Disheartened 16 Year Old, SEEKING HELP. = (

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 28 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Mattanator	28 Apr 2005
Hey everyone So i'm just sat reading the basic interpretations of the Minor/Major Arcana, It just occurred to me how much of these definitions could apply to my situation/self. Almost every card, i'm able to relate to in some form or way, or have been able to at some point in time. I must say i'm slightly disheartened, Is tarot-reading more intuition based? Are tarot cards just intuitive tools to help translate subconscious thoughts? I mean how are some people able to clarify specific details/occurrences? Although i'm very open-minded, the fact i can relate to the majority of the cards key definitions, does install some sense of doubt, Is this 'normal'? Ah hmph, I'm hoping it is more intuition based, if it is, any helpful intuitive building techniques you could share with me? Are there any spreads i could practice with that highlight key-facts? or some kind of personal 100% truth? Thanks a lot. :)

Indigo Rose	28 Apr 2005
Mattanator wrote: Hey everyone ....I must say i'm slightly disheartened, Is tarot-reading more intuition based? Are tarot cards just intuitive tools to help translate subconscious thoughts? I mean how are some people able to clarify specific details/occurrences? Don't be discouraged. To answer your question: YES, Tarot is an intuitive tool. It is good that you are learning the basic definitions; that is a start. However, after you feel comfortable with these general meanings you need to practice looking at the cards from an intuitive focus. Mattanator wrote: Although i'm very open-minded, the fact i can relate to the majority of the cards key definitions, does install some sense of doubt, Is this 'normal'? Yes it is normal that you can relate to the majority of the cards, as they are a reflection of our human lives. We all can or should be able to relate to the Tarot. It is the story of us(humanity). Mattanator wrote: Ah hmph, I'm hoping it is more intuition based, if it is, any helpful intuitive building techniques you could share with me? What helps me is to look at the cards together and see what is unfolding before me. I study the images, the colors, the numbers, and just read the "story" of the cards. I open my mind and express what comes to me. For me I have to be clear headed. I can't be doped on cold medicine, or even being sick alters my ability to intuit. For me it is something that has come with practice. However, I did have to learn the basics before I felt comfortable reading intuitively. I frequently referenced books in the beginning. Mattanator wrote: Are there any spreads i could practice with that highlight key-facts? or some kind of personal 100% truth? There are a lot of great spreads you can practice. Here is a link to AT's Tarot Spreads: http://www.tarotforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=56 In addition I enjoyed the following as I was learning: Complete Book of Tarot Spreads by Evelin Burger & Johannes Fieberg Power Tarot by Trish MacGregor & Phyllis Vega(I like the spreads in the back of the book, but the rest of the book isn't to my liking.) In addition to this, don't be afraid to make up your own spreads. Explore asking the Tarot questions. That has also been a really big help to me. Don't be discouraged. It is all a process; a journey. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the learning. Blessings, Indigo Rose :)

wellspring	28 Apr 2005
Hi Mattanator First off I'd say it was great that you can relate to all the cards. Perfectly normal, and actually it's a wonderful foundation to work from, and far better than if you just couldn't make any sense of them .... by relating to them you have a way into the cards, and the first stepping stone you need before moving on to more intuitive readings later on. Secondly, every single reader has moments of doubt and confusion, so you're in the same boat just now! Tarot cards work on many levels. It's great that even when you're just starting, you're making sense of the basic interpretations. You will find as you get to know the cards better that your intuition will develop. The best way I found when I first got into the cards is to take one card, really look at it in detail, and then close your eyes and recall the image. You will find as you keep doing this that insights pop into your mind. Just make a note of them ..... a tarot journal's a great idea, to keep everything you're learning in one place. I take a card a day, and find this is a really good way to get to know the new deck I've just got. If you make a note of your daily card, and then at the end of the day compare your day and the card's interpretation, you can start to learn how the cards work. And you will definitely find that insights come naturally and your intuition develops. Don't worry; everyone's felt the same. Cat

Mattanator	28 Apr 2005
Thank-You so much for all your inspirational words/answered questions, i seriously appreciate it guys. Ah thankyouuuuu :)

Imagemaker	28 Apr 2005
For me part of the awareness that tarot brings is how many facets of myself there ARE--in a morning I'm bedeviled by moods, nurturing like an Empress, driving my Chariot forward through work tasks, feeling Sunny and satisfied . . . and on and on through the day. We contain all the cards as we experience life from day to day. Learning to recognize just that is a HUGE step of growth!

