When I meet a client for the first time, I clarify the process for them before the reading begins. That helps us to focus on the process and to ground ourselves for the reading to come. Clients often have misconceptions about what, how, where and when the reading should take place and the explanation dispels any misconceptions. A lot of what I say to them may seem self-evident but preconceptions have a way of cropping up at inopportune moments and skewing a reading, usually to its detriment. Thus, my first article in this series will cover the clarifications I make for clients. They are:
1. Length. Most people believe it will be twenty to thirty minutes…. The reality is, a good reading often takes an hour to an hour and a half. I’ve had readings run as long as two to three hours. I advise the client to leave at least 60 to 90 minutes free in their schedule and longer if they have specific concerns they want addressed.
2. Location. Often, clients want their reading to take place there and then - perhaps among noisy strangers, when the client is in hurry, thinking of getting back to a social occasion or to work. I generally refuse to read in such situations and counsel setting up an appointment for a later date and/or time, when the client is alone and calm. Some clients prefer visiting me, others ask that I meet them – I’m comfortable with either option.
3. Atmosphere. As I said earlier, many see nothing wrong having their palm read amongst noisy strangers. I counsel against this most strongly. Apart from the inevitable distractions, the surrounding energy is often negative or skeptical and skews the reading. Should a client wish to have a guest at their reading, I accommodate the request but believe the fewer the observers the better. If the client is in a relationship, I welcome the “significant other” being present and make the reading a joint one.
4. Time. Due to scheduling conflicts, it’s often impossible to find an ideal time. I advise timing the reading so that both I and the client are rested and have had a meal sufficient to keep up our energy levels but not heavy enough to dull the senses. I believe the best time to schedule a reading is early in the day, around 10 AM or so. But, as stated previously, this may be difficult to manage and, as long as the client is not too tired, I will schedule a reading at the client’s convenience.
5. Recording. It is possible to record a reading should the client wish it. Many do not feel comfortable with a recorder running in the background. For those that do not feel comfortable with recording the session, it is a worthwhile consideration as clients are focused on listening and seldom take notes for future reference or to use as a basis for questions once the reading is complete.
I’ve been successful using these guidelines for the past 30 years. For the most part, the sessions have been excellent as I’ve had the opportunity to analyze what I’ve seen and had the client present in the moment, ready to understand and utilize what insights I’ve gathered. Those readings that didn’t go well violated these tenets in some way.
Biography: Saad Talia is a palmist/chiromancer/spiritual mentor and clairvoyant who brings 30 years experience to his craft. A student of the renowned Shaukat Maclai in South Asia, Saad delivers insight, practical solutions and an abundance of empathy and caring to his readings. Saad is a supporter of the Royal Sarcophagus Society and the Esoteric Collective and has performed readings for attendees of the Toronto Pagan Pride Day 2004 Fundraiser, the RSS’ 2004 Autumnal Soiree and the Wine, Dine and Divine fundraisers in 2005 and 2006 in support of the RSS and the Esoteric Collective. For personal readings, Saad may be contacted via email: saad_g@homemail.com or cell: 1-416-876-7756.
We invite you to visit next month for the second topic of this series: The Ethics of a Reading.
