psychic abilities and tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

emily2otters	19 Jul 2002
i'm putting together a short workshop about the tarot for teenagers... one point i want to stress for them is that a person doesn't have to be "psychic" to read the tarot, that its usefulness goes way beyond the stereotypical predicting the future or divining other people's secrets. but on the other hand, there's no arguing that psychic abilities are an asset. :) but i was wondering if some of you who are psychically sensitive could talk a bit about how you interact with the tarot and with your querants... its an aspect of reading tarot that i know almost nothing about, and i'd like to at least leave the topic open for them. (also -- if any of you have taught workshops in the past, some pointers would be very gratefully accepted! ;) i could start another thread for that, too) thanks!

squigglywiggly	19 Jul 2002
Tarot has nothing to do with psychic ability. It is a lot like poker actually. You manipulate a set of cards according to a predetermined set of rules. Those who have a very good command of the rules are called "psychic" (for Tarot) or "lucky" (for poker) although neither is probably true.

the hermit	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by squigglywiggly Tarot has nothing to do with psychic ability. It is a lot like poker actually. You manipulate a set of cards according to a predetermined set of rules. Those who have a very good command of the rules are called "psychic" (for Tarot) or "lucky" (for poker) although neither is probably true. It must be nice to be able to dismiss something out of hand so easily. On what do you base your comment? Do you have psychic abilities that you don't use? And of what rules do you speak. I know of no rules that MUST be followed in the Tarot. Do you never make intuitive interpretations of the cards? I understand skepticism, but not out of hand dismissal.

squigglywiggly	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit Do you never make intuitive interpretations of the cards? If by this, you mean, do I read my querent's body language and modify my interpretation slightly to accomodate for the little cues and clues that I am able to perceive, then, yes, I do. This is no different than a poker pro observing the faces of his opponents and making educated guesses regading his opponents' hands, and refining his strategy accordingly. You're not going to get an intuitive reading out of a cold querent who does not give any verbal feedback or exhibit any interesting body language. And, similarly, you're going to have a hard time fleecing a pro poker player who puts on a stone cold poker face all night long. None of this is rocket science.

Faerie Lin	19 Jul 2002
Tarot is a divination tool... to HELP you tap into your intuition or psychic abilities. Well for me it is anyway... Lin

Diana	19 Jul 2002
edited

the hermit	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by squigglywiggly None of this is rocket science. none of it is science and that's the point

squigglywiggly	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit none of it is science and that's the point Yeah fine. Card game. Parlor trick. Whatever you call it. What I mean is that the rules are simple and consistent.

AmounrA	19 Jul 2002
I don't think psychic ability has anything to do with the way cards come up...I think that comes by synchronicity. The 'psychic' would just be experienced in understanding the cards...but I don't think the cards would work any better for gipsy rose lee than for me...I guess its interpritation. Personally I don't think the tarot is divination tool first, I think its a meditation tool first and divination comes second. I would teach your students to find there own paths...and then show them to the door :-)

