Tarot 'Tricks & Tools'

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

skytwig	20 Apr 2003
I am curious about the little things we all do, individually, with our cards. For instance, I sometimes find that the Reading is on the bottom of the deck, rather than the top. As a result, I will check the bottom if the top isn't 'clicking'. I also use court cards as modifiers, using them as either aspects of myself or the traditional people who may affect the card it modifes. I also pay attention, as many of us do, to cards that "pop" out of the deck. My question is what things, tricks, ways, means of using cards do you use and find work well for you? It can be something you happened upon or something you read somewhere and you like it or something a friend showed you. The idea is to share how we use our cards so that we can increase our own 'handling of cards'. PS - There is no right or wrong, of course. It is fun to share and grow together. :)

Belladonna	20 Apr 2003
I sometimes like to cut the deck and choose a card for every position in the spread instead of pulling them off the top. I also find that, once in a while, a figure in a card other than a court card will represent someone in the querent's life rather than represent an aspect of the querent himself.

Celtic_Dragon	20 Apr 2003
I havn't done this yet but I've always thought that you should shuffle the deck before placing a clarification card down. And unless I begin to understand how the court cards fit for situations or decisions I'm going to start seperating them and only use them for 'people' positions. (ex. significator, people entering their lives...)

Two of Wands	20 Apr 2003
Hi, Not sure that I have any tricks when it comes to looking into the cards. However I totally agree with Belladonna's suggestion that sometimes a seemingly peripheral character in a court card is actually the one that pertains to the querent's life, or can add something to the way they are dealing, or should deal, with the situation. This is so true and I do this, though I'd never actually registered it or articulated it as Belladonna has here! Something I do do very occasionally, if one card seems to be very important to the spread but I really can’t see why – I compare it with its counterpart in another deck and this often clarifies or reveals what the card is trying to say. This is not advisable on a regular basis as it totally slows a reading down if done constantly – but occasionally this can be a very useful way of reaffirming something or checking to see if you’ve missed anything. Best wishes A.

skytwig	20 Apr 2003
Good stuff. And, just a personal observation, I think 'shoulds' are rather Heirophantal, you know? I really find experimentation and experience to be most conducive to reading Tarot. Isn't that what Intuition is all about, anyway? Taking a risk to try something 'different'. I honor tradition, but I also like to try the untried. Adventure into 'something else' and see what's there. That's why I thought I'd ask and see what other members here have discovered along their Tarot path..... :)

Trogon	21 Apr 2003
Hmmm.... Interesting thread skytwig. However, I find that for me anyway, that I need to keep it relatively simple. Nothing fancy for me... I shuffle (occasionally the querrent will do this, if it's someone I know won't damaget he cards in the process), Have the querrent cut the cards... lay out the appropriate number of cards and go from there. Come to think of it, maybe under this heading I could include the use of different spreads or decks? I will use different spreads dependent upon the question or issue we're doing the reading on. As for the deck, If a particular deck appeals to a querrent, I'll use that one... otherwise, I just pick one that seems to "fit" either the issue or the querrent.

Two of Wands	21 Apr 2003
On the rare occasion that I actually do a reading, I'm the same with the way I choose a deck. I like them to choose the deck that they find the most enjoyable and the most interesting. I also like to let them look through the cards first for as long as they like and talk and ask about them if they want to. I really don't mind others touching my cards or spending time with them and I think it's important that they become comfortable with the cards and intrigued by them; I'm sure this makes it easier and more effect when using the cards as a tool to work through something with a querrent.

skytwig	21 Apr 2003
Trogon and 2, interesting. but what about for yourselves? do you use different decks for yourself, or do you tend to stay with the same deck? Do you have a 'private' deck?

