If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll see that I lost my friggin’ mind on Friday night (in a very good way). I read Tarot at Night of 1,000 Stevies, one of the most exciting events I’ve attended in ages. The costumes, the performances, the music, the overall Magick of the night….it was all that I never knew I needed. This Pluto Retrograde has been a bit of a toughie for me, dredging up sadness and wounds that have probably been knocking around since I wore a Catholic school uniform and played volleyball. Friday night dried my eyes.
Here are just a few photos:
Reading a public events may seem daunting, but it’s how I truly cut my teeth in Tarot. Before I began reading at burlesque shows and parties, I mainly read for friends and the occasional word-of-mouth client. But the rapid speed and intense energy of the public event reading kicked up my game. One thing I’ve learned is the approach and process for the “party reading” is wildly different than for a 1:1 client in several different ways.
Things to keep in mind when reading at parties:
1.) Party readings are shorter, faster, and more for entertainment than for spiritual exploration or soul searching. If you’re hired to be the Tarot reader, you add mystique. You are the party. The guests probably won’t have the time or attention span for a complicated reading, so to change lives. They aren’t coming to you to contemplate their existence, purpose, and direction. It’s a party, for Christ’s sake. BE THE PARTY THE PARTY NEEDS! Sometimes a really good party is life-changing, itself.
2.) Even if it’s “for entertainment,” it still needs to be true, kind, and honest–but fun. If you do see alarm bells in the cards, deliver it in a way that’s more, “You’re TOTALLY going to kick this Tower card situation in the flabby ass!!!” than “You’re fucked. Sorry.” Again, your role is to make people feel good.
3.) The type of event can determine what kind of reading is appropriate to offer At a Halloween party, using the cards to decipher messages from departed relatives would be appropriate. It would not be appropriate at a family-friendly corporate barbecue (so if dead grannies do start knocking at the company picnic, let ’em know to find another oracle).
Be a pro!
1.) Dress for the fest. I personally love wearing costumes, so I’m ALL into it when group clients ask me to dress up. However, I know many readers who find it degrading and won’t. I get it. Costumes are a personal choice, but occasion-appropriate dress is not a choice. Ask if the event is casual, work-attire, cocktail, formal, family-friendly, etc. and dress accordingly.
2.) Set out your business card! You never know what wonderful clients you might pick up while reading at events!
3.) Pick a simple spread to use for the duration of the night. When reading for individual clients, I generally devise new spreads for each reading. This is unsustainable when doing a high-volume reading event. At events, I usually devise a single spread appropriate for the night and stay with through the evening. On Friday, I did 5 and 10 card readings. The spread went as follows: 2 cards for the querrent’s blessings, 2 cards for the querrent’s challenges, 1 card for the overall message. 10 card readings meant I would use the same spread for both the present and six months down the road.
4.) Be safe. If you’re booked for an event in a private home, bring a friend or partner. It’s fine to add a modest surcharge to your fee at private home events to compensate your accompanying person’s time.
Do you read at public events? Please share your tips!
I’m teaching several classes in June, in NYC, New Jersey, and Portland, OR!
June 5th, 12-3 p.m.: Soul Journey in Butler, NJ, Tarot for One: The Art of Reading For Yourself. Exercises and practices based on my new book, which you can pre-order on the day! Click here for more information and to register.
June 7th, 7-9 p.m: Mind Body Soul Yoga Studio in NYC, What’s in the Cards? An Introduction to Tarot. Whether you’re new to Tarot or just looking for ways to brush up your skills, join us for a great evening of cards and learning. Click here to register. Click on the Workshops tab at the top and scroll down to find “What’s in the Cards.”
June 25th, 2-5 p.m.: If The Broom Fits, Portland, OR: Meet the Goddess Brigid plus Summer Solstice Ritual. Join us for a special afternoon discussing the beauty and mystery of Brigid, plus celebrating the Magick of Midsummer! I will have copies of Brigid for sale. Please see the Facebook invite or my events page for more information.
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Courtney, It looks like you had a great time. You are a great reader. Hope all is well. Peggy Levasseur Assembly.
Thank you, Peggy! Great to hear from you!