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Sometimes tarot readings are amazingly smooth and clear. Other times readers can find themselves a bit at a loss for words. When reading for a friend or a client we sometimes wonder “How can I best help this person?” or “What does this person need to know?”

Sometimes we see a particular card that just doesn’t seem to fit into the story and we wonder “What does the Ten of Swords mean here?” or “In what context should I interpret the Six of Pentacles in this reading?’

When you find yourself in such a reading, wondering what to do, try this technique.

In studying the Celtic Cross I reflected on the meanings of the Hopes and Fears position and began to wonder if our Hopes were not so much the Hope as in longing or desires, but Hope as in the ego's "I want". As humans sometimes we have the need to control our situations to lessen a perceived pain, whether it’s physical or emotional.  Paul Quinn in Tarot for Life considers that our unconscious expectations affect our outcome therefore what we hoped for and feared may actually happen.

May First is Beltane. Beltane is the cross-quarter day between the Vernal Equinox and the Summer Solstice. Beltane is a time to celebrate the spring, and all its fertile promise.

One popular Beltane tradition is the Maypole. This is a dance of fertility. It celebrates the union of male and female, of yin and yang.

Here is a tarot spread in honor of Beltane. Perform it on or near May First to help you take advantage of this fertile time of year and manifest something wonderful in your life.

It’s no secret that there is a lot of misinformation about tarot reading floating around. What makes matters worse are the many psychic scam artists that give tarot reading a bad name.

Even worse, sometimes we ourselves make our jobs harder.

There are many full-time, part-time and aspiring professional readers. Most of us are quite good at what we do and quite dedicated to the study, compassion and hard work that is required.

But even the best of us sometimes make decisions or cultivate attitudes that may make our jobs harder.

I know a number of readers who refuse to read for children. Some readers simply don’t enjoy reading for younger people. Others may feel that younger people have no need of what tarot can provide, or aren’t mature enough to process the information. Still others may worry that parents might not approve.

I really enjoy reading for children. In my own practice I have no ethical concerns in regards to offering readings to young people. I do find that reading for young people requires a certain skillset and specific ways of interpreting the cards.