When I awoke, I tried my laptop out. A large area of green had grown from the bottom of the screen since last night, creating the illusion that the machine was now drowning in a sea of computerised water. Maybe this is where the messenger of Death steps in; counting my laptop down like a boxing referee.
We were up and out pretty early today. Rain had been forecast but we've only saw the briefest of showers. We drove over to Kate's for midday and joined her parents for tea in the garden. Her father was talking to me about my choosing to abandon alcohol, since it was something he did fifteen years ago. He remarked on how it didn't change him so much as it changed other people. 'Friends' began to not invite him and Kate's mother out because he thinks that their sober presence made others more aware of how much they were drinking. I guess these were not real friends; maybe no more than just drinking buddies.
The circle that Kate and I sit in fortnightly had a psychic fair today. My boyfriend drove us, but it wasn't really his thing. We wandered about for a bit, eyeing up the stalls. Kate bought a hair-pin and I found an army green bag for my old RWS. It is over twelve years old and it's box wore away a long time ago. I thought there might be some interesting things to buy there, but it wasn't half as good as one that my boyfriend and I travelled to last year. One of the things which shocked us was that some of the people we sit with in our circle had stalls of their own; some of them looked quite professional, even if a little overstated. However, from our involvement in the circle, we were both surprised, since a lot of these people are no greater than novice readers. I have been putting off working this kind of fair for a long time because I never considered myself experienced or good enough to give myself to the public in this way. Without meaning to put down those who do (since everyone must start somewhere), seeing people I considered to be less experienced readers than myself actually gave me the confidence to try and get myself a slot the next time one comes around. A death of a long-term belief maybe?
Throughout the day, people put on different free workshops. Without realising what I had agreed to, Kate dragged me off down a hallway to a room where we ended up drumming inside the sacred hoop. Now, I must admit that I was a little unprepared for sitting in a room with White Buffalo and four other people, shaking a rattle while pretending to be sitting under a teepee. I did think I might laugh when the main couple started squawking like Indians, but generally, it was a surprisingly uplifting experience. I didn't get a rush of emotion like one woman did, but I did enjoy the experience, whether the spirit of Medicine Man was with us or not. The two drums, one in deer skin and the other in elk, were so powerful and made beautiful sounds; they were so loud that my boyfriend could hear them from outside, where he had gone to have a cigarette and wait for us. I don't really enjoy meditation, but could see how this kind of participant work might help me to achieve a mediative state I have had trouble reaching before. Kate is already planning to get us booked in for an open air session in a sacred space. Even though I felt as though I had somehow stepped into an episode of Absolutely Fabulous, I got something from being there today and it was worth the overall entry fee.
After missing Tarot talk last week, we took our files and my deck of cards to a county pub. My boyfriend sat with us while we discussed the different names we'd chosen for the major cards.
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| Kate and I do Tarot Talk in the sun |
We pretty much came up with the same words, minus a few exceptions. Using the one word method seems to be helping Kate and she read some three card spreads, elaborating on her chosen words by looking into the images. It was a little like shining The Sun into a room of darkness, as she banished confusion and read the spreads with feeling, confidence and a new understanding.
Illustration from The Original Rider Waite Tarot by Pamela Colman Smith
Hello Prince Le Normand,
ReplyDeleteI really admire how active you are with card reading throughout the week. I feel that you and Roger Le Fanu have a similar approach to tarot: it is a sacred, personal practice.
If you were to ask me, I would say that you're definitely ready to read professionally. You understand the dialogue of different styles of cards and you can draw connections here and there. That's precisely what tarot is for most, regardless of background, experience and clairvoyant/clairsentient/clauraudient faculty.
I have not yet been to a psychic fair, but something tells me it would be terrible for my pocket. Especially if there are items on my wishlist floating around.
Happy Sunday! : )
Hey ML
DeleteI guess that I can be that bit more active than some, since I have less on my plate, physically. Having said that, I think that I was probably as active when I was working full time and travelling 5 hours on the train. I used to write my daily draws up on the move.
I have read professionally before at parties and with clients, but never in a fair. The whole idea intimidated me, but I realise now that I am probably as good (if not better) than many there and also, that it would be great practice.
Haha, some fairs do have some treasures. But this one didn't have much, to be honest. No tarot decks, just oracles. And not really any I wanted. Probably just as well!
Damn right you could read at a fair or booth!
ReplyDeleteI always get nervous doing those things (granted, I've only done it out and about in person a few times--and usually for free or donation) but honestly, if you think of it, even a novice reader can do a good job.
I've been the recipient of many tarot, oracle and other readings over the years. Many of the so-called experts who had been reading for 20, 30+ years were no better than the younger ones--so that is something to think about!
Granted, I am willing to bet that your readings are a few notches better than the novices, but I guess my point is that I was often surprised by who gave a very good reading and who did not. It just depends on the circumstances or even the person they're reading for.
I hope you have a lovely week, m'dear. Sorry I haven't been commenting much--I have been so tired and cranky. I am annoyed at myself. Hehee.
Big Hugs to YOU,
MM
:) Thanks MM
DeleteI think, sometimes, that you just have to get out there and get stuck in. It's a fear of failing or getting it wrong that often stops me. But then, I guess you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. Everyone has to start somewhere. Ana Cortez was saying how it really took her reading to another level. I have been dipping my toes in for too long now and think there could be some money to be made by jumping in with both feet. I think it would also be good for my practice to read for multiple strangers.