Talkin’ Tarot With is a monthly feature designed to introduce my readers to different tarot readers from our wonderfully diverse community! Each month, I’ll be asking various tarot readers 3 questions about their tarot philosophy and style, plus pointing you to their websites and blogs so that you can learn more about them! I like to hand pick tarot readers that I feel are talented and interesting.
A few months ago, I ran a contest called “The Tarot Apprentice”. The contest was geared towards young tarot readers and the prize was a year long of mentoring with me plus enrollment in the Hekademia degree course.
There were so many great contestants, it was very hard to choose. But one person kept coming back again and again in my mind (so much so that my husband remarked “you keep talking about this Hilary person”). I got the chance to actually meet Hilary Parry at the Reader’s Studio 2011and she did a reading for me that I like to say “sealed the deal”. I was gobsmacked at her talent, delivery and accuracy. My Tarot Apprentice was crowned that weekend.
Since our time together, I’ve watched Hilary continue to grow as a reader. Her confidence, skills and eloquence are developing at lightning fast speed. And now that she’s launched her website, I have a feeling that she really will be “the future face of tarot”. This is the gal to watch.
I asked Hilary for a short bio and it was great so I decided to leave it as is. Here’s her story in her own words: “I have been reading tarot since sixteen years old, prompted by a love affair with all things occult. Since using the Tarot Nova as my first deck, I have been reading for family, friends, and complete strangers for over fourteen years. I came out of the tarot closet in 2005 and started reading professionally. I was the winner of the Tarot Lady’s Tarot Apprentice contest this year, and based on my work with her for the last five months, I launched my website www.tarotbyhilary.com on September 23. When I’m not busy building my tarot empire and maintaining my website/blog, I enjoy reading, writing, knitting, crafting, playing video games, and singing. I haven’t met a karaoke bar I have not liked.”
You can connect with Hilary at:
E-mail: tarrytowntarot@gmail.com
Website: www.tarotbyhilary.com
Blog: http://tarotbyhilary.com/blog/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarotbyhilary
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hsparry
Here are her answers to my questions:
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1. What is your philosophy about tarot reading?
I believe every reading, every spread is a “snapshot” of what’s going on in the client’s life right now. Patterns that might have been invisible to them come to light. I believe very firmly in the idea of “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates). When we dig down to people’s motivation, perhaps then our clients can take back control of their lives and break negative patterns. My philosophy on tarot reading has changed a lot since I started. It was first a cumulative rag-bag of other people’s philosophies on tarot, based upon books that I read. Now it’s become what I’ve seen from working one-on-one with clients for myself.
2. How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?
Have a question clear in your mind. Oftentimes, people come to me with multiple questions in their head, and those are all swimming around as they shuffle. Sometimes, the cards can pluck out from those swimmers and choose which situation you should be focusing on. And sometimes, multiple questions makes for a very muddled reading. Why chance being one of the muddled readings? If the question is important enough to pay me for a reading to seek answers, then you better get that question as crystal-clear as possible. Otherwise, I believe it’s money wasted.
3. What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?
Get over yourself. Get out of your own way. Oftentimes when beginning reading, you will be wrong. That’s okay. You’re learning. Remember, accuracy comes with practice. Get used to your body’s reactions to the information you’re receiving. You have to practice, this does take work, and in the end, you are in service to your client, not to your ego. Also, go where the fear is. I’ve found that most of my growth as a reader has been in the difficult places. If it’s too easy, if you’re too comfortable… then you’re not growing.
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If you want a great reading from an up and coming tarot rockstar, Hilary is your woman. Find her at her site: http://www.tarotbyhilary.com
A big hug and fist bump to Hilary for taking the time out of her crazy schedule to chat with me. She is da bomb!
Blessings!
Theresa
I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass.
I’m definitely not your average Tarot expert — I drop the F-bomb, I quote rappers, and I’m obsessed with pop culture + reality TV. Folks come to me for straight-talk + tough-love — without the woo-woo fluff. 
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