Questions & Answers.

The following are some of the questions Elizabeth has answered for
clients, students, the curious and the sceptical.

Q: How does it work. How can Tarot cards, just pieces of cardboard tell us about our past, present or future? I find this all very hard to believe.

A: This is one of the most often asked questions. To start with Tarot cards are more than just pieces of cardboard. The symbolic images depicted on each card represent universal archetypes held deep within the psyche. From my experience when a reader and sitter (client) come together for the purpose of a Tarot reading they set up an energy connection. Tarot cards are like a bridge to this invisible world of energy past, present or future. This energy is then able to be interpreted by the reader through the symbology and meaning of each card that is selected.

 

Q: I have been thinking about having a reading for some time as I have never had one. My question is how do I find a good reader? I mean how do I know if they are for real? .

A: How do you find a good professional of any description? You ask around, you ask family and friends anyone who’s opinion you respect. A recommendation is always a good place to start. But keep in mind that the same reader will not suit everyone no matter how good they are. You can go and speak to that reader if possible or any others in your area before you decide. Ask them questions about themselves and how they read. Use your own intuition to get a feeling if they are right for you. In the end it is you who will determine if they are “for real” or not by the accuracy and relevance of the information they give you.

 

Q: I have just started studying Tarot cards but don’t know how to best protect myself from the bad / negative energy I have been warned about by some of my friends. I wasn’t worried before but I am now.

A: If we are sensitive to energies, other people’s can affect us if we let it. This can be the case in any situation not just when reading Tarot. As with the energy of your friends. But in reality it’s our thoughts and beliefs about energy and how and what we create with it that causes it to become positive or negative. One of the simplest ways to feel protected is to surround yourself with White Light.

That is to visualise your whole body encircled by the whitest, brightest light you can imagine. By seeing yourself within this light and the light within you, you are raising your energy and consciousness helping you to understand that the essence of who you are can never be hurt or harmed in any way by anyone or anything. Then all fear drops away because you are creating a feeling that embraces the soul but does not threaten the ego (where all fear is born). You could also say a simple prayer or short affirmation or mantra that resonates with your higher self. Such as . . . I am Peace, I am Love, I am Light, or one of your own. Just repeat any of the above whenever you feel the need to.

 

Q: Do you have to be psychic to be able to read Tarot cards. Or is just interpreting the cards meaning enough to give a good reading.

A: No, you don’t have to “be psychic” to read Tarot cards. You can give very good readings by only interpreting the cards meaning. This is what’s called Reading the Cards. But everyone has a psychic sense that they can develop to some degree if they choose. Tarot cards are a wonderful tool to help you develop this ability. This is what all divination tools can be used for. You will then be able to gain more information using this sense in addition to the cards general meaning.

 

Q: Is it possible to get a Tarot reading done on someone else? I think my friend has a problem and I want to help but they won’t tell me what it is when I ask.

A: It is commendable to want to help your friend. But how would you feel if someone decided to have a reading done on you? It would be like reading your diary without your knowledge or permission. Possible to a point but not very ethical. And as with the reading of a diary you would not get the whole picture only pieces at best, that could not be confirmed or denied. But if on the other hand you were having a reading and someone’s actions were going to impact or affect you in some way it would then be possible and ethical to read that energy information. Because that would then be your reading not theirs. It’s the asking for a reading or help that establishes a good foundation to begin with.

 

Q: Can you tell me a little more about the Death card? I have some understanding of it but I would like to know more. Is this true it can predict an actual death?

A: There are several cards in a Tarot deck that can be quite confronting. The Death card is one of them. Tarot cards are all symbolic in meaning including the Death card. That is its images represent an ending of a cycle. A transition from one experience to another. As with all endings they always lead to new beginnings without exception. Death / endings can take many forms. It could be the ending of one job to begin a another. The ending of being pregnant to give birth. The ending of single life to get married. Or married life to be single again. It represents an end to a way of thinking, being or doing to begin anew. The Death card informs us that whatever experience we are going through, has or is about to come to an end. We may view this as positive or negative depending on the situation. If we remember the opposite word to Death is Birth we will eventually be able to see the positive in anything perceived as negative. As for the card predicting an actual death, I believe it’s accuracy would be in doubt as this is not what the card was intended to be used for.

