Learning the card meanings...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Michelle	22 Feb 2002
Hello to All, I recently started taking a Tarot class - and am a bit confused - I know someone here will be able to help. Smile. Each week we are studying a different group of cards...i.e. the first 11 Majors the first week and so on. We get a handout with the teachers "meanings" for each card,these are usually just 3 or 4 word general interpretations. My problem is some of the the teachers meanings....just do not "work" for me. I know we should always follow our own intuition, but sometimes my thoughts are NOTHING like hers. She is a wonderful teacher..I think we just have different vibes (maybe)? Any suggestions ? (Please) Thank You ! Love &Light, Michelle p.s. Thirteen - you will Love this _ we started right off the first week reading for each other with guess what...the Celtic Cross !

Talisman	23 Feb 2002
'Lo Michelle, I think you should listen to your teacher. 'Specially 'cause you think she is wonderful. I am not suggesting you should always agree with her. Just enjoy your class and get as much out of it as you can. I'm guessing that in many ways, you are already way, way ahead of this class. And, that you are used to being in this position. And, it sounds as if the class if just starting. Later, you'll have time to voice your questions. (Boy, wish I could be a fly on the wall and eavesdrop on this.) So, the ubiquitous Celtic Cross. Thirteen was spot on in daring to cry, "The Emperor has no clothes!" She sees what she sees. But, the Celtic Cross is probably the most popular spread in the entire universe and places beyond, stuffed into 99.9 percent of all the Little White Books that come with decks, and perhaps your teacher was just trying to present what was already familiar to most. Hey, your class sounds interesting. Please keep us posted. Talisman (buck nikked w/o signature)

Original Destiny	23 Feb 2002
every one developes a unique relationship with their cards. some sooner just like you . You are beginning to "hear" the cards. to feel their meanings. There is no wrong or right meaning for each card the more basic the "guide" to each card the better. Allowing you to fill in your own interpretations ..by learning what others teach gives you the opportunity to base your own interpretations on a commom ground.. good luck you are on the right path

Michelle	24 Feb 2002
Hello Talisman, You are exactly right (about me being ahead of class ) I have had my cards for a year and have been studying on my own. I think I have feelings for certain cards that will not change..no matter what. For example : When I see the 6 of Wands this is a victory card (to me) the querent will be accomplishing a goal. The meaning we were given for this card was "Someone looking for employment". Just doesn't make sense to me. Hmmmm... Anyways...during the next 5 weeks we are going to be studying colors, symbols ,and numerology pertaining to Tarot.....Now we're talkin' !!! This is something I can get into.LOL I laughed about your "Question asking" reference..I have a list made already ! (hey, how did you know?) Last but not least..the Celtic Cross. I DO NOT get it !!! It makes no freakin' sense to me..but I guess I will learn it eventually. I'll be happy to share my Tarot Adventure with you all - Thanks for showing interest. Smile. It helps a great deal to discuss this with peoople who understand. Thank You !!!! Love and Light, Michelle

Michelle	24 Feb 2002
Hi Original Destiny, I sincerely thank you for your words of encouragement. I wonder quite often if I'm "meant " to do this whole Tarot/Psychic thing. Geez, What a trip !! I know exactly what you mean about beginnning to hear the cards- for a long time I would look at them and feel nothing.Now it seems that I relate to particular cards more than others...I assumed this means I am finally bonding with them. I'm guessing that the meanings the teacher gives is a a basic guideline of what the cards can mean, And it is up to us to discover what it means to us. Does that make sense? I hope you are right and I'm on the right path, Smile. Thank You ! Love and Light, Michelle

Thirteen	25 Feb 2002
Quote: Michelle (24 Feb, 2002 15:25): For example : When I see the 6 of Wands this is a victory card (to me) the querent will be accomplishing a goal. The meaning we were given for this card was "Someone looking for employment". Just doesn't make sense to me. It sounds to me as if you have a very practical minded teacher. The book "Tarot in Ten Minutes" is similar; it tells you exact, but very mundane meanings for the cards. 6 Wands = Employment. World = Travel. Etc. Nothing deeper or fuzzier, grayer, more interpetive. Nothing, in short, to give a beginner any trouble doing a reading. So, in reading the cards for someone, you know right away to say, "You're going to have a new or better job" (easy and clear) not, "A victory is coming your way" and need to interpet what that might mean or be refering to. Now, of course, those of us on this forum are crazed tarot addicts and we actually love doing that kind of deep, fuzzy, investagative interpeting and connecting of the cards. But the benefit of these meanings is that, as with "Tarot in 10 minutes" they will get people reading those cards very quickly. As you've 5 weeks to go, perhaps the interpetations will go deeper and become more esoteric as you go along. Anyway, no need to be married to anything. No one's grading you, and any tarot course/teacher worth their salt should allow you to reasonably disagree with or expand on card interpetations.

