Others interpreting your readings...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 May 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Shalott	24 May 2004
Hi, Although I just posted a spread that I wanted a second opinion on in the Post your Readings Here forum, and got a pretty accurate 'nother perspective, I still think this a question worth being asked, although I think this IDEA has been discussed, I couldn't find the exact issue in a search. I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, I also think that we will inherently put our own spin on a card or entire spread, which leads me to wonder if there is any danger (for lack of a better term) in others interpreting a spread you drew, since "Tarot," or the collective unconscious (more Edgar Cayce's than Jung's I think) or whatever powers the Tarot, knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? Just interested in the varied opinions I might get here!

EminemsAngelBaby	29 May 2004
Hi Shalott, What a fascinating question! I'm really looking forward to what some of the more experienced readers on the forum have to say.

Red Emma	29 May 2004
And here I thought I was the only person to come up with such esoteric questions. I had thought far enough into that particular concept to wonder if that's why some people can get good readings -- however one interprets a good reading -- when they don't use reversals. To me, that's throwing half the information away. I finally decided that the misty part of the universe understands their reluctance and gives them the upright cards which will outline the message they need. I hadn't carried the idea as far as you have. When I get a message I don't understand in, for instance, my daily 3-card draw, I just kind of shrug my shoulders and go about my business. Frequently the sense of the layout will become apparent as the day goes on. If I have a question I really need the answer to, I PM Meewah. She's a lady who can really talk to, and understand, those little pieces of past board. Of course, if one believes, as I do, that at the consciousness level where Tarot draws are made, the consciousness which selects the cards can see into the future far enough to know that you will ask for help. And from whom you will ask it. And selects the cards accordingly. In Deepak Chopra's terms, the level in question is most likely the Quantum -- field? It's 3 a.m. and I can't remember where I left the particular book in which he outlines and gives names to his three levels of consciousness. Fascinating subject. It's a treat to discuss such ideas. Thanks for asking.

yve	29 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, I also think that we will inherently put our own spin on a card or entire spread, which leads me to wonder if there is any danger (for lack of a better term) in others interpreting a spread you drew, since "Tarot," or the collective unconscious (more Edgar Cayce's than Jung's I think) or whatever powers the Tarot, knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? I a similar experience to the one you suggested above. Someone did a reading for me that was based on a relationship I was in. The reader interpreted the cards in a way that seemed to defy the basic meanings and symbols of the cards. Their interpretation of the situation, as well as the possible outcome, was very negative (You are both very different and have nothing in common). In reality, the actual outcome of my situation was exactly the opposite, positive, and not negative to what they interpreted (more like the interpretation I would have made, or the majority of readers, of the cards/spread this person did). But we are not in a position to tell someone else how they should read their cards(this could be a discussion in another thread)! Having said this, when I do a spread, I usually meld intuition with the suggested/basic meanings of cards...so far, doing this has given me suprisingly accurate readings based on the feedback i've received.

lionette	29 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, [snip] ... whatever powers the Tarot, knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? Glad you brought this up Shalott. I've been wondering about this myself. It's interesting to see how many different views of a throw can be interpreted when reading the Exchange board.

prk001	29 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, I also think that we will inherently put our own spin on a card or entire spread, which leads me to wonder if there is any danger (for lack of a better term) in others interpreting a spread you drew Well, as long as human beings are going to be so unique & complex, I will not agree that their interpretations of cards may need to be consistent. That kills the different views of a problem & the varying solutions available to it. As far as the question of misinterpreting the spread you drew, the other person may be highlighting a different angle of the same problem. Looking at any situation from different perspectives definitely helps the situation. Quote: the collective unconscious knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? That's a valid question. But, how am I to know that either me or the other person is not biased at that moment when doing this reading. Either of us can be in a bad mood during the reading & not let the intuition flow. Maybe both of us can miss the point tarot is trying to convey by blocking the flow of information with the pre-conceived notion of cards. I can't assume that the tarot is trying to tell me just only one message at one point in time. It maybe that I may see only one message strongly because of my tendency to read in my own way. So, probably when the other person reads, he may be giving a valid interpretation of something else you need to listen too. How do you know that the tarot intended the spread only to be read by you? It may well be the same collective unconscious which made you post the spread & made that other person read it in a different way to give you a different perspective, too... Well, I don't know whether I answered your questions. But, this thread did made me think & that is just giving me more & more questions than answers. RK

