Talkin’ Tarot With Val Sherill

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.

It wasn’t hard to spot Val Sherill in the sea of tarot readers.  Although she is teeny (5 feet tall at best), perched on her head was an elaborate hat that caught my eye immediately.  I knew I had to connect with this mini fashionista – and we’ve been pals ever since that conference.

Val is one of the warmest people you’ll ever meet.   Maybe it’s the Southern charm or perhaps the deep, soulful brown eyes but as soon as you are in her presence, you feel “at home”.  It’s the same way with her tarot readings.  When I needed some insight, I contacted Val for an email reading.  Her loving kindness came through in every word and her guidance was priceless.

Val is a woman of many hats (had to throw that in there – she is ALWAYS in a hat): reader, teacher, mentor and former manager of the now defunct Tarot For Life online community. She has guided many novice readers towards becoming proficient professionals – one of her students is even writing for an online newspaper!

This is what she has to say about her start: “I was about 14 years old when Aunt Darlene asked if I would like to learn how to read cards. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity. It was the most fascinating thing I had ever encountered. I was completely hooked. I would do readings in the school cafeteria during lunch for anyone and everyone willing to sit with me. Fast forward some thirty plus years later and I am as fascinated, now, as I was way “back in the day.” Tarot just never ceases to amaze me.”

Those lessons with Aunt Darlene sure paid off – Val began working on the psychic hotlines but now has her own business, Tarot Translator, where she offers tarot readings via phone or email.  If you are looking for a reader who is honest and compassionate (plus fashionable), this is the reader you need to connect with.

Website: http://tarottranslator.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarottranslator
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TarotTranslator

Funny Val story:  about a year ago, Val came to the Readers Studio but forgot her trademark hats.  I didn’t recognize her! That’s how much I connect her with those fab hats.  I still get a giggle when I think about that.

Here are her answers to my questions:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?
Val: I really feel it acts as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious minds. Tarot seems to be a way to tap into what Jung referred to as the Collective Unconscious – a kind of library of all human experience and ancestral knowledge. Most of the time, we intuitively know what to do in a given situation, but when we are in the midst of a sticky situation or an overly emotional one, confusion and self-doubt can override our internal wisdom. A Tarot reading can bypass that mess and provide straight answers as well as incredible insights into what we are experiencing at the time.

2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?
Val: By keeping an open mind and be willing to go in a different direction if the reading indicates that the actions (or non-action) the recipient is taking will not likely result in the outcome hoped for. Knowing that you are the one solely responsible for your own happiness and you have the free will to make changes as you see fit. There’s a line from the poem ‘Invictus’ that sums this up nicely: “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” If you believe that, we’ll have a productive reading session.

3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?
Val: Best advice – go with the first thing that pops into your head. It may sound utterly ridiculous to you, make no sense, even sound stupid, but it can have great meaning for the person receiving the reading.

Practice, practice, practice! Read for as many people as possible (but DO tell them you are a novice reader). Drawing a daily card for yourself is an excellent way to see Tarot in action within your everyday life and helps you to really know it on a personal level.

Also, start a meditation practice. I firmly believe this is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the intuition and learn how to access it more efficiently and with less effort.

But first and foremost – always, *always* go with the first thing that pops into your head (yes, I’m repeating myself!).

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Big hugs to Val for taking a moment to chat with me.  If you’d like to check out her work, be sure to visit Tarot Translator.  Get ready to fall in love with her!

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2013