FAQ for New Readers

Welcome to the Freereading Network! Here's some answers to a few common questions to get you started. If you need any help at all, or have questions not covered here, please contact Admin@freereading.us.

Good luck!

Are there any requirements to give readings for this site?

Is there any minimum certification needed?

Is there a mailing list for online readers?

Okay, I've subscribed to FreeReading@yahoogroups.com, now what?

How do I get added to the Roster?

Hey, wait a minute! Aren't some computer viruses spread by email? Can I get a virus from these reading requests?

I sent my roster info to the webmasters, but I never got the "Welcome Aboard" message.

Help! I've forgotten my Roster password!

Who are the Freereading Network administrators, and how do I contact them?

How are readings assigned?

So, just how does this reader rotation system work?

How important is it to have an alias and disguise your true identity? Is it valid to worry about being stalked or harrassed by someone you've read for?

How big a spread should I use?

Can you suggest some three-card spreads?

Do I have to answer the client's question exactly?

Is there a time limit for responding to reading requests?

How many readings on average can I expect to get?

Who do I contact if I know I won't be able to take any readings for a while?

Can I put a cap on the number of readings I'm assigned if I know I can't handle more than a certain number per day?

I only have email at work, can I do readings on the weekends?

What if an emergency comes up and I can't do the readings that have already been assigned to me?

How do I get a mentor who will review my readings?

Do I have to send my mentor every reading I do, or every third reading, or one a week, or just the problematic ones?

What information is acceptable for my "Meet the Readers" bio page?

Does my bio information need to be in any particular format, and where should I send it?

Does my bio page have to include an email link to my freereading alias?

What should I do if someone emails a reading request directly to my freereading.us address, instead of through the request form?

Are auto-responders available for our reader addresses?

What do I do if I get a question I feel I'm not qualified to handle?

Are we allowed to read for minors?

I've sent a reading out to a client, but it bounced. Now what?

What if the client asks multiple questions?

I've done the spread, but all I see are negative cards. How do I break it to the client gently?

I am responding to my readings by clicking the reply button, but when I do it shows that my real address sent it, not my reader alias. How can I send messages from MyReaderName@freereading.us?

What are some free email services?

How does the Roster Manger work?

Are there any requirements to give readings for this site?
The only requirements are (1) access to an email account, and (2) the ability to perform three-card readings. If you are not a member of the American Tarot Association, you may be asked to demonstrate your reading skills before being added to our online roster.
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Is there any minimum certification needed?
No, all levels of students are welcome to give free readings, from novices just beginning their tarot studies to Grandmasters, and everything in between. You will need to be able to perform three-card readings.
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Is there a mailing list for online readers?
Anyone interested in reading for the Freereading Network is encouraged to subscribe to our email list hosted by Egroups.Com. If you are already registered with Egroups, you can subscribe by sending a blank email to freereading-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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Okay, I've subscribed to FreeReading@yahoogroups.com, now what?
Subscription to the FreeReading@yahoogroups.com mailing list does not automatically put you on the online roster to do free readings, nor is is a requirement. Approval of new readers has to be done by John Gilbert.
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How do I get added to the Roster?
To be initially added to this online roster, just send John Gilbert a note with (1) the Reader alias you'd like to use and (2) the email address you want your reading requests sent to. Unless you request otherwise, you'll start off on Inactive status with one reading every day. When you've been successfully added to the roster, you'll receive an automated 'Welcome Aboard' message at your new freereading.us address. The note will include your alias and password, along with directions for our Roster Manager ( http://www.freereading.us/roster). Your requests will be addressed to Alias@freereading.us and automatically forwarded to the address of your choice. (This forwarding only works one way - messages sent to your alias will go on to you, but you can't send messages directly from freereading.us)
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Hey, wait a minute! Aren't some computer viruses spread by email? Can I get a virus from these reading requests?
It's true that viruses are often received as email attachments, but the reading requests you'll receive from the Freereading Network are generated and sent out by our own software. They will not be infected. If, on the other hand, someone sends email directly to your freereading.us address - by replying to the reading you send them, for instance - it may or may not have a virus attached. The best way to protect yourself from email viruses, without springing for antivirus programs, is not to open any email attachments from people you don't know. We strongly recommend deleting unknown email attachments unread and unopened. If you do have antivirus software, save the attachment without opening it, then scan it before you look at it.
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I sent my roster info to John Gilbert, but I never got the "Welcome Aboard" message.
Your freereading.us address may have a typo or otherwise be set up incorrectly. Send a reminder note to John at Bluejay@freereading.us including the reader alias you want and the email address you want your reading requests mailed to.
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Help! I've forgotten my Roster password!
Just go to the Roster Manager, enter your reader alias, and request a password reminder. Your password will be emailed to your freereading.us address.
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Who are the Freereading Network administrators, and how do I contact them?
There are currently four of us, we can be reached by email at the following addresses:

