Reading Out Loud – Part Two: The Practicalities

Welcome to Valerie’s lively Guide To Reading Tarot In Public Venues, Reading Out Loud – Part Two: The Practicalities. In her own words, she describes this post as:

A few other things I’ve learned about reading in public, and life in general.

Take it away Valerie!

Not Everyone is Going to Like You!

I’m an Aries with Libra rising, so for years I vacillated between the attitudes of “Who gives a *&;**%$ what they think about me?” to being overly concerned that people might not like me. This, of course, extended to tarot readings as well. When I started out, I would be quite upset if someone didn’t seem to like the reading (well, sometimes I wanted to punch them out, but that’s another story). When you do many readings, you will find that you’re really in sync with some people, the reading flows, they respond well, it’s all lovely, flowers and puppies and kittens and universal love, tra la la…and then there are the ones who perform what I call the “Scorpio Arm Block Manoeuvre”. These are the people who sit across from you, often with their arms folded across themselves for protection. I often ask people for their birthday when I start the reading. These people will respond with “November” (I don’t call it the SCORPIO Arm Block Manoeuvre for nothing, folks.) Of course, this then leads to me having to ask them what actual DAY they were born. After that, they sit there and occasionally grunt as I do the reading, feeling that if they talk to me I will somehow be cheating as I will demonically have too much information on them (and may want to steal their mojo as well.)

At this point, I sometimes remind them that a reading is a two-way street, and that it works best when there is shared communication. Sometimes that doesn’t work, either, but with some people, nothing will work, so don’t freak out. Now in case any Scorpios out there are offended, I must also add that some of my all-time best readings have been done with Scorpios (see the “Heavy Weather” section).

At one of my restaurant gigs, a woman sat down and my immediate instinct was “Oh, no!” Alas, this instinct was, as usual, correct. Everything I said, she challenged or disagreed with. She was impatient and demanding and impossible to talk to. I finished the reading and heard her comment, loudly, as she walked away: “SHE’S NOT VERY GOOD!” This would have annoyed me years ago, but I’ve calmed down since I’ve reached middle age and have less inclination to throw things at people, so these days I just shrug my shoulders and let it go. I make a game effort with every reading I do and sometimes that just isn’t enough for people…they want something that no one can give them (and they need a good psychiatrist to help them figure out what that is!)

Get a Timer

As someone with moon in Gemini, I like to talk. A lot. My private readings usually run long, and I never seem to run out of things to say (my voice does give out sometimes in protest, though). My major problem with public readings where I am expected to read for many people in a relatively short time is that I tend to spend too much time on each reading, and by the end of the evening I can end up with a huge line of people who still want readings– or else people don’t get readings because the event ends before I get to them. To avoid this scenario, I have purchased a lovely little timer, which I can set for the appropriate amount of time. Generally 10 -15 minutes per reading works well if there’s a large number of people you need to read for. I have a hard time doing 5 minute readings, but some people can manage it! When that timer buzzes, the reading is over and I either move on to the next person or, if it’s a psychic fair, I tell the client that I can continue and delve deeper – for an additional fee.

Business Cards/Repeat Business

I always bring my business cards with me (hint, hint: so should you) when I do readings in public. I buy magnetic business card backs at Staples and stick them to the cards, so people can put the card up on their refrigerator if they want to. Sometimes having a card with your contact information leads people to call you for a private reading.

My advice, though, is not to expect it. That’s one reason why you need to get paid decently when you do public readings. Many people assume that even if they don’t get paid much that the exposure will generate many readings in the future, thus making it all worthwhile–which isn’t necessarily true. Also, many times at psychic fairs, charity group readings and the like, you are reading for an enormous number of people and it can really take a LOT out of you by the end of the event. Sometimes the energy expense is just not worth it.

My experience has been that most people getting readings at a restaurant, private party or psychic fair are doing it as a novelty or for a bit of fun and don’t really have sufficient interest in calling for a more in-depth reading, and those who do call assume that the private reading will cost the same as the “mini” public reading and don’t really want to pay your normal rates. So I haven’t really found it to be a huge source of new clients.

