How do You Read?

[Lacykitten]

I'm just wondering what methods everyone has of reading. Not the spreads, but like... /what/ you do.

I really just started reading for others when I did my first one here.. but I felt compelled to say this at the start of it:

"Spirits, Guides and Guardians,
Guide my hands, my mind, my heart, my intuition and my cards
as I search for the answers that (name) seeks."

or some variation thereof.

Most things I've read said to stop shuffling when a card "jumps" out or when it "feels right" to stop. I usually let all my cards jump out as I'm shuffling.

A general question, I picture the name in my mind and think or say, "What is happening in (name)'s life.. what in general is going on.." or "What's in the near future for (name).. what does their future hold.." and so on.

If there's a spread with cards with specific meanings, I shuffle while repeating the first question or meaning, what I'm seeking.. when that jumps out, I shuffle for the second, and so on.

What do YOU do when you read? How do you do it? :)

[redheadwitch]

i do something somewhat similar to what you do...
i ask for guidance, and i try to connect to the person's spirit guide, or ONE of them! and ask for help from them.

then i lay out the cards in a big line, and i pick - one by one - the ones that sort of "glow" to me, or stand out. i don't usually pick extra cards for clarification, but when i feel i need to, i will.

[Storm]

I too was wondering what sort of ritual others follow. Lacy, I like your chant. I have been thinking of something like that.
Storm

[Zander770]

traditionaly AND intuitively . . . at this point? they "bleed . . ."

[Armitage]

I usually just pull out the cards and go at it. Unless I'm asking Someone for help or advice, in which case I find symbols of Them and some candles, go into light trance, and then go at it.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

It depends on the situation and who I'm reading for.

Normally, I just shuffle the deck thoroughly and lay out the spread. I *rarely* have cards jump out while I shuffle. When they do, I take note of them and place it back in the deck, shuffle more and then deal out the spread.

Sometimes I light a candle or two....but the thought rarely strikes me to. I guess I like the spontaneity of just throwing a spread a reading it. But I'm more likely to do that for myself than others. Others I think like the intrigue of a laycloth, candles, ritualistically calling in supreme worldly powers.....in my own words....they like the *show* of it. I can read equally well either way. I know this doesn't hold true for everyone, but it does for me. I feel spirit is always with me, so why would I need to ask spirit to do something it's already doing??

Anyways......that's my .02 pentacles. ;)

[AmbivalentMirage]

I sit quietly with my amethyst nearby and concentrate on the cards, picturing the person or situation I'm reading about. Then I shuffle the cards, using a certain visualization over and over again. For instance, for a daily reading, I visualize the sun rising and setting in the new day. I know it sounds weird to visualize the new day... but I just get a sense of the future, and project it into my visualization. Then I shuffle the cards until I feel ready. :)

[Flaire]

I, like others, just shuffle & lay out a spread. Though, usually I pause for a few moments between shuffling and cutting the deck to concentrate on the question being asked. I take 3 deep breaths. Between the breaths, I direct the question to the cards.