I realized I have no current burning question or situation confusing me right now to use the spread I posted on, so I decided to treat it as a general exploratory reading, asking..
"What filters do I need to be alert to in reading for others?"
1. I see what I saw before
What experiences from the past are affecting my understanding?
X - The Wheel
The Wheel truly is reflective of my view of life and the way reality works.
My past experiences indicate to me that cause and effect are the key laws that govern reality, and so I tend to focus readings on why things happen, and likely results of decisions made (or left unmade).
I also have experienced the reality that even if the answer is 'not now' it doesn't always mean 'never' so I am very leery of making definitive pronouncements when I know that things change and often due to circumstances that are not yet present at all and are dependent on circumstances beyond our control.
Finally, the Wheel, for me, shows that life is a blend of outside influences and an inward response to them - we may not have a choice about whether to ride the Wheel through its up and downs, but we have a choice whether to take that ride clinging to the edge or staying centered and calm.
The Wheel speaks of cycles of time and a rhythmic way of perceiving apparent chaos and it is difficult to read at all without assuming this mindset to be operational. I'm pretty confident that it is, but it would be a good idea not to assume that the one I'm reading for regards life on these terms - it may need to be explained or put into terms they are able to comprehend and accept.
This is the only Major Arcana card in this reading, and as such I want to take this as the key life lesson I bring to readings.
2. I see what I just saw
What recent experience is affecting my understanding?
8 of Wands
This image shows an archer aiming an arrow at his target. I often take the 8 of wands, with its reference to speeding spears flying midair as a reference to the Internet ... and recently, that's the media for the majority of the readings I do for others, either via LivePerson, in email, or on Second Life.
This has altered a number of my opinions about how things work because these readings from a distance work very well. I'm still not much at a place where I can readily articulate why they work (I'm still working out my personal thesis about why Tarot works), but I have come to trust that they do.
Tentatively, I believe there is a web of connection... much like the web of connection that makes up the Internet itself... that is not limite by geography. I don't think there is some sort of short range emanation that only works at close quarters and dissipates with distance.
And I am aware that many do not agree with this assessment, and it may be necessary to see it as possible for it to be possible.
I'm almost entirely beyond my ability to put what I'm getting from this into words, so I will leave it at that. But to summarize this card in this position, my recent experiences with the interconnectedness of people at a distance from one another are a filter that colors my impression about what is possible, not only for readings, but for relationship-related questions. I do not find it at all unbelievable or 'crazy' (a word used often by those asking about long distance relationships, as they explain with embarrassment what their situation is) that very real and solid connections happen between people who have never stood in close proximity to one another. (This also makes me very impatient with those who neglect to show the same ethical sense when dealing with people online that they would in person on the grounds that it is not 'real' or 'just for fun' but that may be another topic altogether.)
3. I see what I want to see
What desire of mine is affecting my understanding?
10 of Cups
This card for me is the epitomy of happiness shared - emotional fulfillment for oneself that overflows so much that it must be passed on. I sometimes think of it as the 'happily ever after' card - the perfect fairy tale ending to a story filled with adventure and drama.
I have to admit that is my desire... I want people to be happy and I am always sad and feel apologetic when a reading just isn't offering that. (I don't lie but I will try to find the silver lining in an otherwise negative reading) This is something I need to watch, I know... to keep it honest and not allow my own desire for things to work out for everyone lead me to miss situations that have very little positive to offer.
It also leads me to build into readings alternatives so that even if the person's question has a negative answer, I can find something there that shows a path to happiness. And I don't think that that's a bad thing, but I want to be careful not to do that as a way to make myself feel better about being the bearer of bad news and wind up deflecting away from the primary matter of concern by saying 'ooh, look over there! shiny!'
While I do think it is very helpful for people to focus on what would truly make them happy (rather than chasing things that doom them to unhappiness), it's most important for me to stay focused on their concern, not on my preference for what their concern should be.
4. I see how I am
How is my current state of being and environment affecting my understanding?
4 of Pentacles
Of all the cards here this is the one I'm least comfortable to see and I've had to mull quite a bit about what it means in this context (and still am). The image on this card is leaning pretty heavily to the aspect of the 4 of Pents that pertains to miserliness. I don't think I am miserly in my readings - pretty much the opposite in that I've had to learn to be more concise in my explanations.
However, my 'state of being' is certainly on that requires me to be tight with my own budget and if this is a filter that impacts my reading for others, it's in that I understand and expect that those I read for are equally short on funds... I am still struggling with the idea the a good reading (and I do think I read well - this is not about a lack of confidence) can have a dollar value attached without guilt on my part.
I don't entirely think that's a bad view - I have turned away a couple people who are heavy repeaters because they are spending (to my way of thinking) ridiculous amounts of money on issues that would be better served by action on their part than on continually looking ... and getting... the same guidance.
But I may need to look at whether this internal unwillingness on my own part to budget for things that are 'merely' personal guidance might not be coloring the readings themselves... when I read, I don't want to be thinking about money at all, but about the situation being explored. I may need to make sure I'm not letting the clock ticking away distract me from that, or take on the burden of other people's financial choices.
I also think I need to continue to get comfortable with the idea that my time is of value and that is what I'm being paid for. This miser doesn't have a good balanced sense of what money is... he values money over what money pays for and I may be undervaluing what I am offering in exchange for what I am paid.
Like I said... more mulling needed here. Since this is the least comfortable card in this reading, it is also one of the most important. Especially in a reading like this, confusion and resistance are signals that it's hitting deep, I think.
5. I see who I am
What personal values do I hold that are affecting my understanding?
2 of Wands
For me all the 2s have to do with choice based on the criteria of their element, and tend to favor saying yes to the potential presented by the Ace.
So with the 2 of Wands, the personal value being highlighted is that of saying yes to one's passions, goals and dreams. It is an active agreement to participate in one's own future.
The woman on this card is contemplative - before you can step off in the direction of your desires, it's necessary to take adequate time working out for yourself what those desires are. That way, when opportunities do present themselves, you've got some idea of whether or not they are the right opportunity for you.
In terms of how this creates a filter on my readings, I'm struck by what sort of things tend to frustrate me the most, and it has to do with this (and not all those seeking readings are like this, thank goodness, or I couldn't do it) -
Sometimes, people don't want to hear a thing about what's within their own control... they just want to know 'what will happen' - as if that's independent of their own will or desired direction.
It's as if someone set up a big party for them in the next room with everything they want and all they have to do is walk through the door ... and as soon as that is suggested it's all 'uh uh no way, I'm not walking through that door... if it's meant to be, it'll come to ME.' and then they wonder why nothing happened.
My values tell me that that if you can't be bothered to do anything at all to get what you want, you are announcing to the Universe at large that you really don't want it... so you do get what you want.. you get nothing. The Universe is really quite giving that way.
Yes, this is a filter that colors the direction of my readings. And it's ok with me if it's not for everyone because I don't actually think I'm the right reading for everyone. I''d much rather read for those who are ready and willing to set their path in motion than for those who are just waiting for things to drop in their lap - or on their head.
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