Should I read again?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

craghopper	12 Nov 2003
Hi Many years ago I began reading the Tarot. This was over twenty years ago and I gave no thought to the praise I was receiving from people I would read for. The fact is I seemed to have a talent for it. Some of the reading I gave really seemed to speak to me - to the extent that the accuracy was almost disturbing! I have no reason to bloat my own ego by telling you this, its just the way it was. The bottom line is that in the end I did a couple of readings for myself and the end of a relationship was evident. Not something I wanted nor could avoid according to the cards. This really un-nerved me, and after the relationship did end I was afraid of what else the cards may reveal. This put me off reading them and I have not done so since. It would seem that this is a pity gven that I clearly had a gift and could potentially help others with it. I just became afraid that I couldn't trust that when reading for others I wasn't in fact reading for myself. Can you advise? Regards...

jmd	12 Nov 2003
From your very post, craghopper (and welcome to Aeclectic, by the way), it seems that you want to read again... and I do not think you are so concerned about what you may see in the cards, rather as to whether you can trust yourself to again see as clearly as you could... Much depends on this trust. And faith. Read again - :):):)

craghopper	12 Nov 2003
Thanks for the reply! Not sure what you mean though? Of course I would love to read again. Whether i can or not is I guess debateable. I am not so concerned with that. If I can I can, if I can't I can't... :o) I am more concerned that the last few readings i did seemed to point to an event that was 'immanent' and not a potential. Not a warning that something may happen but a warning that something 'will' happen or am I misunderstanding? I hear from some that the cards give guidance and do not 'tell the future'. They inform us of potential outcomes as opposed to telling us what IS going to happen, is this correct. I know little of the philosophy of the Tarot as you may have guessed only how to read them. Regards

jmd	12 Nov 2003
Some, nay, many, will undoubtedly disagree with what I am about to write. So be it. In most readings, what is shown is propensities or dispositions for events to unfold. The rising school of Tarot interpretation, combined with the laws of many countries, encourages this as the only type. You, however, like many of us, have also seen what is in the process of emerging, or about to happen. Personally, when I see the cards in this fashion, there is a quality about the reading which takes one into a different realm. Nonetheless, there is also the responsibility one has as seer. If something is about to happen, there are many ways which the querent may be engaged. One is by simply spelling out what one sees, without taking repsonsibility as to how or what one speaks. Right speech - one of the petals on the eight-fold path, is required at all times. In the thread on the Four of Disks, I gave an example of seeing mechanical problems with my car. This was 'forseen', and as a result, took the other car. Choices as to how one handles the situation are always present. In a situation in which one clearly sees the demise of a relationship, or the sinking of the Titanic, choices as to not only what one does, but how one responds, may be assisted by the reading. Some will of course say that in the reading of one's own relationship, or in the relationship in which the people are known, what may be revealed are reflectors of what is known deep within, unconsciously... but enough of this post, which is more a general commentary than replying to specific concerns or questions :) If when you read you do see what is immanent, great... How to convey this in appropriate form you are now undoubtedly better equipped than twenty years ago :)

Diana	12 Nov 2003
craghopper: This is my take on whether the cards can tell you the future or not. Many people say "the cards do not tell the future". This makes me laugh. Of course they tell the future, if you ask them what the future will be. (I do this all the time, 'cos I'm a very impatient person, curious, and love to know what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year......) However, very frequently (not always), that future can be changed. If you ask the cards "will my girlfriend leave me", the cards will tell you "yes" or "no". Because you are not asking about what is wrong with your relationship that could improve or worsen matters. So, if you continue the way you are living, without changing your present circumstances or attitudes, then the future is indeed set in stone. However, if you ask the cards "what is wrong with our relationship", "what could be done to improve it", "what are we overlooking".... etc. etc., then you can change that future. Because you can then follow the advice received and with your change of attitude, your relationship will change too. See what I mean? As to your question whether you should read again. My advice would be "yes". The Tarot can be your greatest ally and your most faithful friend. It can even guide you from the darkness into the light. And if you hang around with us on Aeclectic, you'll be in one of the finest cyber-communities that exist on the web, so that is an advantage too!

craghopper	12 Nov 2003
The prediction of a relationship breakup scared me I think. As this made it manifest that there was something that I apparently had no control over - primarily as I had no awareness of the events leading up to it. This is crucial as its apparent that the cards can reveal these things - sureley many of which we don't want to know. I am sounding ambiguous here I know, but there you go!

