My Portable Tarot Office: how I read tarot and work on the road

Confession time: I am always working and ready for action. Even when I’m on vacation. I know, I know…I should be “relaxing” and trust me…I do. But when duty calls, I like to be prepared.

Whether I am traveling for actual work or simply hanging with my sweetheart on an extended San Francisco jaunt, I’m ready to throw down like a pro with my portable tarot office, anytime, any place.

Wanna get a peek inside my kit and learn how I work on the road? Wish granted.

I prefer the environment of my hotel room vs a coffee shop. It’s quieter and I am able to focus better. But I have been known to hit a coffee shop when necessary (ex: power blackout in my hood!). In those cases, I will seek out the quietest spot I can find so that any disturbances are kept to a minimum. Although not my preferred place for phone readings, I do think that coffee shops are great for co-working, business meetings, or doing in-person readings.

I am currently using the Triangle Commuter Bag from abrAsus as my portable office. It’s the best bag I have found for toting all my essentials. The bag sits up without tipping over and there is room for all of my gear. It’s also perfectly organized with removable inserts and handy pockets. It holds A LOT. Oh, how I sing the praises of this bag!

This is what I typically carry with me (warning – I am armed to the teeth because that’s how I roll):

Laptop – I prefer Mac everything. Mac is user-friendly and my work + photos are connected over all of my devices.
Laptop charger
Notebook – although I’m on the computer most of the time, I still like to write. My new fave are the Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook, Large, Ruled, Black, Hard Cover (5 x 8.25) (Evernote Smart Notebooks). They are clean, easy to write in and you can use the Evernote camera to take a pic of your notes and send it right into Evernote!
Business cards – just got new ones from Moo.com!
Earphones
Tarot deck – usually The Rider Tarot Deck.
iPad – my iPad has both WiFi and cellular usage. Just in case I get stuck in an environment with crap WiFi – I can still work!
Keyboard for iPad – this wee keyboard is easier for me to use.
Pens – my pen of choice is: Uni-Ball Vision Elite Stick Micro Point Rollerball Pens, 0.5MM, 12 Black Ink Pens (69000).
Stand for iPhone – for making my Six Second Tarot videos (I post these every day, come rain or shine)
iPhone

How I work:

Whether I am in my hotel or in another location, I set up my desk immediately. That means the laptop is open, and all my essentials are handy so I can begin to work. If the working space is large, all the better. But in a pinch, I can function with very little space.

I grab a tea and get down to business. (If I’m at Starbucks, I choose a Cool Lime Refresher. If I’m in a hotel, I bring my own White Peony Tea from Rishi Tea with me.)

Most of my road work is email readings. I use Microsoft Exchange (hosted through Rackspace) because it’s easy to access on all of my devices. BUT just in case – I also have my all my email accounts run through Gmail. This will allow me to answer emails no matter where I am – even if I am away from my devices.

I don’t like to do phone readings when I am on the road simply because I like to be in my favorite chair (I’m like Archie Bunker that way) and using a landline. Landlines are way more reliable than cell phones or Skype. (I do not like Skype because it’s also distracting for me.)

In the rare occasion that I do a phone reading, I’ll use my trusty iPhone and earplugs (I need to keep my hands as free as possible for shuffling). I record my sessions with AudioAcrobat exactly as I would if I were in my office (learn my procedures for phone readings here.).

For phone readings, I prefer my hotel room for privacy. But on the fly, I can make it work in a coffee shop. (Tip: have a business card out – people may see you working and be curious. Always be ready for business!)

All of my important files are in Evernote. I made the switch recently and it works perfectly across all of my devices (learn how to rock Evernote with Natasha Vorompiova’s Evernote for Small Business class). I also like Dropbox and use it for big projects in progress.

Although I’m all about technology, I am still old skool when it comes to ideas. I love to sketch and brainstorm my flashes of inspiration in a notebook. I’m in love with my Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook, Large, Ruled, Black, Hard Cover (5 x 8.25) (Evernote Smart Notebooks). These beauties are slim and so flawless for writing. And they work beautifully with Evernote! Write, take a pic with the Evernote camera – voila – you have a new note right in your files! Shazam!

Every day, no matter whether I am home or somewhere far, I post my Card for the Day as well as my Six Second Tarot videos. I have this cool little iPhone tripod (pictured above) that allows me to set my camera up so it’s sturdy (my hands are too shaky when I try to talk and film at the same time). These are easy to find and really cheap. I got mine at a local drugstore. I am currently lusting after this bad boy: ChargerCity Exclusive Apple iPhone 6 5s 5c 5 4s Samsung Galaxy S5 S4 S3 Note 4 3 HTC ONE Google Nexus 4 5 ONEPLUS Motorola MOTO G X Droid LG G3 G2 G Pro Sony Xperia Z 360º Swivel Adjustment Selfie Video Recording Camera Tripod Adapter Mount & MegaGrab Easy-Adjust Smartphone Holder (Phone & Tripod is not included with Purchase) *Version 2*

There are times where I don’t want to drag my whole gear with me. For those days, I’ll stuff a tarot deck, iPad, iPhone, notebook and business cards right in my purse. This mini-kit still gives me all I need to work, no matter where I am.

Although I like being in my own crib, I’m an on-the-go gal. Being ready to read at any time, no matter where I am makes my work not dependent on location. And that means: freedom.

Get your portable tarot office set up and you’ll be able to read like a jet-setting tarot boss anywhere in the world!