Bunning's course?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 16 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

tmgrl2	16 Feb 2004
Hi...I am new to learning Tarot...have read the Aeclectic Tarot material, and have a bunch of books....any opinions on the Bunning material. She seems to be pretty good for a beginner. terri

mercenary30	16 Feb 2004
It was very well organized, well worded, and got me started right off with a lot of good practices. IE tarot journaling. I would, and have, suggest that as a great place to start. It does use RiderWaiteSmith deck for teaching....so you will need one if you don't have it already.

lionette	16 Feb 2004
Hi tmgrl2, I've started looking at her online course at <http://www.learntarot.com/course.htm>. I don't use the RW deck, but like her interpretations that seem more universal to me and I'm definitely going to try the exercises for more discipline! Loads of information here and thru my brief interactions with Joan, gathered immediately that she's wonderful (have purchased from her store and was impressed that she took the time to respond to me directly!). Yes, good resources.

WolfyJames	16 Feb 2004
I think her course is really great and well done, and it's free with that. I went through it entirely and copied it and printed it. It's one of the prime source I look at when I want to know more about the cards. She gives lots of information on each card, even the minors.

Astraea	16 Feb 2004
I think that Bunning's book, Learning the Tarot, is essentially a "hard copy" of her on-line course, and it is very useful.

Sulis	16 Feb 2004
I'm in the middle of doing the free course which is run by TABI ( Tarot Association of the British Isles). The course is based on Joan Bunnings' course - there are a few minor changes but not many. Before starting this course I was a little wary of using keywords as I thought they may be quite limiting, especially as I'm not new to tarot and so don't feel as though I need a keyword system to help me to see a card's meaning. I was also a bit worried as the course uses the Celtic Cross spread which I've never really bothered with. I have to say I'm very impressed so far - we're about a quarter of the way through. I'm finding the keywords (and phrases) to be very useful, not limiting at all and the couple of readings I've done using the Celtic Cross have been very enjoyable and insightful. What I'm trying to say in a very long winded way is that I'd recommend Joan's course - it's very good. Love and light Sulis xx

tmgrl2	16 Feb 2004
Thanks all for your input...so far I feel same way as you have all suggested...it's a good start. I plan to do the card-a-day until I get through all 78, then do daily personal readings...I have other materials that I am reading for additional information. Manley Halls' book on Secret Teachings of All Ages...it covers history on Astrology, Christianity, Rosicrutions, Free Masons, Tarot, the Kabbalah....color, sound, chakras...very interesting although somewhat too detailed in some areas...again, thanks all! terri

horoskope88	16 Feb 2004
I think one of the most helpful points of her card information pages are all those key phrases. It can be hard to put a situation to a card, but alot of times by skimming through her suggestions, one really clicks and it's like "aha!"

jog1118	16 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by horoskope88 I think one of the most helpful points of her card information pages are all those key phrases. her free online course was my jump point in learning the tarot and am really grateful for it... :smoker:

lark	17 Feb 2004
I've been going through her Reversals book and I'm finding it AMAZING. At first I didn't know if I liked it, but as I've used her reversal system in my card readings this week I'm finding they work very smoothly. She talks about reversals as energy that is absent, just presenting itself or fading from the situation. Lots of great (fun) exercises to get your mind thinking along those reversal lines. Five stars~ Highly recommend it. Did any one else get this book, and what do you think?

tmgrl2	17 Feb 2004
Yes...I did get her book of Reversals...because I like the way she handles the beginner's book, but haven't gotten there yet. As I just said on another thread, I am learning via one card a day... she suggests this...I am starting with the Fool. I have read other chapters on the Tarot from various sources but Bunning's book is one of about 10 I purchased for study. thanks! terri

CompassRose	17 Feb 2004
I was disappointed in the Reversals book. I thought the exercises were good, and valuable, but there weren't nearly enough of them. The rest of the book is taken up with reversed meanings... and many of them aren't really news from Learning the Tarot. Nor do they have the depth of the LtT card analyses. I would rather have had more exercises and work, less card-by-card. I love Learning the Tarot, though. Every time I go through it, I get something new out of it, and I never feel "locked into" any of the interpretations or methods, as some tarot books make me feel.

tmgrl2	17 Feb 2004
Good to hear your comments..I really have trouble with the card by card method...I do like the way she organized the Beginner's with the Key phrases. I agree that as we learn to read, too many specifics from someone else can just add to confusion. terri

contrascarpe	17 Feb 2004
Her course is good but I came upon it only after reading MANY books and reading through Thirteen's guide here on AE. To be honest, I felt hopelessly lost until I read Thirteen's guide - it was the first to really make sense to me and I used it as a springboard from there. My path has gone in many directions since then, but I will always consider Thirteen to be my original tour guide. Dan

Umbrae	17 Feb 2004
Bunning’s course is fine – like many others – if you want to grow up to Be a parrot…repeating key words and memorized phrases. Is that reading cards? Is ‘becoming a reader’ about memorization? Suppose your first deck is not a RWS – in which case Bunning’s online course does what? Sure it’s free…but the end product is not a reader…it’s a parrot.

