Just as there are many different tarot
decks and styles of reading the cards,
there are a wide variety of settings in
which to read them.

Some people will only read for
themselves in the privacy of their own
home. Some people feel comfortable
reading for friends and family. Sharing
readings in a class or online forum is
also popular. Then there are those who
read for clients as a way of making
money. These are all examples of
scenarios where a reader has a single
querent or a small group.

But then there are those who are happy
to read at public events and aren't
fazed by a line of people waiting to
have their cards read. Private and
corporate parties, conferences, psychic
fairs and renaissance faires all offer
opportunities to read for large groups
of people.

October is probably the busiest month
of the year for reading tarot at parties.
Whether you just booked your first
party gig, have been doing them for
years, are considering the idea or are
simply curious, we have a wonderful
article on our website that you may
find helpful.

22 Suggestions for Offering Readings
at Parties, Expos & Psychic Fairs is
full of practical advice for all kinds of
public readings. There are great tips
on logistics, preparation, self-care,
and how to have the best possible
experience in a high-energy
environment.

If you choose to do public readings,
remember that you are doing a good
thing for a lot of people. Have fun!

Did you know that we have a Birth Card
calculator on our website? Simply enter
someone's birthdate and you'll be shown
their special cards. It's great to do
for yourself, friends, family, public
figures, historical figures, and pretty
much anyone you can think of.

Perhaps you use a client's Birth Cards
to inform the reading. If anyone feels
uncomfortable sharing their birthdate,
give them the link. They can calculate
them in private and simply tell you the
results.

If you're a fiction writer, give your
characters a birthdate and calculate
their cards. Then you can use your
knowledge of their Birth Cards for
character development!

QUESTION:

Dear Ruth Ann,

I recently did a reading for a friend
who has some knowledge of Tarot
meanings. He feels that they really have
an actual physical basis. If I said to him
that I saw a future event not being a
success, he would say he was sure it
was going to be successful but that the
information meant that he was going to
internally process his own feelings of
the event.

He wanted to know about the next six
months, what he would be looking
forward to spiritually and general
happenings. I did not know of any six-
month spread so I did a twelve-month
and figured just to look at the first half,
but informed him I could go further.

After he asked what cards I drew (we
did this by phone) he basically took
over the reading. He gave his own
interpretation of the cards. How should
I have gained back control of the
reading? What should you do when a
client is familiar with the Tarot but
has their own meanings? He did say the
information I gave him was helpful but
I felt discouraged. Your insight to handling
this type of client would be helpful.

Thanks.
Gina

ANSWER:

Thank you for your question, Gina.
Sometimes a querent will use a reader
as a sounding board -- someone who
helps clarify their own mental process.
It seems like that is what was happening
here. Your friend may not have been
looking for advice as much as the
opportunity to think out loud and come
to his own conclusions and decisions.

One of Tarot's strongest powers can be
found in its capacity as a mirror. The
cards reflect the inner state of whoever
reads them. Since your client was also
acting as the reader in this case, you can
probably trust that his insights were
accurate.

You were effectively designated an
auxiliary reader in this session.
Having more than one reader can be a
strong asset. (We do group readings in
class all the time.) However, while you
most likely saw additional information
that could have been very useful, the
querent has to be in a receptive state
to hear it. Apparently, this querent was
too self-involved at the time.

Just like in dancing, there are readers
who have a natural talent and
proclivity to lead. And in most cases
this is appropriate. But you don't need
to be in control all the time. Be
sensitive to your client's mood and
needs. If he or she wants to take the
lead occasionally, that's OK. You
mentioned that your friend found the
reading session helpful -- that's the
most important thing.

You also said you felt discouraged.
There's really no need to. Your
client's behavior was in no way a
reflection on your ability as a reader.
This is a good opportunity for a moment
of self-inquiry though. Ask yourself if
your discouragement came from a desire
to prove yourself as a reader or from a
true wish to help your friend.

If the querent is satisfied when the
reading is finished, you can count the
session a success!

Wald's Words of Wisdom

Apantomancy is a form of divination
that interprets the significance of
chance encounters with objects,
animals, or even people as messages or
omens. This ancient practice is rooted
in the belief that the universe
communicates with us through everyday,
seemingly random occurrences, offering
guidance, insight, or warnings. The
beauty of apantomancy lies in its
simplicity: it requires no tools, only
an awareness of the world around us and
a willingness to pay attention to what
crosses our path.

Significance of Objects or Articles
That Present Themselves

In apantomancy, everyday objects that
suddenly appear or draw our attention
can carry meaning. Imagine you're
sitting in a park, and a feather drifts
down onto your lap. Feathers often
symbolize messages from the spiritual
realm, a reminder to stay light-hearted
or to trust your intuition. Likewise,
finding a coin on the ground could be a
sign of forthcoming prosperity, a nudge
to focus on financial stability, or a
reminder of abundance in your life.

