7 Things You Should Consider . . . before booking a Tarot Reading

7 Things You Should Consider Before Booking a Tarot Reading

  1. How do you know your reader/consultant is good?  What do you know of their reputation?  Do they read regularly or is it a hobby?  How much do they know about Tarot and how have they gathered their knowledge of the cards?  This will help you to set realistic expectations about the outcome of your reading.  If you are having a reading from a friend who is looking up meanings in a book this can be great fun and entertainment.  The limitation is that if they are getting their information from a book it will not offer you as much depth as a reading from a Tarot specialist who has an entire library and who continually learns and considers alternative levels and depths of meaning - not only about a particular card but also about combinations of cards and the order in which they appear in a spread.  An experience professional reader should be able to offer many layers and levels of experience to you.
  2. Are they endorsed by any particular professional body?  Do they have testimonials?  Have you been referred to them by someone who has had a great exerience?  Word of mouth referrals are a powerful source of information in all areas of life.  If someone is endorsed or can show you testimonials then you can have greater confidence in their abilities.  Testimonials often offer greater insights into how they work with people and what that might mean for you.  An endorsement of some kind is also powerful, from someone who has had a positive experience and even more powerfully from some kind of professional body.
  3. Do they have a Code of Ethics that they can explain/show or give to you?  This will help you to find out how they operate.  For example, will they read for under 18s or do they prefer to work with adults who may be less impressionable.  If they are part of a professional organisation then that organisation will have a Code of Ethics that they will be bound to work within.  They should be able to make this available to you.  Most professionals will have adapted such a professional code to incorporate key things that are important to them, going beyond any minimum requirement level to offer higher professional ethics.  (You can download a copy of ours.)
  4. Have they clarified your expectations?  For example - have they told you how long the reading will last and what you will get for it?  This is helpful in setting your expectations for what you will get from the reading.  If someone is doing your reading as a hobby (rather than as a professional) then they may not set a particular time for the reading.  It will take as long as it takes them to perhaps check meanings in books or their notes.  Professional readers make their living at this and will clearly advise you of their options and scales of fees.  This helps reader and querent (person having the reading) to get focussed and ensure that they get the best out of the reading within the time scale.  It is also worth noting here that if you are getting a reading from a professional reader then the purpose of the reading is not to test them.  If they are professional, endorsed and experienced then they will want to work with you to give you the best possible reading in a sensible amount of time.  They will not make you book a longer reading than necessary, nor will they allow you to waste your investment in the reading (your time and your money) by testing them.  A professional will help you to get to the heart of the matter and help you see your options quickly and constructively.  (Would you go to a doctor and say "I'm not well, guess what's wrong with me?"  No, you have a limited amount of time and your reader may or may not be psychic.  They will help you focus your question to get the best reading you can in the time availalbe.
  5. How do they deal with your questions - before, during or after a reading?  Are they helpful whilst remaining focussed on the key issue at hand?  Do you have a means of contacting them again?  Do they note them and come back to them at the end of a reading?  What do you do if the reading raises more questions?  It is helpful to know how they will deal with these.
  6. Do you like them?  Do you feel a connection to them.  As with most things in life, if we like someone and feel a warmth and connection it is easier to work with them.  The quicker you can be in rapport with someone, the quicker you can get on with the reading so that you get maximum benefit from it.  If you don't like them, you are free to find a reader that suits you better.  We are all different and we know who we like to work with.  It's your time and your money so it's your choice who you get to read for you if you are paying for it.  If you are getting a free reading then this may be less of an option as you may not meet or speak with your reader.  You will tell from their communication with you though and may connect better with another reader at another time.
  7. Do you trust them?  A Tarot reading/consultation may bring up lots of personal issues.  Are you comfortable that they will maintain confidentiality.  It is ok for you to talk about your reading to others you choose to.  Your Tarot Reader should never disclose details of your reading to others.  They should let you know that they will treat your reading as confidential.