Future Tarot

What do you do when a friend in trouble asks for advice? What do you do if you read Tarot and your troubled friend asks for a reading? Giving bad news in a Tarot reading is always painful but when that bad news is for a friend it can be truly heart-breaking, it can even damage friendships. But when a friend needs help, is there really a way we can say no?

Deb’s friend needs help and has asked Deb to give her a Tarot reading. Like all of us, Deb isn’t keen to give bad news. Miss Michele and I have our own thoughts on the matter but in this case, the Tarot had it’s own advice to give.

[Miss Michele] Deb first I believe?

[Tilanthis] Yes. I’ll wait my turn.

[Amanda] Yes, go Deb.

[Serenity Bly] What’s up Deb?

[Tilanthis] Can I add my interpretations too?

[Deb] Okay, I’ve been asked to do a Tarot reading for someone tomorrow, and I’m not sure she is gonna be ready for the response. She is in a high-stress situation, and has been dreaming of suicide. I’ve been trying to help her get on her feet, but it’s a lot worse than I had thought at first.

[Amanda] Oh dear!

[Miss Michele] Wow… I’d not do it. Just personally, and based on what you’ve told us so far about this particular situation.

[Deb] She asked me to do a reading for her today, but I begged off until tomorrow.

[Miss Michele] At Future-Tarot we make it clear that Serenity and I are not psychologists, life coaches, therapists, or anything of the sort. You are a better friend than I.

[Serenity Bly] Sometimes, when a situation is out of our depth, it is better to refer the querant to a professional.

[Deb] I’m gonna have to do it sooner or later, and this ties in to my stuff about not doing readings that are will upset people.

[Amanda] You know, in moments of crisis sometimes a reading can be a great way to get some perspective. It’s a cry for help… which means she may not be the suicidal type.

[Deb] Yes, I know. I have already told her what needs to be done to get herself out. She needs to disengage.

[Serenity Bly] I recommend doing a PRE-reading, draw cards before she is there. Prepare in advance for the sort of reading she’ll be getting so that you can temper the reading based on what you already know about her situation. But, I would actually say, GET SOMEONE ELSE to do the reading. Because you already know this person, you have an emotional attachment to the outcome and the result. She won’t be as receptive to your reading as she would be to a strangers and is more likely to be hurt by the home truths that may come up.

[Deb] She is determined that I do it. I’m less worried about the emotional attachment

[Miss Michele] If you’ve already been “counseling” her as a friend to a degree, then it’s good to do the reading. You can back up what you’ve been saying. Both in YOUR mind, that confirmation, plus sometimes hearing it from the cards makes a difference.

[Deb] She’s been listening to me, as best she can but I know that until a person is ready, they won’t jump. I told her already to discuss some of this with our WW leader, since he’s really good at getting people to reframe things.

[Serenity Bly] If you do go ahead with doing the reading yourself, draw cards before she is there so you know in advance if any ‘bad’ news is likely to come up. It’ll give you time to seek deeper into the situation for the good that goes with the bad. And remember, there ALWAYS is some. Every bad situation has a purpose, a reason, an upside. It still sucks but the important thing is to shine the light down the tunnel.

[Deb] I know that — I’m sure this has been presented to me as an opportunity to overcome some of my stuff about doing readings that aren’t happy.

[Serenity Bly] But as Artgra mentioned, she most likely isn’t suicidal. Because those who truly are don’t ask for help.

[Deb] True. I’m less worried about her being suicidal than about her sabotaging herself. Her brother is a real piece of work. He makes my sister look like an amateur.

[Amanda] I think you should do the reading. Like i said earlier, maybe it’ll sink in if conveyed through a ‘third party’ so to speak.

[Serenity Bly] And there would be several (some theorize 9 specific and separate) issues that create the trigger for suicide. Basically, in the mind of someone who will go to that extreme life seriously sucks and there are no other options. It sounds like this woman is still looking for options.

[Deb] Yes, she is, but she still wants a magic fix, and those are few and far between.

[Miss Michele] They exist? Where can I order my fairy dust?

[Serenity Bly] I think you’ll find, the worst that can happen from your reading is absolutely nothing.

[Deb] I refuse to rule them out completely, though – know too many people whose lives changed in a flash.

[Miss Michele] And that may very well BE the worst thing–to do nothing–for this woman.

[Serenity Bly] It’s worth doing the reading because it’ll sink in on some level. Even if she’s not really receptive to the idea of “helping herself”.

[Miss Michele] You know, in a lot of ways, the universe gives us magic when we’re open to it.

[Deb] I’m still sure this has come up because this is my stumbling block when doing readings.

[Tilanthis] That is a powerful statement Miss Michele

[Deb] Any advice from the cards, ladies?

[Miss Michele] Oh! You want a reading, too??? lol Just kidding!

Deb thwaps Miss Michele

Miss Michele giggles.

[Miss Michele] ROFLMAO! (at the cards this time)

[Deb] Oh?

[Miss Michele] Let go of your blocks, they say. (in the form of the Death card.)

[Deb] Gee, how did I know that would come up in a reading for me.

[Serenity Bly] Deb, you might want to read our new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It might help empower you to do ANY reading.

[Miss Michele] Followed by Four of Swords, indicating… this card has meant so many things for me over the past few days… I’m not sure how to interpret it anymore. I see this as you’re weighing your options… meditate on it. The card is literally a “rest.”

[Serenity Bly] I suspect the Four of Swords is echoing my earlier advice, to take the time to pre-prepare before the reading. It talks about introspection, pausing, gathering your resources.

[Miss Michele] YES!! The good news is that this WILL be ‘popping the cherry’ so to speak on difficult readings. It will work. And sorry, couldn’t think of a less crude way to phrase that right now.

[Serenity Bly] *chuckles* That’s a terrible turn of phrase. How about ‘turning point’, ‘catalyst’, ‘paradigm shift’?

[Tilanthis] Quite matter of factually… it is the hold the reins, gather your forces and focus your mind and intent.

[Deb] That’s okay. So what’s the last card?

[Miss Michele] The Knight of Wands – Knights are messengers and harbingers of change. You will be FREE, Free as the wind, which is the element associated with wands, to do all manner of readings in the future. BUT you need to let go.

[Deb] That is good to know.

[Serenity Bly] I love the Knight of Wands. It’s the “go for it” card! The advice here seems to be to put aside your personal reservations, face the situation from a subjective perspective, and do the reading as you would if you were expecting good news not bad. Who knows, maybe there is good news ahead for her. Good luck Deb and we’ll look forward to hearing how it goes.