Friday 25 July 2014

Bridgett at Facebook challenged us bloggers to answer 30 questions. These answers may be short and sweet but here goes:

1. Who or what introduced you to Tarot? 
I had a friend who hid a tarot deck at my house when we were about 19. Her parents didn't want them in the house. I didn't know a thing about it, but using the little white book, tried a draw about myself. The answers were uncanny so I told her to come get it -- I didn't want it in my house either! Many years later, I bought my first deck after being inspired to by a journal called the Sacred Journey.

2. What was your first deck and how did you get it?
Osho Zen. I bought it myself from Amazon. I wanted something sort of Buddhist and it had 'zen' in the name. What did I know?

3. What is your favorite deck?
I don't have a favourite deck and as someone with a relatively big collection, I don't think it's a fair question! :)

4. How long have you been reading Tarot?
Long time.

5. When & where did you perform your first reading?
My first reading was for myself and it was conducted here in the living room floor.

6. What was the first spread you learned? Do you still use it?
The Celtic Cross, of course. You'd think there was no other spread in existence based on the books. No, I don't still use it. It's clunky.

7. What is your favorite card? Why?
I don't think I have a favourite card. I am fond of 9 of Pentacles. I've written about it many times. Look over in the right column and click '9 of Pentacles'.

8. Which card do you dread pulling? Why?
I don't dread any card.

9. What card comes up for you most in personal readings? Why do you think this is so?
That fluctuates over time. I don't think there is a card that comes up 'most'. It is statistically improbable any card will come up a meaningful number of times more than any other.

10. What card best represents your personality? Why?
My knee-jerk reaction is Queen of Swords. I have identified with her for a long time. I have been through some things, and I have a skeptical and analytical way of looking at things.

If I were to choose a major, it would be Hermit. I do love solitude, and even with others, I enjoy a companionable silence in beautiful natural surroundings--it's my preferred way of spending time with others.

11. Which spread do you use most? Why?
The 3-card draw. It's powerful, versatile, and gives you all you could want.

12. Have you created your own spreads before? Share one?
I create spreads all the time and share them here often. Just look to the right and click on the word 'Spreads'. I am sharing a spread here tomorrow. Tune in! :)

13. Is there a card that always stumps you when you draw it? 
No. A lot of people say courts, but I relate the all to movie, TV or book characters and that method works a treat for me. I do sometimes get a bit flummoxed by what I call the 'planet cards' - Moon, Sun, Star, World.

14. What is your most frequent purpose for using Tarot?
I use it as a way of looking at circumstances and issues from a different angle, try to find a new way of looking at things.

15. Do you prefer reading with "text book meanings" or "with your intuition?"
This is a silly debate that goes on amongst newbies. There is no such thing as one or the other, if you are really reading the cards.

16. Do you ever just use the Major Arcana? If so ... when?
Yes, when I feel that it is called for. It's no more complicated than that.

17. Do you do readings using reversals? Why or Why not?
No, the sight of an upside down card offends my sensibilities, and I don't believe any image was ever intended to be viewed on its head. (Except the Hanged Man). I always consider shadow meanings, in relation to question, card position, and surrounding cards.

18. Which deck do you feel most drawn to & why?
I don't have a favourite deck. I have decks I quite like, but I couldn't pick a favourite.

19. Do you feel that the cards have their own consciousness?
No, I absolutely do not believe this.

20. Do you read for others?
Yes, that's why I'm here on this blog. :)

21. How do you feel when you do readings?
I feel honoured and a tremendous sense of responsibility. I do my utmost to uphold my personal reading ethics and communicate my reading approach and what a customer can expect from my readings. (See 'Book a Reading' for a full explanation.)

22. Do you charge money? Why or why not?
Yes. Readings take a lot of energy and time.

23. What question do you most ask the Tarot?
What does the universe ask of me today?

24. How accurate have your readings been?
I've never predicted an earthquake or won the lottery. But my customers report that they relate deeply to my card interpretations and that they have made positive life changes as a result, and that makes me feel fantastic. It's why I do it!

25. What was the most dramatic or meaningful reading you have ever done?
I have one particular customer who has had several very powerful readings that I found quite draining but that she reports have been very valuable to her. Confidentiality prevents me saying anything much here.