 

Q: I am a little confused about the process of preparing my Tarot cards for a reading. Should I let the person having the reading shuffle and cut the cards or under no circumstances touch my deck at all? Which way is right?

A: This area can be a little confusing. Some believe that it preserves the purity of the cards not to let anyone else touch them. That only the reader should shuffle and cut the cards for all readings. As the sitter (client) can be too emotionally involved and this can affect the reading. What I have found to work well for me is a combination of both. I allow the client to shuffle the cards while thinking of their question/s if they have any. Then I cut the deck into three piles with my left hand. I feel this helps to balance the energy if the client is overly emotional. It’s not a matter of which way is right, try both ways to see what works best for you. You can always cleans your cards afterwards if you decide not to let others touch them.

 

Q: How often should you have a reading? Is it alright to have one each week or month.

A: Between six months to twelve months is usually advised by most professional readers. The whole point of having a reading is to help and empower you to live your own life by making your own choices and decisions. Not to disempower you by making you dependant on having a reading each week or month to do it for you.

 

Q: I’m not sure about having a Tarot reading because I don’t want to be told if bad things are going to happen. If I am told something about my future will it definitely happen?

A: The answer is yes and no. The future is nothing more than energy events that you have set into motion in your present. Look at the future as being written in wet cement. And the more you move closer to that future outcome through the energy vibrations of what you think, say and do the more it becomes set in your reality. So being informed of possible future events can be very helpful. If it’s something you want to experience keep sending out the same energy of thought, word or action. But if it’s not what you want change the energy you’re sending out. It’s as simple as that. It may not change the whole event but it will change how you experience it. Remember we create our own future, our future does not create us.

 

Q: What is the difference between Tarot and Oracle cards if any? Can they be used for he same purpose?

A: There are two main differences between Tarot cards and Oracle cards. A standard Tarot deck consists of 78 cards. And is very structured with Major and Minor Arcana cards and four suits consisting of cups, wands, pentacles and swords. Whereas an Oracle pack can have any number of cards in a deck. Usually around 45. And is more simplistic in structure. Yes, Tarot and Oracle cards can be used for the same purpose. That is to guide, inspire and inform. They are both tools that can be used to help us access and develop our psychic / intuitive ability and spirituality. In other words helping us to connect with ourselves on a deeper level. And so empower us.

 

Q: I have just started to read Tarot cards for myself and eventually want to read for others. I know it’s important to cleanse your cards but how often should I do this. And what are some of the ways you would recommend?

A: It is important to cleanse your cards. At first I would suggest you do this after each reading. Not just to cleanse your cards but also to become more familiar with them. The following are some simple ways you can use separately or combined to cleanse your cards. Spread your cards out face up and go through the deck and turn each card that is upside down right way up. You can also put your cards back in their original order. Starting with the Fool in the Major Arcana cards and doing the same with the Minor Arcana cards. You can smudge your deck using a smudge stick. A Native American tradition. Move the smoke of the smudge stick around the whole deck several times. You can smudge each individual card if you feel it necessary. Placing crystals with your cards in their protective bag or box can also help cleanse them. Clear Quartz, Amethyst, or any grounding stone would be suitable. Eventually you will sense when your cards need cleansing by how your readings are flowing. Or not flowing.

 

Q: What else can I do to increase my ability to read Tarot cards other than study and practice?

A: In one word meditation. It is an excellent way to develop not only your tarot reading abilities but your psychic abilities. Meditation and Tarot go hand in hand one can help to other. It is a key to understanding the tarot more deeply. Meditation is the practice of quieting the mind so you can hear the heart. Select the first Tarot card in the deck. Sit quietly and relax, gently look into the card for a minute or two. Close your eyes and visualise the images on the card. Take notice what else you see, feel or hear while meditating. If you consistently devote a little time to meditating on a card each day it will help you to see more in the tarot than meets the eye.