General Readings
When someone comes to a Tarot reading without a specific question, it opens up a different approach to interpretation. In these cases, the reading starts with an open chat and no set focus, letting the reader intuitively guide the session toward the most relevant insights.
Rise to the Challenge
A good Tarot reader should always aim to make the session super helpful, whether it's a general reading or diving into something more specific. General readings can be tricky because there's no clear question to focus on.
To get good at these general readings, start by practicing on yourself. It's a smart move for learning different spreads and techniques. It really boosts your skills and confidence before you start reading for others.
General readings usually pop up in a few situations:
First-time Reading: It could be someone's first time getting a reading. They might be totally new to Tarot and just curious about what it's all about.
Life is Smooth: Sometimes, life's going pretty smoothly for the person, and they don't have any burning questions or issues on their mind.
Sneak Peek: Or maybe someone wants a quick overview before they ask a specific question. They're looking for a sneak peek to see what the cards might reveal before they dive deeper.
In any case, mastering general readings is a great way to prepare yourself for a wide range of Tarot sessions.
The First Time
When you're giving someone their first Tarot reading, it's key to explain how it all works. The person getting the reading (we call them the Querent) will likely be trying to connect what you're saying with their own life to see if Tarot makes sense. Here are a few tips to make their first reading enjoyable:
Explain what you're doing as you lay out the Tarot cards, using a simple spread.
Chat about the meanings of the cards as you flip them over.
Involve the Querent in finding interpretations that feel relevant and helpful for them.
Avoid interpretations that might spook them out. For instance, explain that the Death card often symbolizes change, not actual death.
First-timers might be a bit sceptical about Tarot's insights. If they question you, just stay cool and reassure them. It's okay if they're not totally convinced by the end of the reading—confidence is key!
Open Dialogue
An open dialogue reading is like diving deep into a conversation about the Querent's life. It helps pinpoint what really needs attention. To make the most of it, here are some tips:
Pick a simple spread that doesn't use too many cards.
Pay extra attention to where the Major Arcana cards show up—they often highlight key themes.
If there's just one Major Arcana card, zoom in on its meaning, but remember it's all about how it fits with the other cards.
When you see a card that stands out from the rest, focus on it first. Then, think about how it relates to the other cards.
This approach helps uncover the deeper stories and themes in the Querent's life.
The Preliminary Reading
A preliminary reading sets the scene for the more specific reading to follow. Use it to gather background information and establish a context before addressing the specific question.
Since this is the first part of a two-part Tarot exploration, the preliminary reading is a more advanced technique that requires some experience.
You'll need to understand which cards in the general reading will help you interpret the future reading. Look for indications as the reading unfolds. When giving the second reading, keep in mind what came up in the preliminary reading and use it to help inform what may arise.
Hone in on Helping
No matter what kind of reading you do, your goal is to give your sitter valuable insights. The whole point of Tarot readings, whether you're reading for yourself or someone else, is to bring clarity in a supportive, healing, and wise way. This helps empower the Querent to make their own decisions.
Sure, it's important to accurately reveal the past, present, and future in a reading. But what's even more valuable is helping the Querent find solutions to their challenges.
By guiding your Querent towards thoughtful reflection when they need it most, you're making a real difference in helping them navigate life with more ease.
Signs from the Golden Crown
You can use the Golden Crown Spread for your general readings. Here are some handy examples of what you might come across with this spread:
In an open dialogue reading, if a Major Arcana card shows up in the first position (representing the past), it suggests that exploring the Querent's past is key to understanding their current situation.
For a preliminary reading, imagine the Querent's relationship with their parents comes up and the Empress (a symbol of motherhood) appears first. This indicates it's worth digging deeper into that topic.
The Golden Crown Spread can also shed light on less clear situations. For instance, if there's an emotional issue and the Tower card (symbolizing sudden change or conflict) appears in the third position, it signals there might be upheaval or disagreement.
Keep practising to get comfortable interpreting these signs in the spread. It'll give you the confidence to offer helpful readings even to the most uncertain Querents.
