Talkin’ Tarot With Amethyst Mahoney

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.

They say that like attracts like.  And I happen to like Amethyst Mahoney very much.  In my opinion, Amethyst is a rare gem (yes, that pun was intentional) in the tarot world.  She’s spiritual but also very business like.  And that is a combo that I find appealing.

I’ve gotten to know her over the last year and I have to admit that her enthusiasm and passion for both tarot and business is extremely contagious.  These are two subjects that are near and dear to my heart – to find a kindred spirit who loves both equally is a happy thing.

Amethyst is always hard at work coming up with innovative ideas – from ebooks and videos, to business consulting and specials like her recent Valentines Day Giveaway, this is one tireless gal!  I always thought I worked hard but with all the recent goodies that Amethyst has brewing, I think I need to take my own work up a notch!

Amethyst Mahoney has been reading the Tarot ever since a Ride-Waite-Smith deck found her over 22 years ago. She has been reading professionally and teaching others to read Tarot for over 7 years. Amethyst recently fulfilled a life-long dream by completing her book and video series “Tarot Through Your Life.”

Amethyst also uses Tarot and other techniques to teach people to find their passions and create their own businesses – while having FUN! You can find her at www.AmethystTarot.com and www.AmethystMahoney.com or somewhere out in the forests with her husband Brent and her two dogs in beautiful Oregon, USA.

Check out her answers to my questions:

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1. What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

Tarot is a very practical tool, and you can use it every day. I do a Mind, Body, Spirit Spread most days of the week. Each month I also choose a theme to focus on. Of course in February, I’ll be exploring my Love Relationship with my wonderful husband Brent.

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about Tarot out there, and many of them make me cringe. First of all, Tarot isn’t just about “predicting the future” and doing Past, Present, and Future spreads like you see in the movies and television shows. It can give you information about what is most likely to happen if you continue on your current path. However, the cards do not determine your future – you do.

I also believe that everyone can learn to read Tarot for themselves. I have been teaching people to start reading in classes, workshops, and even with my free online video called “Tarot is for Everyone” (link is http://www.AmethystMahoney.com/tarot-is-for-everyone). You can start reading in less than 15 minutes, even if you’ve never picked up a deck before in your life.

Finding a community to explore Tarot is a great way to improve reading for yourself, and you will find tips if you decide to start reading for others. I absolutely love the Facebook Group started by Louise Underhill  called Tarotholics Anonymous. You can get so much great – and real – information about Tarot and dispel all of the silly myths that are keeping you from reading the cards.

2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

Tarot is not all about being esoteric and airy-fairy. During your reading, we may discuss important issues such as religion and spirituality, work with your Guides or Angels, and many Metaphysical topics, if those things are important to you. However, you should expect to also discuss what that means for your every day life – in this plane and in the physical body you now occupy. This means we may touch on matters dealing with childhood issues, current or past relationships, your current job or work, and even your diet and exercise programs. I was a mental health therapist (in psychology) for over a decade, so I draw a little from that background at times.

Most importantly, be prepared to explore real-world steps that you can take after your reading to improve your life, because that is the True Power of Tarot. If you get a reading, and say, “oh, that was cool!” and then do nothing with the information to improve your life, you’ve just wasted your money and your time. If you take just one action based on your reading, your whole life will start to shift in a more positive direction. You can start to create the future you WANT. Think of it as the Law of Attraction, if you like. After all, you can’t have the Law of AttrACTION without action!

Clients will get the most out of readings when they participate at least a little. I’ve had many people over the years try to “test” me by not giving me information or the real reason for their visit. The truth always comes out – you can’t hide it from the Tarot. Make it easier on both of us and be as upfront and honest as you are comfortable with being. I understand that it can be difficult to open up to a stranger about hard issues, and that’s okay. But your reading is a time to explore YOU, not to find out whether or not I can pass a test (because I can).

3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

Read and learn as much as you can from different readers and Tarot authors. Take classes, watch videos, and attend workshops. You can find my book and video series “Tarot Through Your Life,” at http://www.tarotyourlife.com, and I also have free videos, ebooks, and information available at my website. In fact, when you go to my site you can get an ebook I wrote called “A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Tarot and Learning the Cards.” This will give you great information on everything from finding your first deck to an amazing exercise that you can do that will put you light-years ahead of people who have been trying to figure out their cards for years!

After you’ve learned as much as you can and really immersed yourself in all the knowledge available, throw it all out the window and find your own way! Okay, keep what works for you, but throw the rest out. The truth is there are no “rules” for Tarot. How you do it IS the “correct” way.

I was afraid of finding my own meanings in the cards for several years, and treated the little white book that came with my deck like it was my Bible (I was raised fundamentalist Southern Baptist, by the way). When I finally found Mary K. Greer’s “21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card,” my whole world changed. I finally had permission to explore the cards and allow more meanings to come through.

Above all, have Fun! Over time, you will develop your own style of reading and getting meanings from the cards that is unique to you, and that is a beautiful thing.