How do you study?

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

ros	20 Nov 2003
I've studied for many, many years alone.I speak with a lot of people but never knew anyone who also studied this,therefore I go & get many readings done to see how other readers do things. This place is excellent for conversing & studying . Have you studied alone, took a class or had a buddy to study with?

kelpy	20 Nov 2003
I study mostly on my own, I have a book with beginner cards My friend has been reading for about 6 yrs. (she got my started) So I do go to her once in a while with questions, Or I read the posts here

lilsher	20 Nov 2003
I used to know a couple of people that read. One wasn't the type for sharing that sort of thing; she had a lot of superstitions. The other is my sister-in-law. I think she lost interest in the cards after she had her first child. She has made no mention of them since then, and I don't want to ask why. I like to get my cards out, usually a deck that I don't work with as often, and look at them while I lay on my den floor. I do this when the kids are in school, the baby is napping, and the hubby is at work. It's my "Yay, I'm all alone for awhile" ritual. :) I have tons of printed out papers about symbolism, spreads, and just various takes on the cards that I also like to read now and then. And of course, reading every thing on the internet is study in itself. I have a lot of fun looking at my Halloween Tarot and Osho Zen deck. I just sit there and go "hmmm...." I have never actually gone and had a professional reading for myself. That might be interesting.

firestorm	20 Nov 2003
I study by myself. Like lilsher, working with my cards is "me" time. I like this forum because everyone is so knowledgeable and I can get any question I have answered. I haven't taken a class, but I'm considering it.

Star Spirit	20 Nov 2003
I also study alone :)

Requiella	20 Nov 2003
I study alone. I have a tarot notebook that I keep, continually adding things along. Basically, it's a huge 3" ring binder, and I have sections for each of the majors and for each rank of the minors. Basically, the notebook contains notes taken from many different sources, as well as my own ideas. As for studying with other people, that would be interesting, but I don't even know anyone IRL who's into tarot!

VGimlet	21 Nov 2003
I study alone, because I tend to go way beyond what most people would find interesting. I wouldn't mind studying with someone, or a group in person though. I haven't had much luck with online study groups, I tend to get side tracked, and get behind, and pretty soon I need to start over....LOL....

Keslynn	21 Nov 2003
I don't really feel like I study. Sometimes I admire my decks or do readings, but no actual plan of study. When I started out, I read voraciously and bought a lot of decks (tarotholism!) so I guess that would count. I've had several professional readings done for me. Mostly it's just to see how people do it and also to get some additional perspective. I also sat in on a tarot class that a friend was holding. It was a wonderful experience. She taught meditation techniques and relations to life cycles rather than just plain card meanings. I definitely would like to do a class/workshop again. It's nice to broaden horizons. But mostly, I work witht he tarot alone. :) Kes

Majecot	21 Nov 2003
I study alone, mostly, and keep a notebook, I have done a lot of journaling.. I find for me that is the best way... and I have a buddy that I can brainstorm and play with :)

spoonbender	21 Nov 2003
I also study alone, but definitely wouldn't mind someone to occasionally study with in person; I think that could be very insightful... I know my niece has a tarot deck, but I don't see her that often and don't know if she's really in to it... I keep a notebook and a Word-document, and constantly add things to it that I read on the net and that seem interesting... I sometimes feel though that I read too much about Tarot instead of actually doing readings... Warm regards, Spoonbender

Jewel-ry	21 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by spoonbender I sometimes feel though that I read too much about Tarot instead of actually doing readings... Warm regards, Spoonbender Oh spoonbender! This is soooooo me. I have to MAKE myself stop reading the books and researching things otherwise I wouldnt do any readings. I love the whole 'study' thing! Jewel-ry

Mystic Zyl	21 Nov 2003
Always with a glass of wine and my cats snuggled around me.

Moonbow*	21 Nov 2003
When I get a new deck, I study it first,( just incase theres a new perspective on somehting that I didn't know). Also, I find that the artist sometimes has a new perspective on a card. Then, I try to get straight into the deck and do a personal reading. I can usually get some idea of how I react to a deck by doing this. One of the first readings I do with a new deck is: How will myself and .......... deck, get along together? Moonbow*

Aerten	21 Nov 2003
Outside and alone, but since the advent of autumn (and the loss of leaves on the trees) I'm visible to my neighbours, so I usually just make sure to be in front of a big window. I get the most energy just from looking into the woods... etrange, n'est-ce pas? I don't have any friends that are into tarot, so I'm pretty much on my own...

dadsnook2000	21 Nov 2003
I've been fortunate enough to be part of a new Tarot club in my area. Some 8 to 10 are part of the initial group. Like everyone else it was always just me-myself-and-I with the study bit. I'm hoping this new group really develops. Look around this list and others you might belong to so as to find others in your area, or put out a notice like one of us did. I can happen and it makes a big difference. Dave.

