Talkin' Tarot With Beth Owl's Daughter

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 tarot reader who builds their foundation on sincerity, trust and integrity is the best sort of reader to find. And no reader sums those words up better than my friend, Beth Owl’s Daughter.

Beth is one of those rare people who oozes earnest vibes. When I met her a few years ago at the Reader’s Studio, I was struck by how unpretentious and “real” she was. She greeted me with genuine warmth and I remember thinking to myself that she was very kind and earthy.

As I have gotten to know her better, I quickly learned that there is a fierceness underneath the gentle and spiritual exterior. Beth is a modern day warrior woman – ready to fight in the battle against ignorance and cruelty. I pay very close attention when she speaks on an issue because she speaks fierce and intelligent truth.

She has a prolific history in the tarot community. Check out this long and impressive list of street cred:

Celebrating her 40th anniversary of working with the Tarot this year, Beth Owl’s Daughter is a trained hereditary seer and lifelong guide in the non-ordinary realms.

She is an internationally respected writer, teacher, and leader in the Tarot community. She belongs to a number of professional organizations, and has published countless articles and reviews about the Tarot, including the monthly Tarot column for The Meta Arts Magazine (http://www.themetaarts.com/).

Beth is founder and organizer of one of the world’s oldest and largest Tarot social groups (Triangle Tarot and Friends Meetup – http://www.meetup.com/TriangleTarot). She also serves as an officer on the Board of Directors for Cherry Hill Seminary, the world’s first and only graduate-level education for Pagan ministry.

She practices the Craft in the Reclaiming and Faery faith traditions, is an Usui Reiki practitioner, and an award-winning blogger: http://www.owlsdaughter.com/owls-wings .

Besides being a master-level Tarot reader and teacher, Beth has extensive “real world” business experience, having worked for many years in management, career development, information technology, and as a professional writer.

For this reason, her work especially supports those who are in the process of discovering their authentic and creative gifts, and who are transitioning from lifestyles, relationships, and careers that are not in harmony with their creativity and/or spirituality.

In addition to her readings, she offers several series of local and online classes designed to give her participants the tools, confidence, and skills to move gracefully and powerfully through times of profound personal and global change. Beth is an unapologetic subversive against the cultures that promote fear, shame, and powerlessness. Her mission is to work for compassionate social transformation by helping ignite and feed every single person’s most divine intelligence, creativity, and joy.

She offers her services for motivated, creative people who are reaching for high standards of personal excellence and who understand that to live abundantly, joyfully, and in balance is a form of spiritual service.

Whew! Now this is a woman on a mission!

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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1. What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

“If the teacher is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own.” — Kahlil Gibran

This so beautifully sums up how I work with the tarot, and what I think its greatest gift is.

After forty years of working with the tarot, I am more passionate about it than ever. I believe it is time for the world to take a new look at this very old system. It is, in my view, the perfect tool for our times.

I see the tarot as a fluid, living receptacle of centuries of esoteric lore, wisdom, stories, and understanding of the human condition – all conveniently packaged into a system of art and symbols. Both very old, it is always new, too, as it evolves and reinvents itself so that it is current, fresh, and relevant for each new generation that works with it.

It is an elegant, incredibly practical tool, not some woo-woo weird thing that only a few special people can use. And you don’t have to spend years plowing through encyclopedic tomes to work with it (unless you’re into that!). Anyone can learn to use it; and it can enhance nearly every facet of our lives.

That’s why I love to teach the tarot, and in fact, I am covertly teaching in every reading I give. I want every single person on earth to someday be as comfortable consulting the tarot on matters large and small as they are consulting Google.

My readings are all about empowering my clients. The querent need not have blind faith in my expertise. I am just a tour guide, and the Tarot is the doorway through which I help my clients see for themselves.

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

First, I like to create customized spreads in my readings, rarely using pre-packaged ones, so the more a client has prepared and considered their intention for seeking guidance, as well as being able to articulate the more important factors impacting the situation, the easier it will be to create a layout that gives us concise and helpful information.

Secondly, my ideal clients are energetic, independent achievers, healers, visionaries, and creatives who are motivated, self-aware, and are reaching for high standards of excellence and a life well-lived.

Because they prefer to see themselves as empowered and responsible for their own future, they don’t ask me to predict it for them. Instead, they would agree with my motto, “Predict your future by creating it.”

So in our session, we might spend some time discussing past history, perhaps for greater understanding and closure. We may also brainstorm strategies and potential outcomes of possible paths and choices. But the main focus is on clarifying and identifying the influences of here and now and then choosing practical steps forward. That’s why a lot of times, I may even give you a homework assignment or two!

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

First do no harm.

Although the tarot is easily learned and available to all, over the years, I have seen a lot of people rush to transfer their personal ease with the tarot to a professional, public reading practice.

I believe that reading for others, especially for financial rewards, has a serious learning curve. Tarot is fun and not difficult, but it is incredibly powerful. I have, unfortunately, spent more time than I’d like, patching up damage from the inexperience and hubris of novice readers.

That said, my advice as you start out is to find a good teacher and practice, practice, practice. Keep in mind that not everyone who has knowledge is good at teaching. Learn with someone who will not undermine your confidence, but who will not simply stroke your ego, either.

When you begin to care more about whether you are inspiring and empowering your querent’s own wisdom, than whether you are being impressive or “doing it right,” you are ready.

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Big hugs and fist bumps to Beth Owl’s Daughter for giving me some of her precious time in this little interview. If you want to learn more about Beth or would like to purchase a reading from her, please check out her fab website: http://www.owlsdaughter.com/

Oh, and be sure to sign up for her newsletter – it’s been my favorite one in 2011!

Blessings!

Theresa