TAROT COUNSELING – What is it & Where I've Been

It's been awhile since I've posted here, as I've been in contemplation and creation mode. That is, I was in the midst of the Tarot Counseling class taught by James Wells, tarot counselor extraordinaire, and as a result, I've been rethinking and revamping the way I relate to the cards, both for myself and for clients. I now have a more open-ended approach – meaning I ask more questions, rather than provide all the answers. While I can of course, still approach readings in a predictive mode, I'm choosing to be more of a guide - to allow the querent to answer specific questions I provide based on what their needs are at the particular time using the imagery of the cards as the catalysts. This method is based on the premise that everyone has the answers they seek already within them, maybe just not consciously, and all they need is a guide with the right questions (and illustrative cards) to uncover them.
Of course, a well rounded knowledge of Tarot – the meaning of the suits, imagery, symbols, and reading experience etc is still indispensable and necessary in order for the deepest understanding of any reading, predictive or not, but in Tarot Counseling, the questions are of the utmost importance. What and How are the strongest starter question-words and are empowering because they put the choice and ability into the hands of the querent; Will, Is, Should are now avoided as they lead to only simple Yes/No responses and are not, therefore, constructive and take away choice and self-direction.
I find this way of working with Tarot exciting and empowering and I believe others will too. Rather than being passive bystanders and looking to an expert for answers, querents are active participants and their own expert. I am a guide to enable others to uncover not only what they really want, but also how to get there . Together we can create a strategy for days, weeks, and months ahead based on what each person derives from his/her own reactions and input from their chosen cards.
I now provide a short questionnaire for every client, to be completed at least a day before a scheduled session. Based on their responses, I create questions and a spread that will specifically tie in to the issue(s) the client wants to address. The spreads vary in size depending on the chosen length of the session (30, 60, or 90 minutes) and the complexity of the issue(s). They can be anywhere from 3 to 10 cards;  however, longer isn't necessarily better, as a great depth of information is available even with 1 card and can easily take 30 minutes of dissemination by itself!
Because Tarot Counseling relies so heavily on interaction between me, querents, and the card imagery, in-person and Skype sessions are the really the only way to do it. However, I still offer email readings, with a twist - while the readings will still be predictive, they will also include questions for querents to contemplate on their own based on the cards drawn and the question(s) asked.  If you desire an interactive and deeper view, do consider trying a Tarot Counseling session – and ask me about my first-timer discount and referrals discount too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!