THE TAROT READER’S

BLACK BOOK
FOR MAGICIANS AND OCCULT ENTERTAINERS

BY LORD FREDDIE VALENTINE

 T A R O T

A guide to reading Tarot the easy way for magicians.

By Freddie Valentine

(c) Valentine Entertainments 2010

Dedicated to all the magicians who have been nice to me.

This work is the sole copyright of Freddie Valentine and may not be copied or reproduced without prior
permission.
 INTRODUCTION

This is a book that will teach you to read tarot cards the easiest way possible using methods that I have found
to be reliable.

As this book is primarily aimed at magicians and mentalists (basically it’s an open-eye view of such esoteric
practices to a degree), it will be written with that in mind and rather than airy-fairy spiritual guff, I will present
a practical way for you to perform tarot readings.

Reading tarot cards is not something mechanical and does require much more than the ability to be handy
with a deck of cards. Although readings are generally given in the name of entertainment, many people take
such things very seriously and will act upon information or advice you give them.

Hopefully in this book, I will prepare you for most instances and will explain why tarot is not a toy or clever
trick to fool around with, but something that can be influential to people with a certain belief system.

In this book you will not learn a deep and spiritual history lesson concerning the origins of the cards and nor
will you learn the same information that is contained in the tarot books on general sale (although reading one
of these alongside this one would benefit you).

You will learn the vital psychological aspects of tarot and not just the how, but the why.

Many people have different methods and opinions, depending on their experience, so although you may not
agree with some of the things I have written, they have certainly worked for me, try them!

I had always been interested in the occult and psychics in general. When I was much younger than I am now, I
trained as medium in a Spiritualist church (these were the days before they were governed by a union and
were more open to things such as tarot) and was a regular customer to a local witchcraft shop (now defunct).

Reading genuine occult and spiritual literature is incredibly useful if you are going to be a reader, as there is
much there to inspire your imagination and weave an image that suits the scenario.

I am also assuming that you have some knowledge of cold reading. I will cover some of the basics here, but
recommend reading into this subject further as it’s vital for any kind of readings.

Hopefully, this book will inspire you to go out there and give readings with confidence, and most of all enjoy
the experience.

As a purchaser of The Tarot Reader’s Black Book, you know have exclusive access to a private forum which
discusses ideas from this book and new concepts and tips that will help you with your readings. To join, you
first need to become a member of the wonderful Alchemy Moon (http://alchemymoon.heavenforum.com)
once you are a member, simply send a PM to the site owner with the password “jabberwocky”.

Have fun,

Freddie Valentine Feb 2010.

 THE ALLURE OF THE TAROT

Although in this day and age of scientific wonders and gadgets galore, you wouldn’t really think it, but, tarot
cards, just like Ouija boards and other items connected with the ‘occult’, have retained their mystique.

The surprising thing is, if you enter a party or a crowded room, clutching a deck of tarot cards, you will be
inundated with requests for readings. To be perfectly honest, the majority of people wanting readings tend to
be female; in fact 80% of my sitters have been women.

Why men seem to shy away from such things is due to a number of reasons. Pride can often come into it as
does a fear of being ridiculed by their friends for believing in something “silly”, so you can assume that the
majority of the time your clients will be female.

Any magician who has made the mistake of performing something with a tarot deck during their act will know,
people will find the possibility of a tarot reading far more interesting than watching magic – no matter how
well it is performed.

This is purely down to the fact that the subject that most people have the strongest interest in is themselves.

There is a psychological tool, used to get someone to like you called ‘mirroring’

Mirroring is basically mimicking a person’s behaviour so that you gain rapport with them. If you meet
someone and they like the same music as you, the same films, hold the same views on certain subjects, most
people will immediately ‘bond ’ with you and feel you would make a great friend as you reflect the person
most people love the most –themselves!

A magic trick can be involving and touch a spectator profoundly, depending on how involved with it they are
and how much it relates to them. There is nothing more personal than a tarot reading as it is ALL about them!

Many people who book a tarot reading (and I am talking here in terms of a private consultation rather than a
‘fun’ short reading at a fete or suchlike) have come for a reason.

Sometimes they just want to talk to someone (and I have had some terribly lonely people who would pay for
the pleasure of someone listening to them) or they have an issue or worry on their mind and feel too
embarrassed to talk to someone in a professional capacity such as a doctor or solicitor.

It’s these kinds of clients that urge me to refer to tarot readings (or any kind of divinatory situation) as cosmic
counseling.

Being a tarot reader does require great responsibility on your part, as its people’s lives that could be affected
by any badly judged advice. Your main goal is to ensure that the sitter leaves feeling elated with the reading
and will feel that their problems aren’t as unsolvable as they initially felt.

There are certain topics that it’s best not to give direct advice on that could lead to that person making a
wrong decision on your part. This will be covered more fully later in the book. Don’t underestimate the power
a tarot reading has on some people.

When dispensing something which could be construed as advice, if you are uncertain that it produces a
positive outcome, the golden rule is; if in doubt – leave it out!
 There are certain times when directness is needed, bearing in mind the information you give is not something
that could potentially cause harm if acted upon. Other times it’s best to allude to the mysterious and leave the
interpretation up to the sitter.

When giving what I would call a ‘lighter’ reading, such concerns will rarely come up. The type of reading I am
referring to is a short one for fun at a social event such as a corporate function where you are hired to
‘entertain’ the guests. The focus in this situation should purely be on entertainment and heavier issues should
be left aside. In a party environment people don’t really want to be reminded of their day to day problems.

Tarot still has a great attraction for many people and you would be astonished at some of the people you will
come across asking for a reading. People you really wouldn’t expect.

When working as a tarot reader you will have to be prepared to come across a wide range of people, not just
the new-age types. There are different methods I would use when dealing with someone who has a strong
belief in such things than I would the merely curious.

Although the breakdown of categories of the types of people you will come across is fairly large when taken
into consideration, initially it’s important to establish which of the following two descriptions the sitter comes
under:

The Believer: needs no convincing on the subject of ‘psychic’ powers as they really want to believe and it’s
harder to convince them these things don’t exist than the credibility of them. Be prepared to answer lots of
questions with this type of sitter!

The Curious: is someone who is open to the spiritual but has an element of skepticism. This could be because
they are the kind of person who needs things proven to them (which you will hopefully achieve!), or it could be
they have been raised with a different religious belief system or they may fear ridicule from friends. Obviously
these people have some curiosity about the ‘occult’; otherwise they wouldn’t be paying you for a reading, so
you have to use every tool available to win them over to the non-skeptical side.

To do this, I use something I call ‘convincers’, subtle magic effects with a psychic theme. Before you are turned
off by this idea, I don’t mean showing them an ambitious card routine to prove your psychic powers – they are
more subtle and almost dismissed as a prelude to the reading.

I will cover these in greater detail in a later section of the book.

It’s imperative that you treat people with respect. A major step towards people allowing themselves to open
up to you is by gaining rapport with them.

If you are a magician (I assume by the pure fact that you are reading this that you have some background in
magical performance), then you should be well aware that your likeability and persona is tantamount to your
success in performance. If they like you, then you can pretty much entertain them with anything (almost).

It is your personality or your performing persona that will make or break you.

