What I have learned from AT

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Chronata	13 Jan 2004
So, I was looking over my habits, as this is the new year, and the time for me to examine what makes me tick, so to speak. And I realised that I have only been on Aeclectic for 6 months...and in that time I have learned a great many things. I have been reading and studying the tarot for a couple of decades, but I have found that there are still issues that I need to work on, and ideas that still elude me, and old habits that I need to shake myself out of, in order to try something new... So, here is my short list(as I think about it I will likely add more!) WHAT I HAVE LEARNED SINCE JOINING AECLECTIC: People refer to the Rider Waite deck, more often as the Rider Waite Smith! (yay artist recognition!) No matter how much I hate them, and how much I dislike the idea of doing them...Reversals will not kill me!(at least they have not yet...Thank you Lark!) There are way too many damn decks out there, that I will never afford... I am completely fascinated by the historical aspects of ther tarot (even though I am way too chicken to post my thoughts among the glowing and very intelligent Literati of the History and Iconography forum!) I am still afraid to reveal my working deck on the Creation Forum (although I am working up to it...) I am not alone in my tarotholism of collecting... People I have never met face to face, are some of my greatest friends! This Forum has become the most wonderfully supportive community of tarot-loving nut jobs that I have ever seen! People here are very open, curious, creative, respectful, smart, genuinely concerned, and amazingly friendly! I love it here!

miss_apples	13 Jan 2004
wow...you read my mind! I was thinking of starting a thread such as this! I think the most important thing I learned here was that there is no right or wrong way of reading tarot. I used to obsess over whether I was shuffling the cards right and what not...and I learned here that all that stuff doesnt matter. Whatever I think works best is the way i should do it.

Aerten	13 Jan 2004
I agree, Chronata, it's great here! It's one of the most respectful message boards I've ever been on (no one jumps on me for making stupid posts, teehee) and I've learned tons. Before I found this site I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of people were so interested in tarot for so many different sorts of reasons. There are people here with every type of job, of every age, in many parts of the world... it's really wild! I also have to agree with you on the reversals issue. I'm usually too lazy/confused to use them, but after reading threads about them I think I've built up my confidence a little bit. These boards have expanded my knowledge of every card I draw and it's fantastic.

Chronata	13 Jan 2004
I must also add to my WHAT I LEARNED list.... that the Hierophant no longer makes me cringe when he rears his righteous little head in my readings... and that all my favorite decks are considered "Fluffy" (which is really all right by me!)

Star Spirit	14 Jan 2004
Basically what all you people said haha.... same things :)

miss_apples	14 Jan 2004
By the way Chronata...come on...spill it...what deck ya using :p Im just teasing you.

Agathe	14 Jan 2004
What more can I add? Not much I guess. I've been here for a little less than 2 months and I've learned so much about tarot I had not learnt before. I am still afraid to offer a reading but I'm getting there :D. Blessings, Agathe

Vynara	14 Jan 2004
I aline my thoughts with Agathe. Except I've been here.. a little more than a week. =D

baba-prague	14 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Chronata I am still afraid to reveal my working deck on the Creation Forum (although I am working up to it...) PLEASE don't be afraid. You probably know almost everyone who is a regular on the Creation forum and people are generally positive and can give really useful feedback. Come on, come on, please show us your work!

ros	14 Jan 2004
I have learned -confidence, - some of my ideas are right, -I learned I need a dictionary I learned I'm not the only person who makes mistakes! Thanks for helping me along ! lol

Cerulean	14 Jan 2004
and change it for a bit.... I've been learning to be a decent reader and explorer of different art themes and about many different decks. I've been able to enjoy sharing with many here. Best wishes, Mari H.

lark	15 Jan 2004
This is what I have learned. That there are Collectors, Readers and Collectoreaders. Collectors and Readers seem like a happy, contented lot. Collectoreaders seem confused :confused: Collectors: These are people who have concentrated on collecting decks. They know all the hot web sites, Ebay sends them personal updates, birthday greetings and they exchange Christmas cards. No deck is to obscure, expensive or ugly for them to collect. Consideration is paid to card backs, card stock, card width and aroma. If a new deck is to be released in their lifetime they know the date, time and hour of it's release in their country and any adjoining country within a 100,000 mile radius. If you ask them how the deck reads they will say" I've never read with it but I enjoy thumbing through it over a cup of coffee." As long as there is one more deck out there to collect, they are a happy camper. A delightful group. Readers: Readers take tarot reading very seriously. Cards, smards, it's not about what the cards look like it's about what they say. Discussion can go on for reams of scrolling forum posts about what that little thing under the window on the 4 of Swords is. They spend most of there time in the Reading Exchange forum. And if you try to talk to them about a new deck release they will say" New Deck? What do I need a new deck for? I've had this deck for 40 years and it's still got alot of life left in it. Look you can still see some color on the cards." I admire there spunk.... Collectoreaders: These people are just plain confused. There's not enough time in the day for all they want to acomplish. Collecting, reading, learning what to do first? They try to use as many decks as they can, because they have pangs of guilt over the ones they've collected and haven't used. Clutching two or three decks they ponder which one should be used for their daily spread. Baring any rational decision they wander around the house in a daze muttering " Well, Lark likes the Robin Wood, but Sulis likes the Morgan Greer. Then there's Diana's favorite Marseilles, and what about that cute little Ferret deck I just had to have?" Unable to make a decission they turn to the forum where they surf the new posts in quest of the perfect, book, deck, card meaning or incense fragrance. Least you think I'm being to hard on these folks this is the catagory I fit into. I have also learned what lol means. :)

