Tarot Tips: Deck Clearing Rituals / Apantomancy / Client-centric Service
Published: Tue, 09/01/20
"When it comes to rituals like clearing, cleansing and energizing..."
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![]() Newsletter of The Tarot School
http://TarotSchool.com ISSN: 1529-0565 Vol. 12 #10 / September 1, 2020
In this Issue: - Welcome
- Tarot Tip: Deck Clearing Rituals - Tarot School Aphorism - That's Cool!: Tarot Off the Cuff - Diviner's Corner: Apantomancy - Best Practices: Client-centric Service Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!
And a special welcome to our new subscribers.
![]() When I was growing up, I remember a certain excitement right before the start of school. Of course, I was sorry to come to the end of summer vacation but I enjoyed shopping for new clothes and school supplies with my mom, and the anticipation of cooler autumn days. I was curious to meet my new teachers, learn new things, and hang out with my friends in the drama department. It pains me to say “Those were the “good old days,” but things have definitely changed this year. The start of school is filled with anxiety for students and teachers alike. Friends can’t (or at least shouldn’t) hug each other, and even the change of weather is uncertain. So my usual “Back to Tarot School” greeting isn’t filled with that sense of excitement, but it’s still appropriate. Distance learning is the “new normal” (boy, do I hate that phrase — apologies for using it!) and that’s something we’ve been offering since the mid-90s. We’ve amassed quite a large body of work in all that time. Perhaps you’ll find something on our website that will spark that sense of excitement during this unusual school season. https://tarotschool.com In this month’s Tip, we answer the question of whether and how to clear your deck of negative energy. The Diviner’s Corner offers wonderful information on fortuitous divination. (How often does a chance encounter present as an omen to you?) And the Best Practices column discusses the importance of putting your clients first. In case you missed our announcement in last month's Tarot Tips, we have added a 3-month payment plan for our Birth Card Course! At only $65 per month, this ground- breaking course is now even more affordable! Six years in the making, The Tarot School Birth Card Course is unlike anything else you may have read on the subject. Gain new insights into yourself, your clients, friends and family –– anyone whose birthdate you know. You'll be surprised how much you can see with just 2 (or 3) cards! Learn more here: https://tarotschool.com/Birth-Card-Course.html Take care, stay whole and healthy and move forward on your tarot journey, Ruth Ann, Wald, and Gina
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DECK CLEARING RITUALS
![]() Heather asks... "I am unclear on clearing, and its importance. I have been reading cards (mostly for myself) for years. I've heard of people 'clearing' and 'energizing' decks frequently, but haven't bothered to with my own. How is it done, and does it affect a reading?" ANSWER: That's a great question, Heather! When it comes to rituals like clearing, cleansing and energizing the cards, I've always maintained that it's a personal decision whether to do them or not. I don't believe that the cards themselves are affected -- when you come right down to it, they are just pieces of cardboard after all -- but the energetic link between you and your deck can be. In fact, I lost the deck I'd been using since Wald and I started The Tarot School, and found the experience emotionally wrenching to say the least. That link was very strong. For some people, being conscious of and/or working with energy is not important. It is entirely possible to read cards from a purely intellectual standpoint. In fact, once you know enough tarot, you don't even need physical cards to do a reading. In this case, there would be no deck to clear or energize. However, if you are the type of person who is sensitive to unseen energies and enjoys working with them, your personal energetic state and the links you forge with your sacred space and tools are often very important and can certainly have an impact on your readings. I am personally energetically sensitive so I like to clear my deck before I begin a reading, and then again at the end before I put my cards away. I do this very simply by holding my hands over the deck, palms-down and crossed at the wrists. I then pull them apart with a forceful motion. That movement sends a signal to my sub-conscious (and possibly the deck itself) that renews my connection with the cards and lets me start fresh without any residual energy from a previous reading session. Another way to freshen your deck is to include a favorite crystal in the bag or box you keep your cards in. Clear quartz, amethyst, selenite or black tourmaline are good choices. From time to time, rinse the crystal under running water to keep it energetically clear as well. (This is not necessary for selenite as it is "self-cleaning.") Here are some other methods you might like to try: • Put the cards in sequence before shuffling them again. • Rap the edge of the deck on the table 3 times. • Fan out the cards and blow on them. • Smudge the cards with sage or other favorite herb or incense. • Charge them on the windowsill under a full moon. • Place your deck in or near a singing bowl as you ring it. Remember though that rituals are for you -- the cards don't need them. Your own state is what will affect your readings most of all. If clearing or energizing rituals support that state then go for it. If they make no difference and you don't feel like doing them, nobody says you have to. :) ~ Ruth Ann Tarot School Aphorism ![]() ![]() TAROT OFF THE CUFF YOUTUBE CHANNEL ![]() Nancy Antenucci, this series of short, unplanned talks from 10 different masters is aimed at helping developing readers to deepen their own process. The master reader chooses a card on the spot and speaks on whatever comes to mind including tips, techniques and curious stories of reading professionally. This is a unique way of teaching tarot, which we think is really COOL! Current videos feature Jaymi Elford, Janis Garan, Melissa Cynova, Nancy Antenucci and Sarah Barry, and run between 6 to 17 minutes. Be sure to subscribe to get notified when new videos are available! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6eXTlM11xbpM_DF8HdhjDg Have you found something cool? Tell us about it! Email [email protected]. Diviner's Corner APANTOMANCY: USING SIGNS FOR DIVINATION By Lisa Boswell ![]() Not everyone knows what Apantomancy is, and yet, millions of people worldwide practice it. In the UK, you practice Apantomancy every time you avoid a black cat, magpie, or refer to Doreen Virtues “Angel Numbers” guidebook. So, what is Apantomancy? Apantomancy is divination by omens you come across by chance. Apantomancy is a form of prognosticating the future which you can practice on the go. Say, you are on your way to an important event, and you see a caterpillar on the way. What is the significance of this animal? Why is it in your path? Perhaps you keep seeing the number three. Why would the number three consistently make an appearance in your life? Like most fortune telling modes, Apantomancy is personal. I feel that, to an extent, to be a proficient Apantomancer, one must have a good foundation of what certain symbols mean to them. I, for one, love magpies and feel they are a good omen; it does not bother me to see them. I feel the same about black cats because my family refused to keep any other cat than a black one while I was growing up. (The sexy beast in this post is my cat Billy Jean, who's a male cat, by the way). By contrast, there are a lot of animals that some people would deem adorable or a lucky precursor, but I would see it as a negative sign. For example, I hate monkeys (as do many other Gypsies) and think they are terrible creatures. If I were to ask my spirits for a sign and then see a monkey unexpectedly, I would view this as unlucky. You can ask spirits for signs in your day to day life. Say you are unsure if you are making the right decisions, you can ask your spirits around you (such as relatives) to give you a sign. Then, go for a walk. Anything that you see out of the ordinary is a sign. If you think it is a coincidence, ask for another sign, and so on. While doing this post, I asked the spirits if I should continue writing about forms of divination or work on something else. Previously, I had lit incense that I accidentally placed in front of a statue of Ganesh in my living room; Ganesh is the Hindu God of opportunities that my ancestors possibly worshiped. Anyroad, I looked over to the statue and noticed that the burnt incense had not fallen but risen, which is rather odd. Was this sheer coincidence, or were the spirits trying to tell me to continue? I think it means I should continue, and therefore I wrote this post. Although my example was that of incense, omens usually appear in the form of animals, but they can also be numbers, objects, and even the weather. You will know when something is significant because you will see it repeatedly or in a strange place. It is not the norm for a fox to be running through the streets of a busy town, for example. Some commonly seen symbols are the number one, butterflies, feathers, cats, hands, and triangles. The odd thing about this form of divination is that the Apantomancer is sometimes the only person who sees the sign. Often, they will be with a friend, but the friend will not see what it was that they just saw. I have met people who, for instance, have had bats swoop down and sit next to them then fly away. Other people have been there for these situations but not witnessed the actual event in question. I am unsure why it is the Apantomancer is the only person who receives the sign. I theorize that this adds an element of ‘special’ to the event that ensures the receiver pays extra attention. Often, the more people who witness prognostic symbols, the less likely they are to notice any individualized and personal significance. If you know that a sign has significance but are unsure what, a book on symbolism or dream interpretation may be able to help you. However, go with your gut; if you think an omen is positive, but a book is trying to convince you otherwise trust your intuition. Here at Divination & Fortune Telling, I advocate, a personal relationship with your spirituality, so always listen to your own inner voice and spirits before taking outside opinions on board. It is okay for you to be a little skeptical at first and brush off an incident as a sheer coincidence. There are no laws in the universe that state that spirits cannot try to convince you — seen one sign? Soon you’ll see another. Thinking it is a coincidence? Ask the spirits for confirmation. About Lisa: ![]() award-winning Tarot reading teacher who currently resides in Scotland. Through her website, she teaches both experienced and would-be readers how they can predict the future of their love lives, relationships and businesses using Tarot. In 2014, Lisa won Tarosophy’s Young Tarosophist of the Year award. Visit her website at: https://divinationandfortunetelling.com/ We’d love your suggestion or submissions for this column! If you have an idea or would love to contribute, please contact us at [email protected]. Best Practices for Professional Readers CLIENT-CENTRIC SERVICE By Gina Thies www.tarotadvisor.com / www.facebook.com/tarotreaders www.tarotcoupling.com / www.oraclesoup.org Without clientele you won’t have a business. It’s really that simple. All businesses, no matter the size, that provide services or goods have to offer the things that consumers need and want. Considering what it takes to get those customers and keep them loyal cannot be overlooked. One of the first things I bring up to aspiring professional readers is an understanding that this vocation is about being of service. Being of service could be defined as having a particular set of principles and devotion to the craft. I include that being of service comes with the responsibility of being client-centric and placing their needs at the forefront of your business. You will make an impact on your clients in many ways. The way you engage with them builds a connection of support, trust and loyalty. In this time of online critiques, your client experiences could impact your entire business. Here are some things to look at or revise in your business practices that will make your clients the focal point: Scheduling - Display a set of times slots or availability wherever possible. Should set times not be feasible, be sure to make clear a “by appointment only” option with a way to quickly contact you with their availability. I use Vcita as my online scheduling tool that allows clients to propose up to three time slots and allows me to choose what works best for me. Show Pride in Your Passion - Good at helping during times of crisis? Highlight that or any of your special talents in your content. Clients and other prospects want to know how and why they would choose your services, so shout it from the rooftops and be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Be Empathetic - Let’s make this one clear. Your empathy is probably why you are on this path of service. But empathy should not be void of boundaries. It feels great to help another human but won’t feel so good if you feel taken for granted or taken advantage of by someone. Putting the needs of your clients first is important but your sanity and business are also crucial. Resources: • TimeTrade - This online scheduler lets you post when you are available to take appointments. Your clients then choose which works best for them. Times are automatically listed in their own time zone, and clients will receive a reminder email the day before their appointment. https://www.timetrade.com/ • 8 Tips for Becoming a Customer-Centric Organization https://blog.hubspot.com/service/customer-centric Join our 11,000+ fans and join the fun!
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