Tarot reading and any kind of “mystical divination” requires a different approach than that of the conjurer.
You DO need to be likable, and you can even at times add humour, but you must remain an air of authority
and appear to be in control (even if you aren’t!). How you come across to the sitter will influence what they
think you are capable of.

Even when you are delivering the biggest plate of bullshit ever served, you must come across as believing in it
100% and as far as you or anyone else is concerned, it is 100% fact! When performing a conjuring trick, it is not
entirely necessary, to try and persuade your spectators that you are making a card repeatedly come to the top
of the deck by some other worldly power. They will play along with it, but they simply won’t believe this to be
the case, as if you had genuine powers, surely you would use them for something more useful. Such as helping
people. Which is why, the role of the tarot reader is one that people will more readily accept as being a
genuine esoteric talent. You must play the role to the full, and even if you don’t believe that fancily decorated
pasteboards can hold the keys to someone’s past, present and future, you must appear to whilst giving a
reading.

Some people present themselves as a character and this can work well as long you don’t overdo it. You don’t
want to look like some kind of camp wizard straight out of a 1960’s horror film! Wearing all black and
embellishing your attire with jewellery (such as pentacle rings etc) will add an element of mystique. You could
be going for the soberly dressed look with a simple suit and tie. Wearing a Green Day t-shirt and dirty jeans
will not make you appear to come across as a master of the mysterious.

Create some ambience; take the sitter on a trip into your world of the mysterious. Always take advantage, if
possible, of all the senses. Burning incense, some new age muzak playing lightly in the background and various
props around you will take them out of the normal world and into a whole different scenario. They will act
differently and the surroundings will make them slightly on edge. When you welcome them and they start to
relax, the apprehension will go, but they are firmly in your “zone”, which is where you want them to be. If
they have booked with you in advance, make sure you have remembered their name, and address them by it,
if you have met them for the first time always introduce yourself and ask their name and always call them by
it. This creates a friendly bond, rather than a formal one which is important if you want them to subtly reveal
things to you.

The easiest situation for reading is in a one-on-one situation where people are less likely to hold things back.
It’s the privacy of the environment which is akin to a doctor’s surgery or psychologist’s practice and is
therefore a place where they feel the information given will go no further than those four walls. In an ‘open’
situation such as a psychic fayre, people are well aware that there are others around who may possibly
eavesdrop and can be more restrained. This doesn’t apply to everybody and is a generalization, some people
clam up more with a stranger or there are others who have no regard to who is around and don’t mind “airing
their dirty linen”, but these kinds of sitters are in the minority. It is also important to “claim” the environment.
If, as I stated previously, you are working in a room in a shop, or your own home, then it is easy for you to add
subtle decorations to firmly mark your territory. But what if you are visiting the sitters own home? I have done
this many times and take some items with me other than the cards themselves and ask to use a table. I have a
cloth with pentagrams printed on it which I lay down to place the cards on. As it is rather large, this is claimed
as “my space”.

No matter how small, if you mark a space as your territory, then you are in control in this area. It no longer
becomes the familiar dining table which the sitter and their family eat their roast dinner on. It becomes a zone
of occult influence!! ;)

Atmosphere and believability is highly important in establishing a mutual, trusting bond with you in the
dominant position. Once the sitter is convinced it’s down to the task of finding out their main concern as there
usually is one.
 BUYING A TAROT DECK

When I first bought a tarot deck, many moons ago, they were only available from what is now called a “new
age” shop, or when I first purchased mine, the more ominous and awe inspiring name of ‘Occult’ or
‘Witchcraft’ shop. In those days tarot decks were mainly seen in films of the Hammer variety or the opening
and end credits of Roald Dahl’s “Tales of the Unexpected” series, and they were something that few people
had actually seen.

These days, however, you can purchase tarot decks in high street bookshops or on websites such as Amazon.
This kind of thing may be worrying for the nervous novice on their way to giving their first reading. You could
be easily fooled into thinking that most people that have an interest in such things already have a deck at
home and therefore you had better get your facts straight according to the (inserted) book. This is not the
case. Although a fair few of the crystal carrying, new-age curious may have a deck in their possession, they
have often “not taken” to it or found the cards hard to read. The reason why is often because they use the
book that comes with the cards as gospel when interpreting the cards meanings, and the constant page
flipping and reading can become tedious in the moment of an esoteric revelation.

The reason why they have come to you (and are willing to pay you for the experience) rather than read the
cards themselves, is because you are considered to be an expert.

I believe which cards you use are very important. If you look around, there are all manner of decks ranging
from ones based on unicorns or cats to gothic style ones which has artwork which belongs on the cover of a
teenage vampire novel. Although having a ‘flashy’ looking deck may seem alluring, they impress and fool no
one. Keep it simple.

Although many people see the artwork as crude or ugly, the Rider-Waite deck is the standard one I use. The
reasons being, is that the imagery is similar to that which most people would have seen in old horror films and
secondly, the artwork on the Rider-Waite cards is fairly easy to interpret. If you really must use one of these
garish, modern looking decks then use them for Halloween parties or themed fun events, not for private
consultations which are deemed to be serious.

The older the cards look the better. It is worth your while aging the cards by dipping them in tea, because if
you want to state that the cards were handed to you by gypsies / an aunt who was a witch / found in the cellar
of an old house etc, they must look the part. The cards must look as if they have some kind of power too. I
also suggest that you throw away the cardboard box they come in and find a far more mystical container.

I have an antique, carved wooden box that the cards fit into perfectly, but you can also buy tarot bags from
online retailers of psychic goods. These often have a pentagram or another pagan type symbol on them and
certainly look the part.

Keeping the cards in the printed box you have bought them in, takes away the mystique that surrounds them
and makes them look like (although technically that’s what they are) something you have bought from a shop.

You want them to appear to be almost sacred items which you handle with care, and keep hidden away safely
in an olden looking box or a velvet bag emblazoned with some kind of magical symbol. These are special items
that contain great power, not just mere pasteboards with nice pictures printed on them.
 I believe that a great deal of success can be achieved by creating an atmosphere. Sight and smell all add to the
ritual of it all, as any religious organization will tell you. When you enter a church, you can often be
overwhelmed by huge stained glass windows, the smell of incense, and the sound of the organ….

You are well aware that you have entered an environment which is vastly different to your usual reality and
will act differently. Whether it is a sense of awe, fear or respect, there is no doubt that this kind environment
causes people to feel and act differently.

When visiting a spiritualist church that was basically a portacabin type structure, the same kind of atmosphere
was severely lacking to me. It didn’t feel quite right for the events that were taking place, and coupled with the
fact that the building also doubled in the daytime as a children’s play centre (and there were reminders of this
all around), it seemed like a friendly gathering rather than a serious religious activity.

I am not suggesting that you treat the set-up for a tarot reading as an overblown display of pomp and
circumstance, but adding little touches can change the perception of the sitter, making the ritual of reading
the cards far easier for you as, if ANY of the previously mentioned emotions affect the sitter (awe, fear or
respect) then you are at a strong advantage.

Of course all of this relates to the heading of his section, impressions do count, so carefully consider the deck
you use and bear in mind two important points:

1) The look of the deck

2) Imagery that is easy to read

A later section of the book will cover the imagery contained in the cards and methods on interpretating them,
but bear in mind that if a card has artwork that is too basic or a very specific image or whether it contains too
much clutter and artistic license, you may be stumped with these in some situations. Using a deck such as the
Rider-Waite, which I shall use as a reference point in later examples, will make things a lot more flexible.

