What do you think of tarot by a computer?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Tor	06 Oct 2002
Hi all! I'm about to make a new commercial website for astrology and tarot readings, and in the process I've found some computer software that does the tarot readings - complete or by help from a human hand. I know that astrology-software can give very accurate readings, since a lot of it is like science with given factors. But how about tarot? I know it won't bring in the intuition, but do you think it's still possible to use? I have had some good readings by a computer, but I had to use my own mind to interpret the answers to the given situation. But isn't a computer filled with a kind of divine energy too? Isn't a computer also a "part of it"? Wonder what you think of this?

wavebreaker	06 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Balder I have had some good readings by a computer, but I had to use my own mind to interpret the answers to the given situation. I think this is the main difference. I'm sure you can use a computer program to pick the cards, but a computer program can then only provide standard meanings for the cards, not a custom interpretation of the cards based on the question asked, on the spread used and on the relations between the cards. At least, not that I know of. So I think a computer program can provide useful readings for someone who knows how to interpret the cards (but then it's not really the computer that does the reading...). But for someone who can't interpret the cards themselves, the reading will probably be a lot less useful.

Alex	06 Oct 2002
I've had very accurate card draws from computers. When I was in my 10-of-swords marriage, I used to obtain very disgraceful throws, as disgraceful as manual ones, using a regular deck. Yet the interpretations were kind of funny, what added a somewhat humorous tone to my misery. Something I could use at the time, certainly, but as far as precision... I wouldn't benefit much if I didn't know how to read the cards. Quote: Originally posted by tarotlady So I think a computer program can provide useful readings for someone who knows how to interpret the cards (but then it's not really the computer that does the reading...). But for someone who can't interpret the cards themselves, the reading will probably be a lot less useful.

lawguy51	07 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Balder Hi all! But isn't a computer filled with a kind of divine energy too? Isn't a computer also a "part of it"? Wonder what you think of this? You might want to check a program called Orphalise Tarot. It places a virtual deck on your desktop. You can shuffle it, you can pick individual cards like a fan, you can use different decks and spreads. And there are no interpretations...it's all up to the reader. I find it quite useful, especially at work. You can go to www.orphalise.net and check it out. It's free!

lawguy51	07 Oct 2002
Sorry, got the URL wrong...it's www.orphalese.net

Moongold	07 Oct 2002
Hi Balder, There have been a few threads about this very issue on Aeclectic. If you do a search under Internet readings you'll find them. As others have said, there are quite a few sites already that do them. One you might be quite interested in uses the Thoth. This is at http://www.fourthdimension.net/index.html. However I don't know of any sites that actually combine Tarot with astrology in the way that I have seen you do a couple of times on Aeclectic. I don't know how you would set up such a computerized service using Tarot and Astrology together but it would be really interesting. One thing you could do is create your own website and do the kind of dual readings you've done here as a consultant and charge a fee. Best wishes, Moongold

WillieHewes	07 Oct 2002
I agree with what's been said before. A computer may be 'part of it', as you say, and I don't think there's anything wrong with using a computer to pick the cards. (See my www) However, a computer can never explain the nuances of meaning or apply the cards to the question or querant. A computer can only spout the text it's been fed, and thus help the reader interpret the cards, but only in the same way a book does, it can never do it for you. I think there's a sensory side to it as well. Astrology is all charts and pictures, it doesn't really matter if someone draws them out with paper and ruler or on a monitor, but the feeling of cards in your hands, shuffling and picking them is a unique sensation, which you can never even approach with a computer, I think.

Minderwiz	07 Oct 2002
The fundamental problem with Tarot software is the same as that for Astrology. You can program meanings of cards, or planets, or signs or aspects but what you cannot do with a computer (yet) is to integrate and synthesise. The computer can't see the wood for the trees, is an apt description. In the case of Astrology I can see that the computer can do the calculation and draw me the chart and if I need to do 101 other calculations which might help. I do the synthesis using its results. With Tarot I can see that it can draw the cards for me and give (someone else's) general meaning for each card. However it can't give me a 'reading' in the true sense and it can't change its shades of meaning for cards based on position, spread or intuition. Like WillieHewes, I don't really see the point - its not aiding me in any way. Minderwiz

Laurel	07 Oct 2002
I use the Fourth Dimension website for readings for myself every once in a while- what I *love* about that particular site is the online journal... the ability to keep a record of my readings and notes on readings so I can go through later and review. I'd really suggest creating something like that. Laurel

MeeWah	07 Oct 2002
Balder: Whether the cards are chosen by a person or by a computer, the cards would still be valid. As Minderwiz mentioned, the issue would be the integration & synthesis of an interpretation other than a mechanical response or book meanings. Thus far, a computer cannot duplicate the human element that gives a reading form & substance. I have used a computer-generated "reading" out of curiosity & I had to moreorless interpret it myself as the results produced tend to be too vague or to consist too much of book meanings. The best computerized astrological report I received was from what I think is a now defunct company. It included aspects of the major planets & was so well processed that none of the couple of reports I tried since then compare.

MeeWah	09 Oct 2002
Balder: I need to add that my comments are not intended to discourage your idea. If you are looking to combine Tarot & Astrology, that would be quite interesting & for which as Moongold suggests you could charge a fee.

The What do you think of tarot by a computer? thread was originally posted on 06 Oct 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.