Thirteen	28 Apr 2005
Mattanator wrote: So i'm just sat reading the basic interpretations of the Minor/Major Arcana, It just occurred to me how much of these definitions could apply to my situation/self. Almost every card, i'm able to relate to in some form or way, or have been able to at some point in time. I must say i'm slightly disheartened I'm a little mystifed as to why this observation disheartened you. When you get confident enough with card meanings--and your intuition--to do readings, when a friend of yours asks, "Does this guy like me?" don't you want to get that 2/cups and be able to say, "Oh, he's interested alright!"--because you recognize, as we all do, that look between a guy and girl that can signal interest? Because that's happened to you--and so you can understand the card, intimately? If you're doing a reading and a friend asks, "Why is my mom being so hard on me?" Don't you want to see that 5/swords and be able to say, "She wants to keep you off the streets, from getting into fights"? Because you look at that card and think of the guys you've known at school who just couldn't avoid a fight and got into terrible trouble? You know what the mom's thinking because you've thought it yourself--"Even if they win, they lose! Better to not fight at all!" It's because these cards apply to you that you can understand them--and every stranger who's ever going to ask you questions about their life, about their future. And most certainly, we've all recognized ourselves in these cards: we've felt carefree and foolish as the Fool, or those amazing times when we make anything come true, like the Magician. We've all wanted to shut ourselves away and just read a good book like the Hermit, and we've all, alas, have had those times when everything came crashing down and we had to face some hard, bare truths, as with the Tower. This is life. Every stage of it, every facet. What was, what is, what will be--the human story. So familiar, so exciting, so rich. If you feel you've seen it all--wait. Every year, as more things happen to you, you'll see more. That's one of the joys of tarot--you never stop seeing and learning new meanings, discovering new stories. It's for that never-ending story most of us become life-long readers. It's never gets old, only newer and more different.

similia	28 Apr 2005
Its OK to think that in my opinion. The cards do suit us all, at least some of the time. It's like first year psychology students. Suddenly they can self diagnose every neurosis and psychosis in themselves, and they think they have them all :laugh:. As they learn more of course they realise they are not insane (at least that they don't suffer every type of insanity ;) ) As you get used to the cards and the combinations, the differences will be clearer and stronger.

tamaray	28 Apr 2005
Hey I felt the same dought in the when I started ... Then I scared the shit out of myself a few times. But after all that I love the tarot I love the since of just knowing. Relax and enjoy and yes the intutions grows with the learning. It is all good... Trust and believe in yourself... and most of all have fun. peace and love Tamaray

psychic sue	29 Apr 2005
The cards do relate to everyone's experiences - it's the combinations and the positions that give the reading. The cards wouldn't be much use if they didn't reflect life! If you can relate to all of them that is a very good sign, and a great basis to begin learning. Sue x

DarkAngel_Claudia	29 Apr 2005
Hiya Mattanator!!! For me - I'm also new to all this stuff - the best thing to is two things: * Reading a lot ! I've probably read all the books on tarot I could find! It really helps! * And meditating - its to help you relax and clear the mind. There are so many helpful hints on this forum - just go through some old posts - I've found so much! There is really no rules on how to use your intuition - just make sure you enjoy it! Claudia

The Disheartened 16 Year Old, SEEKING HELP. = ( thread was originally posted on 28 Apr 2005 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.