I find this fascinating and the more I read about the way people use them the more I can see "pulling a card" to think about whatever it is ...Can you tell me an example of how a card or cards shows you a direction to think about? I have not done a reading yet, so am very new to the concept...
Definitely a 'how long is a piece of string' answer to this... I think that it can be really personal. Even with all the traditional spreads - ways to lay out and interpret cards - and meanings associated with each card, people still stack up their own personal meanings as they get used to their cards.
Like a specific card might represent a person they know, and that card coming up might mean they should either speak to them about the situation in the reading, or evaluate if that person is influencing the situation.
I have a couple of significant cards which , if they pop up, mean I should look a little more deeply - maybe the situation is more important to me than I'd allowed myself to admit, or I'm worrying unnecessarily. It can be that you get all minor arcana and one major - take a look at where the major is in the spread. A preponderance of one suit might can also be significant like if there are lots of pentacles cards, maybe money is an underlying theme or influencing how I'm behaving.
Every reader sees things differently though I think!
Each response from readers shows how personal Tarot cards are to the holder of them. And I have ten more questions for each one that is answered...like:
Which cards do you use? Did someone give them to you? Do you do readings for others? I wonder if people who "pull" cards for themselves and read for others have two different sets of cards? Do people want you to use their cards that they bring?
And...specific to you, how long have you been reading cards? and how did you start? Do you pull three cards for your own readings? How do you have significant cards? Does that mean the words associated with a card, The Star etc draw you to them...versus another card? I have not studied the Minor Arcana yet...just the 22 Majors...
I haven't heard anyone refer to how a card can represent a particular person. That is very interesting!
(I do not think of tarot as religious at all and it’s not like doing “fortune telling” in my experience. The art, history, and meaning of the cards that I use and nature inspired. There are different types that speak to individuals). I saw the fun side of tarot in my childhood (in the 70s). The women in my family talked more about using tarot to harness intuition. For me it was an early lesson in that specifically- and I’ve always trusted my intuition. I suspect this played a part in that?)
There is the issue with tarot cards being interpreted as coming from a darker place by people who are really religious. But I’m just focused on the more modern version of tarot cards and now checking out Oracle cards as well. Do you have an opinion about Oracle cards versus tarot cards?
Lucky to see Tina and Amy! Yes, I have been reading tarot for myself and close friends for several years. Tarot was a part of my upbringing (both on my mother and father’s side) so I have always enjoyed it for fun. My friends ask me to read for them once a year or so when we get together for weekend visits. I have a few decks I’ve used over the years. Some have been gifted to me (I use these for the friends who gifted them to me), and I save others for my personal use. I find it fun and useful as a guide and a form to open my mind and thoughts when I am feeling stuck etc…
How lucky you were to see Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Rachel Dratch! I love the Kim's Little Women oracle deck you are working on for EE! My experience with these decks is that more than anything religious, writers, artists, and thinkers often use them to set an intention or frame an understanding of past, present, or feature... Or wrap their brains around a question. It's practical meaning-making as much as spiritual myth-making. Ok, that's me just nerding out over art!
Oh, I think you just tipped your hand...you are a tarot card enthusiast! I felt the lift of snark-mock that usually follows when we mention Tarot Cards....you just made me way more interested in the everyday use of them. I love this. Thank you, A
I read tarot cards. I have a Substack where I write about them @oddgoodlife - I love talking tarot too, so always happy to chat if you want to at any point, although there is no shortage of wonderful readers on Substack. I love an interesting new deck made by an artist or anyone who isn’t a big, profit hungry company. Good luck
I replied in the wrong place...that would be fun! is she coming to Boston? Her material was a lot more risqué in person..guess you can't be on Insta...
For me, tarot cards not a way of predicting the future. But they're an excellent way to show me where I should be directing my attention!
I find this fascinating and the more I read about the way people use them the more I can see "pulling a card" to think about whatever it is ...Can you tell me an example of how a card or cards shows you a direction to think about? I have not done a reading yet, so am very new to the concept...
