Going deeper

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Pook	23 Sep 2004
Sometimes during the course of a reading, I realize that I am seeing things very quickly, picking up signals and signs and thinking that I can see exactly see the message. It's at these moments that I realize that I dont see what I am supposeed to be seeing. I feel like I am skimming the surface with a snorkel when what I need is an oxygen tank and diving gear to go any deeper. Im sure that I cant be alone in this, but I wonder how to break the surface and find out what I'm missing below. I'm almost certain its an intuitive thing. Sort of like I see the signs of all the things I have read and know that the cards are supposed to mean, but I cant seem to find inspiration for my own interpretations. Is there anything I can do, like meditation, or a new course of study that you think would help?

Mesara	23 Sep 2004
I have had this problem; especially with really large, complicated spreads. I have found it extremely helpful when this happens to simply write down the reading (like the cards, their positions, my initial thoughts about them, etc) and then take a break to let it settle in my mind. I will move onto some other activity and then when I feel calm and centered I will look at the reading again; and often I am able to put it together perfectly with deeper meanings and perspectives than the first time. Sometimes I even just leave the cards spread out on the table and then come back to them instead of writing it down. Then when I come back to them it is like a lightbulb going off in my head. I will look at them and go "oh yeah.. thats what that means" and so on.

Moongold	24 Sep 2004
It varies with me. The variance comes with how grounded I am. If I am quite well grounded sometimes things simply flow. Other times I get preliminary impressions and simply leave it for a while resolving to come back later. I usually "hand over " the reading to the Gods beforehand asking for their guidance to do a reading of benefit to the Querent. I believe that works - makes me simply a channel.

mingbop	27 Sep 2004
the more readings you do, and the longer you read tarot, the deeper you go...like a diver, improving his lungs...You could also add on an extra card at the end, - before you cut it just ask "is there anything else I missed or should know"?....

April	28 Sep 2004
I, too, have this problem especially when I'm doing readings for other people when I can't come back to it later. I love it when my friends beg for a reading and then clam up like we're perfect stragers as soon as I start reading. That's nerves on their part, but it doesn't make my job any easier. I find that once they start to relax I can delve a little deeper into the reading. Sometimes it just doesn't happen. I try to tell people that the more they put into a reading the more they will get out of it. I agree that writing a reading down is usually helpful Also, I used to read one card at a time, beginning to end, and be done with it. This makes for a pretty superficial reading. I now try to find patterns (colors, people, animals, weather...) to squeeze out a little more information and tie it all together. Peace, April

Ace	28 Sep 2004
I know what you mean MoonDreamR. I would SLOW down, if you can, and really look at the problem card. The meaning may be in a small detail in the background that you never noticed before. Even after using it for YEARS, I still sometimes see new features and details in the Robin Wood deck.

Little Baron	28 Sep 2004
I think I understand what you mean, and if I do, then yes, I experience it too. Correct me if I am wrong. When I have this problem, I look at a large spread and I get the essense of the reading and understand what they are communicating but sometimes find it hard to put it into words and explain to a querant why it is I feel that way. A few things about each card will come into my head, but I can find little more than that to convey. Is that what you mean? The only thing that I can suggest, and this would probably be better in the readings you do for yourself and practice on your own, is to try and break down those large spreads so that they are not so overwhelming. For example, in the Celtic Cross, take the card that is passing out of the situation and the card that is entering the situation and look at how they work together without the pressure of the rest of the spread distracting you. How do they interact? How do they clash? Are there simularities? Are there strong differences? Are they male? Are they female? Are they major? Are they minor? Are they of the same number? I have given myself a break from big spreads for a while because I find them too hard to work with and pull all of that information together. Maybe it would be easier to break the cards up in a large spread, use your intuition to work within them and then read up a little about them to gain more insight. That way, it becomes a series of many 'two card' readings which is much easier to absorb and 'dive further' into. Hope I understood your question properly and this was some kind of help. Best wishes Yaboot

Pook	28 Sep 2004
Thanks for all of your replies, I appreciate any help in this area. April, yes, I think that part of the problem is reading from card to card. But I usually only do that as a cursory start to the reading. The real problem for me is finding the connections. Quote: originally posted by Yaboot I have given myself a break from big spreads for a while because I find them too hard to work with and pull all of that information together. Maybe it would be easier to break the cards up in a large spread, use your intuition to work within them and then read up a little about them to gain more insight. That way, it becomes a series of many 'two card' readings which is much easier to absorb and 'dive further' into. So, how do you know which two cards to read together?

Ace	28 Sep 2004
It depends on the spread. I do a Horoscope spread (talk about big spreads: the first spread I was taught -back in the stone age, do you know how HEAVY those cards were? ;) --was a combo of the celtic cross and the Horoscope which is a 12 card circle. so i was doing 22 cards and asking: how do you get them all to come together? the answer given: practice and it will be clear) Anyway, I STILL use the Horoscope spread, it is a good way to cover a lot of ground, and often I go across the circle. 2nd house (the way I do it) is financial security. 8th house across the way, is debts, legacies, and other people's money-among other things. So they match. Career and work (10th and 6th) also correlate, etc. With A Celtic Cross, is might be up and down that works together, and so on. Practice and you will start to see the patterns jump out at you. (REALLY!)

The Going deeper thread was originally posted on 23 Sep 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.