Also: I like to say that I save the best for last. This will be my final Tarot Bytes podcast. 

Even so, how can you ensure you’re going to find the right one? In this episode of Tarot Bytes, I'll share a few tips for discovering your next tarot fave - and the red flags you need to watch out for. 

Reading tarot - and trusting your gut for that matter - is risky. Intuition is that sense of knowing something without facts - and we live in a culture that demands facts. So keeping the faith in your instincts or your tarot reading capabilities? That’s not easy.

So first, do know you’re not alone if you are having those moments of doubt. It’s natural. We all feel that.

But one way to begin developing confidence is to simply start keeping track of your readings and flashes of intuition. This is something I recommend in Tarot: No Questions Asked. Listen in and learn more. 

If you’re doing a reading for yourself, it’s quite simple: if you’re not feeling it, leave it alone. Really, that’s it.

But what if you’re a tarot professional and you have an appointment scheduled - or you’re sitting at a psychic fair and not feeling it? What do you do then?

I'm sharing my two best tips in this episode of Tarot Bytes!

Let’s start with that.

If you’re having a meltdown or are experiencing extreme anxiety, this is not the time for a tarot reading. Here’s why: you’ll have a hard time remaining grounded - and that may make it hard to receive an accurate reading.

From my own experience, I can say when I’m tripping out about a situation, I struggle to remain objective. I’ll tend to hear what I want to hear - or hear what I fear the most. I can assure you that even if I get a great reading that says “everything will work out,” that tends only to hold me for a minute when I’m in a bad state of mind about a situation.

If you feel frantic, I recommend prioritizing working with a therapist, healer, or health care practitioner. Extreme self-care needs to come first. A tarot reading can be part of your self-care, but it shouldn’t be the first thing you turn to, nor should a tarot reader ever take on the role of a licensed health care professional.

Now, if you’re a tarot reader and someone comes to you in a state of distraught, here are a few thoughts on that.   

Your job is to deliver a kind, helpful tarot reading. That means you must remain calm, centered, and objective - even if the person sitting at your tarot table isn’t.

I will recommend that you have self-care practices that you do every day because that will help you remain grounded. For example, meditation is excellent for finding your calm. Physical activity such as yoga or a brisk walk before you begin work can also get you in the right mood for working with clients. Tarot readers need to practice great self-care to care for their clients without getting their own lives impacted by the work.

A soothing backdrop is essential for both client and reader. I always have gentle music playing in the background. Your working space should be clean and peaceful, whether you see people in-person or do your work over the phone. A tranquil atmosphere can make all the difference for both parties.

Ideally, you’ll have good boundaries in place so your clients can’t just show up at your door and demand an emergency reading. However, even with strict boundaries, there will still be times when your client has a rough situation creating anxiety. They may want to see you immediately. I’ll let you determine how you feel about that. But I will say this: if you are going to offer on-demand services without any boundaries, you risk burning out. And a burnt out reader isn’t able to help anyone for long.

When you’re working with anyone, you’ll want to establish control of the experience. This is especially important when you’re working with people who are freaking out.

Begin by doing something that helps the client take a moment to center themselves before you touch the tarot. I like reading an oracle card first. The one I use is the Power Deck by Lynn Andrews. Each card has a different spiritual meaning written on the back, and taking that minute to read the card will set the tone for the reading. Sometimes clients wonder why I begin with that oracle card. This is the reason why. It creates a sacred moment, so we’re both in a good place before starting to work with the cards.

You may have a different process to set the tone for the reading. Perhaps you pour a client a cup of tea if you see them in-person. Or maybe you take a moment for a little light meditation or prayer. An invocation over the cards could also help bring the room's energy into a still, chill place.

Next, you’ll want to practice slow, deep belly breathing. People will link their breathing to someone else’s. If you focus on deep breathing, often the client will tune in and slow their own breathing down too. This will pull them into a centered place and may take the edge off.

