learning the tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

sue todd	10 Apr 2004
Hello, as a quite new member here, I would like to ask the 'simple' question lol of what is the best way of trying to learn the tarot on your own ? Is it a question of at first becoming acquaninted with each card and looking at the general explanations in the book which comes with it ? i am just a little confused lol - also once you have learnt what the cards mean in general and you lay out a spread for someone - how do you read them ? i mean how does 'it flow' is it just a case of letting go and trusting your intuition to 'talk through you' as it were ?? lots of questions i have - i need some guidance sniff anyone want to point me in the right direction ? I have ryder waite cards just waiting for me to 'get stuck into' so to speak thanks !!

cartarum	10 Apr 2004
just be patient and learn all you can. youll have an advantage if you record your readings. the tarot is built to gradually integrate someone into the occult and into initiation. be firm.

Umbrae	10 Apr 2004
My advice. Begin at the beginning. Go slow, unless you strive for mediocrity. Begin with one or two-card spreads. Do them forever. Do a lot of them. There is no need to advance to a three or five-card spread until you have at least six months of reading under your belt. It is the lessons and the discipline you learn with working with the little spreads that helps later in day-to-day situations. Throw out the LWB. Don’t read books. Instead, [i]buy a spiral notebook. Use it as a Journal (very important). Write down every reading (both cards and your interpretation). Learning the cards, and [i]how you relate to the cards is part of your learning process. Buying a book will be to subordinate your relationship with the cards and their images to the author’s relationship with the cards and their images. Most of the questions you will ask, you will find the answers in your own journal, written by your own hand.

Le_Corsair	10 Apr 2004
Umbrae is giving you good advice. If you want the benefit of it in detail, Read this series of articles. It will get you off on the right foot, and help you to think for yourself, instead of simply copying someone else's thoughts. Welcome to Aeclectic Tarot. :) Bob :THERM

Osher	10 Apr 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae My advice. Begin at the beginning. Go slow, unless you strive for mediocrity. Begin with one or two-card spreads. Do them forever. Do a lot of them. There is no need to advance to a three or five-card spread until you have at least six months of reading under your belt. It is the lessons and the discipline you learn with working with the little spreads that helps later in day-to-day situations. Throw out the LWB. Don’t read books. Instead, [i] buy a spiral notebook. Use it as a Journal (very important). Write down every reading (both cards and your interpretation). Learning the cards, and [i] how you relate to the cards is part of your learning process. Buying a book will be to subordinate your relationship with the cards and their images to the author’s relationship with the cards and their images. Most of the questions you will ask, you will find the answers in your own journal, written by your own hand. Mostly I'd concur, except the bit about throwing away the LWB (Little White Booklet, yes I was also confused by what LWB meant, being a petrolhead I know it as a Long Wheel Base! It is the little white booklet (surprise surprise) that you have with most Tarot decks, which explain the meanings of each card). The way I learnt was two-fold. Partly through Tarot lessons (including the LWB), but also through meditating, and 'greeting' each card in my visions and thoughts. The LWB can be useful for hints. The best Tarot reader I ever knew never read the LWB, and just knew what she knew from the pictures, but in reality many of us need guidance. Guidance is the key word. Cards can have multiple meanings, which, depending on their position and proximity to others are further multiplied, but also reduced. For example, the 9 of Penticles. Does this mean the penultimate step to achieving wealth? Could it mean a wealthy person? It is a desire? It is a fear? Tarot is a guide. My favourite term for Tarot is that it is a conduit to knowledge and understanding. How do you know which meaning is correct? Through going into yourself, sinking into the cards, and knowing. When I say that cards have multiple meanings, it is not like a multiple choice test, there are not a fixed, or set, array of answers. Rather, there are infinate meanings, which tend to radiate out fillowing a number of directions. The LWB can help you find the directions, and then it for you to find the meaning. Don't worry about being 'wrong'. There is no such concept, unless you know you have read wrong. With time, with patience, with understanding, with experience, with practise, you will find yourself coming more in tune with the cards. As you do so, you will find yourself knowing more and more what the cards are trying to tell you. Remember I called the cards a conduit? As time progresses, as you become stronger, so the conduit becomes wider. Many people think because they have read the LWB, because they know the main meanings for each card, they can reat Tarot. This is wrong. It just means they know to read an LWB! If you really want to read Tarot, then follow the advice given here. Meditate and learn each card Keep a journal Practise Keep to simple spreads Do not attempt to run before you can walk Use the LWB as a simple guide only, and appreciate it's limitations/ Become an active member of Aeclectic, don't be afraid to ask for advice, or to use it's resources (thanks Solandia!) Oh, and don't forget, we are all different!

