Do you always follow the tarot's advice?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Mesara	09 Sep 2004
Im asking because although I believe in the tarot and genuinely trust what it is telling me, I have a really hard time following it's counsel when it is something that I do not want to hear. Any tricks on overcoming this problem? It seems silly to expect my querents to heed the messages in their readings when I can't do the same for myself!

closrapexa	09 Sep 2004
Tarot is not some infallible oracle of the Gods. It would be a mistake to presume that all it tells us is written in stone and can never be changed. What it does give us are questions. Questions we would sometimes not ask ouselves. I've had querents request readings only to tell then that I honestly don't think they would get anything out of a reading because they already had too many. Go with your gut feeling. I doubt the cards will tell you to go jump off a roof, but not all their messages are as clear as crystal. You querents will appreciate you all the more when you give them options, not decrees, about what you see in the cards.

TheLovers2	09 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mesara Im asking because although I believe in the tarot and genuinely trust what it is telling me, I have a really hard time following it's counsel when it is something that I do not want to hear. Any tricks on overcoming this problem? It seems silly to expect my querents to heed the messages in their readings when I can't do the same for myself! Misara, hi: I think you ask a good question, but, personally, no, I don't always follow ANYONE'S advice; and that is a big part of what Tarot provides, as you said -- advice. Suggestions. Options. Different perspectives. Direction. Insight. Counsel. I have a great deal of respect for the Tarot, but, it's up to us, I think, to decide ultimately, how we will see a situation; what we will do. Also, I don't expect people to "heed" what I tell them in a Reading and I admit, I'm new at it. I leave that up to them. You know, it's a Reading and they can take or leave as much as they want, but, I wouldn't want them to see it as "written in stone." For me, I can't imagine even later after I've been at it a while that I would want that. What person do you know who would offer you counsel or advice and then demand that you follow it. That would be tampering with your free will and it would certainly no longer be advice. We all have a hard time listening to what we don't want to hear, and acting on it and even that is ok. If there's a lesson and you miss it, most likely, it will come around again. :) Like closrapexa said, Tarot is not infallible. Most of all, WE are not infallible and we are the ones interpreting and processing the information the Tarot gives. I say, follow your heart and continue growing with it and sort of . . . flow with it. I don't think you should pressure yourself to follow the advice if you don't want to, but, I would suggest that you consider it, make note and keep track of your Readings. As you look back on them, you will probably be able to gauge your accuracy with time. A good question might be to ask yourself, when this happens, if you AGREE with the "advice," "message," you're being given. Then, if you do, ask yourself why you are fighting with it. If you don't and you really "see it another way," maybe take a second look to see if there's ANY part of it that rings true to you. Take note of the portion that connects in your spirit and table the rest. Discovering "why" you don't want to act on something is discovering more about YOU and that is so much of what Tarot is for, anyway. :) Thanks for posting. :) TL2

Eco74	09 Sep 2004
Trying to stay aware of the advice helps heaps, even if one does not follow it "by the book". A stressful situation where the cards advice causion and staying in the background for instance can still be handled by facing it and taking the situation on instead of just looking on. However, knowing that the cards indicate "staying in the background" can help you ask questions that get to the background of the situation rather than just attacking the situation as is. I believe that sometimes we do not fully comprehend the advice until we are in the middle of the situation or even after it has passed.. Keeping the advice in mind though tends to help one keep a somewhat cool head in the heat of the action. A kind of soothing ingredient in ourselves that helps us handle the upcoming situations better since we have an albeit slite awareness.

Mesara	09 Sep 2004
Thanks for your input, but I think I may have been somewhat misunderstood. I never demand that my querents heed (maybe that was the wrong word, but it's late and I can't think of a better one) what I see in their cards, and I never tell them what to do. I present what I see to them as advice, words of wisdom, and nothing more. I also understand that although the tarot can give us glimpses of the future, as someone mentioned above, rarely is it ever set in stone, and I make sure to tell my querents that as well. I realize that no one should be forced into taking anyone's advice, and if i sounded like I felt they should than I apologize. I guess what I meant to ask was how people reacted to readings they did on themselves, especially when the cards tell you things you don't necessarily want to hear. For example, lets say that the cards spell out a different outcome of a situation than you had hoped for. Do you begin working fervently to change that outcome by making some changes in your life or do you sit passively by because the required changes seem too challenging or difficult, or painful and hope for the best? I personally have been known to choose the passive route and it frustrates me that I can't be motivated to action by my cards. I was just wondering if others have this same problem. Sorry my explanation was so long! I hope this clears it up.

