I'm confused :(

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 06 May 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Danielkirk1	06 May 2005
I don't really understand tarot at all. Is there the right meaning? or do you just interpret what you 'think' it means? Every website/book I look at has somewhat diffrent meanings even though it's the same deck of cards.... And I bought a book and even that is diffrent to what I read on here. How do I learn and become a professional? Any reply is helpful. Daniel kirk.

Julien	06 May 2005
Hi Daniel, Well... I've been reading for a little while, but I still think I'm just figuring things out. So here's what I think: Each card, based upon its imagery, number and suit, has a range of possibilities-- so no, I don't think cards have A meaning, but rather they have several possible meanings, all of which are tied together in a theme. That theme is dictated by the imagery on the card, the number and the suit (already said that, I know, but I think it's really important -- imagery, number, suit). Any one card can mean several things, but no card can mean just anything you want to assign to it. Aces, for example, tend to have to do with beginnings, but the beginning of what? That depends upon the image on the card and the suit. If it's a cup, I'd guess the beginning of a relationship or a new friendship, maybe romantic, maybe just a really good friendship; if it's a pentacle, I'd think the beginning of good fortune in a material sense; the ace of wands -- the beginning of a new passion, but not a romantic passion (that would be a cup), but rather discovering a new cause of some kind; and the ace of swords -- also a beginning, but because swords are tied to the mind, ideas, talking, I'd think the beginning of some new writing project, or some sort of intellectual challenge involving words... Do you see? I like to read the various meanings in various books because it helps me expand the possible understandings for each card. Some people really like to keep books nearby when they read, and I completely understand. Some people learn the basics (numbers, suits, and then study the imagery closely), and then follow their intuition within the guidelines they've developed about what particular numbers, suits and images mean. Other people, myself included, do both. Ultimately, the point is to open up our own intuitions, our own minds, and that is largely a process of self-discovery. What will work for you might fall into one of the three ways I've just described, but it might not. (And, you might check out some of the threads on the issue of using books or not, working with reversals or not, to get a sense of how differently different people read). I think all of us have as our goal, though, the ability to draw from the cards meanings that apply to the questions you're trying to answer. Because we're different people, we'll see slightly different nuances in the meanings of the cards. They're there to help us do that, actually, not just to tell us in some concrete way what will happen as if we were reading the weather forecast. Our own intuitions and insights are really what need to be developed. That, at least, is the way I think about it. I hope it helps. Best, Julien

mike gorth	06 May 2005
hey welcome Well, plain and simple, your own interpretations help. If you look at a card but get a totally different feeling, it most likely means what you were feeling since it opens you up to the universe. The general definitions are good and you should learn them well but you might get slightly different interpretations depending on the spread and question.

Angel Star	07 May 2005
Welcome to tarot! You will find tarot to be very mysterious at times. There are alot of meanings for each card. Keep studying don't get too confused just take your time and go with your intuition. Thats what I did at first then i started buying alot of books on tarot card meanings. Yes they all do say different things. I have been reading them for 7 yrs now and I am still learning from the tarot. Be patient with the tarot it is alot of fun.

HudsonGray	07 May 2005
Welcome, No one book is 100% right or wrong, they all give you a starting point and it's up to you to take it from there. Every card has a basic meaning, or theme, and a variety of subtle shades associated with it (hence the 'theme' approach). By learning the basics, you get started. Then with experience with your deck via readings, you'll start to pick up the other things you'll need. You'll see things in the cards that make sense to you, but which aren't in the LWB, the main books you've been reading, or even in the one written by the artist of the deck. This will be completely valid as well. Basically, get to know your deck, learn the main meanings, and do readings. You'll find it's a 'learn as you go' type of thing.