Jewel	12 Apr 2004
Everyone learns differently and some of us need more direction than others. I am one of those academic types that likes direction. If you feel this way too, then this is what I would recommend: 1. Do as Umbrae says and toss the LWB ... there are much better sources than those. 2. Buy a journal as Umbrae suggested, and yes do intuitive readings and record them. Also record anything else that comes to you as you work or study your deck. 3. Purchase Tarot for Yourself by Mary Greer. This is a workbook. It was a great tool for me to become comfortable with working with tarot decks, and trusting myself. 4. If you are using a Raider Waite (RW) deck or RW based deck then once you have completed the Tarot for Yourself go get 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack. I say get it after so you that you will not rely on it like a crutch. Umbrae has an excellent point in one learning to trust oneself, and the best way to do that is by avoiding the books. The tarot is a system of images, all the info you really need is on the cards, what is in books is someone elses opinion. However, I have found great value in certain books that has enhanced my knowledge ... the secret is to not be book dependent. Hope this helps.

September Pixie	12 Apr 2004
I have 3 keys of advice... 1.) Look at the pictures.. what do the images look like to you? Do they mean something? Do they speak to you? What do you think they mean? Look at them often.. in fact, the more you do this, the faster you learn :) 2.) Keep notes.. write down your own interpretations of each card and what they mean.. then keep note of what the decks creator says they mean.. are there any similarities between what you see the card as and what the author does? Can you pick out any new symbols? 3.) Read, Practice, Write stories, and Practice some more! Pull out 3 or 4 cards a day.. and looking at the faces on the cards.. make up stories about them. This is exactly what you do when you read tarot.. you not only tell a story... but the story often tells you what's happening :)

diane drizzy	12 Apr 2004
Hi Sue! Just some thoughts: If possible try to get 13's Tarot Card Learning. I found this E book very user friendly. I also agree with a daily card, first trying to get your own read on it and then comparing notes, so to speak. Also remember that what the book author says may not be what you're getting. (I personally like the 9 of swords- I see the comfort of waking up and it's only a dream- and I love that quilt!!!) Also make sure you are comfortable with your cards. I had a very hard time connecting with Rider Waite, and went through several decks before I found one I was happy with. It goes without saying that there are many people here to help you here no matter how small or silly it may seem it may seem. And finally nothing is written in stone (except runes).

Majecot	12 Apr 2004
Ya what they said.....

TemperanceAngel	12 Apr 2004
Yes, I agree with Umbrae, but to add buy any kinda journal/notepad/notebook it doesn't have to be spiral. Practice, practice, practice, esp. for any friends who are up for it and open to it. Remember that it's fun :D :D :D And do throw away the LWB!!!! Most of all, enjoy your journey, because it's a beautiful and wonderful journey to begin :) XTAX

ribbitcat	13 Apr 2004
Hi Sue - To disagree with most of the posts here , by all means read books , as many as you can get your hands on ...the more you practice and journal your thoughts/experiences , the more you will clarify your own view and opinion of what is *in* the books - whether some particular author "meshes" with your style (or not) ...or whether the information contained fits with you (or not): books give you somewhere to start from , and will help define your thoughts . It is also valuable to read any companion book written specifically for your deck , in order to get the deck creator's thoughts on the whys and wherefores of their deck - which doesn't mean you need to agree , but they are the most qualified person to have an opinion on *that deck*. That's of course unless intuition renders the creator's opinions invalid and not worth knowing ....then add it to the bonfire as the others suggest . ribbitcat

Osher	13 Apr 2004
I would quite agree with Ribbitcat. You can learn a lot from books. I would also agree that where there is a conflict with books vs. intuition, then intuition should always win over.

Orion	13 Apr 2004
Hi Sue: Do not rely on the LWB. I have kept mine, but I don't use them. Take your time! When I started out with the Tarot, it took me months before it began to 'flow'. Spend as much time with your cards as possible. I find there are days where I will just shuffle them while I watch television. Take the time to look over every single card, and just soak in as much of the picture as you can. Keep a journal!

Shade	13 Apr 2004
I think all of us have ideas about how we'd do it if we could start all over again so just remember that it took some us a long time before trying out our ow uggestions. I agree with Umbrae about many small readings. I owuld add to that a suggestion that you read about lots of little real things. High concepts like "prosperity" and "love" are fun but I also use my tarot deck to choose my Jamba Juice (Smoothie Chain). For example Empress and 8 of Wands meant I got the Peach Pleasure with an Energy Boost. Before going to the movies and draw a card to choose which one you see. Try a reading for what you should wear that day. This won't make a lot of sense in the begining but eventually many find it fun.

hyatt	13 Apr 2004
hi! i posted the same message a little while ago! i am just starting out too! i got some excellent advice. one person told me to go to www.learntarot.com. it has been helpful - if you learn the way i do. it is in a lesson format and it is free. i did buy 78 degrees of wisdom and it is awesome! i think you would enjoy it - it is the bible of tarot. What deck are you starting with?I wish you the best of luck- you will find this forum VERY VERY helpful! Best Wishes!

The learning the tarot thread was originally posted on 10 Apr 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.