If you are a magician or come from a magic background, please do not perform flourishes with them or
anything that could be construed as coming from a magic performance. If you are using tarot cards in a bizarre
magic routine then the same advice applies, though in that situation you may need sleights associated with
card magic, though these are not seen by the spectators.

When giving a reading, if you treat the cards with respect, then so shall the sitter.

Of course, if you find a deck that you feel suits your performing character better than go for it, but I strongly
suggest learning the basics with a more commonly known deck.

When I give readings I prefer to go for the age-old tradition of arcane knowledge aspect and a modern ‘angel’
type deck would certainly fail to fit in with his image. People would expect me to have aged cards that have
been handed down to me or at the very least, ones that look slightly ‘black magic’.

The booklet that comes with the cards is good for a few ideas, but generally I interpret the imagery to suit the
situation/sitter. You’d be surprised how adaptable a lot of the tarot images are.
 STARTING THE READING

When I started to give tarot readings in return for payment, it became more ‘professional’ rather than a bit of
fun for people you know or have met in a social situation and it always worried me, to begin with, whether I
would be seen as a ‘fake’ or people had felt they hadn’t received their money’s worth.

When people are paying for something it’s a whole different arena and often, when starting out as a tarot
reader, you may feel guilty for taking money from people for what may initially appear to be doing very little.
Some of your clients, as I stated previously, may have some knowledge of the tarot and the fact that the
origins of the cards are shrouded in a degree of mystery, is something that will work to your benefit.

Often before giving a reading, I have a pre-talk with the client which does two things:

1) Establishes rapport with them

2) Covers any questions they may ask if they do have a pre-conceived knowledge of tarot cards.

You may feel more comfortable coming up with your own ‘back story’ (so to speak), that’s fits your personality
more. The image I present is not a new-age one or someone who may use Angel Cards or such like, but
someone who has deeply studied the occult, hinting towards black magic/witchcraft area of things and have
studied with some important people that have imparted some arcane and rare knowledge.

The new age shop that I worked in would refer to me as a ‘clairvoyant tarot reader’. This was their own phrase,
referring to the fact that I channeled the cards rather than dished out standard meanings. I like this title and
used it.

The initial meeting between yourself and the sitter is very important. You must come across as friendly and
likeable, but also authorative. Some people may seem nervous; particularly if it’s the first time they have
dabbled in such things.

It’s up to you to put them at ease but also retain an air of mystique. I like to give people a good reading and a
good experience. Impressions and atmosphere are everything.

You may wish to have candles burning and an incense/oil burner. These little touches remove them from the
‘normal’ world they have come from and enter them into ‘your’ world, so anything that may divert them from
‘the norm’ will all be beneficial to the atmosphere you are creating.

An example of the pre-talk, after greeting the client, would be something along these lines:

“Have you had a tarot reading before? … The method I use is different from most. I
want to give you a very specific and personal reading that relates only to you. Have
 you ever seen the books you get with the cards? The meanings are far too vague and
that isn’t the best way to read tarot. If I stated ‘You will go on a long journey’, well,
that could apply to anyone. You’ll want to know what kind of journey and where!

The oldest methods are the ones that take the longest time to learn and those are the
ones I have chosen to study. I tune into your vibrations and then tune into the cards
and then harmonise the two together…”

What I am stating here is:

1) I have been doing this for a long time

2) The method I am using is an ancient and obscure one
3) The way I read the cards is unique – making me different from all the other readers
4) The reading will be personal to them
5) My ‘powers’ allow me to tune into them, implying “magick” or natural energies
6) You won’t learn this method of reading from a book

This talk sets them up for an experience and places a sense of importance on the occasion and enhances their
expectations.

One of the most important things to do during any reading is to listen to what the sitter has to say. Here you
will pick up subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) hints about them and what their concerns are.

These useful snippets of information are for you to store and use further into the reading as they will have
forgotten what they have told, such is the atmosphere of the reading, plus you will also be diverting them by
discussing the meanings of the cards and such things will easily be forgotten.

Another very important aspect of any reading is to observe as much about the person as you can, as soon as
they enter. How are they dressed? Are they well spoken? Are they a professional? Do they look creative?

It’s very worth your while reading books on body language and basic psychology to help you with this, but
there some aspects of a person’s appearance which give a lot a way and although saying something as a
‘hunch’ may seem risky, it will often pay off.

A couple of examples which I have encountered are:

An English girl and her Muslim friend both wanted readings (and to sit in with each other). The Muslim girl was
wearing a jhab which implied that her family is very religious. They were both teenagers.

With the Muslim girl I came to the following conclusions that turned out to be correct.

1) She felt pressurized by her family to follow a certain tradition, yet she was open-minded and curious
about other things and was made to feel guilty about her curiosity.
2) She was interested in a boy that was not of the same religion and felt that her family would not
accept this.
The fact that she was interested in having a tarot reading, showed that she was interested in ‘forbidden’ things
outside of her religious beliefs and possibly suspected there was more to the world than she had been told.
Most teenage girl’s preoccupations are of a romantic nature.

Obviously, with this kind of information, I was dealing with a sensitive subject and had to be careful not to
offend.

So how do I put this across to someone?

I use the readers’ old faithful tool – flattery!

Readings should be filled with flattery, as after all, people want to leave feeling good about themselves, not
depressed!

I emphasized the fact that she was an intelligent person with a curious mind and sometimes felt different
from those around her and was misunderstood.

Now WHO would disagree with that?

The second example, using observation, was with a woman in her 40’s who, earlier in the reading had let slip
she had been with her partner for 14 years. Towards the end of the reading I asked her if there was any
specific question she wished to ask which I would answer with a one-card reading. She asked me whether she
would have children. The card that turned up was ‘The Devil’.

Noticing that her hands contained neither a wedding nor engagement ring, I went out on a limb and stated
that the devil symbolized something preventing this from happening. I said that she wanted children, but it
was something to do with her partner.

This phrase could be interpretated by the sitter in a number of ways with the obvious two being:

1) Infertility on her partners part.

2) No desire to have children

Her reaction told me it was the latter and the lack of any kind of ring indicated to me that there was a lack of
commitment. My advice to her was to discuss this with her partner and to let him know how she felt.

These simple observations got to the core of the sitter’s issues.

Using instinct and going out on a hunch can pay off with dividends if you hit the nail firmly on the head. If you
do hit big, milk it for all it’s worth. Of course, the opposite applies if you are spectacularly wrong. Move along
quickly, nothing to see here!
 SUBTLE CONVINCERS

Any magician or mentalist will have in their armoury a few effects that appear to be a demonstration of
psychic powers.

When using something like this before a reading to “tune in” to the person, you are at a strict advantage.

Those who already believe will have their views strengthened, those who are skeptical will be a stage forward
to becoming a true believer!

The type of effect you use should be chosen carefully and anything that looks too much like a ‘magic trick’
should be avoided. In the past I have used an equivoque prediction (Black Hart details a simple but effective
one using rune stones in his excellent Black Book 3), divination of a person’s name using a centre tear and a
drawing duplication.

I am sure there are many things you can think of that suit your personality, I would like you to consider some
of the following suggestions:

Using marked Zener cards, you hand the sitter one of each symbol and have a set for yourself. The sitter places
them face down in a line on the table. You then do the same. The cards match. The deck I recommend is
Michael Murray’s excellent Beyond ESP2.