HOLMES	19 Jul 2002
the reading the body language comment aside. there are many aspects to it. 1. psyhic vision you keep seeing this image in your mind. 2. psychic feeling you feel anger, or love, or fear. 3. psyhic smelling i never did it as due to my condition i am cut off from my nose but other people say they smell roses at certian times for specifi meanings. 4. psyhic hearing , they hear a word in their eyes, 5l psyhic knowingness. (spiritual center crown charka) you just know without no basis for it, i.e. you don't see, hear, feel nothing but you "know" angels, guides can help you. in this regard. i sincerly believe i channel when i read the tarot. several times when i was reading knowledge twice i got knowledge i wasn't supposed totally unrelated. this is all theory as i never taught a workshop yet i hope it will help since you asked for postive advice. 1. true you dont' have to be psyhic to read the cards per se however we are psychic it can't be helped eeheh 2. teach them to ground themselves first so they dont' take on negative energies 3. teach them to open themselves up to universal guidance. 4. teach them charkas. and how impressions on these centers can help them 5. teach them to open up a bubble of light not to protect themselves for it;'s true purpose is to raise up their vibration and to set up to surround both of you. 6. what i do is picture a figure eight between us to harmonize the energies after i raise up the bublle of liht. yet all that aside. if you going to teach them they dont' have their natural abilities to read the tarot. 1. learn all the meanings example, courtcard is people card, minor is events. majors are spiritual influences 2. there is a cc spread thread going on right now abou its style yet teach them a basic spread which by mastering will enable them to read any sitition. a charka spread can help for example teach them that without realizing their natural abilities they will in effect become a computur without feeling as they read. sure reading the body language can help as well getting a specific question to base it on. so before hand 1. set up a system that will give them a beginner advantage. incorpating the things mentioned above 2. a keyword system can help them learn it. 3. set up a list of books to help and decks to get. squiggly is right to a point a closed querent who doesn't believe and is giving you energy to read (i die with no specific question) yet i don't call it body language for myself i put my head down to read the cards and focus on the cards. i dont' watch them. before hand if a pleasant energy exchange happend then it have some energy to read. yet if they were neutral or negative. i have trouble relating the cards. and i do after i get a meaning for a card look at their face to tell them and they eitehr nod, or shake their head or ask questions which i tell them and they open up from there. my favourite is when soon as i look as the heart of the matter or a distant past i ask them soemthing which i coulnd't know from the card per se but instead from reading the energy and they go yeah. yoru right. example i was reading for a teenager who asked a general readng. i saw the devil card and a man card and said you scared of your boyfriend. her face went all red and after that i was able t counsel her. and the last thing to teach them in my view is praticing readings wil make them a better reader and help them to understand the cards better and their deeper meaning. and that mediating on the card or actually entering the card in their mind to talk to the card will help them to understand the deeper meaning. and that by flipping the card over and asking yoursle fhow can it relate to everything in your life. will help them to understand the card more. ultimatly reading the tarot is a tool which we can make better by incorpating astralogy, numerlogoy, colours, symbols, into a better tool. but ultimatly the stuff that makes readings great come from our own experiences, our own inner knowledge and our own natural gifts.

MeeWah	19 Jul 2002
Emily2Otters: I automatically go into a meditative state or "reading mode" at the beginning of a reading or just prior. This is a wee more difficult to maintain with a physical querent & far easier when the client is not present or at a distance--no distractions to interrupt the focus. With the latter, I use the birthdate & the name to begin the focus & then move the attention to the cards. Usually, there are impressions in progress already: thoughts &/or images that come to mind. The cards help to augment the focus; define some of the impressions, but they are not always pivotal to the reading. I rely on impressions outside of the cards as well that determine how I "read". I take notes as I progress; usually key words or phrases from which I type up a transcript. With a physical querent, the procedure is much the same except I ask that questions & comments be reserved until after the session so as not to disrupt focus & to avoid any undue influence. (They are welcome to take notes. If they want to tape the session, I do not mind as long as they see to the recording & I do not have to mess with it.) The meditative state tends to vary in intensity.

the hermit	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by squigglywiggly Yeah fine. Card game. Parlor trick. Whatever you call it. What I mean is that the rules are simple and consistent. If you think it's just a game or parlor trick, why do you bother? Is it just an exercise in fooling, flattering or impressing for you? I’m not trying to be glib, I really want to know. And once again I ask... what are these simplistic and consistent rules of which you so blithely speak? I’ve said before in this forum that I’m skeptical concerning the ‘super-natural’, but neither do I dismiss it out of hand. I’ve seen much that some viewed as ‘super-natural’, miraculous and magic that can be explained in a scientific, rational manner but I’ve also seen enough in the world that science ignores because it can not explain it within it’s own set of rules. That makes it neither irrational nor un-scientific. It just means no one has been able to fit it within the current ‘understood’ paradigm. It doesn’t mean it can NEVER be solved or resolved.

Dark Inquisitor	19 Jul 2002
I wouldn't teach a tarot workshop for teenagers at all. The tarot can open you up to things you are not ready for. Strange things can happen to you, and teenagers are not the most stable bunch on the planet. If you are doing this, I hope you have the permission of the parents and that they have some experience to guide these kids. The tarot is not a game, and personally ,I think you should be an adult with a strong spiritual base before you mess around with it. (I know Sam is likely to disagree, but we will have to assume he was some kind of druid in a prior life and is older than his chronological age & bunny would lead us to believe.) Tarotphelia

Umbrae	19 Jul 2002
Wow, great thread! As you can tell, there I more than one method of Tarot Reading. That does not disqualify the validity of any other method. Some types of valid readings are similar to a parlor game. “Ohhhhhh, Death- this looks bad, lemme look it up in my little white book…it says here, at least it is not the Happy Squirrel card…” Some types of valid readings are similar to poker games; where the reader observes the sitter for visual cues (although not technically a tarot reading), these types of readings are usually connected to palmistry, and referred to as a ‘cold reading’ in the mitt trade (Carney business). Some types of readings do require psychic or intuitive abilities. Those are developed through time and study. Most folks begin with the Parlor game attitude, and never journey further. Most here have. Many of us began our quest in our teen years. Some go overboard and we read about them in the paper. Others progress normally. There will always be those who are too weak willed, if it is not occult studies, its dungeons and dragons, or football (the European type is far more deadly than the American), or drugs or drinking. Teach them! Give them an example of what things “can be like”.

