Tarot Reading at Public Events – Keep Calm and Think of Monty Python

The perfect mindset for public tarot
reading! From "OSHO Zen Tarot"©
 by Deva Padma

You’ve picked your reading venue, run your ads, packed up your table cloth and your favorite decks. You show up to your event twenty to thirty minutes early so you can clear your space, ground and acclimate your cards. It’s show time and you are ready. You’ve thought of everything. Business cards, notepads, a gift for your event host – now all you need is a querent. You sit at your table with an open and welcoming smile as you greet passersby.  Then the unexpected happens. A couple strolls towards you. One of them looks rather upset, points a finger at you and yells, “I know what you’re doing. I know what’s really going on here! You’re a witch! Witch!” Sounds completely over the top, doesn’t it, accept that it actually happened to me during a public reading event at a bookstore. I looked around half expecting Michael Palin to suggest they build a bridge out of me, or at the very least, Terry Jones wanting to see if my weight was equal to that of a duck’s.

 Public reading events aren’t every reader’s cup of tea. You can try to prepare for every contingency, but when you choose to read for the general public weird stuff happens and you have to learn how to roll with it. How calm you remain and how quickly you can think on your feet determines the success or failure of your reading event. In my case, the witch denouncer backed out of the shop, taking their friend with them as they continued to condemn my mystical proclivities.  I looked at the people around me who were nervously awaiting my reaction. I grinned at them and responded, “Was it something I said?” People started to laugh and before I knew it, everything was back on track. The truth is that the majority of people out there want you to succeed. They came to watch you succeed. However, they take their cue from you at an event, so it becomes very important to put their comfort above your own, because to varying degrees, they have already put their faith in you as a reader simply by showing up. 

Stay in the moment
another great reminder from "OSHO Zen
Tarot"© by Deva Padma

Most readers have expectations of a venue host. Usually they are completely reasonable – a discreet reading area, the ability to display your business cards, posters, someone to help steer querent traffic, etc.  However, some also impose their own bias on the people they serve.  Some refuse to read for children, claiming their energy is too chaotic. Seriously? Children are charming to read for – all wonder and excitement. Others won’t read someone who’s consumed any alcohol whatsoever. What are you going to do? Have them fill out a questionnaire first? Some of the most successful and joyful events involve reading for children.  Restaurants with full-service bars are another good venue selection.  It comes down to trusting your host to support you while you support their clientele to the best of your ability.  It serves no purpose to offend a business’s clientele with high-minded principles. Don’t confront customers about their belief systems. You’re not there to win an argument, you’re there to entertain and no matter how difficult it may be, never let your audience see you stressed.  Yes, you heard right, entertain and audience, because believe it or not, your readings are a performance.  

There are tarot readers who take issue with being likened to

Don't forget to enjoy yourself. it's
your party! From "OSHO Zen Tarot"©
by Deva Padma

an entertainer.  They are welcome to because that’s all the more venues for me.  Liberace once stated in an interview that, “Good piano players are a dime a dozen.” So ask yourself what makes you stand out?  “My readings are clear and I’m honest with my querents,” you say. “I work to enlighten them while I respect their feelings. I have integrity.” So do the majority of readers.  What makes you so special?  Simple answer – you do, your presentation, the personae you project.  You have ten seconds or less to engage a potential client.  Within that time they will judge you on appearance, perceptions about your attitude and whether, or not, their inner guidance system believes you to be ‘safe.’ Be aware, be present and don’t use their reading to seek validation.

The reader sets the tone at an event. It is their responsibility to put people at ease. Do it with style, do it with grace, but most importantly, do it in a manner authentic to you as a person. I use humor and when that fails, I pull out the Paula Dean brownies. I have no mercy.  

LADY ORACLE

Full Moon in Capricorn, July 12, 2014 – “Blending Ambition, Motivation and People Skills’”

One of the names for July’s Full Moon is Thunder Moon,

The Emperor, from "Wizard's Tarot"© by
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen
authority, structure - my pick to
represent business

ostensibly because summer’s heat and humidity leads to lots of thunderstorms this month. It’s an apt description for our Full Moon arriving on July 12th in twenty degrees of Capricorn, the Goat ( See Blog: “When the Zodiac Gets Your Goat” for mythology). A Full Moon occurs when the Sun is directly opposite our Moon. The signs Cancer and Capricorn are also opposite one another on the wheel of the Zodiac making July’s Full Moon one of opposing energies. However these forces can be harnessed for your benefit if you know how to apply them.