contrascarpe	29 May 2004
This is a very good question. I subscribe to the intuitive school of reading, which alot of you know by now. I do understand, and often use, the "accepted" meanings as well, but when I do a reading, and I feel I do it well, it springs from my soul and the depths of my mind. I get a certain "feeling" when a reading goes well - almost as if I were in a trance or outside my body ..... it is a feeling I have never had until recently but when I get it, it is strong. However, when I try to interpret someone elses readings posted here, I find myself relying more on the book meanings, and how the cards relate to each other. I guess the difference for me is this - when I read, it is more a spiritual thing, when I interpret other readings, it is more analytical. However, that is a good thing because I feel the person actually pulling the cards and doing the initial interpretation is the conduit for that reading ..... anybody else doing so just helps clarify the murky parts of the situation. Dan

Moongold	29 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott Hi, Although I just posted a spread that I wanted a second opinion on in the Post your Readings Here forum, and got a pretty accurate 'nother perspective, I still think this a question worth being asked, although I think this IDEA has been discussed, I couldn't find the exact issue in a search. I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, I also think that we will inherently put our own spin on a card or entire spread, which leads me to wonder if there is any danger (for lack of a better term) in others interpreting a spread you drew, since "Tarot," or the collective unconscious (more Edgar Cayce's than Jung's I think) or whatever powers the Tarot, knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? Just interested in the varied opinions I might get here! I think the Tarot cards are images which draw meaning from that deep pool of knowledge some call the collective unconscious or maybe the superconscious or possibly the mind of God - however one understands the Source. As a reader I am but a channel, but the channel may be imperfect because I am human with all my own issues, I may be tired or I may simply not know. Whilst the reading might be the best I can do right now, I might miss something. This has happened to me, and I’ve seen it with others as well Am I wrong in understanding you to say that as the Reader, the Powersthatbe would do all they could to ensure that my reading would be the one for the Querent? I am not sure that I agree with that, if I have your meaning right. It seems to suppose complete understanding resides in just one person but there are so many variable factors that it might be risky to assume that. Think of a stained glass window and how the light might shine in different ways on an object behind it even through the sun is in the one position. Each way of looking at the object would have truth. Perhaps the key is in the reception. For the Querent, is this where free will and informed choice reside?

Shalott	30 May 2004
Quote: Am I wrong in understanding you to say that as the Reader, the Powersthatbe would do all they could to ensure that my reading would be the one for the Querent? I am not sure that I agree with that, if I have your meaning right. It seems to suppose complete understanding resides in just one person but there are so many variable factors that it might be risky to assume that. I'm not sure I understand...but maybe this will help: I mean, if that specific Querent had gone to a different reader, some different cards may have come up, but ones that that other reader would have (should have!) interpretted to comeup with the same meaning. For me, and this is me personally, as if it's true that everyone has some psychic abilities, mine are WAY under-developed, I tend to default to the traditional DMs, as, without well-honed psychic ability, I don't trust myself enough to not put what I want to see in the cards. I feel that if I default to the DMs, then I'm allowing the Tarot to give me insight, rather than my own hopes or fears. Perhaps once I actually stick with reading for good this time (!) my intution will begin to emerge more. And that's all well and good, but if I had well-honed psychic ability, what would I need with Tarot cards? (There are some aspects of the Purely Intuitive school that make me shake my head and sit on my typin' fingers as I don't want to start any battles with anyone!) Yet, it's not like I don't tie the DMs to the situation, but intution is definitely secondary for me. (Red Emma, I agree with you on Reversals, too! ) The main reason I asked this was because I can "throw" a spread for myself or friends, and come out with a pretty good reading. Yet, when I've gone to the Share Your Readings forum, I've WAY missed the mark for other readers' readings...so it leads me to wonder how this can be! How can everything be fine when I'm the one with the cards, yet looking at others throws me? Perhaps in some cases it's not asking the right questions of the Post-er. Perhaps these are things we won't truly know until we get to the Other Side?

