QueenieAnswers: Getting Behind on Freebies

Hi. I started doing free readings and now I'm behind so I closed them, but I started doubting myself as a reader since I'm so new like 'should I really be doing readings?' so I haven't gotten to the anons in my inbox even though it's been a little while now & I feel really bad about it. Could you please give me some suggestions? :(

First of all, don’t beat yourself up!  It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind, I’ve definitely been there.

How long is a little while?  A few days?  A week?  No big deal, really (depending on how many you have waiting).  When you’re two, three weeks behind, or a month or more, you don’t even know if the reading would even be relevant anymore.  And you can’t really ask the querant when they’re all anon sitting in your inbox.  It’s going to have to be up to you to decide if you’re going to finish those waiting.  I would suggest you do!  They might really need to hear what you say, and at the very least, it’s good practice.  If you decide not to finish them up, then you should probably make some kind of announcement/apology about it on your blog.

If you’re getting asks wondering about where their reading is, just apologize and either let them know that you won’t be able to do it, or ask if they’re willing to wait until you get caught up.  If you’re getting attitude about it, try not to let it get to you.  You’re human, you have limited time and energy.
Try not to doubt yourself too much.  It’s fine if you’re new, how else are you supposed to grow if not by actually doing readings?  There is only so much you can learn from books and reading for yourself… but at the same time, never stop reading up on new materials whenever you can get your hands on them! ;)

Often, doing tarot readings is quite literally a thankless job, *especially* when you’re doing freebies.  I don’t know what it is, but I know I and a lot of the other readers here in the community can do dozens of readings, free or otherwise, and only get a thank you or acknowledgement from a few people, so if you’re doubting yourself because no one’s gotten back to you, don’t even worry about it.

If you plan on offering readings in the future, make sure you have enough time in your schedule to get them done.  Make a weekend out of it when you have nothing else going on, or take the first 10 people that get to your inbox.  If you *absolutely have to* close your inbox to prevent more requests.  When I close free readings, anything that lands in my inbox after I’ve made the announcement, I make sure to respond to them asap to let them know that they’ve missed the deadline, privately if possible, but publicly when they’re anon.  That way at least they’re not waiting around for a reading they’ll never get.
You’ll figure out how many readings you’re comfortable with doing eventually, and with practice you’ll gain more stamina to do more at a time.  Keep at it! :)

 

#QueenieAnswers: Doubters

Hi there! You read tarot as a job right? I'm quite young and kind of want to do that when I'm older. My sister mentioned that people would think I'm a fraud or crazy and id probably be harassed...have you ever run into that sort of thing?

As of right now, I read tarot on the side.  It’s not my full time job… yet!  As much as I would love for it to be ;)
You know what, if tarot is something you’re really passionate about, you can make it into a living if you put the work into it.  Your sister’s comments say a lot about her, and not much about tarot professionals.  Her personal beliefs don’t have anything to do with you, and you don’t have to let them dictate your dreams.
I’ve run into plenty who don’t believe in tarot, or treat it like a party game.  It doesn’t bother me.  My experiences can’t deny the authenticity of tarot or a good reader.  It takes a certain kind of faith to believe in though, and not everyone has it.  *shrug* and that’s ok.  When I come across people who are in the mood to start a debate, I just stay calm and professional.  And if they can’t be at least respectful, the conversation is over.  I have better things to do with my time.

 

#QueenieAnswers: The Difference Between Tarot & Oracle

Hello there! First of all you're lovely! Second of all, I'm new to card reading and I just was wondering the difference between Tarot and Oracle readings. If you could answer that for me it would clear up a lot of fuzzies! Thanks so much!