Another great utility item is Alakzam’s BIP book 2 which has a range of forces for you to use.

If, like me, you enjoy using a darker occult theme then Outlaw Effect’s superb Witches Almanac is a winner
every time.

The reason I give for doing such things is that I need to tune in with the sitter and connect with their mind. I
always explain that it doesn’t always work and if I doesn’t, not to worry, but it helps me tune in far quicker.

Obviously, it does work and you then praise them on their strong psychic ability and powerful mind.

If they aren’t eating out of the palm of your hand by now, take up juggling!

A little added extra that I sometimes throw in, involves the use of a pendulum and the magician’s favourite
The Haunted Key. Often a sitter has some degree of interest in the paranormal and psychic powers and are
likely to have experimented in that area, or are planning to. Most of all people want results and a lot of psychic
explorers make things happen themselves because they want it to be real. If you can use this belief and make
it real for them, then you will leave them with a little extra they will never forget. Stating that you can feel a
strong psychic presence within the sitter and that they either (a) have healing abilities or (b) have undeveloped
psychic potential, will delight the majority of sitters and will be giving them what they wish to hear.

This little “routine” is something I use to ‘prove’ it to them and leave them with something that will astound
them for a long time. All you need, as I stated above, is a pendulum (use a decent one rather than a ring on
the end of a hair!) and the good old haunted key. Moving the subject on to their undeveloped psychic ability,
you mention telekinesis and ask them if they know what it is. Whatever the answer is, you tell them that to get
objects to move with the power of the mind, you need to psychically “push” them using your thoughts and this
takes extreme concentration. The more you practice it, like a muscle, your psychic ability becomes stronger
and to demonstrate you produce the key. You tell the spectator that you are merely concentrating all your
thoughts onto the key and imagining it moving, pushing it with your thoughts, and if you concentrate hard
enough, this WILL happen.

As you will know, they key will move over, hopefully with some astonishment from the person watching. Now
who wouldn’t want to be able to that? You then explain to them that to move something the size and weight
of a key takes many years of practice and they must start with something smaller and lighter. Would they like
to try? Of course they would! It is at this time that you produce the pendulum. Anyone who has worked with a
pendulum will know that it works by ideomotor response –subtle movements that the user doesn’t even know
they are making – which work stronger when faced with heavy suggestion and a strong desire for it to work.

The previous demonstration with the key, mixed with their belief in psychic powers has already primed them
up to make this work, so use it with all your might! Hand them the pendulum and ask them to hold the small
ball on the end of the chain/thread between their index finger and thumb and ask them to stare at the
pendulum and imagine it moving in a circular motion. Sometimes this will happen immediately, sometimes it
takes some time. Either way, state that it needs their attention to be completely focused. If it moves right
away you can feign amazement and state that you have never seen anyone connect with their ability so
quickly before. If it takes longer then you can keep suggesting that they need to concentrate stronger and
state that it WILL work once they “tune in”. Given time it will move in a circular motion and you need to lay on
the suggestions that the rotation is getting stronger and stronger and faster and faster. When this does
happen the participant will be amazed. Once this is happening, it is easy then to get them to make the
pendulum move backwards and forwards and from side to side, all the while reminding them that they are
doing it with THEIR mind.

I have often has people ask me whether it would work if they did it on their own at home. Of course it will!
You can suggest they buy a pendulum from a new age shop, make one using a ring and some thread, or if you
are really canny, have some for sale!
 STOCK PHRASES & COLD READING

Whilst you are getting the subject into the reading, you need to win them over and prove your amazing ability
to see into their soul. Throughout the reading, there will be certain things they will give away (often you will be
steered towards the subject that they wish to discuss – pick up on this!) and you will have observed certain
characteristics, but whilst you are doing this, you need to keep the reading flowing.

This can be done with stock phrases – statements which seem personal but which apply to practically
everyone. These statements can also be interpretated or expanded on in different ways.

In the 1940’s a psychologist named Bertram R. Forer conducted a series of tests on his students. Each were
given a unique reading of their personality and were asked to comment on its accuracy. Asked to score out of
5.0, the average rating was 4.26. Every student was given the exact same reading.

Some of these statements are:

You've gone through a lot of ups and downs over the past few years, emotionally and
financially, and that has caused stress in your life.

You set huge, unattainable goals for yourself that you're rarely able to achieve.

You have a creative streak that you aren't always able to indulge in.

You are an independent thinker. You like to check out claims for yourself before you believe
what someone tells you.

You often have great ideas that you just never have the motivation to follow through on.

You don't like to be told what to do. You have a little bit of an issue with authority.

You have a fear of rejection.

You get bored easily and crave excitement in your life.

You fall in love easily.

 You feel guilty about and worry about things that are completely out of your control.

You are often too critical of yourself.

You are a daydreamer and a romantic. Often times you find yourself tuning out of
conversations because your mind is somewhere else.

Often time you keep your emotions bottled up, and that's not good for you. But you're also
afraid of being too assertive and hurting someone's feelings.

You are highly selective of your friends and very choosy about who you have relationships
with, although you have a wide range of acquaintances.

You procrastinate too much and have a hard time getting motivated at times.

You are not deceptive -- you're very honest and trustworthy.

Be honest, how many of these statements apply to you?

They are not to be said exactly as printed here, but to be used as a basis to elaborate upon. This method is
commonly known as ‘Cold Reading’.

This is a reading performed without any prior knowledge of the person sat before you. During this part of the
reading, the sitter will give away quite a bit of information about themselves which will you store to produce later –
and look like an amazing psychic!

It’s important to listen to what is said in response to these statements and also to watch their reaction. Facial
expression can give a lot away regarding the issues that this person is most affected by. When using the
“something creative you haven’t fulfilled” line, I make suggestions such as “it could be something like painting...a
musical instrument....” and watch for their reactions.

Quite often there is a giveaway sign when you mention the appropriate one such as a smile, or a nod. If for
instance, I notice the sign on “musical instrument”, I then go on to say “such as the guitar...a piano...or possibly
singing”. When they react, I firmly state: “But I am drawn towards piano...” (Another sign) “Yes, I feel you played
the piano at some point.”

Stock phrases are very useful in the early stages of a reading and they can be adapted to fit in with whatever
cards you have before you. Using phrases such as “What I am picking up from this card...” before you deliver a
stock phrase gives the impression that the cards are almost talking to you and you have some kind of connection
and understanding with them. Stock phrases are useful in winning the confidence of the sitter. Once they think
that you understand them and can pick up on their inner feelings and past experiences, you will find them
generally being far more open than when they initially entered the room.
 Once the first barriers are broken down, in the same way that a mutual interest can open the doors of a
friendship, they will unwittingly drop strong hints about themselves. This situation happens a lot quicker in a one-
on-one-situation as the nature of the experience and the privacy of the environment allows them to see you as a
secret confidant. As many of the things they wish to discuss are personal and often of a sensitive nature, trust is
something that is imperative and if you gain that trust, you will be astonished as to what you will be told.

