L is for Learning #atozchallenge

I used my handy dandy tarot book for readings for a decade. Even for paid readings. Even for new clients. I told them that I was still learning and it was ok! I relied on it less and less, but the damned Two of Wands looks JUST LIKE the Three of Wands and it’s helpful to grab the book and have a reminder sometimes.  The two shelves pictured are only part of my tarot library. It’s more of a tarot lending library, and Amanda and Potter and Ellen and Sarah Kate still have some of my books on loan. I …

K is for Kitchen Table Tarot #atozchallenge

I wrote this book! It’s a bit surreal, actually, but it’s out! I’ve gotten a lot of questions since it was published, so I thought I’d answer them for you.  1. What inspired the book? My friend, Suzanne, wanted me to teach her the cards. She lives in Canada, though, so it was tricky. I started a blog so I could teach her, and it got a following of sorts. Then, I turned it into a business, and then I turned my blog into a book. So it’s all Suzanne’s fault, really. 2. Who is this book for? I wrote …

J is for Jaded #atozchallenge

I used to do readings for folks at the drop of a hat. I could use the money, or I wanted the practice, or I just wanted to play with my cards again. A few summers ago, though, I found myself dreading the readings. I was tired, I’d been sick, and my life had gotten really busy. I’d also found that I was the Tarot Monkey at parties. I always had a deck with me, of course, so whenever I’d go to a friend’s house I would end up hearing, “Hey, Melissa reads tarot cards…” The rest of the party …

I is for Ipsy #atozchallenge

So, when you first start reading and collecting tarot cards, it can be difficult to find storage for your decks that you really like. I have used Crown Royal bags (classy), banking bags, and cigar boxes in the past. I’ve also used scarves and once, I sewed one for myself. That went…poorly….because I can not sew. Regrettably. A few years ago, a friend got me two makeup bags with my Little Fox logo printed on them. Genius. Makeup bags are the PERFECT size for tarot decks. They’ll stay closed and keep the deck safe and sound.  THEN I found www.ipsy.com …

H is for Hostility #atozchallenge

Oh, I’m sorry. Was that your auntie? Tarot, like any other field, can be chock full of asshats. Both clients and colleagues alike. When you first start reading, you might feel obligated to read for whomever sits in your chair. This can lead to some seriously awful readings. So what do you do? When someone sits down and rolls their eyes at you. When someone starts praying on or at you vociferously? What do you do? You tell them to go away. As politely as you feel you need to. I’ve been doing this for a while, and I’m kind …

G is for Gratitude #atozchallenge

What do you do when you have everything you wanted and asked for?  You say thank you. This year has been a bit tricky for me. I lost my job, my kid got hurt, my kid had surgery, I got really sick twice (for about a month and a half total) and I got my partner sick. I tried to be really selective finding a new job that was a good fit, but it spiraled me into that anxious place where I never find another job and we lose the house and then I die and my cats eat me …

F is for Frick #atozchallenge

It’s a super power. I’ve been a swearing girl since college. I was raised by a police officer and went to Catholic School – honestly, they’re lucky swearing is all I do. Anymore.  Ahem. Anyway, I used to struggle with the fact that swearing might be unwelcome in my readings. I clearly don’t swear in important places – the kid’s school, in front of my mother, at work. I do have self control, but when I’m doing a reading, I tend to stammer if I start censoring myself and it interrupts the flow of the reading.  SO what do I …

E is for Energy #atozchallenge

I was supposed to have lunch with a friend today. My kid woke up sick, however, and then I noticed that I also felt like garbage. I was supposed to do an email reading this morning and schedule maintenance on my car, and do laundry. What I did, though, was take a nap. It was a good nap, and I feel better and better able to do the things I need to do.  When you do readings, your energy level is important. When you feel better, you give better readings. It’s common sense. This counts for being spiritually and emotionally tired, …

D is for Donation #atozchallenge

Doing tarot readings for charities is a tricky thing for a few reasons, so I’m going to break it down for you. Now, this is for professional readers, not for folks who pull out their cards for an hour or two to help out with the cookie drive, ok? If you are a professional reader who claims their tarot expenses on their taxes, this is for you. If you get PAID to do readings? This is mostly for you, too.  STORYTIME! One time, I did a reading for a local charity that I adored. I got paid in advance and …

C is for Cardstock #atozchallenge

Let’s talk about cardstock for a second. Pictured above is my beloved Prairie Tarot. I’ve had it since December. In the months since then, pieces of the edge of the card have flaked or pulled away, causing these messed up edges. This is called “foxing”, and it sucks. It can get bad enough that your cards can start snagging on each other and will tear. (egads) I don’t think that this much of a is a problem for casual tarot readers, but professional readers really have to keep an eye out. I love this deck and wanted to make it …