View Full Version : What do you base your tarot interpretations on?
I was inspired by le pendu's post (which I wholeheartedly agree with) to create a poll. You can make multiple choices.
Originally posted by le pendu
What system do you use? Waite? Papus? Mathers? Golden Dawn? Crowley? Levi? Etteilla? Each of these will have their own interpretation, created by the creator.. why is their interpretation more valid than any other? There is no universal agreement on any card. There are no correct interpretations.
Or have you created your own system based on research, intuition, and experience. If so, that's certainly as valid as any other, but no more correct than any other.
-- Lee
Lee: Interesting results considering the number of hits on the thread (which could also reflect repeat visits by the same members to view the results) far exceed the actual number of votes.
Btw: I voted for "Self-created system based on several sources" which is currrently in the majority.
As I posted in a different thread, I think I'm still at the one-word babbling stage in learning Tarot. I found that all book interpretations overwhelmed me, so I made up my own meanings, and I voted for "self-created system" on the poll. I'm not sure that I count, though, as I'm still very much at the beginning ;)
I might end up using one of the "established" systems, who knows.
Sonja
Originally posted by skh
I'm not sure that I count, though, as I'm still very much at the beginning ;) Everyone counts! :)
-- Lee
Jewel-ry
18-08-2004, 12:41
I voted for 'self created based on various sources'. It was the only one I could go for that encompasses the fact that I basically read everything, take as much on board as possible and then make up my own mind })
Rusty Neon
18-08-2004, 12:46
Great poll idea, Lee!
In the context of reading with GD/RWS/Thoth decks, I voted for three choices: GD; RWS images; reactions to deck images.
In the context of reading with Tarot de Marseille decks, my reference points are different from those three choices.
Although I have voted on "Self-created system based on several sources", I must admit that I am most influenced by the Golden Dawn / Crowley.
WolfSpirit
18-08-2004, 13:25
I voted two:
- based on reactions to images
- self-created system based on several sources
Depends on how well the images speak to me immediately how much I use my system of meanings.
I could also have chosen "based on a particular deck", but I think even with a particular deck with its own system (like the Tarot of the Spirit) I still use my own system as well.
I expect my self-created system based on several sources will develop into a system with my own conclusions, but we'll see...
ambermoon
18-08-2004, 13:29
More than one of these approaches influences me--The RWS, because that is the the genre of decks that I use. But I'm starting to develop my own meanings for certain cards, spinning off from the traditional meanings, or in some cases going my own way when the cards refuse to communicate their traditional meanings, so I am developing bits of a self-created system.
I guess I'm following what I would call a comparative/intuitive path. Instead of reading a lot of interpretative books, I'm looking at a lot of interpretive pictures, eg. decks designed along the RWS tradition. As a visual person, this tells me so much more than mere words could.
Sometimes I spread out three or four decks, one above the other, and look at the different shades of meanings.
ambermoon
SongDeva
18-08-2004, 14:52
Intuition.
le pendu
18-08-2004, 19:28
I voted for Deck.
I've stated before that I suspect I am in the vast minority in this.
Instead of coming up with my own meanings for cards, or following a system that I "translate" between decks, I've decided to listen to what the creator of the deck says the card means in that deck.
When using Thoth, the 10 of Wands means "Oppression". It means force for force sake. Energy pushed forward for no other reason that to oppress and show off. I listen to Crowley.
When using Cosmic Tribe, it means "Bearing the Burden".. perhaps pushing yourself beyond what you thought were your limits, perhaps questioning why you are carrying so much.. perhaps workaholism. I listen to Stevee.
and so on.. each deck often has it's own viewpoint of the meaning for the card.
I've decided to try to have a deeper relationship with each deck that I use regularly. To take the time to learn the language and symbolism of the deck. To learn the metaphors used by the creator. To see the deck from their viewpoint, and understand the cards as closely as possible to the creator's intention.
For me, this was liberating. I no longer had to believe in anyone's system, I just use the system described by the creator. It was also less confusing, and for me, deeper, because I feel that I really look at the deck and really understand what the creator says the card means rather than trying to push my own interpretation or the interpretation of another deck or system on the cards.
For me, the "intuition" comes in when I try to sychronize what the card means (according to the deck) with the question asked in the reading, and the card's position in the spread.
robert
I voted for self-created system, although I've spent so long studying the Rider Waite that that system is always in my mind when reading. Its something I want to move away from, and I've just ordered my first Marseilles deck, so hopefully that will be a big step!
Numerology comes into my interpritations a lot, as does my intuition (unconcious competence?)....the traditional Rider Waite meanings are deeply engrained in my mind, but I feel I've reached a level of comfort with my knowledge of traditional meanings that I am able to integrate numerology, and my own thoughts and musings, and flashes and images that come to me seemingly from nowhere durring a reading.
Maybe its more of a self created jumble than a system at the moment :D
le pendu
18-08-2004, 20:22
Originally posted by CharmingPixie
Maybe its more of a self created jumble than a system at the moment :D
ROFLMAO! That sounds so REAL.
cheers to your jumble CharmingPixie
light2000
10-11-2005, 18:57
My way of reading have many sources.
I have only justed added my vote - ending up voting 'other'.
The closest 'category' I otherwise considered was 'Based on [...] reactions to images', but it is incorrect (when applied to myself) in its current form. I would have been happier with something like:
'based on the images in the context of the specific reading at hand, inspirations perceived in the moment, an ongoing understanding and deepening of the imagery as symbolic, and the active living imaginative faculty'
Generally I just say whatever comes into my head.
Often as not it works.
Fairawen
10-11-2005, 20:18
I tend to come up with my garbled own view of each card, and it obviously changes slightl everytime. I incooperate some RW, some of Joan Bunning (her site introduced me to tarot) and other authors, and a heaping tablespoon of my own feelings about the image and achtypical meaning, along with any intuitive feelings or whatnot I get during a reading.
*lol* I once heard a line from a game called Broken Sword. There was a man and a little girl.
Girl: Why did you do that?
Man: *goes into explaning what he did*
Girl: Why?
Man: Impulse, mainly, with a dash of rash intuition.
Girl: Sill. Only women have intuition.
ROFL Nice kid, eh?
I voted for the Golden Dawn based on RW interpretations. It seems more than likely since I have gotten used to that deck and it images and such I kinda want to stick to with what I've learned from it. Although, I do also read books on the tarot and that helps too. So, maybe it is a little bit of both.
Emeraldgirl
10-11-2005, 23:46
Intuition & what I have read in books and absorbed which feels right at the time
I voted other and self-created system.
Well, not my own but still...
Mostly on the energy I get from reading the cards but I guess that falls under intuïtion.
I put myself in the self-created system from several sources category.
Though I don't really think it's that much of a system.
I look at the image, see what pops or what feeling I get and then apply the color, numerology, mythology, book-meaning, elemental meaning etc. that seems to apply..
So more of a "somewhat messy but well cross-referenced library-card-set" than a well thought out system.
Seems to be working though.. :)