AmounrA	19 Jul 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Umbrae [/i] There will always be those who are too weak willed, if it is not occult studies, its dungeons and dragons, or football (the European type is far more deadly than the American), or drugs or drinking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't understand this.Its the quality of the indervidual that counts..you seem to be making sweeping judgements about the way people live there lives here..whats wrong [for example] with someone who plays football, has an interest in the occult....likes the odd drink and trip on acid and plays dungens and dragons?....each to there own. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Teach them! Give them an example of what things “can be like”." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teach thm to teach themselves!

VGimlet	19 Jul 2002
The few times it has happened for me, the interpretations seem to just jump into my brain. I can't really describe it better than that. :) I don't read often for others, and usually it's just reading the cards. But somtimes it's ...more. I don't really think of it as psychic abilities, I think of it more as intuition, but maybe it's the same thing. I also started reading when I was a young teen (pre-teen, actually). I found it very comforting during those years, when everything seemed *so* important, and my parents so *completely* clueless, LOL. I would have loved to attend a workshop.

Umbrae	19 Jul 2002
I wrote: “There will always be those who are too weak willed, if it is not occult studies, its dungeons and dragons, or football (the European type is far more deadly than the American), or drugs or drinking.” You wrote: “I don't understand this.Its the quality of the indervidual that counts..you seem to be making sweeping judgements about the way people live there lives here..whats wrong [for example] with someone who plays football, has an interest in the occult....likes the odd drink and trip on acid and plays dungens and dragons?....each to there own.” I was attempting to address: “I wouldn't teach a tarot workshop for teenagers at all. The tarot can open you up to things you are not ready for. Strange things can happen to you, and teenagers are not the most stable bunch on the planet.” My point is there are always some who are unstable. Some unstable folks go ‘over the edge’, often ending their lives. Then it is the tarot, occult, Dungeons and Dragons, football, or whatever that gets blamed. You closed with, “teach them to teach themselves”, following my closing quote. Were you implying that providing an example is incorrect? Of course Emily2otters is doing this, which is why she posted in the first place. Your post left me wondering what was not clear. You excluded the sentence, “Some go overboard and we read about them in the paper” This sentence indicated that I was not discussing members of Aeclectic Tarot, or football players with an interest in tarot. Nor were judgments, sweeping or otherwise made about how folks live their lives. Of course we must teach them to teach themselves, and provide an example for others to aspire to.

AmounrA	19 Jul 2002
I was going to add the quote about the reading in the papers....but you did say 'weak willed' and this was the point I had issue with, and still do. ..I don't understand what you meant by it. Am I impling that providing an example is incorrect?.......yes, in many ways I am, if its is not balanced. I could use hitler as a good example of the power of one mans will.....but I would have to mention the weaknesses!.....and would this workshop cover all[many diverse] angles? Tarot workshops could not help being highly relient on the ability and fairness of the teacher......it is all to easy to but your own suggestions[ no matter how well intended] into this highly suggestive age group...if the tarot is for them, they will find it and study it themselves.....its the best way...small steps.learn your own lessons.

Dark Inquisitor	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae My point is there are always some who are unstable. Some unstable folks go ‘over the edge’, often ending their lives. Then it is the tarot, occult, Dungeons and Dragons, football, or whatever that gets blamed. [/b] Going over the edge with football & games is a little different than being an unstable or unprepared young person confronted with nausea, lightheadedness, voices, visions, shadow entities , and possible unexpected kundalini awakening experience. Not to mention what may or may not happen if the home they come from is haunted or disturbed in some way already. You might get a kid that is as thick as a rock and won't be affected in any way, and on the other hand you might get a kid who is already marginal with regards to reality - possibly with hidden mental disturbance - who could be made worse . Without proper support, the results could be disastrous and I , personally , would not want to be responsible for that. Tarotphelia

