Questions.../Thoth info

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Krystianx3	15 Aug 2002
I find that I tend to analyze cards instead of reading with them. Does any one else do this? I love doing it, but I know that I was drawn to the Tarot for a different reason, and I thought that was to read them, and to help myself and others. I have only five decks, but I plan on getting more because I like to compare the interpretations of the meanings of each card in different decks. I also like to see the variations on symbolism and artwork. The Thoth deck is great on symbolism and artwork, and so is the Melanie Gendron deck, it's sort of new wave, but it's a beautiful deck. By the way, I have three books on the Thoth deck: The blue book ( I forget the name of it) that contains all the meanings for Crowleys deck, the green book by Wanless who can interpret Crowley's meanings of the Thoth deck in a very systematic type of way, and the Tarot Handbook which is very large but very helpful and it gives you a different perspective on the cards. I love this deck, but I have a few friends that say it's too intense to read with. I think I'm starting to agree with them. There's so much in the cards it's hard to focus on one or two meanings, you want them all. I plan to make my own one day, and I'd love to go to that school of Tarot I think in Washington or California. I am an artist I guess and I have a few beliefs so why not. Anyone else interested in making their own deck? Blessed Be, Krystian...

Sorceress_Jade	15 Aug 2002
The thoth deck is one of my main reading decks. It and my Universal Waite. I sometimes feel as though this deck isn't the right on for a particular reading (for various reasons) but I also feel that it is a very deep deck that can bring for specific feelings for my readings. I would say not to shy away from using this deck in readings, but maybe if you feel it's too harsh, to use it on questions that require something so deep and entrenching? I'd hate to see the deck go unused in hands of someone who's capable with it. :)

Sullanciri2002	26 Aug 2002
I know that a lot of fellow-tarotists went through a phase where they interpreted rationally to the exclusion of intuďtive reading ... but it's often just a phase. It's just that most of are raised to rationalize everything and grasp hold of that modus operandus whenever we approach something new: it gives us some sense of "security" that we need to take those next steps into a world where we have to let go of logic and "intellect" to evolve. If you stick with it and get to feel more at ease with the whole concept of reading and the cards themselves, you will eventually get there - though it takes longer for some people than it does for others. Perhaps you should limit yourself to one or two decks to feel completely at ease with them a bit faster, instead of trying to get in touch with multiple decks.

Laurel	26 Aug 2002
I also spend more times studying and analyzing cards than reading them. Its a habit I picked up from my early days as an armchair kabbalist. Before then, I did a lot more reading and a lot less study. When I finish my current one card-a day survey of the Thoth deck (Majors and Court cards complete, working up through the wands now), I'll probably go to more reading and less analysis. Laurel

Keslynn	26 Aug 2002
Tarot means many different things to many different people. You do not even have to do readings with your decks if you don't want to! I'm sure there are people who use their cards exclusively for pathworking. Likewise, there are those who exclusively read for others. And to complicate the matter, there are lots of people who go through phases and vascillate between these two extremes. You should never feel forced to do anything with your cards. If you're in studying mode right now, then go with it. Besides, when/if you do decide to do more readings than studying, all the information you've picked up will help. Also, as you get more comfortable with the symbolism and meanings from your studies, you will be able to synthesize them better in readings because you won't have to be going back to your books all the time. Once I had all that info crammed into my head, I got a lot more comfortable with the flow of readings and putting my own interpretive spin on things. :) Kes

The Questions.../Thoth info thread was originally posted on 15 Aug 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.