Pretty Stuff

I’m a huge advocate of setting up your reading area attractively. People really do notice it, and seem to enjoy a nicely decorated table. I lug quite a bit with me when I read: embroidered table toppers, scented candles and decorative candle holders, a large crystal ball, stones and crystals that I like, a silver cardholder for my business cards, and, of course, nicely designed business cards/magnet cards to give out. If it’s a holiday, I toss in some seasonal decorations. I often bring a bowl of assorted tumbled stones and tell everyone I read for that they can choose a stone to take home.

Dressing Up

It’s your choice as to whether you want to dress up. As a minimum, I’d suggest wearing something colourful and bright (but comfortable, especially if you are going to be sitting somewhere for hours) and treating the event as a special occasion People do seem to like and notice when you put some effort into your appearance.

On the other hand, I used to do some work with a woman who ran an entertainment agency. We had a tarot reading booked for a party, and the woman kept reminding me to wear makeup. I don’t really wear much makeup, mostly because I’m allergic to much of it, but I did toss a bit on for the event. I’m not sure if it was “enough” makeup, but at least I wasn’t sneezing and breaking out, so it was more than enough for me! When we got to the venue, the hosts were dismayed because apparently I didn’t look enough like a “gypsy” for their tastes. I thought I looked fine, but apparently they wanted something much more showy.

I’ve also found that in the metropolitan New York City area there’s a group of people who want/wanted to/used to be actors and actresses and/or who have major Leo in their astrological charts, who also are tarot readers. They tend to really enjoy dressing up and making the whole experience very theatrical. I was an English major and my theatrical experience is limited to playing a snowflake and a member of McNamara’s band in the 2nd & 3rd grades, so my enthusiasm for this sort of thing is not particularly intense.

When I do readings at restaurants around Halloween, I sometimes dress up because I want to. I have some “Renaissance wench” outfits that serve this purpose quite well, and I love to wear them because they’re handmade and gorgeous. But I dress up only when I feel like it, mainly around holidays like Halloween and Christmas. If I’m reading in summer and it’s 99 degrees outside, with typical New York City humidity adding to the general oppressiveness, obviously those heavy velvets and long sleeves are just not going to happen.

All About Decks!

If it’s Halloween, the Halloween deck might be a good choice, or if you’re reading for a feline rescue event, the Baroque Bohemian Cats would be perfect. I just discovered that Janet Boyer is working on a Christmas-themed deck, which is something I’ve wished someone would do for years!

A Tarot deck printed on heavy paper, or better yet, a laminated deck, is ideal if you’re doing many events. That way if someone sits a drink on your table and knocks it over, it’s not a great tragedy, and the cards will last a lot longer in general if they’re laminated.

When I do public readings, I ask the person I’m reading for to concentrate so I can pick up on their energy. While they’re doing that, I shuffle and pull the cards – I don’t have them shuffle the cards. I’ve found when you do many readings in the course of an event, waiting for each person to shuffle cuts down on their reading time and slows things down too much–some people shuffle at a glacial pace! At one event I was shuffling and pulling a card and a woman said, in a rather critical tone, “That’s not how you do it, I’m supposed to shuffle”. I just looked at her and said, “This is how I do it!” and proceeded on my merry way. In the immortal words of Ricky Nelson, “You can’t please everyone/so you’ve got to please yourself.”

Top Tip: When you read in public, use a deck you’re comfortable with. It’s not the time to break in or try out a new tarot deck. And if your deck has a lot of nudity or disturbing images, it’s not always the best for bringing to a middle-of-the-road- type public event, especially if children will be wandering around. It’s weird, but people do react negatively to certain decks. Everyone loves the Hansen-Roberts deck because they think it’s “cute”. On the other hand, people really tend to dislike the Thoth deck. I’ve heard that from a few people! Personally, I like it, but I don’t choose it for public readings since I don’t want to hear people bitching about how “scary” it is!

Reading for Children

My basic rule is that I don’t read for people under 18. Especially in public venues. Once in a while I’ll read for the children of a close friend, at their home or mine, but that’s about as far as it goes.