Two of Wands	21 Apr 2003
I don't have a private deck, and when I'm using them for myself then I simply choose one of my five decks that I'm hungering to work with! :)

jema	21 Apr 2003
i often do comparative readings with another deck. especially on readings i did some time ago. like the yearly spread - sometime in april i take the cards out and recrate it and overlap it with cards from another deck to see what new impulses i get. of course i didn't come up with comparatie readings - that i learnt on the comp-tarot mailing list year ago:) other then that... well, i sometimes after the reading is done and before i leave it and take the cards up again - i change them around to see what would happen if i moved card 1 to card 3 etc.

samantha	21 Apr 2003
Skytwig , Yes! I know what you mean about the cards on the bottom of the pack. I feel that the very last card is a kind of a "P.S : we omitted to tell you this ...." It usually seems to signify what is truely truely underneath the situation. (The super-sub-conscious if such a term is possible ??!) often it can turn out to be a real hum dinger of a card.......tho' not always. I got one yesterday which really made me sit up . It cast a new light on my interpretation , so maybe this is the cards way of nudging me in the right direction ?! " She's making a real pigs ear out of this one , better step in and minimise the damage...."

skytwig	21 Apr 2003
Samantha, yes, underneath what we might suppose, eh? and jema, I do that too, especially if I am moving toward changing the situation. I co the CC alot and focus on the hopes/fears card. It IS intersting to move the cards. I even read somewhere once, that if you don't like a card, change it. almost like an affirmation move in the cards!!

Belladonna	21 Apr 2003
Skytwig, I love your idea about changing a card you don't like. It's like AGH! O.K. I get it- now I'm changing it.

Inana	22 Apr 2003
I don't do many readings, but here is something I do. Its a bit odd and dont know what i do it this way. Well, I have two decks, RW and Marseille and use it totally different. When i use RW, that is most of the readings, i work withouth reversals and using different spreads. I shuffle it in normal way and take the cards of the top. Whit the Marseille, i only use the Major Arcana and shuffle it over the table picking random cards. With this deck i use always the same spread. I take three cards and when one is reversed i read it like blocked energy, so i take another to free the energy and then put the reversal upright. Mmmmh... other than this, when using the RW i always check what card is down on the pack. And of course, i take in consideration the cards that pop up.

Alex	23 Apr 2003
the person shuffling the cards, choosing them and looking at them. If nothing clicks, I can read the person. Alex.

Hedera	23 Apr 2003
Quote: I take three cards and when one is reversed i read it like blocked energy, so i take another to free the energy and then put the reversal upright. Inana, can you give an example of that, preferably with specific cards and how you read them? It sounds really interesting and useful, but I can't quite get a grip on what you mean, somehow. What do you do with / where do you put the one you take to 'free the energy' ? Thanks!

WolfSpirit	23 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by skytwig I even read somewhere once, that if you don't like a card, change it. almost like an affirmation move in the cards!! I wonder how and when you would do that ? I never change a card in a spread, I always think it comes up for a reason. If I don't understand it I may do a little spread to clarify it. I would use a complete deck (so I would have to use another deck) to do that - it only gets complicated if the same card pops up again hehe. The same if I have a problem with say the outcome card: I would elaborate on that with another spread. If you move cards in a spread imo you come closer to spellwork than divination - is that what you do ? My tools: well I like to lay down the same spread with different decks that also have a bit of a different take on the meaning. Often if i lay down cards with one deck I see in my mind already the cards of a different deck. And shuffling: when I do a reading for myself I often feel I should not take all the cards from the top, which I would normally do, but just take them randomly from the middle of the deck. I go with my intuition on this.

Two of Wands	23 Apr 2003
Hi Wolfspirit - I like doing that too: picking out the exact same cards from another deck and seeing what the same spread says from that deck - it makes for an interesting way of looking at things and getting to know your decks, their similarities and their differences. As for removing a card you don't like and trying another, I can understand it if you have analysed what the card you don't like could mean, and then feel you want to look at another possibility - but if you don't even consider the first card then I think the whole purpose is defeated. Best wishes, A.

