Experienced Tarot Reader's, Please Help!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

samreid26	01 Aug 2003
Hey. I really need some help. I havn't got my deck yet, and I would REALLY like to know which one would suite someone who is just startintg out. So, if your experienced, I would really like your help. Thank you! :OL

Little Baron	01 Aug 2003
Hi there *Not sure why I clicked on this thread since I never consider myself as an experienced tarot reader LOL* Anyway, a bit of background on my tarot deck purchases, which may help. I started with the Rohrig, which even though it was beautiful, was too difficult to begin with. I flirted with a lot of other arty decks and ones I thought would be 'right' but in the end, it was the Rider Waite that really taught me the ropes. I had resisted it for so long because I didn't think it suited me but there is really so much symbolism in it. If it seems too stark, the Universal Waite is softer, which I use now. It seems that people are always advising new readers to learn with the Rider decks but that is for a reason. There is a lot in the images, they do have illustrated minors where a lot of decks do not, and there is so much literature regarding that deck. I use my Universal Waite now; also the Rohrig, Phantasmagoric, Buckland Romani, Pagan 2000. I can read with all of these decks but the foundation came from the Rider. If you don't like that deck there are cloans; I also have the Morgan Greer and there are many others to suit your tastes. If you don't want to go down that road, post up some stuff about your likes and dislikes and maybe someone will know of a good beginners guide that suits your tastes. Good luck Best wishes yaboot

LittleWing	01 Aug 2003
People say go with what deck speaks to you. I offer my opinion - I would say a Rider-Waite-Smith deck - and if you do not like this style (i don't!) - you could go for something different but where the meanings and imagery are still very close. For example I have Cosmic Tarot - and this is close to the Rider-Waite - as is Robin Wood and some others. I have the Buckland Romani Tarot and this has a few twists - I am glad i learned my basics with a deck like RWS - then I can more on to other decks with a grounding. My friend got the Tarot of the Trance as her first deck and found it really difficult .

Centaur	01 Aug 2003
I would recommend a Rider-Waite style deck. And I would recommend the Hanson-Roberts. It is very easy to learn with and compatible with most if not all books regarding Rider-Waite style decks. Here is the link; http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/hansonroberts/index.html C

firemaiden	01 Aug 2003
Hi Samantha, not that I am an experienced reader, but I also recommend a deck in the vein of RWS. My first choice would be the Spiral deck, it is so beautiful, and I find the meanings are really clear. It is nice to have the actual RWS of course, I really love the Universal Rider Waite with its bright colors. Spiral Tarot Review

samreid26	01 Aug 2003
Thank you everybody for all your help! It turns out, there wasn't ANY of those decks out there when I went and got mine today. But now, I'm needing some more help. Now, I don't really know exactly what sort of questions to ask! I'm lost. Compleatly lost. I need a lot of practice, and I just thought if you guys gave me some suggestions of what to ask, then I could come up with some similar things to ask. I havn't done any readings yet because of that, and nothing seems to come to me. Does this mean that the deck is wrong for me? Please help!

HudsonGray	01 Aug 2003
Well, which deck did you end up getting? And did it come with a book also, or just the little white book? Once we know what you have, we can offer suggestions. You'll need to know if you connect with the images in the cards, for one. And if it's a RW clone (which allows most of the tarot books out there to be useful for you), and what you find attractive about the deck. Feedback! Give us something! Yah!

samreid26	02 Aug 2003
well, i don't know what the deck is called. all it says on the cover of the deck of cards is: Tarot Cards. so, that doesn't explain much. but it DID come with a book, and the book is pretty helpful. i only got it yesterday, so i'm not really sure if i connect with the pictures on the cards. i don't think i do yet. though they're pretty and all. i was wondering, are tarot cards for all people? or just certain people. i'm really confused. i don't know if tarot cards are for me. :confused: :(

Little Baron	02 Aug 2003
I am confused now! What is the name of the artist or the person that wrote the book? Maybe you can find them on the web and post a link so we can see them. Or scan a couple? Tarot cards are for you, I am sure of it. You just need some time to connect with them. It's all a bit overwhelming at first but in time, you will establish a relationship with them. Discussing which you like and dislike on here and talking about your cards will help. Shuffle them a lot and keep them close to start with. It just takes a little bit of time. Best wishes. Any questions, just ask! We've all been there. Above all - enjoy them!!!!!! Yaboot

samreid26	02 Aug 2003
The cards were illustrated by Jacqui Mair. And, I don't have a scanner, so I can't scan any of my cards in. Sorry. But the book it came with was written by Evelin Burger & Johannes Fiebig. That's basically all I can tell you. Right now I'm searching the web for Jacqui Mair, to see if I can find any pictures at all of the cards, just to show you. You guys are SO much help! I just wanna thank all of you!

samreid26	02 Aug 2003
Ok, now I have a picture of the book. Click here to see the book cover. That's almost all I can do for now. I'm sorry I'm not of much more help. But I'm still searching for pictures of the cards.

samreid26	02 Aug 2003
sorry, i did it wrong: here is the link for the book http://i3.yesasia.com/assets/westernbook/54/755/p1001875554.jpg Click that to go to the cover. Sorry _____________________________ Card of the day: :TTEMP

Little Baron	02 Aug 2003
Couldn't find anymore than the cover either. Let me know if you find them. They have to be out there somewhere. Maybe Jeanette and Lori will recognise the cards. Y

