In the Beginning...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rogan	22 Apr 2005
Hey Everyone... Being totally brand new to everything (and now that Ive posted my introduction in the newbie strand) I have (what will probably sound like) a very old question... How do I get moving on this? Ive read a lot now - Read a lot in the forums, read a few books etc... And there seem to be so many options: Start a Journal - Learn the Cards - Memorise the Cards - Work out your Soul Card, Shadow Card etc etc etc... Ive been testing myself on the meanings - Sure, Ive got a long way to go, but Im getting the gist of combinations and going with my instinct... There's only SO MANY times I can lay the cards out by myself and practice on my own... What's the best way to start reading for others? WHEN's the best time to start reading for others? Do I really NEED a journal? Should I design/create my own spread, or should I just to a three card spread (which is good) but just doesn't seem to do it for me... Sooooo many questions, I know... Just thought Id see if anyone has any advice - How did you all start? Any tips? Any regrets? Any insights? Cheers ~ Rogan.

Kahlie	22 Apr 2005
Uhmmm.... I suggest you check out the Spread forum here and read up on some Spread you like, and try them out. See what is too much, or what is nice for you. Writing a journal (on your PC) or by hand is very nice. That way you can always read back what you did. I started extremely unconventional. With my Thoth Deck, doing already Celtic Crosses, and reading for somebody else the next day. (Very accurate Reading, he turned white) I have no regrets, but am currently helping two friends start and they kind of want to start a bit slower. I barged in here full force too, and started posting questions and Spreads. Good luck on your quest, and remember always to have fun.

Imagemaker	22 Apr 2005
Welcome! My advice--read, read, read: the cards in all sorts of ways AT forums Check out the spreads index here for lots of ideas, or yes, create your own. Keep looking at the correspondence between the card images and your life's events--you'll develop your own way of dialoguing with the cards. Tarot can be a lifelong study with lots of plateaus and stairways. The important thing is to move back and forth between your logic and your intuition, staying open and yet sensible.

Thirteen	22 Apr 2005
Rogan wrote: Ive been testing myself on the meanings - Sure, Ive got a long way to go, but Im getting the gist of combinations and going with my instinct... There's only SO MANY times I can lay the cards out by myself and practice on my own... What's the best way to start reading for others? WHEN's the best time to start reading for others? Do I really NEED a journal? Should I design/create my own spread, or should I just to a three card spread (which is good) but just doesn't seem to do it for me... Good start. In answer to your questions: 1) The best way to start reading for other is to bring a deck with you to a party, to a friend's house, to your local coffeehouse hang-out. I wouldn't recommend work as many folk have found that causes problems--and you should be sure your friends are okay with tarot reading. In most cases, however, once you bring out that deck, everyone's going to want a reading. Another option, you can do readings for others here on line--check out the reading exchange. 2) You don't NEED a journal. When you want to create one, create one. You start a journal when you begin to feel that you want to write down the exciting thoughts you're having about the cards--or you want to jot down spreads and/or you want to jot down meanings to help remind you. All up to you. 3) You can design your own spread, certainly. But there are so many great spread, some quite old and wonderful, that I'd recommend trying some of these older, established spreads first. THEN, when you get the hang of the, create your own. There are spreads of every size and shape, from 3 card on up to the entire deck. As 3 card isn't working for you, try one with 6-7--like the venerated horseshoe spread. ****4**** **3***5** *2*****6* 1*******7 1=Past 2=Present 3=hidden influences 4=obstacles to be overcome 5=attidudes of other 6=what you should do 7=outcome Happy learning!

