Tarot as a religion
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jan 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| rainwolf |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I have thought about the idea if the tarot could be considered (personally) as a religion. I have discussed with some friends, but I think it would do better here. Here are some pro's and con's:
Tarot has a system (well, hierarchy)
Tarot does not have a higher 'being'
Tarot has a purpose (enlightenment if u choose)
Tarot does not have a discipline or code to follow (like a bible or koran)
Im a little tired, so i cant think of any really good ones...but I'd definitely like your feedback!
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| HudsonGray |
24 Jan 2005 |
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That's a harder thing to answer than you'd think. You'd have to decide what a religion is first, and then the categories of worship & theology....
I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion and while Tarot would fit in with some categories I think the 'means ofworship' section sort of kicks it out of the running.
To me, no, tarot isn't a religion at all. But you can stretch things a bit and sort of have it fit in if you don't look too hard at technicalities.
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| similia |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I'd vote for no, not a religion. More like a non-denominational spiritual practice (the same as meditation or prayer).
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| Kissa |
24 Jan 2005 |
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Tarot is a tool.
Not a religion, not a deity, not a philosophy.
The great force of Tarot is that it can be used in connection with every religion, every philosophy, as Tarot is about Life.
I think. It's my opinion. Feel free to trash it though.
Kissa
edited to add: interesting question btw...
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| ocho8s |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I once read that.......
Religion is for people who don't want to go to hell
and Spirituality is for the ones who have been there.....
:)
so Tarot to me is not a religion, I totally agree with the ones that think of it as a tool
My 2 cents
Blessings
Anaoly
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| SoulFlower |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I consider tarot a lifestyle, not a religion.
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| VisionQuest |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I would have to agree with Kissa, that Tarot is a tool.
Could you create a religion around such a spiritual tool, I guess that would be up to the individual, because spirituality is very personal...
But for me personally, I don't see Tarot as having the full attributes of a religion.
For the record , I don't have a religion, rather , Spirituality :)
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| damfino |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I'd vote no as well. You can have an spiritual connection with Tarot, but a religion? That's kind of absurd, if you ask me.
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| lunalafey |
24 Jan 2005 |
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Tarot in itself can't be a religion. As was said one must look at what a religion is. Now can tarot be part of a religion, absolutly!
Other religions have books and songs, rattles, feathers, cups of wine and bread....
Tools of the religion. Tarot has worked it's was into a few different religions.
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| Athara |
24 Jan 2005 |
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That's what I love about Tarot. It could fit in in every religion (although a lot of religious people resent it).
There are Catholics, Buddhists, Atheists etcetera who read Tarot and believe in it in their own way. For some it is God who speaks to them, for some it is the Goddess, Nature, Energy or 'simply' their subconscious.
Tarot isn't a religion, it's a part of the way people look at the world and themselves...
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| tarotbear |
24 Jan 2005 |
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Tarot is a tool.
Not a religion, not a deity, not a philosophy.
The great force of Tarot is that it can be used in connection with every religion, every philosophy, as Tarot is about Life.
Religion: (Webster's Dictionary) meaning #1 - belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshopped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe.
#2 - expression of this belief in conduct and ritual.
#3 (a) - any specific sytem of belief, worship, conduct, etc., often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy; as the Christian religion, the Buddist religion, etc.: (b) loosely, any system of beliefs, practices, ethical values, etc., resembling, suggestive of, or likened to such a system; as , humanism is his religion.
Although #3 comes close to your concept of Tarot as religion, religion involves worship on some level, and tarot being a tool is not likely to have any worshippers, although it does have fanatics! I admire your concept for starting this thread, but as for your reason #4 - Tarot DOES have a definate discipline.
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| TemperanceAngel |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I don't believe Tarot is a religion per say, but I do believe one can be religious about their Tarot....
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| Cerulean |
24 Jan 2005 |
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1. Tarot has a system (well, hierarchy)
To me, tarot has iconography of 22 majors, which could be similar to a pantheon such as the main gods of Olympus of Greek legend. But I do not see those who use the idea of tarot iconography in historic or modern decks--either in creating or using them-- in the same way to how people who believe in spiritual authorities through a religious context.
2. Tarot does not have a higher 'being'
To me, I would agree that the tool does not have spiritual authority that I recognize above my own free will or the human free will of anyone else.
3. Tarot has a purpose (enlightenment if u choose)
For the artist or writer who makes this as a modern tool, I do think the tarot has an expressive, artful purpose that I would classify as free expression of an individual; for the historic tarot, there were different gaming purposes that over time modern individuals might have reinterpreted in their own allegorical thinking and reflection.
4. Tarot does not have a discipline or code to follow (like a bible or koran)
A. For individual expression or creativity:Tarot-creativity as in making your own tarot is as individual as the person who creates anything; tarot reading for the self (whatever the set of images encompasses) might have some guidelines to make the experience have some use or fun.
B. Tarot creation for others or tarot reading for others -- I believe their should be a guiding thought of personal responsibility, a kind sensitivity and a brotherly or sisterly compassion for self and questioner. If you are saying that there isn't a law written on tablets for the expression of the words or pictures in tarot, I agree. But I do believe personal ethics that abide in a compassionate individual will provide a discipline or code in use of the tarot.
