Certification - Canadian Tarot Network

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Ruby7	29 Nov 2003
Just wondering if anyone has taken this course and the exams to enter one of the levels of certification? It seems like a good course but when I checked out the website the list of certified tarotists is not too long. Maybe some people preferred to be unlisted? www.tarotcanada.com

Mystic Zyl	29 Nov 2003
I really do not know anything about this school or certification. But it always makes me wonder, why does anyone need to be certified? Tarot is subjective and left to study and intuition. How can a school say that your impressions of tarot is correct or not? I realize that it perhaps would be cool to hang some kind of diploma on the wall to say, see I am certified; a validation of sorts for the ego. I feel these schools are here to make a quick dollar. Would these schools ever fail a paying student? I think not, you will get your certificate whether you comprehend or not. I see this kind of education scam in my own community.

Red Emma	29 Nov 2003
Dear Mystic, you're right, of course. Trouble is there are a whole lot of people out there who would dearly love an insightful reading by a legitimate Tarot reader. If a member of the general public does not have trusted, Tarot reading friends how are they to know whether the reader they choose is honest, has some legitimate knowledge of the cards? If the course, as described, can give direction to people who don't know where to turn to find a good, honest reader, it may well be worth checking out. Best wishes---

HOLMES	29 Nov 2003
i wouldn't see it as a validation of the ego but a completation of a goal. for such certification would give us more validation in the eyes of the client. and in case of a lawsuit we can show the certification to show that we went out of our way to get ceritified. in cases of certification it is true how can they tell us to read the tarot ? it becomes like how can a comitte of martial arts judge them to be good or now, or similary for music , dancing. in truth the only way it could be done is to see all of us lined up giving readings and judgeing those readings. but let us pray it never comes to that . eheh edited to add, i was refering more to the voyager tarot course rather then the canadian tarot network certification. and if they were to legistate tarot readers in ontario, i wouldn't want to see that (picture it in 20 years )

HOLMES	29 Nov 2003
i could almost become a ceritified tarot CERTIFIED TAROT MASTER (CTM) Has qualified and been a Certified Professional Tarot Reader for at least six months Has written and published at least 3 each of: Tarot articles, Tarot book reviews, and Tarot Deck reviews Has demonstrated mastery of the tarot deck, including attributing the 22 Major Arcana to another esoteric or occult paradigm (can be used as one of the 3 articles) Has written an outline for teaching the Tarot to a beginner (can be used as one of the 3 articles) Has taught 10 people or more to read the tarot deck to at least a level of CATR (or equivilant) Can explain or has written out how one's code of ethics applies to what one writes and publishes as well as how one deals with peers edxcept i never did teach ten people to read the tarot deck you notice it sounds a lot like ata but canadian style ? you would start to put another style of diviantion onto the tarot (i.e. qabbalah, astrology numerology ) i started to do that eheh. looking at the correspondace courses, i don't know, as a person who has a lot of books they would need to be very indepth, and ground breaking i don't wnat to order a correspondance to get a three page pamphlet for each.

Diana	29 Nov 2003
This subject (of certification) was brought up quite often at one point on Aeclectic - I'm surprised it hasn't been talked about for so long. Here are some links to some old threads that discussed Certification. I recall getting quite het up about it! :D http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=10426&highlight=Certification http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=8734&highlight=Certification http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=600&highlight=Certification http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?threadid=600&highlight=Certification Of course, as some of these threads are old, some posters may have changed their minds since then. But one thing is for certain - most people have very strong views about Certification. And I'm interested to see if there has been an evolution in one way or another amongst Aeclecticians. I hate the idea of Certification. Makes me shudder.