Moongold	30 May 2004
Hi Shalott, If we look at defined meanings these are often based on common understanding and interpretations of archetypes and symbology. But everyone will interpret these differently, and understand them differently to some extent. And as you said also there are so many other variables in doing a reading. Readings are often not the same for these and other reasons. Can I ask why it matters to you? You are developing your skills at a great rate (was it you who did the analysis of the Old English pips?) and this includes your intuitive skills. As you grow in this you will develop more confidence and unconscious competence and you will find yourself doing readings that you may not have imagined some time ago. If I have a reading from Shalott I know it will be attentive, thorough and thoughtful. This is what has meaning, as well as the spirit in which you read. Learn what you can from others but trust thyself :). Don't compare. It is a waste of time. Keep reading, meditating and writing, and reflecting on the cards and your own truth will emerge. Trust this. Moongold

Moongold	30 May 2004
Hey Shalott - I do hope I have not killed your thread. When I was new (and that is not so long ago - two years this week) it seemed critically important to have a framework that was consistent and therefore safe and authentic. Then were wonderful people like Umbrae who read very intuitively and I began to notice how they did that so brilliantly according to context. Take 4 Swords, for example. The Knight looks dead. Many people interpret this as so. Others see it as painful withdrawal. We had a long discussion about it one night here with the lovely firemaiden. But in a reading for me once Umbrae interpreted the card as indicating problems with sleep and he was exactly right. The books said said death or withdrawal but that was not right at all. I hope that explains a little about what I mean. I hope you keep discussing this very interesting issue. I still discover new things in the cards that lead to very different interpretations. This is always so with the WCS but quite common too with the Marseilles, which I'm working with now. Was I correct about you with the Old English tarot? I went looking for the link afterwards but coul not find it. Many blessings. Moongold

HOLMES	30 May 2004
i noticed when people used to read for me i used to start interpreating the cards as they did it so i would say to myself as they did it ah a or oh noo , and found that i tended to reinterpate the reading. so to combat this i only read the feedback from the reading and didn't read the actual cards themselves. what happend is i was able to get the unbias or bias but the point is the universed flowed from another channel and so my own mind wasn't getting in the way. what i do when i read cards in yoru reading section is simply this, i read the question, dont read what was interpated already and totally read the cards as if i was reading them. (heck i don't even take out my cards as i read , i just read the postions and i can see a waite image for major and minor arcana, except for the court cards which i just interpate elementally). there is the case of the reader who asks someone else to read their cards postions and if they do not fit what they expect they will go to another card reader (and perhaps another card reader who will not realize they are being tested ) . the your readings forum is better for we all know what is going on as we go in, 1. we will all interpate the cards 2. we will have our own little take 3. we are not always right or wrong, (sometimes we get muddle trying to say what we see, it happens to the best of us ) 4. and there are so many appraoches to the tarot oh yes, 12 approaches to fit the 12 signs we are all under. divide them up inot four elemental ways 1. you get the spiritual appraoch from the fire elements 2. you get the mental approach from the air element 3. you get the emotional pictureqe approach from the water element 4. you get the pratical approach from the earth element . however i am a virgo but earth element i am not pratical i am systemic . it says in my asrology for beginners that virgos constantly search for knowledge and details while an taruus approach would be to see the good things in all the cards for it says in my astrology for beginers that they like the good things in life. while an other earth sign the devil capricorn (the assocations made by golden dawn ) is neat methodical , but ambitious. . their approach may be to say take charge of your life and become close to being the slave driver . but this is all generalized and speaking from approaches and not actual sign use. and with the emotional appraoch cancer, the chariot is very loving people and will teach their clients aobut passive resistance , which means do not be moved , and how to make a chess constricter which means constrict with each move but defend yourself. scorpio the death as an emoitonal approach will be from intense emotional drives and will i can hear what is it you want, i feel this when i read this card what does it mean to you . pisces the moon card would mean they are cheerleaders saying i believe you can do it. so one can see how one of the 12 approaches can be seen when someone else interpate your cards, in a certain elemental sign you migth see projection but in that projection you can learn much about how the world sees you. you might get spiritaul preaching from one ,, and that would help you to see your judgements about yourself and truths. you get might get emotional flury saying you are such a strong person .. or they are making you weak , why the hell are your with them,, it is your choice MAKE IT. and that is what you could need for that reading . a coach and then there is the earth pratical signs such as you will do what is best for all concerned. (even if that means staying together for our kids ?) what do you feel is the better situation for all concerned ? each approach is valid or they wouldn't be a sign :O) think of it as a death or a hermit, or a moon, or emperor or a heiorphant or a moon or a chariot or a temperance or a devil or a strenght or justice , or a lovers approach , when the reading is bad, it is the devil approach reversed or the death approach reversed. and that is what we should strive to help each other advise, ohhhh holmes ,, i hate to say it but your coming from the hermit reversed approach silly rabbit tricks are for kids.

