Tarot for the 21st Century!
Tarot Reading and Fairs
Many Tarot readers these days are using the internet, Skype, and email for readings. The traditional settings are face-to-face or by phone. These all tend to be private sessions.
What about fairs, be they designated "Psychic Fairs" or "Metaphysical Events" or just a gathering of some sort? What is your experience of offering this service to the general public?
Some of the things I've enjoyed as a reader who works at fairs is that there is something for everyone, a style of reading or deck or price that meets each participants needs.
That was the inspiration 17 years ago for me calling my work "Tarot Counseling", to give prospective clients a better idea of what skills and focus went into my work in contrast to psychic readings, past life and spirit guide readings, predictive styles of reading the cards, and so on.
In addition, it is easier to make a referral, right there on the spot, to another reader who might provide something I do not offer or is out of my scope-or-practice.
It is common for clients to try several readers and then tell us that we all said the same thing to them, although in a slightly different way. It helps reinforce the message for the recipient.
There may also be some pitfalls to working at fairs. Some locations and groups of readers may have a more competitive spirit, although that is rarely my experience. I've heard stories of readers who deliberately try to sabotage others who they perceive as being more successful.
Another angle to consider is the spirit of the location or community where the fair is located. Have you noticed how some towns are really open and exciting while others are tight, conservative, or even dishonest (bounced checks, bad credit cards)? Have you observed a theme of issues that permeate a location or a particular gathering?
I'm sure there is a wealth of experience among us and I look forward to reading your comments.
Tags: Counseling, Fairs, Issues, Public, Reading, Tarot
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Valentine Wilson on -
I'd rather sit down face-to-face with a client any day. My experience is doing astrology readings at a Renaissance Festival, as well as readings in public places, like restaurants. It's always been fun and we seem to be able to create a "private" atmosphere no matter how "public" the place. Fairs seem to be a traditional place for readings, carrying an out-of-the-ordinary, out-of-time feeling that encourages people to take risks and try something "different".Thus, they provide a good opportunity to surprise them by revealing things they thought no one else would know, and helping them find a way out of their problems.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Katrina Wynne on -
Michael - you bring up some excellent points. A private atmosphere can be generated in many public places. I know I create an energy bubble around me and my clients when working at fairs.
And, yes, fairs have a way of introducing folks who may never otherwise attempt receiving a reading to try something new, and are usually converted to our way of sharing about life afterwards. -
-
Permalink Reply by Katrina Wynne on
-
Victoria - when you visit the US, let us know so we can recommend some great shows.
-
-
Permalink Reply by jaymi elford on -
I cut my "reading teeth" on psychic fairs and parties so I absolutely love reading in public. It has helped me develop my reading style and put me on the spot for giving advice for people I've only known for 2- 30 minutes. Currently, I read for wine tastings at a local wine bar and it's such a blast to give the general public a teaser of what we can offer them as readers. It also helps me expand my clientele and builds community in my town.
My downfalls about fairs is that they sometimes set the price and take a cut (up to 50% in my experience) and that it tends to attract those with draining emotions. As an empath, I am still learning how to shield and block unwanted energies while being able to give the best advice I can. I've never experienced animosity as a reader or being ganged up upon but I have seen some readers with an "aire" of thumbing down to those of us who are "less experienced."
Anyhoo, just some of my thoughts. I may add more to this later.
/jaymi -
-
Permalink Reply by Katrina Wynne on
-
Jaymi - I've wanted to drop into your fun wine tasting to taste your reading, HaHa.
I would also be uncomfortable with a price split in a fair context. When I would do a Sparks (Reno), NV show, this was part of their system. On the other hand, it does level the playing field a bit for new readers who may not draw as many readings. By new, I mean inexperienced readers as well as experienced readers new to the community.
It is a sad situation when anyone looks down their noise at another. As is my motto, there is something for everyone, and, vive la difference! -
-
Permalink Reply by Lillie Ruby on -
I've actually never read at a fair. In this area the fairs are pretty much a closed circle and getting in as a reader is very difficult. However, I have applied as I believe working in one would be great fun and certainly give you exposure. You know that old timing thing :P.
On the other hand, I attend them regularly and when I feel led, I get a reading, whether it's a drawing, or Tarot cards etc..
So, from an attendee perspective here are some experiences I've had:
I haven't never found it difficult to feel "alone" with the reader, even with tables placed side-by-side or even 2 readers at one table. The reader is focusing on me and I on the reading, so I think that automatically sets up a bubble of privacy. I was a member of a meetup and we practiced after meetings. There might be 12-14 of us in a very small room and it not be a problem. Or, some may migrate up the stairs to the coffee house and again, be so focused, it didn't matter.
