A lot of people say it's hard to learn, but for me, once I understood what it meaneth to use one's intuition, Tarot clicked for me.
My friend sayeth I have a talent with Tarot cards. *blusheth*
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostPastry
oh it's super fun, and it can be really easy! you could do a one-card draw, even, but i find that the best spread for beginners is a past-present-future reading. you just draw three cards, one to represent your past, one to represent your present, and one to represent your future. you could even ask about a specific event in your life that you'd like to see the past present and future of. then, you either look up the meanings of the cards in the booklet that came with your deck, or you can use this site: http://www.learntarot.com/cards.htm which offers really comprehensive interpretations of all the cards. :> there's also a bunch of really fun spreads you could try on tumblr, or you could even just google search "tarot spreads." there's a bunch of fun stuff out there.
oh, and it's also important to bond with your deck; that'll get you the best results. how i like to do it, is i put my deck in order and look at every single card. then i shuffle it a lot until i feel like the deck is imbued with my energy. i also like to charge my deck with crystals. and this isn't necessary, but when i get a new deck i like to do an interview spread to get to know it. i can show you an example of that later today, if you'd like.
I think my biggest issue is that I have no idea what to feel when handling the deck, so it ends up feeling just awkward. The second issue which I have with tarot that I don't feel comfortable letting cards to dictate the course of my future, or in other words, I feel like lot of tarot readings is general BS which applies to everyone. Perhaps someday I'll change my mind about them but right now I'm not sure how can they help me.
This interview-concept does sound something worth of trying, I would love to know more.
@Mimmu- well, in my experience, the deck doesn't dictate the course of your future. decks are best for shedding light on your current situations and exploring possible outcomes of your actions, but they can't directly tell the future.
and it makes sense to feel a little awkward at first! just remember that tarot doesn't have to be anything serious. think of it as a casual conversation, or getting advice from a friend.
and like Amane said, you don't have to do any of the stuff i do to get connected with my deck! it's just a suggestion, something to try if you think you'd enjoy it.
here's the deck interview i just did with one of my new decks: (warning, it's long)
SPOILERX
Quote:
Meet the Deck: Santa Muerte Tarot: Book of the Dead
Introduce yourself: 3 of Cups
"The dynamic nature of the number three brings to this suit the feelings and emotions of a triumph, a healing, a resolution and the consequent celebration for what has occurred. If it degenerates it can bring with it ambiguity, abuses or unpredictable circumstances capable of generating confusion and displeasure. The advice of the dead: Any difficulty whatsoever can be overcome without a problem. Therefore do not allow fear to obscure your point of view."
My interpretation: it seems like this deck likes to celebrate my achievements, and explore my downfalls and clear up the ambiguity that comes with them.
What card represents me? 8 of Swords
"The quiet before the storm; a balance of opposites destined to be brief and to explode with violence and thunder. The eight of swords with its stability risks causing frustration by delaying a conflict which needs to be externalized. Therefore we need to find the way to rationally bring this to the surface without fearing the necessary transformations. The advice of the dead: Do not be afraid even if it is necessary to reconsider your ideas, the commitments undertaken or the choices made, if they are causing a continual internal storm."
My interpretation: oh god, i got totally called out. basically, i'm a system (i have DID.) so i'm literally a balance of 19 very different people. but i've been ignoring it because it's so much easier to not think about. my therapist keeps saying we can work with my system, but i keep avoiding it because it's a lot of hard work. so the deck caught on to the fact that i'm a system and is saying it's something i need to work through or else i'm gonna explode and continue to be irritated like i have been lately.
What are your strengths? III The Empress
"This card represents a first and important explosion of creativity, dynamism, and intuition; a natural pulsation, passionate and spontaneous, capable of dominating, seducing and shining with happiness. The Empress brings with her development, abundance and progress, but an action that is too impulsive and undertaken with little experience could bring quick results that do not last - like a branch that has been prematurely removed before fully developing. A further risk is that of being caught in not taking action if presumption or malice has the upper hand. The advice of the dead: Make the most of your experiences and act quickly,
avoiding indecision or laziness. If necessary plan your actions more rationally in order to let what you desire blossom in your life."
