Improving intuition

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dovanna	31 Mar 2005
I started studying the Tarot half a year ago, and it's surprising how much my intuition has improved. I still feel like needs a lot of fine tuning, but I'm really not sure what I can do to give that part of my mind more exercise. Any thoughts? This popped into my head because I haven't been able to focus on my cards this week. Something seems out of whack in my head, and I can't figure it out logically or by using my intuition. Please move if in the wrong thread.

Earthly Virgo	31 Mar 2005
Dovanna A friend and I were speaking about this only yesterday. It is almost as if the longer you read, the cards almost become superfluous because they are a conduit really for that which you know on another level. But the images contain such archetypal information that they tap into that knowledge for you. So I agree with you, the longer you read the better your intuition. But saying that the cards so beauuuuituful. I love looking at them. love and light

kettle	31 Mar 2005
Hi, I agree with both of you. When I first learned the cards I would rely solely on the meanings the books told me, but as my experience grew, and I relaxed and opened myself up, I began to "see" or "know" things that we're in the cards all the time. In the last 10 years or so, I've only had two REALLY totally hard readings. One was horrible, I couldn't "see" a thing, I stumbled and mumbled and couldn't I don't know "work" with the cards at all. Finally I admitted my problem to the person sitting for a reading, and this very angry vengful person told me "I know, I've been blocking you the whole time, I've just proven you're a fake, like the rest of them, theres nothing to this Tarot business", my point to him is why was he "blocking" me if he honestly believed there was nothing to it. I'm glad to say he never sat for another reading with me, but sad to say how unhappy and mixed up he must have been. The second reading that was difficult for me I did for a woman, and she was agressive and I don't know, "stubborn" all through the reading, I told her about her son, who was alone now, but soon going to find someone he would be with for a very, very long time and who he would share 2 children with, both boys. She shouted at me, abused me, and told me he was gay, how stupid was I, he would never have children, she would never have Grandchildren. I guess the whole point of this reading was to deal with her emotions about that, well I suppose. Anyway I worked with this woman, and about 14 months later she told me he was living with a lovely guy who had two young boys. My point about those two readings is that although I was open and ready to "see" and help the person sitting with me, it always always takes 2 people to read. If the person you're reading for is blocking you in some way for whatever reason, that's not you're fault, and if you've got a lot of negative energy around you, that too may seep into a reading. I'm a waffler I know, but I hope I've helped. Regards Kettle.

Keslynn	01 Apr 2005
Hi Dovanna, I've noticed that my intuition seems to wax and wane, whether I'm using the cards regularly or not. Some days, I get intuitive hits left and right, and other days, I feel like my head has been replaced by a fishbowl. Don't feel down on yourself that you're not getting the cards this week because I bet that it'll all be different next week. Intuition is so nebulous and it changes often (at least in my personal experience). Read the cards anyway and write down what you do see. Then see what happens. Chances are, you'll be right anyway. I think of intuition as a side dish to tarot reading rather than being the steak. That being said, there are things you can do to increase intuition. Try and guess the outcomes of things - games, news stories, situations with friends. Write down what you think and see if it happens. Try and guess who's on the phone before you pick it up. Try a meditation practice. See what gut reactions you get when you meet people, and if possible (and polite), find out if you were right. Try and guess your cards before you lay them out. Intuition does cycle, but you can practice anyway. Then hopefully, you'll have less downtimes. Good luck! :) Kes

Umbrae	01 Apr 2005
Couple things that will help you. Hunt down a set of “Soul Cards” (I prefer Soul Cards 1 rather than 2). They come with no instructions on meanings. So you read with them anyway. No meanings, just you talking…. Ego, is the real issue here, stifling the yowling voice of ego enough to let intuition be heard. Ego’s telling us about what this card means, or the art or history of that image…intuition is telling us about the context of that image to the life of the sitter. Ego is screaming, “You might be wrong!” So much better that you can think of nothing at all…revel in ‘the blank spot’ Remember, reading Tarot – and reading Tarot for another face to face are two different things. Experts write books on the former and ignore the latter. I offered some suggestions in a series I did a while back (The Process ToC).