26. Have you ever done a reading you regretted doing? Why?
Yes. It was a live reading at a pamper night. A teenage girl came in and she had negative energy all over her. She had clearly come in just so she could be difficult with me and then go out have a funny story to tell. It was a most unpleasant experience. I should have followed my instinct and declined to read.

27. Do you have a special time or place that you use your Tarot?
No.

28. Does anyone you know not agree with your use of Tarot? 
There may be a few but I pay no attention them. They are not ill-bred enough to say anything to me about it, anyway.

29. Have you had a Tarot Mentor? Who?
I have had many mentors, if you count reading of books. Rachel Pollack is astonishing. I also admire Mary K Greer. Kim Huggens is a shining new(ish) star in tarot writing. I had a mentor at TABI when I was going through my endorsement process, 'Ribbitcat'.

30. Do you practice any other form of divination? What?
To be honest, not really. I own runes and Story Cubes but I honestly prefer tarot and oracles. I do Lenormand readings, but Lenormand is not even a favourite oracle. It's just trendy at the moment and I can read it quite easily. No, tarot is my number one. :)

5 comments:

  1. LOL! Still giggling on questions 1 and 17. Your personality is one of a kind! <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. #1 - was that me? or someone else? I can't remember.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1. Who or what introduced you to Tarot?
    I'm assuming it was something I read. I honestly don't remember.

    2. What was your first deck and how did you get it?
    I don't remember. I'm thinking it was Robin Wood, but I'm not positive

    3. What is your favorite deck?
    Robin Wood. Although Sacred Circle is close.

    4. How long have you been reading Tarot?
    On and off since high school

    5. When & where did you perform your first reading?
    No idea. probably my bedroom back in the 1980s.

    6. What was the first spread you learned? Do you still use it?
    The Celtic Cross. I seldom read for others, but I do still use this occasionally.

    7. What is your favorite card? Why?
    It depends on the deck. In the Robin Wood deck, the death card. In a more general sense, the hermit.

    8. Which card do you dread pulling? Why?
    it depends on the question. When asking about my future, the tower disturbs me a bit. I know I need to batten down the hatches if it comes up.

    9. What card comes up for you most in personal readings? Why do you think this is so?
    nothing in particular actually

    10. What card best represents your personality? Why?
    queen of cups probably. Although the Hermit would seem to also.


    11. Which spread do you use most? Why?
    a 3-card draw - past, present, future usually

    12. Have you created your own spreads before? Share one?
    not really

    13. Is there a card that always stumps you when you draw it?
    the court cards - the Kings and Queens aren't so bad but the younger sets are always hard for me

    14. What is your most frequent purpose for using Tarot?
    Lateral thinking

    15. Do you prefer reading with "text book meanings" or "with your intuition?"
    it depends. if I have a flash of intuition, i go with that. if not, the book is fine

    16. Do you ever just use the Major Arcana? If so ... when?
    no

    17. Do you do readings using reversals? Why or Why not?
    sort of. I believe the reversals emphasis the negative aspect (well, not for the tower, I think it lessens the effect). But you get the idea

    18. Which deck do you feel most drawn to & why?
    it depends on the situation.

    19. Do you feel that the cards have their own consciousness?
    Yep. And they are best friends with my Sears and Robuck catalog.

    20. Do you read for others?
    seldom

    21. How do you feel when you do readings?
    Since I read primarily for myself, I can't really say.

    22. Do you charge money? Why or why not?
    nope - charging myself seems pointless

    23. What question do you most ask the Tarot?
    What should I expect tomorrow to bring and what should I be aware of (usually right before bed)

    24. How accurate have your readings been?
    I think fairly. But then again, I can read my horoscope and it causes me to think of my day differently (lateral thinking) and therefore becomes more accurate

    25. What was the most dramatic or meaningful reading you have ever done?
    nothing stands out

    26. Have you ever done a reading you regretted doing? Why?
    no, but again, I primary read for myself

    27. Do you have a special time or place that you use your Tarot?
    No.

    28. Does anyone you know not agree with your use of Tarot?
    My parents

    29. Have you had a Tarot Mentor? Who?
    not mentors, but friends who read.

    30. Do you practice any other form of divination? What?
    not really but I have dabbled with many in the past. Runes, I Chang, ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I didn't know you answered this! :) How many decks do you have now?

      Delete

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