Majecot	15 Jan 2004
I think have learned more in the last few months about tarot than I have in the last eight years.. and..... that there is a whole community of people here willing to help with just about anything. and......that I have some nearby neighbors that share the same interests. "Hi Chronata" *waves* and some far away ones *waving across the oceans* ...and no matter what time of day or night it is I always have someone to talk tarot too :D ....and that someone that has never met me and is miles and miles away, can read my cards and be oh so right ( who woulda thunk it) I am learning to trust my intuition more and be a better reader. I am learning to write better journals. I learned how to change the color of my and I am learning to preview my posts before I submit :laugh:

Sulis	15 Jan 2004
Lark, your post made me chuckle. I've learned that you can make very real friends of people you've never met and are never likely to meet. I've learned to trust my intuition. I've learned to stop being such a wuss because if I just go with it then I can read. I've learned that there are some very lovely people out there. I've learned that there are some very lovely tarot decks out there ;) Love and light Sulis xx

Diana	15 Jan 2004
I've mainly learned that I know practically nothing about Tarot and that I have not even begun my journey - just started planning for it. Now, what should I put in my bag? I think I'll travel light. Just a sword, a baton, a coin and a cup should be enough. And I mustn't forget my Tarot of Marseille. Okay guys! See you one of these days - I'm off on my Tarot journey and God knows when I will return. But of course, we are all fellow travellers, so I shall probably see you on the way. We could have a drink at the inns together and talk about our adventures.

Mimers	15 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark Collectoreaders: These people are just plain confused. There's not enough time in the day for all they want to acomplish. Collecting, reading, learning what to do first? They try to use as many decks as they can, because they have pangs of guilt over the ones they've collected and haven't used. Clutching two or three decks they ponder which one should be used for their daily spread. Baring any rational decision they wander around the house in a daze muttering " Well, Lark likes the Robin Wood, but Sulis likes the Morgan Greer. Then there's Diana's favorite Marseilles, and what about that cute little Ferret deck I just had to have?" Unable to make a decission they turn to the forum where they surf the new posts in quest of the perfect, book, deck, card meaning or incense fragrance. Least you think I'm being to hard on these folks this is the catagory I fit into. I have also learned what lol means. :) OMG, Lark, that's me! LOL You described me to a T! I have learned that I don't have to read reversals if I don't want to. That there are beautiful, caring people all over the world that are interested in the same things as me. There will always be room for one more deck in my collection That I can read with non scenic pips The Marseilles is not an ugly old deck. It is a beautiful old deck that holds the mysteries of the beginings of Tarot. This place is amazing! Mimi

Indigo Rose	15 Jan 2004
I have learned I AM NOT ALONE on this Tarot journey. I have learned that Tarot people are truly (A+) ECLECTIC!! I have learned that I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN, and a lot to SHARE. I have learned that there are some GREAT and LOVING souls here on AT. I have learned that I AM GLAD TO BE HERE, and hope to stay a while. BLESSINGS ALL, Indigo Rose

Dr Strangelove	15 Jan 2004
Having only started with the tarot in the past month and having only been resident here for a couple of days. I tell you it feels like i'm at the bottom of this humongous mountain (i think that's how you spell it) any way it's big and the peak is shrouded in cloud, but it seems like the kind of place i want to be. The one thing i've learnt from my short time here is that there is an incredible amount to learn and know. And that people around here don't mind the odd dumb question :D. For the moment i'm gonna focus on getting me a journal started, afterall you've got to start somewhere. I hope to see you futher up the mountain. P.S. Hey i just learnt how to put smilies in the message! See you do learn something new everyday.

Bean Feasa	15 Jan 2004
just how much more you can learn from and (maybe more importantly) WITH other people than by studying alone. It's like a massive speed-learning course in Tarot here... and... that however much you think you've got to the bottom of any card or any throw - there's always (at least) another layer. :) Kate

Alex	16 Jan 2004
I've learned to stay and enjoy the company of people I enjoy and that I regard as friends. That noise is noise and should be treated as such. Alex.

jmd	16 Jan 2004
...what wonderful contributions. Aeclectic's community never ceases to amaze me, and provide insights, questions, tolerance, reflections, worth, lightness, seriousness, community, and friendships... ...but I can't resist }): Aeclectic has also shown me that sometimes, noise is not noise... ...and that each little seed planted may bear fruit in unexpected ground - and that I too can be that ground. :):):)

miss_apples	17 Jan 2004
I would like to add that I also learned that I dont have to read reversals. I learned to read tarot with them and thought thats what you have to do. Granted Im still going to read them, but at least now I know if I absolutly feel like I dont want to...then I can choose to do so.

Alex	17 Jan 2004
I'm so glad the world has all these people who are nicer and more tolerant than myself }) In fact I've learned a whole lot in aclectic and most of what I know about Tarot I've learned here. But shure there have been times I thought I couldn't stand one more loging in, just because of the physical impossibility to just smack some folks on the face }) jmd, not you though: you're a sweety. Alex The spirit of light, of peace and compassion }):[list] Quote: Originally posted by jmd ...what wonderful contributions. Aeclectic's community never ceases to amaze me, and provide insights, questions, tolerance, reflections, worth, lightness, seriousness, community, and friendships... ...but I can't resist }): Aeclectic has also shown me that sometimes, noise is not noise... ...and that each little seed planted may bear fruit in unexpected ground - and that I too can be that ground. :):):)

The What I have learned from AT thread was originally posted on 13 Jan 2004 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.