Confusion about interpretations

[gregory]

You posted a separate thread on this. I posted there; this was what I put, for the benefit of those who didn't see the other thread:

Originally Posted by MEEEEE !

Well - you could argue that when you are poor, it is rough - but a lot of things do get simpler. MANY fewer choices. Much simpler life style because of that. Like the hermit - cutting things back to the basics simplifies - and who is more basic than someone who has nothing ?

I am struck, when I go to India or Africa, by the feeling that life is a lot simpler for the people I meet who have next to nothing - and they are often far happier in themselves than are we who have so much, and will share what they do have, like we often won't .

That kind of thing ?

ETA - I have been known to pull 10 Swords as a positive card. I don't think Bunning allows for that one.....

[Greg Stanton]

My advice is toss the book and read the cards. It's at least 50% intuition anyway.

[yirabeth]

Originally Posted by gregory

ETA - I have been known to pull 10 Swords as a positive card. I don't think Bunning allows for that one.....

You're right..and although I can't say with much certainty, I would guess most books don't allow for such things. Nonetheless, you're going to get such cards, from time to time..like getting a 9 of Cups in an obstacles position. I think that's where intuition needs to come in..how can those qualities presented by that card be negative? etc.

I think books (meanings books, anyway, I'm not talking history of etc) are for helping beginners learn the meanings, but that you can't rely on it as the "Be All End All" of meanings -- gotta step out and learn what's beyond the book. Because cards that are "good" are going to show up in "bad" spots, and vice versa. Or, in the case of the 5 of Pentacles, in a place that just doesn't make sense, if you don't look beyond "official" meanings.

I'm feeling a great deal better about the entire issue, now, and while there's books I'd really like to have, I'm not in a hurry to spend money I don't really have to obtain them. I will learn and grow, with or without them.

Thanks for all the input and help

~Yira

[rwcarter]

Originally Posted by yirabeth

I think books (meanings books, anyway, I'm not talking history of etc) are for helping beginners learn the meanings, but that you can't rely on it as the "Be All End All" of meanings -- gotta step out and learn what's beyond the book. Because cards that are "good" are going to show up in "bad" spots, and vice versa. Or, in the case of the 5 of Pentacles, in a place that just doesn't make sense, if you don't look beyond "official" meanings.

~Yira

The best anyone can hope for from a book of meanings is to provide a foundation of meanings and interpretations. But there's no way that any one book (or even all the books put together) can provide interpretations for each card in every conceivable position in every spread in answer to every question. Readers need to take the foundation that they start with and expand upon it with their own personal experiences; otherwise, they're just parroting meanings, and I don't believe that constitutes reading tarot cards.

No two books are going to have the same meanings, and many of them have contradictory meanings. That doesn't mean that one book is better or worse than another or that one book is right where the other is wrong. The meanings in a book are the ones that make sense to the author of the book. If they make sense to the person who's reading the book, great. But as I always say, keep what resonates and discard what doesn't.

I think the "best" books for those who are just starting their tarot journeys are those that teach how to interpret the cards instead of those that just provide a list of interpretations with no clue how the author came up with those interpretations.

I think you'll be fine on your tarot journey yirabeth.

Rodney

[theora]

I would read 4 of Pents here as "hang on to your money" and work on your own interpretations instead of buying another book when finances are tight. reading a book is passive - reading *cards* is active. do more of that, and you will see your understanding deepen. journalling helps a lot too. you can offer readings here, or to your friends the next time you go to a party. do readings on various topics for yourself. the more you read the cards, the more they will speak to you. and eventually you are going to have to do it, it all comes down to that really.

as to the specific 5 of Pents, the thing with a one card reading like that is you just have to figure out "how does it fit?"

good luck and happy journalling!

[Morgane_49]

Originally Posted by yirabeth

Nonetheless, you're going to get such cards, from time to time..like getting a 9 of Cups in an obstacles position. I think that's where intuition needs to come in..how can those qualities presented by that card be negative? etc.

You would also have to consider that the 9 of Cups could indicate NO obstacles...

Just because it is in the 'obstacles' position doesn't mean there are obstacles.

[Mellaenn]

Yirabeth, I spent years trying to learn Tarot from books. I would dutifully copy out the information, read and re-read it, try to memorize it, but it just didn't "stick". Then I was lucky enough to meet someone who became my teacher and her main advice was toss the books and just state what pops into your head when you turn over each card. I have been happy ever after.

I think you got that figured out now; good for you! It really doesn't matter what other people see when I read the cards; just what I see.

[yirabeth]

Originally Posted by Morgane_49

You would also have to consider that the 9 of Cups could indicate NO obstacles...

Just because it is in the 'obstacles' position doesn't mean there are obstacles.

Okay, ya got me there..I've truly not considered that. I'm a true newbie here...but I tell ya, I can learn!

Thanks for this bit of insight, too

~Yira

[yirabeth]

I do want to thank everyone that's helped me here..I feel much better about the situation than last night. I'm truly blown away by the level of kindness and helpfulness I've experienced since joining the forum here. I can't imagine trying to make this journey with just a couple books (that will probably pull me in different directions) and still come out feeling good about what I'm doing.

I still have a lot to learn (this whole thread illustrates that hehe) but, I no longer worry that I'll just be a parlor reader giving fluff readings.

stpcarly -- I can't remember where I posted the thread (these forums are very complicated at times! hehe)but someone explained how they came to the conclusion on the 5 of Pentacles -- I'll pm you the link soon as I find it again. It really did make sense.

Again, thanks all!

~Yira

[gregory]

Here, maybe ?