Sun in Cancer carries an emotional and intuitive charge. (See Blog: “Cancer the Crab, They’re all They’re Cracked Up to Be”) It is a cardinal sign ruled by the Moon and the element of water. People born under the sign of Cancer are tender-hearted, sensitive and highly creative with a strong emphasis on home and domestic relationships. Our New Moon in Cancer (See blog: “A Terrific Night For a Moon Dance" ) was very powerful for setting July’s emotional tone. We felt comforted and excited, like rolling in puppies – warm, wiggly and joyful. And our Full Moon in Capricorn? Not so much. This is a moon for negotiating and deal making.

"Wizard's Tarot's"© version of #14,
Temperance. Strive to balance this
Full Moon's polar energy

Sun in Cancer opposite Full Moon in Capricorn makes us work to maintain balance between our intellect and our emotions. Where Cancer is intuitive and emotional (at times too much so), Capricorn lives in its head, putting knowledge into practical application. Capricorn is self-contained, remote, while Cancer, though self-protective, joins the emotional fray. Cancer’s drives are geared towards home and the domestic life, while Capricorn teems with ambition and the need to publicly excel through career and achievement of personal goals.  

During the Full Moon period (three days prior and four days after) we can combine the energy of these two strong, but opposing signs to gain ground in our professional lives.  Capricorn’s drive to excel makes July’s Full Moon an excellent moon for reclaiming sales territory, or presenting sensitive portfolios to investors. It’s a motivational moon. Let Capricorn’s natural ambition and knowledge off the leash.  The key to maximum success, however, lies in knowing your subject.  All the hubris in the world can’t bring home a deal if you don’t know your subject inside and out and can effectively communicate that knowledge.  Here’s where you can let Cancer’s intuition work for you as well.  Read people – co-workers, client’s, bosses, the barista down the street.  While Capricorn’s energy has you focus on the goal, let Cancer establish the human connection.  When presenting material or doing a sales presentation, let Cancer’s emotional subtext help you metaphorically pick up your client and take them with you to the safe and logical conclusion that working with you is the smart thing to do.  If you don’t understand this concept then it’s time to break out the classic motivational speakers.

Lunar phases deal in an emotional framework, but they are

6 of Wands from "Wizard's Tarot"©
Victory, leadership

also about culmination and fruition during the Full Moon cycle.  July’s Full Thunder Moon can be a time of advancement for you if you do your homework and apply what you’ve learned.  Be brilliant!

LADY ORACLE 

All featured decks available for

sale through Lady Oracle Tarot

email  ladyoracle56@yahoo.com

with questions!

Jupiter Square Uranus February 26, 2014

#10, The Wheel is tarot's card for
expansive and lucky Jupiter.
RWCS by US Games®

An astrological square is an aspect composed of two planets at a ninety degree relationship, or angle.  Squares, while challenging, are highly motivational aspects because they carry the combined energy of both planets involved in the configuration. Few squares provide more dynamic energy than Jupiter square Uranus.  Jupiter is the planet expansion, success and generosity.  Although sometimes given to excess, it engages our higher consciousness through spiritual and philosophical thought.  Uranus, on the other hand is, well, a wild child. It represents sudden, revolutionary change, inventiveness, radical shifts in ideas and breakthrough developments. Uranus values freedom and individuality. It is restless and bold.

Jupiter squares Uranus twice this year, first on February 26th

Deva Padma's depiction of The Fool
from "OSHO Zen Tarot"© is an appropriate
tarot card for Uranus' 'cleansweep' approach

and lastly on April 20th. We’ve all felt the power building up since mid February and will continue to feel the energy ebb and flow through the first week of May.  The April 20th square off between these two outer planets heralds the return of the Cardinal Grand Cross on April 23rd (See blogs: "New Moon in Libra, Road Map for Change" and January 2014: "A Month of Innovation and Relationship Building" ). Watch for more information on this event in my April Astrological Trends blog at the end of March.

Expansive Jupiter is in retrograde now. That means its influence leans heavily towards a philosophical frame of mind, yet, oddly enough, less objective thinking.  Under this square’s influence there’s a need to experience everything that comes our way because Jupiter views life as an open road.  That’s fine with Uranus because this wild planet is hungry for change and wants the freedom found in a fresh, unexplored landscape.  Try to temper your longing for the unpredictable during the next week.  Jupiter’s lack of objectivity can cause you to be a little reckless about where and in whom you place your faith.

