Pieces for the querent and an elephant

Pieces for the querent and an elephant

When I do classes, one thing that I notice is that some people have trouble early on making sense out of the throw. They look at the throw and they know what each piece means, but they have difficulty in finding a thread or story in what they see. This is something that takes practice and one thing that I find helpful is to start small with mini practice readings. Try reaching into your container and grabbing just two pieces – the first two you touch. Throw them and interpret them. If you have a piece that represents the querent (which I recommend you try if you don’t) you should make that one of the two pieces. Two pieces are usually pretty easy. Look at where they fall. Are they close? Far? Do they touch – if so how? How do the different ways they fall in relation to each other affect your interpretation? Do the pieces have an upside and downside interpretation? That adds more complexity and allows even more interpretations of just those two pieces. Do several throws with two until you are comfortable that you can interpret them together. Try swapping them out – use a different set of two pieces.  Once you have gone through all of your pieces this way and feel comfortable interpreting two pieces try adding a third piece.

Querent, elephant and lion bone

Querent, elephant and lion bone

A little more difficult, but still pretty manageable. Once you feel comfortable with three add another, then another until you are using your whole set. You don’t have to try to get through the whole set in one day like a game of jacks – try adding one piece a day or every few days if that is what it takes. If you get to a level where you are feeling uncomfortable, back off a piece and then come back up in a few days. I understand the desire to do a full reading with all of your bones right away, but you have the rest of your life to do readings. You will be a much better reader if you are confident in your ability to interpret what you see readily and easily. Once you are comfortable reading all of your pieces you are ready to start reading for others. Don’t be impatient.  Practice daily and take your time. I think that the bones are a lifetime endeavor and those first few get acquainted weeks and months lay the foundation for your work. Take your time and lay a strong foundation.

Querent, lion bone, elephant and snake rib

Querent, lion bone, elephant and snake rib

Happy Bone Reading!