How to assess progress?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Macavity	10 Feb 2003
Today I was pondering the statement: "It is impossible to have your interpretation "appraised" by another person, even given (their) sufficient knowledge of the cards, since no two persons would have drawn the same cards with a particular querent". TO me that sounds HIGHLY likely! :) And there's more... With the view that there are only subjective interpretations. With competent experts having diametrically opposed views (and both being in some sense "correct"). With the same cards providing illumination of different aspects in different hands. Even given a reasonable amount of honesty is self assessment possible? Is this something ONLY for the querent? Is the querent competent to judge? Perhaps one should one take the approach "Tell the querent what they came for" - And then insist you are correct? (joking!) }) But... How do YOU achieve an honest assessment of your progress?" :D

lawguy51	10 Feb 2003
OK, let's see if I can workshop an answer to a very intriguing question. Let's deal with the objective stuff first. Are you giving your Tarot journey enough time, thought and consideration (be it readings, study, meditation, whatever) in order to move forward? Let's assume the answer to that is yes. Then, if you are reading for others, how good are you feeling about the readings, not from the ego but from the heart? How do your querents feel? Can you discern progress there? Most importantly, do you feel that the Fool within you is progressing through life's journey? I regularily look at my daily life, at my behaviour and check to see if I am being impeccable in my conduct and with my words. Because for me, Tarot is a means to an end. I suppose one could be a great reader and also be a jerk. Would you assess such a person's abilities as a Tarot reader in isolation? I wouldn't. So, if you are growing as a person and Tarot is aiding in that process, then I'd say yes, you are making progress. It's kind of like football. You move ahead, you get pushed back, gain a few yards, lose a few, but the important thing is to keept moving those chains down the field. Egads, a football metaphor! Lawguy51

Jeanette	10 Feb 2003
Perhaps you could write down in your journal, and be as objective as possible when you do it! Keep track of readings, and then the outcomes whenever possible. Then you could refer back and see where you were correct, and where you missed the mark. You could analyze your interpretations when different moods strike you, and see if timing, location, weather, moon phases - whatever - make any difference. I think the big thing, though, is to write it all down and then methodically and as objectively as possible go back over it at a later time. Then you could check your progress. Just my thoughts on it.....

Karenwhe	15 Feb 2003
There is a self assessment as a reader at the end of this article you may want to take a look. The article is not directed at self assessment but at something else, however the little spread at the bottom and the sample reading my interest you. I have done this reading for myself and found wonderful insights and new ideas on how to improve. http://www.ata-tarot.com/ata2-0/reflections/01-15-03/ElementalDignitiesIV.htm Hope this helps.

The How to assess progress? thread was originally posted on 10 Feb 2003 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.