Diana	12 Nov 2003
craghopper: What exactly is so scary about this? Is it not better to be forewarned?

craghopper	12 Nov 2003
Yes I think it is scary when confronted with a potentially horrific scenario that may happen in the future that we have no control over!

Majecot	12 Nov 2003
Hi Craghopper, I think that it is clear also that you want to read again (otherwise you would not have found your way here for guidance). :) I don't think that anything is set in stone, I think we have the power to make the future change. The choice is ours. You cannot change the past but, but only learn from it. If you continue on the same path, then the outcome will not change. Ask the cards for guidance and they will guide you on how you can change the out come. Of course everyone wants to know what the future has in store for them. I say let the cards guide you through the journey. BTW-Welcome to AT I think you will find many of the answers that you seek here.

craghopper	12 Nov 2003
Thanks..you're all very welcoming! I do want to read again. But after all these years its a big step for me. Pandoras Box maybe???

MeeWah	12 Nov 2003
CragHopper: Welcome to Aeclectic Tarot & to the Talking Tarot forum! Regarding cards forecasting the future: of course they can! At times, without the conscious intent. To be forewarned is to be forewarned. It can serve as guidance in the oft bewildering parameter of the real world towards the decision-making process, the direction, on just about any subject conceivable. It can also reveal the unknown. The ability to read is a gift; but anyone can cultivate it with application. Being a reader carries responsibility for what one does with the information & how imparted. Second-guessing the self has its place but is not always necessary. It can be disempowering; prevent one from the opportunities to enrich the life & the associations to the fullest potential. If ye have not yet, visit Your Readings. Try your hand at one of the threads posted for assistance. The fact that ye are here is significant. Just *do* it. Take the plunge. We look forward to your thoughts & contributions here & elsewhere.

craghopper	12 Nov 2003
How would you feel if you did a reading for yourself and it horrific?

Alissa	12 Nov 2003
craghopper ... I'm going to steal someone else's words here, but I have a question to ask you .... "Why do you read?" This is a big question, I'm not being flippant. If you read to educate yourself, are you fearful of what you may learn? If you read to see future events, are you fearful that you have put those events in motion, simply by being able to "see" them? If you read to help others, are you fearful you will fail at helping them by what you might see? Nietzsche said, I'm paraphrasing, "Beware of looking into the abyss ... it may be looking back." If you are fearful of looking inside yourself, and finding the answers that live there, then No ... you probably shouldn't read Tarot. Tarot is not about Fear. If you are fearful that your ability to see things makes you responsible for them ... you probably shouldn't read. (If one is witness to a car accident, and from afar saw the whole thing happen but was unable to stop the 2 drivers from impact, are they responsible for what they witnessed?) I'll digress for a second. I'm a dancer. I was once TERRIFIED of doing pirouettes on pointe. I would go up to the position on full pointe, but I was terrified of turning once up there. When I told my teacher of my fear, I expected her to say something along the lines of "tough it out, you can do it! Turn and turn and then the fear will leave." "I'm afraid to turn," I confessed. She told me, "Then don't. When you're ready, you won't be afraid." I didn't believe her, but she was right. It took months before I felt comfortable enough to even try (I'm gonna die... I'm gonna crack my ankles ... I'm not strong enough....). When I was ready, I just tried. I was still scared, but by then I was ready to try. If you're not ready to go back to Tarot, forcing yourself and looking for support from others will probably do nothing to make you feel better. If you are ready, but need support from fellow tarot readers, you've come to the right place. (That was why I showed up here well nigh a year and a half ago). Maybe baby-step yourself back to Tarot by pulling a daily card, once a day, only for yourself. You can begin connecting again, slowly, and for yourself. What you see, or don't see, is all for you. Or, if you're not ready ... then don't do it. You'll know when you are. And welcome to Aeclectic.

gloria	12 Nov 2003
Welcome Craghopper, Is it really necessary to read for yourself? If it has this of effect on you, where things you 'see' upset you, why do it? From what you say you obviously have a 'gift' so go on, restart your readings for others and give yourself a break. Gloria.

