Tarot Tip Tuesdays - Pressure To Perform

Whether you are new to Tarot and in the throes of building a connection with your Tarot cards or an advanced Tarot reader diligently honing your Tarot reading skills, I am putting out a Tarot tip a week to help you to consistently make Tarot a part of your everyday life.

So here goes your Tarot Tip for this Tuesday:

"All too frequently, anxiety crushes not only your spirit and your potential, but your ability to take care of your mind and body." ~ Jonathan Davidson and Henry Dreher, The Anxiety Book: Developing Strength in the Face of Fear


That 9 Of Swords Moment As A Pro Tarot Reader 

A few weeks ago, after working with my intuitive coach, I came face to face with energies from the past that I needed to let go of.   These stemmed from a single fear - the fear of rejection - that had inhibited my growth along my spiritual journey.  Part of this fear of rejection, had sometimes put a lot of pressure on me to "perform" when I did face-to-face readings for clients.  Yes it can happen to anyone regardless of experience or skills.  I wrote a blogpost  about my painful but necessary process of letting go so do let me know if my story resonates with you after you have read it.  Being free from this fear, has allowed me to face my clients with a lot of confidence.  Channeling for them had become effortless because I surrendered my trust to my guides without any fear of rejection. The insights I got from my Tarot cards also became much clearer.

So I thought to dedicate this tuesday's Tarot Tip to anxieties and blockages that you might get when you do face to face readings for clients.  Many might not have a similar experience as I had whereby a past issue got in the way of my readings. However, I could imagine the fear and anxiety for some Tarot readers who could be  "newish" to the experience of doing face to face readings.  Have you ever experienced having sweaty palms, brow knitted in worry, an almost blank mind and the feeling of dread just before meeting a client?  I had experienced all these when I first started out as a professional reader.  Some of these fears and anxieties might be driven by the desire to be absolutely 100% accurate with the insights, the need to deliver a reading that was more compelling than the details behind the breaking news, the fear of dealing with a client's skepticism, or perhaps the fear of forgetting the meaning of the cards.

Frankly, fear and anxieties are so unproductive and can only serve to drain you off your energy which you can otherwise plough into delivering a more meaningful and authentic reading for your clients. The pressure to perform is all in your head.

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind.  If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained."  ~ Arthur Somers Roche 

Dealing With Tarot Reading Anxieties 

Here are some ways to help you deal with that pressure to perform in front of your clients.

1) Remind yourself that you are not doing a Tarot reading to entertain or "perform" for a client. You are not a circus act. You are doing a Tarot reading to help guide your client to make the right decisions about his or her life.

2)  Your insights will be  accurate if you learn to trust your intuition.  From my experience, intuition and the cards will never lie.

3) Meditate and ground yourself before and after a reading...ALWAYS. I cannot over emphasize this enough. Grounding yourself helps build a defense against negative energies that can drain you.  It also helps calm your mind, refocus your thoughts and clear the "mental debris" enough to provide you with a clearer vision.  

4) Slow your breath down as you do your reading. This will help give you space to think and feel the situation that your client is in, and the slower pace will also guide you to spend more time connecting the symbols and imagery within the cards to your client's situation.   This also takes the pressure off memorizing the meanings of each card.

5) Be realistic and manage your own expectations. Your clients expect you to deliver authentic readings from the heart that aim to guide them through their issues, and that is your sole purpose as a Tarot reader.  They are not expecting you to wave your wand to remove these issues for them. So do not be pressured by your own erroneous perception of what your purpose as a Tarot reader is.

6) Turn to the Tarot community for support whenever you feel anxious about face to face readings. The members of the Tarot community have thr collective experience to support and advise you.  At some point in their Tarot careers, they were just like you, 

7) If you are dealing with skeptics, remember to come from a place of love and compassion when you deal with them.  They are possibly more anxious than you are because of the challenges that had driven them to call on you for advice in the first place,

8) When you do feel any  blockages at any point during the reading, just slow down, and let the conversation with your client flow freely. You might get additional background information that could form a trigger to provide you with additional insights from the cards.

Most importantly, just have fun when you do face to face readings and treat these sessions like  a casual chit chat over tea with a friend. With time and experience, your 9 of Swords moments will gradually subside.

"Only man clogs his happiness with care, destroying what is, with thoughts of what may be." ~ John Dryden

May your Tarot cards provide you with a full deck of possibilities throughout your day.