tmgrl2	30 May 2004
This is an excellent question, Shalott.... I have rarely added to a post in My Readings...I agree with Holmes...once I have read everyone's take on it, I am in a total muddle...Even when we were in the Redwood Circle and the Dream Circle...at one point we had over 100 cards out, but the leader gave us direction ...as we each did our piece...and we each saw different patterns...I'm more comfortable with that, even with lots of cards out, than I am with a single reading and lots of people tagging on their own interpretations. For that reason, I don't think I have ever posted one of my own readings there. Not that it can't help. For me, it is too confusing. If I'm not sure, I let time pass and as it does, sometimes more comes to me, sometimes not...but I am comfortable with what I get or not... A couple of my online readings, as it is, were apparently "way off" the mark. But as Moongold said...so what, we are learning...we'll never know what purpose even those readings served the community at large or the readers and querents. terri

lunalafey	30 May 2004
good topic- Everyone has thier style and level of experience. Tarot, the powers that be- I feel, cater to the individual. 3 people- 3 cards each- all different, same message..... or 3 different messages- but which is right? who is it for? I feel that these questions are all answered on the spot- with that gut feeling. For example, I do a reading for my friend- I tell what I see in the cards- he speaks up and runs with the message of a different color. Now it's his reading, but my throw. What I saw in the cards was a message he did not 'hear' for he found his own. In the end, both messages where valid. What I saw was prophetic in the here and now and delt with a superficial event {rather comical in fact} And his take on the cards where more personal and slower to evolve. also- a little note to go with DM- my friend was reading with out knowledge of any DM. He was solely going on my explination of suits & numbers etc. And what he got from the titles {world, wheel etc.} Where as for me- I use it all, sometimes one way, sometimes another- sometimes all of it together. like other's have mentioned, I have troubles as well with figuring the message in the 'your readings' forums {good to know I'm not alone}. I keep trying to go into 'Your readings' for study and offer assistance, but I just can't seem to get it together-lol. I think it is because I did not personally interact with that draw. I think that this is part of the intuitive side for me. When speaking of intuition, Shallot, keep telling yourself your intuitions are underdeveloped and you will not be able to pick it up when it is there. I would place a good sized wager that you already has loads of intuitive info running through you, you just don't believe it to be what it is- thus don't aknowledge/see/hear it :D Listen to ALL those silly sounding wispers that go through your mind, the one's 'under' the book learned thoughts, and you will uncover your intuition that is already there and flowing.

OakDragon	30 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, I also think that we will inherently put our own spin on a card or entire spread, which leads me to wonder if there is any danger (for lack of a better term) in others interpreting a spread you drew, since "Tarot," or the collective unconscious (more Edgar Cayce's than Jung's I think) or whatever powers the Tarot, knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? Just interested in the varied opinions I might get here! Personally, I think that other interpretations can be good because there maybe something in our own interpretations that we are missing. To me, there is a message and I may see part of it while someone else may see another part. One might as well ask whether there's any point in having someone else read for you as opposed to only doing your own readings if one's own interpretation is so essential. I think that another's suggestions can be helpful, but it is the connection they make in your own mind that is important. You are free to accept or reject aspects of another's interpretation. After all, it can be things that you don't see immediately that can be most important... seeing what you should see rather than what you want to see.