Another breathing technique I use is “color breathing,” where I breathe slowly but visualize inhaling a radiant white light and breathing out a cobalt blue ray. I envision that cobalt blue surrounding the client and calming their aura. This is another way to cool the energy and soothe the client.

Next, it’s time to listen. Give the client space to tell you what’s going on - and why they want a reading at this time. What is their goal? What are their expectations on how this reading will serve them? Sometimes allowing them to flesh out what’s going on and what they need will help take the energy down a notch. This reflection will also give you and them input on how to proceed.

Once you’ve established a relaxed mood, begin your work. It would help if you remained calm at all times. Sometimes a person who is feeling anxious needs a person to talk to. If that is the case, again, let them have the floor. In fact, I find that this is a good practice in general when people are approaching tarot in a panicky way. Talking it out will help process feelings, plus it can lend well to finding good, helpful questions.

I would recommend that you refrain from “will I” questions. These are disempowering and do not serve to help the client. Instead, you’ll want to reframe questions with the “what do I need to know about” or “how can I” so the client is in the driver’s seat of their situation. Often, panic sets in when we don’t feel in control. You always want to help the client find ways to take their power back.

Never take the person’s pain lightly. Even if you think they are dramatic, do NOT judge or dismiss them. That is not only disrespectful but also unhelpful. It leads to shame, and the client might approach the reading with timidity instead of being open to the help the cards may have to offer. Think about it: if your reader just diminished your concerns, how open will you feel discussing anything with them? A reader should never pooh-pooh what the client is feeling.

Never end the reading on a hopeless note. Help the querent find the hope and power in their situation. That needs to be your goal.

I also recommend keeping a list of referrals such as therapists, hotlines, free text services for mental health, and, in some cases, local social services to help the client get the proper assistance. Again, your tarot work should never take the place of a licensed mental health expert or doctor.

Once the reading is over, you’ll need to practice good spiritual hygiene. That may mean taking a walk, meditating, or something simple such as washing your hands, a practice my friend Brianna Saussy recommends.

I’d also recommend that you encourage the client to put space between each reading. Sometimes a person who is stressed may want multiple readings on the same subject. This rarely does any good. It’s like picking at a wound. Time is needed to gain perspective. You don’t want to encourage dependence because that’s never good for the client or the reader.

If they insist, I always refer to a health care practitioner or mental health expert. This is to protect the client, which is ultimately the goal.

These are a few of my tips. I hope this helps you, whether you’re the client or the tarot reader.

Before I explore that, I also want to remind you that Tarot wasn’t originally intended for divination. It was created as a trick-taking game - and it is still played as a game in many parts of the world. If you want to learn how to play Tarot games, a quick search of the web will lead you to tutorials. Be sure to check that out.

Now, on to our subject. Listen in and check out some of my favorite ways to to use Tarot in your daily life.

Jenna's method will get you spinning the spread in new directions - and igniting your intuition like never before! 

The colorful images in the tarot deck certainly capture our imaginations. But were the colors chosen deliberately for interpretation reasons? Or not? And what might the colors convey in a tarot reading? Color Magic practitioner and tarot reader Sarah Potter joins me to talk about how the magic of color adds so much to the cards...and how we interpret them. 

She also discusses what to do when you get stuck on a tarot card meaning, cards that keep popping up in the client's readings (there might be a message for YOU), plus some things you can do to get out of your headspace and back to your heart. This conversation is going to help every reader learn how to serve themselves as well as they do everyone else. 

Liz Worth joins me to discuss all of that and more. Reading tarot in a pandemic can be totally doable and safe. We share our thoughts on what to do, how to stay safe, setting boundaries, and why we both think phone sessions are always a better option, pandemic or not. If you're a tarot professional or a client, you'll want to listen in to this episode. 

We talk about the pros and cons of getting a reading from someone who knows you well - and what both reader and querent need to do to ensure the reading is unbiased and helpful. Learn when we think you shouldn't read for a loved one too.