Diana	02 Aug 2003
samantha: I have looked on the internet. The book you have bought doesn't look like a bad buy at all! I can't find examples of the cards, though. But Jacqui Mair is a fine artist, from what I can see from her other works, so I am sure you have a nice deck to begin with, even if later you decide to buy another deck. I would like to ask you now to take a deep breath and realise that you will not master Tarot in a day. Nor a week. Nor a month. And nor a year. In fact, it will take you a life-time to master it. But each day that goes by, will make you feel more familiar with your deck and with the concept of Tarot. Take one card a day and study it. Write down what it evokes in you. If you like, you can then read what the book says about it - but DON'T get stuck on book meanings, because each book will say something slightly different. What feeling do you get when you look at a card? Does it make you sad/happy/excited..... What do you think the people are trying to convey...... It is important to WRITE DOWN what you think. It makes all the difference.... Go and read Thirteen's Tarot Basics here: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/basics/ There again, if what you read there doesn't ring true to you, just put it aside and go along with your meanings, the ones you instinctively feel when you look at those cards. But these Basics will really give you a wonderful push-start. And come here and ask all the questions you like. Some of them may have already been answered in other threads - you can do a search, or else we can help you find the thread. And to answer your question: Is Tarot for everyone? My answer is: It is for anyone who wishes to explore it ..... The only people I think who should not get into Tarot, or any kind of divination, or those with very serious psychiatric disorders. This is not your case from what I read in your posts..... So enjoy!

HudsonGray	02 Aug 2003
Samreid, if it's the pictures themselves that have you at a loss, this is the perfect site to check out other tarot decks that are available on the market. This URL -- http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/tarot.html -- take syou directly to the tarot decks and all you need to do is click on the list of decks to see art from each one, there's usually a review of some sort on each deck also. Took me 2 hours last time to go through the entire thing, but you'll get a wide variety of art shown, believe me. The decks are rated from 1 to 5 stars as to useability, look for a rating of 4 or 5 for decks you're interested in, that means you'll have an easier time using them as a newcomer. It could be that the art on the deck you've got just isn't reaching you. You should be able to look through your deck and pick up clues from the images there as to what they mean. You'll feel the connection. Don't toss the deck & book you've already got, though, you can always trade it on the board or use the book with another deck.

samreid26	02 Aug 2003
Thank you lots! Just a little while ago, I started a Tarot Journal, to record everything down, they way I feel when I draw certain cards, and I decided to draw a card each day that I call my card of the day. Today is "XIV Temperance" :TTEMP (I think I got that number right). I will also use that card of the day and study it, trying to know the card better, like I would get to know a person. I do think the deck is beautiful, it's very well drawn, and I am drawn to the art, it's really nice. So I deffinitly wont give up, never. I think discovering the art of Tarot will be really awesome, once I get more used to the cards, each day. And thank you all for your help! I am progressing, even in this short time. I was starting to rely on the meanings in the books. Thank you for stopping me before I got too carried away with myself, and relied on that, and only that. I will now start going more with what I feel about the cards. Thanks sooo much! ____________________________________________________ Card of the Day: :TTEMP

samreid26	02 Aug 2003
Oh yes, one more thing I sort of want to know. On my deck, the Minor Arcana only has numbers and, you know, Cups, Wands, Swords, and Penticles. It has nothing else, so I don't know how I would read the pictures. I would just like some tips on how to read the Minor Arcana. Thanks again, sorry to bother you. ___________________ Card of the day: :TTEMP

SongDeva	09 Aug 2003
Look, I didn't start with a RWS deck, (the Crowley Thoth actually, God help me), and I survived. You seem to be really excited, so I'll quote the author of a book I read once who said if you have an interest in tarot, it indicates that you have an affinity or ability for it. I would say to you, take a few deep breaths, and read anything you can get your hands on. But for a more hands on intro to tarot, get a notebook or looseleaf binder (what I use so I can do them in any order and rearrange as necessary) and pull a card or start at the beginning, your choice. Then take that card and look at it, absorbing it. Notice everything you can, and then start writing down any *ANY* thoughts or impressions that come to you. You can compare your thoughts with your book later. Also, there are a couple of online courses you can take, that are free. One is at lotustarot.com, and I think - help me aeclectics- is learningtarot.com. I bet everybody out here knows of something like that they they could share with you. Other than that, keep involved in these forums. There are some lovely individuals (I enjoy you all so much) having some thought provoking conversations. Most of all, don't decide after one day that you can't do it. It's just not true! It just may take a little effort and perseverance and patience. Good luck!

samreid26	14 Aug 2003
Thank you for all your help so far guys! I really appriciate it!

lunalafey	14 Aug 2003
I think you got the same started kit my friend did. I was able to 'play' with her cards for a little while. I thought overall she got a good beginners set, except for the suits. no pics just numbers. I prefer images for my suits. My first decks all had pictures, once I learned from those I can read the 'numbered' cards...don't get rid of your deck and kit, but do find a 'fun' deck to work with at the same time. Choose a deck with a theme you already have a big interest in. Like Gnomes? there's a deck of 'em....and mermaids just came available.....

samreid26	14 Aug 2003
Wow. That really does help! Thanks!!

The Experienced Tarot Reader's, Please Help! thread was originally posted on 01 Aug 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.