November 26, 2021
Pre-recording chatter can lead to a great podcast. In this case, Jaymi asks Melissa and Hilary about how they do their newsletters. Not wanting to waste the airtime, we jumped in and turned it into a podcast. See how awesome we are?
We share tips on getting started on yours. Keep a file on newsletters outside of the tarot world and be engaged with who you connect with. Don’t fear your writing style, it takes some time to cultivate. Speak to your friends in the message, know they want to hear from you.
Becky Skoobish from https://skoobmark.com recommends:
- Be consistent (time and date)
- Use a cohesive theme for the month
- Drive people to your website cos that’s where the work happens
Great Newsletter Resources
Melissa and Hilary use http://www.mailchimp.com
Jaymi uses https://madmimi.com
Book to get Newsletter Ninja https://newsletterninja.net
Homework: Do you have space and time for the newsletter? Answer this and then figure out your themes of the year.\
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
November 12, 2021
Event season is now upon us and knowing how to care for yourself after you do readings is extremely important. Hilary, Onareo, and Jaymi talk about what they do after their readings (both for events or in general). Grounding and disconnecting is the name of the game when it comes to post-reading aftercare. Time to let go of the readings, forget them, and enter back into your own world.
- Take a simple bath or shower. Turn it into a ritual by adding Epsom salts (magical properties) or baking soda (good for detox). If it’s too late in the evening, then at least wash your hands and face.
- Wear or keep stones nearby: black tourmaline, selenite wands (good to clear your decks and body). Tiger’s iron helps Jaymi while Onareo uses tiger’s eye. Hilary keeps her mala beads on while reading and she takes off when she’s done.
- Putting a pinch of salt under your tongue keeps you grounded in-between readings.
- Scented sprays: Hilary uses color energy aura spray, Jaymi uses 7 Brooms, and a palo santo spray. Onareo uses bergamot (a citrus that helps in getting your power back) on his hands or in his bath. Florida Water is another good cleansing spray.
- Sleep: Reading is hard work on your body. Let your body get as much rest as it needs to reset itself.
- Eat something: It doesn’t need to be the fast-food junk that Jaymi gets but eating something after reading does help to break the energy you have.
Onareo’s Post-Reading Aftercare Ritual
Take the four aces from the minors and shuffle them as you ask, “what should my after-reading ritual be?” Then pick one of the aces and think of all the ways that the elemental energy and do one. Some examples might include
- Swords (air) = do something mental; read, use feathers.
- Cups (water) = drink water, have a bath, use sprays.
- Wands (fire) = burn incense, cleanse with smoke, rub a taper candle over your body and then light it to release that energy.
- Pentacles (earth) = do something physical; walk, play with crystals, do mudras or yoga.
Extra Resources:
Aftercare article by Hilary
http://tarotbyhilary.com/tarot-reading-aftercare-from-both-sides-of-the-table/
Jaymi’s Favorite Clearing Spray, 7 Brooms https://www.byailynn.com/shop/7-brooms-a-clearing-spray
Herbs, oils, and stones can be found everywhere, make sure what you purchase is ethically sourced.
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
October 22, 2021
Editor’s note: this episode was recorded on Jaymi's birthday in August. Some shenanigans took place…
The holidays are coming up! This means lots of people want to hire readers for their parties. Listen in as we help you go from horror story event pain to living your best event plans. Be aware and understand your needs as you learn the ropes of reading at parties. We’re going deep into some event self-care tips.
Do these things during event season:
- Raise your event prices from Halloween through New Year’s Day.
- Don’t be near a sound speaker (at all). Where you sit DOES matter.
- Manage your health. Know who you can get for your backup support.
- Get a headcount to read for everyone (or offer certificates to those who didn’t get a reading).
- Clearly express your needs to the client.
- Take breaks, get help from bartenders, or other helpers.
- Have an event-aftercare routine.
Bring an event go-bag! Things to include (besides decks) are table dressings/crystals, battery-operated candles, tissues, face wipes, hand sanitizer, energy clearing spray, tissues, throat lozenges, water, business cards (and holder), timers (sand or meditation), payment readers.
You can still sign up for the Kitchen Table Gathering happening November 6-7, 2021. It’s virtual and you’ll be able to learn from Onareo, Potter, V from Redlight Readings, and our very own Melissa. Hilary and Jaymi will also be in attendance. It’s a fun and fantastic time!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kitchen-table-gathering-tarot-conference-tickets-157000112563
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
October 8, 2021
Hilary and Jaymi welcome guest host Onareo for a spooky trip through tarot’s scary horror cards. Chris is a mystic from the East Coast, and his Instagram feed is fun and informative. He’s also one of the instructors for this year’s Kitchen Table Gathering.