lark	17 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Bunning’s course is fine – like many others – if you want to grow up to Be a parrot…repeating key words and memorized phrases. Is that reading cards? Is ‘becoming a reader’ about memorization? Suppose your first deck is not a RWS – in which case Bunning’s online course does what? Sure it’s free…but the end product is not a reader…it’s a parrot. Umbrae, I know your words come from a real desire to help people be the best reader they can be. But some people when they are just beginning need some where to sink their anchor. And Joan's course is as good as any and so are Thirteen's basics. As long as it's a starting point and not a last stop. And that intuition is honored in the process. I would like to quote a passage from Joan Bunnings book Learning Tarot Reversals. "The benefit of a strategy is that it helps you avoid floundering during interpretation. You have a way to approch each card that leaves you with a useful understanding. The disadvantage is that a strategy tempts you to abandon your intuition to rely on a rote system. You don't want your interpretations to become automatic. Practice with this procedure for awhile but don't come to depend on it. Always trust your intuitive responses first." I think thats very good advice for anyone doing her course.

tmgrl2	17 Feb 2004
thanks, Lark....I agree that anything too rote stifles the inner guide....I read a lot while I am learning. I first copied and absorbed Thirteen's Guide from Aeclectic and Manley Hall's Overview ...some Rachel Pollack...so I have a plan to work through cards on a daily basis, but I am incorporating material from several sources (also from info packed with Rider-Waite deck)...any other book recommendations appreciated. Just order Tarot of Prague from their website...so I'm on my way...thanks all. terri

Emily	17 Feb 2004
I found Aeclectic through Joan Bunnings site lol - I do actually like the keyword charts and they can be used with any deck not just the Rider Waite. I always meant to get the book but the online material is a good source of reference. :)

lunakasha	17 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by horoskope88 I think one of the most helpful points of her card information pages are all those key phrases. It can be hard to put a situation to a card, but alot of times by skimming through her suggestions, one really clicks and it's like "aha!" I totally agree...she gives you some options for interpreting each card, and for me so far it has been pretty easy to figure out which meaning applies to the card in a given reading. Hi tmgrl2! I am currently taking Joan's course through BNU, which I think is great! I am enjoying the reading and other assignments...and I am having SO MUCH FUN with my tarot journal!!! I started a thread here if you'd like some inspiration for yours: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22187 Good luck with the course...maybe I'll see ya on the boards! :) Luna

inanna_tarot	17 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Sulis I'm in the middle of doing the free course which is run by TABI ( Tarot Association of the British Isles). The course is based on Joan Bunnings' course - there are a few minor changes but not many. Before starting this course I was a little wary of using keywords as I thought they may be quite limiting, especially as I'm not new to tarot and so don't feel as though I need a keyword system to help me to see a card's meaning. I was also a bit worried as the course uses the Celtic Cross spread which I've never really bothered with. I have to say I'm very impressed so far - we're about a quarter of the way through. I'm finding the keywords (and phrases) to be very useful, not limiting at all and the couple of readings I've done using the Celtic Cross have been very enjoyable and insightful. What I'm trying to say in a very long winded way is that I'd recommend Joan's course - it's very good. Love and light Sulis xx SNAP! Im part of the new intake - the course starts proper next monday and i cant wait! How many people have dropped out of ur course already? Sezo x

Umbrae	17 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark Umbrae, I know your words come from a real desire to help people be the best reader they can be. But some people when they are just beginning need some where to sink their anchor. Please do not mis-understand my comments… I do not believe that ‘one size fits all’. Nor do I believe that what’s best for some is best for all. Nor do I believe that Bunning’s course is horrid, or a waste of time. But it’s not for everybody. Sorta goes back to that thing I keep asking…Bunning’s course may be for you… It depends on your answers to a couple of questions… Why do you (want to) read? Why do they come to you to have cards read? Know the answers, and you know where to set anchor – otherwise, your moorage may be in error.

tmgrl2	17 Feb 2004
Umbrae...I took your words for what the can mean to me...it is my beginning in the Tarot...so whatever I read now is just that...a beginning...and as we go along we discard and gather...so shall I.. I am new to Tarot, but now new to life, so I value all input..thank you.

Sulis	18 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Bunning’s course is fine – like many others – if you want to grow up to Be a parrot…repeating key words and memorized phrases. Is that reading cards? Is ‘becoming a reader’ about memorization? Sure it’s free…but the end product is not a reader…it’s a parrot. Umbrae, I understand where you're coming from - I too was worried about the keywords before I started this course but Joans keywords and keyphrases really do act as a 'jumping off point' - I'm sure that she doesn't expect people to learn them parrot fashion - I know I'm not. Maybe the fact that I already read in quite an intuitive way helps - I feel as though I don't have to learn the keywords as the cards are already familiar to me. The thing is for those who have never seen a tarot deck before the keywords may help - some need a structured way of learning - each to their own. Many tarot decks use keywords - this is one of the main reasons why I don't use the Thoth deck very much - those keywords on the cards just seem to get in the way - I can't get past them. I've never heard of a Thoth user being called a parrot yet there are keywords on each and every card :) Love and light Sulis xx

Aure	26 Feb 2004
I got the book yesterday and today I've done some exercises and it seems to be good! What I noticed was that when I actually wrote down the answers on my journal and some info on suits etc. it was easier to absorb the information.

lionette	26 Feb 2004
After a few more days of looking over J.Bunning's online site, I'm finding it really helpful. In response to Umbrae: She's giving me a well-rounded perspective of the cards with the keyword method because her lists are extensive. Rather than merely memorizing a list of vocabulary words, it's more like consulting a thesaurus to bring about broader perspectives and a greater understanding of card personalities.

