The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.

Conan O'Brien

And this is the card I picked today.....

"I advise you to say your dream is possible and then overcome all inconveniences, ignore all the hassles and take a running leap through the hoop, even if it is in flames." ~ Les Brown

Change is coming.....

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. ~ Marcus Aurelius

Your Tarot Card by Astrological Sign for the Week of 8 December 2013

Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22

King of Wands ~ Theme for the week:  confidence & courage—refusing to settle, taking the leadership role, taking huge risks.

Capricorn - December 23 - January 20

The Empress ~ Theme for the week:  nurturing & abundance—giving of yourself, finding yourself lacking for nothing, finding a connection with nature.

Aquarius - January 21 - February 19

Knight of Swords ~ Theme for the week: expertise—speaking frankly and to the point, having all eyes on you, coming from a position of knowledge and authority.

Pisces - February 20- March 20

Four of Wands ~ Theme for the week:  excitement—feeling great joy, celebrating good fortune, breaking free from bonds.

Aries - March 21 - April 20

The Magician ~ Theme for the week:  achievement—doing what needs to be done, finding the motivation to make things happen, obtaining the power or position to make an affect.

Taurus - April 21 - May 21
Six of Swords ~ Theme for the week:  the blues—feeling down, starting over, leaving a familiar place.

Gemini - May 22 - June 21

Four of Cups ~ Theme for the week: apathy--feeling down, needing time alone, spending time recharging.

Cancer - June 22 - July 22

Eight of Cups ~ Theme for the week:  moving on—seeking answers from within, growing tired of the current situation, preparing to leave.

Leo - July 23 -August 21

Strength ~ Theme for the week:  inner strength—persevering in the face of adversity, approaching opposing views with tolerance, taking time and acting with patience.

Virgo - August 22 - September 23

Two of Wands ~ Theme for the week:  originality & boldness--thinking outside the box, looking for innovative solutions, going your own way.

Libra - September 24 - October 23

Four of Pentacles ~ Theme for the week:  controling—refusing to let go, micromanaging, refusing to allow for new ideas or ways.

Scorpio - October 24 - November 22

Eight of Pentacles ~ Theme for the week:  details—paying close attention to the finer points, taking up a new course or skill, working hard.

How does an Email Tarot Reading Work?

1.  Once I receive an order from a client I review all of the information I am given carefully.  A lot of people feel that if they give too much information they won't receive a "true" reading.  And while that may be the case for some readers, I find that any random details people want to give me help me in designing a spread that is better suited to their particular situation.  For example, two people may come to me for a pregnancy reading, but a woman who has had trouble conceiving is going to need a different set of questions answered than a woman who is trying to spread out conceiving for the benefit of her career or due to finances.  I will know none of the particulars of her situation unless she tells me.

2.  Once I have a spread picked out, I begin to set up for a reading.  This generally involves clearing my mind so that my own thoughts don't affect the cards or my interpretation of them.  If you ever read for yourself, you'll find this incredibly important as Tarot Cards often become "wishful thinking cards," mirroring your hopes and dreams as opposed to reality if you can't do it with a somewhat calm approach.  I'll also light candles and set out my cloth.

3.  Next I shuffle the cards and lay out the spread.  Once I've photographed it, I write down the basics--card, position and the question associated with that position.

4.  Finally I sit to down to work on the reading itself.  The wonderful thing about the time I have to do these readings is that I have the time to really think about the connections between the cards and how this may affect my client's situation.  There have been many times in a personal one-on-one reading that I overlook something or don't make an important connection.  Rarely does that happen in an email reading.

5.  The reading is written up, converted to a PDF and sent to the client.  The client can then read it at her/his leisure and go back to it whenever she wants.

Your Tarot Card (by Astrological Sign) for the Week of 17 November 2013

Scorpio - October 24 - November 22
Ace of Swords ~ Theme for the week:  objectivity—being honest with yourself, approaching problems with logic instead of emotion, looking at all sides of an issue/problem.

Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22

King of Wands ~ Theme for the week:  confidence & courage—refusing to settle, taking the leadership role, taking huge risks.

Capricorn - December 23 - January 20
Two of Swords ~ Theme for the week:  denial—ignoring your true feelings, refusing to believe the truth, indecissive.

Aquarius - January 21 - February 19
The Magician ~ Theme for the week:  achievement—doing what needs to be done, finding the motivation to make things happen, obtaining the power or position to make an affect.

Pisces - February 20- March 20
Three of Swords ~ Theme for the week:  betrayal—being lied to by those you trust, suffering emotional pain, feeling alone.

Aries - March 21 - April 20

Five of Cups ~ Theme for the week:  loss—saying goodbye, longing for the past, regret over past mistakes.

Taurus - April 21 - May 21
Five of Swords ~ Theme for the week:  selfishness—looking out for number one, operating in a hostile environment, having a difficult time following the right path.

Gemini - May 22 - June 21

Knight of Wands ~ Theme for the week:  energy & life—having confidence, feeling great passion, daring to take on an adventure.

Cancer - June 22 - July 22

Seven of Cups ~ Theme for the week:  sloppiness—giving into procrastination, living in a mess, feeling overwhelmed by life.

Leo - July 23 -August 21
Seven of Swords ~ Theme for the week: irresponsibility—not fulfilling your obligations, running away, being deceitful.

Virgo - August 22 - September 23

Knight of Pentacles ~ Theme for the week:  diligence—working hard, approaching new situations with caution, being realistic.

Libra - September 24 - October 23

Four of Cups ~ Theme for the week: apathy--feeling down, needing time alone, spending time recharging.

Ace of Pentacles: Cautiously Optimisitic

I rarely read for myself.  People often come to the Tarot because the emotion of a situation is too much:  Tarot readers are no exception.  When I read for myself this emotion leaks into the reading and I often just find myself with a mirror of my own emotional state as opposed to actual guidance.  But I thought I'd try today, as it's been a trying week and this has been the first day where I felt that my emotional "leveler" has finally reached the point where the bubble has found its way to the middle.  So I sat down and with the baby babbling and blowing raspberries (an excellent way to clear the mind, let me tell you) in the background, I shuffled the deck and drew my card.  I pulled the Ace of Pentacles.

The Ace of Pentacles was an interesting choice.  The suite of Pentacles deals with money and material matters.  It was strangely relevant because I am feeling very directionless these days.  I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.  More importantly, like lots of people these days, I've found myself in the middle of a frustrating and fruitless job search.  It has been a serious blow to my ego because I've been continuously employed since I was 19.  I think I've been working and earning money so long, that it became an integral part of my identity.   As my search has dragged on, I've been the subject of so much "helpful" advice and "encouragement." There are people out there who will ply you with inspirational quotes, religious messages, etc when you find yourself in a difficult life situation, but the truth of the matter is that sometimes trying circumstances like these are lessons but just as likely they are sometimes just trying circumstances.  Crappy things happen to everyone. 

When you find yourself drawing an Ace Card in the Tarot, you can know certain things without even knowing it's meaning:  1) You are facing beginnings, seeds being planted, new things on the horizon, new possibilities.  2)  You should focus on the main theme of the suit as the Ace is often the epitome of these ideas.  Today's message is clear:  focus on the practical, the material.  The seeds have been planted--you just have to look for them.  If this is you and you too are going through an exhausting search for work, I encourage you to look for those seeds.  They are there.  Every crappy situation is NOT a lesson from the universe, but something can be learned from every crappy situation.  Blessings!

Three Important Aspects of your Tarot Ritual

When you hear the word "ritual" what comes to mind?  Secret, dark ceremonies performed in a forest?  Sacrificial rites performed by a cult?  Voodoo spells?  A great many people find the word off-putting, but ritual is highly important to a good reading.

