Bought my First Deck

[LRichard]

Originally Posted by TarotWoods

So does the deck come with instructions then?

My set has 80 cards (3 Magi), a spread sheet for the Celtic Cross, and a 48 page instruction booklet by James Wasserman. The cards in this edition are absolutely gorgeous!

[TarotWoods]

Originally Posted by LRichard

My set has 80 cards (3 Magi), a spread sheet for the Celtic Cross, and a 48 page instruction booklet by James Wasserman. The cards in this edition are absolutely gorgeous!

Here is the one I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/088...ls_o00_s00_i00 it doesn't mention the spread sheet but it looks as if it's the same deck as what got minus the spread. Here is yours I am guessing: http://www.amazon.com/Thoth-Tarot-De...ref=pd_sim_b_3

Hope it comes with an instruction book...is it pretty informative?

[LRichard]

Originally Posted by TarotWoods

Here is the one I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/088...ls_o00_s00_i00 it doesn't mention the spread sheet but it looks as if it's the same deck as what got minus the spread. Here is yours I am guessing: http://www.amazon.com/Thoth-Tarot-De...ref=pd_sim_b_3

Hope it comes with an instruction book...is it pretty informative?

The one you ordered is the same deck as mine, and it is supposed to come with the instruction booklet. I haven't even looked at the booklet, but it really should be okay. The author is a well-known writer and occultist. It should conform to Crowley's ideas about Tarot.

[TarotWoods]

Originally Posted by LRichard

The one you ordered is the same deck as mine, and it is supposed to come with the instruction booklet. I haven't even looked at the booklet, but it really should be okay. The author is a well-known writer and occultist. It should conform to Crowley's ideas about Tarot.

What do you suggest for someone who is just starting to read Tarot cards? I mean like, where do I begin? I've seen some online courses I am planning on taking, but as far as doing readings what should I do.

[gregory]

Spend time - a lot of time - simply looking at each card. Think what it means to YOU. Tell stories based on what you see in the image. Think why that bird is where it is; why there is a lion on that card; why it is all so BLUE.... Compare all that (if you like) with what it says in the book and see what commonalities there are (because if it was just about what's in the book - then anyone could but a deck and a book and readers would be out of a job.) In your place I would start out with single card readings - I think someone already suggested that.

And try reading for people in TV shows and see how the next show compares... Less embarrassing while you are honing your skills than reading for actual people who can answer back.

Join the newbies reading circle here, and see what happens.

[LRichard]

Originally Posted by TarotWoods

What do you suggest for someone who is just starting to read Tarot cards? I mean like, where do I begin? I've seen some online courses I am planning on taking, but as far as doing readings what should I do.

With my first deck (purchased around 1969), for many years I just used the instruction booklet that came with the deck. That's all. It wasn't very satisfactory, but I didn't know any better. In more recent years, I sort of lurched unsystematically into a deeper understanding of Tarot, so I really wouldn't know how to counsel wisely someone who is just starting out.

[Always Wondering]

Journaling really helped me. Did someone say one card at a time yet? That's good advice for the Thoth.

Also Paul Huges-Barlow at http://supertarot.co.uk/lessons/card-meanings.htm has good info including free lessons for the beginner.

You may want to learn the unique qualities of your deck before you pay for any lessons.

This is a lot of info, but you could start with the divination (last paragraph of each card) right off http://www.thelema.org/publications/books/LiberT.pdf and get into the rest later if you like.




AW

[Abrac]

The instruction booklet that comes with the deck is a pretty good introduction as far as little booklets go. It has two essays by the artist. It also has comments and notes by Stuart Kaplan. There are instructions for doing a fairly complicated reading, but in my opinion it's not really appropriate for a beginner. A simple three-card reading should be enough to start with. Just lay them out then observe them. See if there's a story they're trying to tell you. Then look up the divinatory meanings in the booklet and study the cards again and see if you see anything new. Do some readings like that to start with. As you learn, you'll figure out where to go next.

[TarotWoods]

And shuffle them when I first get them right?

[Abrac]

You don't really need to shuffle until you do a reading. You can if you want to, but you might want to just look through all the cards and peruse the booklet first, it's up to you. But there's nothing that says you can't do a reading right out of the gate if you want to. The cards stimulate your intuition, so you don't have to have an in-depth understanding of what every detail means. When you do a reading, your intuition will be activated to the degree that it's able. As you progress, learning and experience will enhance and strengthen your own intuition.