My interpretation: This deck has a definite feminine energy, which makes sense, given that it's the Santa Muerte deck. It also thinks very highly of itself! When I looked through all the cards, I got the same impression. It's a very creative, dynamic, and passionate deck. It seems to be saying that it's also good at making quick decisions, but that I should take my time after a reading and think rationally before I make any actions.
What are your limitations? 3 of Wands reversed
"A dynamic arcana, active and positive, that encourages improvement and virtue through an explosion of vital energy. The three of Wands guides us toward new undertakings, the beginning of new occasions and also new relationships that could lead to further business or affections. If reversed however, this push could be obscured and interrupted, bringing with it negligence and a static situation. The advice of the dead: In this moment you do not require the help of anyone. Proceed with energy towards your new creation."
My interpretation: Since the card is reversed, I'm getting that the deck will not really be able to push me towards improvement, beginnings, or new relationships. However, I'm interpreting the advice of the dead reversed as well, so it's saying that I do require someone's help, but I'm stubborn and refuse to take it. So, this deck's limitation is my own stubbornness. It's best for me not to take advice from this deck, but rather to use it to reflect upon my past and present.
What is the best way to work with you? XIII Santa Muerte (Death) reversed
"A profound transformation, a renewal, a true and proper revolution. If it is life that generates death then death generates life. We are connected to all that surrounds us, to the people who have come before us and to those who will come from the cradle to the tomb, from the coffin to the womb, in a continual exchange and a continual regeneration not of opposites but of complementary elements. Santa Muerte brings with it new projects, changes, cuts and the necessary abandonment of what we keep stationary and entangled, like the past or suffocating ties. These changes however are not always pain-free but can bring with them trauma, anger, violence and loss including an immobility when we refuse to take on these transmutations. The advice of the dead: Accept the changes that are offered in front of you,
without fear of cutting ties and cutting yourself off from your old positions, old ideas or preconceptions. A mutation is imposing itself."
My interpretation: I think, once again, the deck is saying it won't be able to advise me in future matters or things changing in my life. It's weird, since this is the title card of the deck, but it seems that with me, this deck was meant for a different purpose. It seems to be saying that to work with the deck, I should be thinking about where I am, the ties I already have, and the things in my life that I don't expect to change. I don't think the deck is saying that I can't change, but I think it's saying that right now I need to work with what I've already got before I can progress any farther.
What can I learn from you? King of Wands reversed
"Even with an authoritarian and dominating presence, the King of Wands incarnates rectitude, wisdom, ambitions but also honesty and faithfulness. This arcana pushes us to aim high towards our ambitions, diffusing complete success to our projects and desires. If reversed, the outcome could be completely inverted and the King becomes an untrustworthy figure, intolerant and without scruples. The advice of the dead: Follow the advise of a strong person in whom you trust without fear and this will be particularly remunerative and rewarding."
My interpretation: The deck is saying I can learn how to avoid following untrustworthy authority figures. I'm a very passive person, and have this fear of authority-- men especially-- so I cave very easily. I think the deck is saying it can teach me to stand up for myself and learn to figure out who I can trust.
What is our potential together? 8 of Wands reversed
"The eight of wands is probably the fastest and most dynamic card of this suit, its energy brings with it great transformations, hope and changes projected towards the future, but also unexpected or risky transfers. Only a change in direction could slow this down, causing some regret, uncertainty or a moderately adverse period. The advice of the dead: This is an absolutely favorable moment for a new creation or a new project, therefore proceed quickly and make what you want to happen become real."
My interpretation: This deck, as I learned before, is quick and very dynamic, but cannot tell me my future or push me towards transformation. Once again, because the card is reversed, it's saying that our potential together is not to create the future or explore new possibilities, but to work through my past and present issues, of which I have plenty.
and here's the spread i used: (i changed the phrasing when i used it, but the base questions are still the same)
I was going to read it...
Then I thought, "Why am I reading this? I don't understand tarot! :O"
you don't have to understand tarot to read it! all you need to know is that each card has a meaning, and when i ask the cards a question, the card's meaning is my answer to that question. :>