Jupiter is in Cancer now and The Chariot
is tarot's card for the crab. From John J. Blumen
Corrine Kenner's "Wizards Tarot"©

The Jupiter/Uranus square gives everyone wonderful opportunities for enlightenment, spiritually, professionally and personally.  Think of it as the chance for multiple ‘aha’ moments.  You can seek and find out-of-the-box solutions to problems that previously left you staring at a blank wall.  A note of caution here: While you may find the courage to throw out all the rules and begin again from scratch, don’t act impulsively. Temper responses to situations and force yourself to analyze them.  Remember that objective thinking will not be anyone’s strong suit this week.  Jupiter is a planet of luck, but you still have to give it an even break and be selective in how you use its energy.

If friction increases on the home front this week, consider that

Uranus is in Aires, the sign associated with
The  Emperor (rules, structure) from
RWCS by US Games®

it is the natural fallout that occurs when two partners want absolute freedom of choice in every joint decision.  Don’t take conflicts too seriously should they arise and use basic communication methods. Respond thoughtfully instead of reacting and making requests of your partner instead of throwing out harsh words and allegations.  

Jupiter square Uranus is a powerful influence, but it can be used to great benefit.  Proceed thoughtfully, but also use this square’s energy to make significant advances in how you view life and in attaining your goals.

LADY ORACLE

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio, October 21, to November 10, 2013 “Taking the Sting Out of Retrograde”

#13, Death or Transformation is
Scorpio's tarot card. From
"Wizard's Tarot" © by Corrine Kenner and
John J. Blumen

There’s been lots of online discussion about the ‘shadow periods’ for Mercury Retrograde (two weeks before and two weeks after the actual retrograde period) and some speculation that we’ve been feeling the effects of this Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio since October 1st.  Some experts say we’ll continue to feel these effects all the way through the end of November.  Is this a particularly strong retrograde cycle for Mercury?  Perhaps, but also a great deal of the buzz may come from the fact that both Mercury and the Sun will be in Scorpio for most of this timeframe.

People get a little jumpy around Scorpions. No doubt its that whole stinger thing.  Cross a Scorpion and prepare to be stung to death, or so the story goes. That’s not necessarily true, but if that’s what you perceive as truth, then definitely a retrograde in Scorpio is going to freak you out.  Here’s the reality. We have so much other stuff occurring this October (see blog: Astrological Trends for October 2013 ) that Mercury Retrograde is just a blip on the GPS. Shadow or no shadow, we’re in a major ramp up for the Uranus Pluto Square going direct on November 1st and in my opinion Mercury Retrograde has just become one of our best friends.

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio (hereafter referred to as MR

#1, The Magician, is Mercury's tarot card.
He controls all the elements of his world.
From "Wizards Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen

or MRS, because typing all those letters is getting annoying) offers us a chance to reexamine motivations – ours and everyone else’s.  Scorpions fly by the seat of their pants and MR is handled best with spontaneity.  Also the effects of MR are caused by a general slow down and reversal of Mercury’s energy.  Mercury controls communications, transportation, as well as intellectual pursuits.  With the energy from this lunar cycle ( see blog : Full Hunter's Moon in Aries  )  and the UP Square (can’t use UPS for obvious reasons) we need a breather and MRS fills the bill as long as we use this time to review, revise, revisit and restructure our plans, our strategies and our lives.

The 8th House of the Zodiac is ruled by Scorpio.  While many would say, ‘enter at your own risk,’ others would tell you that this is where the serious transformation energy is stored. Come on in – the water’s fine.  MRS is about rechecking the trajectory of your goals and retooling what doesn’t work.  You want to be a new and shinier you?  This is where it happens, folks.  You can use MRS to revise and retune the grand plan for your life and Scorpio can help.  Will it be a challenge? Sure.  Saturn is in Scorpio right now, but you can still use that great transformative energy from Scorpio and the downtime you get from Mercury to go over your internal notes and make revisions.  MRS says let go of grudges and projections now and 2014 will come in on a high note.   

Here are links to my past blogs that gives you good information on dealing with the effects of Mercury Retrograde.

Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You

Mercury in Scorpio September to December 2013

LADY ORACLE  

"Wizard's Tarot"© is available for purchase through Lady Oracle Tarot.