Why Study Tarot? / Most Common Tarot Misconceptions
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| horoskope88 |
14 Jan 2004 |
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Hey everyone,
As some of you may know from reading one of my threads off the Your Readings section of the forum, I'm (planning?) to organize a Tarot-group at my highschool. I (should be! *crosses fingers*) making a case to Student Activities next week, and I'm using this week to solidify my thoughts.
This is where the forum comes in. :D
To make a persuasive case, I'm going to need to present a lot of positive reasons the highschool should allow such a group, reasons that'll really help me sell my idea.
So, my first question is, why study Tarot/what are the benifits of studying Tarot?
Some of the reasons I have come up with are:
Psychology: By studying Tarot, students will be introduced to many concepts of psychology and the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Tarot, jsut like Rorshach inkblot and Thematic Apperception tests, is a tool for tapping into the subconscious mind. In fact, some pyschologists and therapists are turning to Tarot with their patients when more traditional methods fail.
Color Imagery/Theory (?): Since earliest times, humans have realized the signifigance of color in their lives. Imprinted into your subconscious mind, different colors evoke different connotations, associations, thoughts, feelings, and ways of being. (In our English class, we were told to tag for examples of color imagery in the novel we were assigned. Students can recognize color imagery easier after studying Tarot?)
Also, in suggesting such a Tarot group, I realize I'm going to be confronted by many of the misconceptions surrounding Tarot. The cards have a negative reputation for those who dont understand them.
So my second question is, what are some Tarot misconception you have been confronted with, and how did you explain why it was false?
For example, when I was in jr high, a teacher told me to put my cards away because he knows "that they are used for some religious rites," are "linked ot some religions"and that he could find me "proof" of that. I wasnt so knowledgeable in Tarot back then, or else I would have explained to him that theTarot simply depicts archetypal situations and teachings that all humans experience. Because of this, they can be used in conjunction to an individuals' spritiual path, but they need not be. The group I'm organizing, I;ll have to explain will not have any denominational intentions.
Thanks for any feedback
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| HudsonGray |
14 Jan 2004 |
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Not to mention all those memorization skills that the kids would find useful in the real world....
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| miss_apples |
15 Jan 2004 |
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Definatly let them know that Tarot is not a religious thing.
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| allibee |
15 Jan 2004 |
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Most importantly, they are just ink on paper MUCH like the inkblot tests ...
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| Sulis |
15 Jan 2004 |
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Tarot helps to develop the art of storytelling. This will help students in their other subjects as well.
One of the main misconceptions I've heard of (although I've never had it said to me) is that tarot comes from the devil and if you use it you'll be inviting dark entities and spirits into your life if you go near it.
Love and light
Sulis xx
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| Simone |
15 Jan 2004 |
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You mentioned psychology. You could also mention intuition: psychology theories are nothing without intuitive understanding...
Light and love
Simone
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| allibee |
15 Jan 2004 |
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Originally posted by Sulis
One of the main misconceptions I've heard of (although I've never had it said to me) is that tarot comes from the devil
Used to be called the devil's picturebook I seem to remember, LOL
Another note that could be raised is that through the study of the tarot - its archetypes and psychology - it will help your fellow students learn more about not only themselves, but to uderstand others too, thus making them more rounded individuals and (even) more valuable to society
:)
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| Kiama |
15 Jan 2004 |
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I had to make a similar case to my Mother in order to convince her that me giving my little sister a Tarot deck (she's 12) would be a good and healthy idea.
I said that Tarot can aid in the lessons in school, mostly English. Why? Because part of the Tarot is based on interpreting and analysing symbols, then drawing all of them together into a coherent whole (the reading). This is a skill that is essential to have in English literature, since you have to analyse things like poems, plays, and stories using exactly the same processes.
Tarot I think also aids the person in their communicative abilities, since they are basically forced to express these symbols and archetypes in words that others can understand: so, they get practice at communicating to others in an easily understandable way.
Also, things like keeping a Tarot journal or doing a daily draw exercise will help the student get used to daily study: something else that is essential if you want to do well at school!
Tarot can also help you understand your self better aswell, and I think this gives alot of people more confidence in themselves. Also, as with any hobby somebody undertakes, learning it and doing it well is an immense confidence-booster. Learning something new does the same thing, and keeps the student's mind open to new ideas constantly.
So, I hope this helps, and I hope you get the group started! It's an excellent idea, and I wish you the best of luck. :D
Blessings,
Kiama
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| KelarSkye |
15 Jan 2004 |
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Many tarot decks and books help you to understand tarot by following it as a grail quest, which is a classic literary concept in Western Literature. It starts with the fool seeking the grail and take him/her on the various lesson needs to develop into the complete person they need to be before they can find and hold the grail.
By studying tarot you study the symbolism of many cultures and many groups. Many decks are based deeply in mythology and history, some deep in psychoanalysis. A good thing to point out is that when people study tarot, they don't simply memorize wrote meanings of cards and regurgitate them the same way at each reading. Each deck has a new history to discover, and you have to understand the theory behind the deck before you can read it well.
And in fact, tarot is a never ending study. There is no definitive end, there is always something more. I definitely instills the value of lifelong learning, rather than learning ending at the close of class or when you leave school.
Hope this helps add a few points for you.
Kelar
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| spoonbender |
15 Jan 2004 |
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I found this thread very interesting, but am afraid that I don’t have much to add. So sorry if I’ll be repeating things already said!
Tarot is not only used by artists to showcase their art, but Tarot also makes you interested in art. Decks like the Tarot of Bruegel and the Tarot of Dürer have made me want to look more into the lives and art of those famous artists.
In the same way, you can learn a lot about mythology from Tarot. Mythological attributions to the cards give you more insight in the cards and in the myths. Decks like the Mythic Tarot and the Olympus Tarot have made me brush up on my mythology.
