Tarot and dream work

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Myrrha	15 Dec 2003
I have been experimenting with looking at a card, really looking, before I fall asleep. This could lead to meeting Tarot figures in a dream or it could just forge a really deep subconscious connection with the cards. I am thinking of continuing this as part of the 78 weeks study although I am not sure trying to do it for all 78 weeks is feasable. Has anyone here tried something like this? Do you know of any simple rituals that might be useful? thanks! -Myrrha

TemperanceAngel	15 Dec 2003
figures/objects/symbols often come in and present themselves to me, I love it, it's fantastic. It really helps you to understand how Tarot works deep within your psyche. Myrrha, I too, had planned something similar for the 78 week/card study. To meditate with my card for the week, to gain new insight. I know perhaps this won't always be possible, but it will some of the time. Maybe we can chat more when we begin?? XTAX

Myrrha	16 Dec 2003
Hi TemperanceAngel, yes lets chat more when the study begins I would like that! --Myrrha Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel figures/objects/symbols often come in and present themselves to me, I love it, it's fantastic. It really helps you to understand how Tarot works deep within your psyche. Myrrha, I too, had planned something similar for the 78 week/card study. To meditate with my card for the week, to gain new insight. I know perhaps this won't always be possible, but it will some of the time. Maybe we can chat more when we begin?? XTAX

Majecot	16 Dec 2003
I think when you study a card right before going to sleep, it does bring more clarity .

Thea Lynx	16 Dec 2003
Hi Myrrha, I do this not as often as I would wish, but when I do, it is quite effective. I found a chant for dreamwork and it goes this way: In the darksome cave of sleep, Floating, Flowing, down and deep, Oh, Wise one, I move through Thee, Thy images will even wend Dreaming to the dreamer send Surrender I now, to Thee I repeat this as often as feels right while gazing at the card I wish to dream on. Be as stilled as possible when doing this - maybe a little deep breathing prior to the chant to calm everything and enhance receptivity. Thea

TemperanceAngel	16 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Thea Lynx In the darksome cave of sleep, Floating, Flowing, down and deep, Oh, Wise one, I move through Thee, Thy images will even wend Dreaming to the dreamer send Surrender I now, to Thee Oh Thea, how lovely:) Myrrha, Chat indeed we will. I was thinking about it, maybe we should start a meditation thread? We can get folk to post their experiences/meditations etc. What do you think? I have been a bit slack on my meditation recently, so am glad it has come up in here to get focused again. I have never spoken to anyone else who has had Tarot/meditation experience, I really look forward to it and taking it to a new level ;) XTAX

Moonbow*	17 Dec 2003
Hi Myrrha I intend focusing on my card of the week too, just before sleep for clarity. I like TemperanceAngels idea of more meditation too. Meditation needs much practice and I may try to combine this with the weekly card just to make me keep it up. I meditate before or after yoga and occasionaly before a reading but I'm a bit out of practice lately so this would be good for me. Moonbow*

TemperanceAngel	17 Dec 2003
Where should we post the meditation thread? As in what forum? Divination is to detached for me, Using Tarot Cards or in a Study Group (although I don't think people looke there too often!) XTAX Any other suggestions? :)

Moonbow*	17 Dec 2003
Hmmmmmmm. Difficult one, probably Spirituality but I think thats only open to Subscribers isn't it? Maybe a moderator can help us out? Or like you said 'Using Tarot cards. Moonbow*

Jewel-ry	17 Dec 2003
Hi you guys, Would definately be interested in a meditation thread if you go ahead. Its something I have only managed to do a couple of times and needs more practise. I too was thinking of trying to do this in the 78 week card study! J :)

Belladonna	17 Dec 2003
What a wonderful idea to focus on! Once in awhile I look at a particular card before going to sleep, put it under my pillow (in a little hard cardboard folder so I don't squash it) and before drifting off, I imagine myself in the setting of the card. What is really fun is visualizing yourself there and then turning 360 degrees to "see" the full environment. There may even be other beings to converse with! It often turns into a dream and then I try to write down everything I can remember in the morning. Its really insightful to read those notes later on.