It’s in situation like this that your instinct and ability to put two-and -two-together is needed. Often there will be
little hints such as a devil card being drawn and you state that it represents someone from their past who has had
a negative or destructive influence. They will sometimes comment something like: “Ah, that’ll be my ex-
husband/wife.” Make sure you remember this information and refer to this later on. The passage of time is
something that is incredibly useful to the tarot reader. The client will easily forget what they have said or let slip,
particularly if you appear at the time to ignore it, and move their thoughts onto other subjects or focus upon the
cards themselves.

If you are doing regular readings at the same place (I worked for some time in a new-age type shop), you will
have regular customers who return for further readings.(If they liked you!) It’s imperative that you remember as
much information as you can as when they return they will have forgotten most of what they have told you last
time and you can REALLY impress them! When I had an advance booking, I often asked the person who rang
the shop if the client was a regular customer. If they were, then there was a high chance they would be the type
of sitter who would return for further readings.

After the reading, and you are alone in the consultation room, have a note pad ready and record important points
revealed in that reading and a brief description of the sitter. (Make sure you remember their name!) Next time
they return, you can deliver some incredible revelations!
 HOT READING

As well as cold reading, there is also a technique called hot reading. Hot reading is where you have already
acquired information about the sitter without their knowledge. Of course, this is a lot harder to do prior to the
reading but if the situation presents itself – do it!

With the advent of social networking sites, many people seem very keen to reveal the minutiae of their
everyday life to the world. If you have their full name or any other information, you will be surprised what it is
possible to find out. When the client contacts you to arrange a sitting, a brief informal chat can give you some
very useful information.

If you manage to get an email address as their contact details, sites such as Facebook allow you to do a search
for someone using their email address. You are guaranteed to find the right person then as a name such as
Mike Smith will yield many search results.

When I used to give readings in a new age shop, it was in a private back room of the shop. When I was giving a
reading, the next client would often be in the shop and engage the salesperson in conversation which was
often about the tarot reading and their expectations.

I would have a friend in the shop ‘browsing’ who would listen to all of this and when I went outside the shop
before the next reading for a glass of water/cigarette, whatever, I would be given some very useful
information! Any chance you have to gain information beforehand, do it!

When doing private readings at a clients home, I often place a cloth down over table I am going to be using
and set things up. Quite often you are asked whether you would like a drink. Always accept and always go for a
hot drink – they take longer to make! Whilst your cuppa is being prepared, you have a chance to nose around.
Family photo’s, what books are on their shelves, DVD collection, souvenirs from various holidays, bills lying
around.... You can discover a plethora of facts which will be waiting for their moment to arrive. For instance,
children are mentioned: “I feel you have three children...a boy and two girls?”

Someone’s DVD collection can tell you a lot about their character, as will their tastes in music or books. The
type of ornaments and decoration of their house will also give you a strong indication as to the type of person
they are.

At one house, I noticed a fair few books on crystals and new-age subjects and a brochure for the Mind, Body
and Spirit Festival. I also noticed a bible. Working out the fact that this lady had a spiritual side, was exploring
new avenues that were sometimes conflicting with her previous beliefs and had visited a new-age event was
hardly a job for Sherlock Holmes. Use what you can! There can be some red herrings amongst their personal
items, so I would suggest leading up to them if you are in any way unsure. For example, a friend may have lent
them a book on crystals which they didn’t get along with, haven’t read or quite simply failed to believe. You
need to suggest that they have had some dealings with crystals and watch the response. Quite often they will
tell you what their interest in that area is and you can make the original statement fit.

The rule to remember when using hot reading methods is to be as discreet as you can when finding out
information. If you give readings to people that you know or colleagues at your place of work, eavesdropping
on conversations can put you to a great advantage. People like to gossip sometimes about their problems and
if one of these people request a reading you can get straight to the point!
 Although readings in social situation such as this are not usually financially beneficial to yourself, they do
wonders for your reputation. Make sure you have some business cards handy as a fully impressed client can’t
wait to tell their friends how wonderful a reader you are and as any wise person will know, good word of
mouth is one of the best ways to generate business. One satisfied customer you have given a freebie reading
to can often result in a queue of people willing to pay you!

Of course, there are other methods to obtain information during a reading, such as the old mentalist ruse The
Centre Tear, but these are methods I refrain from using. One item I do sometimes use is an impression pad.
You can ask the client to write down their main problem or something they wished to be addressed or the
name of someone close to them. It’s a useful way to add a tiny bit of hot reading into the equation. An
impression pad can also be used as a convincer before the main reading, divining their pin number, pet’s name
or something close to them, to establish that ‘mental connection’.

As unscrupulous as some of the techniques I have outlined seem, the client will go away happy and
impressed, which is surely the whole point of them having a reading in the first place. Leaving your client
happy after the reading is highly important. Techniques of flattery help to achieve this, but also the realisation
that their problems aren’t as bad as they seem is something that brings great comfort to people. The advice
you give is quite often taken as gospel, so you really have to bear in mind that your sitter doesn’t take the view
of tarot reading as you may do. Many people take them incredibly seriously, in fact, more so than they would
the advice of a doctor or legal person.

The ethics required for tarot reading will be covered next and is something you should not take lightly.
 TAROT READING ETHICS

Tarot is a serious business. Many of the people that come to you are seeking advice, often they are desperate.
Some are fun seekers or the merely curious, but they are in the minority. You are dealing with people’s lives.

I always recommend reading some books on basic psychology. Tarot reading is not a “magic trick” and you
will not receive Blaine style whoops or “how did you do that?” astonishment. You will be faced with a whole
spectrum of reactions. From astonished silence, to being “creeped out”, sometimes tears and sometimes joy.

People’s personal issues have a great deal of sensitivity attached to them. Any extreme advice should be
avoided, or at the very least, let them come to their own conclusions without you stating them blatantly.
Quite often they are looking for the answer to a question which they already know the solution to, but are
looking for validation. They are hoping the tarot cards provide this.

Giving direct information which would have an extreme impact on their lives should be avoided at all costs, no
matter how you may feel about it. If a girl is in a relationship with a physically abusive boyfriend, quite plainly
telling her to leave (no matter how right this may be!), could result in her telling him it’s finished and that YOU
told her to end it. This could result in you needing to visit a faith healer. Or A&E.

Implying that she needs time on her own, to speak to her friends or confide more in someone close to her
could achieve the outcome she wishes. Just don’t implicate yourself in any decisions as these kinds of things
can get very messy and people can often do a U-turn at any given moment!

Health is another area that should be handled very carefully. As much as someone wants you to tell them that
they are going to be all right, you should never state this. If someone is worried about their health and you tell
them want they want to hear and they fail to visit their doctor, they could be seriously ill and if the illness had
been found earlier they may have been easily treated. Never play god. If someone has health concerns you
must reassure them, but state quite clearly they must visit their doctor, to put their mind at rest. Push the
point that the cards are telling them to book an appointment. If they are found to be fine then you will have
been 100% right as you told them that it was for their own peace of mind. If they are found to be ill, again you
are 100% correct as the cards were pushing them to arrange an appointment with their doctor.

Legal issues and anything involving money or investments are to be avoided. If the sitter acts upon
information you have given them and it’s turned out to be bad, you could be sued! Common sense dressed up
as esoteric prose is the best thing to use in any prickly situation.
 PRACTISING READINGS
Before you venture into the arena of the professional tarot reader, it’s advised you get as much experience
under your belt as possible. You will encounter many kinds of people and many kinds of situations.

