posted February 03, 2006 11:15 AM         

I bought my first deck of cards about 12 years ago, and books on how to read, etc. I haven't spent a lot of time learning how to read... it always seemed very confusing... so many cards to memorize. I generally just used the pictures for meditation.

However, I'd like to become more skilled at reading cards. Is anyone willing to post some tips for a beginner? Would you start with learning the meanings of the suits and the numbers? Even when I try to do this, the readings in the books seem to have nothing to do with whatever answer I come up with.

I'd appreciate any help!

posted February 03, 2006 02:23 PM         

I've read advice on starting a tarot journal, choosing one or two cards per day and studying them, taking notes on what you see in the card, what you like or don't like, etc.. The book that came with my Faeries Oracle instructs you to choose your favourite card and least favourite card, then answer questions based on why you chose those cards. I'll type up the questions when I can ~ I'd do it now, but I have to go.

Angela

posted February 03, 2006 03:39 PM         

So far, one of my favorite cards in this deck is the two of cups. It came up in a reading today and I fell in love with it.

A question for you: so if I keep a journal of my impressions of the cards, how do I use those to read them if my impressions differ from the actual meanings?

posted February 04, 2006 02:34 AM         

Personally, I would go with the feeling, make a note of it along with the book meaning, and see if it ends up making sense (if it doesn't right now). I know you posted before that you seem to have these insights when using the cards (was that you? sorry if I'm remembering incorrectly ).
A woman named Sonia Choquette used cards to help her with readings ~ regular playing cards that she only used to focus, she didn't really "read" them ~ until she was taught how to control her intuitive energies by two different teachers. I wish I had more tips, I'm sorry, I forgot you specifically asked for tips on the numbers and all that ~ I'm not feeling well. I'm in the same boat with my other cards ~ my DruidCraft and Universal Waite. I picked them up last night, for the first time in weeks, but I haven't really studied them as yet. I was feeling pretty flat, and told my mother last week that I was disappointed that my interest just seemed to have mostly disappeared.
I'm feeling the urge to use them again, and next week will be spending some time with my cards asking questions and making notes, seeing what I can come up with, then checking my book at the end of the week. That's what I did last August, and is recommended here: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/simple_tarot_reading.shtml

quote:

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When you first begin to read the cards, go through a reading intuitively, speaking what comes through to you from the images in the cards. Then, if you wish, go back and check the "traditional" meaning of the cards. Know that as you do more and more readings, you will develop your own sense of what a card means, and where it is taking you. Keeping a journal of your readings will allow you to see your progress on a very real level, as well as allowing you to see how specific issues develop in your life.

There are many helpful resources for doing readings. Two that I would suggest are the excellent book Tarot For Yourself, by Mary K. Greer, and the Internet site by Tarot author Joan Bunning. The Comparative Tarot e-group on Yahoo Groups provides a wonderful atmosphere for asking questions, as does the forum at Aeclectic Tarot.

Happy reading - and remember to have fun!

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posted February 04, 2006 02:38 AM         

Look first at the card that appeals to you the most. Look at it carefully, and write down what you see there in response to the following questions.

1) what is the emotional atmosphere of the card? Does it seem peaceful? Happy? Sad? Loving? Lonely? Friendly? What else? If you don't know the answer, make a guess and write it down. Some cards have complex symbols, and it can be confusing at first to try to pick out one or a few simple attributes from the wealth available. If you have any difficulty with this, just close your eyes hold the card, and ask for the first feeling word that comes to your mind. Don't worry about whether or not you know why your mind chose this word, just go with it for now. As you continue to look at the card, you might see more of the different archetypal energies and attributes shown in it. You might also see a deeper emotional tone than you did at first. Write those perceptions down as well.

2) What might the physical manifestation of this card's symbols be in someone's life? What aspect of life does this symbolize to you? Could it be talking about better relationships? A special relationship? Solitude? More money? More fulfillment? More time for special activities? More things and possessions? Fewer? A simpler life? Chaos? Order? Activity? (What kind?) Health - good or bad or changing? What else? Again, if you don't think you know, close your eyes and ask for a word, while holding the card. Write down whatever word you get, or whatever image that comes to your mind.

3) What do you see in the card's symbols that might represent the card's mental characteristics? is it complex or simple? Multi- or one-dimensional? Clear or confusing?

4) What are the spiritual characteristics of the card's symbols? empathy, compassion, healing awareness, teaching, questioning, or something else?

5) What do you find most appealing about this card?

6) Is there anything you find uncomfortable or unappealing about this card?

7) have you any other ideas about or impressions of this card?

If you were unable to answer any of the questions above, I'd suggest that you take a break. Pet the cat or throw a stick for the dog, or go for a little walk or do something else that you enjoy for a few minutes. Loosen up. Sometimes we try so hard we block ourselves with the intensity of our energy. When that happens, we just need to let go a bit. Then come back and try it again in a more relaxed state of mind and body.

Once you've finished with the first card, let's look at the card that you felt most uncomfortable with. Go through the same questions above, but with a change in 5 and 6. The new versions of those two are:

5) What do you find most uncomfortable about this card?

6) is there anything you find attractive or appealing about this card?

please write down all of the answers to the questions before you continue reading.

~~~~~
The card that most appeals to you is what you are trying to create in your life. This may be something you are consciously aware of working on, or it may have been hidden in your unconscious mind until this very moment. Be as honest with yourself as you can. Look again for what the card shows - which may or may not be what you would prefer for it to show or what you thought you wanted.

~~~~~
The card that makes you most uncomfortable tells you something about what you are having the most trouble dealing with in your life. It deals with your strongest inner conflict. It probably tells you quite a bit about what is hindering you from achieving he desires that aree expressed the card that appeals to you the most. It may also tell you some of your blind spots. The being (or beings) on this card represents your most important teacher at this stage in your life.

~~~~~
She then asks you to lay all the cards face down, and run your hands over the cards, a little bit above them. Pick up the card that really draws you.
Answer the questions listed for the first card, the one you liked best, for this card as well.
Please do that before going on.

~~~~~
This card is a message from the universe (via your own higher self). It tells you something about how you can begin healing pain or resolving the issues shown by the uncomfortable card, and move closer to fulfilling the heart's desire expressed in the first, appealing card. Use the questions given earlier to look for the meaning in this card, and see what it tells you.

Have you noticed you're reading the cards?
And have you noticed you are doing it without looking anything up in the second part of this book, which contains the "definitions" of the cards?
She goes on to say that the only "right" interpretation for you is your own, and that it will probably change at least a little each time you look at the card. Your personal response, the wealth of experience and awareness and humour and knowledge and wisdom and confusion that you bring to the cards is what matters.

posted February 04, 2006 11:44 AM         

My best friend lives in Akron... goes to school there. I haven't been up to visit her, but when/if I do, perhaps I could meet you some day!