Darla	17 Dec 2003
Belladonna, that sounds like a very cool and funny idea! When I get a new deck I like to imagine myself being into some of the cards too but combining this with dream work is a thing I have to try! :)

TemperanceAngel	17 Dec 2003
I think we could just put the thread in here, Using Tarot Cards, because that's what we are doing ;) That way too, we may get other people interested, especially those who are doing the 78 card study. Spirituality is in the Subscribers section. XTAX This is going to fabulous :D

Moonbow*	19 Dec 2003
So who's going to start the thread TA - you?? Moonbow*

Thea Lynx	19 Dec 2003
I'd love to see a thread about this - I have a few meditations started on cards from various decks - sometimes using them just for dreamwork or just meditation - bought a large Thoth for just that purpose. I'll keep checking to see when the thread shows up. Thea

TemperanceAngel	20 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Moonbow* So who's going to start the thread TA - you?? Moonbow* Yeah, I will if you like :) When it is the morning of the 22nd here, it will still be your eve of the 21st ;) Until tomorrow XTAX

Moonbow*	20 Dec 2003
TemperanceAngel I'll be looking out for it M*

Myrrha	21 Dec 2003
Thea Lynx, thank you! This sounds like it would be effective. I also liked Belladona's idea of a cardboard folder. Meditation is a good idea also. I feel like I don't know how to meditate on tarot cards. I have tried it a few times, the idea of stepping into the card, and things happen but it never seems related to the card! --Myrrha Quote: Originally posted by Thea Lynx Hi Myrrha, I do this not as often as I would wish, but when I do, it is quite effective. I found a chant for dreamwork and it goes this way: In the darksome cave of sleep, Floating, Flowing, down and deep, Oh, Wise one, I move through Thee, Thy images will even wend Dreaming to the dreamer send Surrender I now, to Thee I repeat this as often as feels right while gazing at the card I wish to dream on. Be as stilled as possible when doing this - maybe a little deep breathing prior to the chant to calm everything and enhance receptivity. Thea

Moonbow*	23 Dec 2003
Hi Myrrha Thought I would share with you what I've been doing with regards to dreamwork and the Magician for the 78 day study. The first night I studied the card was great because I noticed the roses in the Russian Tarot of St Petersburg then in the daytime the roses in the Gill - great. The second night I studied the card again before bed but nothing happened ( too caught up in christmas now and fell asleep too quickly) but I have found that during my sleep I've been picturing the whole card and not just from this deck! The three decks I'm using for the study are the RToSP, as mentioned, the Gill and my lovely new Hadar Marseilles deck. All three are going round and round in my dreams. I'm sure that if I keep this up (and when I'm not so wacked!) that I will be focussing more because the cards are there - just not in depth. Any ideas on this? Moonbow* :)

Myrrha	27 Dec 2003
Hi Moonbow* That is so exciting that you can feel all the cards there while you sleep! Doesn't it feel like they are sinking in deeper somehow? Are you writing all your dreams down? 'cause sometimes they might not seem relevant or interesting until you think about it and then it seems to have a meaning you didn't see at first. I have been visiting family and have been too distracted by Christmas.. will sleep with my dream journal tonight and see what happens. --Myrrha Quote: Originally posted by Moonbow* Hi Myrrha Thought I would share with you what I've been doing with regards to dreamwork and the Magician for the 78 day study. The first night I studied the card was great because I noticed the roses in the Russian Tarot of St Petersburg then in the daytime the roses in the Gill - great. The second night I studied the card again before bed but nothing happened ( too caught up in christmas now and fell asleep too quickly) but I have found that during my sleep I've been picturing the whole card and not just from this deck! The three decks I'm using for the study are the RToSP, as mentioned, the Gill and my lovely new Hadar Marseilles deck. All three are going round and round in my dreams. I'm sure that if I keep this up (and when I'm not so wacked!) that I will be focussing more because the cards are there - just not in depth. Any ideas on this? Moonbow* :)