The wonderful thing about your Tarot ritual is that it can be whatever you want it to be as long as it helps you clear your mind for the reading(s) ahead.  An unclear, emotional mind will definitely muddle a reading--bits and pieces of you and your own situation will leak through and affect the cards.  As you grow as a reader, you'll see this and begin to recognize it more readily.  It's one main reason that I read my cards so infrequently....it's really hard for me to approach what bugs me with a clear, neurtral mind.

When creating your ritual, you'll want to think about the following:

1.  Space:  We don't always have the luxury of dedicated spaces for our Tarot, but finding a quiet, calm spot away from the noise and distraction of electronics and family is important.  Once you've found your spot, try to do your readings there when ever possible.

2.  Preparation:  There are many ways to prepare for a reading.  You could find a special cloth you like to spread out to lay the cards on.  You could also light a candle.  Perhaps you could say a prayer, meditate or imagine positive energy filling the space around you.  The important thing is to approach the cards with a clear mind.

3.  The Cards:  Shuffling may seem like a minor detail, but I have always felt it was key to a good reading.  If I'm reading for another person and they are in front of me, I usually let them shuffle.  I start my readings by pulling a signifier out of the deck to represent the person, then I lay them all out on the cloth face down, mixing them up as much as possible and trying to touch every card.  I then divide the deck into thirds, placing the 2nd or middle third on top.  This is just an example--you will want to develop a certain way you like to mix up the cards that feels right to you.

The key to a good ritual is clarity.  Anything positive that gets you to a place where you can approach the Tarot with a calm, clear mind is definitely worth considering including in your ritual. Put your own personal touch on your ritual and it will work well for you.

Properly Storing Your Tarot Cards

Leather Drawstring Bag from My Grandmother's Hands

If you've decided that this year you are going to begin learning the Tarot or if you've simply just decided as I did many years ago that Tarot cards are neat and you want to collect them, then you are going to want to learn about how best to keep and store them.  How you accomplish this will depend completely on your intent for the cards you have in your possession.

I'm not by any means the supreme Tarot expert, but in my experience, Tarot cards that you collect and Tarot cards that you use have to be treated as two separate things, though not for the reasons you think.  Many people will tell you that storage of your cards effects their energy.  This is where I disagree.  The power of any type of tool comes from the bearer and not the tool itself.  Tarot cards are just pieces of paper until you touch them and allow your energy to guide the cards.  Many Tarot readers will tell you that you MUST store and handle them a certain way, but the truth is there is no super secret mystical reason for the various methods of storing cards people insist on.

If you are collecting cards then you want to be practical in your approach to caring for them.  Generally, cards you are collecting should be protected just as with any other collection, so you should store them just as you would any other collectible.  I don't have room to display my collection, so for the time being mine are kept in a heavy duty plastic container with a lid.  When I'm not looking at them or showing them off, I keep them in a dark closet away from the sun.  When I take them out of their plastic box, I keep them away from water, wash and dry my hands before handling them and don't allow food or drink near them.

If you plan on using a Tarot deck and actually reading from it, you will want to keep it in a special way.  Ritual is incredibly important to reading the Tarot--having a ritual you maintain every time you read is essential to getting your mind ready and clear for the reading ahead.  How you store and care for you cards is a major part of this ritual.  As I mentioned before you'll find some very strong opinions on this (I've even seen people berated for the way they maintained their cards).  You'll also find that there are as many different opinions on how to store your cards as there are readers, but I've found having them wrapped or contained in special bag, pouch or box made of natural material is not only a good way to begin this ritual but it also serves to protect the cards better. (I like natural material pouches and boxes because for me the texture and feel of the pouch or box is important.)

Oftentimes when you buy a set of cards it comes with a pouch which is generally a see-through tulle type fabric.  There is nothing inherently wrong with keeping them in this type of bag (and if this feels right for you, then you should carry on) but it does offer very little protection for your cards.   Protection is important because you and perhaps everyone you read for will be coming into contact with your deck.

