Before getting a reading, it is helpful to know what to expect. It's especially helpful when you are getting a reading in a somewhat unconventional way such as through email or in a chat room. Hopefully this information will be helpful in answering any questions that you might have. Should you have any additional questions or something isn't addressed here, please feel free to use the email link belong to contact us with your questions. I'm getting a reading by email. How does that work? When you get a reading via email, Rowan takes the time to do some meditation work with her Guides to connect to your energy before conducting the reading. During this time Rowan often does some automatic writing work as well and will include this as well as any other information that she gets from her guides during this meditation with your reading. From here Rowan will lay out the cards and take a digital photograph of the resulting layout for you to see with your reading. She will then work with her Guides to interpret the reading writing out all the information that she gets. The reading is then transcribed and the photo included and emailed to you in a PDF file. What if I can't use PDF files? If you are unable to receive or open PDF files, be sure to mention that in your details when purchasing your reading so that Rowan is able to provide the information in a different format for you. Typically this will mean that she will email you a plain text email with your reading and a link to access your reading photo online which you can then download for yourself. I would like to have my reading done through Chat or IM. How will this work? Rowan can do timed readings through IM and Chat functions. Currently Raven's Nest Readings supports readings done through AIM, YahooIM, MSN, Chatngo, and chatrooms through AOL. When you arrive for your reading Rowan will ask you a few questions to make sure that you are ready for your reading and to get you prepared for your session. She will then work with you to shuffle and cut the cards and will then go about your reading. Rowan will then go through card by card and interpret the reading for you. When you have a reading in a chat or IM your reading isn't limited to the number of questions that you ask but by time. If you're looking to discuss more than one question or issue it is advised to purchase a 1 hour reading for 2-3 questions and 2 hours for 3-4. A single question can easily take up a 30 minute reading. Rowan will keep an eye on the time and make sure that she can address as many of your questions and concerns as possible in the time given. A few days after your reading Rowan will email you to follow up and make sure that any questions you might have about your reading are addressed. How does distance reading work? How can you do a reading without me there in person? Reading from a distance is not difficult, but is something that each reader develops as a skill in time. Working with someone to do a reading at a distance requires the reader to tap into the individual's energy much in the same way that healers work distance healing. This is one of the reasons that before a reading Rowan takes the time to do some meditation and work with her Spirit Guides first. This helps her to make that connection. By asking for the reading and giving Rowan permission to read you, she is able to tap into your energy and give you reading as accurate as if you were together in person. How do I know what kind of reading is right for me? Typically just about any type of reading can give insight into any area of your life that you are currently seeking guidance in. We have arranged a list of readings on the "Readings" page, some which Rowan has designed and worked with to specifically address special areas of question. If you're not completely sure which kind of reading to get, a "general reading" can help you to look at many different areas or can be used to look at specific questions. There is a description of each type of reading listed on the "Readings" page. The most important thing to remember is that the tarot is there to help us by acting as sign posts on our journey. They help to shed light on areas of our life that might need attention as well as to show us what is working for us now. The tarot helps to act as a mirror in a spiritual sense and show us things that we sometimes can't see for ourselves because we are too deeply involved in our own lives. In many ways the tarot is not a "fortune telling" device, but it can help to see where we are headed in the future if we remain on the paths that we are walking now.