If you like this blogpost, do follow my blog at http://sungoddesstarot.blogspot.com and LIKE my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot

About The Writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and an intuitive reader by accident who deploys the combined modalities of a Tarot, Numerology and Astrology overlaid with her Clairvoyant and Clairsentient skills to deliver her readings with authenticity. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and is also a certified numerologist.  She is currently running a consultancy based in Singapore called Sun Goddess Tarot,  which provides confidential intuitive readings combining the metaphysical disciplines of Tarot, Numerology and Astrology via face to face and emails as well as readings at corporate and private events and workshops.  A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and mentors Tarot protégés on behalf of the American Tarot Association

Website: www.sungoddesstarot.com
Email:  Joanna@sungoddesstarot.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SunGoddessTarot

Tarot Tip Tuesdays - The Devil Is A Scary Card

Whether you are new to Tarot and in the throes of building a connection with your Tarot cards or an advanced Tarot reader diligently honing your Tarot reading skills, I am putting out a Tarot tip a week to help you to consistently make Tarot a part of your everyday life.

So here goes your Tarot Tip for this Tuesday:

I was working with one of my Tarot protégés yesterday, practicing some new spreads when she picked the Devil and felt so uncomfortable with it that she struggled with the interpretation of the card as a result.  Much of the fear was caused by how she was taught to view the Devil from her religious upbringing.  She confessed that that was one card she would put aside and not read with it when she picked it in a spread.  She went ahead instead to pick other cards, choosing to ignore the Devil. She jokingly called the card, "It whose name should not be mentioned." 

When I first started out as a new and inexperienced Tarot reader, I too was uncomfortable with a couple of cards. One was the Devil. The image of the Devil in a lot of Tarot decks often appeared quite scary.  It did not help that my Catholic upbringing saw me reading books about how scarily evil the Devil was. Today, the only deck where the Devil is portrayed in a more colorful and less scary manner is the one in Barbara Moore's Tarot deck, Book of Shadows Volume 2 So Below. The Devil in that deck is represented by the image of a sundae! 

This was what I did to overcome the discomfort. I meditated on the Devil card. You can use the same method with any other cards in the deck that you are uncomfortable with.

When I meditated on a Tarot card, I visualized myself  “walking” into the cards to have a “conversation” with the images in the cards. 

Meditating On The Devil Card

I used The Devil card from the Radiant Rider Waite Tarot deck.  When I meditated on The Devil, I acknowledged my fear and discomfort. This would force me to look at the details around me when I "walked into the card" and I looked at them in an objective manner.  By stepping back and viewing the image objectively, I realized it was not a scary card once I focused on the significance of the details of the imagery.  The Devil card  made me question my intent a lot whenever I arrived at his doorstep.  He would remind me of the folly of being too attached or obsessed with material gains, and forced me to confront my fears by opening my mind to other options in my life if my attachments to certain things start to do my head in.  He’s a bit of a cool dude though quite ugly.  First I ventured to talk to the 2 people in chains, but I hear a distressed mutter, "What do I do? What do I do?"  I then asked the Devil in that card,  “Why have you captured these 2 people?  Can’t you let them go?”  He replied me quite calmly, “It may be a short leash Joanna, but their collars are loosely fastened.  They have the free choice to remove these chains and leave if they want to.”  Cool, ugly but wise too.  

Over the years, it became one of my favorite cards.

May your Tarot cards provide you with a full deck of possibilities throughout your day.

If you like this blogpost, do follow my blog at http://sungoddesstarot.blogspot.com and LIKE my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot

About The Writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and is also a certified numerologist.  She is currently running a Tarot consultancy based in Singapore called Sun Goddess Tarot,  which provides confidential intuitive readings combining the metaphysical disciplines of Tarot, Numerology and Astrology via face to face and emails as well as readings at corporate and private events and workshops.  A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and mentors Tarot protégés on behalf of the American Tarot Association

Website: www.sungoddesstarot.com
Email:  Joanna@sungoddesstarot.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SunGoddessTarot

Fix, Not Fear The Five Of Each Suit

First Reaction To A 5 Of Any Suit

Yesterday, at a Tarot reading session for a client, one of the cards picked in the Tarot spread was the 5 of Cups. Her question pertained to her state of relationship with her husband, and she stared intently at that card. Before I could even provide her a detailed narrative of the significance of the card to her situation, she burst out crying. Our hour together went on to 2 1/2 hours because I truly wanted to support her as much as I could and realized that her despondency set in deeper when the image on the card appeared quite negative at first glance.