The key here is to notice these "gifts"
from the world and reflect on what they
might mean to you at that moment. What
thoughts were on your mind when the
object appeared? How does it relate to
your current life situation?

Speaking of keys, finding a rusty key on
a walk could symbolize unlocking hidden
knowledge or opportunities. Alternatively,
it might represent something locked away—
emotions or ideas—that you're now being
urged to explore.

Other Examples:

Broken Watch or Clock: If you come
across a stopped or broken watch, it
could symbolize that you need to take
time to slow down or that a particular
phase of your life has come to an end.
It may also suggest you're feeling
stuck and should focus on making
progress.

Lost Button: Finding a button from
clothing, especially out of place,
could symbolize the need to "keep it
together" emotionally or mentally.
Alternatively, it might signal that
something in your life needs "mending"
or attention.

Spilled Salt: Spilling salt has long
been associated with bad luck, but in
apantomancy, it could suggest that you
need to be cautious in an upcoming
situation or be more mindful of your
interactions with others.

An Unexpected Book or Newspaper
Article: If a book falls from a shelf
or you stumble upon a specific article,
it could indicate that the subject
matter is something you need to focus
on, or it may provide an answer to a
question you've been pondering.

Significance of Chance Animal
Encounters

Animals are powerful messengers in many
divination systems, and apantomancy is
no exception. Spotting a particular animal
at a key moment can be seen as a sign or
omen. For example, encountering a black
cat crossing your path is often considered
a sign of mystery or intuition at work.
Depending on cultural associations, it
might be interpreted as a caution to pay
closer attention to what's hidden beneath
the surface.

Similarly, a sudden meeting with a bird
like a crow or raven might indicate a
need to dive deeper into your spiritual
practice, while seeing a deer might
encourage you to embrace gentleness and
patience. Pay attention to the animal's
behavior and what it evokes in you.

Other Examples:

A Spider in Your Home: Seeing a spider
could be a sign that you need to focus
on creativity, as spiders are master
weavers. It may also encourage
patience, as spiders take their time
building intricate webs.

Crossing Paths with a Fox: A fox is
known for its cunning and adaptability.
Seeing one could indicate that you need
to be clever in solving a current
challenge or perhaps remain discreet
about your plans.

A Frog Near Water: Frogs symbolize
cleansing and transformation.
Encountering one near water may signify
that emotional healing or a personal
transformation is on the horizon. It
can also symbolize fertility and new
beginnings.

A Hawk Flying Overhead: Hawks are
often seen as messengers of vision and
clarity. If you see one circling above,
it could suggest that you need to gain
a higher perspective on a situation or
trust your instincts when making
decisions.

Apantomancy invites us to tune in to
the subtle messages the world is
constantly offering us. By becoming
more aware of these chance encounters
—whether with objects, animals, or
even people—we can gain insight into
our lives and the paths we are walking.
Whether you're drawn to this practice as
a form of spiritual exploration or simply
as a way to add a bit of magic to your
everyday life, apantomancy is a fun and
rewarding way to connect with the world
around you.

Resources For Further Study:

The Book of Divination by Ann Fiery –
This book provides an excellent
introduction to various forms of
divination, including apantomancy,
and how to integrate these practices
into your daily life.

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews –
A comprehensive guide to interpreting
animal signs and totems, a great
resource for understanding the meanings
behind your chance encounters with
animals.

Journaling – One of the best ways to
practice apantomancy is by keeping a
journal of your daily encounters. Write
down any objects or animals that seem
to stand out and reflect on their
potential significance. Over time, you
may notice patterns or recurring
messages.

We'd love your suggestion or submissions for this column! If you have an idea or would like to contribute, please contact us at
tarot@tarotschool.com .

Tarot School Correspondence

Course Degree Program

What follows is a letter/testimonial we
received from one of our graduates. It
beautifully expresses our goals for
students of the course. Thank you,
Kristin for taking the time to write!

My Experience with the Tarot School
Correspondence Course

It has about a year since I completed
the Tarot School's Correspondence
Course with Wald Amberstone. I think
that it has taken me this long to
process all of the hard work and
soul-searching that the course
required. It seems that at every turn
the things that I learned about Tarot,
esotericism, and myself are blossoming
in really amazing ways. I felt that I
wanted to share my experience and
strongly, strongly recommend this
program for those who might be
considering taking the course or might
have been wondering if it is worth it.

The way the course is set up is that
there are 12 Lessons and then two
offshoot lessons on Qabalah for Tarot
and Astrology for Tarot. The 12th
Lesson is actually optional but I chose
to complete it.

You have a phone call with Wald after
you turn in each lesson and he is
available to you if you have any
questions. He reads your work and then
makes thoughtful comments and
suggestions for contemplation. He asks
you what you think and listens to what
you say with interest. He does not
criticize or tell you what to think. I
feel like one of the greatest gifts of
this course is actually that it taught
me how to think and evaluate for myself
more deeply than any class or course
I have ever taken (and I have taken
many).

