Out of Touch with Tarot, Please Help!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Nov 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Paradox	08 Nov 2004
I'm losing touch with my tarot cards. Its getting harder and harder to find the time to use them or even to interpret them. Short but sweet, my question is: How can I get back into the Tarot?

Rhiannon	08 Nov 2004
Ever have those situations happen when you stop and say to yourself "This reminds me of such-and-such a card!" ? Look for those moments. You may not be shuffling, but you are still interacting with tarot and the meanings, it helps to keep them fresh in your mind. Instead of doing a daily draw, try doing a weekly draw on Sunday evening. One card for each day of the week. That way you get it all done at once and you don't have to take time out each day to shuffle and draw a card, but you still have something to reflect on each day. As I was reminded of in another thread by Firemaiden and Umbrae, put away your extra decks and just focus on one and try to remember why you loved it enough to buy it. Hope my thoughts help!

bodhran	08 Nov 2004
I'm new to tarot, and I want to spend as much time learning as possible, but because of work, family, etc. I have limited time. I got a few plastic card holders (the kind that sit on a table that you can stand cards up in -- they're really supposed to be used for folks that have arthritis and can't hold playing cards in their hands). Anyway, I place several cards in it every week, so even if I can't actually sit and use them, I pass by them and I'm reminded to think/meditate on them. Lately I've been placing the same card from different decks in them (such as all High Priestesses), and focusing on that for the week. Take care, Bodhran

Mesara	08 Nov 2004
I know what you mean Paradoxx- Im kind of in a rut myself. I haven't done a reading in a month now, because I just haven't had the time. Ive been pretty busy with work, birthday parties, and visiting family, and Im sure my cards feel quite neglected. I even got some cool decks for my birhday that I haven't even had the chance to use yet, and it is so frustrating to pass by them everyday sitting on the table on the way to work or whatever event is going on that night. However, I would rather go through short periods of separation like this than doing rushed, half-assed readings when I have neither the time or energy to spend on them. Such readings probably wouldn't turn out good anyways. I find that just coming to this site alone is usually enough to help me get through times like this, hearing everyone's thoughts and ideas while browsing the forums.

mooncat2	09 Nov 2004
Put them away and take a break. It happens to us all at one time or another.When the time is right you will return.

WalesWoman	09 Nov 2004
Too much, I keep wanting to do a spread, but never seem to find the time... or haven't felt any great need to do one. I don't mind taking break from reading for myself...I'm still Taroting along here and elsewhere. Is it the stars again? There is some sort of cool configuration the morning of the 10th, I believe, don't have a clue what the import of it is, but it looks like a kite or a chalice, with Venus as the tail under the triange made by the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter. Saw that on space.com, not a place to get an astrological take, but they were sure that in the old days, there would have been some "superstitious" portent! LOL After all the hub bub just before the full moon, eclipses and Grand Quintelle last month, I think a lull is welcome indeed. I sort of feel like my mind went to mush and is in a state of recovery.

smokey	09 Nov 2004
I must agree with Mooncat2. I also put all Tarot articles up for awhile till my energy for it starts flowing freely again.

Diana	09 Nov 2004
Buy a Tarot of Marseilles.

smleite	09 Nov 2004
Mooncat2 is right, put them away and take a break. Maybe you are interiorizing knowledge about Tarot, fortifying your intuition, etc – inner work and outer work are not always compatible at the same time. Don’t leave the boards, if you don’t feel the need; I sometimes take a break from the cards, but during that period I discuss Tarot even more passionately and learn lots of stuff that, once integrated, will lead me back to the decks.

Imagemaker	09 Nov 2004
To allow the cycles of life to happen, to go through the ebb and flow of passion with a peaceful core, is simply a step of awareness. We can't maintain the highest level of enthusiasm, but if we come off the heights, we have the pleasure of climbing again. Take a break, knowing the tarot will be there for you when you're ready.

Francesca	09 Nov 2004
Paradox wrote: I'm losing touch with my tarot cards. Its getting harder and harder to find the time to use them or even to interpret them. Short but sweet, my question is: How can I get back into the Tarot? If it's lack of time that is your problem, perhaps there are moments you can free up. HOw much tv in a week do you watch? Would you rather hang out with your deck or a newspaper? Stuff like that. Take a look at your week and see if you are doing things you don't really care or need to do. Diana, why do you suggest buying tarot of Mareseilles? Francesca

Diana	09 Nov 2004
Francesca wrote: Diana, why do you suggest buying tarot of Mareseilles? Francesca: To break out of one's routine, and to see The Tarot in a different Light. Sometimes it's just a question of approching a subject differently for it to shine again.

mooncat2	09 Nov 2004
Quote: Francesca: To break out of one's routine, and to see The Tarot in a different Light. Sometimes it's just a question of approching a subject differently for it to shine again. Aha - indeed. Its working for me!

