"The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs. Given the inward meaning of the emblems, they do become a kind of alphabet which is capable of indefinite combinations and makes true sense in all.” – Arthur Edward WaiteI came to my appreciation of tarot late. Like most people, I grew up thinking of tarot as those fortune-telling cards used by gypsies in old movies. Despite my interest in the paranormal, I didn’t even see a real tarot deck until I was ... okay, nevermind how old I was. Then a friend of mine told me how she used these cards as tools for personal growth and insight. That really got my attention. I started studying up on the subject of tarot and have found it both fascinating and useful. I'm still learning of course – and while I'm not sure if anyone ever finishes learning about tarot, I can share some of what I've learned so far.
Brief History of Tarot
The word tarot rhymes with “arrow” and refers to a deck of vividly illustrated cards, traditionally 78 in number with 56 of them divided into four suits and 22 trump cards that are not associated with any suit at all. Originating somewhere around the fifteenth century in Europe, these cards were used to play Tarocchi, an Italian game which still exists.
Since their invention, playing cards of all kinds were occasionally used for divining the future, and tarot was no exception. The Church in Europe didn't take issue with tarot specifically; rather, it condemned all playing cards due to their association with gambling and other vices.
Why Use Tarot?
Today, the Tarot is more popular than ever, but not for playing games. And while some people treat them like fortune cookies or Magic 8-Balls, tarot cards are most often used as a method of obtaining self-knowledge and an intuitive understanding of circumstances. Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, studied the Tarot and described its symbols as "primitive or archaic thought-forms", and that “the unconscious is revealed in symbols”. He noted that, like dreams, Tarot symbols generally have some universal meaning but their interpretation could also be intensely personal. In other words, it doesn’t matter what a picture is supposed to mean, what really matters is what it means to YOU.
An effective tarot reading involves asking one clear and specific question. The tarot doesn’t lend itself to yes/no questions, but more to who, what, when, why and how. The tarot can help you sort out your own thoughts and feelings on a situation, can bring your intuition and subconscious to the forefront to help bring clarity. If there’s a situation I’m confused about or when I can’t decide on a course of action to take, a reading can sometimes help me think outside the box. And yes, I've even used it to help with writing. If I get well and truly mired in a plot, a tarot reading can sometimes help me see how I might work my way out of it. Notice that the tarot doesn't tell me what to do. Rather, it helps me help myself.
Tarot Readings
Another way of obtaining a tarot reading is to use an online computer program, such as the one at http://www.newagestore.com/Divination/Tarot.aspx . (This is a site I’ve used often and my anti-virus program has declared it safe) You can choose from a number of spreads and get a free personal reading. There is no human on the other end to skew the results. Yes, the computer program is designed to offer random cards, but some people believe our personal energies are stronger and we draw to us the same cards that we would if the deck was physically in front of us. You can also buy your own software for this purpose and personalize it.
You can go to someone else to have your reading done, but you need to find someone who is skilled, ethical and that you can communicate well with (just like choosing a doctor). As mentioned before, the symbols of the Tarot can be more useful for what they mean to you personally than what they are accepted to mean universally. A human reader needs to help you assign meaning to the cards you draw, rather than tell you “this card means this, this one means that”. While reading tarot requires no psychic powers, there IS an art to it. Some readers are wonderfully gifted. Some aren’t. And no, I’ve never tried any of the spammy-looking “Live Psychic Reading” sites that appear in ads all over the internet – it just doesn’t seem to me like a productive way to connect with someone with the traits I’m looking for.
You Don't Have To Be Psychic
More about Tarot in an upcoming blog!
Great blog-very helpful! De-mystifying the basics is awesome for those of us with no clue! I admit I have avoided Tarot like I would Ouija Boards, for fear of inviting "unwanted" influences/opinions! It just never seemed pure, like it could be "affected" maybe? I don't need my head messed with or "friends" in the room!
ReplyDeleteSomeone has read my Tarot twice... Once, I was at a party with a friend with which I was hoping/planning to travel. The stranger at the party who did the reading didn't know us and knew none of the same people we did and still saw without any hints that we would both travel far away very soon... we were both really excited it was going to happen! Turned out we went different far away places for different reasons though!
Another time, there was a tarot card reader at the restaurant I worked at, hired to entertain the weekend lunch patrons but she started to go too far and tell me about the little red-headed daughter I had, which was WAY off!!! THAT reading was over! I had vividly dyed, almost fire-engine red hair at the moment (it changed a lot) but it was obvious it wasn't natural and I was only 19. She was really reaching... and you have to have WAY better powers of observation to fake psychic ability! I played with her a little bit before I walked away... "Maybe you are seeing my INNER child!", I said with big eyes and went back to work...
I thought I was commenting on Part 1, but realize I'm a day behind!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite spread is the Celtic Cross.
A 3-card spread of Past, Present, and Future can help clarify.
Last weekend I spent the night at a girlfriend's hosue (both our husbands were not there), and I did 2 readings for her. It was the first time for her, so it's coincidental you're writing about Tarot now, because it renewed my interest in them. I'd read cards for my son twice when he was younger and going through a harder time. I think it helped him.
I was planning to read cards later tonight for my DH, who would actually like a reading since we're going through major job changes. I'd read for him several months ago for the first time, and it must have helped because when I mentioned reading tonight, he didn't make fun or think I was being silly.
Growing up, I would have never used Tarot cards. My parents would have had a fit. BUT I used to sit in my room on my bed and play with a regular deck. It all felt so familiar and as if there should be meaning in them. But I didn't know why.
BTW, you are exactly right. There's nothing spooky about it or evil. It doesn't predict the future in teh sense that the future is an open possibility. Rather, it helps me to help myself, like you said, in looking at my situation and myself.
ReplyDelete