Interpretation in Context

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 03 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Lethe	03 Dec 2003
Does anyone have any advice here? As a beginner I can look up the meaning of a card I'm not sure about, but that doesn't always help me to read it in context with its position or the question itself.

skytwig	03 Dec 2003
Lethe.... hi :) One thing that helps me is going into the Your Readings section or the Readings Exchange section of this forum.... I read the spread first and note how I would interpret it, then I read the posts of other people's interpretations...... Many people keep a Journal to refer to and you can print any thread you want to, for reading later...... Also, what helps me, is to do the same spread and really learn that one inside out.... that way, I get familiar with so many different cards in each position...... Does any of that help? skytwig :)

HudsonGray	03 Dec 2003
It sometimes helps to think 'how is this card interpreted in relation to showing 'advice'/'outcome'/whatever'--doing an actual separate question to yourself can sometimes help a person focus on the position meanings more.

firemaiden	03 Dec 2003
What synchronicity, Lethe!! I was just contemplating this morning a thread to be called "contextual vs. isolated interpretation" or something like that. I was wondering this morning if it wouldn't be more productive to actually learn the cards always in a context, rather than isolated-ly, as I have been doing. Because it occurs to me, that every time I do an isolated interpretation of a card, that is actually a sort of one-card reading, and does have it's own context whether I/we acknowledge it or not -- I mean, what jumps out at us in the card at that particular moment is significant for that moment...

Lethe	04 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by firemaiden What synchronicity, Lethe!! I was just contemplating this morning a thread to be called "contextual vs. isolated interpretation" or something like that. That is weird, but somehow does not surprise me by now ;) Thanks Skytwig that does help, I've just started using the your reading section, but not really got into reading others spreads as such I shall endeavour to do so. I have started my journal as well. Firemaiden has hit the nail on the head, although sometimes with me its almost the reverse of that. I see the card and I can't get out of my head the definition I have read about it, therefore making it difficult to skew the meaning into context if you see what I mean?

Lee	04 Dec 2003
Hi Lethe, my suggestion would be to lay out some cards, with a subject or question in mind but with no particular spread position meanings, and deliberately try not to think of the meanings you've learned for each card. Just let your eyes roam over the pictures, and let any details jump out at you which relate to your question or subject. If none do, ask yourself some questions: is the figure standing (active) or sitting (passive)? Clothed (a cautious or intellectual approach) or nude (an honest or vulnerable approach)? Which way are they facing? Left (inner processes, the past) or right (outer processes, the future)? Are they facing (focusing on) other people/things on adjacent cards? You don't have to use my interpretations for these factors, of course; just whatever seems right for you. The idea here is, now that you've worked so hard to learn the cards, to forget what you've learned and let your intuition work on the pictures. Ideally, when you lay out the cards you should be able to use both understood meanings and intuitive insights. Also, although understood meanings for the cards are important for an overall understanding and for meditative uses for the cards, my belief is that for reading purposes, a card doesn't really have a complete meaning unless it is seen in context. In other words, the context is necessary before you can fully interpret the card. There are really four factors in interpretation: 1) the image; 2) the understood or memorized meaning; 3) the position meaning; and 4) the context (including the situation/question and other cards in the spread). All four of these should ideally come together to form an interpretation of a specific card. So as not to be overwhelmed, though, I suggest the procedure I outlined as a way of taking out two of those factors (the memorized meaning and position meanings) so that you can practice bringing the other factors more into play. Have fun! :) -- Lee

Umbrae	04 Dec 2003
No Author would ever write a book that says right on it’s cover, “This book is wrong”, nor would any classroom teacher tell you to ignore their lessons. However… Usually, when we are stuck in isolationist meanings (static meanings in a dynamic world) it means that we have bought into the illusion of authors and teachers always telling the only view of the truth. This is a lesson we learned as children. We know that when we pick up a book by some extremist we know its hogwash. But often we don’t assume the same when we pick up a book on Tarot. We read a book and accept what the author says is true, we go to a class and generally accept the teachings as true. And we learn to be inflexible in our reasoning. Here, we learn that a Three of Swords means blah blah blah. And thus – context. Lee spoke volumes…but…what if you are using a deck with un-illustrated pips. Or perhaps you are using a deck with illustrated pips, but the pips are of no help – as they are neutral (as in Tarot du Chat). Then you have to really step outside the box… Burn your books. Take them to the used bookstore, give them away…as long as you consult them (and if they are handy you will), you will be stuck in the static/dynamic, isolationist/contextual trap. Then begin journaling. When you get stuck for a meaning – it’s time to begin writing. What do you write about? It doesn’t matter – just begin…your meanings in time will come to you. And they may vary considerably from the ‘real’ meanings. But who cares? They are your meanings. They are close to your heart. And they will be your truth. What? Just make up meanings? That’s what they did in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries…and it’s what we are now quoting as fact – and attempting to reconcile with truth….

Majecot	04 Dec 2003
Lethe I think that Umbrae is right about your impressions being most important. I have found that journaling immensely is helpful. sssshh... Don't tell Umbrae, but I still use my books. I like to have several perspectives on cards that I am static with. But in the end tend to form my own opinion, and let the card's meaning flow to me.

Lethe	05 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Majecot sssshh... Don't tell Umbrae, but I still use my books. :D I know what she means though, the main reason I have begun using Tarot is because of a continual process I have been going through, where I have been trying to uncondition myself. "reprogram the robot" as Timothy Leary would say. Umbrae and Lee, thank you very much, half the reason I post here, is because it is almost like Tarot in itself, i.e. you realise you knew things all along just needed pulling out of a rut. However, you have been really insightful. Looking harder at the cards to make intuitive decisions and journalling. I do keep a journal, but tend to be a bit robotic with it at present, just noting what spread I have done, the cards pulled and their general meanings. I will attempt to take all this advice on board.

The Interpretation in Context thread was originally posted on 03 Dec 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.