HOLMES	19 Jul 2002
1. weak willed to me means to follow that which is presented to you. in the context of d and d, and video games. there are lots of people out there infuated with video, pc games and d and d, wrestling, boxing, and yes even the occult which some put tarot under. music some people go through the phrase, played d and d in high school while others become lifers like me i am a lifer in wrestling, video games, and tarot. i feel umbrea was refering that we do not have an direction in our lives when we are teens and that if not for postive hobbies like d and d, wreslting, tarot they might go the way of other more negative hobbies. i also feel that he was refering that they only stick with what is taught and do no question. example , the christian who is blind to the history of the christianity, the satanism who is blind to the harm it causes the nazi who is blind to the hate he has. and so forth. some of what i say is borderline. yet there it is. even i as a channel question the validity of it as i reseach my fears, my doubts, the history of it, the debunk of frauds. and i as a tarotist question the validty of any reading til it passes my standards which are mine (basiclayy if it rings true in my heart. ) nowhere did we question how powerful an man will is , hitler was a man of hate, yet he was a child of god and hence he made the way wrong choices and was overtaken by darkness. he was such a leader that the masses followed him out of fear, blindness, power, hate. who knows it was a differnt time then now. yet consider this. a man will strenght can overcome. look at christiantity(which i have some basis in. ) jesus will was to spread love, and peace and that message is still echoing today. (so is hitler with nazism and his hate filled book) yep if the tarot is for themselves they will find it for themselves. so this tarot workshop could be one of the ways they find it for themselves. it is they who show up at her workshop who will answer their own call for a diffent way. that is why the workshop worker asked for our postive advice on how to make the workshop so much more then a worskhop where they get a deck and a book and see you later aligator i trust in my heart that she will put on the best workshop possible and make some connections and after the workshop those who choose to follow the path will continue to correspond with her. some of us teach to the old, to the sick, to the healthy, to the masses, and others have the abilitiy to teach to the young to reach them those who souls are willing will step through the doorway.

Umbrae	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Tarotphelia Going over the edge with football & games is a little different than being an unstable or unprepared young person confronted with nausea, lightheadedness, voices, visions, shadow entities , and possible unexpected kundalini awakening experience. Not to mention what may or may not happen if the home they come from is haunted or disturbed in some way already. Golly gee...What I was talking about, is that sometimes people (not just adolescents) go over the edge. They then kill, either themselves or others. Parents, and or the media then look for a scapegoat. It is usually dungeons and dragons or occult anything. How many kids are killed playing football? In Europe, how many people are killed watching football? It is a blame game folks, don’t blame me…I simply held a mirror up. Personally I think Emily2otters is onto something. Provide guidance. Provide an atmosphere and the tools to understand what they may experience. Let us not shoot people in public, but help provide positive suggestions. Teenagers will begin experiencing and experimenting on their own anyway…at least a they have a heads up so they do not freak out! Emily2otters, since I live down the road not too far, if you need a hand, PM me.

HOLMES	19 Jul 2002
what i feel the thread is going is a fear of affecting youth who are not ready for the tarot. there is much to be adressed in this course. fear power and the tower, 1. there are fears that the youths have the tarot is bad, due to their beliefs, and society beliefs, some belief that the tarot is operated by the devil for example 2. you can not control stuff by the tarot , it is a learning tool. 3. things happen which we can't control so we have to serenity to accept it like house burning down for example. the tarot can help us move and help us be forwarned. 4. ah yes be prepared for the one snert who will show up who will bring chaos, it is his fear that hold him back. but all that aside. prepared will make a better worksop i feel the tarot leader will be abl to answer questlions like the bible, occult, miss cleo, otherwise she wouldnt' feel ready :O)

Lightlike	19 Jul 2002
I think Umbrae had a point... a lot of people got into D & D because it was faddish, they took it overboard and a few ended up doing horrible things. And with Mrs. Cleo tarot has begun to become a fad and there will people that will mess around with it just for fun (not taking it seriously at all) and I think that both are valid issues/concerns that should be addressed. Tarot is a wonderful tool if used properly and I congratulate Emily on being willing to teach tarot to those that want to learn. I just hope that the teens take it seriously because its not a parlor game, at least not from what I've seen. Also, there's a need to keep newbies from going overboard and thinking that tarot is the "end all--be all" and that the cards predict the future as if it were fate because Tarot isn't meant to do that, it's meant as a tool to aid people in forming their own fate/future. Jessica

