What's the right thing to do?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Moon86 |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Hi Everyone :)
I have a question. I consider myself a Christian, and I love God with everything in me. I just don't know if he would approve of Tarots? I guess my question is would he? I mean, I enjoy doing Tarots, but I just want to know if it's right with God. Can somebody help me with this, because I've been battling with this question for a very long time. Thanks so much! :)
Take Care,
Melissa (Moon86)
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| mysticali |
22 Mar 2004 |
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This question is one that you must answer about your faith yourself.
I personally see no reason why any god would object to tarot or any form of self exploration any more than object to science or art.
Indeed, from what I have read, many tarot adepts and writers are deeply christian but there are many others who have different beliefs in terms of organised religion - or none at all.
But lets face it, there are faiths or branches of faiths that DO object to certain art or certain science, and forms of self expression and self exploration.
Faith can bring out the best and worst in all of us and you need to decide for yourself and find your own path through life.
No one can aswer your question Melissa but you.
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| jmd |
22 Mar 2004 |
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I do not normally recommend particular books for such questions, as it is bound to be read as a general recommendation - which it is not.
However, Moon86 may be specifically interested in a book I read last year, written a person with strong Christian views and addressing in some ways your question. Of course, with time, it is, as mentioned by mysticali, yourself who has to be open to the answer you will need to live with.
The book is written Mark Patrick Hederman, and is titled Tarot: Talisman or Taboo? [isbn 1-85607-902-3]. In the book, Mark writes (pp36-37):'wherever they [the cards] came from, they are a comparatively recent phenomenon in Western European culture and, in the most authentic original versions discovered to date, they are imbued with Western European and Christian iconography and symbolism' Not all may agree with all he has to say, and I have made many side notes within my copy of the book which question some of his statements. Nonetheless, it is one which addresses certain questions you may have in ways which may be relevant.
Also, as a book only published last year, it has yet to become popular or well known... which it is bound to become.
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| Ilithiya |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Here's my opinion on it... I'd rate it only $0.01, though.
Tarot's a neutral thing, like electricity. Electricity is neither good nor evil in and of itself, but can be used for good or evil ends.
Tarot is the same way. Some of us may name our decks, or ascribe personalities to them, but in the same way that we would do so with a computer or a car. It's a method of attachment, and pretty much in no way gives them a presence of their own.
Now, using the Tarot as a method of divination...
It's been my experience that it's less suited to predictions and better for introspection and for oracular use - said use being advice and counsel.
There's nothing wrong with seeking advice. It's my understanding that Hebrew priests, long ago, used to cast lots for their wards, for various reasons and questions. Can't prove they did, can't prove they didn't.
Which are you looking for - intellectual justification, or emotional/spiritual validation? I think you're okay with it either way. If God didn't want you to use the Tarot, then I do believe that something would have happened to indicate that.
I'm a firm believer in synchronicity. Everything happens for a reason; there is no room for coinicidence in my world. :)
Illy
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| brandi124 |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Hello Moon86, Welcome aboard! I know how you feel-- I am a Christian too and I had to do some serious soul searching when I began my path with the tarot. I did lots of research, asked lots of people and did lots of soul searching in order to have a more fully informed stance on the subject. Some people told me that as long as it feels okay then it's okay but I just couldn't believe that could be a good enough justification because I have done A LOT of things that felt good at the time but turned out to be VERY WRONG in hind sight (basically my whole high school experience but that's another story for another time;)).
So anyway, I dug deeper and deeper and even talked to the clergy at my church to get a better understanding. Surprisingly (at least to me anyway) they didn't have a problem with me doing tarot. Among other things they said-- it depends on your intention when doing tarot or when doing any other sort of communication with God or spirits that is non-traditional. They felt as long I was not trying to replace messages from my bible with messages from my tarot cards then it was fine. The way I think of it is this-- my belief in Jesus as our saviour does not mean that I cannot also take medicine for a headache or go to a psychologist when I have a problem or a mechanic when my car breaks down etc. I believe that each of these solutions will work and they do most of the time but I don't *worship* them.
I also had a long talk with my deceased Grandma (I'm not a fruitloop I promise:)) and she told me when I expressed my worry about tarot (and I quote) "pshaw, your talents come from God". And since then I think of it as opening myself to communications from Angels-- I'm not competing with God or putting my Bible away, just opening myself up to communications and my readings have actually been pretty phenomenal ever since.
