In a recent interview with MysticMag, Ashleigh Mitchell shared her fascinating journey into the world of Tarot, leading to the establishment of Babbling Brooke Readings.
Ashleigh’s passion for Tarot began in 1969, but it wasn’t until a pivotal moment in 2018, while visiting “Magika” in Salem, Massachusetts, that she was encouraged to resume reading professionally. This renewed commitment culminated in the launch of her website in November 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape of personal interactions.
Ashleigh offers a variety of readings, including Tarot, Rune, and Ogham, with a focus on providing clients with insightful guidance and clarity.
What led you to start Babbling Brooke Readings?
I began my study of Tarot in 1969, as a teenager. I began reading for others around 1973, starting at a “Renaissance Faire” at my local university, but never considered reading professionally at the time, although I continued to read for friends and family over the years.
However, around 2018 while visiting “Magika” in Salem, Massachusetts, one of the ladies working there and I had a brief conversation. She looked me in the eye and said, “You’re a reader, but you haven’t been reading. You need to.” I looked back at her and nodded that this was accurate, that I hadn’t been reading for anyone in several years, but that I had been being “nagged” by my own Guides and Guardians that rest time was over and I needed to get back to work.
I spent the next year trying to figure out my best options, and in November 2019, I launched Babbling Brooke Readings dot com — just in time for the COVID-19 outbreak!
You might think that a psychic should have seen some warning signs, right? Truth is, I did see warning signs, including the last Mercury Retrograde of 2019, and being a Virgo, with Sun, Moon, Ascendant, AND Mercury all conjunct in the first decan of Virgo, you would think I would have paid more attention to that. Well, I did wait until Mercury was stationed directly, in November, before the actual launch!
Can you describe the types of readings and services you offer?
I’m the primary reader, as my wife has a more mundane job that takes up most of her time. I offer a variety of Tarot readings. I’m versatile with a number of decks, ranging from the Tarot de Marseille style (which is what I originally learned from and is my personal preference) to the more modern decks including the Waite and Crowley families as well as a select number of Oracle decks. In addition, I can cast a Rune or Ogham reading for clients who wish those.
How do you connect with your clients during a reading?
I spend a few minutes just talking with them, to get them to relax, and answer any preliminary questions they may have about what a reading is, what it is not, and what they can expect to receive from a reading. It’s not a magic pill that’s going to provide all of the answers to every question. It’s more of a roadmap that marks the most likely path to an outcome as things are at that moment in time, and there are a number of factors that can alter that. I generally ask if they’ve ever had readings done by anyone before, and what their expectations and experiences had been.
This was all a lot easier before the COVID-19 pandemic when I was meeting clients face-to-face 90% of the time. These days, most of my clients are over a computer or phone network.
But it basically works the same way. If your client is nervous or tense, they aren’t going to relax their personal “shields” to be open to a reading of any sort and will be guarding themselves energy-wise. While that’s not necessarily a terrible thing, it can make giving a proficient reading more difficult.
What are some common themes or messages that come through in your readings?
There are a lot of questions about jobs, “twin flames” and “soul mates”, and the inevitable “Will (they) come back to me? Hon, they are your ex for a reason. Keep them that way!
As for common messages, no, those are unique for each client.
Can you share a memorable experience or success story from one of your clients?
I had a client who was trying to buy a home, and they weren’t sure it was going to happen – lots of roadblocks in their way. The cards showed a path through the roadblocks and offered a way past some others that they hadn’t foreseen.
As they were driving home a week later, they saw a house that had literally just come on the market, pulled over, and put in an offer. They closed on it a week later. They called me immediately to let me know. I couldn’t that one a success.
What advice would you give to someone seeking their first reading?
When attending your first reading with any psychic or tarot reader, it’s important to verify their credentials and qualifications. While most states do not require a license to practice, a reputable reader will typically hold a business license and possess some form of certification in their area of expertise. For instance, I am certified by both The Tarot Guild and the Seattle Psychics Association. Additionally, I am a member of the Psychic Café, the Tarosophy Association, and several other professional organizations.
If they have reviews, check those out.
If a reader tells you that you are under a curse and you need to pay them to remove it, get up and leave immediately – they are scamming you.
Additionally, be cautious of any reader who drags out your session, especially if they charge by the minute. You should always know the cost of your reading upfront, especially for your first session, whether it’s with an independent reader or through an online company.
Find out more at: www.BabblingBrookeReadings.com