Inana	24 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Hedera Inana, can you give an example of that, preferably with specific cards and how you read them? It sounds really interesting and useful, but I can't quite get a grip on what you mean, somehow. What do you do with / where do you put the one you take to 'free the energy' ? Thanks! Hi, Hedera! I will try to explain it better, sometimes my english is very crappy. First of all, this spread and way to read the cards is not mine. I saw a good tarotist doing it, and she always uses Marseilles deck, so maybe thats the reason why i do this spread when using Marseille... But, well better i go on the subject. The main point of this spread is that is open in the sense you dont know how many cards will use or the shape it will take. Anyways you always start with three cards (i pick it shuffling them over the table). Will explain with a sample how works. Imagine the querent asks about relationship problems with her son. Then pick up three cards: Death - Lovers - Magician (Rx) Here is a drastic change in the family. Maybe she divorced not long ago and now has a new partner.Her son is not getting it well, and she feels that she has lost the control over him. This last is the blocked energy of the magician. Then i pick another card and place it above the reversed one: ____________The Hermit Death- Lovers - Magician(Rx) The Hermit is pointing about looking with more atention at the new situation, taking new points of view and growing. The important here is to understand why and how the meaning of this card can help to free or to balance the blocked energy of the reversed one. Once you have this understanding, you can put upright the Magician and the spread looks like this: ____________The Hermit Death- Lovers - Magician Now, there is another thing to take in consideration in this spread: All the characters on the cards have to be looking to another card, not out of the spread. Using Marseille, now The Hermit has his eyes looking to nothing, so i pick up another random card and place it between the Hermit. ______Temperance__The Hermit Death___Lovers_____Magician Now the spread looks like above. The new card is pointing to what has to explore and understand the Hermit, and its related to it. So in this sample its saying something like that is important to get things balanced at home and in the relation with the son, maybe someone is demanding much or not giving enough, and Temperance is about give and receive to keep love alive. Well, here the spread will go on because Temperance is also looking to nothing, so it will be needed to pick another card and continue the reading. But im getting too long. Guess this is enough to understand how this spread or way to read works...if not, let me know. And dont pay attention about how i've read the meanings of the cards, im a novice and is just the concept of the spread what i want to clarify. Hope it is of use to you. :)

Umbrae	24 Apr 2003
Read the deck, read the person. Sometimes before the reading begins…before I do the thing with the blank spot… I cheat. Ya check out the handbag, the nails the shoes. You can do a whole half hour on just the shoes alone. Cuz if I’m not in tune with that space in my head that does the thing with cards (not clicking), I’m gonna kick-start the whole thing with shoes or handbags…gets me into a flow, a rhythm. Think back on some of the really really good readings you’ve done. Would you like to make a bet? They had rhythm…your words took on a life, like a lonely sax on a street corner in the rain – drops running down the grease soaked window – and just one more cuppa before I go... type reading. Or it had the rhythm, of stately Mozart minuet. Each card, taking it’s own time. Moving...to the next. Wrapping it, in a nice...coda. Readings that suck have no rhythm no soul. I like the bottom card. I like quick rune before they sit down. I like to cheat…it’s like an orchestra tuning up…without the cacophony. Inana’s spread is wonderful. Further, go back and read the words (she says her English is crappy…but the conveyance of the thought is wonderful. Unstructured spreads (like the Fuzzy Bunny of Death) are wonderful, and work best with a reader who has a sense of reading rhythm (as I suspect Inana has – novice…I think I wish to be this novice’s student for there is much to teach). Sometimes, for really tough readings…use toothpicks.

Nao	24 Apr 2003
hmm...tricks and tools. like some people that's posted, i also do pay attention to the bottom card. after i'm "done" with reading the spread, i'll flip my stack to look at the bottom card just to see what it is. i find that it often gives me an underlying meaning to the reading. :) oh, and also...i tend to turn an extra card whenever i do a reading. for example, if i did the celtic cross spread with 10 cards- i'll almost always flip an 11th card that sits at the top of my deck. i usually read it as "what crowns the overall spread"-- as a message that adds to the overall reading. the "bottom" card, on the other hand, is usually interpreted as something that "needs attention." i guess you can look at this method as the "top" and "bottom" card. top being what crowns my reading and sums it up....bottom being what needs to be known or seen- or needs some extra attention. other stuff that i do- i definitely pay attention to the cards that pop out while shuffling or cards that drop in general. it used to be just a passing notice sort of thing...until i realized that 8-9 times out of 10, the cards that pop out while i shuffle will end up showing up on my spread as well. if not...it'll be sure to show up on my "bottom" or "top" card. one last thing that i can think of that could pertain to this thread at all...is probably the "cut and clarify" thing that i do. sometimes in a spread or a particular section of my reading/spread, i feel like there's either a lack or energy or too much energy- in a sense where i feel like something is blocked or isn't clear and i need more clarity- i'll cut the deck once (or have the querent cut the deck if i'm reading for someone else). from the deck that i cut, i'll flip an extra card to be placed in the area that i need more clarity. that will usually help clear things up, give me additional answers, a solution, etc. that's all, i think. =)