If you are not able to find a container made of natural materials that suits you, there are countless vendors online who sell all types of pouches and boxes to store your cards.  Last year I bought a wonderful leather pouch for a special set of cards my husband bought me from Kim a seller on Etsy.  An example of one of her pouches is at the top of this blog and below is the picture of the one I bought from her. I can't say enough good things about her wonderful bags--her pouches are beautiful and soft and her prices are very reasonable.

The pouch I bough from Kim's Etsy shop My Grandmother's Hands on Etsy

I also have used a solid wood trinket box I bought a while back to store my cards in.  This one is a bit on the fancy side because I picked it up while deployed, but any solid wooden box will work well to store a deck.

And finally, if money is tight and you're crafty (or even if you're not) hand made pouches work equally as well.  When I bought my first reading deck, I crocheted this pouch from cotton yarn to keep it in.  But if you're not fond of crafts, it doesn't have to be this elaborate.  A simple cloth wrapped neatly around your deck will work just as well.  The point being is do what works for you and your individual ritual.  There may be a million things that a person can do to give a horrible reading--misinterpretation of the cards, judging the client, letting our personal biases affect the reading--but storing cards the "wrong" way isn't one of them.  Keep them clean and dry and protected and they will serve you well for many years.

Disclaimer:  I did not receive compensation in any form for any endorsements made in this blog post, nor was I asked by Etsy or any of its sellers to make the preceding recommendations.

So You Want to Learn to Read the Tarot.......(Part One) Your First Deck

I was always a little afraid of the Tarot.  It seems silly now in retrospect to be intimidated by a deck of cards, but I was.  So when I finally got brave enough to begin this journey, I started off slow, collecting decks without much thought or knowledge behind why I chose each individual deck.  I bought what I liked, mostly based on my reaction to the aesthetics of the cards.  Five years later, I now possess dozens of decks.....many of which are beautiful to look at but not really good to read with.  I hate to say this, but I was completely closed-minded when it came to traditional decks.  I wanted nothing to do with the traditional decks like the Rider Waite Tarot, which seemed incredibly boring and blah to me.  When the time came to actually start reading, I went with a small deck from a cheap kit for the simple fact that I found it easier to manipulate the smaller cards in my hands.  Unfortunately the cards did nothing to help me learn the tarot.

You see, while it may be obvious to some, it wasn't obvious to me at the time that the pictures contained on each card actually meant something, and that by using a more traditional deck, I'd be able to pick up the meaning of each card better than if I just picked a deck because it was beautiful or "cute."  Even if you aren't drawn to traditional decks, I highly encourage those wanting to begin reading to start off with a good standard deck.  Traditional decks can be found in all sizes (if you have small hands like me).

A bit of warning though, traditional decks do tend to be loaded heavily with Christian symbolism and imagery.  If this isn't your thing, I'd still argue that starting with this type of deck is still going to be your best bet--not only will it aide you in the learning process, you'll find that a lot of your clients will identify with this imagery, and can get them past the "fear" of seeking out your advice.

Finally, if you want a deck, go buy one.  It's not bad luck to buy your own deck.....if you wait to be gifted one, you may be waiting forever.  There's no time like the present to start learning to read the cards!

Learning the Tarot: The importance of Clarity & Reading the Tarot

If you read this blog regularly, you've probably gathered that I'm in the military.  Very, very soon after my little parasite is born, I will be taking a HUGE leap by letting my contract expire after eight years in the hopes that I will be bringing a little sanity to my life.  It is a big leap because while husband can feed us and keep a roof over our heads, paying my credit card debt down (racked up long before I ever set eyes on him) is really not in the budget.  We have about four or five months of savings to cover us then it's back to work or.........(actually I really don't know what comes after the or).  It reminds me of those old maps of the world when it was still thought the world was flat and one could sail over the edge into the mouth of a great monster.  I'm headed to that monster right now.....oh sure, the water is fine now, but soon, I will get pulled over the edge........

