If you dont understand it, you need it.

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

Inana	01 Nov 2003
I dont know if this has been discussed before. But is an idea that has crossed my mind and want to see what do you think. Each of us has a hard time understanding some of the cards, and those cards arent the same for everyone. Is there the posibility that the cards we find difficult to understand are the ones carrying the concepts we dont have mastered or integrated enough in our personality? Im thinking more on the Major Arcana here. For example, I have had always a hard time understanding the Hierophant. Saw it and... ok, a teacher, authority, the group, and...what else? Then thought its not easy for me to accept authority or compromise. Same happened with the Emperor or the Fool. Others are still hard to understand. And its kind of interesting that when i've understood better the card i've found less difficult to deal with that concepts on my real life. Is this one of the meanings of tarot as a tool for development or is just me going mad?

Woof	01 Nov 2003
I see your point, makes some sense to me! But that's one of the reason own more than one deck. Some decks really impact your understanding of the card. That may be because they bring a facet to light that resonates with you and helps you address that lesson you need to learn from the card. For instance. I couldn't get anything positive out of the Heirophant until I got the Haindl. World Spirit helped me with the 2 and 3 of wands/rods/staves. Woof

skytwig	01 Nov 2003
I think our Awareness deepens as we learn more, however, there is nothing as explanatory as actual experience of the card or some aspect of the card. Transformation, for instance, really cannot be understood until we experience a transformation.... as we grow and develop, especially spiritually and emotionally, we come to understand the experiences within the Tower and Death cards. Most of us come to appreciate those concepts, although, i'm sure some of us dread their appearance...... Most of us on the Path of Tarot will eventually confront, embrace, maybe even fight each aspect of the Tarot at some point in our lives.... I think the cards describe the human experience fairly well... and everytime we do, we shall come to understand the related cards more deeply. That may mean. also, that our understanding will not only deepen, but it may change, and it may change dramatically.... I personally like that experience. I now view the Fool entirely differently than i did before, thanks to Diana :) ... but my current understanding actually matches my spirituality better than before..... so, in the long run.... it's all cool! :)

Astra	01 Nov 2003
I'd make one minor change to your statement - if you don't understand it, it may well be worth exploring. Theoretically, it's good to understand all parts of yourself. Practically, that process can take up the majority of your time for 30 years, and still not be complete - partly because each time you get new understanding, it opens up new areas to look at, and the process is never ending. So it's good to recognize which cards/styles/symbols give you problems, but it may not be something you need to do anything about, other than noting and remembering that it's a cloudy or confused area for you. On the other hand, if you're going to do some internal digging anyway, these cards do give you a great pointer as to where to start.

Star Spirit	01 Nov 2003
Quote: Is there the posibility that the cards we find difficult to understand are the ones carrying the concepts we dont have mastered or integrated enough in our personality? That may very well be. At least it would explain a lot.

Inana	03 Nov 2003
Skytwig-- You mean first comes the experience in life and then one can understand those concepts in the cards better? Thats for sure. Gives us a more deep sense on the card and keys about how manage it. I supose the way to knowledge can come from exterior to interior or viceversa. But it was kind of curious when i was looking at some cards wich inspired me zero feelings and noticed that were the ones symbolizing what i lack or have trouble with. Thats why i was wondering if happens the same to the other people here. Astra--- I believe we are construncting ourselves until the last minute, we change. So I agree we are always discovering new stuff about us. Maybe its enough identifying the blur areas. But i feel is needed to explore that ones in order of experiencing and growing. Or at least the ones that can give more trouble. Anyway soon or later we will face those. Woof-- Looking through diffenet decks helps a lot sometimes. I dont know the Haindl, so will try to give a look to that Hierophant. Is nice when happens that. You see a card and have the flash you needed to get the meaning.

skytwig	03 Nov 2003
It may be, too, that those specific cards are appealing to you for greater exploration. Maybe the Hierophant is appealing to you to dive into history and texts and meditation on the symbols of those cards which befuddle you. Curiosity often looks like confusion.....

Star Spirit	03 Nov 2003
Well I think confusion can lead to curiosity, as well :>

The If you dont understand it, you need it. thread was originally posted on 01 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.