Doing tarot on the fly is a real possibility (and sometimes a necessity) but I have found that the best tarot readings come when both reader and querent have done a little prepping.
Why? It’s because the right mindset will lead to a better reading (and experience) for all parties involved.
A reading done in haste is rarely done well – and a reading done with an unfocused mind or scattered agenda leads to a lack of clear answers. Here’s how to prep for the best reading possible whether you are the reader or the client.
For the reader:
- Make sure you are rested. A tired reader leads to a lackluster reading.
- Be sober. Don’t consume too many stimulants (caffeine). BE PRESENT.
- Meditate before opening your practice for the day. A walk or any form of exercise is helpful as well.
- Energy work helps to get the chakras balanced and chi moving through the body. Reiki is a wonderful tool for readers. I’m also a fan of “Energy Medicine” by Donna Eden. Her techniques work wonders for me.
- Keep your office quiet. Soft music can help (although some readers need silence). Yappy dogs and kids should not be present. You need to focus. Turn off the phone.
- Breathe deeply.
- Give the client an oracle card to read before you begin your work together. This gives them a moment to slow down and clear their brain. Many clients come straight from work and need a little time to center themselves.
- If you are unwell, cancel your work. You must be PRESENT for the client – if you are ill, you need to be present for yourself.
- Cleanse the space before the client arrives. Smudge, open a window, light a candle – whatever helps you to get your tarot groove on.
For the querent:
- Do not get a reading if you are freaking out. You will not be centered. Wait if you can. An aggressive, impulsive or trippy mindset will only hear what they want to hear.
- Take time before your reading to quietly reflect on what you need from the reading. Write a list of questions before you come so that you are sure to cover the information you most need.
- Be sober. Don’t consume too many stimulants (caffeine). Yup, it works both ways – reader and querent need to be centered. The calmer you both are, the more clear the answers will be.
- Breathe deeply.
- Tape your reading. This will allow you to listen to the reading later – but it also frees you from having to take notes which can interfere with your ability to deeply listen to the reader.
Phone readings: For phone readings, the rules above apply but it is extremely important for the querent to have a quiet space so that they may be present for the reading. For example, if you are getting a phone reading and you have too much noise in the background, you may not hear what your reader is saying.
The tarot reader will also need to make sure that they are holding the same sacred space for their client on the phone as if the client were in their office. Do not be checking email or watching soaps in the background while on the phone. Cut out your distractions and focus. You must BE PRESENT for the client even if they are not in your office.
Email readings: If you are getting a tarot reading via the email, take time to formulate your question. Be as clear as possible. Don’t mix too many questions into one as this will muddy your question and lead to confusion for the reader. If you are comfortable, send a picture of yourself as this gives your reader something to focus on.
If you are giving a reading via email, just make sure that there are no distractions – once again, you want to focus all of your energy on the querent. Email readings need the same care that in person or phone readings need. Approach them as if the client were sitting right in front of you.
The main criteria for a solid tarot reading is a PRESENT mind. If you can manifest that on demand, great (I can’t). But for those of us who are not that spontaneous, the suggestions above can help everyone walk away from the experience feeling content.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” ~ Buddha
Blessings!
Theresa
How do you prepare for your reading? Not just as a tarot reader but as a client? What helps you feel “ready”?
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. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.