Advice for a newbie?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

5starshine	19 Jul 2002
I'm so glad to have found this place! I look forward to spending a lot more time here. I'm new to tarot and the deck I chose to work with first (after I lost 3 Rider-Waite decks I felt the universe was telling me something!) is the Hudes deck. I'm trying to discover what the best way to try to learn the art of reading tarot is. I've heard of two decks that can be a study aid ...The Quick and Easy Tarot Deck and The Starter Tarot Deck. What are the difference between the two? What are the pros and cons of each? Are the meanings on one more textbook while the other is more interpretive? I'm a visual learner so I think one or the other might help me. What, in general, seems to be the best way to learn to read tarot? It seems so overwhelming. Thanks in advance for any advice!

the hermit	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by 5starshine I'm so glad to have found this place! I look forward to spending a lot more time here. I'm new to tarot and the deck I chose to work with first (after I lost 3 Rider-Waite decks I felt the universe was telling me something!) is the Hudes deck. I'm trying to discover what the best way to try to learn the art of reading tarot is. Lost 3 decks? Ouch! But you do have a Hudes deck? Ok, if that's so you've already spent enough for now and the Hudes deck is a nice deck. Try visiting Joan Bunning's website AND the posting by Thirteen here, on the Aeclectic Tarot site... just click on the links below and bookmark them or add them to your favorites in your browser-- Joan Bunning Thirteen's Tarot Basics Both of these sites are great resources of information for beginner and experienced readers. What else should you do? Read the cards daily as suggested on Joan's site, try some of her exercises. Work with the cards, shuffle them, look at them, think about what YOU see in them. What does the artwork tell you, what does it make you think about. Also, visit this link, another here on Aeclectic... Tarot Text: Articles and Essays It has links to other sections here on Aeclectic Tarot with more info. AND DON'T FORGET TO READ THE FORUM AND POST YOUR OWN QUESTIONS! and have fun. Then, after we have you really interested, you can go out and spend a TON on more decks, books and more, more, more decks! :D

mondk	19 Jul 2002
was to get a notebook and a pen and sat down and went through every single card and wrote down all the meanings I could think of with each card....then, I would go through the little white book to see if I was close and jot some notes down. Then, I would do "sample readings" mainly by thinking of family and friends...once I felt comfy doing my "sample readings" I moved on to real readings for family and friends, and through word of mouth now, I read for people I don't know as well. I keep a "tarot journal" and jot notes down on each reading I do...then if I am unclear about certain meanings, I will consult my tarot books. One of the best things I did though, was to basically put all the little white books aside and go off of the "feelings" the cards gave me. Hope this helps...you will love it here!! I also have the Hudes deck; it is my newest and I'm learning it quickly. Let me know if you have any questions about it!! Blessings, Michelle

Lee	19 Jul 2002
Hi, 5Starshine, welcome to the Aeclectic Forums! :) The Hermit and mondk have given very good advice, I couldn't improve on it. Frankly I think the things they recommend will keep you plenty busy for a while. However, just to satisfy your curiousity, you can read reviews of the Quick & Easy and Starter decks here and here and here and here. -- Lee

Rhiannon	19 Jul 2002
Hello newbie! LOL Welcome to the forums. I did pretty much what mondk described when I first REALLY started studying the tarot. As far as the Starter decks are concerned, I don't think you need them. Go ahead with the Hudes deck. It might help to purchase a book (a real one, not a LWB) like Tarot Reversals, Tarot for Yourself... etc. Those are my two personal faves, though. Good luck with your studies, and don't be afraid to ask questions! R :)

Starfish	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Rhiannon Hello newbie! LOL Welcome to the forums. I did pretty much what mondk described when I first REALLY started studying the tarot. As far as the Starter decks are concerned, I don't think you need them. Go ahead with the Hudes deck. It might help to purchase a book (a real one, not a LWB) like Tarot Reversals, Tarot for Yourself... etc. Those are my two personal faves, though. Good luck with your studies, and don't be afraid to ask questions! R :) I also did what Mondk did - it really helped me get in tune with the cards. I love both of the books Rhiannon mentions; they are a great aid to newbies. As for the Hudes (which Mondk me into ordering ;)), I've had no personal experience with it but people that have seem to really like it. And I also agree with the Hermit - after 3 decks have gone missing (I'm thinking that the Rider-Waite is the deck for you })), working with the Hudes is a great way to learn! This forum is a wonderful place to help you learn and grow, it will also be a very good tool of instruction. And 13's Tarot Basics, along with Joan Bunning's site, are invaluable tools too! Blessings - :T4W Starfish

divinerguy	19 Jul 2002
Learning to read cards is a lot like learning a new language. Things are simply not what they seem, and there are a thousand exceptions to every rule. Oh - and there are no rules. I believe in immersion learning. Just jump in - do as many readings as you can with as little outside help as possible. Trust me - you'll learn how to read cards very quickly this way. As you do readings, you'll develop some of the subtle skills that experienced readers possess, such as card combinations, people and time divination, and one of the more difficult issues - the yes/no question. Study the books, they won't hurt you. But more than anything else - read as many cards as possible. You can do readings of people on TV, or family, and people walking down the street. There's no rule that says you are required to talk with them, or have their permission. Whatever you do, respect the privacy of the querent by keeping the reading to yourself.

