Tarot and Mediumship / Readings

First ask for help and guidance in prayer.

There is some prejudice against the tarot as being ‘black arts’. Now, the modern translation of the ‘occult’ is all things bad/negative. Here is what the true meaning is…

The word occult comes from Latin occultus (hidden), referring to the knowledge of the secret or 'knowledge of the hidden' and often meaning 'knowledge of the supernatural, as opposed to 'knowledge of the visible' or 'knowledge of the measurable', usually referred to as science.

The modern term's meaning is often imprecisely translated and used as a term for 'secret knowledge' or 'hidden knowledge', in the sense of meaning 'knowledge meant only for certain people' or 'knowledge that must be kept hidden'. For most practicing occultists, however, it is simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that cannot be understood using pure reason or material science.

In general though, the term is used in reference to "evil" spiritual practices, such as devil worship, child sacrifice, or the casting of curses, or at best it is defined by things considered to be superstitious, such as seances, ouija boards, or astrology.

There are many kinds of Cards used for Readings, Flower cards, Angel cards etc... Below you see the Tarot example.

In English-speaking countries, where the Tarot Card Games for amusement only are largely unknown, these interesting cards have come to be utilised as an assistance to guide the medium in spirit communication, much as any other object such as flowers, crystals, water etc. [See  "Tarot & Mediumship" on the Mediumship site.

The Tarot is a set of cards featuring 21 trump cards, with the addition to the usual suit (face and pip) cards found in ordinary playing cards, of 'the fool' and an extra face card per suit. The 'position' refers to a place on the layout, and there are many layouts for different readings. 

The numbers might also be interpreted, either solely or as an addition by a medium who has interest in the discipline of numerology.

Any instrument like cards, ribbons, crystals, flowers etc are just a way of letting our minds relax into the state of ‘rhythms’ or ‘waves’ conducive to ‘spirit receiving mode’ for communications. The basics are the same whatever we use, and this psychic state is the stepping-stone, so whatever ‘floats your boat’ is just fine.

The 'Flower Service' in church is a very nice, and if you see one do please enquire about it, as there may be a request to bring something with you.

Just a word here - there can be resistance to this form of mediumship if it is not made clear that the use of these various aids are only instruments not an end in themselves. In other words mediumship is the order of the day not psychic!

Many classes use this oldest method of linking, and then discard the tools when they are no longer needed.

I have found that when giving readings in the public arena the cards come back into use, simply for the sitter to have a focal point, and the Reader a discipline / method. It does make life a bit easier [not just for the beginner!]

CARDS

Angel cards are popular and when you buy your set let the eye be drawn to the ones you like most. You are going to enjoy this!

American Indian cards have the natural trees, plants, animals and rocks etc to draw the mind into that area.

An ordinary pack of playing cards is quite usable too. Imagination is the key! There are many more I'm sure.

How do we begin the TAROT Reading? 

We are using the pictures to stimulate the imagination only, remember this is because we are not giving a psychic reading with only the ‘reading’ of the person, our aim is to be a medium. Let your eyes slip out of focus and see what you are drawn to on each card. A flower? A symbol? [This sliding of eye focus is also how we find the recipient in the church, by allowing spirit to guide us.]

There are many kinds of cards with different pictures; collecting the sets are quite common, and a nice hobby. Each card is placed in a certain position on the table, and the pattern depends on what the particular subject might be, ‘V’ shaped or circles etc. For a comprehensive cover of all subjects here is the Tarot Card - Celtic Cross’.

Layouts. 

I will start with the basic layout, just for a pattern to follow that easily learned; you can see individual meanings in the instructions with the packs on purchase, and other layouts [patterns] in the many books on the subject. The longest section of the cross layout, for practical reasons will be placed to the side.

Method.

There are many different ways to proceed, and this is my own. Lay all the cards face down, and ‘read’ each one as you turn them, beginning with the 1 & 2, these are the only ones to be held and turned together. The reason for this is a simple, because we want the attention of the sitter [client] to be on the one card at once.

1&2. Center table. Two cards one on top of the other. First is the top card – what is on the mind of the sitter. Second what is in the heart. Alternatively first in the heart, second what is beneath the feet [i.e. wishing to be rid of.] 

3. To the right of this, “the position of the past�?, at three o’clock. Using the ‘rolling-the-video-back’ method, [lesson for this method later.]

***Up to this point I would expect you to have felt the spirit person by now. When you are able, just pause and ask them who they are. Never give information before you get this sorted at the beginning.  Introduce them to the sitter and get confirmation of the entity. We now are taking it as read that the spirit is guiding the reading from here on. They will say what is needed, you just pass it on.

