How did you learn to read

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

kelpy	20 Nov 2003
Okay! New question, My friend bought my a beginner set of tarot Juliet Sharman-Burke to be exact. anyway the book starts with cups, it says to spread the suit out in front of you examine the cards then read about each card. when you finish reading about all the cups card (and each suit after that) you should only do readings with that suit until you become confident in your knowledge of each one. What I was wondering is if any one else has studied this way or should I just use the whole deck. My friend thinks I should use the whole deck and look them up if nessecary. I

Umbrae	20 Nov 2003
Back when I began, there were few books; especially in Portalnd Oregon. So I learned to read by reading the cards...often actually not thinking about meanings, but rather 'what the cards are saying'. So it's kind of like listening to images rather than looking at images...I know it's confusing...but it's how I learned.

Jen	20 Nov 2003
kelansta, I have that set as well. I haven't gone all the way through it, but I think it's a nice way to learn. It sounds like it would really anchor the meanings in your mind. I don't think there's a wrong way to learn tarot. ;)

lilsher	20 Nov 2003
If you are looking for a good beginner book, I recommend Joan Bunning's Learning the Tarot. It has a lot of exercises for the beginner to use when first starting your study. She also gives a great overview of each of the cards and keywords. I still read that book now and then just because I love the way she talks about the cards. You can also visit her website which has her Tarot course. The exercises there should get you off to a good start. I would use the whole deck in your study. There will be some cards that have clear meanings and you'll have no trouble with and then some that you'll stare at awhile going "uh..." Just jump in there and see what happens. Go with your gut and have fun! :) Duh! I forgot to give the address for her site. Earth to Sherri. :P http://www.learntarot.com/

Star Spirit	20 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Back when I began, there were few books; especially in Portalnd Oregon. So I learned to read by reading the cards...often actually not thinking about meanings, but rather 'what the cards are saying'. So it's kind of like listening to images rather than looking at images...I know it's confusing...but it's how I learned. I wish I was forced to learn that way, Umbrae. It could have been very enlightening! I read books, opinions, and use my intuition. I try to rely more on my intuition though.

Majecot	20 Nov 2003
I find the best way is to just do it. Keep doing three cards readings and journal each card to help you remember the meanings... and relax a little ;)

meydi	20 Nov 2003
kelansta, i'm new to this board too but not to tarot. tarot has been in my life since i was 7 years old. the best advice i can give to you is open yor mind to a new way of thinking. tarot is about inner peace. let the cards teach you. maybe try to do one card readings for now. read the meaning in the book and then let that soak in. don't try so hard to get it right away. i still learn something new about tarot everyday. open the minds eye and the meaning will come to you. hope this helps

jog1118	21 Nov 2003
joan bunning's site (mentioned here already) and aeclectic tarot were my foundations in reading the tarot + frequent readings. REALLY...I LOVE AT!!! :smoker:

mercenary30	21 Nov 2003
Joan Bunning (the book) and AT were also my path to tarot. Studying decks and the books that go with them is also a good part. But I would agree with Umbrae, since it was his article that got me started on it, that journaling is probably the best way to learn and grow in tarot.

Sulis	21 Nov 2003
I also learned with Joan Bunning's book although I wish that I'd learned in a more intuitive way as I thought that the keyword system limited me for quite a while - I just couldn't get those keywords out of my head and I think there is so much more to a tarot card than a bunch of keywords. I would suggest keeping a tarot journal. Pull one card a day, look at it and then write down what you see, even the things which seem really obvious. Then write down what you think the card means. Only when you've really studied it look in a book (a good one like Mary K Greer's 'Tarot Reversals') and compare your meanings. Look for the energies of that card in your daily life - that way you get an idea of what that card means to you. You remember it better that way - well I do. Journaling and Aeclectic have taught me at least as much if not more than the books I've read Good luck on your tarot jouney. Love and light Sulis

kelpy	21 Nov 2003
Thanks everyone for your input- I had my first reading lastnight ( they read my cards) It was like the light bulb went on for the first time Its all falling into place now before lastnight I didnt understand how to read the cards or how they all fit together I was trying to memorize the symbols and the exact meanings in the book, and trying to apply the litteral meanings to what ever I was thinking about at the time I just didnt get it but now...I cant explain it (I sound silly now Im sure) but its like seeing the first snow fall through your childs eyes again for the first time Make sense? anyway thank you for your input.

lilsher	21 Nov 2003
Wow, Sulis, you were actually able to remember those keywords? I couldn't remember them for the life of me. I wasn't able to learn that way because of that. I do think that they are a bit confining, but the way she elaborates on her keywords really opens a beginner's mind to the wide range of possibilities in each card.

Majecot	22 Nov 2003
Not everybody can learn by the same method. The best thing to do is to find what works for you.. I have journaled meanings of cards, and keywords that would help me to remember them, but I think that, in the end, what makes the card memorable are the emotions that they leave with you. An that is what I am finally learning to do. Key words can be a good tool to use for a memory trigger, but for me it does not sum up the meaning. Sulis, I know what you mean about getting the keywords stuck in your head.. I have a couple of decks that I love, but that have keywords, and I wish they weren't on them. Kelansta, I hope that having now had your cards read will help you to comprehend better. Keep that journal of your readings. It helps as you grow, and to look back on them after a time will show your own journey... I wish that I had kept my old journals from the first time my cards were read and from when I began to read... I think the story would have been very interesting to read. Good luck :)

Tallarico	22 Nov 2003
I have no set method...(I am still learning.) I do different things: look at the card look it up in a book ask a friend here read the lwb go by feeling go by the layout and especially search the forums. I love reading what everyone here has to say! This is a great site!

rota	22 Nov 2003
Doesn't it seem as though the majority of us readers here are self-taught? By that I mean to say that, while it's certainly possible to read tarot in a classroom setting, or from a single teacher, those don't seem to be the most common avenues to learning tarot, at least here in Aeclectic. I'm one of the self-taught types myself, although I'm aware of tarot teachers nearby, and tarot classes that I could take if I were so inclined. I'd like to hear from someone here who has gone the more formal route, and learned tarot in a class, and find out their impressions of that type of learning.

The How did you learn to read thread was originally posted on 20 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.