learning through sharing

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Apr 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

laura_borealis	21 Apr 2004
I've been thinking about the social aspects of learning lately (studying social constructivism in my learning theories class) and thought of AT as an example of a social learning environment. I'm curious how many people have benefited, as I have, from reading other people's interpretations of the cards here, and exchanging ideas with others. My ideas of what the cards mean have been strengthened and augmented by this process of sharing. :) Here's my poll question: Does the practice of sharing card meanings and readings on AT help you to form your own interpretations about what the cards mean; that is, do others' interpretations influence and/or change your own?

ncefafn	21 Apr 2004
I read intuitively, but going through the posts here at AT -- on RXch, Your Readings, Using Tarot Cards, etc. -- helps me see the cards in a new way. All of that information gets fed into the computer so that the next time I do a reading, my intuition may pull out that piece of information and say, "Look here!" It's like this. You may have an IQ of 180, but if you've only ever read one book in your life, you're not going to have much to say to an Oxford don who has an IQ of 120. Reading the works of others, learning their views, expands our own consciousness, and we in turn can give more back to the world. This probably doesn't make sense. I just got back from a perfectly marvelous dinner at a sushi bar with two new friends. Kim

ros	21 Apr 2004
I find the sharing of information here, really opens up the mind. We trust that this is someones truth that we may learn from. Also, the innocence of when we don't know, someone is always there for us.

ScarabFlight	21 Apr 2004
I like using my intuition (or at least to try to use my intuition) to come up with what I think the cards may mean, but I also like to hear what other opinions would be. It helps to see the cards from different angles and see things that I may not have thought of. I love the "AHA!" I think that AT is a great learning forum and for me has helped immensely with my learning tarot as well as learning to intrepret the cards for myself.

hyatt	21 Apr 2004
I think that sharing views certainly helps me learn. I think I took a class that was similar when i was working on my masters in education. Making work stations and peer teaching I think is a highly effective method.

lionette	21 Apr 2004
looks like sharing has the lead ... I definitely find it valuable and helpful in solidifying my own ideas.

Lady Eclipse	22 Apr 2004
Hi, What a great poll! While I do use my own intuition, I find that sharing ideas is very beneficial. I'm always learning and sharing often gives me yet another perspective of reading that I may not have thought of on my own. :-) Joy to you, Maralee

yve	22 Apr 2004
I would have to say all of the above. I like to listen to others share opinions, form my own interpretations and also refer to a couple of trusted resources...they all enrich my understanding and help me trust my own intuitions and technique.

TemperanceAngel	22 Apr 2004
I voted the intuition one because when I started studying Tarot 15 years ago I didn't know a soul who was interested in it (Tarot that is, doh!), and I didn't buy Tarot books either.... Sharing's great and that's what AT's all about :) XTAX

jema	22 Apr 2004
I had a number of great "Aha!" moments on here. And it is not just when someone posts something that I agree with, I learn just as much when someone posts and interpretation I don't agree with at all:-) Social interaction makes us think and question our own knowledge and it is there that learning takes place.

zoso	22 Apr 2004
It's definitely helpful to "see" card meanings through the eyes of others, but I find it best to always take my initial feelings above other possible meanings since symbols can be very subjective, like in dreams (and life).

closrapexa	22 Apr 2004
I voted for the intuition. Whatever you learn, or hear, or read, ultimately its up to you to weave all those "meanings" into your life, whatever other people say.

firemaiden	22 Apr 2004
At the moment I'm very much in a phase of believing that the card drawn is a reflection of the moment, and what I see when looking at the card through the lens of YOU right NOW is different from what I will see in the next moment, or for someone else. So, I'm in the phase now, of thinking an interp of the card just done for study, is a wasted like a - a message who's address has been lost. But that's now. Until now, the sharing, and brainstorming together about card meanings has been of vital importance to me. So again, (as always) I find I cannot choose a yes or a no on this issue...

laura_borealis	22 Apr 2004
Right now, as I read, I am trying to base my interpretation on my intuition about the cards and their relations to each other and the question. But underlying my interpretation is a sort of structure of associations, and some of those associations come from books or other "official" resources, but some of them come from people here -- and I find myself listening to those associations more and more. I might have the Ace of Wands from the Fey tarot in front of me, for instance. His green color and glad expression speak to me of growth and potential. But I also might remember something that dadsnook2000 said about the Ace of Wands in lunalafey's gestalt study of the Fey, and that might enhance my interpretation. My thoughts might go down a completely different path than they would have if I'd just looked the card up in the book. This is one of the things that I love about AT -- its potential to really deepen my understanding of the cards through sharing these associations with all of you. This is such a great group, here. I am beginning to think that AT is truly unique among online communities. :)

WalesWoman	22 Apr 2004
What I have found is that having others to share Tarot with, reading and hearing others interpretations for meanings broadens my own. I don't want to get stuck in a mind set that a card can only mean one thing, because it limits my abilities to read, and at this point I feel my knowledge is limited enough as it is, all input is welcome and neccessary for my growth as a person and a reader.

The learning through sharing thread was originally posted on 21 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.