You will need to able to think on your toes, be blessed with the gift of the gab and pick up on any information
given to you. The only true way to becoming an experienced and accomplished tarot reader is to get out there
and do it. Every reading will make you a better exponent of the tarot. Each one a notch on your pentagram
embossed belt.

Family and close friends are good for giving readings too regarding the future, but as you know too much
about them already, they are not a good resource for trying out your cold reading techniques. Friends of
friends, work colleagues, people you meet at parties... these are the kind of people you should be looking at if
you want to get a feel as to what reading for a complete stranger is like.

When you get your first deck of tarot cards, disregard the booklet and study each card individually. Find
meanings in the imagery. Imagine someone before you. Relate that card to them. Think of people you know
and their current situation and relate that card to them.

A lot has been written about various tarot spreads and if you look into some of the shut eye literature on the
subject, different spreads will be detailed. Personally, I don’t prescribe to any particular spread and tend to lay
the cards out on the table before me as if they were a storybook, telling the story of the clients life. Simple
three card readings are great for practice and also for quick readings. Representing the past, present and
future, this kind of reading can be used to answer a specific question and gives you more scope than a one-
card reading. (Which I sometimes add towards the end of a full reading to answer a specific question)

As an example, lay down three cards randomly and try this little exercise:

The first card represents the past: What does it tell you about this person? Did something bad happen?

Does it point to a happy childhood? A bad relationship? Broken dream? What do you see?

The second card represents the present: What’s going on now? Are there changes afoot? Decisions to be
made? Are they happy? Sad? Confused?

The third card represents the future: What does this card warn them of? What advice is being given here?

Will their current predicament have the outcome they desire? What do they need to do to achieve this?

The more you familiarise yourself with the cards, the easier it will become for you to read them. There are so
many images and visual metaphors hidden in the cards artwork, so that it easy for you to use them to point
towards a number of things, particularly in conjunction with the stock phrases I listed earlier.

The main concerns that people have fall under three main headings:
Financial

Health

Romance

This is boiling it down to the basic elements; there are many sub-divisions to the above. Finance could relate to
someone who has had a lottery win and is unsure how to spend it, concerns about their job/career, the
potential outcome of a legal battle, the sale of a house. Health could mean concerns about their own health or
someone else’s, an impending operation, worries that a previous problem may return. Romance could cover
them wondering if they are going to meet someone, is their partner cheating? Should they leave their partner?
etc

Ascertaining which of the primary concerns relates to them will lead to the source of their query. By cold
reading, watching reactions, and listening, you will soon be directed to one of the ‘big three’.

With time and a lot of experience, you will be able to direct yourself to their main concerns with ease. If it’s a
romantic situation they came to see you about, discussing finance or health will create a less-interested
response in the sitter. They will become more animated and keen to talk when you are close to the area that
concerns them. Like anything, there is a knack to acquire. Study the cards, think about the potential meanings
for each one, read some shut-eye books and get out there and try it out.

When you feel accomplished enough, it could well be worth offering your services to a charity event. You will
encounter a wide variety of people and although there may be some sceptics, and the merely curious, you will
learn how to handle all types of situations and a cross section of people.

I once did a charity event and was busy all night! Although I didn’t get paid, I was bought many drinks by
grateful sitters and when I left the venue to visit a local pub to have a drink with a comedian friend of mine
who was also performing that night, I was followed by a string of people who I didn’t get round to giving a
reading to! I felt rather like the Pied Piper, except I was brandishing a deck of cards instead of a flute!
 A BASIC GUIDE TO THE CARDS MEANINGS
Although you will receive a nice little booklet with your tarot deck (sometimes confusingly written!) I shall
provide a brief description of each card. This is purely to give you some ideas and a little education as to the
“standard meaning”.

Please treat these as “bullet points” or suggestions to get you on your way. Your own interpretation is just as
valid as any other. It’s worth reading through the little book but they tend to be confusing and are generally
what put the casual shut-eye tarot explorer off giving readings as the meanings attributed to the cards tends
to be vague and generalized and someone who desires a reading wants something very personal. Get a
general idea from the booklet, but use your own imagination and interpretation as this is what will get you
through a reading and will get you out of those tricky moments. You can make the cards fit any situation you
want with a bit of imagination.
 THE MAJOR ARCANA

The major arcana consists of twenty two cards

The Major Arcana are the most recognizable cards of the tarot.

A wide range of human experiences are represented by the Major Arcana and it is possible to do readings
using just these cards alone. The most iconic cards such as The Lovers, Death and The Devil exist in the Major
Arcana.
 0 THE FOOL

You will form a friendship with someone who is quite different to yourself, someone who could be deemed
eccentric to others, but their carefree spirit brings some excitement into your life.

You are entering the unknown, about to take a new venture. This is something that is out of your normal realm
of experience and you feel a sense of apprehension, but it’s the challenge of something you have never
experience before that is drawing you on towards this new venture.

This card could be how some of your friends or family sees you. You are attracting a new circle of friends who
are far different to your previous ones and have interests that you share with them which other people close
to you dismiss or see as trivial.

This card represents freedom, spontaneity, the unusual, new experiences.

You are a person who likes to follow your own path, regardless of what people may think. You are always on
the search for new experiences and adventures. Some people see this as foolhardy, but it’s the spontaneity
which you enjoy and sometimes drives you.

Often you are seen as a dreamer or an idealist, with your head in the clouds, unaware as to what is around
you.

1 THE MAGICIAN

There is someone around you who has great knowledge and power, someone you admire who has been a
strong influence in your life.

The Magician represents great knowledge, this could be knowledge that you are not aware you have. In the
near future this knowledge will be used to help others. You will have a positive influence on people.

A magician is someone who has studied his craft for many years. There is something you wish to achieve, but
this will take time and for you to apply yourself to its study in the same way that a magician would dedicate his
time to his mysterious pursuits. It’s only after an intense period of learning that you will achieve the results
you require.

In days of old, Magicians held a lot of power in the community. They were consulted for advice, healed people

And were considered the font of all knowledge. There is someone in your life at the moment that holds the
answers to you questions and the ability to resolve them.

2 THE HIGH PRIESTESS

The High Priestess represents a woman’s intuition and is suggesting you trust your instincts. Follow your gut
feeling.

There is a strong female influence around you, someone whose advice is worth listening to.

This card sees you in control of things, reaching a level in which you are able to deal with all of your problems
and come out stronger

People see you as a wise person and hold you in high esteem.

3 THE EMPRESS

This card represents your creative side and ability to produce and nurture things.

The card shows someone relaxed in a garden surrounded by the things she has created and looked after.

For a woman, this card can mean that she is due to have children and would be a good mother.

This card represents your artistic side.

Feeling comfortable and happy with yourself.

It is a scene of harmony.

Take time to explore your creative side.

4 THE EMPEROR

The Emperor symbolizes someone who is gaining control of their life. There has been something that you have
been unhappy about for some time and you are looking to make changes. It could be a relationship, it could be
work, but there is a strong urge for you to be in control of your life and do things your way.

This card represents a strong male influence that may be stopping you from making decisions of your own and
you feel obliged to go along with them because it’s the easier option. This card is telling you that you need to
be in control of things and change what you are unhappy about.

5 THE HIEROPHANT

The Hierophant symbolizes a period of transgression where you are progressing from one stage to another.