TheLovers2	09 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mesara I realize that no one should be forced into taking anyone's advice, and if i sounded like I felt they should than I apologize. I guess what I meant to ask was how people reacted to readings they did on themselves, especially when the cards tell you things you don't necessarily want to hear. For example, lets say that the cards spell out a different outcome of a situation than you had hoped for. Do you begin working fervently to change that outcome by making some changes in your life or do you sit passively by because the required changes seem too challenging or difficult, or painful and hope for the best? I personally have been known to choose the passive route and it frustrates me that I can't be motivated to action by my cards. I was just wondering if others have this same problem. Sorry my explanation was so long! I hope this clears it up. Mesara: I probably did to some extent misinterpret your question. But, I want you to know that I was never under the impression that you would try to force anything. The word "heed," taken in context with how you had a hard time following the counsel you received, just made me think that there might be more of an expectation to go with what the cards say, but, I didn't get that you would want to be pushy about that. I'm sorry if I misunderstood. In terms of your question in the second post, I try to consider what the cards are saying to me, keep an open mind, make some necessary adjustments if they seem to be connecting with my spirit and what I know inside to be true. I do not work fervently to change an outcome offered by the cards, nor do I choose to be totally passive and do nothing. I consult the Tarot because I want the help it gives, but, I am more relaxed about how I deal with what I see. If there is a suggestion to take a closer look at something, then I try to do that. Basically, I will TRY to incorporate into my life/style/attitude/actions whatever seems right. If something seems right, but, is very difficult then I am patient with myself; bite off small portions that I may be able to digest at the time and save the rest for later. I see it all so much as a work in progress; meaning me -- I am a work in progress, so I don't put a lot of pressure on myself regarding this. I enjoy the cards; I have fun with them. (I'm not suggesting that you don't.) :) It's an easy relationship. Let's say, for instance, I do a Reading about a particular guy that I like, but, don't know well, yet. Now, if the Reading shows, basically, that this is not a good guy for me to get to know and it shows some unfavorable things, if I want to, I'll still go out with him. I'll do what I want to do, right? But, then I will later review my notes to see if the Reading was On. This has happened to me before. So, then I feel -- ok, that's cool, my Reading was pretty accurate -- good to know. Next. I may "heed" and I may not, BUT, I AM GOING TO LEARN SOMETHING, REGARDLESS. As I mentioned in my first post, I think it's a good idea to ask some questions of yourself regarding the advice you're getting. Again, is it something you can readily see and agree with, i.e., "Yes, I can see that I need to work more on xyz," " Yes, I can see that this is (more than likely) what's behind my desire for xyz." OR, "No, I don't get that at all." In which case, you may want to do another Reading later. But, as far as "not getting that at all," I usually get something I agree with and can use from all of my Readings and I don't worry about the "outcome." I feel that I have some control over the outcome, although, I realize that there are many things that influence a given situation/outcome. I am not at the mercy of my cards, so I don't sweat "being motivated to action" by them. I blend it all, the cards and I work together. I would be more concerned if I tended to totally disregard and not give proper consideration to a Reading. I always want to take it in and sometimes, there isn't anything more that I need to do, but, think about some things, and just be open to some other possibilities. Lastly, if the "required changes" as you put it, seem to be "too challenging, difficult or painful," then to me that is where you need to begin. Take a look at that and, possibly, do a Reading on "Why" these things seem so difficult or the thought of doing them cause you pain. You might just be avoiding the discomfort and that, once again, happens to all of us on some level or another. But, rather than getting frustrated because you were not "motivated to act," turn in and ask more questions. Sometimes, a question will lead to another question before it ever leads to an answer we can accept. So, a good question might be, "Why am I not motivated to action by my cards/Reading?'" "Why do I choose to be passive regarding this situation/person?" "Why do I feel frustrated when I don't?" "Why is this painful, difficult, too challenging for me?" "What can I learn about myself in this?" That's my take on it. We'll see what others may offer, but, I hope you get some good stuff that you can use and that will help. Don't worry about your posts being too long, Mesara, (I guess you can tell, I don't :D) and as far as I know there isn't a word limit or anything. Sometimes, they're short, sometimes, they're long -- :) TL2

amyel	09 Sep 2004
Nope, I don't. And that's not unique to Tarot - any advice could suffer the same fate. Sometimes, it just doesn't make sense to me, or is such a radical departure from my comfort zone that it just confuses me. Other times, the suggestion is just too scary.

swampwitch	09 Sep 2004
If one focuses on the Celtic Cross, specifically the third and fourth cards, then the issue becomes what the Higher Self always knows and always knew. We can anticipate our divinations, and our querents can anticipate our interpretations as readers. The Higher Self knows, but can be blocked by, what, defenses, denial, all the psychological baggage that we typically haul around with us. For better or worse, we already know what is going on. The Tarot helps us overcome our denial--if we are so ready. When we quarrel with the Tarot, we are quarreling with ourselves. It is not "outside" ourselves--we and it work conjointly. swampwitch

Mesara	10 Sep 2004
Writing notes on readings is great advice. Ive only recently started to do that, but I know these notes will come in handy when and if I feel ready to take charge of the situation. Everytime I do readings on myself I become so distraught over what I see that I often refuse to do readings for myself for long periods of time, which I think has also been a big mistake of mine. I like your suggestion (TL2) to keep doing readings and simply write them down if I don't feel ready to change things quite yet. That would definately take the pressure off and help me to enjoy my readings more, plus give me notes to look back on later. Thank you. I also think that Swampwitch has hit on a good point; that Im obviously not ready to overcome this "denial" as of yet and that it's okay- Thanks swampwitch- that bit of advice may seem like common sense but it is honestly something I never considered, and I feel much more at peace now. Thanks.

Gyda	10 Sep 2004
I take the advice of the cards like I take the advice of any friend, into consideration, it help me form a plan of action, and then decide my course. I find when it gives me something I don't want to hear, its time to push my comfort zone and see where it takes me. I tend to make small changes to achive what I need to, I've never been the passive type. Even though the Norns fix certian things in your fate when you're born, your wyrd is always your choice. When your ready to over come the denial and look at what you may not want to you'll know.

Flavio	13 Sep 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Mesara Im asking because although I believe in the tarot and genuinely trust what it is telling me, I have a really hard time following it's counsel when it is something that I do not want to hear. Any tricks on overcoming this problem? You can avoid spreads with positions such as: - Final overcome - Advice for the coming month, week etc... - Expected result And focus on readings which provide you a "photograph" of your current situation and background, so you know where are you now and can decide only by yourself what to do.

The Do you always follow the tarot's advice? thread was originally posted on 09 Sep 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.