Ruby7	29 Nov 2003
I did not mean to re-start a debate about certification. Oops to late now :). Anyway, I just wanted to know about this course in particular. So if anyone has any info on the Canadian Tarot Network please share it with me, either here or you can p.m. me. In the meantime I guess I will be checking out those old threads because a lot of people are very disturbed about certification and maybe I haven't thought of all the implications of certification. Ruby7

Mystic Zyl	29 Nov 2003
Ruby, if you feel you need it go for it. Just beware, no business does anything out of the goodness of their hearts for strangers. The bottom-line is profit, for any business. Hey, Ruby that is a good question to discuss, glad you brought it up! Aeclectic is a place to voice opinions and concerns. I could have a certificate printed up stating I am the Grand Master of Tarot, but that will not make me a better reader. There are many people with all kinds of diplomas and certificates that say they can perform certain tasks, like medicine or law, but that does not say how well they will do their jobs. Just for the record, once a year I hold a small clinic on tarot, free of charge.

Ruby7	29 Nov 2003
Hi Mystic Zyl, I guess part of the reason that I am thinking about this is that I like the idea of a structured progression and a goal to work towards. I would like to eventually do paid readings from the point of view that I like the idea of helping people work out answers to life's questions and if I do this I want to make sure that I have covered everything I should about the tarot cards. I would not think of this course as the be all and end all of tarot, but take it as a solid background. It is not too pricy if they offer informative lessons. I understand what you are saying though. Unfortunately we do live in a capitalist society and everything is about making profit. I wish it wasn't so and do believe that a different system would be better but in the meantime..... Who is profiting from this course is a very good question and how much are they profiting, where does the money go? The fact that I would eventually like to do paid readings means that I would profit monetarily at some point too. Unfortunately I do not have a high income and need some extra income. That said, I would never turn someone away who could not pay for a reading and I would not charge an outrageous amount either. Another aspect might be that having a certificate would give me more confidence and personal validation. I don't mind admitting that. O.k. well maybe I do mind admitting that :) Anyway, I will have a look at the past threads on certification and make a decision after some more thought. Ruby7

HOLMES	29 Nov 2003
sure a certificate by itself would not make a person a better reader , but a certificate gained from study (i.e. the correspondance courses mentioned that ruby is looking at ) would make the rube a better reader by giving a good basis in the sections mentioned. the ego part of me says why do i need a certificate , i been reading tarot for a year at least and know lots about it,, the other part of me looks at it logically and says 1. it couldn't hurt, 2. it does give a bit validation 3. the information from the lessons might have something new then agian i plan to do bota after i get on my feet and this one as well http://webmall.redshift.com/cgi-bin/webplus.cgi?script=/webpshop/group.wml&deptid=27&deptname=Study%20Courses&storeid=10&groupid=121&SessionID=2003112918143216950 sure a person can read a tarot just based on the pictures,, (yet without study there is a chance of old school"oh death card, someone will die near you , oh the tower the house might burn down, oh the devil card ,, someone is planing evil things at you ) so any study is good. the main thing is ,, do you want it be sytemized like course work (example the arthurian tarot year course could fit into there ) or just rather read a brunch of books, and pratice reading reading on your own. each has it own rewards and merits. i am neurtral here,, keeping a mind open to the certification but only if study is involved. and i dont' wnat to be legistated if the certiifcation board gained power so to speak and you have to belong to the board to read tarot professionaly in canada, (sounds like a guild eh ?)

Mystic Zyl	29 Nov 2003
Ruby 7 I just saw your post on stones. Are you a jeweler? You seem to have a lot of value knowledge to share.

Ruby7	29 Nov 2003
Hi Mystic Zyl, I am a goldsmith/jeweller and gemmologist (certified :) ) I have been in the jewellery business since I was 18 (now 35) I work at a small family business mostly on jewellery repairs at the moment and also appraisals. I very recently (June 2003) completed my gemmology course by correspondence. I like correspondence courses so that is probably the other reason that I started to look into the Canadian Tarot course. The goldsmith/jeweller is an example of a skill that is mainly recognized by experience in North America. I went to jewellery school for 3 years but the certificate I have is meaningless to potential employers. Most of them would simply ask for a practical interview to see what you can do, only makes sense. But I am still glad that I went to jewellery school for three years, because it was the only way for me to start. I tried to get hired as an apprentice, but had no luck. Ruby7