You are in position where you feel you need to please too many people at once.

This card states that you need to make compromises to achieve what you want.

Powerful male influence that you need to compromise with to get what you want.

6 THE LOVERS

A strong bond with someone will see you through your problems.

Romance is on the cards.

The beginning of a new relationship.

This card can also symbolize friendship.

Relationship problems.

7 THE CHARIOT
Represents travel.

Having to be in charge.

The driver is in control. He holds the driving force.

The driver needs people to pull the chariot. To move forward you need to work together with people.

8 STRENGTH

Symbolises strength of character or inner strength that you didn’t know you had.

In the past you have had to be strong to cope with the things you have had to deal with.

You need strength to cope with the current situation/what is ahead.

9 THE HERMIT

You have led a solitary life and don’t let people get close to you.

You prefer your own company. You are a very private person.

You need to spend some time alone and clear your head.

10 THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Symbolises the ups and downs of life and how things comes full circle.

Your fortune is about to change.

You are about to enter an affluent phase.

Fortune is working in your favour.

You are entering a positive phase in life.

11 JUSTICE

You have strong values regarding right and wrong.

Justice will prevail.

You have a good ability to see both sides.

12 THE HANGED MAN

A feeling of being trapped or held in limbo.

Feeling as if you have been unjustly treated.

Blamed for things which aren’t your fault.

Taking on other people’s problems too much.

13 DEATH

New beginnings.

The ending of something.

Time to move on and accept something has ended.

14 TEMPERANCE

Trying to balance things such as family life and a career.

Making sure that you find a fine balance in your life.

Having trouble juggling everything together.

15 THE DEVIL

A negative influence in your life.

Someone is stopping you from achieving what you wish.

Someone negative from the past that still haunts you.

16 THE TOWER
There will be changes in your life.

At times it may seem as if your world is crashing down all around you – but it’s not.

There are challenges ahead.

17 THE STAR

You have a hidden talent but haven’t been given a chance to shine.

You have a calming or healing influence.

 18 THE MOON
A new adventure or horizon is open to you, but beware, there may be pitfalls

You need to tread carefully.

Sometimes you feel frustrated as if you are barking at the moon and receiving no response.

19 THE SUN
A new, positive influence is shining upon you.

A symbol or growth, in the same way the sun makes plants grow; the sun’s influence will nurture the aspects
of your life which need to be developed.

20 JUDGMENT
Something needs to be dealt with. You need to use your judgement on a situation. No one can decide for you.

21 THE WORLD

New horizons. The world is opening up for you. You can achieve your dreams.

These are just basic descriptions of the cards of the Major Arcana.

By studying the imagery you will soon be able to come up with ideas of your own to suit the cards in the major
arcana.

With tarot, nothing is a strict interpretation. The cards are designed in such a way so that you can find
meanings in the cards to suit the sitter. Play around with them and use these bullet points as a starting point.
 THE MINOR ARCANA

Like playing cards, the minor arcana consists of four suits.

Wands: The wands are the equivalent of clubs in a deck of playing cards. In tarot the wand represent
power, working towards your goals and action. They represent the sitter being able to achieve things and
follow their dreams. Work.

Cups: Like hearts in a deck of playing cards, cups deals with emotions, feelings and relationships,
whether they be romantic, friends or family.

Swords: Swords are the tarot equivalent of spades. They represent conflict, whether it concerns other
people or if it’s an internal, emotional conflict. They can also represent a change in a situation or in the sitter’s
life in general.

Coins: Like diamonds in a normal deck of cards, the coins relate to finances and fortune.

Here follows a basic guide to the minor arcana with some keywords to get you started.
THE ACE OF COINS: Business opportunities, new doors open to you

THE TWO OF COINS: Balancing their life, need to be flexible

THE THREE OF COINS: Learning new skills, going through a learning stage

THE FOUR OF COINS: Money matters, need for more finance

THE FIVE OF COINS: Need to be strong for others

THE SIX OF COINS: Generosity, many people relying on your loyalty

THE SEVEN OF COINS: Working hard, about to see the fruits of your labour

THE EIGHT OF COINS: Progressing at the things you are trying to achieve, building for the future.

THE NINE OF COINS: Achievement, hard work paying off

THE TEN OF COINS: Financial or business arrangements with others

THE PAGE OF COINS: Recognition, high expectations required of you.

THE KNIGHT OF COINS: Previous difficulties will help you be stronger

THE QUEEN OF COINS: Need a level head to progress, attention need to be focused

THE KING OF COINS: Confidence, optimism

THE ACE OF SWORDS: Power, victory, success

THE TWO OF SWORDS: At a crossroad, blinkered, unable to see things clearly

THE THREE OF SWORDS: Heartbreak in the past, people have hurt you

THE FOUR OF SWORDS: Life has been stressful, time to relax yourself

THE FIVE OF SWORDS: Separation, going it alone

THE SIX OF SWORDS: Transition, walk away from bad situation

THE SEVEN OF SWORDS: Security, take stock of things

THE EIGHT OF SWORDS: Unable to make decisions, blind to the truth

THE NINE OF SWORDS: Free yourself from negative past situations that still linger

THE TEN OF SWORDS: Feel let down by people, feeling of loss

THE PAGE OF SWORDS: Need to assert yourself, focus on your needs – not let others distract you

THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS: Get work done, you are feeling confident

THE QUEEN OF SWORDS: Feeling impulsive, need to seek new experiences

THE KING OF SWORDS: Reassess plans to move forward

THE ACE OF WANDS: Feeling strong and powerful, grasp opportunities

THE TWO OF WANDS: People trying to influence you, stay focused

THE THREE OF WANDS: Leadership qualities

THE FOUR OF WANDS: New doors opening to you, you dreams are achievable

THE FIVE OF WANDS: Conflict, need to be ruthless

THE SIX OF WANDS: Move on from previous conflicts and rebuild parts of your life

THE SEVEN OF WANDS: Patience and hard work needed

THE EIGHT OF WANDS: Too many possibilities face you, need to focus on the right ones

THE NINE OF WANDS: You have had setbacks but can still progress

THE TEN OF WANDS: Carrying heavy burdens, taking too much on at once

THE PAGE OF WANDS: Self-awareness, life is running smoothly

THE KNIGHT OF WANDS: Be careful with money; do not over commit to projects

THE QUEEN OF WANDS: Optimism, want more from life

THE KING OF WANDS: Need to apply discipline and not take too many risks
THE ACE OF CUPS: Fulfillment, happiness

THE TWO OF CUPS: Entering a new relationship

THE THREE OF CUPS: Celebration, reunited with lost friends

THE FOUR OF CUPS New directions

THE FIVE OF CUPS: Things have been tough for others around you, you have some security

THE SIX OF CUPS: Learning, return to innocence

THE SEVEN OF CUPS: Confusion, problems seem to overwhelm

THE EIGHT OF CUPS: Lacking fulfillment

THE NINE OF CUPS: Achievement, time to celebrate what you have achieved

THE TEN OF CUPS: Marriage, strong bond

THE PAGE OF CUPS: Optimism, spiritual influence

THE KNIGHT OF CUPS: Be bold in your actions

THE QUEEN OF CUPS: Family connections, family influence

THE KING OF CUPS: Relationship is blossoming, you need to be calm

 PUMPING UP THE HITS

When a reader, whether they are a fake medium or a tarot reader, gets something right, this is referred to as a
hit. One of the key techniques used in readings is to focus on the hits and gloss over the misses. By end of the
reading, the sitter will remember all the hits and conveniently forget the misses!