It was in this agitated mood that I approached the Tarot one night (can you see where this is going?) and asked about my immediate future.  The cards came back to me, not as I'd hoped, (with a glimpse of the future or some hint as to what avenue I should take) but instead with a reading that made me say, "No shit, Tarot!"

My very first deck, used for personal readings only

What I got back was just an immediate reflection of what I already knew......conflict: between having many choices ahead of me and trying to make plans.........my short term future:  BIG Changes coming!  How I see myself: feeling like I'm becoming a big moocher because I'll be staying home with the baby for a bit.....and then funniest of all, the over emotionality of my future outlook card .  I say funny because as anyone who has had a baby knows emotions are insane right after birth and for a bit thereafter.....with my first child, I cried at the drop of a hat for a long time, at anything (though mostly baby commercials).....things are a bit hormonal at first.

So now, getting to my point.  Reading the Tarot is more than just shuffling some cards, laying them out and looking up meanings in your favorite guide.  Clarity and connection are important.  Clarity of mind allows for a true connection......not a reading jumbled with emotions  and desires of the reader.  If you have decided you want to study the cards, it's important that you prepare yourself each time to read the cards properly.
Some ideas on how to do this:

• Read in the same spot every time.  Pick a place without a lot of distractions, away from noise as much as possible.
• Create a ritual.....I'm not talking spells and curses here.....just a routine that you follow each time you read.  For example, you can shuffle the same way every time or split the deck exactly the same way.
• Give yourself a moment of silence before you begin touching the cards.
• Clear your mind of everything but the focus of your reading or question being asked.  Let nothing else cross your mind until you have finished laying out the cards. 

Clarity of mind is very important for those seeking a reading as well.  Coming to your reader in an emotional state will get you a very disconnected reading.  Try and approach your reader with a calm a mind as possible.  Push all thoughts away of anything else but the issue or question at hand.  Focus in on it until the last card has been drawn.   Keep this in mind and you too can avoid your own, "No Shit, Tarot!" moment.

Lady Love Tarot loves Tarot (and nothing else, apparently)

Long ago, when I was but a wee lass (and by wee lass I mean awkward teenager), I had a teacher who was the quintessential former flower child....long flowing clothing, messy hair, eclectic friends.  One day, while we were out on the playground, I lingered near her and another teacher, as she did a spread from the Medicine Cards for her coworker.  Fascinated, yet slightly scared of what she was doing, I pushed the idea to the back of my head for many years, until, as an adult, I found myself studying the Tarot.  It was only then, nearly twenty years later, that I remembered the Medicine Cards and sought them out on a trip to the local book store.  They were still in print, just as I remembered them.....eagerly I bought the package and took it home, ready to delve into the wisdom the cards might hold.

It was then that I was highly disappointed.  What had seemed highly mysterious, mystical even as a kid, was obviously nonsense.  There is little in the way of symbolism to connect to upon looking at the cards.  To make matters worse, the corresponding book seems to be filled with trite, condescending Native American "spiritualism."  (And by spiritualism I mean a complete and total butchering of what the author probably believes Native American believe.)  It made me sad, looking back on that teacher, that even as an adult (she was easily in her forties at the time) she could not see the mockery this made of Native American religions.  There may be really good alternatives to the Tarot out there, sadly this is not one of them.

The Scariest Card of All

I was minding my own business, laying out the cards for a client when it appeared.......that pesky card that plagues Tarot card readers world over. 

Death..........my personal nemesis as a card reader. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the imagery of the Tarot, I love the symbolism, but it oftentimes comes off as far too melodramatic.  I cringed as I set the card down.  This reading, unfortunately, wasn't for a client in front of me, but rather some poor soul  who would be opening an email from me and see it staring at them in all of its melodramatic glory.  I wouldn't be there to reassure them, "It's not really Death!  I swear!"

