Readings for yourself like mood ring?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MST	25 Mar 2003
When I do readings for myself the cards often seem to reflect shifts in my state of mind in the same manner as that of a mood ring. When doing a series of spreads if I see something in the cards that has an effect on my feelings or outlook the cards will take on a new character. Even the lift from a sip of coffee can effect the cards favorably. This makes me cautious because the cards are not likely to be of more use than a snapshot of my present state of mind showing me what I already know or expect. On one hand this demonstrates that the world is clay and we can sculpt anything we think we can out of it. On the other hand, if you are indecisive and looking for clarity and direction the cards only illustrate the consequences of being indecisive and unclear- the obvious. My questions: 1. How reliable are Tarot cards for your own readings when they are so mutable? 2. Do other people see this in their readings?

Astraea	25 Mar 2003
Yes, the cards do reflect our feelings and they are like "snapshots" of our states of being at any moment -- but that's precisely why they work, in my view. The question -- the moment -- contains the answer. That's why it's so important to frame our questions with precision and clear intention. The basis of horary astrology, which is the art of answering specific questions, is exactly this. When you draw cards that reflect what you are feeling, look deeper -- and from different angles -- at the card to see what it might be communicating on many levels. Again, using horary astrology as an example, we say that the chart is "radical and fit to be judged" if (among other things) it accurately reflects the situation. By the same token, we can say that a card or spread which does not bear on our known feelings and awareness would be less helpful than one that does.

MST	25 Mar 2003
I usually know the feelings and can predict the likely consequences of them. What is of most value is seeing beyond them and what may come about independent of them. This is the level of reading that I would like to be able to do for myself but I wonder if we (or maybe I am too subjective) can be that objective about our own conditions.

skytwig	25 Mar 2003
Questions are the path to discovery (Gregg Levoy; Callings) and for me, intent/question/focus is vital to a clear 'picture' in my readings. What am I really asking? what am I seeking in this mini-quest of cards & symbols & color? sometimes I learn that i don't really know what I am asking, or I find that I am not focused. All is for interpretation and musing. Tarot expands as I learn to dance with it. at least for me. As i open my eyes, I find that the very environment is a 3 dimensional Tarot Spread, a living, breathing spread of Light and Delight that dances with the presence of Beings who await my call to Listen to Their Words of Help, Guidance and Humor - Lots of humor!!!

MST	26 Mar 2003
Quote: Originally posted by skytwig ...intent/question/focus is vital to a clear 'picture' in my readings. What am I really asking? what am I seeking in this mini-quest of cards & symbols & color? ...sometimes I learn that i don't really know what I am asking, or I find that I am not focused... If you intend to gain clarity when you are vacillating are you capable of gving yourself a clear reading? Even when you write down the spead to interpret later when in a clearer state of mind the actual spread was produced while indecisive. The cards reflect the earlier condition. This may be one circumstance when you should not bother with a reading. If it is clarity you are looking for there are other tools or methods for inducing it. Giving yourself a tarot reading is not effective under this condition. Maybe the reading itself is not as instrumental in gaining clarity under this circumstance as is the process of focusing in order to do a reading.

The Readings for yourself like mood ring? thread was originally posted on 25 Mar 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.