RedWood	19 Jul 2002
I agree with Umbrae, Holmes and Lightlike.... These teens will use tarot whether they take a workshop or not..So, why not do a workshop..I think they are more likely to be more positve because of the guidance... I think going over the edge with sports can be just as bad as tarot..You hear about these kids taking steroids and dying..You hear about their parents killing or beating up the other parents..Everything has an extreme..When these people do the beating up they have to go to anger management classes...If I were a parent of a teen and he/she wanted to do tarot whether I liked it or not..I would rather them do a workshop then on their own and not knowing what they can be facing..(of course I would look into credentials beforehand)

MeeWah	19 Jul 2002
Tarotphelia & AmounrA: I agree with Umbrae for the simple reason that I have found what he states to be true. I understand his use of "weak-willed" to refer to those of any age who are *less well-integrated* individuals. Those will experience problems, no matter what they delve into--be it a study, a hobby, a relationship, alcohol, etc. Anything has the potential to be abused or misused, whether through misunderstanding or ignorance. It is not possible "to screen" potential Tarot aspirants, meditation students, etc. Perhaps if our society was more cognizant of metaphysics in general & the study of same was available via the education system, there would be less likelihood of such problems; &/or earlier recognition of such. The adverse effects Tarotphelia refers to I have seen occur with adults in a meditation-prayer group. Depending on the individual psyche, meditation can & will open chakras; awaken latent abilities or tendencies. With Tarot, I have heard of some ill effects possibly occurring to one person, the friend of an acquaintance--but this person was also an alcoholic. An alcoholic risks breaks in the aura, & that in itself may precipitate those same effects. A teen-oriented workshop could be designed as an introduction to Tarot; to address the basic lessons like a Tarot 101 & provide a foundation for learning what Tarot is & what it is not. I would have welcomed such an opportunity. As it was, I was left to search on my own, armed with the beliefs that were somewhat reinforced by my parents who were practising Buddhists (I became familiar with being called "pagan" early). Being pre-teen, there was a scarcity of books at the public library that I could access. I was fortunate in that I seemed to stumble across books in shops & met adults who encouraged my vision or had just the right book. The closest I came to a teen-oriented group where metaphysical subjects was touched on during discussion was in a group for teen readers that was organized by a librarian at the neighborhood public library. We met weekly & we took turns discussing books we read during the previous week. My books were written by Issac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Madeleine L'Engle--all writers who thought outside the mainstream.

lunar_rabbit	19 Jul 2002
I haven't read all the responses yet, but just thought I'd add my two cents to your comment ----> one point i want to stress for them is that a person doesn't have to be "psychic" to read the tarot <------ I see your point, that you don't have to feel you have extraordinary psychic gifts in order to learn tarot. But rather than saying you don't have to be psychic to read tarot, I would say that we are ALL psychic. It's simply an area of our brains we use or not. Just my humble opinion! Was it on this board that someone compared psychic abilities to singing abilities? That clicked with me. We can all sing.... it's just some of us might be better sticking to the shower, while others will be one of those extraordinary superstars. And maybe even some of the shower singers could make a career out of it given the proper training and practice.

AmounrA	19 Jul 2002
Sorry if I came across aggresive..its just that I do not consider someone who is football mad to be any less a person than gandi...people do go over the edge, but so be it [in a loving way:-)]....but often playing by the edge gives the best views. Perhaps I mis-interprited the weak willed comment...if so I apologize:-) MeeWah, not going to a tarot workshop does not seemed to have halmed your path in anyway...perhaps if you had been to one, you would not be the person you are today.

Mlle Lenormand	20 Jul 2002
Teaching teens tarot is a big undertaking, but since they like to explore for themselves, isn't it better that they be guided and given a good grounding so that they can develop if they need to? As to whether reading tarot required psychic ability...I'm not sure, since I believe that we all have ability to some degree and some may be using it subconsciously. Personally, I am learning the use of the RW deck because my psychic abilities freak some people out and they feel more at ease when I put a deck of cards in front of them.

