Example of Category Blog layout (FAQs/General category)GeneralOther Aspects of Tarot
Other Aspects of Tarot
I don’t really want to read for anyone. Is Tarot still valuable to me? Yes. The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana represent a journey and are a perfect roadmap for a major project. Picking a card daily on which to meditate is a focused way of centering and clarifying daily goals. Choosing a card to represent a goal and performing a ritual to express this desire to the universe is another way of directing energies in a very specific way. Some people call this Tarot spell work. In the corporate world, people do the same thing and call it creative visualization. Even using the images on the cards for inspiration for short stories, artwork and musical compositions is possible. Can I read for myself? Every reader must discover this. In order to read for yourself you must exercise the candor and honesty you offer a client. If you find you tend to soften the message (or are too hard on yourself) when reading for yourself, don’t do it. I personally pull a card a day to give me insight into my strengths and weaknesses on any given day, but I would never be able to do a complete reading for myself. Exchanging readings with another reader is an excellent way to get regular readings without incurring a great expense. In my city, there are numerous Healing Circles where readers and practitioners come together and share their talents. If there is not something like this where you live, you may be able to develop a monthly gathering of a few readers for the purpose of sharing readings. I am a writer. Where can I get my Tarot articles published? Within the ATA there are two publications seeking submissions year round. The Quarterly and Tarot Reflections both offer opportunities to see your articles and reviews published. Submissions should be sent to the Quarterly and Tarot Reflections Editors at editor@ata-tarot.com. There are numerous other publications, ezines and websites seeking submissions. Professional Reading for Others
Professional Reading for Others
If you are uncomfortable reading in your own home or the home of your clients, many coffee shops and restaurants offer excellent meeting places. For the price of a couple of coffees, they are very happy to see you settle in and do a reading. If you get any negative vibes, check with the management before arranging to read there. I have also read at bookstores and libraries. Any of the above places offer marginal privacy. You may be able to find healing arts centers or yoga studios who would rent you space which would allow a more private environment. This cost can be passed on to the client or absorbed within your fees, but be careful that you are not inadvertently reading for free – or worse, spending more money than you are making. What should I charge for a reading? Should I charge for a reading? What are the legal implications to practicing Tarot? What special skills are required to do Tarot parties? There are a number of gatherings which fall under the broad category of psychic fairs. Metaphysical bookstores may host a monthly event or a local bar or restaurant may designate one night every few months as a Psychic Night. Every entity operates differently; however, most can be a rewarding experience and an excellent marketing opportunity. To compete visually at one of these events, you will need some sort of signage and a colorful tablecloth. In some cases you set your rates and in others cases, the host facility has a standardized rate for all readers. These are also excellent chances to exchange readings with other practitioners. As with parties, pace yourself, drink plenty of fluids and do something to revitalize at the end of what is usually a long day or evening. What about phone reading networks? Phone services that offer a variety of readers over a central 800 number are numerous. If you are considering signing up with one of these services as a reader, be very precise when reading the contract you are signing with a service. Some things to consider is how they assign the readings (random or based on number or readings or number of minutes per reading), how are you promoted (do you get listed at the head of the list of readers by paying a premium), how many readings can they give you, do you get penalized if you can’t read over a period of time and can you promote your own website through the network. What are the Free Reading Network and Free Tarot Network? These two networks are excellent ways to practice and refine your reading. The Free Tarot Network allows you to do one-card readings where the Free Reading Network focuses on 3 – 5 card readings. For more information on these networks go to www.freereading.us and www.freetarot.us. Do I need business cards, brochures and/or flyers? Anything you can do to promote your business is worth looking into, but keep good records on what works and doesn’t work. There is no need in spending the money to put 50 brochures at a bookstore every month if it is not generating any income. Word of mouth is the greatest advertising, which makes business cards an inexpensive, but valuable item. With today’s easy-to-use software, it is possible to create all of your business collateral on your own computer. Same answer. A website gets your name out in front of the public, especially if you are doing email or phone reading and can read for someone anywhere in the world. Websites do not have to be expensive. Many website hosts have very simple fill-in-the-spaces templates that allow you to build a beautiful, functional website within a couple of hours. This is a great way to test the waters before spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to build a state of the art website. Where can I advertise my services? Pick up a good book on guerilla marketing and start looking for unusual activities. Keep track of what works and what doesn’t work. Explore opportunities to do free readings if it will bring you in contact with a good number of new potential clients. Check out Craigslist at www.craigslist.org. You may even try listing very low cost readings (.50) on Ebayto generate an interest in your services. Paid advertising in newspapers, magazines and websites must be carefully monitored to make certain your advertising dollars are generating a return. When you advertise, be certain you list an email address and/or phone number, but no physical address, to insure privacy and safety. Tarot Reading
Tarot Reading
What preparations are necessary before I read for the first time? You will read that decks must be smudged, buried in the ground through a full moon and put under your pillow for seven nights before you begin using them. Whatever ritual you decide is right for you is the ritual you should follow. Honestly, my first deck I just opened up and started using it with no ritual whatsoever. How should the cards be shuffled and dealt? What spreads should I use? Do I have to read with reversals? Certification
Tarot Certification
What is certification? Do I have to get certified to be a tarot reader? Why should I get certified? How do I get certified? Where do I go for certification? Which agency does the ATA recommend? Do I have to take the ATA’s courses to get certified? Why can’t I get certified through the ATA? Tarot 101
Tarot 101
How does Tarot work? Can I predict the future with Tarot? Are the cards Satanic or evil in any way? The belief that Tarot is the tool of the Devil is a commonly held belief, perpetrated by horror movies and suspense thrillers. One of the tools you will need early on as a reader is a solid answer to the question of demonic influences in the Tarot cards. I find sharing some of the beautiful images from the deck, especially those images inspired by formal religion, is a way of dispelling fears and prejudice. Accept the fact that there are some people so deeply rooted in their beliefs that nothing you do, say or show them will alter their understandings. When encountering someone like this, it is better to move forward secure in your belief in the goodness and value of Tarot. What books do you recommend for studying Tarot? For basic learning: For tarot history: Is it best to learn one deck or many? Why the need for so many decks? What is the best deck with which to start? Be sure you get a real Tarot deck. There are oracle decks, angel decks, meditation decks and Major Arcana only decks that do not fit into the Tarot deck category. Even though these alternative decks are very powerful tools, they will not align with many of the beginning Tarot books, which will make learning your first deck more difficult... A standard Tarot deck has 78 cards – 22 Major Arcana cards or Trumps, 16 Court cards and 4 suits of 10 cards each comprising the Minor Arcana. Some Tarot decks add some alternative cards like an additional Death or Lovers card or a blank card or two. If there are too many additions, for example, adding an additional Court card in each suit, you will have the same difficulty when learning Tarot for the first time, unless you find a book specific to the deck. How can I find the deck that is right for me? Is it true that my first deck should be a gift from someone else? Read the ATA's online Newsletter, Tarot Reflections! To receive notification each time a new issue is published, send email to: TarotReflections-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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