by ShannonReilly

Created on: March 14, 2009

Conducting a tarot reading is a different experience for every reader, and sometimes for every client for the same reader. Because so much of the reading is reading the client, you need to start each reading by being open to the client and his or her needs and expectations.

I am an intuitive tarot reader in more than one way. Not only do I open myself up to what the client needs and want, I rely more on my interpretation of the images on the cards than I do on the "book meanings" of the cards. In order to facilitate this type of reading, I have chose to work most often with non-traditional tarot decks like the Shapeshifter and Animal Divine decks.

I begin by asking the client what they would like to explore during their reading. While I can tell the tale of the cards without input from the client, I can only personalize the reading if they are willing to share their needs and expectations with me. For example, I can interpret the Chariot as the fast approach of change or messages but unless I know the client is concerned about her job, I cannot relate that interpretation to her needs.

Once I know the direction of the reading, I hand my deck to the client if I am working with them face to face, or shuffle the cards myself if I am working on-line or on the phone. Allowing the client to shuffle the cards themselves give their energy to the deck. When I cannot do so, I am sure to concentrate on the question the client asks as I shuffle them myself. Since I do not read reversed meanings for cards, clients can shuffle the cards any way they like. I am also careful to catch and keep any cards that come out of the deck while it is shuffled. My Animal Divine deck has a reputation for "spitting" cards out while it is shuffled. Usually those cards carry a quick message regarding the question asked.

I do not use a structured tarot spread (like the Celtic cross or other more commonly known spreads). Instead, I begin with a row of five cards (including any ejected cards). I begin at the left-hand card and tell the story as I see it. This narrative approach to the reading allows me to be open to input from the client prior to moving forward in my interpretation. Often I will view the row as a whole and begin the story, pausing the allow the client to interject if they have something to add. In this way, I can continue to tailor the reading to the client's needs.

After the tale of the first row is told, I will lay out the next two rows and tell their tale as I did with the first row. This leaves fifteen cards on the table with a woven tale told by their images. If the client has further questions, I will lay out additional cards one at a time.

The result of this process is a well-analyzed story of the progress the client is making toward their goals and expectations. I do not leave out bad news. I do not come up with what the client wishes to hear. Instead, I tell the story the cards tell me.

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