bec	25 Feb 2002
I always reminds tarot readers, newbies and the oldies, that anything written by someone, abook, a teacher or any other giving an interpret on cards, is merely a person handing out there oppinion about the cards. If you see or feel anything different in them don´t let the glowing publisher layout fool you, your oppinion is as valid if not more, than what they accomplish getting published. In all we are all individuels and we all view the world from our own unique angle. So if you say victory and she says employment, my advise would be: expand and remember both oppinions. :) bec

Michelle	27 Feb 2002
Hi Thirteen, Logically, I know that you are right. The teacher is giving us VERY BASIC meanings - so that we have the ability to start reading. (She had us start reading each other our first class.) However, being a detail person - I was looking for more information about each card. I do get the point though...she is allowing US to sort of find our own interpretations (am I right ?). Geez...I have so much to learn ! Thank you for your help . Smile. I have 20 lessons left before class is over, I am sure we will expand alot over the next few weeks.(I hope) Love and Light, Michelle

Michelle	27 Feb 2002
Hi bec, Thanks for bringing me back to earth.LOL. I tend to doubt my own ability /skills so much that I take on whatever I am reading or being told. I need to remember (as you said) that my opinion and interpretation is just as valid as the next guys/girls. I appreciate you reminding me to validate and listen to my own opinion . Smile. I have 20 lessons to go - I hope you all don't mind if I check with you occasionally to make sure I am "on track". Love and Light, Michelle

Jewel	27 Feb 2002
Us? mind if you "check-in"? ~giggles~ Michelle, that is exactly what these Forums are for! For us to share and learn from one and other. You many not realize it but as you post and share we are also learning from you and your experiences :) One thing I have found very helpful in learning the Tarot (and new decks by the way) is a series of questions I answer in a journal. I got these questions from the Mary Greer book "Tarot for Yourself": 1) What do you see? 2) What colors do you see? 3) What human figures and/or animals do you see? 4) What symbols are there? (here I also try to give the symbols meaning) 5) Describe the card in terms of an emotion. How do you feel when you look at it? 6) What does the card mean to you? I usually answer all of these questions on my own while looking carefully at the card. When I am done I then go to the book for the deck and read what the book says to see how my interpretation compares to that in the book. I have been amazed at how much I get out of this exercise. Good luck! Sounds like you are having fun and that you and your deck have a connection. I look forward to reading more posts from you. Love & Light,

Thirteen	27 Feb 2002
Quote: Michelle (27 Feb, 2002 23:48): she is allowing US to sort of find our own interpretations (am I right ?). Not sure about that. I think she'd have given you broader meanings if she wanted you to explore and find your own interpetations. Ex: "Victory" = success, but also having to do it again, advise against resting on your laurels, love of applause...etc. You can put a lot of interpetations on "Victory!". "New Job"--um, well, not a lot of interpetive room there ;) What I *think* however, is that she might move from simple to complex. Start with "new job" and then get to "Victory" later on--show you how the cards can widen and be more flexable (in which case I think it only right to go back to my bitching about the CC. If you're starting simple why begin with a complex spread? But that's a different thread.) Anyway, you'll have to tell us if that's how the class progresses. It's not the way I'd do it (hey, did it in Basics), but then I turn grumpy and conservative about these things. My inner Crowley goes, "This is what you're reducing the mysteries of the universe to?! In my day we sacrificed goats and had orgies. We didn't learn that the "Victory" card meant "a new job" till we'd gone through a blood innitiation! You're makin' it seem like anyone can learn these things! Bah! Humbug!"

The Learning the card meanings... thread was originally posted on 22 Feb 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.