Reading The Tarot

[rachaelpie]

I am learning to read the tarot and wanted some advice from fellow readers. I always hear "look beyond the meaning of the card and let your intuition help" but I don't understand how? I know the rough meanings of the cards but can't seem to look past them.

Also if a card is in my spread and it doesn't make sense at that time, then do I ignore it?

When reading for others (my friends & family) sometimes I think I feel like I don't want to tell them too much in case I'm wrong - is this just a confidence issue that I need to get over? I am a very un-confident (if that is even a word!!) person in myself.

I have 2 decks - the Rider Waite and the Gilded, RW is apparently better for beginners but G is better for helping imagination/intuition...which would you advise I use?

Plus any other info / advice in general for reading would be greatly appreciated

Thankyou xx

[modernthing]

Hi Rachaelpie

I do not know much about tarot readings, but a friend of mine works using the Marseille deck and she's dug a lot into Alexandro Jodorowsky, who's apparently quite good in books when it comes to card readings. He talks a lot about symbolics of cards/details and helps you develop your own readings according to the situations, I'd recommend you perhaps look after some of his work.

[codenamesmiley]

Rachaelpie,

First and foremost..you should be doing the "card a day" method..to gain confidence and understanding of an individual card...what it means to you..ultimately.

Use whatever deck is most comfortable for you, easiest to relate to. I use a "Universal Waite" deck. (which is just clearer art version of the original rider deck.)

Pull one card...study it..log down what it means to you...then take whatever books, charts, internet courses information that you have on that card..and jot notes...highlight anything that jives...(between your personal take on it, and the textbook meanings.) Especially highlight the things that stand out that have NOTHING to do with the book..because this may be an individual card meaning that is exclusive to you. I kept a calendar sheet in the beginning...and wrote what card was for that day...and I would ponder it...from time to time during the day..to know the cards personality a little bit better. Once you get to know the cards one by one...it begins to take on a better understanding for you. It is like spending each day with a different person on a "get to know them" basis. Each card will develop a personal meaning for you..one at a time. Each card will bring on a particular "persona" for itself, so that you recognize it, as it will have a life of it's own.

There is alot of hints in the artwork, aside from just the main picture, that you can also use to identify certain details of a particular situation. Let's not forget, that when two cards get together...sometimes they are themselves...and sometimes the influence of another card in it's presence, can totally change it's "persona". Of course the positions of these two cards, when they appear together in a reading, also influences them. (I used relatives as an example to understand this. For instance...Each of my brothers have fine qualities of their own..but when two of them get together..sometimes one brother brings out the worse in another...while another brother brings out the best in him. Get them together in a room alone, and one thing happens. Take them together in public..something else happens. So, not only do they effect each other, the environment they are in when they are together also influences their effect on each other..much like the positions they fall in a reading..will change how they effect each other, to an extent. Use this relation, to understand how pairs work, in a reading..it will serve you well.) I also found it useful, when getting to know each card...if one has a personality of someone that you know...use that as well. (Like, the empress is my sister..to a tee....so it is easy to recall the qualities of the card that match the qualities of my sister...this is such an easy way to open up and relate to the cards...just try to be honest in your evaluation of others, when comparing them to the cards..and try not to let the comparative person take over the card meaning..rather...use them as reminders..when you are reading without cheat material in front of you.

You will find a couple years down the road, that some cards will have separate meaning for you altogether..and half of your deck, will not even jive with the textbook, by the time you have put down that security blanket and gone out on your own with confidence.

POSITION POSITION POSITION! Pay attention to the position of a card in a spread. If you have to do a position a day, as well..to get to know them..do so. Learning the tarot should be an enjoyable experience, and not feel like cramming for exams...as that will add to the lack of confidence..as some people tend to freeze up on tests. Giving a reading is not a test of your abilities...it is a way for you to take what you know and feel, and apply it when you are called upon to do so.

The important thing is to not feel rushed.

I wouldn't recommend reading anyone's cards, until you have the confidence. If it is an individual that makes you feel less confident, don't read for that individual. Stick with those individuals, for practice readings in the beginning.