Rusty Neon	29 Nov 2003
Ruby ... Here's a link to a page on the CTN site which contains the text of a Tarot Guild of Australia article about the the CTN and CTN's certification program: http://www.tarotcanada.com/ctnarticle13.html According to the article, a number of U.S. tarotists are getting certified with the CTN, given the certification upheaval in the U.S. I looked over the CTN member list (probably not a complete list) and recognized the name of at least one of the holders of a tested designation, the Canadian CTM rank, as someone from the U.S. that I know of from another tarot list. I remember visiting the CTN site previously and they indicated that they were an ATA (American Tarot Association) affiliate and offered ATA courses. The CTN site doesn't seem to refer to ATA affiliation or ATA courses anymore. Anyone know if that's correct? As you've noticed, the CTN still keeps the multiple levels inspired by the example of the former Tarot Certification Board. Interestingly, the Tarot Guild of Australia has just a one level professional designation, either you're a Professional Member of the guild or you're just an Interest Member. http://www.tarotguild.org.au/members.htm Based on the requirements, the required proficiency level for Australian guild Professional Member seems to be roughly similar to that for the CTN's Professional Tarot Reader.

Ruby7	29 Nov 2003
Thanks Rusty, that certainly helps a bit. Too bad there is a lot of upheaval about the courses, Ruby7

Rusty Neon	29 Nov 2003
I just edited my first post to include something about the Australian certification requirements.

jmd	30 Nov 2003
Tarot courses, discussions about Tarot, ongoing reading for others and myriad other activities undoubtedly assist and benefit the individual in developing his or her reading... As to a certificate, I do not see how it can benefit Tarot. To 'pass' the professional level in any of the organisations which administers such would not take much for someone who really wanted to - whether charlatan or genuine. The certificate gives the impression of legitimacy, whereas this latter properly resides in one's heart. Personally, I am opposed to certification... and remember discussing this at some length when discussing the forthcoming Melbourne International Tarot Conference and mutual support and involvement with the then president and the Webmistress of the Aus. Tarot Guild. Those who want certification, fine... just please do not either impose it on those of us who do not see merit in it, or seek to impose it as some kind of pre-requisite for public readings. If such eventuates in some states or countries, it is bound to limit further the ways in which Tarot is legitimately used...

HOLMES	30 Nov 2003
i am beginning to see the need for some counseling trianing. , due to the fact that as i read for people it more or less in live settings turn into a counseling session. (the last one drained me right out for example) but only in terms of training and legitmacy(big word there eheh) and not as a necessary rule for all tarot readers. i think the majority here comes from do not impose your rules on me kind of mode as well :O) i don't know what eventuates,, mean but i am taking it to mean if it happens. that it does become a pre requisite for public readings in the future , it would limit us in some aspects. 1. what defination do you use to define using tarot legimately ? jmd? (curious to know) certification could add a legimate basis for society to see us in a new light. but if i may use a differnt example those who pratice reflexology and reiki are being hurt by those who think they need a full massage degree to pratice it. reiki for example isn't a massage, nor does reflexology cover more then the feet(unless you inclue hand reflexology ) and those of us who pratice tarot could be hurt by those who say tarot readers hould have a counseling degree, or should have an astrology degree (for the sake of adding something ) so while there is a need for some counseling courses or trianing, there isn't a need for certiciation in cousneling for tarot readers. after all it is our job to refer people to those who are trained in helping those who need it.