I now use Tarot in my sessions with
clients as Tarot Psychology. I do
readings sometimes out for fun and such
but this course has allowed me to
really experience each and every card
in such a way that I can go deeply with
my clients into experiences with Tarot
that cut through subconscious blocks
and allows them to have deeper insights
and experiences of healing.

The other thing that is happening is
that I am using this knowledge to
continue to deepen my own spiritual
practice. It seems like books that I
read years ago now make sense in a way
they never did before. I have started
using Sound (Frequency) Healing with
clients again and I can see how even
this is related to what I have learned.

I believe that the reason for these
changes is that while the course did
teach me Tarot, deeply and thoroughly,
it also taught me… well… ME, deeply
and thoroughly. I don't know if there is
anything better than that for someone
who wants to help others.

I am deeply indebted to Wald and Ruth
Ann (who also added to this journey
with her work). I am amazed every day
at the ways in which my experience
taking the course has woven itself into
my life. Wald shines a light on the
mysteries of Tarot and your own
subconscious at the same time – life
unfolding its mysteries just for you!!
I wish that I could describe the
benefits of this course more clearly
but it is difficult to convey using
words alone – you will just have to
dive in and take the course yourself!!

~ Kristen Valentine, MSW, LCSW
(feel free to reach out to me if you have any
questions about the Tarot School Course
at balancedlifeusa@gmail.com )

Meet The Reader
COURTNEY WEBER

By Sharonah Rapseik, Ph.D., CMAP

Courtney Weber is a Wiccan Priestess,
award winning Writer, Tarot Adviser,
and Metaphysical Teacher.

She has been a practicing Witch since
her teens, and believes that she has
always been one.

Courtney was born in the South and
raised in the Pacific Northwest. She
was raised Roman Catholic and
influenced by Southern Baptism
(straight out of the mountains of North
Carolina).

She has spoken to the dead and dreamed
prophetic dreams for as long as she can
remember.

At twenty, she embraced Witchcraft as
her path in spirit and life. As an
ordained Wiccan Priestess, she lived in
New York City for thirteen years, where
she led a coven and built one of the
largest Pagan communities in the New
York Tri-State area.

She is the author of Brigid: History,
Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic
Goddess , Tarot for One: The Art of
Reading for Yourself , and The Morrigan:
Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might .

She is a professional Tarot consultant
and an activist.

Courtney has been featured in Maxim,
Playboy, Huffington Post, and the Thom
Hartmann Show.

Her favorite "magickal" herb is the
lemon balm which she grows in her
backyard and her favorite curse is,
"May all of your tattoos fade."

She is also the creator of a Tarot
deck; "Tarot of the Boroughs", a
contemporary photographic Tarot deck
set in New York City.

Sharonah:

Courtney, what makes your Tarot
practice unique and how do you
express it?

Courtney Weber:
My focus is on action.

It's just as important to know why
someone wants a certain outcome as what
they want to see happen.

When we are most clear about our
intention, we have the clearest path to
knowing what is needed to make it
happen.

It's also very important to me that
clients leave with agency. It's not
enough to just know what's going to
happen, but to examine what they can
do about it, for better or worse!

Sharonah:
Thank you Courtney, it's been a
pleasure to meet you!

To Follow Courtney Weber:

Website:
https://courtneyaweber.com

Podcast:

https://thatwitchlife.com/

Blog:

https://courtneyaweber.com/blog/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thecocowitch

Instagram:

tps://whtww.instagram.com/courtneyaweber/

X (Twitter):

https://x.com/thecocowitch

Threads:

https://www.threads.net/@courtneyaweber

Courtney Weber's Up-coming Events:

https://courtneyaweber.com/events/

About Sharonah:

Sharonah Rapseik is an Artist / Designer,
Author, Tarot Reader, Radio Host and
Producer for Psychic Talk Radio.

Visit her at:
https://psychictalk.net/sharonah/

Upcoming Events:



Tarot Salon on Zoom!
7:00 – 9:00 pm EDT
$20 per class

Our popular Monday night classes are
now online so you can attend no matter
where you live. Classes are recorded and
all levels of experience are welcome!

OCTOBER 2024:
7 - Symbols of the Ace of Wands
14 - NO CLASS (US Holiday)
21 - Symbols of the 2 of Wands
28 - Magical Installation of The Sun

Get on the notification list to see
what we'll be teaching each week.

Readings with Ruth Ann

Running The Tarot School with Wald
keeps me pretty busy, but I still love
giving readings! My specialty is using
your Birth Cards and Elemental Array
(techniques Wald and I have developed)
in conjunction with random draws to
give you an extremely personalized and
powerful reading.

If you are familiar with the Tree of
Life, you may request a Birth Cards
Synastry Reading. I will compare your
Birth Cards with those of one or two
others to give you a deeper
understanding of your relationship with
them.

I excel at giving Readings for Readers
so if you're always giving readings to
others, let me help you with some
self-care for a change!