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How are readings assigned?
There's a file which keeps track of all the readers' aliases and passwords, whether they are Active (currently taking readings) or Inactive, on which days they are taking readings, how many readings they are taking per day, and how many they have left today. Requests are passed out on a rotating basis to each available reader. Once all the available readings for the day have been assigned, clients will see a message encouraging them to come back tomorrow.
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So, just how does this reader rotation system work?
Basically, the roster of online readers - including all their settings - is sorted alphabetically by reader alias. As each new request comes in, it's emailed to the next available reader on the list. For those accepting a limited number of readings each day, this daily count is reset at midnight Pacific time. The logic behind determining each reader's availability takes a little while to explain, but there's a Rotation Example that explains the details pretty well.
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How important is it to have an alias and disguise your true identity? Is it valid to worry about being stalked or harrassed by someone you've read for?
Due to the way the site programs are set up, you will need a reader alias in order to be on the roster. Whether to use your real name or a nickname (assuming it's not already in use by another reader) is entirely up to you. Some readers use a separate email address specifically for getting readings, to keep those messages separate from their other email and in some cases to keep spammers from getting their "real" address.
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How big a spread should I use?
For the Freereading Network, we require all our readers to consistently use three-card spreads. Clients who would like a more in-depth reading will soon be able to order them for a fee from our sister site, http://www.tarotmasters.net.
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Can you suggest some three-card spreads?
If you're stuck for a spread to use, here are some ideas from KnightHawk, one of our online readers. Of course, you can always just lay down three cards and make up a spread for them on the fly.
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Do I have to answer the client's question exactly?
No, while you should try to follow the original intent, don't hesitate to rephrase the question. You might take a look at John Gilbert's Seven Deadly Traps for assistance in rephrasing clients' questions.
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Is there a time limit for responding to reading requests?
We do ask that you respond to reading requests as soon as possible. It's recommended that if your response will take more than a few days, email your client(s) and let them know.
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How many readings on average can I expect to get?
This is entirely up to you. You can use the Roster Manager to set a maximum limit on the number of reading requests you receive each day, and on which days of the week you will accept requests.
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Who do I contact if I know I won't be able to take any readings for a while?
Once you've been added to the roster, we have a Roster Manager at http://www.freereading.us/roster where you can log in and toggle your status between Active and Inactive at any time.
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Can I put a cap on the number of readings I'm assigned if I know I can't handle more than a certain number per day?
Yes, you can log into the Roster Manager and set your maximum number of readings per day. You won't receive any more than this number, but you may (theoretically) get fewer if it's a very slow day for requests. Also, most of our readers are willing to help out and take some of your requests for you if you're running behind.
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I only have email at work, can I do readings on the weekends?
Yes, you can use the Roster Manager to choose which days of the week you want to take readings.
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What if an emergency comes up and I can't do the readings that have already been assigned to me?
Our readers are usually willing to help each other out. Just post a note to FreeReading@yahoogroups.com asking for volunteers to take your extra readings, or forward them to Bluejay.
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How do I get a mentor who will review my readings?
Check with your current ATA mentor first, to see if they can help. If your regular mentor is unable or unwilling to review your online readings, contact John Gilbert at Bluejay@freereading.us and ask for a second Mentor to be assigned just for your Freereading work.
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Do I have to send my mentor every reading I do, or every third reading, or one a week, or just the problematic ones?
That needs to be worked out between you and your Mentor(s). You're also welcome to share any problem readings with the FreeReading mailing list, several more advanced students are on the list both as readers and mentors.
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What information is acceptable for my "Meet the Readers" bio page?
