How to prepare for a tarot reading (with a professional tarot reader!)
/So, you've decided to book a tarot reading — congrats! Booking a reading is one of the most important acts of self-care we do for ourselves. Tarot readings are special because they are a dedicated time and space for you to receive guidance, advice, and support that is uniquely channeled just for you. They are unique moments where you can get insights and guidance directly from Source/the divine/Spirit/the universe/whatever you call it.
But getting a tarot reading can be a really intimidating experience, especially if you've never received one before. Every reader does things a little bit differently, and everyone has their own unique method.
In this blog post, I am going to share what I suggest my clients do to prepare for a reading.
Figure out your tech
All of my readings are done virtually these days, so this is the first place to start.
It’s important to ensure you have a quiet, comfortable space in which to do the reading. Tarot readings are extremely intimate experiences. We get the most out of them when we are able to be fully present.
Here are a few Zoom-related tips and tricks ahead of your session:
Wear comfortable headphones/earbuds — that helps reduce echo, background noises and will make you feel more present on the call.
If you're new to working with Zoom, download it a few days beforehand and test it out with a friend. Here are some really helpful Zoom resources that can help you get started. (Pro tip — if you book with me, the link to the Zoom meeting will always be in the reminder emails!)
If you have a laptop, try using a stack of books to elevate the screen, so you don’t have to crane your neck for the entire meeting.
Settle in and get comfy
Once you have your tech situation sorted, the next important thing to do get comfortable, settled, and grounded. The most important thing is that you are in a situation where you can relax and receive the messages the universe has for you.
Surround yourself with the objects, tools, and spirits that make you feel magical and safe. This can be basically anything you want — crystals, herbs, candles, essences, oracle cards, stuffed animals, you name it! So long as it is meaningful to you and makes you feel comfortable, have it on hand.
Make sure you're physically comfortable, too. You can be on a couch, at a desk, in your bed... whatever works best for you! So long as you're in a quiet place, it doesn't really matter! You can also get up, stretch, or do some small movement during the session if your body needs it. You know what your body needs, so do whatever you need to do! If we always pause the reading so you can stretch and make any kind of physical adjustments.
Sometimes folks can get really overwhelmed during readings, trying to absorb all the info and take notes and be present. There is a LOT of information that is channeled, and it's impossible to retain everything. That's why I LOVE doing sessions via Zoom — it's easy to record the sessions and then send them to you afterward! Video recordings are emailed to you within 48 hours of your session, along with a photo of the tarot spread and an overview of the position/prompt.
All that is to say, taking notes during the session is not a necessity — in fact, I strongly recommended doing your detailed notes after the session, via the recording. However, personally, I feel more calm, focused, and attentive when I have a pen and paper in front of me. It's probably a leftover association from decades of schooling (or maybe it's all my Gemini placements), but there's something about taking notes that just makes me feel comfortable and confident. So it's really up to you!
Have a general sense of what you want to talk about
"Asking a good question" is an important part of getting a reading, but one that can really trip people up or stress them out. People worry that they're going to ask the wrong question and that will doom them to a horrible outcome. Here's the thing. There's no such thing as the "perfect" question to ask. The secret to a great tarot reading is, to be honest with yourself about what you want to talk about.
Some people are tempted to withhold information because they feel a tarot reader should be able to "just know." And while it's true that the cards will still deliver a potent message (I've had clients who refuse to share any personal information burst into tears at my general interpretation), for the most part, this just makes it harder for you to get the answers and support you're looking for, because we're spending the entire session figuring out what the problem is, rather than finding the solution.
At the beginning of the reading, you'll have an opportunity to share about what is going on with you, what is on your heart, and what topics you want to discuss. The most honest and authentic you are, the more value you are going to get from this reading. The key is not to be honest with me, the tarot reader, but to be honest with YOURSELF. You don't even need to say it out loud! When I shuffle the cards, you'll have an opportunity to pause, reflect and think about what is coming up for you. Magic does the rest.
For example, let's say that deep down you are uncomfortable in your relationship, but you don't want to admit to yourself that you're considering breaking up with them. If you go to a tarot reader, you have two options. You can say something really general like, "I'm unsatisfied and unhappy and I'm not sure why." OR you can be more specific and share, "I'm questioning my long-term relationship and I've very scared." In the former, if the relationship is the heart of your unhappiness, we will find out through the reading. But if you already know the relationship is the problem.... you're going to interpret every card through that lens anyway. So you might as well be straightforward and honest about your needs from the start. That way, we can start to give you even more specific advice from the beginning.
That said, I want to reassure you that it's better to book a reading to explore some general topics than to not book a reading at all! You absolutely DON'T need to be in emotional turmoil or a moment to crisis to get help and support from a tarot reading! You are allowed to get a reading just because you want to or because you want to connect more deeply with your guides.
A tarot reading is a dialogue — my role is to describe the cards; your role is to connect those meanings to your personal experiences. Through this exchange, we interpret what the cards mean for you. Whether or not you have a specific question, the themes and topics are going to appear.
And there you go! Those are my top three tips on how to prepare for yourself a tarot reading.
If you have any questions, concerns, or fears about booking a reading, feel free to send me an email or leave a comment below, so we can address it!
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