It is a highly personal thing though and I think you're doing the right thing in contemplating it, gathering opinions and info, soaking it all in, before leaping in with both feet. I hope it goes well for you and feel from to PM me. (that goes for everybody!:))
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| Dark Inquisitor |
22 Mar 2004 |
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How about drawing a card on this question and telling us what it says?
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| brandi124 |
22 Mar 2004 |
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That reminds me of another experience I had that made me feel better about my tarot reading-- a woman who did a reading for me about the situation told me that when I was at the bookstore the next time I should pick up something I don't usually read, whatever draws me and open it up and there will be a message from my mother (who died 10 years ago). Well I did just that and it was a random metaphysical magazine that I'd never seen before in my life I just picked it up and opened it up... the page I opened it up to was an entire article about the Heirophant card and how it calls for us to use spirituality and religion to enhance our lives but not to put ourselves in a box essentially. That was just what I needed to hear at that moment-- it was funny because this magazine was not even a tarot specific thing and that was the only piece in the whole magazine on tarot and as I said I didn't look for anything specific, I literally just picked it up and opened it up to that page.
I'm starting to get used to "weird" stuff like that happening but it's still a little awe inspiring to me.
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| closrapexa |
22 Mar 2004 |
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I have a problem answering your question. I was born Jewish, but over the years I've come to believe that the divine being has better things to think about than whether or not I follow rituals that were made up by people just like me anyway. This obviously follows: is the way the cards are organized in a reading pure chance or the result of some higher purpose? Possibly, but that isn't for us mortals to answer.
I'm rambling, but here's my point: you should ask yourself why you became interested in tarot in the first place, what it "does" to you and what you believe the tarot is and what it makes you feel. Only then will you have the answer to your question, or rather a different one: Is it right or wrong for YOU to practice tarot.
BUT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT GOD THINKS ABOUT IT!!! You can't. Thats why he/she is GOD
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| miss_apples |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Ive seen other Christians here on the forums call tarot Gods Telephone. Like its a way to actually get closer to God and to recieve messages from him through the cards. So if people use prayer to get in touch with God...then why not use tarot cards to do the same?
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| Moon86 |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Originally posted by Tarotphelia
How about drawing a card on this question and telling us what it says?
Q. "Is it ok for me to continue using Tarot cards?"
I asked this question several times and most of the time I get Pentacles, the last time I asked I got the Nine of Pentacles.
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| Moon86 |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Originally posted by miss_apples
Ive seen other Christians here on the forums call tarot Gods Telephone. Like its a way to actually get closer to God and to recieve messages from him through the cards. So if people use prayer to get in touch with God...then why not use tarot cards to do the same?
That is a great way of putting it! Gods Telephone. I've never thought of it like that, and that is true, why not use Tarot cards to do the same. Thanks for your imput that really helped a lot! :)and everyone else has also helped me understand this so much better. Thanks to everyone here who replyed.
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| brandi124 |
22 Mar 2004 |
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Some one here mentioned once that pentacles (up right ones) actually originated as a christian symbol. Also, 9 of Pentacles is a very positive card-- I have a Goddess tarot and it says things such as blessing, the ability to create heaven upon earth, feeling blessed by life, etc. I'd take that as an encouraging sign...
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| MeeWah |
23 Mar 2004 |
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Moon86: Welcome to the Aeclectic Tarot Forums!
Ultimately, only ye can answer that question.
Pentacles represent the tangible. Pertains to the physical, material or manifest realm; that which is of the earthly life or the physical senses; the results of an endeavour; the doing.
Thus, amongst other associations, also tend to see Pentacles as symbolic of reading cards.
9-Pentacles an aspect of 9-The Hermit. Perhaps expresses as ye aspire to be: independent; comfortable with self-identity; mistress of your domain. It also suggests a rich inner life that guides or influences the understanding of the physical world & one's purpose or place in it.
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| colusaskye |
23 Mar 2004 |
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God's Telephone...what a great idea :)
I would recommend praying over it for a while and see what kind of impression God gives you about using the Tarot.
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The What's the right thing to do? thread was originally posted on 22 Mar 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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