skytwig	24 Apr 2003
Good ideas here. I really like your intuitive spread, inana. sometimes, I do a spread that grows until it is done. I lay the cards where they 'tell' me they want to go, for instance, if there is a two part aspect to the question, two sections will 'appear' as i lay down cards. I may even feel led to start a third area. I just go with the flow of it; I don't think about it. I don't do this often, but when i do, it is quite powerful and insightful. The key is to not have any expectations and to be willing to see whatever appears. Also, 2 of wands, you are right. Iam the one who said, change a card. It must be done with full awareness of that original card and to a certain extent it is a shifting of one's energy. I believe tarot is not static, it is a movable dialogue. We are informed through tarot, but we are not locked into the cards. I read tarot to see where i need to focus my energies and often, that means changing something. Placing another card next to or over the 'bad' card initiates that change and enables me to consider another option. It is interesting to see how everyone works with the cards. we all have little things we do that are actually quite informative. Kool! :)

Hedera	24 Apr 2003
Thank you for the example, Inana! That sure helps to get an idea of how it works. I think the whole spread might be a little too 'free form' for me, my brain tends to need limitations to kick against, but I might give it a try sometime. Reminds me a little of a spread used in a book, called (I think, don't have it on hand right now) 'Magical Tarot). One more question, though: what happens if the card you use to 'fix' the reversed card is a reversed card, too? Do you just keep drawing cards?

Inana	25 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Hedera One more question, though: what happens if the card you use to 'fix' the reversed card is a reversed card, too? Do you just keep drawing cards? Yes, when the card to 'fix' is also reversed i pick another, until i get one that is upright. That one is supossed to get the key to balance the others. When this happens, the subject has more complications underlying. You are right, that spread is very free form, but its good use when you want deep information and not sure what is needed to know about the subject. The spread itself will show all the story. Sometimes grows a lot, others with the three first is enough. Skytwig and Umbrae are giving good keys to read this kind of spreads, dont put limits to your brain. Sure there are very similar spreads out there, since other people here also uses this kind of intuitive or unstructured spreads. I just liked this one and adopted it. Im happy you have found it interesting. :)

skytwig	25 Apr 2003
I think, too, the important thing is to be openminded about the reading. We need to remember that nothing is 'written' in cement; we work with Tarot to better see where we are and how we can address issues and/or our bbehaviors, thinking, etc. Negative cards are only indicators, they do not say, OK, you're in a bad place or watch out, all h### is about to break loose! Working "with" the cards is like working with our Guides and angels. Hey, look at this area, something needs to give over here. adding more cards can help us to see HOW to resolve that problem area. It requires openness, flexibility and intuition. It is only scary if we think we are a tiny part of the process. We're not. this is about our lives and the Universe is 'speaking' LOVINGLY with us about it. If we believe that Love and Joy are the keys to what life is all about, then why wouldn't we have the freedom to work with the cards and explore possibilities? What I am addressing here, is the Hierophantic tendencies we all learned in childhood. We were indoctrinated, in one way or another, to ignore our gut and listen to the 'laws' of religion, society and relationship. There are fewer RULES than we believe. The Hierophant says, oh, no you can't do THAT! Well, my question back to him is WHY NOT? Waxing philosophic....... :) skytwig

Two of Wands	25 Apr 2003
I agree, I think Tarot is a very free form, and works best that way. I get the most out of it when I'm studying it or doing self discovery exercises. I like using it as a counceling tool with people who are open to it and as a way of looking at life and options. I only use it to tell the future for fun, and do not really believe it, so I just do it on my own when I'm bored. But as a way of looking at possibilities, then I think it's very powerful. I also love comparing one card from a whole range of decks - looking at the similarities, differences, recurring symbolism and depth of meaning.