Dovanna	01 Apr 2005
Thanks for the info everyone! :)

SunChariot	02 Apr 2005
Dovanna wrote: I started studying the Tarot half a year ago, and it's surprising how much my intuition has improved. I still feel like needs a lot of fine tuning, but I'm really not sure what I can do to give that part of my mind more exercise. Any thoughts? This popped into my head because I haven't been able to focus on my cards this week. Something seems out of whack in my head, and I can't figure it out logically or by using my intuition. Please move if in the wrong thread. I find Tarot has improved my intuition too, not just readings, but I find my intuition improves A LOT after doing a Tarot meditation. My thought is that you should try doing some Tarot meditations on your cards.:-) Bar

Simone	02 Apr 2005
Intuition is a process that doesnot only apply to Tarot. Once you get your intuition flowing, you can apply it to *everything*. So you can do this with small exercises during the day which fine-tune you with the messages all around you. Because I think intuition is nothing else than capturing the messages around you and fitting them together like a puzzle. For example: Take a walk through a park (you do not know yet, or from a completely new direction you are not used to). Determine what you want to find - for example you want to see a specific kind of tree. Now walk and look out for signs, an inclination to rather go to your left than your right for example, the direction of flight of a bird, and insect crossing your path... This also works with cities: getting into a new city and needing to find the station, follow your instincts and TRUST them! the more you trust them, the better the results... I called this "SINS" (Simone's Internal Navigation System }) ) Imagemakers signature says "Notice everything, it's sending you a message" (I think, forgive me if I got it wrong). I am with that, and it is what hones our intuition...

caridwen	02 Apr 2005
Umbrae wrote: Couple things that will help you. Hunt down a set of “Soul Cards” (I prefer Soul Cards 1 rather than 2). They come with no instructions on meanings. So you read with them anyway. No meanings, just you talking…. Ego, is the real issue here, stifling the yowling voice of ego enough to let intuition be heard. Ego’s telling us about what this card means, or the art or history of that image…intuition is telling us about the context of that image to the life of the sitter. Ego is screaming, “You might be wrong!” So much better that you can think of nothing at all…revel in ‘the blank spot’ Remember, reading Tarot – and reading Tarot for another face to face are two different things. Experts write books on the former and ignore the latter. I offered some suggestions in a series I did a while back ( The Process ToC ). I think Soul Cards are an excellent idea. I want to get a deck as well but am not sure about using them for readings - more like self discovery. They look very intense though. The Moon Cycle cards look very good as well, especially if you're female:)

Dylan	02 Apr 2005
I dont know anything about Soul cards, can anyone add a little bit more information?

caridwen	02 Apr 2005
Dylan wrote: I dont know anything about Soul cards, can anyone add a little bit more information? http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/soul-cards/

Milfoil	02 Apr 2005
kettle wrote: Hi, I agree with both of you. When I first learned the cards I would rely solely on the meanings the books told me, but as my experience grew, and I relaxed and opened myself up, I began to "see" or "know" things that we're in the cards all the time. In the last 10 years or so, I've only had two REALLY totally hard readings. One was horrible, I couldn't "see" a thing, I stumbled and mumbled and couldn't I don't know "work" with the cards at all. Finally I admitted my problem to the person sitting for a reading, and this very angry vengful person told me "I know, I've been blocking you the whole time, I've just proven you're a fake, like the rest of them, theres nothing to this Tarot business", my point to him is why was he "blocking" me if he honestly believed there was nothing to it. I'm glad to say he never sat for another reading with me, but sad to say how unhappy and mixed up he must have been. The second reading that was difficult for me I did for a woman, and she was agressive and I don't know, "stubborn" all through the reading, I told her about her son, who was alone now, but soon going to find someone he would be with for a very, very long time and who he would share 2 children with, both boys. She shouted at me, abused me, and told me he was gay, how stupid was I, he would never have children, she would never have Grandchildren. I guess the whole point of this reading was to deal with her emotions about that, well I suppose. Anyway I worked with this woman, and about 14 months later she told me he was living with a lovely guy who had two young boys. My point about those two readings is that although I was open and ready to "see" and help the person sitting with me, it always always takes 2 people to read. If the person you're reading for is blocking you in some way for whatever reason, that's not you're fault, and if you've got a lot of negative energy around you, that too may seep into a reading. I'm a waffler I know, but I hope I've helped. Regards Kettle. Kettle - what you say is exactly what I have been reading in a book called 'Inner Eye, Listening Ear' by Paul Beard which is an exploration into Mediumship. I know this is much more in depth and specific than general intuition but the message was basically the same. He claims that there are 3 major components to a sucessful session. The Medium, the recipient and the communicator and ALL have to be open, willing and at ease with oneanother for anything positive to be achieved. The fact that your 'closed' recipients were blocking you is very much along the same lines.

