Hi there Gem and anyone else who might be able to help me.

I have been doing a lot of readings lately and have found they have been quite accurate, but the issue that I have is that although I can tune into the issue "now" I am not getting much predictive stuff happening.  

I find that I end up being a counselor in a sense, because people find it almost a relief that someone understands what they are feeling and can empathise with them or their situation

I would like to be able to do more predictive readings as well. Have you got any suggestions? Or does this just happen with experience?

Chooky

Hi!

I believe it depends on what you are aiming for. I usually find my readings work rather the way you described yours and I am very happy about them. Why? Because I feel sure that counsel can be more useful than prediction in the long run. And because I believe, and try to convey that belief to the querent, that the future is not cast in stone, that there is a lot we can do to change it (hopefully for the best).

I just try to point out ways in which the querent could be working against his/her own interests through their attitude, and what values are called for in order to get through that specific situation with the best results possible.

Now, some could say that one does not need the Tarot to give counsel. Maybe not, specially if you are well acquainted with the querent and his/her troubles, although even in that case it is so much easier to use the deck in order to isolate specific issues. But when you have before you a complete stranger, who can be amused, mystifying, or just plainly suffering and doubtful, I just do not know what other tool could be more helpful than my Tarot (in my case, of course: professional counselors are probably fine with just their words).

Now, about your initial question, I am sure there are many here that have mastered the predictive Tarot and can give you good tips on it. Best of luck!  

It's a bugger, isnt it?
On one hand we say let us not predict the future and on the other hand we say, let us use the tarot for advice and guidance. But, deep inside, as humans, we all want to know the future.

I would suggest that whatever spread that you use, just select or pick a last one which is an Outcome of some sort. An outcome itself is in a way predictive, I'd say.

I personally dont like the idea of One single card meaning as an Outcome card, for life is not just one outcome unless the question is so very, very specific..... but then again, we have heard the phrase, "nothing is cast in stone."

Well, here is my contribution, for what it's worth.

Chooky, most professional readers are moving away from the old fashioned predictive reading style and going more for the support and guidance of 'tarot counselling'. Many reasons, some financial, some litigation. Predictive reading does not usually only come from the cards. It may come from the reader's own guides or inner voices, or it may come in the form of visions and verbal messages. So although learning the tarot will increase your psychic development there is also a spiritual side to tarot too, that takes time to study and open up to.

Some tarot readers only read the cards from a list of interpretations and have fairly accurate readings, others tune in and connect to the seeker some way and get mindblowing accurate readings. That kind of reading takes time and practise to gain the confidence and trust of your readings.

Thank you everyone for your replies,
I can see that it is not just about prediction...and seeings that most people are quite happy with what I tell them, then I will just leave it at that.  I am amazed every time I do a reading when I get things right, and for me it has been about totally trusting in what the cards are telling me, and not worrying in what I think the person wants to hear.

Thanks again everyone
Talk soon, Chooky