Hedera	25 Apr 2003
I don't think I'm being Hierophantic (in the Robin Wood, negative sense of the word - I've just discovered a whole new way of looking at the Hierophant, but that's another tread...;) ) when I say that I, personally, work better when I use a spread with more or less 'fixed' position meanings. It is just a way of challenging my brain, of trying to make it come up with something else besides the first thing that pops into my head. For instance, today I drew the Devil (from MP deck) in the 'advice' position. I still haven;t completely figured out how I was advised to act today, but contemplating the Devil as an advice on how to behave did broaden my idea of the card. I think that if I had put 3 cards on the table without assigning meanings to the positions, I would have assumed the devil was meant as a warning about, for instance, getting stuck in a certain kind of behaviour. Instead, today I paid more attention to noticing, and maybe even following some of my more 'primitive urges'. ;) I tried not to be so much of a 'nice girl' all of the time.... So, in sticking to some kind of 'fixed' meanings for certain card positions (sometimes called a 'spread'), I can 'unfix' my idea of a certain card.

skytwig	25 Apr 2003
And maybe that is part of the challenge, learning to work within structure to find more freedom! The Devil card, for instance, may speak of play, being childlike, letting go of rules & regulations, which, if you think about one of the oldest archetypes around - The Fall - is something society fears. And look, isn't that what religions asign to the playful, unhindered side of us? If we aren't careful, we are warned, we will loose control and become evil!!!! I prefer to explore my shadow side and discover what all the hoopla is about...... and maybe that is what the Devil card indicates, fear of our Shadow. shame about our explorative side.... Maybe the Devil card said, play with it a bit... let loose and 'break the rules' a bit. I don't know.... really. I'm just exploring ideas here. and I too saw the other threads about the Hierophant. Good stuff. I love learning...... it is grand stuff, this!!! :) :) :)

Silverwings	25 Apr 2003
I love to just sit and shuffle and let the cards fly, it's a great way to talk to the cards and learn from them in a flash. Actually, what I think I will do tonight is give them each a smudge, I don't take too much stock in purifying, however it is a great affirmation to take time with each card and some incense and focus on the meanings of the cards.

skytwig	25 Apr 2003
Sometimes, I just place one of my crystals on top of the deack, especially if i've been rather negative. Many people i know smudge their cards with sandlewood incences, champa or burning white sage.

Indigo_lady	25 Apr 2003
I have a very big balcony at home when there's a beautiful day outside, sunny and energetic I like to take my cards out to sunbathe, divided by suits... likewise when there is a beautiful full moon and its light hits the balcony I leave them out as well ;) I feel like the cards are energised when I do that

gloria	05 May 2003
I know a Tarot reader who after each reading, cleanses the cards by breathing an imaginary purple breath onto them. Indigo Lady, I just love the idea of your cards sunbathing.

LittleWing	05 May 2003
well - i put my crystals in the sun and moon light to energise - what a great idea to put the tarot cards!!!! it is said (cant remember where) that tarot cards should be kept on a high shelf or similar - away from mundane goings on that may take away from there magical aura. i carry mine in my handbag!!!! they are like my right arm - and i feel that they are full of MY magical aura (i do kept them wrapped in black fabric)

skytwig	05 May 2003
Ted Andrews, a 'celtic' healer and writer (see The Healer's Manual), teaches the use of 'breathing' different colors for healing and cleansing purposes. I also love the practice of useing moonlight for energizing anything important to us, especially those things we use for divining, such as pendulums, crystals, necklaces that we wear often, and, of course, our 'fairy world' cards!!! Our Intent, after all, is Intuition and, what better tool for helping us, than sister Moon, breathing her Magick light upon us?

The Tarot 'Tricks & Tools' thread was originally posted on 20 Apr 2003 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.