One Psychic Fair has existed here for, oh probably 30 years. It used to be much larger, but in the past few years it has become an event that isn't much fun to attend. I think it holds on from tradition more than anything. There is a great deal of negative energy...from what I hear...generated by the politics of the owning Society. When you attend this fair the vendors have very negative things to say about being there. (I'll come back to that in a minute). You can imagine what a pallor that puts over things. They have a large room of readers, but only the Society is allowed to read...not even the vendors and most of the readers have attended classes taught by the same lady, so there isn't much variety of experience from the consumer's point of view. I have stopped attending because I feel so drained afterwards and seldom find anything I want, or want to experience.
For this fair, limiting who can read is a detriment in another way, at least for me. Your place on the que of any given reader, might mean you wait for 4-5 hours before your turn comes up. Now it does show, it has a large following, but I won't wait that long.
So, another Spirit Fair comes to town a couple of times a year. It is very small physically, but as packed with vendors and readers as that room can hold. The atmosphere is light and loving. The exact same vendors are there as in the first one, but they are smiling, happy, chatty. I often spend several hours there just hanging out chatting with the vendors...and yep, spend more money there too..not because it's a seductive atmostphere, but because I feel happy and want to (haha) spread my wealth around. I usually attend some of their classes too.
At this particular fair, I've had readers get up and follow me around the room and then say, come sit with me I just want to give you a reading (not soliciting). Another time a reader, read the entire deck for a friend ( and threw in some messages for me because I was taking notes for her. Then he stood up, annointed her and gave her a healing session. I think it is just a giving atmostphere.
Now, I do have a friend who got in under the wire of this fair being filled with readers and she says, the owner is very determined that the atmostphere be just what I experienced. They are required to meet for a circle before the Fair starts to set the tone, etc so it be a happy, great fair.
At one fair she shared a table with someone giving readings just for tips. At first she was horrified and thought she'd get no business. Smart lady, though. She set an intention and her attidtude that she was there to be of service and the right people would come and pay regardless of the freebee sitting right beside her and it worked. She was very happy with her results.
This is about to sound judgemental, but the attendees at these two fairs seem different too. Cleaner, brighter than at the first fair I mentioned and of course it makes sense.
The first fair has a few classes, but sparsely attended. The second fair has less classes, but well attended, and you hear laughter and participation.
There is about to be a new fair in town. I know all the people who are putting on the event. However, I also know they aren't feeling the love. I'm not sure how it will turn out, but knowing they are angry with each other doesn't make me hopeful, nor does the premise...of putting the other fairs out of business (Nope never a good approach) Some great readers have applied, but they never received a response. I assume because they weren't part of that group. I will be working, so I won' attend to find out how it feels, works out etc. I hope it works for them, but I have my doubts. It already sounds too much like the first fair I described and it hasn't even happened yet.
I might add, the light, bright fair comes in from out of town. The fairs put on locally, do not have they same open spirit. Although, there is nothing wrong with providing a safe environment for people. I think this plays a point too. The oldest and most negative fair, has police standing around to keep everyone safe and a police car at the door. The other fair has no one. I think that probably speaks to whom they draw to the fair as much as anything, but walking in, it is a very different feel.
So, those are my experiences.
Lillie -
-
Permalink Reply by Lillie Ruby on
-
Geeze, I just realized I put I haven't never found...I speak grammatically, but apparently I don't type that way. :O
-
-
Permalink Reply by Katrina Wynne on
-
Lillie - Wow, you have some valuable insight based on your experience as an attendee. The most surprising statement for me is the police presence at one of the events. I'm a little blown away and my head is wondering where in the world this exists.
I concur with your observation about open spirited fairs versus closed community fairs. I've had the experience, twice, of such organizations. No surprise one is the same place where two clients paid with fake check or credit card, the only time in my career when this has happened. Suffice it to say, I did not return to those shows.
I used to produce a little fair in my town. Due to limited space (four to six) and a desire to have a variety of readers, we had to turn some readers away, and thus may have disappointed them. -
-
Permalink Reply by Lillie Ruby on
-
Well, I'm sure it's fairly common to have more applications for readers than you can handle. Not replying to applications as two of those fairs have done, is just rude and poor business practice. The people they have ignored definately talk about that. It's the old customer service/marketing idea. Everyone is happy-they only tell 1-2 people...everyone unhappy-they tell everyone they know about a bad experience.
For me, if I apply and you say, "Sorry, full." I'll probably attend anyway. Just ignore me and I'll take my cash elsewhere.
Some of the best clients can be the people already working in a field, who value the work.
Most of the fairs I have knowledge of charge a set fee for a table, a half table, booth etc. That can make it more difficult when you are starting out-to come up with the fees. While 50% seems a pretty high split, regardless of the percentage, I agree with you Katrina, it levels the playing field. However, at the end of the day, if you have worked hard, you should be rewarded and able to do more than pay your expenses. I have done events where I agreed to give 50%, but that was a charity event and I agreed to it, first.
Jaymi
The wine tasting and tarot sounds like a hoot. I'm curious about your statement that setting the price and taking 50% attracts draining people. Do you mean because there isn't a energy of giving from the fair operators?
Lillie -
© 2012 Created by Dax Carlisle.
