Beginner with a few questions...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Noubaguy	12 May 2003
First I'd like to say HELLO to everyone in this Forum. Ive been reading through the diffrent posts for the past few days and now I want to join in :) I got my first deck a little over a week ago (Rider deck) and Im getting familiar with all the Minor Arcana cards at the moment. Im having a little trouble with the Court cards but I still need to read more about them. However Ive already read alot about the 8 of Cups and 7 of Swords and I just cant grasp their meaning. I was hoping someone could shed some light on these two cards.

fairyhedgehog	12 May 2003
Hi Noubaguy, Pleased to meet you :) You say you've read a lot about the 8 of Cups and 7 of Swords, so I guess you've seen Thirteen's Basics in the text section? Or maybe been to www.learntarot.com ? Anyway, I'm wondering how far you have got with your thoughts on these two cards and what bits you are stuck on. It doesn't feel like there is a lot to go on at the moment. I see 8 of Cups as being about moving on and leaving things behind, and 7 Swords as being about sneakiness. But you will have got this already, I imagine, so I'm wondering what is it that you feel you haven't grasped?

HudsonGray	12 May 2003
Here's another good site to check out. http://www.ata-tarot.com/resource/cards/index.html

Noubaguy	12 May 2003
Thanx for the links fairyhedgehog and hudsongray. Both VERY helpful. The 8 of cups looks like someone walking away from the cups. It looks like this individual placed the cups and actually took time to stack them up on each other, but then abandoned what he did. So the feeling I get is this card has to do with abandoning something you have invested alot of time or emotions on like a lover, or family member, or maybe some kind of creative endeavor? And the 7 of swords looks like someone stealing or taking away the swords. At first I thought it meant like someone stealing something from you. It cant be material cause that would fit better under the Pentacles suit, or maybe im wrong. So I imagine it has a more broader meaning. I just cant seem to point my finger at it. BTW the post comparing Justice VS. Judgement helped me out ALOT I was so confused between those two as well! lol

Mimers	12 May 2003
Quote: The 8 of cups looks like someone walking away from the cups. It looks like this individual placed the cups and actually took time to stack them up on each other, but then abandoned what he did. So the feeling I get is this card has to do with abandoning something you have invested alot of time or emotions on like a lover, or family member, or maybe some kind of creative endeavor? Wasn't that easy?? The way you just approached the 8 of cups is the best way to approach learning the cards. I would start a journal and write things like this down as they come to you. In my journal I leave a couple of pages blank for future thoughts OR use a three ring binder and add pages as you go along. The seven of swords... you are on the right track. So if they are not of Pentacles or material things, what are they. Mental, thought, practicallity. Take that and look at it againg the same way. What do you think now?? Great to have you here. You will learn so much. The world of Tarot is enlightening and fun. The people here are beautiful people. Welcome. Mimers

Noubaguy	12 May 2003
Thanks for your reply Mimers :) So then the 7 of Swords could mean someone or for that matter, SOMETHING "stealing" your right state of mind, making you confused and therefore loosing sight of your priorities and the path you should follow. I imagine it could also mean someone who is withholding "truths" or information? Once again thanx to everyone who has been helping me out, I am so fascinated with the Tarot. I thank my Best Friend for introducing me to the Tarot, it is so enlightning. I cant wait to read for others, I think its going to be alot easier for me than reading for myself.

Khatruman	12 May 2003
I agree with Mimers in that you are doing the right thing in looking at the picture and seeing what is going on in them...and asking questions. Knowing basic significations of suits and such is fine, but don't let them dictate to you what you see. The only place I see you having problems is second guessing yourself. Also, don't feel you have to have all the answers to the questions the cards pose. If they had simple answers, you get simplistic readings. They are open, as life is open, posing questions and seeking paths. If Umbrae happens by this thread, he will probably grab whatever book you have in your hand and toss it in the fireplace.. :D Enjoy this journey!

Noubaguy	12 May 2003
Thanks for your insight Khatruman! :)

sagitarian	16 May 2003
I'm sorry, I just can't resist such temptation! Call me the devil ~winks~ About the 7 of swords ~ Let me first off say that you are FAR better off looking into the card and finding your own personal meaning and definition, starting a journal is a REALLY good idea here. But sometimes it does help to have a lil shove in helping you understand some meanings. You said it looks like he's stealing something and trying to make a getaway. Oh absolutely, and who knows, maybe he has every right to, perhaps you would too if you were in his situation. I think the key to this card is that 1. You got something out of it 2. You got a way I think this card speaks of you walked out with the better part of the deal. And in some cases, your lucky that you walked out. This is an example, very simple, an abused woman with children. She took everything (stole) what she could including the children and got out. In my opinion, if she needed to steal what was in his wallet to get by a few days and find a shelter MORE POWER TO HER! And with the kids, I will stand up and clap my hands screaming BRAVO WOMAN! It all depends on why and what you are stealing. In the case I mentioned above, she did it to make a better life for her children and herself. That is something I would praise her for. But if you're a bank robber just b/c, well then, stay away from me and those I love. Anyways, to me it's about walking away with the better part of the deal in your hands, wether it was rightfully yours or not, you still got out and away with it. It'll depend on the individual reading of wether or not it was a just cause or out of malice. Just my two cents.

Noubaguy	16 May 2003
VERY good point Sagitarian. I hadnt seen it in that perpective. Thanks for replying.

sagitarian	17 May 2003
oh my pleasure, glad to help out. But like I said, it's more important for you to find the message that underlies in your cards, what their message is to you. Start a journal, use other interpretations ONLY when you feel blocked. But like I said, I just couldn't resist this one, as 7 of swords have shown up a lot in my life, and usually right after I get away, I run right into the eight of swords, trapped and boggled down where I need to find another way out (or another way to release) before I go stir crazy in my next set of bindings. However, in my case, my eight and 7 is always self created drama (usually). That's a Sagittarian for ya. winks!

Noubaguy	17 May 2003
GOTTA LOVE SAGITARIANS! LOL I really like to see how others view certain cards because like you said, you must always try and rely on your intuition and what the cards are saying to you, but sometimes its like YOU JUST CANT GET THE MESSAGE straight, I imagine with practice this feeling diminishes though, and having all these interpretations in your mind can help you see diffrent perspectives for future use. :) Thanx again to everyone for sharing their knowledge.

Trogon	18 May 2003
Howdy Noubaguy... As already mentioned, I think you have a real good grasp of the 8 of Cups. As for my take on the 7 of Swords... I did the 7 of Swords for the Aeclectic Tarot Project... take a look at my write up on it at: http://www.aeclectic.net/project/2/07_swords_trogon.html This explains my take on the card fairly well... Hope it gives you a little further insight.

The Beginner with a few questions... thread was originally posted on 12 May 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.