Kyrielle	19 Jul 2002
I think that it is too easy to get the idea that there are only a few predetermined possibilities for the meaning of a card if you go by a LWB or something like the Starter Tarot. Michele Morgan's book "A Magical Course in Tarot" is a very good starting point for learning what the cards mean to you while respecting the traditional meanings. Also try Joan Bunning's book/website, and check out the Tarot Books and Media Forum here to see what we all think on other options. Welcome, and I look forward to more of your posts. -- Kyrielle

Umbrae	19 Jul 2002
I was going to post some things to get you started, but the thunder has been stolen. However, it is worth repeating. Begin with three card spreads. Begin doing 3 card readings (for others). Do them for-ever. Do a lot of them. Buy a spiral notebook. Use it as a Journal (very important). Write down every reading (both cards and your interpretation). Only read for yourself no more than once a week. Three card readings are versatile, and accurate. More cards do not always mean better readings (but they look good on tv). Read books (but remember they are a reference tool, not a reverence tool) (I recommend “Tarot Reversals” by Mary Greer. 3 card spreads? Page 215. Read old posts on this site.

5starshine	20 Jul 2002
Thanks to all who added their input. I appreciate it!

Thirteen	20 Jul 2002
Actually, one of the simplist ways of getting started is just memorizing the Majors (those first 22 cards numbered from 0-21). Not what they mean, but what they are. Fool, Magician, High Priestess. Familarize yourself with them, as if they were people. Then, like people, you start delving into their meaning, reading up on them--noticing details, gaining background. Then do the same with the minors--take it a day at a time--today (or this week) work with the Aces, then the 2's, then the 3's--or, if you like, the cups, then the wands, etc. Take it as slow or as fast as you like. Point is, it's less daunting if you feel comfortable with the cards and if you break them up--don't try to swallow down 78 cards right away--instead, set your goal to you're learn those first 11 cards (0-10)--and then the rest (11-21). Then 10 of a suit, then 10 of another, etc.,...then the 12 court cards. You get the idea. You'll be reading in no time.

Moongold	25 Jul 2002
Quote: [i] Only read for yourself no more than once a week. [/b] Could you elaborate on this advice, Umbrae? Some people read every day. Is it a little like the advice that doctors shouldn't treat themselves and if so, where does using Tarot as a personal development tool come in? I am curious because I felt uncomfortable reading every day for myself. It seemed that I sometimes had not given myself enough time to digest previous readings and effect the change I might have needed to follow through. I would appreciate you comments. M

fairyhedgehog	25 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Moongold I am curious because I felt uncomfortable reading every day for myself. It seemed that I sometimes had not given myself enough time to digest previous readings and effect the change I might have needed to follow through. Does it depend on what you mean by doing a reading? I read the cards for myself most days, but I do a 3 card 'let's look at today' kind of reading, often at the end of the day. I don't do a full scale Celtic Cross or wheel of the year or such like every day :) I used to only pull one card, but I always felt I needed more so I made up a 3 card spread that suits me.

Lee	25 Jul 2002
This thread originated in the Tarot Decks forum, but since it took a turn away from specific decks and is now discussing ways to learn, I've copied the thread here and deleted the non-deck-related posts from the thread in Tarot Decks. I'll leave it to Diana or Major Tom as to whether they want to delete the deck-related posts at the beginning of this thread (they're all still there at the thread in Tarot Decks). -- Lee

5starshine	28 Jul 2002
Thanks everone, for your input. I really appreciate it.

Olympia	31 Jul 2002
Didn't realize it moved! sorry Throw the book under the bed. Have fun! The cards will take a bit to become familiar, but let the reveal themselves. Think of how many readings you've been to or seen that didn't make much sense unless you stretched it. Besides, the book is only what someone else thought. What do YOU think they mean? You're readings will be so much more accurate when you adjust your meanings to where they fit. No pat answer or meaning is ever, ever going to fit every single situation or question. That is plain silly and I've rarely seen it work. Then, maybe a few months later...read some parts of the book if you're totally stuck on some cards. Good luck on this!

The Advice for a newbie? thread was originally posted on 19 Jul 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.