You can choose...between being able to do a reading right away...or doing a right reading..later on. I was torn in the beginning, and then I realized, that you don't really need confidence in the company of those you know well.

I am sure that you will find your confidence, as soon as you realize that this is a personal pursuit, and not something that you were told you had to do..therefore there is nothing to "prove" to anyone. If you are learning this just because someone told you that you couldn't....well, re-assess "why" you are learning tarot in the first place. If it is to advance your own intuition, or to help others and guide them...in your heart, than you are going to nail this eventually. If you are only doing it, to prove to someone else that it can be done...or to show off to a skeptic...well, hang it up right now. Make sure you are learning the tarot for all the right reasons, and your guides and angels will assist you better, than if you are just in it to tell that one person "I told you so".

I wish you the best of accomplishment and confidence in your journey. You can PM me, if you need to.

Blessings,
Rebecca

[Captain Drywall]

When you look at the spread, use a soft focus. The story is in your head not the card. Any one single card has enough detail to tell a whole story, but you have a spread and your mind must choose the small details that spark you to see a story nobody has ever told.

[Misscpb]

Hello

Here is a link for you that has a free course for learning about tarot cards. When you pull your cards, as well as reading and learning the meaning from your book. Try to interpret the card or put your hands on the individual card and see if you have any feelings, hear thoughts, hear words or see things.

Tarot Course Table of Contents

Have you ever thought of using Oracle Cards. I have both and personally I tend to use Oracle Cards more as I find them easier and more in tune with myself. Have a look at some of the Oracle Cards & Tarot Cards I have on my web site forum that I use to do other peoples readings:-

PSYCHIC TAROT ORACLE CARD READINGS FREE - Message Board - Yuku

[rachaelpie]

thanks guys.

codenamesmiley - I am doing it just for me, no-one else and not to prove anything. I thoroughly enjoy it, just finding it a bit hard atm.

I tend to stick to the celtic cross spread as i find that one easiest, i know what all the positions mean.

Used learntarot.com originally to get meanings, then bought The Tarot Bible which had a few extra details I had not seen.

I have heard of oracle cards but never used them nor do I know how they work? Is it similar to tarot? Do you work in spreads? Can you explain a little for me?

Thankyou x

[Misscpb]

I have heard of oracle cards but never used them nor do I know how they work? Is it similar to tarot? Do you work in spreads? Can you explain a little for me?

Thankyou x

Hi

Usually in a pack of oracle cards there are around 44 cards. Each card has a specific meaning instead of multiple meanings like the traditional tarot. There are no reversed cards with oracle cards.

They can be used in the same way/spreads that tarot cards are used and also for any question a person may have. I just found them a lot easier than traditional tarot cards, so I would just say to people to go with what they find is easiest for them and what they are drawn to as we are all different.

All The Best

[rachaelpie]

Thanks for all your help misscpb, i have been looking on your website at all of your oracle cards! Some of them look amazing. I was particularly drawn to the Magical Messages from the Fairies deck by Doreen Virtue, but read the following review:

Magical Messages from the Fairies Oracle Cards

What deck do you find best to use?

x

[modernthing]

Same as Misscpb, I use oracle cards because they work nicer for me and there only are positive meanings and advices and I like that quite a bit.

I mainly use Doreen Virtue oracle cards, I have about 4 decks and I usually work with them all when I seek advice. They've been quite good and all I have received has been quite accurate so far.
I mainly play with the Archangel deck, the Ascended Masters deck, the Healing with the Angels and the Healing with the Help of Angels decks, those work great for me.

I am not a tarot person, I do not like cards but each and every deck from Doreen Virtue I've had my hands on was really good and of a great help. Plus the cards are all quite pretty to look at, all colourfull and stuff Always puts me in a good mood.

I'm not too experienced with cards but with those, I've been doing some readings for friends and what came out of those was always quite accurate.

[rachaelpie]

Morning modernthing,

I have looked at most of her oracle cards and they are lovely, think i will buy the Magical Messages from the Fairies... that was the pack I was most drawn to and I think you get drawn to things for a reason. The only problem I have with these is (like the woman said in the review) what happens if you draw the pregnancy/son/daughter card for someone who can't conceive due to having womb removed, or you get a son card for someone who doesn't have a son? How do you interpret those?

