Writing a question AND cutting the deck

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Jun 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Tarot Babe	15 Jun 2004
Hi everyone, Just had a question. Although I'm still a beginner, I have started reading for others (which I find is more easier than reading for myself) and I was wondering: Is it important to WRITE a question or is it okay if you just ask the question in your mind? I've been doing the 'in the mind' way but wanted to know which way is better. Another question I had was: Do you have to shuffle the cards, then cut them and then deal starting from the cards on top or can you just fan out the cards and ask the querent to choose any card they want? Any help on these two questions will be appreciated. :)

Kahlie	15 Jun 2004
Do whatever feels right to you. Many different Tarot Readers have different approaches. (Letting the Querent touch the cards, yes or no) If you don't know what feels right, just try out a few things. I recommend writing down a question that isn't your own, so you are sure you have the wording right. A slightly altered question can give a whole different Reading. I also keep a Tarot Journal, so I always write it down anyway =)

hedgecub	15 Jun 2004
I believe the general consensus among Aeclectics is: "Do what makes sense to you, what works for you, and what you feel comfortable with." Unfortunately, many tarot books and some tarot readers are rather more dogmatic, presenting the illusion that there is One Right Way (TM) to tarot. Replace the word 'tarot' with the word 'God' in the above sentence, and perhaps you'll see how silly this idea is :) Plenty of people swear by cutting the deck, then dealing cards out from the top. Plenty of people swear by cutting the deck into three, then taking the top card from each stack. Plenty of people (myself among them) swear by fanning the cards out and picking randomly from the lot. As far as I know, success rates are about the same for all three methods (and for the many other methods I haven't mentioned). What seems to be the important factor is whether or not you feel comfortable with a method, and whether or not it works for you. The same idea applies to the various other common questions: how to shuffle, what to keep your decks in (I like the original boxes - that way I know which deck is which at a glance), whether or not your first deck needs to be a gift (consensus is "heck no, what a load of hogwash!" ;) ), whether or not you should let other people touch your cards, etc. etc.

HudsonGray	15 Jun 2004
I usually 'think' the question, but writing it down first can allow you to get the best possible wording for it, which can make a difference in what you get for a reading. If you're doing a reading for someone not in front of you, that you have to respond to by email or letter, then writing it down would probably be best.

Khatruman	16 Jun 2004
I think you have already gotten the best advice on the shuffling question: to do what feels best to you. In regards to the writing down of a question, I think there is a benefit to writing down rather than just thinking on it. I am taking a teacher's perspective on this. It is for the same reason I tell students it is important to write down their thoughts on a piece of literature we are studying than to just "think" about it. The act of writing something down makes it in many ways a more defined thing. There it is in front of you. Somewhere in your mind, you must set some ideas into definite words in order to express it on paper. Plus, the act of writing triggers another section of the brain to work. The question becomes more definite and substantial when you write it down, which can lead to a clearer reading. Just a note to express to people just beginning in tarot. Please question any "shoulds" or "should nots". Any hard and fast rules given as a Catholic school nun might give them is probably wrong, or at least too strictly enforced. Work with developing what feels correct to you, and be open to many ideas. Don't lock yourself into hard and fast rules.

Rhiannon	16 Jun 2004
I agree with Hudson Gray about the question thing. I can see where writing the question down would certainly help you to word your question the way you think it sounds best, as well as give you something to focus on. I usually "think" the question, but sometimes my mind wanders.... I shuffle, then cut and draw from the top. I flip the cards like a book, from left to right, not bottom to top. But, when I read for my husband, he shuffles the cards and then picks the ones he wants. *shrug* Either way it works. Do whatever you or your querents are most comfortable with. R :)

cartarum	23 Jun 2004
any way you choose a random card is sufficient. writing the question may have power, as the same gods who regulate oracles also regulate the written word. in my studies with the i ching, for example, i actually find that writing the question down gives me a clearer answer. of course, it could be in my head, but if it works it works right?

Aingeal	25 Jun 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kahlie I also keep a Tarot Journal, so I always write it down anyway =) Thank you for that idea! I'm very new to tarot, and enjoy writing, so manybe I should get a special journal just for Taroting (is that a word?). And thank you all for suggesting that I (well, you suggested this to the OP, but still...) write down the question and keep a record of it. This will probalby help me with learning the cards better and how to formulate questions, and who knows what else!

The Writing a question AND cutting the deck thread was originally posted on 15 Jun 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.