TemperanceAngel	23 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by ros I've studied for many, many years alone.I speak with a lot of people but never knew anyone who also studied this,therefore I go & get many readings done to see how other readers do things. This place is excellent for conversing & studying . Same as you, I study alone, people who read from the shop I read from don't understand it. Glad to hear you are out there! ;) XTAX

Logiatrix	24 Nov 2003
It's mostly been a solitary/cyber journey for me, as well. I don't mind studying alone, but I initially missed having people with whom I could discuss tarot. Thank God/ess for Aeclectic! :D Before I found Aeclectic, I was so enthusiastic about tarot that I wanted to talk to everyone about it! I took a class on "Intuition and the Tarot," where I think I scared the other students, because I was so hungry for other people to discuss it with...I even frightened a woman away from the tarot cabinet at Borders, just for asking me a simple "what deck should I purchase?" }) I've mellowed now...the newness has worn off, but the love remains. I've also met a few people who, though not as devoted as me, enjoy the cards as well (one of them was yet another victim at the tarot cabinet at Borders ;) ). I'm not in the habit of getting readings, simply because I read for myself...but that might be something I should consider... I've had two readings in person, one from a fairly prominent local psychic who used the "Mah-Jong Fortunetelling Cards," and another from a friend's son, who's been reading for a while. Overall, my main tarot study is done alone, with conference time here on Aeclectic. :)

Bean Feasa	24 Nov 2003
I study alone, don't know anyone yet who is interested in Tarot - except my sister and she's as new as myself at it. Also she lives in another town and has 5 children so when I visit her we don't get a chance to talk about Tarot much. So Aeclectic is a great support and resource for me. When I was little and wanted more on my plate than I could eat my mother used to say 'your eyes are bigger than your belly'. It's a bit like that with Tarot at the moment - I've bought a lot of decks with books and they're all waiting for me to pay them some attention - unfortunately I just don't have the time to do them justice at the moment. I've read 78 Degrees of Wisdom, and Isabel Kliegman's book on the Minor Arcana, both fantastic, and am practising readings (on myself mostly) with the Universal Waite, Tarot of Prague and World Spirit. I have Tarot of the Spirit and the Haindl set aside with their books, ready to be studied in depth. I just like knowing they are there, waiting... Yummm! Looking forward to Christmas when I'll have some time off work, and can indulge my Tarot studies to my heart's content.

Agathe	24 Nov 2003
I took a class and it was great. But as all of you guys, I just had to do a lot of work myself. I really enjoyed it though :o). Also, I've never had a journal but I'm thinking of starting one. That can be very interesting :o).

baba-prague	24 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mystic Zyl Always with a glass of wine and my cats snuggled around me. But how do you stop the cats either chewing the books or the cards? My cats are usually very well-behaved, but give your attention to a piece of paper and they change! Seriously, I study in a very disorganised way, I have to admit. I read a lot, but in bursts. I honestly find I learn most when I'm designing cards - I'm always better when I have some very practical application because it forces me to think (apart from that I am naturally lazy and only think if I have to lol). I find reading at a tangent - reading fairy stories, books about magic and so on - is also helpful. Recently I seem to have been getting "blocked" on readings and I suspect that this means I am realigning some of my interpretations so I take it as a good, if frustrating, sign. Because we are working on a new deck which has a very different feel about it I really find I have to think afresh so this forces me back to the books quite often. I know some people here don't approve of books. But you don't have to follow them slavishly of course. For me a well-written book is just great for sparking off thoughts. Currently I am on the Vertigo book and the Dali one (both Pollack and both very good - I find the contrast between them interesting, the same author but with a different slant - good to see).

casia	24 Nov 2003
I study alone, reading a bunch of books and going into different sites. But mostly I´ve learned alot from Aeclectic and reading all your comments. Thankyou.

The How do you study? 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.