I'm sure it will be in the book, but wanted your advice since you both read oracles x

[modernthing]

Nothing's impossible and it might not mean just that but close to it to take the example you have given, nothing is holding the person back from adoption or having foster children or be very close to children she knows... whatever, there are so many solutions and soulwise, what is meant to be is meant to be and miracles do happen to people with faith and trust So it might mean something close, even if it doesn't relate to the direct meaning !

Blessings, and hope this helps

[Misscpb]

Originally Posted by rachaelpie

Thanks for all your help misscpb, i have been looking on your website at all of your oracle cards! Some of them look amazing. I was particularly drawn to the Magical Messages from the Fairies deck by Doreen Virtue, but read the following review:

Magical Messages from the Fairies Oracle Cards

What deck do you find best to use?

x

From experience I have found at times when a person has asked a question and the results from either a tarot/oracle card reading are not relevant to the question there can often be a few reasons as to why:-

1. The cards are providing advice on something that seems to be more important or relevant in that persons life.
2. The cards are revealing information about somebody close to them or someone they know around them.
3. The other reason why a reading may not be clear is if the cards have not been cleansed from the last person who has either touched them, or the last person the card owner has done a reading for (whether in person, on the telephone or through the internet). The energy of that person may still be in the cards, hence any foggy reading information.

I think sometimes when a person gets a reading, they are expecting to hear what they want to hear. Often the information they receive in a reading is what they need to hear in order for them to move forward in life. Sometimes people are just not ready to hear what has been revealed to them.

With regards to the cards and their meanings, again this depends on other cards that appear in a reading, as they often tell a story from past, present, problems/issues, concerns and possible outcomes/future. There can be many interpretations when reading Oracle & Tarot Cards.

For the pregnancy card, apart from meaning the obvious, a possible adoption, a birthday coming up for somebody, healing from any pregnancy/conception issues or the birth of something new and a big change coming into your life.

For the son or daughter card, this could relate to any male/female influences in your life or those around you. Information about a male/female who is younger than yourself. It could relate also to male/female animals or male/females within the spirit world. Healing required possibly between a father and son, mother & daughter, or son/daughter & family. Issues relating to pregnancy or adoption, a career working with children, a male/female is going to receive a message etc, or even a message from an unborn child within the spirit world, or healing your own inner child masculine/feminine issues of giving and receiving etc.

From the information given in the link you provided, possibly the card the lady drew for "Get Some Exercise" relating to her insight into moving to another neighbourhood. That could have possibly been information for her to get out and about to see other areas and do something about it, instead of possibly just thinking about it. It is not just an exercise card, its also about health happiness, nature and the environment which as we all know can be affected by our home environments etc.

For her other question about what she needed to know now and the "Love Life" card pulled. That has many meanings including your own relationship with loving and being kinder to yourself, others. Could relate to relationships around you that are going through some kind of difficulty that you may hear about/be aware of, a new love in a persons life could be a third party in the relationship/affair if other cards supported it. A soulmate coming into the persons life not as a partner, but possibly as a friend from the same soul group who will help the person in many ways in their life. Somebody you feel you have known for a long time and you trust/learn from them. The other meaning if a person is in a current relationship there needs to be better communication within the relationship. Something may be bothering them that they are not talking about. Or indeed what one person thinks of the relationship, may not be in alignment with what the other person thinks/feels about the relationship for instance:- sexual issues, work around the home, finances/shared accounts, wanting children etc.

With regards to what deck I use, I currently have 19 decks and I usually find that I am drawn to a specific one or even a few that can provide me with accurate guidance. When doing readings for others I usually hear what pack or packs of cards to use as I lay out all of them on my desk before doing a reading. Or I intuitively move my hand towards a pack and just know which one/s to choose. So, if you are drawn to a set of specific Tarot/Oracle cards to buy, then they are the ones calling to you. Have a look on Amazon or Ebay to see where you can get them the cheapest.

All The Best