Little Baron	07 May 2005
Julien wrote: That, at least, is the way I think about it. I hope it helps. I think you have hit the nail on the head and described it perfectly, Julien. Just a thought: the 'Your Readings' threads are good to look through because you can lay out the cards in peoples spreads and then work through the interpretations that others have posted there - seeing simularities and differences in interpretation and reading style. Try not to let it worry you and take your time, since there is no rush. I have been learning for quite a few years and still feel very much the beginner - we all get confused about what the cards mean - experienced readers, as much as newer readers. I occasionally look through books and take from them what makes sense to me - a little numerology, an insight from another reader about a cards history or design, a quote here and there. I add all of these to my own intuitive response to the picture, the cards around it and the question asked by the querant. If you jot down all of these findings as you go along, you will eventually develop your own understanding and rapour with your deck and a (note) book that is second to none. Hope all goes well LB

Angel Star	07 May 2005
Your right little about still learning even after years of tarot studying. That is what amazes me about the tarot as every reading i am stilling learning more from every card. Yep and no one book will give you all the meanings of each card. You kind of pick up on the meaning of each card and what feels right for you. Like the 7 of swords for me always reminds me of sneaky behavior or doing things alone to get ahead but again this is just me. Another valid meaning may totally apply to someone else.

WalesWoman	07 May 2005
What I do is glean meanings...that is what is great about the forum and study groups, there are so many different ideas that are associated with the different cards. Using Tarot Cards, Study Groups and Historical (Rider Waite study area) are excellent places to get a lot of new ideas and concepts. Don't worry if the meanings are different at different places, I have discovered that the meanings tend to reflect the situation and question, there is no "right" meaning, but what feels right for you and it will change as you develop your skills, confidence, intuition and understanding of Tarot. It reminds me of the line from Pirates of the Carribean... they aren't really rules, more like guidelines. LOL One of the cool things is symbolism on the cards as well, colors mean different things, as well as what people are wearing or not wearing, it's hard at first to understand and I think we want to learn everything at once and get overwhelmed by the massive amount of information available on just one card. It would take me a week to do a reading, because I would surf all over looking at different meanings, look up the symbolism of objects, colors and the astrological, numerological meanings as well... and this was a 3 card spread. LOL Don't get discouraged and keep an open mind... it will come sooner than you can believe it. Go with what you feel and you'll do fine.

Emeraldgirl	09 May 2005
Hi Daniel, I don't think there is any "right way" or "wrong way" to read the cards. I personally work off both the book meanings and my own interpretations with varied results I must say. I think the best way to learn is practice and spend time with your cards. Look at them and think about what they mean to you. Write down whatever thoughts pop into your head while looking at a card and work with it from there comparing to the traditional meanings. Read all you can here and on other sites. Start a journal and use that as a teaching tool. And never be afraid to ask a question no matter how trivial it may seem you will still get an answer.

Valkyriesong	09 May 2005
Danielkirk1 wrote: I don't really understand tarot at all. Is there the right meaning? or do you just interpret what you 'think' it means? Every website/book I look at has somewhat diffrent meanings even though it's the same deck of cards.... And I bought a book and even that is diffrent to what I read on here. How do I learn and become a professional? Any reply is helpful. Daniel kirk. Well Daniel... first of all the tarot is 50% definition and 50% intuition or "gut feeling" if you may. The definition part is tricky. Each card has a basic general meaning. What I would do is take the directions written from your pack of cards and read over the definitions they are usually like a few words long and VERY simple to understand. Then take the cards one by one look at the picture... study it .. look at the meaning and ask yourself "What does this picture tell me?" Close your eyes and concentrate on the picure what do you FEEL when you hold that card? What is the first thing that pops into your head when you look at that card and its meaning. You'll be suprised what comes up especialy with the court cards. How can you associate with the card being in either past experience of yours or what you have seen in your life. With court cards read the defitions of them and ask yourself WHO does this remind me of? Then define that card with that person you think of and stick with it as what you feel. Like the "king of swords reminds me of my Uncle Fred because he was a cop and he was a real hard nose" then when you read for someone else .. basically that card that represents your "uncle fred" will and can be associated with someone you are reading as someone or something in THEIR life... get it? Do the same thing with the minor arcana and the major arcana. When you read someone its like putting a jig saw puzzle together .. take all the cards and their meanings put them together and basically weave them all together even with thier book definitons... then go with your "gut feeling" as to what they are trying to tell you ... in time the intuition part will kick in. Once you get the basics down, look into those books you have just to get other people's perspective of the meanings then they may even have a relativly similar meaning how you interpret them. I hope i made sense. - Valky

The I'm confused :( thread was originally posted on 06 May 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.