Moonbow*	28 Dec 2003
Hi Myrrah I think Christmas has taken a bit of a toll with me. I've usually fallen asleep far too quickly and solidly (could also be the booze!) but I'm going to keep this up, and I will write my dreams down too (haven't done this yet) but I know its important. Nice to 'see' you back - hope you had a good one! Moonbow*

celeste	28 Dec 2003
I do not meditate with the cards per se before going to sleep(perhaps I should),but sometimes they just come leaping into my dreams unbidden with a message for me. Recently, I dreamed that a co worker(one I dislike and have had problems with in the past-I think of her as "bitchy") came up to me , pulled the The Emperor out and said I needed to work on my communication skills at work and that by studying/emulating what this card represents that would help me. It is probably true, I am often too "nice"but resist the bitchiness that she represents and alot of the other workers who have been there for 30+ years because I don't want to be like them. Sometimes when it gets really busy my position calls for me to be very firm-but there is a fine line between firmness and being an authority figure and being overbearing. There is also a problem when I try and assert myself with them-as an equal-they don't like that at all! So, I think this card definitely had a message for me, one I need to work on,but with some tactfulness. I also am still afraid of some of the cards,mostly the Devil,even though I intellectually know what its about, I still don't want to see it in my dreams! Having said all that maybe I will try and meditate on a few cards that I feel "safe" with , like The Star for example. This is a good and very thought provoking thread!

TemperanceAngel	03 Jan 2004
Hello, I just had to tell you all about my dream last night :) I was at the Tarot Cafe yesterday, jmd's one, and was looking at the Marseilles deck (I don't own one). Must get one though. Anyways, I have always found it an interesting deck from a historical perspective, but I read professionally with RWS, and daresay I always will! But RWS no longer really gives me insight, only insight for others. Oh dear, sorry folks, I can see that this is turning into a bit of a rant :) Anyway I realised how much Waite has changed the Majors, and all the black in the deck as well. Obviously I knew this before, but it is not something that I consciously think about ;) In my dream there was a comparison of the two decks and insight, but the insight came from the Marseilles, probably because I never really look at those images. I also had been reading all day before arriving at the cafe, so I was very attuned to the cards/images/symbols, as such. I don't remember that much of the dream, but I do know that it seemed quite significant that if I studied Marseilles images I would gain new insight on RWS. Gosh, that was all a bit boring folks. I think I needed to write that to jog my memory. I hope more comes back to me, esp. what cards my dream was talking about. It was also very hot during the night, so I had a very broken sleep. For anyone who reads all of this, THANK YOU FOR LISTENING :D XTAX

Moonbow*	03 Jan 2004
Ta I'm too tired now. Its 12.40 pm but I want to reply tomorrow. Moonbow*

Moonbow*	11 Jan 2004
TA Phew! 'tomorrow' was a long time coming!! Just found this thread because I have a couple things to add. First, last night I was doing my 5 minutes with the Empress cards for the 78 week study. Wrote down a few more notes then went to sleep, hoping the Empress would turn up in my dreams - I dream most nights. This morning - nothing. I dreamt about Freddie (my brothers young son - just 3 weeks old now.) Then I came to Aeclectic for a nose around. My daughter (and teacher!) came rushing in with a really detailed sketch she had just done of an African Mask. (bear with me!) She said she woke up looked at her dressing gown hung on the back of her door, and 'saw' this. I am soooo impressed with her. She has such a good imagination/subconscious mind. Well, then I told her what I was trying to do, relate the Empress to dreamwork. "Don't you get it" she said. "You dreamt of Freddie, that to do with the Empress, she's pregnant, and the card is about, motherhood" Now I feel much better about my dream - although at the moment I'm thinking it was also because I saw Freddie yesterday. Just thought I would share Moonbow* :)

TemperanceAngel	11 Jan 2004
Moonbow* Freddie is a great name for a baby :) Your children are really very insightful, and I think partly because you are a great mum, who has allowed them to express themselves :):):) Years ago when I first started studying the tarot I used to put my whole deck under my pillow, so my energy would seep into and it would work on my subconsciousness. I also put single cards under my pillow, if I wanted to dream about it or gain new insight. Last night I put The Star under my pillow to see what happened, and I know it was rattling around in my psyche, unfortunately I have not been sleeping properly (a recurring problem), so didn't really dream properly. Does anyone else put cards under their pillow? XTAX

Darla	12 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel Does anyone else put cards under their pillow? No, I always would be afraid to damage the cards.

The Tarot and dream work thread was originally posted on 15 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.