How To McGuyver Your Tarot

Imagine your worst case tarot scenario.  Perhaps you go blank during a reading – or maybe your favorite deck just got destroyed due to an overly anxious shuffler.  Now what?  Do you panic?  Or do you get all ninja and save the day?

A good tarot reader learns how to read under any circumstances.  Ready to McGuyver your stickiest tarot wickets?  Read on, tarot renegades:

Situation #1: You’re reading a client and suddenly your mind goes completely blank.  You’re sweating and nervous….and the clock is ticking.  Solution: Find one card that you can hone in on (the one that grabs you) and begin there.  Start by describing the card and then see what interpretations begin to pop.  If you are struggling with a particular card, you may also want to show it to the client and ask them how that card might apply to them.  If all else fails and you’re still not getting anything, it may be a sign that you are not the reader for this person.  Bow out gracefully and refer them to someone else.  A true tarot playa knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.

Situation #2:  Your fave deck is wrecked in one sitting. You bought a hot new deck but it’s made on flimsy paper.  In an instant, a client aggressively shuffles the deck and now the edges are all tattered and bent.  No problem – grab your scissors and trim the edges off that sucka!  Here’s a great tutorial on Cutting Corners and Borders from Donnaleigh:  http://www.divinewhispers.net/apps/blog/show/7279714-cutting-corners-and-borders-crafty-tarot

Situation #3:  You’re caught empty handed and you’re supposed to read. You’ve traveled to a party, planning to read for your friends when you discover that you forgot to pack your deck.  Do you run home and get your cards?  If you live close, that may be the wisest path. But if you’ve traveled a distance, it may not be an option.  If no one happens to have a spare deck on hand, grab some plain ole playing cards and use them instead.  I’ve done this in a dire pinch and they CAN work like a regular deck but you’ll lose the Major Arcana suit.  Here’s a post with some simple tips for reading regular playing cards: How To Read The Future With Regular Playing Cards   (PS many tarot readers keep a “tarot to go kit” in their car or purse.)

Situation #4: You’re a tarot snob and hate all the decks available.  No problemo.  Design your own!  Create some images that make your tarot brain happy and print ‘em out.  Plaincards makes it easy: http://plaincards.com 

Situation #5:  Your reading was an epic failure.  It happens.  Perhaps you’re having an off day or perhaps you just didn’t connect with the client.  Whatever the case, don’t let that shake your foundation.  You are human and you can’t be 100% (in fact no reader is, no matter what outrageous claims they may make).  It’s easy to misinterpret – and keep in mind, there are some things that perhaps you – or the client – are not meant to know.  Apologize and let it go.  Redo the reading if you feel called.  Or refer them to someone that may be a better fit.  And then brush your shoulders off, give yourself a big hug and get back on it.

Situation #6:  You’re stranded on a desert island with no deck, not even playing cards and you need a reading.  In this unlikely event, you can choose to go into meditation and start to visualize the cards. What is the first one that pops into your skull? Six of Swords? Great! You’re about to be rescued!  (Believe it or not, I’ve done this method myself and it’s been uncanny.  And for the record, I’ve never been stranded on a desert island.)

The longer you read, the more likely you’ll come across some crazy scenarios – perhaps even more interesting or intimidating than the ones above.  Got any good tarot drama stories with innovative solutions?  Hit me up – I’d love to hear it.

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2013