Lee	20 Jul 2002
I agree with Umbrae. I think Emily2Otters has a great idea, to provide some guidance for teens who are interested in Tarot. If it's presented in a demystified, non-exploitative, common-sense way, then it would go a long way toward helping to *prevent* the kinds of excesses that have been mentioned. I also agree that if someone is unstable to the point where the instability has to express itself, then it will find a means to do so, whether Tarot or some other thing. If you're looking for course material, I would highly recommend "Tarot for a New Generation" by Janine Renee, which is written for teens. It's not simplistic at all, and is written from a very down-to-earth perspective. It's a large book with a lot of material in it, and it's only around $15. -- Lee

emily2otters	20 Jul 2002
thank you, everyone, for your strong opinions! we probably could have had three or four threads going simultaneously. :) thanks to everyone who answered my question about using psychic abilities with tarot... i'm particularly struck by your statement, mlle lenormand, that you are learning the tarot to put your querants at ease. a perspective that never occurred to me. and thanks to all fro their input on teaching teens. my aim, as some have mentioned, is to provide a gentle introduction to the tarot for those who may already be interested. my first explorations as a teenager left me terrified of the awful things that were going to happen to me... reversals were especially scary! i would like to show a more balanced way of using the cards, and also provide reassurance that the tarot won't hurt them. i have to get back to work, but please continue!!

Violet Gargoyle	21 Jul 2002
I would be in favor of a workshop geared toward teens, but for different reasons. Mainly to take some of the mystical aspects out of having and using a tarot deck. I don't mean the mystical part of accurate readings. There are soooo many lines of thinking on that part. I simply mean that teens, for one reason or another and at one point or another, want to rebel against authority and/or empower themselves. More interested in finding their place and more guided by emotions as they are forging their identities. This does not strictly include teens, you will see this with adults. You have many teens that dabble in witchcraft for this reason (and may see the Tarot as an extention of this). But once certain aspects are explained- like the fact that "The Craft" was a horrible movie and a bad example of an otherwise gentle religion for instance, then the "forbidden" aspect is taken out, and therefore the focus of the rebellious streak. That is when you find out who is truly interested in learning what you have to teach, and who was just doing it to boost their social status. The ones that are interested in learning will stay with it, won't miss many workshops, are always willing to learn more and keep in touch as well as ask questions. The ones looking for a boost tend to be more inpatient, to hurry up and get to the "good stuff", will be absent more often, drift away or otherwise miss what you are saying. There is still a positive to work from if this is the case: You might manage get a seed growing that the Tarot is not about trying to control people's destinies, which might make those who might otherwise give the art a bad rep think twice. I have never done a workshop, but I have done a couple of intros to the tarot for a couple of close friends interested in what I am collecting. I found that I was customizing what I am saying to each person's needs and questions and helping them find a new deck based on their interests as often the first deck that we learn from is given to us or bought before we learned much about the relationships to the cards. I know I hit the reader's equivallant of a "writer's block" with my first deck (given to me at 12 years old) for years. I kept having to consult the book, the pips had no symbolism and the major arcana just never clicked with me, even after trying on and off for nearly a decade with this deck. Teens, like everyone else, so much crave special attention to their individuality and the symbols that mean something to them. Perhaps an excercise in finding out what each of their interests are, and helping them find their own deck once workshop has concluded might be helpful in acknowledging their individual styles.

Lightlike	21 Jul 2002
Great advice Violet. I understand that "reader's block" so well, a friend of mine got me into tarot and I picked up the Celtic Dragon which unforunately as many know/feel the deck is very pretty but also fairly shallow. I still love the deck since it was my first but it was so horrible for a newbie. If my friend hadn't gone into the army he might have been able to aid me but I was left alone with a deck that made me feel clueless and helpless. I've since realized that it wasn't me but it was the deck, this is where a tarot guide or teacher could be really helpful to a newbie. Jessie

Diana	21 Jul 2002
edited

jmd	21 Jul 2002
I have only just read this great and long thread. On the question of a 'workshop' for teenagers, which age group was meant? 13-15, 16-17, or 18-19, or all of these together? Personally, I have some reservations if the last - but these remain my own! Depending on what age group your workshop is, different aspects may need to be addressed. Irrespective of the age group, however, I would include: an artistic activity, such as painting a card, or role-playing; an historical overview ( TarotL 'History Information Sheet' , compiled by Tom Little, may be a useful handout); the possibility of seeing and comparing various decks, including, as well as others , a Marseilles, a Waite/Colman-Smith, and a Crowley/Harris; and allow some space for questions and discussion - and here, honesty in especially areas of ignorance is so important. I wish you and your participants the warmest of co-working.