April	09 Nov 2004
Diana wrote: Sometimes it's just a question of approching a subject differently for it to shine again. All right, I give up! I'll buy a Mareseille. :) Seriously, I probably will, but that reminds me of a conversation I had the other day. My deck collection is getting larger by the week and I commented to a friend that often I use a new deck to learn about something I didn't know before. Like right now the Templar Tarot (my new favorite) has inspired me to learn everything I can about the Knights Templar. In the past I've been inspired to learn about different art styles and literature by my decks. Not only do I learn something new, but I have a new understanding of Tarot each time. It also works the other way around. I've recently become very interested in the history and evolution of tarot and now I want some historical decks (hey, maybe a Mareseille). Not that I'm saying you should buy a bunch of new decks, but one that you really love will encourage you to make time. Even if it's just a few minutes here and there. But if you don't have time, you don't have time. Don't kill yourself trying to fit it in. Take comfort in the fact that most of us (if not all) have gone through this. Some people's lulls last a few days, others last a few years. I myself barely shuffled a deck through most of college, and I'm not a worse reader for it. If you're serious about tarot this too shall pass. Peace, April

Diana	09 Nov 2004
April wrote: My deck collection is getting larger by the week and I commented to a friend that often I use a new deck to learn about something I didn't know before. Like right now the Templar Tarot (my new favorite) has inspired me to learn everything I can about the Knights Templar. In the past I've been inspired to learn about different art styles and literature by my decks. Not only do I learn something new, but I have a new understanding of Tarot each time. It also works the other way around. I've recently become very interested in the history and evolution of tarot and now I want some historical decks (hey, maybe a Mareseille). Not only does the Marseilles shine special Light on The Tarot, but with it one can learn more about History/Geography, Alchemy, Science, Botany, Mythology, Numerology, Theology, Mathematics, Iconography... and so on. One doesn't NEED to study all these subjects, but they are there to discover whenever we want to.

Little Baron	09 Nov 2004
I have felt this some times in my own tarot history, and I think that a lot of it does have to do with the decks that I have used. Before I carry on, for anyone that uses some of the decks that I have used, please don't take offense. I tried a lot of the RWS variations when I began the tarot but I think that a lot of my numbness that I felt about the tarot was a feeling of exausting some of those images. Personally (just me), I could only go so far with the scenic-minors. These days I am concentrating on decks with non-scenic minors and a new world has opened up; there are more layers that I can add to readings and each reading I have brings something new. I do look into numerology and other aspects of tarot history now and decks such as the historic Italian and Marseilles alow me to bring a lot of new things to the table. I know that visually, they are not everyone's cup of tea, but after feeling a frustration from a lot of other decks I have used, they shine a very new and positive light. In itself, that is inspiring enough to pick up one of those decks and get you shuffling again - finding ou why, from your own experiences that one set of batons is different from another. Wishing you all the best, whichever route you take. Yabs

Kit	09 Nov 2004
Paradox, Put down the cards, sleep properly, eat properly, and breathe. Maybe you need some "Hermit time" to comtemplate the meaning of the universe and some "4 of Swords time" to rest. Then you can return to your cards and see them in a completely different light. Failing that, buy a new deck, like everyone else seems to be suggesting. It always makes me feel better and each deck has a new and different perspective on the tarot. Raeven

Little Baron	09 Nov 2004
Just out of interest, what deck are you using right now? Yabs

Paradox	10 Nov 2004
Yaboot wrote: Just out of interest, what deck are you using right now? Yabs Tarot of the Animal-Lords, maybe the deck's the problem.

Fulgour	12 Nov 2004
Turn the whole world into your own private Tarot store, looking with bright expectations to find special keepsakes. I have so many little treasurs that only have meaning to me because I saw them through the eyes of Tarot ~ and it's fun!

Cerulean	12 Nov 2004
Helper and healer, I cheer— Small waifs in the woodland wet— Strays I find in it, wounds I bind in it— Bidding them all forget! Nearer, Mole, nearer! No, it is no good; the song has died away into reed-talk.' 'But what do the words mean?' asked the wondering Mole. 'That I do not know,' said the Rat simply. 'I passed them on to you as they reached me. Ah! now they return again, and this time full and clear! This time, at last, it is the real, the unmistakable thing, simple— passionate— perfect——' 'Well, let's have it, then,' said the Mole, after he had waited patiently for a few minutes, half-dozing in the hot sun. But no answer came. He looked, and understood the silence. With a smile of much happiness on his face, and something of a listening look still lingering there, the weary Rat was fast asleep. http://www.ex.ac.uk/trol/grol/grahame/wind07.htm After looking at this tarot, I wanted to read Wind in the Willows, and then after I was finished with this delight, I passed the deck on...because to me it is sweetly about childhood folklore tales and yet, not the way I worked with tarot...but it was perfect for a lovely Springtime afternoon...maybe a few sweet animal tales might help you? Perhaps there is a different way that you want to do tarot or an oracle nowadays? What would spark your soul... Respectfully suggested, Cerulean

The Out of Touch with Tarot, Please Help! thread was originally posted on 08 Nov 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.