Jerico shares various ways to incorporate tarot into your personal spiritual practice. Methods such as affirmations, journaling, and her fave spread for "checking in" help you take good care of you.  You'll discover the tarot might be the perfect companion when you need a little TLC (tarot loving care). 

She also dishes about her fascinating new podcast Beyond Belief - which explores spiritual beliefs such as stigmata, satanic feminists, and other belief systems in a curious, non-judgmental way. 

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, we're talking about how astrology influences tarot - and how to create your own natal chart with tarot cards! SO COOL. Prepare to go down a new rabbit hole with V's techniques.

Book mentioned in this episode is Tarot and Astrology: Enhance Your Readings With the Wisdom of the Zodiac by Corrine Kenner.

Tarot is a lot like music - while there are certain rules, individual expression is what creates the most interesting harmonies. Majorie Gatson, also known as The Punk Priestess, joins me in this episode of Tarot Bytes to talk about how to break free from the tarot rules that stifle your creativity...and your voice.

For example, my parents didn’t seem to care much when I was experimenting as a teenager. But once I made tarot my livelihood, they were freaked out. My mother was so embarrassed that she wouldn’t tell people what I actually did for a living. She told relatives that I worked for some corporation. Which is crazy because anyone who knows me knows that I would never do such a thing. But to her, the work was so bizarre that she couldn't admit it until years later. I’m sure she’d have a different mindset now because I’ve been doing it so long - and have a few books under my belt. Also, tarot is more accepted than it was back in the day when I first began.

I can tell you though, that it does hurt when your family isn’t supportive. It can take the wind out of your sails and make you feel like putting the cards away for good. Over the years I’ve talked to many other tarot lovers who have shared stories of having to practice or get readings in secret due to a family member who doesn’t like tarot. It doesn’t have to come to that.

In this episode, I'm sharing my best tips for how to deal when your family doesn't support your tarot passion.

I like to say that I’m not a fan of beating a dead tarot horse. Rather than asking the question again in order to get the answer you want, I'm sharing my favorite strategies in this episode!

Meg shares her technique that combines Numerology and Majors to find the wisdom and healing potential in tarot's least happy Minors. You'll start looking at those unpleasant cards with fresh eyes - and they won't seem so scary anymore!

Some of her methods include the shadow, weaker, blocked, or the wakeup. If you want to work with reversals and are stuck on the opposite only, get ready to amp up your interpretation skills with Emilie!

In this special episode of Tarot Bytes, I'm joined by author and witch Gabriela Herstik for a deep-dive into the Elements in Tarot. We explore each suit and corresponding element through cards she chose for her upcoming book, Bewitching the Elements: A Guide to Empowering Yourself Through Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit (this is a must-have book for every Tarot reader and witchy person!). Gabriela shares different ways to tap into the elemental energy of the cards, which will add an extra layer of interpretation possibilities to your Tarot readings. Get ready to look at the Elements - and Tarot - through new eyes! 

Kait shares tips for making tarot part of your daily life with journaling and monthly/yearly rituals. She also shares her genius tip for combining tarot with "morning pages," a practice from The Artist's Way that involves writing three pages of longhand stream-of-consciousness done first thing in the morning. If you're curious about how to get started on a regular tarot practice, this episode will get you started in the right direction!

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Mantis, the author of Truly Easy Tarot,  joins me to talk about creating your own tarot card meanings. Learn about the tools and methods he recommends to find interpretations that come from your heart.

"The messages I've been getting clearly especially from the Empress/Emperor years is that we are being initiated into mental/emotional/spiritual adulthood, all the work that is happening around deprogramming/healing/unlearning problematic conditioning, etc, is ultimately about becoming an empowered adult who is actively participating in creating a better world, rather than passively accepting the one we've been given.”

Wow.

We discuss this and more in another deep dive Tarot lesson!

