Need a little Learning insight

[Siochanai]

Hello Everyone,

After doing some searching around I could not find anything that could quite answer my question I have so I figured I would come here and ask away hoping for just a little bit of insight.

First I am not going to ask how to learn I know everyone learns differently and I know the way I learn best as my favorite past time is learning new things it makes me happy.

So I got my first tarot deck a week ago because during a tarot reading I obtained because of certain spiritual pretzels that were thrown at me I picked up on a intuitive message during the reading that was guiding me towards tarot itself. So I started to search as I needed a deck and for some reason everything was drawing me to the Thoth deck. Yes every blog post and forum post I read said this is a bad deck for beginners but everything in my being was drawing me to this deck. I bought a gift set that came with The Deck and the book Tarot Mirror of the Soul. I also picked up a copy of the Book of Thoth as well. As soon as I opened the deck I knew it was the one. The energy just sprang to life and flowed back and forth through me and the deck.

So after all this amazement I needed to evaluate how I was going to learn to read Tarot. Knowing how I learn, I am a very hands on learner. No matter what I learn I need to use and experiment with it. Even when programming and I learn a new library I make a project based around it and learn by using it with the manual for guidance when needed. So I broke things down into steps.

Step 1- Learn what card is what. (Associate the painting with the name of the card)
Step 2- Learn what card means what.
Step 3- Learn how cards interact with each other.

So I decided to start and learn. With Step 1 I looked through every card and evaluated the painting and the name of the card. I did a process of shuffling and cutting the deck until the energy connection felt just right. Then I drew one card at a time ensuring my thumb would cover the name and I would say what it ment. Then I would draw another card and continued till the last card. I did this 3 times a night for 3 days. On the first day it took me an hour to do this 3 times. By day 3 it took only 1 - 2 seconds per card for a total of around 20 to 30 min for the cycle of three full deck cycles. I now can perfectly associate each picture with the name of the card.

Right now I am starting step 2 and this is where I need the insight. The issue lies in what I experience in step 1. While I was learning to associate the cards to the names I noticed each card brought about particular emotional and energy feelings through me. Let me give a simple example with The Fool Card.

When holding the Fool Card I was filled with confidence but not just any confidence a blind confidence. It felt like I had wisdom and knowledge but I did not quite have a balance between myself and my inner self. As in I did not fully understand my inner self which would lead to taking risks and jumping into situations blindly without fully understanding my capabilities in that situation. Then this would lead to potentially bad outcomes due to a failure to understand my personal limitations in pursuing that given task.

So with further experimentation I realized that these emotions and energies I felt changed with different combinations of cards together.

So now I am not sure how to progress. This is because my steps 2 and 3 blurred together. Keep in mind I did not even open either of the two books yet. I also have no experience with any book meanings of these cards.

So Should I go with these emotional and energy feelings to determine the meanings of the cards and should I do it one card at a time or do a simple 2 - 3 card layout?

Should I reinforce these emotional and energy feelings with book meanings or just go off of what I am experiencing in that particular moment?

Again sorry for the really long post but it was impossible to write without the background information. I greatly appreciate any insight anyone can give.

[danieljuk]

hi Siochanai its really good to learn keywords and different authors ideas and themes for each card. However that's different people's own personal interpretation. The goal (which I am not at yet) is to reach a point where you have your own meanings that are personal to you. It doesn't matter if they are different to others interpretations, authors and other readers can't always agree anyway

The feeling of a card in the spread is the most important of all. It's what you see in the card or feel, in that position at that moment. So maybe you get a card which is generally thought to be really positive and you feel that its disappointing and sad. Well that is your own interpretation for the reading. In another reading that same card might mean marriage and really happy things. something might really draw you in the card which you have never seen before. so your interpretation is really what you feel at that moment!

One great way of practising this is to pick a daily card a day or several cards a day. if you want it predictive you can take one at the start of the day or if you want it reflective take a card at the end of the day. However its so interesting to see where the meaning comes into your day. I really recommend also keeping a journal for each card and writing your thoughts and feelings in it. They might change. Also if I see something great from someone on the forums I put it in my journal too. some people just read intuitively from the start, what does this picture mean to you? it is more difficult if you don't know any themes but you can't go wrong! it's how it works for you

I'm just moving from learnt meanings and books to trying to use intuition more and I really recommend just going with that gut feeling. take a card for the day, write down the gut feeling and see if its right. I underline things that seem accurate in a different colour! you will find you are more accurate than you think and also your accuracy improves with confidence and experience! you're doing nothing wrong, just go with it!

[newlillith]

If you are a hands on learner, I would offer readings on the reading exchange forum. That's how I learned the meanings and how to read so quickly...just offer as many readings as you can. You'll figure out how you intuitively blend and read the cards. Don't worry about having to use the book if you do. There are lots of people who haven't had a ton of reading experience there, and the reading exchange is THERE to help you learn. Good luck!