Dark Inquisitor	21 Jul 2002
Will parents have to register their children or provide permission for them to attend this workshop?

zorya	21 Jul 2002
i was a juvenile delinquent }) yes folks it's true! was i weak willed? was i over the edge? sure, i tried to kill myself more times then i can remember. do i think that the tarot had anything to do with it? absolutely not! that's almost laughable. (and a little insulting) i had the 1jj swiss and read by the book. had i understood that the tarot could teach me about myself, and could help me explore my emotions. my life may have been somewhat easier. you have the potential of really helping these teens learn ways to understand themselves. i do have concerns about some of the parents. please be careful and make sure of the legalities first. does one need to be psychic? it sure helps, lol. i believe that it is most beneficial to learn the cards well by the books first. yes, that's plural, books! then put the books down, stop thinking and let the cards speak to you. you must stop analyzing to be able to hear your intuition, see those images or have those "knowings". i believe we all have psychic abilities that can be developed. getting in touch with your intuition is a good start. teaching teens to trust their intuition is a great thing! i wouldn't leave out the mystery though... http://tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4662

Lightlike	21 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by zorya i was a juvenile delinquent }) yes folks it's true! was i weak willed? was i over the edge? sure, i tried to kill myself more times then i can remember. do i think that the tarot had anything to do with it? absolutely not! that's almost laughable. (and a little insulting) i had the 1jj swiss and read by the book. had i understood that the tarot could teach me about myself, and could help me explore my emotions. my life may have been somewhat easier. you have the potential of really helping these teens learn ways to understand themselves. Thank goodness you weren't able to kill yourself... We'd all miss you--it would be a terrible loss. Too bad you weren't able to see right away what kind of powerful ally/tool you had in your tarot deck. Quote: i wouldn't leave out the mystery though... http://tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4662 And thanks for sharing the thread, I hadn't read it yet.

emily2otters	21 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Tarotphelia Will parents have to register their children or provide permission for them to attend this workshop? no. if my manager gives me the go-ahead, it will be part of our library's summer reading program (next year). we try to lure young adults into the library by giving summer workshops on mendhi, wire jewelry making, martial arts, etc. for younger kids, we get puppet shows and jugglers. the kids will have to register, but we don't require parents' permission. that's an excellent issue you've raised... we're already the subject of a lot of controversy about our internet access policies. i can see how bringing these devil cards into the library might rub a few people the wrong way. i'm anticipating that our county's pagan population (which is starving for want of public activities) will fill up the room before any of the rebellious fundie kids can get to it. :) but i'll think on that some more. in answer to jmd's question, it will be available to 13-19 year-olds. i see your point about trying to teach to such a wide age range... but sometimes that can be a gift rather than a hindrance.

Dark Inquisitor	21 Jul 2002
All you need is for 1 Christian parent to find out that you are willing to teach an occult art to a child behind their back ,without their permission, and you could have whole congregations joining together to unite against you. Which would not do the image of tarot practitioners or your library any good. I wouldn't want anybody teaching children Christianity or Islam, etc., without parental knowledge or consent either. Tarotphelia

Laurel	21 Jul 2002
People who are equally knowledgeable and intuitive do best at both Tarot reading and poker playing. :) Sometimes you just "know" something. Its not body language, its not luck. Its something else- and its this Something Else that has driven the mystics of the ages. Laurel

MeeWah	21 Jul 2002
Emily2Otters: I have fond memories of the library reading group I was with. It was intended to encourage the enjoyment of reading during Summer, but some of us made new friends as well. We could choose a book from a list, but if we had other choices we brought the book in for Mrs. Lee, the librarian who led the group to see first. We were encouraged to write a book report to present for discussion. She also looked it over like an English teacher would. We had to disband before the Summer was over. I think it was after a parent complained, but Mrs. Lee refused to discuss it. I thought she was not permitted & suspected it was over a book. It was very upsetting & left most of us bewildered. We ranged in age from junior high to high school. Some of us wondered whose parent it was as well as what book. In view of the uncertain reception accorded some subjects, it might be a good idea to hold a "pre-registration" class where potential registrants can be given a flyer/hand-out that outlines the proposed study group & a list of the materials that would be needed (deck, notebook, etc) which might weed out those who would not be able to participate due to parental objection. Whilst some of the participants might be able to cover the expenses of the supplies on their own, others would require parental contribution &/or cooperation. Having some printed information available would be helpful to both participants & parents; provide a means of reference for parents.

The psychic abilities and tarot thread was originally posted on 19 Jul 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.