But it is, (at least when it's you're reading) and all you can think about is: my future says death.  Guh.  Despite what Hollywood would have us believe, Tarot Card readers (at least legitimate ones) don't normally go around predicting their clients' deaths.  The card Death, like all cards in the deck, is symbolic.....it asks us to be ready for change.  Big change.  Life altering change.  Death, after all, is the greatest change a living person will ever go through.  When Death appears in your reading, the cards are giving you a heads up.....change is coming.....life as you know it will never be the same again.

In the case of my client,  Death was actually a very promising card.....her financially life had been really difficult up to this point.  The change that the Death card promised forecasted a promising financial future.  I can only hope she took my explanation to heart.  I cringe to think she stopped reading at the word death.

Gilded Tarot: A Review

The Gilded Tarot, for the price (currently around $17 on Amazon.com), is on the surface, a pretty good deal.  The set comes with a 78 card deck, a companion book filled with card explanations, and a tulle drawstring bag to hold the cards.  Unfortunately the price alone wasn't enough to sway me into becoming a fan of this deck or the set.  On the pro side, the images on the deck are a bright contrast to the black background.  However, the computer generated, cut and paste feel of each card left me feeling cold.  There is nothing to connect with....perhaps it sounds strange, but the images (though medieval in theme) were a bit too modern for me.  The book, while detailed enough, is a little on the convoluted side in the meanings it gives for each card.  This definitely wouldn't be the book to start with for the beginner.  The drawstring bag, while a nice freebie, is not the appropriate storage method for a deck a reader plans on using on a regular basis, nor does it provide much protection for the deck.  What it ultimately comes down to is personal preference. If the images appeal to you (go here to see several images of the deck) then this might be a great addition to your collection.  This however isn't the deck or set for a newbie, nor does it provide the "connection" I felt needed to exist between the reader and the card images.

Tarot Philosophy

Before I gave into my curiosity about the Tarot, I can remember being slightly afraid of it, if that makes any sense.  I knew nothing of the people who studied it, and assumed that all Tarot readers were mysterious women casting spells and curses.  In realty of course, I now know that Tarot practitioners come from all walks of life.  But I think that image is pervasive, keeping people who might otherwise benefit from seeking out the guidance of the Tarot.

I like to tell people that the Tarot is one of the first self help books, only in card form.  The Tarot is less of a fortune telling device and more of a guidance tool.  Most of us know the answers to the questions we have, but other things......fear, false security, laziness......all get in the way, leaving us in confusion when we come encounter conflict and change.  The Tarot helps clarify our thoughts and desires.  There is nothing new under the sun in the way we relate to one another, thus the Tarot is able to help provide a forecast.  Forecasts take into account all conditions and then provide a probable outcome.  This outcome, much like the weather forecasts, isn't set in stone, thus it may not always be right, but it can definitely give you a good idea of where you are going if you continue down the path you're on.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that there is nothing to fear from the Tarot....in the right hands, it will provide you with a powerful tool to improve your life.

New Deck!

Lisa Chow's Oracle Deck

Shadow and Light Tarot--A Review

In a world full of Tarot decks that look like a cross between Harry Potter fan fiction and LARPing fantasy, The Light and Shadow Tarot is a breath of fresh air.  It's black and white, block cut style images are beautiful and provide the intuiative reader with lots to work with in terms of imagery and symbolism.  The cards are on the larger side and a little bit thinner than I'd like, making it a little more difficult to shuffle and requiring a larger space for spreads (so those with small hands, beware).  However, if you're just looking to add to your collection, this is a unique deck that any Tarot addict would enjoy owning.  That said, I believe this will sit in with my collection and not my reading cards......I am at heart an old woman and stuck in my ways.  While this deck does a good job of remaining true to the meanings (as I understand them) of each card through its extensive imagery, I feel like the change in the minor arcana from Knights and Pages to Prince and Princesses is slightly frustrating.  Perhaps it's a bit limiting of me to expect all decks to keep to the same general format, but I am stuck in my ways and the change makes reading quickly and easily very difficult.  Anyone else feel the same way, or am I being a crotchety old Tarot snob?