This is also what literature can do, Tarot can give you more insight in the characters. For instance, on an exam, I once had to compare a poem by Sappho to a poem by Catullus (who based his on Sappho’s poem). I realised after a while that I was actually describing the Magician (Catullus) and the High Priestess (Sappho). This made it, for me, much easier to bring into words the feeling that I got from the two poems. It turned out to be a really good exam too!
Like Sulis said, Tarot helps you tell stories. I once had to write a story at an English exam and picked Tarot cards (in my mind!) to help me tell it. The story turned out to be really good and I got good grades for it.
Tarot can also teach you a lot about history and philosophy. (Just the other day I was reading a theory of Spinoza and it was like reading a theory on the Chariot!) Just go take a look at some threads on the History and Iconography Forum! Boy!
I hope this helped and wish you all the luck with that Tarot-group!
Spoonbender
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| WalesWoman |
15 Jan 2004 |
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As I read this thread I was trying to remember life as a teenager. One of the things that I think Tarot does is raise levels of self-esteem, self-respect and understanding. I think of all the dumb things I did then and how Tarot might have helped me understand WHY I was doing them. It was a fun time, but it was hell too. I think it would help kids find themselves and the direction in their lives that seem so vague, unknown and down right scary and make them feel they have more control in their destiny having the tools to look within and discover what choices they do have.
Who knows, it could be a long term study to see if kids who learn to use Tarot have higher graduation rates, if teen pregnancy goes down, drug and alcohol use goes down, if there would be less depression and suicides in that group, if more of the kids go on to college and have a more satisfying life? I think one of the best things about learning Tarot is the sense of self empowerment, not inflated ego, but that sense of taking your life in control and not just being at the mercy of Fate. Not all the lessons I've learned from reading Tarot have been pleasant, but they sure have been illuminating areas of my life that I'd been keeping in the dark and haunting me forever, subconsciously sabotaging myself by making decisions based on things from the past rather than REAL choices based on understanding myself and what I want and need in life.
I hope it works out for you to start this study group.
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| Cerulean |
15 Jan 2004 |
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I see more suggestions that would be great for me to print out on my own.
I was wondering if links to the decks mentioned help for the students to see for themselves...for instance, I now remember
theme decks based on psychology tarots such as the Jungian and mythological ones like the beautifully popular Mythic...I know of a writing friend who doesn't really use tarot very much, but when she does, she uses the Mythic by Juliet Sharman Burke for warm and friendly ideas and reflective thoughts.
I'll post Mythic and Jungian links a little later when I'm back from work, if others don't by tonight.
Mari H.
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| CreativeFire |
16 Jan 2004 |
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Some really good suggestions here which have covered most of my immediate ideas.
However, came across a thread the other day on AT which brought my attention to a book about incorporating Tarot usage in the corporate world which I thought was very interesting and one I have now put on my wish list.
This sort of approach might also work to help get your study group of the ground ... also may help show how times are changing and Tarot is being incorporated into areas of business - here is a link to the thread.
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21252&highlight=mcelroy
Good luck
CreativeFire
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| Aerten |
17 Jan 2004 |
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Ohhh, great luck to you, Horoskope! I don't have anything else really to add to your case, just sending you good wishes :) Make sure you tell us all how the club goes if you can get it started!
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| Melvis |
17 Jan 2004 |
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I wasnt so knowledgeable in Tarot back then, or else I would have explained to him that theTarot simply depicts archetypal situations and teachings that all humans experience. Because of this, they can be used in conjunction to an individuals' spritiual path, but they need not be. Horoskope, I think this is an excellent explanation of the archetypal aspects of tarot! I'm sure you'll do a great job in presenting your case, as you seem eager to be well-prepared and thoroughly versed in all potential objections!
There have been some wonderful ideas presented here, so I only have a few more points to bring up.
1) They might be worried about the Divination aspect of the cards, that they don't want parents or anyone else thinking that the school allows kids to spend time idly 'telling fortunes'. Once again, that is just one use of the cards. Most readings done these days are extremely interactive, allowing the querent to explore all sides of a problem or situation by reading and reacting to the symbols and metaphors shown in the cards.
2) My last point brings up another concern: they might turn you down simply because they don't want to have to explain your group to parents and others who object through ignorance of the group's purpose. Perhaps you could have "The Top 3 Misconceptions about Tarot" information sheets ready, which you could show the committee to help them explain your group to objectors, if such an argument comes up.
3) I think you'll need to have a strong focus or goal to your group that they can easily identify. If they think you're going to just 'play with cards', that might not be enough for them. The journaling aspect that someone else brought up is a great point to include, as well as ties to class subjects such as History, Philosophy, Psychology, Literature, etc. Perhaps you could make direct ties to specific subjects you've already had in school, and how the Tarot could have (did?) help you with those subjects. An example of your own like Spoonbender's might be quite convincing.
You might already have groups at your school that are the equivalent of 'just playing cards', but since Tarot has had so many negative stereotypes associated with it, your group description might have to be that much stronger to overcome them.
Best of luck to you, Horoskope! :D
Peace,
Melvis
:TSTRE
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| horoskope88 |
17 Jan 2004 |
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Thanks so much for the feedback and encouragement, everyone.
I'll be asking the Director of Student Activities about it this week, and if she gives me the okay, I think I'll have to make a presentation to the Schoolboard (?) before I finally get the thumbs-up. But with everyone's support, I'm sure I'll be well prepared. :)
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| Nevada |
18 Jan 2004 |
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I think they'll go for the psychology angle. You might want to add a little about history as well.
Good Luck!
Nevada
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The Why Study Tarot? / Most Common Tarot Misconceptions thread was originally posted on 14 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.
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