Ruby Red Slippers	30 Nov 2003
Certifications.................How many here have other certifications for work????? I personally have so many work related certifications that my daughter recently asked me "how many letters do you need behind your name"? LOL My response was, "as many as it takes to move my resume to the top of the pile". My personal belief is that, in the material world, the employer wants to "feel" he has gotten the "most" for his money. In this time of downsizing, it has become even more important to get the best "qualified" for the cheapest salary. I belief the work in Tarot is rooted in the universal world and guarded by those laws. Therefore, it is not about certifications and money for fees and dues and subject to scrutiny by those who claimed to be in a position to Judge. How many times have we discussed the fact that sometimes we read the cards, (book form) and sometimes the cards read us, so to speak. How does one allow themselves to be judged by another in this forum? Does that mean that they can judge your intuition as well? I guess one has to asked themselves, what kind of money time and effort they want to put into it for the goal they seek. For me, the material world is all about certificates, qualifications etc. The esoteric world is about discovery of my links to the universe and my fellow man in the "moment-in-time" that I connect with them. In my case the goals are different. RRS

Ruby7	30 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jmd [as to a certificate, i do not see how it can benefit tarot. to 'pass' the professional level in any of the organisations which administers such would not take much for someone who really wanted to - whether charlatan or genuine. the certificate gives the [i] impression [/i] of legitimacy, whereas this latter properly resides in one's heart. ... [/b] That is a really good point jmd. The same could apply to my gemmology course, which was very difficult (6 hour theory exam all essay questions and 4 hour practical exam) but, and I hate to say this, there is a lot of indiscretion by some gemmologists when it comes to doing appraisals. Some of this is intentional (to make something that they are selling seem better than it is) or unintentional (e.g. diamonds are graded by the eye and sometimes there can be a difference in what a person sees) So while this course gave a lot of knowledge there was no chapter on ethics, no code of conduct to follow, in fact they have developed an additional course to deal with this problem, since it is a big problem in the jewellery industry. But your point rings true. They can give all the courses and certificates that they want but if a person does not want to do things the honest way, they still wont, and instead they have a certificate that makes them look more legitimate. At the jewellery store, new customers are sometimes wary of leaving their jewellery for repair or appraisal, suspicious that we will switch stones etc. I always explain that the company I work for has built their business around their reputation and has no interest in doing this. In one case I stood at the counter for about 20 minutes trying to convince a woman that it was safe to leave her pearl necklace for restringing, she kept telling me about sneaky jewellers. In the end I refused to take her necklace in because if she was accusing and getting upset at that point, I could imagine the fiasco when she came to pick up her necklace and inspected every pearl, which would look slightly different having been cleaned. It's a matter of trust. Developing and building trust. Building a good reputation so that when people come to see you they already know that they can trust you. Being honest and good. I think that I might be going over to the other "side" with this certification business. Ruby7

Astra	30 Nov 2003
Ruby7, I'm currently in the process of certification through the CTN, and, with publications expect to have CTM status soon. CTGM? Maybe, eventually.... My original reason was primarily to get status within the organization, so that I'd feel I had the right to push myself and my deck within the group, and just a bit so that I'd have some kind of standard to point to when people asked. The qualifications are much like the ATA's - in fact I believe they were pirated wholeheartedly from the ATA - and so much the better, since it means the standards, if adhered to, will be much the same. Truth to tell, I've always hated the idea of certificates, and avoided them whenever possible for 30 years - two degrees is enough, thanks. But I have to say that I was put through a pretty good course of hoops during the actual testing, and sitting down and thinking about things like my own ethics when reading was definitely a positive thing. I've had the advantage of knowing a few of the CTGMs through the old Compuserve forums about 10 years ago, and I think that anyone who actually gets that status will have fully earned it. Are the prices reasonable? If you have the money to spare, and want the certification, I think so. If you don't, of course not. Do the certifications mean anything to the greater public? Nope, although many people are impressed by certificates or so many doctors and dentists and chirpractors and lawyers and ... wouldn't have them hanging in their offices and waiting rooms. Up to you. I've found them a good group to work with.

Mystic Zyl	30 Nov 2003
Ruby, I think you hit on something when you were talking about your gem certification. In the long run it may not have helped so much, trust has. But here is the crux to reading tarot professionally, trust. Just like in any profession you go to people whom you trust. Trust is earned by good works. I know when I started it was rough, I did lots of free or cheap readings just to get people to try me. I had to prove myself worthy of being paid, a task I did not mind; I knew I could produce. I feel in any profession you pay your dues, hardly anyone starts at the top of their profession. Just as customers trust you with their jewelry needs, they will trust you with tarot. If you lived closer you could come to my classes, but who is to say you would learn anything? Ruby you probably already have the knowledge you need.