My thoughts, hope they are clear.
Cerulean
P.S. If I posted in a garbled way, in haste, then I may have to edit for clarity.
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| HANDMAIDEN MI |
24 Jan 2005 |
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philosophy... a smile on a dog. Eddie Brickell
Now, I consider Tarot my Religion. AND it is a tool. How do the two meet for a Magickal religion? Ah... it is in the seeking of the "As above, so below" and the Magician who is connected with the Unknown. There is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in them there cards. It is a language by which I may apprentice as a Mystic... and a Seeker, and not only understand the power necessary to say "So mote it be", but to enact it. It contains the secrets of life, death and the Higher Powers, and when I connect to the "light" I am inspired by the "dumb abyss being vocal with speech". I have the idea that we ascend in consciousness, that the questions we ask, can and will be answered by the Tarot, which as I use it as a tool, is but one of the many voices of God. So.... I take on the roles of the archtypes, and as the High Priestess, which is about intuition, and KNOWING .. I establish the altar based on the invocation of white light... the Christ consciousness is the Magician whole and complete. We would seek ascension. I include nature and the divine feminine, Goddess and hey... I have alot of fun! Yep, my religion all right. High Priestess of the Tarot Religion! I am going to make a white Grecian gown too! Egyptian headress ... Golden Dawn type ceremonies... fits right in!
Apprentice, feel free to trash this if you like!!!! I like jokes too.
But what I said is all true except I havn't made the dress or the headress yet, I might!
Ms. Ae
(Tarot Counselor, article on AT)
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| rainwolf |
24 Jan 2005 |
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I see that some ppl see that as a strongpoint, but i think i should clarify: As a religion, i think tarot could be the main focus in achieving enlightenment-the purpose of tarot as a religion. I know some ppl are strongly against it being a religion, but I was rather thinking of it as a religion where the ultimate outcome is higher understanding...not a place per se.
And for the record i think i should use religion in a connotative sense, as to not piss off webster...LOL. Thanks for the replies, they're really interesting!
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| HANDMAIDEN MI |
28 Jan 2005 |
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Rainwolf, what does ppl stand for? Tarot as a Religion.. for me is based in Magick, the truth/metaphysical truth of power and energy, it is altar based.
Ms. Ae
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| rainwolf |
29 Jan 2005 |
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Sorry for my shorthand, ppl=people for future reference.
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| SunChariot |
29 Jan 2005 |
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I have thought about the idea if the tarot could be considered (personally) as a religion. I have discussed with some friends, but I think it would do better here. Here are some pro's and con's:
Tarot has a system (well, hierarchy)
Tarot does not have a higher 'being'
Tarot has a purpose (enlightenment if u choose)
Tarot does not have a discipline or code to follow (like a bible or koran)
Im a little tired, so i cant think of any really good ones...but I'd definitely like your feedback!
Here are some thoughts. To me it is all the same G-d in each religion. It is just a matter of how you celebrate and contact him/her. Religions are ways to connect to G-d. Tarot is also.
As for the bible or Koran....if Tarot is a religion, it is one of freedom, where we are each free to find our own personal truths about our connection to the universe.
Bar
Bar
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| HANDMAIDEN MI |
30 Jan 2005 |
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Why that is the nail on the head exactly in the past two threads. Enlightenment is my reason for studying Tarot.. I beleive too that whatever God or Goddess or Force or oversoul or One anyone wishes to reach, they can and will with dedication and Seeking with Tarot. Definately it can be taken to the highest order which, can be a "Religion", or it can at least be symbolized by it. Tarot can be appreciated from the basic artwork and history to realizing all the power of magick... it is the individuals choice of disciplines. Merci for such excellent questions, I am always in awe with the great minds I find here on Aeclectic... It is FREE superhuman growth pills to which I am greedily stuffing my face! Oink!
Ms. Ae
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| rainwolf |
30 Jan 2005 |
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SunChariot and HANDMAIDEN MI, thanks for your response, it was very welcome. Im glad others believe that it is wahtever you make of it, adn i too think it is a possible religion of enlightenment, thanks for your response!
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| SunChariot |
30 Jan 2005 |
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SunChariot and HANDMAIDEN MI, thanks for your response, it was very welcome. Im glad others believe that it is wahtever you make of it, adn i too think it is a possible religion of enlightenment, thanks for your response!
You're very welcome rainwolf. :-) I'm always here if there is anything I can do to help anyone. :-) Two other aspects are the ritual aspect common to religion and Tarot. Although we each have our own rituals. I know for me I never do a reading without lighting my scented candles, and doing a little meditation/prayer first. :-) And that both are systems to help us grow and become our best most spiritual selves.:-)
That being said I am off soon to do a reading on an old Oprah article I saved on explanatory styles. On how we explain the things that happen to us away in either negative or positive ways and how that changes our lives. I'm working on learning to develop a positive explanatory style.:-)
All the best,
Bar
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The Tarot as a religion thread was originally posted on 24 Jan 2005 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.
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