1. Depending too much on the “little white book." At some point, you gotta ditch the training wheels.

2. Becoming enamored with your newfound “powers." It's not about you - it's about serving the client.

3. Giving a prediction without strategies to change the outcome. If the outcome looks dicey, you need to show what can be done to navigate the situation.

4. Not keeping healthy boundaries. Boundaries keep you sane.

5. Taking on the role of a doctor, therapist or lawyer. Leave that to the professionals. 

6. Thinking you got it all down.  Keep learning, always.

Navigate this year's vibe with tarot - and Shaheen!

If you ever find yourself in one of those situations, don’t feel bad. It happens to all of us at one time or another. BUT if you don’t get out of your own way, this will hinder your ability to deliver a helpful reading for the person at your tarot table.

Remaining objective isn’t easy but it can be done. The key is to keep a neutral mindset at all times, no matter who is in front of you, what questions are being asked, or what cards show up. This Tarotcise involves role-playing and can help you learn to get centered - before you're actually in a real-life situation that makes you squirm.

This is an easy, effective way to get out of your head and into your gut. (By the way, Tarotcise is a term I coined for Tarot Exercises. I think it's cute.)

Book mentioned in this episode: Taking Up The Runes: A Complete Guide To Using Runes In Spells, Rituals, Divination, And Magic by Diana L. Paxson.

If you're ready to go deep with tarot, you'll want to listen to our conversation.

If you have this deck and want to learn more about it, you'll love this episode! Don't have it yet? This may convince you to get it. (PS a travel version is coming out! YAY!)

In this episode, Carrie shares how she got into charm casting, how to use it with tarot, and create your own talismans for divination. 

Listen in and learn how tarot and life coaching are perfect allies for growth. 

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Donnaleigh de la Rose joins me to share her best tips for tarot journaling. Donnaleigh also talks about how journaling has been a powerful tool for transformation in her own life. 

My favorite pens mentioned in this episode: Le Pen. My fave journal is from Nuuna. 

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Dina Berrin and I discuss the postures and gestures in the cards - and what they might be trying to convey. This episode will help add new layers of meanings to interpretations.

This is an important topic for tarot professionals - and there is no one better to deliver the honest truth about communication than Elliot.

In this episode, Courtney joins me to discuss inclusivity and tarot. We talk about Courtney's journey as a deck creator, how artists can be inclusive and remain respectful, and more. Courtney's wisdom will give all deck creators something to think about going forward. This is an important conversation and one that I hope to explore further in future episodes.

This episode of Tarot Bytes may just give your muse a nudge to begin using tarot for creative inspiration!

Collective tarot readings, or tarot for humanity, is a way to glimpse at what's happening out there - and how it might affect us as individuals. This way of reading can also give us an idea of how we're showing up - and impacting the collective. After all, we're all in this together. Everything we do does leave an impact on the world - and vice versa. Mantis explains his method and gives a demo too! This topic is so interesting to me - and I think you will dig it too.

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Dina Berrin and I discuss the colors and clothing in the cards - and what they mean. This episode will help you to take your interpretations even deeper.

We discuss how to look at the difficult cards in an empowering way, decks with no bad cards, what to do if a reading leans toward the negative - and more. This episode may just change your mind about the tarot cards that freak you out.

The Situation, What You Need To Know, Advice

The Situation looks at the current energy around the question.

What You Need To Know covers those blind spots or things you may be choosing to ignore.

Advice offers guidance so you can make good, conscious decisions.

Useful as can be and easy to work with. You'll defo want to add this spread to your tarot toolbox.

I recommend this as a daily spread too. Because you don't need to be struggling to come to tarot. It's always your ally.

This spread is featured in Tarot For Troubled Times, a book I co-wrote with Shaheen Miro.

The Past, Present, Future spread is ultimately about clarity. It's a chance to understand what choices led you to the present moment and how things are shaping up. Keep in mind that if you do not like the way the outcome looks, you can make different decisions going forward. Getting a glimpse of what may happen doesn't mean it is set in stone. 

