Tarot Questions

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

samreid26	01 Aug 2003
Hello. I've just got my first deck. So, I'm just starting out. And, I really don't know of any question's that are suitable to ask. So, I was wondering if anybody has some suggestions. Please write if you do. Thanks!

HudsonGray	01 Aug 2003
Well, do you have a Thoth style deck, a Rider Waite style or Marsailles style? Just so we're in the same ballpark on this one. And did it come with a larger book or just the little white book?

firemaiden	01 Aug 2003
Do you mean, you would like to know how to formulate a question to ask the tarot? This is something that I am always interested in learning more about. It seems that half the battle in doing a good reading is coming up with a question that is at once open ended and specific enough to allow the cards to reveal something really interesting. Many spreads have the questions built into them -- I mean, each card position will address a particular angle of a question. You might take a stroll down our spread section to see what kinds of questions are built into these spreads. Then you might take a stroll down the Your Readings section to see what kinds of questions people ask. But just because other people ask questions this way and that way, doesn't mean that you can't ask entirely different kinds of questions. I mean, you can experiment with all different kinds of questions. Yes or no questions are not too convenient, but they can be done (with the right spread). A convention among us is to draw one, two or three cards per day, and ask basic questions like, what is my lesson, or challenge for the day? And what will I learn from this challenge? I like to just ask a question, any question, and just pull one card, like -- "How do you feel about my relationship with so and so?", or " what do I need to know about such and such ?" The moral of the story is play, play, play, experiment and play. Enjoy yourself, allow yourself to free-associate, and pay attention to any crazy ideas that happen to come up when you turn over the cards. Have fun.

MystiqueMoonlight	02 Aug 2003
May I suggest a book from Rachel Pollack called The Forest of Souls - A Journey Through the Tarot ISBN 1 56718 533 9. It has been discussed here before and is a very good book. In it Rachel explores the possibilities of the Tarot for more than just "fortune telling". It may help with your question on posing questions for Tarot. :smoker:

theseeker7	03 Aug 2003
I'm trying to find out why the meanings of the cards just won't take with me. I use the Universal-Waite and tried the card a day method but it seemed like I just couldn't hold on to what it meant for me or even what the card itself meant. Maybe I'm trying too hard or something or maybe from reading I'm not letting things flow and pushing too much. A friend recommended a card a week so that I can really get into the meaning. I've been interested in the Tarot for a number of years but only recently started getting into it seriously. It just felt like the thing to do. People who know me say that I pick up on things and I know sometimes I see auras or just know stuff, especially when it comes to people. Is this a problem or should I go with the flow? Looking for suggestions.

MystiqueMoonlight	03 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by theseeker7 I'm trying to find out why the meanings of the cards just won't take with me. I use the Universal-Waite and tried the card a day method but it seemed like I just couldn't hold on to what it meant for me or even what the card itself meant. Maybe I'm trying too hard or something or maybe from reading I'm not letting things flow and pushing too much......... Looking for suggestions. Have you ever read a book and sometime afterwards when you try to tell a friend about it you cannot remember the title or the story word for word? But you can explain the plot and the more you do images of characters and storylines come to mind? Sure you may add detail in your own words and give your personal views and opinions, but the cruxt of it is you know the story and the book.... That's the start of your Tarot journey...

theseeker7	03 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by MystiqueMoonlight Have you ever read a book and sometime afterwards when you try to tell a friend about it you cannot remember the title or the story word for word? But you can explain the plot and the more you do images of characters and storylines come to mind? Sure you may add detail in your own words and give your personal views and opinions, but the cruxt of it is you know the story and the book.... That's the start of your Tarot journey... So in other words, I'm trying to hard? I should just let it flow and not worry about it and it'll come to me. In a way I already know, I just need to trust my own instinct more.

MystiqueMoonlight	03 Aug 2003
Enthusiasm sometimes leads to blindness. Close your eyes and let the light in. If you spend time with your favourite deck it will give time to you. You don't always have to read with it. Take the time to spread it out in front of you. Look at their sequence. Shuffle them and pull a few cards, write down what comes to mind.

fairyhedgehog	04 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by theseeker7 I'm trying to find out why the meanings of the cards just won't take with me. I use the Universal-Waite Have you got any other decks? Maybe you can find a deck that 'clicks' better with you. I don't find Universal Waite good for intuitive readings. For me, the deck that clicked was Hanson-Roberts - it worked at an emotional level where UW didn't. But for you it might be another deck. And try just 'playing' with the cards. Lay out a few and make up a story based on the pictures. Do spreads for imaginary people, or for friends if you don't feel that is spying on them, just making it up as you go along :) I'm not saying don't learn the traditional meanings, but if you also play with the cards you might find you loosen up and it starts to 'take'. And don't expect it to happen all at once ;) Tarot is a life-long study, and some meanings just come quicker than others. Enjoy the scenery on the way :)

HudsonGray	04 Aug 2003
I know that sometimes reading the words/meanings just won't go in, but if you do a story type association with the card, it's easier to remember. Take the Fool--you can imagine he's just left his village less than half an hour ago, he's still got high energy for his new adventure out into the world, still looking around & not really paying attention, too full of being alone & fancy free to see where he's walking. His little dog still is full of vibrant energy, not foot weary yet in spite of the little legs. They've taken the trail down through the woods, going down/up the mountains to the next town, and while he should be paying attention to the ravines & cliffs along the pathway, he's not. How's he feel? What's he looking forward to? What can he accomplish? He's not met anyone yet that brings him back down to earth. His life is all before him--ready to start anew, and that's a pretty heady feeling. Is he singing? Will it rain? It's full daylight, he's not even thought of camping through the night yet. No other strangers on the road, it's all his-- So instead of memorising words, look at the story in each card, putting the words into the scene in the card. I think it'll stick better that way.

samreid26	14 Aug 2003
Quote: Originally posted by theseeker7 I'm trying to find out why the meanings of the cards just won't take with me. I use the Universal-Waite and tried the card a day method but it seemed like I just couldn't hold on to what it meant for me or even what the card itself meant. Maybe I'm trying too hard or something or maybe from reading I'm not letting things flow and pushing too much. A friend recommended a card a week so that I can really get into the meaning. That's the same with me. They're not sticking that well. I am getting a hang of it, and I am improving. I made a journal that says what I think the meanings are of all the cards. But sometimes I have to go back to that journal. Because they wont stay in my memory. But, I did get some acurate answers for some of my questions! ;)

The Tarot Questions thread was originally posted on 01 Aug 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.