LESSON 9

The Other Reading

You can do a tarot reading that is centered on another person or subject. I call this the Other Reading. An Other Reading is appropriate whenever you are simply curious about someone or something that doesn't involve you directly. Other Readings are about someone, not for him or her. When a reading is for someone, that person writes the question and you simply help interpret the cards.

Other Readings are fun and informative. They are also a good way to learn the tarot. When you use the cards for yourself, you only get to look at a limited set of problems - your own! Other Readings let you explore much more.

Except for choosing the subject, the procedure for an Other Reading is basically the same as the one in lesson 8. The few differences are noted here. (There is also a step-by-step outline.)

1. Choosing the Subject
   Your first step is to decide on the subject of your reading. You can focus on just about anything - a person, animal, place, problem, or news event - as long as you identify the subject ahead of time. Usually it will be the central figure in a situation, but it doesn't have to be.

   Your subject can be a group entity, such as a marriage, family, team or neighborhood. You can focus on a country or the Earth, but, for such large entities, the information will be very general.

   You may be tempted to do an Other Reading about someone who is close to you - a relative, friend or colleague. In lesson 7 I talk about the importance of focusing on yourself in readings that concern you. Here is a simple test you can take to decide whether an Other Reading is advisable. Ask yourself three questions:

   • Do I feel strong emotions when I think about this person in this situation?
   • Do I have a vested interest in this situation?
   • Do I desire a particular outcome in this situation?
   If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you should probably do a reading centered on yourself rather than an Other Reading.

   You now need to write a question. Follow the suggestions in lesson 7, but write the question about your subject. Focus on the aspect of your subject that interests you. If you are wondering about a politician who is running for president, your question might be:

   "What are the factors impacting Mr. or Ms. Candidate's chances to become the next president?"

2. Setting the Mood
   You can place a picture of your subject nearby to help you focus during your reading. An object that reminds you of your subject works well too.

3. Asking Your Question
   Say something about the other person or why you are doing an Other Reading. Request guidance that is in the best interest of all concerned, and mention that you hold only good intentions toward your subject. (If you can't say this truthfully, consider a reading for yourself instead!)

4. Shuffling the Cards
5. Cutting the Cards
6. Laying Out the Cards

7. Responding to the Cards
   As you respond to the cards, remember that they refer to the other person, not you. However, don't be surprised if you see in the cards some interesting correspondences with your own life!

8. Analyzing the Cards
   In an Other Reading, you are seeing the situation from your own point of view. What you see in the cards may or may not be related to what the subject actually experiences.

9. Creating the Story
10. Writing the Summary Statement
11. Finishing Up

12. Using What You Have Learned
    Even though an Other Reading focuses on someone else, there is still a lesson for you in the cards. Try to identify this lesson so you can apply it in your own life.

Exercises for Lesson 9

Lesson 10

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