As an added bonus, this week’s episode is brought to you by one of our 13 listeners. Lucky number 13 asked, “Which cards for you are the cards you never want to see in a reading for yourself and especially, if different, what cards do you find difficult to read for a client. And how do you overcome that situation, what methods do you use?” Thanks for this excellent question! Hope you don’t get too scared of our responses! *cue maniacal laughter here*
You can still sign up for the Kitchen Table Gathering happening November 6-7, 2021. It’s virtual! Come learn from Onareo, V from Redlight Readings, Potter, and our very own Melissa. Hilary and Jaymi will also be in attendance. It’s a fun and fantastic time! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kitchen-table-gathering-tarot-conference-tickets-157000112563
Resources Mentioned:
Mary K Greer’s Archetypal Tarot and Who Are You in the Tarot?
Theresa Reed’s new deck Tarot for Kids (which is fantastic for readers of ALL ages)
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
September 24, 2021
Fire signs adore honesty; sometimes "brutal honesty." However, sometimes the brutal truth doesn't deliver the message appropriately. So, Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi answer a listener's question, "How do you handle readings where the cards show an outcome that will disappoint?" This week, we share our stories on delivering messages while remaining kind. This is a different delivery than “sugar coating.” Tarot can be a reflection, and our job is to help clients navigate the situations they present to us.
Props and shout-outs to Madame Adam for restoring Melissa's tarot faith. Look him up on https://linktr.ee/MadamAdam3
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
September 17, 2021
Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi have been feeling the weight of the pandemic. One of the skills they’ve found helpful for both themselves and those they love is to use the notion of holding space. This means that you be present with your whole mind, body, spirit and listen to yourself or the person you are with without judgment. You listen wholeheartedly with empathy and compassion. It’s an important skill for readers, those on the spiritual path, and anyone wanting healthier relationships.
- Holding space for self requires a lot of deep breathing, letting go of self-judgments, and cultivating compassion for yourself. As Hilary said, “insert stuff here”
- Holding space for others is giving them time and attention to talk about what is going on. Don’t solve their issues, don’t judge, don’t make it about you. Let them talk or emote and bear witness to their journey.
Jaymi found this article on how to hold space useful: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/holding-space
Hilary recommends you read Seth Godin’s The Practice https://bookshop.org/books/the-practice-shipping-creative-work/9780593328972
Melissa also recommends you read The Happy Empath by Christine Rose Elle. You can learn more at Christine’s site at https://www.christineroseelle.com/books/
Also, if you are having a hard time during the pandemic and need someone to talk to, please know there are people here who can listen to you. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They speak English and Spanish and someone is available 24-hour. Call 800-273-8255.
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
August 27, 2021
Here it is, the long-awaited HDWDT (howdowedoeeeeet) episode. We collected all your questions and picked the most relevant one. While we read for the winner, this may also apply to you as well. Without further ado, let’s introduce the question and show you a taste of how we read.
Hi Cardslingers,
My name is G and I'm a big fan of your podcast! I've been reading mostly for myself for about 10 years now, but I've never had a professional read for me. Regardless of the question you choose, I'm interested in seeing your different approaches to a reading.
Like most people the pandemic has really worn me down, but I was managing well enough until November. After that, stress from the election, holidays working retail (in a pandemic), and being short-staffed at work had me mentally and physically exhausted. Then to top things off, my grandmother entered hospice and passed away just a few days ago. I feel like I can't quite get my footing. My question is what do I need to do to work towards finding some peace or balance?
Thank you for the opportunity!
The Cards and decks we used:
- Melissa: Scorpio Seas Tarot (3 cards) 5 Cups rx, Knight Cups Rx, The Moon
- Hilary: Radiant Rider Waite Smith Tarot (4 cards, one jumper, all reversed) 6 Cups rx, 7 Swords rx, Queen Swords rx, 10 Cups rx
- Jaymi: This Might Hurt Tarot (3 cards) Ace Cups, King of Wands, 9 Cups
Look at the little things, especially those that bring you joy. Check out Sugar and Sloth https://www.sugarandsloth.co.uk for some cute stationery items.
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
August 13, 2021
Melissa, Hilary, and Jaymi discuss the idea of discernment when we choose trusted resources, whether they’re books or teachers. Beware of gatekeeping. Beware of placing others on a pedestal. Lean heavily on the stories and interpretations in the cards, not the keywords or books. We think that it’s important that readers cultivate tarot discernment by questioning the wisdom of those in the past. Don’t just read books and leave your skills there, synthesize the information into your life, and keep learning from others and from the decks. Grow your knowledge and look for diversity in your decks. Become the eternal student with your tarot practice.
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
July 23, 2021
In this episode, we read a listener's letter, have some fun with it, and discuss the Celtic Cross for a bit. We really do read each and every letter you send, and Jaymi really does add your ideas for shows in her episode document. So, please keep the emails coming. (Also, happy birthday to J!)
https://www.thetarotlady.com/breaking-celtic-cross/ for a quick introduction from our favorite Theresa Reed, The Tarot Lady, to hold you over until we record a fuller Celtic Cross episode.
Do you like what you're hearing? Send feedback to us at cardslingerscc@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cardslingerscc.