Milfoil	02 Apr 2005
Simone wrote: Intuition is a process that doesnot only apply to Tarot. Once you get your intuition flowing, you can apply it to *everything*. So you can do this with small exercises during the day which fine-tune you with the messages all around you. Because I think intuition is nothing else than capturing the messages around you and fitting them together like a puzzle. For example: Take a walk through a park (you do not know yet, or from a completely new direction you are not used to). Determine what you want to find - for example you want to see a specific kind of tree. Now walk and look out for signs, an inclination to rather go to your left than your right for example, the direction of flight of a bird, and insect crossing your path... This also works with cities: getting into a new city and needing to find the station, follow your instincts and TRUST them! the more you trust them, the better the results... I called this "SINS" (Simone's Internal Navigation System }) ) Imagemakers signature says "Notice everything, it's sending you a message" (I think, forgive me if I got it wrong). I am with that, and it is what hones our intuition... Simone - thats so true, I used to do this as a child, I had forgotten it until I read your post. I lived out in the countryside and used to go for long rambles on my own. I'd think about something I wanted to find and play a game of following the signs. Why ever did I stop? I must try SINS (gotta be cheaper than GPS!) ;) Seriously though, it does work, sometimes you dont find what you expected but then, in time it all seems to be for the better - odd. Thanks Simone - you've just given me part of my childhood back :)

Simone	02 Apr 2005
Milfoil wrote: I must try SINS (gotta be cheaper than GPS!) ;) Seriously though, it does work, sometimes you dont find what you expected but then, in time it all seems to be for the better - odd. Thanks Simone - you've just given me part of my childhood back :) }) SINS only works if your real first name starts with S... With Milfoil it will be MINS ;) And - you're welcome ;)

Little Baron	02 Apr 2005
Kettle, I loved your story about the man with the two boys. Very inspiring and a good example of trusting what you feel. LB

psychic sue	02 Apr 2005
Psychic potential or intuition is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows. Each time you read the tarot you are "excercising" your psychic muscles. Meditation can also help with development. Soul Cards - I always thought this was the card you feel you connect with most, although somepeople figure out their natal numerology number (sorry don't know the correct term) and use that - eg; my birthday - 24/02/1962 - 2+4+2+1+9+6+2 = 26 - 2 + 6 = 8. This would make my card Strength. Guess which card I pulled for my spirit guide card ? ha ha! Hope that helps anyway, Sue x

Fudugazi	02 Apr 2005
Dovanna wrote: I haven't been able to focus on my cards this week. Something seems out of whack in my head, and I can't figure it out logically or by using my intuition. Try reading with ordinary playing cards. Change tack completely. It helped my intuition no end! Or do exercises like reading for fairytale characters (like was done on AT a while ago). Or to a sentence - question. Ask a short question and pick a card for each word. Or pick a card and tell a story from that card. You need to get your imagination fired- imagination and intuition are twins, one is never far from the other ;)

Khatruman	02 Apr 2005
Umbrae wrote: I offered some suggestions in a series I did a while back ( The Process ToC ). How about your wonderful toothpick reading thread, which, I am sure, is somewhere in the back archives? Should you revive that?

Umbrae	02 Apr 2005
Khatruman wrote: How about your wonderful toothpick reading thread... But is the world ready for reading the Magic Toothpicks?

satinangel	02 Apr 2005
Umbrae, Just did a search and found your Toothpick excersize! WOW! I am so very impressed! Going to try it this afternoon. Would love to see you bump this thread! There are so very many newbies that could benefit! Thank you for your amazing posts!

Emeraldgirl	04 Apr 2005
I have also found that my intuition is improving the more open myself up by mediating and doing readings. I think it is that now that we are doing these readings and opening up our minds to other possiblilties and feelings they are presenting themselves. Just my $0.02 :)

The Improving intuition thread was originally posted on 31 Mar 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.