4. Here is the present tense, position below the center two cards. At six o’clock.

5. To the left in a clockwise position is the “near future�?. Nine o’clock. Make no mistake, we do not predict – this ‘future’ place on the table is to discuss what spirit wish, and they never predict because this would be taking away the personal responsibility.

6. At twelve o’clock the distant future or Karma.

7. “The question position�?. [To one side going upward 7, 8, 9, and 10.] This is the question most on the mind of the sitter. You do not ask - you don’t need the question anyway!  Just give the answer from spirit. If the sitter’s own secret question is something that has been put to the back of the mind and does not pop into the head immediately there might be a bit of puzzlement. No worries, ask spirit to clarify and they will either spell it out or give a better reply, mediums have to do this in public quite often if the subject is private.

8. Above the 7. “Outside the circle". Here we are discussing outside the immediate circle of the family, friends neighbours, in material or spirit. Work situations etc…

9. “Hidden hopes and fears". By this I mean what do we think of as we go to sleep? Hopes or fears?

10. “The Culmination card". This is where you talk about what the reading is all about, the general summing up.

Lastly  the ‘final spread’ - arrange the cards as inspired, and this could be all the suits of like kind in rows forming a pyramid shape, or an arrow, any shape that feel fitting for example. Draw from the pattern a final memory to take away, e.g. there are more rods so we see the most influence is spiritual – the major Arcana predominate so we see that….etc….

Finally Questions from the sitter. Remember to watch the time, the reading when enjoyable might take for too long!

Other patterns for the Tarot.

V shaped.

Starting on the left first card - lay six in total going upwards – back to the first card again lay another five going downwards forming a V shape.

This can be used for an indication of ‘where shall I go?’

First card is the current situation – job or whatever. Negative or positive.

The top row is choice number one the lower is choice number two.

Which is negative and which is positive? Does the first start off well and end badly – or visa-versa? Ditto the second choice.

Getting the idea?

With multiple choices do either several in two's, or more than two branches of the V shape.

12 cards could be used for a calendar reading circles for a unity reading etc...

Practicalities

1.     Payment. The issue of money can be a bit sensitive, I am a firm believer that all mediums should not undervalue themselves, the church service is not the same as a private reading, this is my opinion. Always respect ‘the laborer is worth his hire’. This means your time is valuable, respect this or you will not get respect in return, and it is a sad fact that a lot of people only actually appreciate how much they pay in money! So this sorts out the ‘chaff’ from the ‘wheat’, i.e. the idle curious.

2.     Traveling must be worked out and added separately, this often brings the sitter to the medium, which saves you time also.

3.     Restrict yourself at first to a reasonable length of time and cut it down later when experienced.

4.     Decide when you are going to cross from student to qualified, and tell you sitters and friends so there is no confusion. This is wisdom from one who knows! Example. Practice on friends for 6 weeks at no charge except traveling / petrol; time allowed 1 hour. Practice on strangers at say £ 10 for 6 weeks ¾ hour. Then you are making the connection quicker and need only ½ hour  so the charge will be £15. There figures are for guidance only I know the most popular mediums are £30 for ½ hour, depending on the overheads – at the SAGB for instance.

5.     Counseling naturally is going to come into the comforting of grief in the loss of a loved one that spiritualism attracts, you need to be sure you are qualified in this department, It is generally advised by the professionals that a period of adjustment needs to pass before contact is attempted. The literature on this varies considerably.

 So because it takes a lot more time, you need to decide if the first ½ hour of the reading is going to be separated from the next ½ hour of listening to problems discussion etc… again the thought of paying extra concentrates the mind, and often sorts out the ‘chaff’.

Personal Principles

Most mediums I know consider that giving private readings is a spiritual and secular service, and it is up to the individual which part is charged for, but how we separate the two is difficult.

What are the aims of the medium? If the making of excessive amounts of money is paramount Spirit will withdraw their help – you only have to read the many books by famous mediums to hear this over and over again. This is because your ego is not to be fed at their expense, it is destructive, and spirit cannot do anything to aid that downfall, love alone is their currency.

Having said this the successful public mediums that have not gone down that path, and perhaps descended into the purely psychic to compensate for that withdrawal, are earning a living that will never be beyond requirements for any costs or dependents, family, staff etc....  and consider themselves very fortunate to have a ‘job’ that is so rewarding.

I have heard of mediums guides withdrawing for periods of time and when asked how to get them back I have always replied in the positive, your motive is all that matters, if it got confused - sort it out! Perhaps the Spirit guides and helpers are only waiting for the lesson of humility to be learnt.

It needs thinking about!

End.