards.
How do you know if a card about a querrant or someone in their life? Look at your client – how old is she – at what stage of life is she in? In your readings don’t forget to pay special attention to your client! They will be a primary source in your interpretive work!
What advice would you have for your querrent upon turning over the 9 WANDS, 5 SWORDS, 10 DISKS?
Tape record your readings (the ones you are doing for yourself) and then listen and critique this reader you are listening to on tape.
Examples of Different Interpretations
Student doing an imaginary reading for her aunt who had just reunited with an old boyfriend asking if their relationship would continue to grow or break up again using only the Major Arcana.
Star (Past) Tower (Present) Death (Future)
One student saw the Star pointing to the power of their physical relationship. Another saw the Star pointing to the woman pouring herself into the relationship.
One student saw the Tower as a growing awareness in this woman that she depended upon this man more than she thought she did. An acknowledgeable of how not in control she is. Another saw it as the ultimate destruction of the relationship. Another student said she saw the Tower as representing how they had built a relationship which is now breaking down because something happened – lightening struck and it’s breaking the relationship apart.
One student saw the Death card as the complete dissolution of this woman’s pride and therefore a softening towards him and acceptance of his faults and vulnerability. Another student saw the Death card depicting him on a horse riding out of town and the complete end of the relationship. Another student declared that the things she is finding difficult to let go of in this relationship, in the future she will find easy.
These represent examples of how differently a card might be interpreted. So don’t worry about whether or not you have interpreted a card “correctly” – you’ll say what you should say and you’ll learn more each time you do a reading. And some clients will love you and others will say you are terrible. Just as in mundane life, some people love you and some don’t. As long as you behave in a courteous and respectful manner towards your clients, and you insure that all your readings are ethically based and done with loving intent, you are well on your way to becoming a successful professional.
Workbook Exercise
Do a 9 card reading asking, (if you don’t like the Celtic Cross research Tarot layouts on the Internet to find a 9 card layout you can work with). There are a number of web sites that offer examples of powerful, transformative layouts.
“How is the soul who is with me always, beyond the veil, assisting me to fulfill my life’s purpose?”
Perform this reading for yourself as if you were doing it for someone else. Prepare your reading space, plan how you will place the cards, recall the meanings (without looking any up! You can always check your recall later after the reading is completed), consider elemental dignities and tape record your reading.
Date and record this reading in your journal! It’s one you will find yourself returning to over and over through the course of your life.
Lesson Three – Reading Methodology