MeeWah	12 Nov 2003
CragHopper: Regarding your question in response to my post-- Readings, especially self-readings, tend to be very subjective, yet one generally knows even if 'tis a vague notion when something seen resonates. What ye see as "horrific" or bad news may still have mitigating factors. I am not making light of your feelings. Knowledge is power. Knowledge *has*power, so it needs to be wielded carefully, with love. Hence, understanding the responsibility & being comfortable with it are part of the reading process. Personally, I have (fore)seen events of different varieties & some were unpleasant or unhappy events for me or for others. I rarely do actual self-readings simply because I usually receive messages through other than the cards; & I prefer to wait & see rather than risk second-guessing, over-reading (employ cards) & compromise the clarity of the initial impressions. Many years ago, I stopped reading because of a series of things I saw that I was unable to handle. Not reading for others bothered me. Felt guilty; as if I was not being true to myself nor to what I saw as part of my purpose in this lifetime. So what happened? Instead, I experienced prophetic dreams relating to either me, my family or to friends. Also saw things whilst conscious; & during meditation. I had no control over it. (Whence far younger, I had not the experience nor knowledge to be bothered by such occasions, & thought they happened to all.) At that time, I was also undergoing personal upheaval & could not focus on anything other than survival. I stopped meditating; managed on about 3 hours sleep because I was afraid to dream though it was also due to working two jobs & young children. After my life settled down some, I was able to reflect & understand there was a reason. I am not saying this will happen to ye, too. Each of us experiences differently & learns differently. A key phrase may be "the comfort zone". If one is not comfortable with self-readings or reading for others, or has an extreme aversion, then perhaps waiting might be beneficial. Perhaps ye fear the ability; are not ready for the responsibility. In that case, no point in taking on "karma". Ye know the self best. Hang out with us; feel your way around & then see.

MeeWah	12 Nov 2003
Alissa beautifully expresses a lot of sense *&* insight. Think about it. Ditto for Gloria.

Thirteen	12 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by craghopper I do want to read again. But after all these years its a big step for me. Pandoras Box maybe??? Absolutely. But in the original story of Pandora, before it was corrupted by the Greeks, Pandora offered a honey pot of gifts, not a box evil to the world. We all see things coming that we don't want to see. A friend is with a guy who's no good for her, we see it ending badly--but if we tell her this, she ignores it. And sometimes, we know this OURSELVES. We KNOW we're in the wrong job, with the wrong person, or that if we follow this course, it will go horribly wrong. We ignore it, lie to ourselves, pretend otherwise. Put on the rose-colored glasses. Was it that way with you in this relationship? Could you have predicted it without the tarot--or were you really completely convinced that all was well...until you read those cards? Have you ever, in fact, looked back on it and keeping the prediction out of the story, asked--"could I have seen it coming?" Or better--was it a good thing it happened, however unpleasant? Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes, it just rotten. But most times, we learn, and don't make that mistake again, and become better people. Let me put it another way: If you've got the gift, you've got the gift. And it will out, if not in cards, then in other ways--maybe just insight, maybe just seeing that a friend is in the wrong job, with the wrong guy. If it makes you uncomfortable to see YOUR future, don't read for yourself. I don't. If it makes you uncomfortable to see the future for your nearest and dearest, don't read for them. I don't. But don't bottle up a gift. Just because your eyes don't always see pleasant things in this world is no reason to blind yourself.

Star Spirit	12 Nov 2003
If you're as talented as you say, you definitely have a gift. You shouldn't take that for granted, you could have a lot of fun with it. But if you're afraid of bad things happening to you and your life, maybe you should stick to reading for other people :)

The Should I read again? thread was originally posted on 12 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.