Asking the Tarot

For a lot of people, Tarot Card Readings are rare....sometimes even once-in-a-lifetime events.  So it's a pretty safe bet that when someone sits down with me, they have never sought guidance from the Tarot..  I find that a lot of people want to "test" their reader by being vague, leaving details out or outright lying.  In the end it is my client's reading, and what they choose to disclose or keep to themselves is up to them, but a lot of these things are counter-productive to a good Tarot reading.  Now don't get me wrong, readers don't always have the time for the reader's life story, and if your reading has to fit in a short period of time, then disclosure of a great amount of personal info may be unnecessary and wasteful.  Here is what I like to tell my clients:

1.  Keep your question or issue in your mind during the entire reading.  Focusing on the issue at hand can be difficult, but keeping it in the front of your mind during the reading keeps the reading from rambling off in different directions and can give you a clearer picture of what lies ahead.


2.  Keep follow up questions directly related to your original question.  Maintaining the original energy of the reading builds on the momentum already built by the original reading.


3.  Not sure what to ask or how to ask it?  Ask your reader for help. It's their job to help you get the most out of the reading.

4.  Avoid "yes" or "no" questions--ask questions instead that give the "big picture."  Yes/no questions are very limited and leave little for exploration or discussion.


All this said....Tarot readings aren't just limited to those with problems or drama in their lives.....sometimes half the fun is just seeing what your cards have to say.  Simply sitting down with a clear and empty mind and asking for an open reading may be your best bet and just may offer the best insight into your life.

When the answer you get isn't the one you want

So I seem to keep running into the same situation. Client asks for a reading about the ex, someone they dated for a short time, or someone they're currently with who just isn't that into them and then is incredibly frustrated when the cards reveal that. I always do my best to give the bad news as gently as I can, but it still does nothing to help the client who didn't get the answer they had hoped for. It's hard as a reader to give someone bad news ( I want everyone to leave my presence happy and excited about the future that awaits) but it's also my job to be honest about what the cards reveal. What can you do if you don't get the answer you had hoped for?

1. Remember you have free will....but so does everyone else.
The Tarot is less predictive and more about what's going on now and what may lay ahead if the current path remains unchanged. It's not guaranteed. Don't like what the cards say? Change your path. You have the power. But remember, just as you have free will, so does everyone else in your life. You can affect you, but you can't always affect everyone else.

2. Try to see the cards point of view.
Sometimes we know the answers, but don't want to believe or deal with the truth. Some situations (matters of love especially) are really difficult to see objectively. Take notes of your reading (if they aren't provided for you by the reader) and review them later. Sometimes time and distance help us process information a little more objectively.

3. Ask a friend.
It's a lot easier for outsiders to be objective about your problems and issues, so ask a trusted friend or family member....was the reading right as they see it? Maybe they can see truth where you can't.

4. And there's always the possibility.......Maybe you just got a crappy reading.........
And yes, there is always the possibility that the reading is wrong. Maybe it's as simple as your reader had an off day, maybe he/she just picked up the cards yesterday, or maybe (because it does happen) he or she is just a quack after your money. Make sure you know what your reader provides for his/her fee....does she allow for followup questions? Rare is the reading full of doom and gloom. Be wary of the reader predicting doom and gloom that they can help you prevent with a spell or charm for a fee.

One final piece of advice......readers are just like any other personal service provider....sometimes it takes a few tries before you find someone that you click with. It may be that you and the reader just aren't connecting well enough to get a good reading. Look around, but be wary of those who are simply in the business to get your money.......making a living is one thing......running a con is a whole other kettle of fish.....