Number crunching !!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Jewel-ry	02 Feb 2004
I've now read several books on tarot and feel somewhat perturbed that some authors can take the number association of a card and virtually relate it to anything they want. For instance, in the book I am reading now the author has related a rune to the artist and a card by using his date of birth, his address and the number of times a certain letter appears in his name and address! Its almost like 'take a number multiply it by the number of a's in your name add it to the number of cups of tea you''ve had today and take away your age' I dont know, I feel somewhat disillusioned with this. Your views? J :)

allibee	02 Feb 2004
Hmmmmm... sounds like the author ran out of anything useful to say! Personally I do use the numbers in my readings ...i.e if there are two numbered cards on a position, I'll add them up to find a major and I haven't yet found it NOT to be relevant, and to also add a new dimernsion, but it's a case of how far do you go? Personally I'd take that book as far as the WPB :)

HOLMES	02 Feb 2004
I've now read several books on tarot and feel somewhat perturbed that some authors can take the number association of a card and virtually relate it to anything they want. my views ? it greatly depends on your area of expertise, it appears that the author is very well knowledable in numerolgy and so hence the number manipulation. which it appears to the person who understand numerology not, but to the person who is very knowable in both fields it is like they must do it in order to be thorough. on the other side fo the spectum those who are very knowleable in other fields like tarot and astrology would call it tarot manipulation to use the tarot to read the natal chart , or to put the name of the numerology into tarot terms which is what i do. the numer of cup of tea is going to the super extreme and would require a super mundane system of understanding , which is above my own understanding lol . i see where you are coming from for i was under the notion myself , who the hell cares what kind of symbol is on the devil hand . eheh , and alos iching ? what the hell does that have to do with the tarot, but it is valid if it works and is consistent, edited to add, please can you share me the title of the book ?

Astraea	02 Feb 2004
I approach general statements (especially if they are sweeping) about the meanings of numbers, etc. with caution and don't accept much -- even provisionally -- unless it resonates with my experience. While certain numbers and letters might well share affinities with particular life themes and issues, there are many other factors which can modify the indications. And sometimes a particular author uses numbers, letters, runes, etc. as points of focus which enable him or her to holographically "enter" the person or issue at hand, and goes on to present personal perceptions as general principles.

Lady Eclipse	02 Feb 2004
Hi, My opinion is that if you don't connect with it, don't use it. While the method may work very well for the author, it's not going to work the same way for everyone and not everyone is going to be able to relate to it. A friend of mine won't use numbers in her readings due to an aversion to mathematics that goes as far back as elementary school. Apparently, she was ridiculed in front of the entire class by the teacher when she couldn't figure out a fraction. Instead of helping her figure it out, she said he called her "stupid" and told her that she'd never get it if he did explain it. That set the stage for her aversion. I know people who won't combine astrology, runes, or anything else with their readings. I see it as a matter of what feels comfortable and what doesn't. None of the ways are wrong, just personal preference. :-) Joy to you, Maralee

Jewel-ry	02 Feb 2004
Hi all, Please dont get me wrong, I dont have an aversion to numbers. In fact, like allibee, I too will add up the card numbers in a spread to give an overall feel to the reading. The author of this book is very well known. I just wondered how relevant it is when it really only means anything to the author or the artist, and even then its significance has been calculated by bringing in so many different parameters. J :)

Dark_angel	02 Feb 2004
Perhaps the author made a 'miscalculation' about how important this method is? (Bad joke is unintentional - I really can't think of another word to describe it - had a very long day).

Macavity	02 Feb 2004
I think that when I worked out my various "cards" from one authors numerological system, not only do I seem to have LESS different cards than possible (some are the same!) but they all seem to be real dogs... like the chariot or the tower. :laugh: I quite LIKE my (vaguely) astrological ones... sun sign, ascendant etc. Think I'll stick with those :P Macavity

ncefafn	02 Feb 2004
My attitude towards interpreting cards is, trust (in order): 1. My instinct 2. My reason 3. My common sense Then and only then, consider what other people have said and written. But then, I'm strongly earthy and fixed, so what works for me probably won't work for others with different elemental and modal signatures. Best, Kim

The Number crunching !! thread was originally posted on 02 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.