DeLani	30 Nov 2003
Ah, this subject again... Like so many others, I'm opposed to certification. If the certification was dependant only on understanding of: 1. history (verifiable) and iconography, 2. other systems which correlate and how (i.e., astrology, qabbalah, etc.) 3. Ethics and counseling techniques. Then I would consider taking a course. The actual "reading" part is so subjective, there can't be any way to measure that objectively. But I do think that the Ethics and Counseling stuff would be a good idea to have, since we do act as counselors to people, and it would help deter well-meaning (but ignorant) readers from causing more anguish. But I do oppose the certification as a prereq. for doing readings, and I certainly don't want to have to get (another) degree in counseling just to read. Rediculous. I'd have to charge what counselors charge, just to pay off my student loans!

jmd	01 Dec 2003
Holmes earlier asked what I defined legitimate uses of Tarot to be. Quite frankly, I would find it very difficult to answer this question in any way which was either comprehensive without being vague, or specific without excluding much I would want to maintain... and this is precisely why certification has its problems. I hope my posts in other threads have somewhat answered the question - but I will re-visit it directly in another thread. As mentioned by Astra, the process of certification has many merits - which I am sure many of us would also benefit from. I remember quite a few years ago someone asking me if they would obtain a certificate after they completed one of my courses. After my obvious initial surprise stumped look, I asked why they wanted one. Basically for the same reason as certification - it somehow adds credibility in the eyes of some. From my perspective, again, it is not the course of work, or the 'mentoring', or the applied readings, or the telephone Qs & As, or the 'what would happen if you placed that card in x position instead?' - these are all useful strategies which someone running an extended course would also use. And again, from my perspective, are well worth engaging in. But certification in the end heads in directions we may very well regret - and talk of 'consistency' across varying certification bodies only adds to this singular direction... and which is the correct deck, by the way? or the correct elemental attribution? or the correct MBTI attribution? or astrological one? or Kabalistic one? As to prices, I personally have no qualms with the prices charged - these will partially depend on the costs involved, including setting up a process... which could be so wonderfully shared (and charged) to the greater world without the certificate attached :) Could there also be a degree course which develops? Certainly. But here, we would be discussing either, as mentioned again by DeLani, history (whether in terms of its iconography or suggested links with astrology, Kabalah or other); and/or counselling techniques which are, in many ways, quite independent of Tarot; and/or spiritual uses such as participation in visualisations and recording of experiences. None of these, of course, makes for an effective reader. But I am maybe focussing on this area too much - perhaps because I am aware of some who would want to see legislation introduced, and a centralised certification body established. In these days in which such trends are becoming over-extended in a number of professions, it would just be so easy for a government body to seize the opportunity to control yet another area. Let us be conscious of what we seek for ourselves, that we do not thereby limit those who come after us.

Diana	02 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jmd In these days in which such trends are becoming over-extended in a number of professions, it would just be so easy for a government body to seize the opportunity to control yet another area. Let us be conscious of what we seek for ourselves, that we do not thereby limit those who come after us. This is what worries me the most. And not only governments, but certain groups of people - the power-hungry ones. Imagine being the "President of the so-and-so Association of Tarot". What an ego-trip! Anyone without a certificate would be forbidden to practice Tarot professionally - just like the natural healers today in many parts of the world are not allowed to practice medicine because they have not gone through 8 years of brainwashing in a medical faculty. If I had to take up a new political struggle, and if it came to the push, I would fight all these Tarot Associations like a wild lion. I think their values are twisted. (I do have a certificate though. It's Major Tom who gave it to me. It's called the Scalawag Tarologue Certificate. It is really cool!)