Nevada	30 May 2004
I think a reading you do for yourself is like a dream. The images you get are meant for you, and your personal way of seeing them and interpreting them. You also know yourself and the situation best, so the combination of all those things makes you the best interpreter of the cards you draw, when the intent from the start was for you to interpret it. Conversely, when there's a reader and a querent, then the intent is for a connection between the two people to take place. The cards may provide more obvious answers to the reader, since that's the intent of the reading, or the reader and querent may share a symbolism between them in that moment. When we have trouble with our readings for ourselves it's usually one of three problems: 1) You are too emotional about the subject and your emotions are drowning out the soft response from your intuition or subconscious. 2) You don't want to see the answer, and even if your intuition or subconscious were shouting you would close your mind to it. You must be ready for the answer, and willing to accept it, or it's no use trying to read. 3) The wrong question was asked, or this isn't the right time to ask it. (Phrasing of questions can be interfered with by emotional involvement.) (Actually any of these can happen in any reading but are more of an obstacle when reading for yourself.) Posting a reading done for yourself in Your Readings might skew the resulting interpretations to some extent, since the original intent was for the querent to also interpret, so no deliberate connection was made with another reader at the time the cards were drawn. Still, if you're stuck, the variety of answers offered by others may very well provide among them the answer you need, and you may recognize it and be able to go on with your own interpretation, or get an entire valuable reading from one or more of the respondents. Who knows whether you were guided to find your answers by this route? If you get responses from various people and still feel stuck, then it's possible the question needs to be restructured, or asked at another time, once whatever obstacles have worked themselves out, whether they're internal or external. I've personally made a point of only responding to the readings in Your Readings that I get a definite "pull" to respond to. There are some that I read and think about, where nothing stands out for me. Then I don't respond. Nevada

Niomi	30 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Shalott I tend to agree with the school of thought that there should be SOME consistency on the meaning of each card, at least within each deck, I also think that we will inherently put our own spin on a card or entire spread, which leads me to wonder if there is any danger (for lack of a better term) in others interpreting a spread you drew, since "Tarot," or the collective unconscious (more Edgar Cayce's than Jung's I think) or whatever powers the Tarot, knows that you will read it a certain way and therefore you get that certain card for you to interpret that certain way, while somebody else would have a different take on it, which may not be the message you are supposed to get? Who knows? Maybe the Unknown Powers That Be behind the tarot are aware that the card(s) will confuse you. Maybe the cards was put there specifically because They (he/she/it/ect) knew you would ask for help!

Shalott	30 May 2004
Moongold, I see what you're saying. It's partly because I just want to be as good as possible, not out of competitveness but when I turn to the Tarot, or someone comes to me, I want to give them as much insight as possible, or get as much for myself! I'm also somewhat kicking myself for not having stuck with it before, I've picked it up for a few months and then set it aside for YEARS. Oh, how much farther along I'd be HAD I stuck with it! Also so much of what I've learned has been me, a deck, and a LWB if I was lucky! I think there are some gaps - big gaps- in my knowledge and I'm trying to fill them in. Only very recently, since I've been here, have I ever heard of things like Soul Cards (I still don't really know what this is but I'm not too concerned about it) or journaling (which I have started). I learned how to pick a significator from watching Dark Shadows. I mean, HA! So I'm just trying to ask all you wise ones :D as much as possible, plus I'm always game for a deep discussion! (Here's the link for the Old English thing: http://www.geocities.com/rmelizabeth01/OldEnglish.html?1082260547734 I borrowed very heavily from the Complete Idiot's Guide, I really like their approach, it's largely, like this little monograph, how to tie the picture in with the meaning.) tmgrl and lunalafey: well, heck then it's not just me! Teehee, see this is the stuff I do want to know, is it me, or do others have troubles with a certain thing too, and how y'all deal with it. Thanks to everyone offering inight!

The Others interpreting your readings... thread was originally posted on 24 May 2004 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.