ETA: I'm personally an intuitive reader. I use the energies I get from the cards and sometimes use the book meanings. For example, if I'm stumped on a card or if I see something in the book that catches my eye and seems "right," I use it. Otherwise I go with my gut. I've only been reading for a year, but my gut has almost always been right. Offering readings over at the reading exchange has been the single most helpful thing for me to learn. I know it sounds intimidating to most newbies, but don't let your newness phase you. Maybe just say "I'm really new to tarot and tarot reading, but I'd like to offer readings for feedback to anyone who wants them."You'll be amazed at how quickly people snap them up. Also, make sure to request detailed feedback. This also helps you clarify any intuitive feelings you may have been confused about during the reading.

[canid]

Erm, I think you've already answered all your questions yourself! I think it's way cool that you were intuitively drawn to that deck - it's not my deck, but oh well. I see no reason at all why it can't be a beginner's deck if you like it.

You already know you're a 'hands on' learner. You followed your intuition about the deck of choice & you love it. Your step one sounds very insightful & way ahead of the game. Step two regarding the energies being correct is mind-boggling to me. At this point I wouldn't worry so much about step 3 - it sounds like you're gonna get it within a few hours. I've never heard of this happening before. Ever. Usually takes decades. But in answer to your question, I'd suggest doing 2-3 card readings for now to avoid any confusion regarding how the cards interact. Keep us posted. I'm a firm believer in reincarnation...perhaps you read tarot in the past.

[Siochanai]

Thank you for the quick input everyone much appreciated.

I will definitely keep everyone posted on how things go.

@canid

Interesting not sure. I to believe in rebirth by the way. There is just something about how these cards resonate and connect with me. It is almost like a constant flow of energy between the cards and myself kinda hard to explain. Then I basically just read the energy flow. Heck even right now typing this on my laptop I am sitting in by bed with my cards under my pillow in a pouch I have for them. My back is rested up against the pillow and the energy link is still flowing. The best way I can explain it is like a warm sensation similar to drinking a hot cup of cocoa after being outside in the snow.

[Melia]

Originally Posted by canid

I'm a firm believer in reincarnation...perhaps you read tarot in the past.

Yep .... this is what I felt too when reading the OP .... also felt this was someone totally connected with the artwork of that Thoth deck itself because they've seen it before (prior to this lifetime).

[Trogon]

Howdy Siochanai! Welcome to Aeclectic Tarot. I would say that you are way ahead of the game. The books are good to give some standard meanings that can be very good starting points for a new reader. Books can also give different points of view and be good refreshers for folks that have been reading for a while. However, I feel it is best to be able to read more intuitively which is what you seem to be able to do very naturally.

What I'll be interested in hearing about is how the "book meanings" will match up with your intuition. Your feelings on The Fool would certainly fit in with what I usually feel with it.

I do also want to say that I do love the Thoth deck also. It is one that I find very useful for introspective readings. I can't recall that I personally have ever used it for a reading for someone else yet. Should be able to though. I look forward to hearing more of your experiences.

[Siochanai]

@Trogon/Melia

Thank you for your positive input on these intuitive feelings.

At the current moment however, I feel like I am starting to actually lose touch with the cards a bit. The energy connection and visual connection to the cards is still strong but I am finding myself starting to draw blanks. Where it is becoming more difficult to deduce what the card is trying to say to me. It is almost like my subconscious is hitting the breaks.

Last night I decided to try to meditate on a card and again nothing. Could be I am just horrible at meditation.

Even my personal 3 card draw yesterday on the outlook of my day after reflecting about the spread and my day at the end of the day it just came out like the spread was actually the cards telling me like I am not ready or something but in time I will be and that my day would be about reflection and trying to deduce what message these cards I drew are trying to get to me. Just like I said after that reflection and deduction the message was quite a you are talented but you are not ready kinda thing.

Any suggestions on what could be happening?
Maybe I should just ask the cards?

[danieljuk]

one tip with meditating with the cards is to put yourself as the person in most of the cards. what do they feel in that situation? what are they dealing with? see yourself as the person. if there isn't a person on that card then just if you were in that picture or situation.

if you do a spread and feel a feeling from each card or the group of them together, then that is how you learn. its different for each person. meditation might not work for you. just try things to see what works best for you.

if you feel that you have lost that connection that you had at first perhaps you are going to fast and you do need to go back and learn from the books. if you get a blank from a card go and have a look at the themes and book meanings for it. it's how nearly everyone starts. eventually it will become easier

[canid]

Maybe you're experiencing information overload & you simply need a bit of a break.