While the bio pages are entirely optional, they are strongly encouraged. You can find links to the bios currently available at http://www.freereading.us/readers. We recommend a short (a screen full or two) bio focusing mainly on your Tarot experience, thoughts on the topic, etc. You can include a photo of yourself or some other image you've created if you'd like. We have permission from U.S. Games to use images from the original Rider Waite deck, but we *cannot* use any other copyrighted materials. If you would like to use a photo but don't have access to a scanner, contact Tracy Hite about getting one scanned in for you.
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Does my bio information need to be in any particular format, and where should I send it?
Send all bio information to Tracy Hite. Photos and images for the Web should be in either .gif or .jpg format, but we can convert most other graphics formats into those two. We would prefer you simply copy & paste your chosen text into the body of an email, or attach it as a plain text (.txt) format file.
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Does my bio page have to include an email link to my freereading alias?
The Contact links on the bio pages are actually links to a feedback form rather than direct email links, to prevent viruses from coming through and to hide your real email address. Still, if you would prefer not to have such a link on your bio page, just mention that along with your info.
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What should I do if someone emails a reading request directly to my freereading.us address, instead of through the request form?
We strongly recommend that you respond with a simple note asking the person to resubmit their question through the request form on the Freereading Network site ( http://www.freereading.us), and the next available reader will answer them. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances - if your bio mentions that you're a licensed physician, for instance, and the client comes to you specifically for a reading about health concerns - it's ultimately your call whether you want to do the reading or not.
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Are auto-responders available for our reader addresses?
Hypermart (our website host) allows us to set up one autoresponder for each email alias. Anything sent to your alias, including reading requests, will be sent a copy of your autoresponder message. Just let one of the webmasters know what text (Subject and Body) you would like to use.
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What do I do if I get a question I feel I'm not qualified to handle?
If you are uncomfortable with any request, you can refuse to it at any time. You may also wish to express your concerns about difficult readings to the FreeReading list, asking for advice how to handle the reading. You can also forward it to Bluejay@freereading.us and ask him to answer the request for you.
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Are we allowed to read for minors?
No, by law we *cannot* offer readings to anyone under 18 years old. All clients are required to include their birthdate, and underage persons should automatically be turned away. If one gets through, please do not do the reading; send the client a polite note asking them to come back when they are old enough. Also, forward the minor's request to Error@freereading.us so we can check into possible program bugs.
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I've sent a reading out to a client, but it bounced. Now what?
If a client mistypes their email address when filling out the reading request form, there is not much we can do to help them. You might try sending it again in a day or two, or try the same address with .com instead of .net or vice-versa. Otherwise, just hang onto it in case they contact you. Also, please forward a copy of the original request (with the invalid address) to Error@freereading.us so he can check into possible programming problems.
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What if the client asks multiple questions?
These may be (thinly) disguised as one question, for example, "Will I get married and have children and a long and happy marriage?" You have several options, depending upon the nature of the questions. You might ask your client to pick one question and come back later for the rest, or to consider getting a professional, "face-to-face" reading. You might find a way to combine the various questions into one, probably a more general question. (For the above example, that might be: What do I need to know to have a happy home life?" Something like that.)
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I've done the spread, but all I see are negative cards. How do I break it to the client gently?
Check out our Negative Cards article for some advice from your fellow readers.
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I am responding to my readings by clicking the reply button, but when I do it shows that my real address sent it, not my reader alias. How can I send messages from MyReaderName@freereading.us?
The freereading.us addresses only work one way. Mail can be sent To them, but not directly From them. To send mail From MyReaderName@freereading.us, you can log into the Roster Manager and choose the "Send a Reading to a Client" option. This pulls up a remailer program, which works like most other email software.
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What are some free email services?
Some of the major free email services are Yahoo, Hotmail, Mail.com, and Juno.
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How does the Roster Manger work?
You can find the Help page for the Roster Manager at http://www.freereading.us/roster/help.html.
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