Is the reading a performance?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 May 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

closrapexa	07 May 2004
A friend of mine has decided she wants to study Tarot and I've been giving her tips on how start, and then I told her something that surprised me, because it never occured to me before. I told her that reading the cards for others is just the "performance" and that the real work is within yourself, studying and meditating on the cards and what they mean to you. The more I thought of it the more I liked the idea; something like a musician who performs in front of packed houses but practices at home on playing the pieces with more feeling and depth. What do you think?

contrascarpe	07 May 2004
It is a good analogy and a nice reminder that any insight gained is ultimately the responsibility of the querent. I has always viewed a good reading as more of a story-telling skill. I guess in that way, it could be considered a "performance". For some reason, however, I see that word as having a negative connotation ..... as if you were "performing" for that person and somehow creating an illusion. Dan

sagitarian	07 May 2004
I understand the point that you are getting to, however... Performance- Main Entry: per·for·mance Pronunciation: p&(r)-'for-m&n(t)s Function: noun 1 a : the execution of an action b : something accomplished : DEED, FEAT 2 : the fulfillment of a claim, promise, or request : IMPLEMENTATION 3 a : the action of representing a character in a play b : a public presentation or exhibition 4 a : the ability to perform : EFFICIENCY b : the manner in which a mechanism performs 5 : the manner of reacting to stimuli : BEHAVIOR 6 : the linguistic behavior of an individual : PAROLE; also : the ability to speak a certain language -- compare COMPETENCE 3 By the compliments of Meriam Webster on line. When most of us think of the word performance, or the root perform, we think of the 3rd definition. It is the (I believe) the most commonly used definition when using the word perform (or performance)(the definition in 3a). When we think of plays, we know that they are fictional characters, make believe, entertainment. When saying a statement saying that we "perform" a reading, it (could) gives the indication that we are indeed "making it up", or "acting". In fact, when I first read the heading on this thread, I thought it honestly to be a question of "is reading tarot really an act, or performance", which intriqued my curiousity. Instead, I think it would be better to explain it as, you take tarot reading very seriously and you have worked very hard in perfecting your skill as a reader, just like a performing artist has perfected their skill in playing the violin. This way, you are using your concept in a comparitive concept vs grouping the art of reading tarot as a performance. Thinks, knowing how exhausted I am at the time. I apologize if this seems a little tooo...nit picky.

closrapexa	07 May 2004
I may not have explained myself correctly, I didn't think the idea through. I should have said that while you read for other people, you practice Tarot for yourself. To gain better understanding of yourself, others, the way you experience things. In that respect, reading for others is side deal, something that you do with what you learn, not the main matter itself. Of course, this raises the question, why do people practice Tarot? For themselves, or to help others? Both, it would seem. Even so, reading only for others,or yourself would seem as if it was missing something, without the "formal" study, meditation and personal evolvement that goes on behind the scenes, mostly without the knowledge of the uninformed querent. To them, a good Tarot reader is some one who has the answers up his/her sleeve. What I'm getting to is that I explained to my friend that she shouldn't strive only to have good readings, but use Tarot as a way to personal developement. The good readings will come of their own accord as a result of this.

Alissa	07 May 2004
As a performer myself, I love the analogy.... The best times onstage are when I feel I am lost in the role, lost in the steps, and "ego free". Those moments feel transcendant, and are rare opportunities to touch the Divine behind the art form you're expressing. The same goes for card reading. The best readings are the ones where I feel I'm just a mouthpiece, and the words go through me. They don't come *from* me. Rare. Transcendant. And, the bulk of the work is done offstage, just as closrapexa mentioned. The hours of sweat in the studio. The hours of rehearsing onstage. This is the bulk of the time spent to do one performance that lasts momentarily. And as readers, we often seek methods of occult study to better ourselves, we practice alone like you said, for hours. And then, someone asks us for a reading... "it's show time~!"

yve	07 May 2004
Personally I think we have to be careful when using the word "performance" to describe how we read...as sagitarian pointed out, there are many meanings and interpretations of the word. We here on the forum understand the positive connotations you mean, but it can also have some not so positive connotations. It could bring to mind a show, drama, acting, which may imply (but not necessarily always, so please don't misconstrue me) some artificiality, pretending and perhaps some not so honest intentions and insincerity. ....Please don't take this as bursting any bubbles, but when a word has multiple meanings there is always chances for meanings intended to misconstrued and misused and in tarot, since we want to come across as being honest and sincere, and it has been a misunderstood form of divination, we should be aware.

hyatt	07 May 2004
I agree with a few others here. i think that using the word performance has too many negative conatations - it is something used in the entertainment world. A little too Hollywood. Quote: Instead, I think it would be better to explain it as, you take tarot reading very seriously and you have worked very hard in perfecting your skill as a reader, just like a performing artist has perfected their skill in playing the violin. This way, you are using your concept in a comparitive concept vs grouping the art of reading tarot as a performance. I think sagitarian explains this very well. As an artist and a performance artist, I guess I have thought about this a fair amount. When I am performing a piece it is a role and isn't really about myself or the inner me. I internally get gratification but it isn't my personality on display or even the true me. I guess that is what makes it a performance and not regular ol' life.

Khatruman	07 May 2004
Of course it is a performance....as everyday when I get in front of a class I am doing a performance. And what is wrong with that? It is possible to be sincere, trying to teach, advise, read tarot and realize that one is performing. It does not make it "fake". One is simply trying to sink the message deeper into the audience through the performance. Mythology and folklore have been submitted through performance for thousands upon thousands of years, and they have always carried a truth to their people. It is no less serious business putting on a performance because it also entertains!

Umbrae	08 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Khatruman Mythology and folklore have been submitted through performance for thousands upon thousands of years, and they have always carried a truth to their people. Is that not the most wonderful and true thing you’ve ever heard? It is for me. And what is Tarot? A pictorial mythology and folklore? A medium of and for the message? We’ve lost so much in the telling of a tale – the rhythm of oral telling. We are a generation who ‘watch’. We have become passive… You know, I often ask the rhetorical question, “Why do you read tarot?” To this we could add, “for yourself or others?” Performance and performance have different connotations when used in conjunction with the term, “Reading Tarot.” …And neither of them is bad. For any reason. For many, a paid public reading damn well better be a performance – and it had better be good. There is after all, a responsibility in reading for others. For many, a paid public reading damn well better not be a performance – it had better be ‘real’. There is after all, a responsibility in reading for others. For others, both of the above are very very true. For others, all of the above are very very wrong. That’s why you’d better know why you read tarot. …Cuz it is… And we’ve lost the knack of passing on the oral traditions, the telling of the tale…of their lives – as told by the cards.

The Is the reading a performance? thread was originally posted on 07 May 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.