cybercat	22 Apr 2005
Welcome Rogan, You might want to take one of the free online courses to help you learn about tarot better. You can try Lotus Tarot or Lear Tarot they are both good. I would start a journal and work with each card by itself. Make note when looking at the card what thoughts come to mind with Out looking at a book. This will help you really work with the card. You do not NEED a journal but it does help alot. Try to take it one step at a time that is why I say a class might help you here to get started. I do mean started a class is no end all it is only the beginning of your life long study of tarot. Learning the number associations of the cards like twos means balance, ace is base force will come as you study your cards. There is alot of symbolism to each deck and each person picks up on different stuff. Try not to get overwhemled here with all the information. Some of the stuff here you will not be ready for until you have understood some other things like card associations. By keeping a journal you are able to check facts or findings at a latter date. If you write down everything that comes to you while studying your card later on you will get that "AH now I get it" stage. When everything just falls into place. This will be the time to move to the next stage in your learning. At that point I would say you should have at least two reading under your belt. When that stage comes you can pick up more. Also get more into the symbolism of your deck and the astrological associations also. Much also depends on what deck you are working with. Each deck is different in many ways. Just rember to have fun and go slow there is no rush here. It is all for fun with your deck. Cat P.S.after studying 10 years now getting to that Ahh stage. In that 10 years I might have really about 6 months straight studying in. Most is a month here or there . Do not give up. Rogan wrote: Hey Everyone... Being totally brand new to everything (and now that Ive posted my introduction in the newbie strand) I have (what will probably sound like) a very old question... How do I get moving on this? Ive read a lot now - Read a lot in the forums, read a few books etc... And there seem to be so many options: Start a Journal - Learn the Cards - Memorise the Cards - Work out your Soul Card, Shadow Card etc etc etc... Ive been testing myself on the meanings - Sure, Ive got a long way to go, but Im getting the gist of combinations and going with my instinct... There's only SO MANY times I can lay the cards out by myself and practice on my own... What's the best way to start reading for others? WHEN's the best time to start reading for others? Do I really NEED a journal? Should I design/create my own spread, or should I just to a three card spread (which is good) but just doesn't seem to do it for me... Sooooo many questions, I know... Just thought Id see if anyone has any advice - How did you all start? Any tips? Any regrets? Any insights? Cheers ~ Rogan.

Maggie Bell	22 Apr 2005
Welcome, Rogan! The only thing I have to add to the very good advice you are receiving is this - if you find yourself suddenly overwhelmed by the amount of information coming your way, don't be afraid to take a breather. Put the cards away. Put the books away. And I mean, really put them away, as in out of sight. When you're ready to return to the cards, your mind will be cleaner and clearer and things will begin to fall into place. This was my recent experience. I've only been doing Tarot since November so I qualify as a newbie, too. Regards, Maggie PS And trust YOUR instincts!

Julien	22 Apr 2005
I'm a newbie to the forum (though I too crashed on in when I started here), and I've been reading Tarot for a 4-5 years. I sort of think I'm like primary school kid in Tarot experience compared to the others on the forum... Like Kahlie, too, I started doing Celtic Cross spreads right off the bat, and read for my friends within days of purchasing my first deck. Oddly, I've nearly stopped both. I throw the Celtic Cross once in a great while (though I've used still bigger spreads on really complicated situations -- spreads with more than 8 cards, though, are not among my frequently used ones) and I rarely read for others. I will kibitz here, though, and have had some nice exchanges about meanings of cards now and then. But for whatever reason, at the current moment, I'm in no hurry to pull out my deck for others around me. So really all of this is very individualized, and you should go at your own speed. Do what you're comfortable with, and enrich your experience as you go. Have fun! Best wishes, Julien

SunChariot	22 Apr 2005
Hi Rogan! ' Welcome to AT. The best time to start reading for others (as in anything else in Tarot) is when you feel ready. Tarot is about accessing and listening to our instincts. If there is one rule it is that there are no rules and you just have to do what feels right to you. Every one of us is on a very different Tarot path, but it will bring you what you need. Of course we all have different needs. That being said, there is no reason why you ever have to read for others. I, and I am not alone in this, use Tarot only for myself as a means for growth and connection to the universe. It is a tool for me, one of a growing number to live my best life and to become the best me that I can be. Although as a a tool it is indespensible to me. I would never ever give up my Tarot. That being said, Tarot also has many other purposes than for devination. Some use it for that, some don't. :-) Bar

Rogan	22 Apr 2005
Thankyou everyone - For you really supportive replies. Its nice to think that at least theres a place I can come for answers in regards to this without people going "Um... Tarot? You're kidding, right?"

jmd	22 Apr 2005
Since you're in Adelaide, have you also thought about coming to the Tarot Conference in July? There are also a number of courses offered in the Adelaide region, including some by Elizabeth Wheldrake and by Don McLeod (I'm pretty sure he still teaches Tarot courses). The alternative, that I would personally recommend in addition to posting here, taking your own notes (journal), and careful study and reflection of the card imagery, is to see if you can get another couple of people interested in getting together on a monthly basis. Never mind each person's experience, it is rather the discussion, the dialogue, and the support that each gets that quickly increases both confidence and also the trust of one's ever deeper insights.

ocho8s	22 Apr 2005
Rogan To me the circle of stones here at the excheange reading forum, has been a great help, to join, you need at least 25 messages, and everyone there has been very helpful. I also followed and idea that I read in the astrology forum and bought a nice box and white cards, like the ones to write recipes............. 78 divisions, and each division is for a card, so whenever I read a description about a card that I like, I write it there, and sometimes when I am reading and have a problem with a particular card, I pull my box, search the card and voila!! it helps. Blessings Anaoly

The In the Beginning... thread was originally posted on 22 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.