So, I have decided to dedicate this blog post to the family of 5s; 5 of Pentacles, 5 of Wands, 5 of Cups and 5 of Swords, to share my perspective that these cards are not to be feared, They are possibly the cards that can offer you the best advice ever to lift you from the negativity of your situation. For this purpose, I am using my Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

5 Of Pentacles

The image on the 5 of Pentacles card shows a destitute couple walking through a snow, one is limping with a crutch in hand, and the other is covered by a shawl. A church is in the background with 5 pentacles etched on its stained glass window.

Typically, this card is a reflection of the querant going through financial strive, loss of job or home, or other material adversities. However, I often like to take the querants on a journey into the card and show them the crutch and the shawl that are there to Iend them support and warmth in their time of need. I'd point to the church behind them which is a symbol of spiritual comfort. Most importantly, I'd point out to the fact that there are 2 people in the card, each of them are not alone.

So, when you see the 5 of Pentacles, ask yourself these questions. What currently within your situation is that resource you may have to help you through the challenges? Whom can you ask for help? What or who is that 'church', 'crutch' or 'shawl' in your life ? Know that when you are thrown into a deep end, you will always find some form of support floating nearby, and your struggles against the tide will bring you lessons richer than ocean life that can only make you stronger.

5 Of Wands

The image on the 5 of Wands card shows a group of people dressed in different clothes, raising their rods in competition with each other.

Typically, the 5 of Wands is a reflection of the querants experiencing struggles, tension and conflict within their respective environments. However, I'd often invite the querants to "walk into the card" with me so that we can get a better assessment of the situation. The people in the card image wearing different outfits reflect the different beliefs, opinions, values of the people the querants are dealing with. On closer look at the card, the people raising their rods aren't hitting each other with it. The rods are raised to create awareness, fear, noise and possibly to just put their individual points across.

So, when you pick a 5 of Wands, ask yourself these questions. At what point can you come to a compromise? Can you agree to disagree? If you can't change the situation, can you change how you think about the situation? Know that life is made more colorful and interesting because diversities exist. People's attitudes, beliefs and approach to things are so different, and if you can learn to respect that diversity and work within a framework with proper rules of engagement, you don't have to see life as one big struggle.

5 of Cups

The image of the 5 of Cups card depicts a man in a dark cloak who has turned away in despair. On the ground sits 5 cups, 3 of them have been knocked over and the 2 remaining cups left standing. In front of him, a river flows in a torrent of waves separating him from his house. A bridge is seen at a far distance.

Typically the 5 of Cups is a reflection of the querants experiencing emotional loss, disappointment, inability to attain a goal and perhaps not able to accept or move on from these challenges. However, during our journey into the card, I'd point to the 2 upstanding cups and tell the querants that there is hope, they should never lose hope. I'd point to the bridge and tell them that if they had bothered to look further ahead, they'd see they can get support in their time of need, and there is perhaps a silver lining in their situations. That bridge is beckoning them to walk over, cross the river and move on.

So when you pick the 5 of Cups, ask yourself these questions. Is the person you're experiencing that disappointment over, worth it? Did you look closely enough to find the right solutions to the issue? Were you expecting too much? Did you reassess your goals? Know that challenging situations are opportunities to teach you valuable lessons. And really, it's okay to give yourself time to heal.

5 of Swords

The image on the 5 of Swords resonates tumultuous energy and depicts a man looking intently at his conquered enemies. 2 men are seen walking away from him. He brandishes 3 swords in his hand and 2 swords lay haphazardly on the ground.

Typically, the 5 of Swords is a reflection of the querants undergoing conflicts, hostility, isolation and tension. The card also speaks of negative ambition and perhaps the querants may have achieved something but at a great cost.

A "walk into the card" together often provides greater clarity for the querants to see if the "swords" are worth fighting for or perhaps they should pick their battles. When we "talk" to the image of the 2 men walking away in defeat, we often come to a conclusion that the continued perception of betrayal or that all is forever lost will only perpetuate greater disillusionment.

So when you pick the 5 of Swords, ask yourself these questions. What are you prepared to give up for that win? Can your disillusionment change the situation for the better? What can you do to rally the right support to help your situation?

The 5s Are Your Best Guides

I often like to precede my Tarot reading sessions with clients by telling them that Tarot is not a fortune telling tool but rather a tool to help them uncover choices with which they can use to influence the outcomes of their respective situations. The 5s are possibly the best 4 cards in a Tarot deck that can provide you with the necessary guidance to help you influence a positive outcome. I don't believe in destiny. Destiny is in your hands. I like to tell my clients that if they can't change their situations, they should change the way they think about their situations.

About The Writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and was recently certified as a numerologist in Singapore. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.

She can be contacted at www.facecbook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com