Another tip: pull an additional card for guidance and you add a layer of empowerment to this layout.

Today, I am talking with Cassandra Snow, author of Queering the Tarot, about LGBTQQIP2SA+ representation in tarot. We're chatting about what it was like to read tarot when there were no cards or books that showed an LGBTQQIP2SA+ perspective and how modern decks and books are evolving to be more inclusive. Our conversation also included discussing interpretations for marginalized folk, gender, pronouns, advice for straight tarot readers who read for an LGBTQQIP2SA+ client, and more. Cassandra is a bright light blazing trails in tarot. You are going to learn a lot in this episode and I think her book belongs on every tarot reader's shelf!

When I thought of this topic, Liz was the first person I thought of. She's fluent in both tarot and astrology - and smart as a whip. Listen in and you'll learn how she brings these two mystical arts together in her sessions.

This is the episode of Hippie Witch mentioned during our discussion: Dark Goddess Kali As The Feminine Face Of Saturn: http://www.joannadevoe.com/2018/07/hippie-witch-335-dark-goddess-kali-as.html

Mary's methods gave me a whole new way to work with the cards - and I've been using face-up tarot in a variety of ways. In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Mary shares different scenarios for choosing cards consciously. You'll learn about how to use this technique to sort out feelings, plan your day, manifest goals, and more. If you're looking for a new way to work with your cards, don't miss this episode!

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, writer Caroline Donahue joins me to talk about how she uses tarot for writing. She also discusses her new book, Story Arcana: Tarot for Writers. This wise book helps the writer break through creative blocks to find the story within. It's a must-have for any writer who is looking for a fun, ingenious method for tapping into their writing groove.

This was a favorite conversation - he's totally brilliant and I learned new things. Listen in and you might look at the cards a whole new way!

Jaymi shares some of her favorite ways to experiment with the cards - you'll leave feeling inspired to play with your cards in a whole new way.

Lynn joins me today to talk about oracle cards and the wisdom of the daily draw. Learn how she connects with oracles - and how you can too. 

In this lesson, we're looking at various ways you can choose a Major Arcana card for a significator. I'll teach you three easy methods. Explore all three and see which one you like the best.

The book mentioned in this episode is Who Are You in the Tarot?: Discover Your Birth and Year Cards and Uncover Your Destiny by Mary K. Greer.

In this lesson, I'm covering how to pick a Court Card significator by element and astrology sign. It's my favorite method!

In this lesson, we begin exploring significators. The next few episodes that follow will cover different methods for choosing them - and more!

In this episode, Tatianna Tarot of My Urban Illumination joins me to talk about tarot and the spiritual path - and how to make a sacred connection to tarot. 

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Jessica shares her story on how she began using tarot in a therapeutic setting. You'll learn how tarot can be a helpful ally for healing work and how you may want to incorporate tarot into your clinical practice.

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, Angela Mary shares how she works with round cards - and what every reader needs to know if they're thinking of giving them a whirl.

In this episode of Tarot Bytes, I am talking with Tosha Silver, author of The Wild Offering Oracle about what it means to link with the divine - and how to make that connection. We also discuss prayer, non-believers, tarot, and surrender as well as Tosha's new deck. 

The book we mentioned in this episode was Tarot Magic: Ceremonial Magic Using Golden Dawn Correspondences by Donald Tyson.

Get ready to go deep and get inspired by Rachel!

Books mentioned in this episode:

The New Tarot Handbook: Master the Meanings of the Cards

78 Degrees of Wisdom

If you've ever wondered about these animals might mean, you don't want to miss this special bonus episode of Tarot Bytes! I'm talking all about animal symbolism in the tarot with Lola and Tigre Pickett, creators of the upcoming Wild Messengers Alchemical Tarot, a magical deck featuring the wisdom and medicine of creatures both large and small.