Definitely a 'how long is a piece of string' answer to this... I think that it can be really personal. Even with all the traditional spreads - ways to lay out and interpret cards - and meanings associated with each card, people still stack up their own personal meanings as they get used to their cards.
Like a specific card might represent a person they know, and that card coming up might mean they should either speak to them about the situation in the reading, or evaluate if that person is influencing the situation.
I have a couple of significant cards which , if they pop up, mean I should look a little more deeply - maybe the situation is more important to me than I'd allowed myself to admit, or I'm worrying unnecessarily. It can be that you get all minor arcana and one major - take a look at where the major is in the spread. A preponderance of one suit might can also be significant like if there are lots of pentacles cards, maybe money is an underlying theme or influencing how I'm behaving.
Every reader sees things differently though I think!
Each response from readers shows how personal Tarot cards are to the holder of them. And I have ten more questions for each one that is answered...like:
Which cards do you use? Did someone give them to you? Do you do readings for others? I wonder if people who "pull" cards for themselves and read for others have two different sets of cards? Do people want you to use their cards that they bring?
And...specific to you, how long have you been reading cards? and how did you start? Do you pull three cards for your own readings? How do you have significant cards? Does that mean the words associated with a card, The Star etc draw you to them...versus another card? I have not studied the Minor Arcana yet...just the 22 Majors...
I haven't heard anyone refer to how a card can represent a particular person. That is very interesting!
I think I might need to do a post to do justice to all those!
to the tarot cards (she asked hopefully)?
Yes. Also I am curious - why a tarot deck, as opposed to an oracle deck? If you weren't already drawn to tarot?
(I do not think of tarot as religious at all and it’s not like doing “fortune telling” in my experience. The art, history, and meaning of the cards that I use and nature inspired. There are different types that speak to individuals). I saw the fun side of tarot in my childhood (in the 70s). The women in my family talked more about using tarot to harness intuition. For me it was an early lesson in that specifically- and I’ve always trusted my intuition. I suspect this played a part in that?)
There is the issue with tarot cards being interpreted as coming from a darker place by people who are really religious. But I’m just focused on the more modern version of tarot cards and now checking out Oracle cards as well. Do you have an opinion about Oracle cards versus tarot cards?
Lucky to see Tina and Amy! Yes, I have been reading tarot for myself and close friends for several years. Tarot was a part of my upbringing (both on my mother and father’s side) so I have always enjoyed it for fun. My friends ask me to read for them once a year or so when we get together for weekend visits. I have a few decks I’ve used over the years. Some have been gifted to me (I use these for the friends who gifted them to me), and I save others for my personal use. I find it fun and useful as a guide and a form to open my mind and thoughts when I am feeling stuck etc…
Wonderful you grew up with it. I’d like to learn more. Plus now need to investigate oracle cards...
How lucky you were to see Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Rachel Dratch! I love the Kim's Little Women oracle deck you are working on for EE! My experience with these decks is that more than anything religious, writers, artists, and thinkers often use them to set an intention or frame an understanding of past, present, or feature... Or wrap their brains around a question. It's practical meaning-making as much as spiritual myth-making. Ok, that's me just nerding out over art!
Oh, I think you just tipped your hand...you are a tarot card enthusiast! I felt the lift of snark-mock that usually follows when we mention Tarot Cards....you just made me way more interested in the everyday use of them. I love this. Thank you, A
Love this update post!!
welcome home!!
Is she coming to Boston?
Tarot cards... they kind of frighten me. Has anyone had experience with them? They are making a big comeback, kind of like religion. It’s fascinating!
I read tarot cards. I have a Substack where I write about them @oddgoodlife - I love talking tarot too, so always happy to chat if you want to at any point, although there is no shortage of wonderful readers on Substack. I love an interesting new deck made by an artist or anyone who isn’t a big, profit hungry company. Good luck
I love Laura Ramoso!!! I will go with you this summer!
Congrats on Tarot Card art!
I replied in the wrong place...that would be fun! is she coming to Boston? Her material was a lot more risqué in person..guess you can't be on Insta...