Talkin’ Tarot With Thalassa Therese

Jun 1, 2011 | Talkin' Tarot With, Tarot, Tarot Community, Tarot Readers

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.

Although I find tarot to be a serious art form, I also am aware that it has a sense of humor.  Many times the cards have taken on a playful form when I’ve been reading.  In fact, the Divine often communicates more clearly when its messages are wrapped in wit.

And no tarot reader displays that unique blend of sacred and wittiness better than one of my favorite tarot peeps, Thalassa (whom I prefer to call Thuglassa because she’s THAT fly).  This tarot whiz has been working with the cards for 40 plus years and in that time she’s not only worked as a professional reader but she’s also created, produced and maintained the oldest tarot event in the world – The San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium (SF BATS).  This is the grandaddy of all tarot events and an important contribution to our tarot community.

In addition to all this tarot goodness, Thalassa is also a historian, comedian, actress, teacher, entertainer and published writer.  Spend a little time with her and you’ll marvel at her creativity; you’ll be astounded by her breadth of knowledge; and you’ll be entertained like you never have been.

thalassareading

Thalassa is the producer of the San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium – the oldest established, permanent floating Tarot Symposium in the world – it’s about to celebrate 20 years!) and founder of the Daughters of Divination (DOD).  She has been living, working and playing with the Tarot for more than 40 years (she was an infant prodigy).  She is also active in the production of Pagan and Divination events across the country, and her writing has been published in a wide range of publications, including the Llewellyn Tarot Reader almanacs since their inception.

She has been involved in stand-up comedy, choreography, and stage management, and currently teaches improvisation and physical characterisation for performers at Renaissance and Victorian festivals. Her other interests include historical recreation, needlework, and plotting global domination.  Thalassa lives in San Francisco with her husband (who is a saint), a sword collection, far too many books, and more Tarot cards than is safe to assemble in one place.

Currently, Thalassa is getting geared up for SF BATS (of course), a book (on Tarot, of all things), further developing her Tarot Tiara/Tarot Turban reading practice, launching a blog (called Tarot Pundit), and working on an “uncoach” process called La Rapteuse Transformative Arts.

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

A reading should help you find your own answers. It is a way to tap the wisdom that lurks with you, and a way to connect to the vast streams of knowledge streaming constantly from the Universe. The reader and the cards form a sort of satellite dish to gather and focus information from the Universe within us and outside us.

 

In my reading style I try to give the querent “action items” – ways to better understand what’s going on, and assistance in dealing with that knowledge. I consider myself a facilitator and a guide through the trenches. My readings are toolboxes. In the course of a reading I will point out what approaches look appropriate to the situation, small incremental changes that can be made, and ways to work with the information being given to them in the reading.
2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

People don’t get up in the morning and say, “Hey! Life’s good – I love my job and am getting my emotional needs met. I think I need a reading!” Quite the contrary. People are generally called to the oracles get information and perspective. Whether they are concious of it or not, they want to crack the nut of themselves.

 

It is important that a client be receptive, i.e. willing to listen non-judgementally during the reading, and give some thought to what is being said. I also tell clients from the outset that this is not a passive procedure – this is THEIR reading, and they should be prepared to participate. If a card says something to them, I encourage them to discuss it. If they have questions about what I’m saying or what is developing in the reading, I want them to ask those questions.  Ideally the querent, the cards and I will be involved in an interactive dialogue process.
3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

Check your ego at the door and do not believe your ownhype. Serve the wisdom. Learn to listen for, and trust, the inner voice – it’s that piece of the Divine that makes it real and important.
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Big fist bumps and hugs to Thalassa for taking the time to chat with me.  If you want to get to know her better check out her website. Even better – get yer arse to SF BATS (this year August 27th through the 28th).
Blessings!
Theresa

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