Years ago I had a request to possibly read at a party for a 13 year old girl. The girl’s mother asked me if I might be able to work at the party, then told me that she didn’t want the readings to be too serious or dark, adding a suggestion that it might be nice if I took “all the bad cards” out so as not to upset the girls. I never heard back from her and it turns out she got a tarot deck and did the readings herself, basically making up the meanings. Take a short pause here [ ...........................] to imagine me shuddering. She later told me the kids apparently all “really enjoyed it”. I probably don’t have to tell the astrology people reading this that the mother was a Leo! This story also illustrates one of the many reasons I don’t read for children. P-a-r-e-n-t-s!

Heavy Weather

When I do private readings, often major issues are highlighted and the readings can get very intense. I’ve discussed all manner of situations with people in the course of a long reading, and many times I feel it is truly a channel for a healing experience for both of us and that the session wasn’t “just” a tarot reading.

I didn’t assume when I began reading in public that it would work the same way. I thought the readings would be more light and fun, especially since generally they’re short and “out in the open” in a public place. This hasn’t necessarily turned out to be true. Sometimes at a public reading, the cards will show me some rather – erm – delicate situations, which I will address obliquely to see if the person wants to discuss the issues at all. To my surprise, people often want to! I also tell them that if they’re uncomfortable we can stop and move on to another area.

Here’s where the Scorpios come in…if I’m getting a very intense reading and the person is a Scorpio (I suppose that’s an oxymoron), many of them will want to keep going and explore the issues in more detail. I’m very impressed by the ability of Scorpios to understand what I’m trying to say and appreciate it on a deep level. I think they like the fact that I don’t shock easily, am straightforward with them and don’t flinch from discussing the heavy-duty “stuff” once they’ve given me their permission. So sometimes I’m sitting there talking to someone who’s crying and having a full-blown emotional response to the reading, but at the end they thank me profusely. I suppose I need to put a box of Kleenex on my table!

Burnout

This will happen. Reading for one person after another in rapid succession isn’t for everyone. I’d say that if you’re the sort of person who is energized by contact with people, you’ll be much better off than if you’re the type who is drained by constant contact with others. I like to sit and talk to people one-on-one; however, after I’ve done 65 readings in a night, I do get a little frazzled around the edges.

My advice is to make sure you drink plenty of water (and maybe a glass of wine, if you like it, but don’t overdo it: nobody wants advice from a sozzled soothsayer!). Also, try and have something (light) to eat before you start, as this helps ground you. Any other rituals or meditations you like can be thrown in beforehand as well. Take breaks as necessary during the event. If you’re a good reader, you’ll have a many people flocking to you, and you’ll be VERY busy, so try and pace yourself. And if it’s very late and you just can’t do another reading, (especially if you’ve gone overtime or past the scheduled amount of hours) – don’t be “nice” and keep reading when you have no reserves left – just stop. When you’re done, go home and take a bath, relax, sleep, play with your pets…or, you can do what I like to do…

The Secret Remedy for Reader Burnout Syndrome? Homemade Pies!

I sometimes do readings on the east end of Long Island with a friend who is a psychic and palm reader. We have discovered the secret remedy for “reader burnout syndrome” (RBS). Prior to the event, go to one of those little farm stands that feature home-made pies and baked goods, and buy a large pie (I prefer cherry, but apple, raspberry, or any other, really, will do in a pinch). After the event is over, sit down, relax, and have a big slab o’pie with your beverage of choice. You will begin to feel better immediately. Seriously. If you don’t like pie, I cannot help you – you are just out of luck and will have to find another way to address RBS.

Now that I’ve shared my secret burnout remedy with you, I think I’ve fortified you for anything that may be coming your way when you start to read in public. My blessings to you all as you sally forth to read!

Valerie Sylvester

Valerie Sylvester is a Professional Tarot Reader, keen astrologer, creative writer and lover of all things metaphysical. She’s also a warm, charming and delightful woman. If you would like to book a private or public venue Tarot reading with Valerie, she can be contacted via Tarot Elements.

Images courtesy of Scenes Along The Road, Tarot Cards & Spiritual Institute of India and the Custom Comedy Network.

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