Major Tom	02 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana (I do have a certificate though. It's Major Tom who gave it to me. It's called the Scalawag Tarologue Certificate. It is really cool!) Invoke the dev.. a Scalawag and he shall appear. :laugh: I've struggled with the idea of certification ever since I decided I needed to be legitimate in my practice. A certificate is useful for demonstrating legitimacy to the uninformed. Having developed my own working ethics, which are in a constant state of revision, I have decided for myself, that the best way to demonstrate my legitimacy is through my practice. I would certainly fight any legislation. I did at one time offer certificates for free to anyone who was a citizen, that is had 100 posts, at Aeclectic. I sent out a lot of certificates. ;) There were very official yet attractive and definitely demonstrated legitimacy to the uninformed. :laugh: If there's interest I could offer them again for a small fee. ;) Maybe with a discount for subscribers... hmmmm?

Diana	02 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom I've struggled with the idea of certification ever since I decided I needed to be legitimate in my practice. A certificate is useful for demonstrating legitimacy to the uninformed. You have been struggling with the Devil.... tempting you to fall into the trap. I am glad you didn't - that way you can keep your integrity and not sell yourself. If these associations are wanting to do something for the uninformed - then why don't they rather inform the uninformed about what Tarot is all about. Instead of auto-congratulating each other with certificates and probably soon Merits of Grandeur, why don't they do something worthwhile? Reminds me a little of those stupid Oscar ceremonies......

Alissa	02 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Reminds me a little of those stupid Oscar ceremonies...... Don't get me started on the Oscars ... self-congratulatory, ego-gratifying bullcrap. Can you imagine the rest of the world watching hours and hours of ceremony, but handing out awards for a truly meaningful career choice instead? "And the award for the Best Cardiac Surgeon in a Small Town goes to ...."

Mystic Zyl	03 Dec 2003
I agree with Diana, anytime you involve the government, lookout. The government is a corrupt mess of power hungry people. It is just another way to tax us. To have governemnt control would pollute the meaning and the higher power behind tarot. I would not read anymore for clients. Is nothing sacred anymore, not even my thoughts?

Lee	03 Dec 2003
Hi. Ruby7 -- Here's a point that I don't think anyone's brought up yet. When you mention your gemological course which you took, it's important to keep in mind that this kind of course is in many ways very different from a course in an occult study like tarot. With the gemology, you're dealing with things which either work or don't work, which are either true or not true. But occult studies are entirely subjective. There is no objective body of knowledge to teach, only this particular person's (or group's) perspective or that particular person's (or group's) perspective. Even if one decides to follow one specific person or group's agenda, it's inevitable that in the learning process there will be some modification on the individual's part which will personalize the material. For this reason, I think there will always be some dissapointment or discomfort with a particular program of study in tarot or any other occult subject. I speak from experience. I'm a veteran of two astrology correspondence courses, both of which I was unhappy with for different reasons and both of which I didn't complete. Unfortunately, there's no way to know whether you will feel comfortable with a particular teacher's or group's approach until after you start the courses, and by then you've already paid for it. I haven't looked at the CTN's program, but my advice would be, if you want to take a course, to take the kind of course where you pay for one lesson at a time, so that if you're unhappy with the approach, you haven't lost hundreds of dollars. I wish I had taken my own advice. -- Lee

Ruby7	03 Dec 2003
Hi Lee, You make a very good point. Gemmology is a definite science, since a stone is what it is and nothing else. Gut feeling, can play a part in testing a stone or guessing what it is, but in the end you are either right or wrong and not somewhere in between. Sorry to hear about your disappointment with the astrology courses. I don't know or understand much about astrology, but I had thought that astrology was more of a science. I have decided to pursue what feels right to me at the moment, and that is to read and study, "Meditations on the Tarot, A Journey into Christian Hermeticism" by anonymous. This is a big book and should keep me busy for a while. I think this book will help me reach a new level/depth of understanding of the tarot, which is really what I am yearning for. Appreciate your comments, Ruby7

Rusty Neon	03 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Lee I haven't looked at the CTN's program, but my advice would be, if you want to take a course, to take the kind of course where you pay for one lesson at a time, so that if you're unhappy with the approach, you haven't lost hundreds of dollars. I wish I had taken my own advice. That's the problem with many courses, especially online courses. You can't withdraw early and get at a full or even partial refund. For non-credit tarot and astrology courses taught at school boards (night school - adult general interest) and community college, you can normally withdraw before the second (and sometimes third) class without substantial penalty. That said, some private in-person courses are strictly no-refund, just like the various online courses.