Lee	26 Feb 2004
I agree with lionette about Bunning's keywords providing broader perspectives. I just posted in the Using Tarot Cards section about this, in a thread about memorization, before I saw this thread. What I'm finding is that after so many years of reading, my mind tends to travel in the same well-worn grooves when looking at a card, and I'm missing some of the other possibilities. For example, when I see the 2 of Swords, I think about "stalemate" sort of situations. But if I call to mind Bunning's keywords, "Stalemate, Blocked Emotions, Avoidance," it brings up alternate possibilities which considerably expand my tarot vocabulary. I don't think it's an either-or sort of thing. I think one can use several tools at once when reading the cards, including looking at a card intuitively and at the same time calling to mind some keywords. -- Lee

tmgrl2	26 Feb 2004
I agree too..with the keywords being helpful...when new, one needs some guides...some, not ONE...Bunning is helpful! Love Aeclectic Thirteens' Journey....and Pollack. What is most amazing is that recently when I lay out the cards, I don't rely on the outer resources...sometimes, everything floods me at once...the individual cards, their places and their relationships....it is a beginning...so I use it all as I learn...join us by following the "In the Redwood Circle" thread. I have been honored to learn so much and feel so welcome.

crystal cove	27 Feb 2004
Joan Bunning's site is what piqued my interest in Tarot. I found it very helpful in the beginning. My tarot path unfolded as I learned more and yours will too. Not only did I move on to expand the meanings of the cards on my own, I don't even use RW and clones anymore, which is what she uses. If it works for you, use it. Soon, you'll learn enough to question what doesn't make sense to you and you'll find your own way.

Bean Feasa	27 Feb 2004
[quote]Originally posted by lark She talks about reversals as energy that is absent, just presenting itself or fading from the situation. Lark, if you see this and if you get a minute could you perhaps explain this a tiny bit more. I wasn't going to buy that book as it seems to have disappointed a lot of people but that way of reading reversals sounds really intriguing - I'm just beginning to try to get to grips with them and having a hard time. I suppose what I really want to know is does she give any method for figuring out which stage the energy is at, i.e. is there any way of telling whether it's absent, just presenting... or fading. Since I've let reversed cards into my decks, they keep hopping out at me, and half the time I don't know what to do with them, lol, Blessings, Kate

Aure	27 Feb 2004
One thing bothers me in Bunning's course... She uses the celtic cross as the only spread claiming that it is easy. I wish there would have been other spreads included. Well, I'll find some and invent my own!

Nitegoddess	27 Feb 2004
I too started out with the Joan Bunning's course when I started to refresh my self about 3 years ago. I really enjoyed it and I took my time. From there I kept a binder and I review it every so often. I also use the Tarot Companion by Tracy Porter. This book has it all and has helped me further my studies as it talks about timing, seasons, colors, astrology, chakras, runes, I Ching, and Cabala. Although a brief description of all they talk about all of the above in reference to the Tarot. She also has a section of recommended reading. So it is a nice little book. The pictures are of RW. Once I get my new deck I am going to start the card a week that they are doing. It sounds great and will give me an opportunity to learn my cards one at a time. :TMOON

Lee	27 Feb 2004
[quote]Originally posted by Bean Feasa Quote: Hi Kate, I don't have the Bunning reversals book yet, although I plan to get it. My guess, though, is that she doesn't spell out how to tell whether the energy is absent, presenting, or fading. I know this is a frustrating thing about reversals, if one uses a method which requires choosing how to see the reversed card (some people just consider it the opposite of the upright card, which is certainly an easier way to do it). But I think the only way to deal with it is to see, for a particular reversed card, which option (absent, waxing or waning) makes sense in the context of the position, the surrounding cards, and the story you're trying to weave in response to the question. It sounds like a cumbersome process to go through, but I think after a while it becomes second nature. -- Lee

Bean Feasa	01 Mar 2004
Hi Lee, Thanks a million for the info - I think in my heart of hearts I kind of guessed that the answer would be something along those lines - no quick and easy solutions for poor Katy :D. I don't mind really though - I find reversals intriguing, and I rather like a challenge. Before I get too far off-topic, I would like to say that I have Joan Bunning's book which I think has pretty much the same content as her online course, and in general I find it very helpful and very thorough. The exercises are great at making me focus clearly on a card - and that's particularly true for the ones to do with the court cards. blessings, Kate

The Bunning's course? thread was originally posted on 16 Feb 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.