For example, using the technique I mentioned earlier relating to finding out which musical instrument they
played, you would keep talking about the piano and mention how you kept getting visions of a younger version
of them sitting before a piano, having a lesson.

During a reading you will hit upon things, whether they are by chance or whether they have given you the
information unwittingly. Milk them for all they’re worth. At psychic fairs, I have seen some truly awful tarot
readers. Of course they are shut-eye ones and maybe they truly believe what they are saying but telling
someone that doesn’t drive they have bought a new car and have a strong connection with Ireland when they
haven’t is bad enough, but arguing with the sitter and pushing it means they will remember these statements
long after the reading has ended.

It’s good to go out on a limb and use your intuition; you can get some amazing hits this way, but if you get a
monumental miss, move on as quickly as you can! The opposite applies when you get a hit. The more hits that
are pushed and talked about, the better a tarot reader the client will perceive you to be.
 DEALING WITH TRICKY CUSTOMERS

During your exploits as a tarot reader, you will come across a wide range of people, depending on where you
are working. You will come across the merely curious, the outright believers, desperate and distraught people,
skeptics, people who just want to talk to someone occasionally, people who are “testing” you.

I have never had a case where anyone has been disappointed with the reading, or asked for a refund, as a
believe a satisfied customer is your main priority over ego or trying to prove yourself. The majority of people
who come for a reading do so with good intentions and mainly they are seeking advice and comfort. You may
feel guilty at first that people who are in such a bad state are choosing to pay you for such things, but if they go
away with what they came in for, and that is usually hope and a feeling that their problems aren’t as bad as
they initially believed, then you have done a good job. They must leave feeling better than they did when they
went it.

It’s imperative to be understanding and a potential to express empathy is a valuable tool for the would-be
tarot reader. Never give advice that could be potentially harmful, stick to advice that is a dead cert to benefit
them and try as best as you can to help them see things more clearly. You will hear some horrifying stories,
some situations that are not easily resolved and occassionaly desperate pleas to contact their deceased loved
ones. I would refrain from this and point in the direction of the nearest spiritualist church. Never condemn of
criticize their beliefs.

You may come across the tight-lipped “so go on then..” types who will try and tell you nothing in fear of giving
things away as they expect you to be the psychic and tell them everything. You need to deal with this carefully
as they are often teetering between skepticism and belief and one little push could make them fall either way
of the fence. It doesn’t need me to tell you which side you wish them to fall! Their posture usually gives the
game away – arms folded, lips tightly clenched in fear of saying something, straight back – you need to assure
these kinds of people that any kind of reading relies on a psychic connection between you both and that you
sense them putting up a mental barrier which blocks you from tuning in to them. Be upfront and state that you
feel they may have a fear or skepticism of these kinds of things. If this is the case, it would appear you are
picking up on their thoughts (or if you prefer, aura). It is often at this stage, if I haven’t done so before, that I
use one of the convincers mentioned previously to break down this barrier. They are simply teetering between
belief and disbelief and the wall they have built can be knocked down easily. Using a mind reading effect
would win their confidence over. Although a book test type effect is a good idea, it can come across as a magic
trick, so the only one I would recommend using is The Witches Almanac as it’s theme fits in with the whole
scenario.

If you are performing in a pub or somewhere more casual, you will come across people who treat the
situation lightly or are approaching you for “a laugh”. It’s best to inject humour into this kind of situation and
win them over by joking with them. They are not serious about having a reading and want a “bit of fun”, so
make sure that’s what you give them!
 PLACES TO WORK

There are many places you can work as a tarot reader, and each brings with it a different set of difficulties and
benefits. The best situation is a one-on-one type scenario, such as working in a new age shop. If there is one
near to you and they don’t currently offer this service, then enquire! You usually get a room at the back of the
shop, away from everyone else, lots of passing trade who are your key clientele, and can make a good bit of
money. Make sure you have a poster in the window of the shop advertising that you are there and some
business cards to give to clients. If they liked you, they would certainly tell their friends about you and by word
of mouth you can get a lot of business and these new clients are already entering your world with a great
degree of belief in your abilities. The shop will often take a cut of your profits, so make sure this is firmly
agreed before you start working there. Never reveal to the staff that you are “open-eye” and always claim to
believe in the mystical. The people that run these shops are often firm believers and not great business
people. Many of them are opening and closing all the time. If the shop already has a tarot reader but still want
you to work there too, it is a good idea to meet the existing one or give them a call just to stop any bitchiness
or competition. Why not suggest that you can give readings to the clients they can’t fit in? Keep a good
relationship with everyone involved. It will do wonders for your reputation.

When you are the sole worker in a new age shop, it will be easy for you to gain business as there is no
competition. Psychic fairs are a different kettle of fish altogether. Firstly, you have the outlay of a table and
secondly, you are in a room full of tarot readers trying to sell their wares and it can get rather competitive. You
really need to make sure you stand out from the rest and look as professional as possible. You also need to
make sure whether it is worth your while, financially.

When working social events such as corporate functions, where people haven’t come specifically for a tarot
reading, you need to take a different tact. Short, three card readings are the order here and you will have a
mixture of people with varying degrees of interest. The people that are the most keen are the ones you need
to hand your business card to for a “full reading”. Treat this as a fun, sample of your wares and rely on your
charm and social skills to ensure their time spent with you is memorable and pleasurable.

There used to be an opportunity to give readings in spiritualist churches, which years ago I used to do. Many
of them are now members of the National Union of Spiritualists and frown on fortune telling and have an
almost Christian view towards anything deemed paranormal. The nearest they may get to tarot readings is
when they have workshops of open days where readings are given using the softer Angel cards and suchlike.
 RECOMMENDED READING

The following books are well worth reading for further useful information.

13 Steps to Mentalism – Corrinda

Although this is a book on mentalism, there is a good section on readings. All of the information is useful to
anyone pursuing work in the field of ‘psychic entertainment’.

Reader of Minds – Paul Voodini

Superb book on cold and hot reading techniques, packed with great, usable information.

Step-By-Step Tarot – Terry Donaldson

A shut-eye book about tarot, but a really good one. This book goes into the history of the cards, different
spreads and lots of ideas regarding the meanings of the cards.

The Big Black Book – The Black Hart

A compendium of the Black Hart’s three excellent books on bizarre magick, with the third one being mainly
about tarot reading. Some solid advice and amusing anecdotes. A superb book for anyone interested in this
field of entertainment.
 FINAL WORDS

Well, thank you for reading this far and for purchasing this tome. I have only scraped the surface of reading
techniques, but there is plenty out there for you to explore.

Much of the techniques I have discussed here are ones that have proven useful to me and I sincerely hope
that have the same value for you.

Tarot readings are a great way to earn some extra cash, but please do be sensible with your advice and always
ensure that the sitter leaves elated and that the experience has been a pleasurable one.

Tarot reading can be a great experience, both for you and the sitter. The more experience you get, the more
comfortable you will feel giving readings.

Experience is everything. Confidence is everything. Use your intuition.

Have fun. Be responsible.

And thanks again for reading.

Freddie Valentine

May 2010