Diana	04 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Ruby7 I have decided to pursue what feels right to me at the moment, and that is to read and study, "Meditations on the Tarot, A Journey into Christian Hermeticism" by anonymous. Anonymous is Valentin Tomberg. http://www.vermontel.com/~vtsophia/kriele1.htm A long long time ago, jmd started up a couple of threads on this book, but he got no response at the time. Perhaps in the New Year, we could start up a study group - and discuss it chapter by chapter?

jmd	04 Dec 2003
...and by coincidence... or synchronicity: Tarot Books & Media: Meditations on the Tarot - revisited :):):)

Lee	04 Dec 2003
Hey, how about the BOTA courses, aren't those pay-as-you-go? I don't know if that's more than you want to get into, Ruby7, it's a lot about tarot but it's also a whole occult philosophy. -- Lee

Ruby7	04 Dec 2003
Now I am really happy :). Diana, I was so happy to find out who anonymous is. His spirit is so warm, genuine, and loving and it made me sad to think that I might not ever know who he was, so a big thank-you!! And jmd (love the Ruby Tuesday song), synchronicity would seem to be at work here. Looking forward to sharing with everybody else who is reading this wonderful book. Off I go to read some more, Ruby7

Red Emma	04 Dec 2003
Lee, Astute observations and insights. It seems that many of us (sometimes I think mostly me) learn lessons from experience. Thanks for helping us learn at least one the easy way -- from someone else's experience. Best wishes, Red Emma

Lee	04 Dec 2003
Thanks, Red Emma! It's funny, while recounting my correspondence course woes, I completely forgot about a tarot correspondence course which I also bought and also found wanting. The tarot course and the two astrology courses were all, by the way, produced by very reputable and well-spoken-of individuals or groups. I think another problem with correspondence courses in occult subjects is that, pedagogically speaking, they're generally not going to be written in such a way as to take advantage of teaching methods and techniques which are known to be effective, whereas a gemmological course like Ruby7's is I think more likely to be. -- Lee

nocturnaldreamr	04 Dec 2003
i never knew you take a course and get certified and have some kinda thing hang up on your wall. i don't think id wanna do that. i like the self taught approach. it's more fufilling i think.

Rusty Neon	05 Apr 2004
The earlier posts in this thread were about the Canadian Tarot Network. See Canadian Tarot Network website: http://www.tarotcanada.com/ctncertificate.html Given the tarot certification upheaval in the States including the demise of the Tarot Certification Board (TCB) there, I understand that a number of people from the States were getting certification through the Canadian Tarot Network. Now I note that there is also the Canadian Tarot Association. According to the website of the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) which arose in the aftermath of the demise of the TCB, the TCBA continues the licence given to Canadian Tarot Association by the TCB "to offer certification upon qualilfied individuals residing in Canada". See TCBA website: http://www.tarotcertification.org/canada/ Does anyone know whether the Canadian Tarot Network and the Canadian Tarot Association are one and the same certification body? Thanks.

ros	06 Apr 2004
I have a couple "diplomas" I wanted these so people thought I was serious about reading. I have taught myself more on my own. No one I have ever read for really cared about my certificates. After reading some of these post I feel people come to get a reading & it is all about TRUST, not what's on the wall. Also the reading is about THEM not us. I just study on my own now to find more information & upgrade my volcabulary so my presentation is well done.

The Certification - Canadian Tarot Network thread was originally posted on 29 Nov 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.