:)  Thank you
Well, they’re basically two different systems of cartomancy (divination with cards).
Tarot follows a somewhat strict system that spans all decks with little deviation, while still leaving plenty of room for personal interpretation and intuition.  But you’ll always find 78 cards in a deck, with 22 Major Arcana, and 56 Minor Arcana.  The minors will always be comprised of four suits, usually Cups, Wands, Swords, & Pentacles, but they might be titled differently, and they’ll run from Ace through 10 with four court cards each, usually titled Pages, Knights, Queens, & Kings.  Alright, so there’s your basic structure.  Now…
Oracle decks?  They don’t follow *any* fuckin rules except those that the creator gives you.  You might have 20 cards in a deck, you might have a 100.  They might be organized into a system, they might not.
I can’t say that either system is better than the other.  *to me* tarot takes longer to learn and get comfortable with, BUT if you can read tarot, you can read oracle.  And if you can learn to trust your intuition, you’ll excel at both.

 

Me, Reversed

I wrote a short blog last week over at Divine Trinity Tarot about how I realized I identify as the Queen of Cups in more than just positive ways. 

What's your signifier?  Do you embody all of it's aspects?  I'm sure you're everything that's wonderful about your personal card, but are you also working on everything that's not?

#QueenieAnswers: Choosing a First Tarot Deck

Where is the best place to get a tarot deck and what one should I get??

My favorite place to buy tarot decks is Amazon :)  Sometimes eBay, but make sure you’re getting a new, unopened deck or that you read the description so you know the cards are in good condition.  You can also look in bookstores, but I don’t have many around and I suppose the selection varies greatly
Which one should you get?  Well.. that depends on a LOT of things, but here are my basic suggestions if you’re looking for your first deck.
You’re going to want a deck that you’re drawn to, something with art that speaks to you.  Pick something you like!  BUT..
Not all decks are created beginner-friendly.  If you’re not going to go for a Rider-Waite Smith deck or one of its many clones, you’re going to want something that still manages the familiar imagery of one.  Unless you’re going after Thoth or Marseilles style decks which have slightly different “systems” to the cards, as a beginner RWS is definitely the imagery you’ll be seeing a lot of as you learn the cards.  So it’s important that whatever deck you choose, while it doesn’t have to be a direct clone, at least follows the basic imagery.

So you can see that The RWS and the Aquatic tarot are pretty much exactly the same even thought the art is done in a different style, while there is a marked difference of the Mystic Faerie Tarot, but you can also see the similarities!  The Magician is still standing in front of a table that has all of his tools (representing the four suits) laid out on it.
Another thing you’re going to want is a fully illustrated minor arcana.  Memorizing definitions is one thing, but using imagery when you’re reading definitely helps you to develop your intuition.  Not to mention, it gives you clues when you’re drawing a blank!

The Labyrinth tarot has plain pip cards.. no hints to jog your memory or inspire your intuition. 
Aeclectic has literally THOUSANDS of decks to browse through, both tarot and oracle, so take some time to browse around, read reviews (reviews on Amazon are also immensely helpful) and find something you like.
One last thing to keep in mind, especially on Aeclectic, is availability.  Some of the decks there are out of print (OOP) or unfinished, or rare and expensive.  But there are plenty that are readily available!
As for a personal recommendation?  My first deck was the Paulina tarot, but I was really torn between that, a clone, and the Fenestra tarot.  And in hindsight and now owning Fenestra, I wish I had bought that one first, but it’s all good.  Also, I really, really didn’t want the original RWS.  I had zero interest in it, but now I find that it’s really grown on me and I freakin WANT IT lol, so don’t dismiss it!
Have fun shopping!

 

#QueenieAnswers

Hello friends!  I want to introduce a new series!  It's been awhile since I started something new, and it feels good.

I've been pulled so far into tumblr that I'd almost completely given up on any other social media platform!  I've made a lot of really great friends.  I've done a lot of learning and growing.  And I've gained a lot of trust and respect from the tarot community there.   But now it's time for me to spread out a little bit more, and hopefully back into the wider tarot community on the web.  And I'm bringing tumblr with me!  A little bit, anyway.

#Queenie Answers is the auto-tag that posts whenever I publicly answer a question on Tumblr.  And I've answered a LOT of questions over the last nearly three years.  I'll be sharing what I think are some of the most helpful ones right here, every Tuesday.