tarot: a matter of perspective?
Posted by Rebecca | Filed under family, misc, tarot
So I didn’t talk about it much at the time, but last fall I discovered a book called Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner. I just fell in love with the concept of using tarot cards to break through writer’s block, deepen characters, design scenes, and add in extra layers — extra dimensions — of conflict and back story.
At that time I’d never used tarot cards before. I didn’t know what elemental cards were, what the Major and Minor Arcana were… nothing. All I knew is that when people think of tarot, they think of evil, black magic, pagan, anti-Christianianity, bad stuff. In actuality, one of its original purposes was as a nifty, 15th-century card game in the Italian courts (check out Wikipedia for more info).
Anyway, I read this book (devoured it, to tell ya the truth), joined Corrine’s online meet-up group, and joined in on a few online chats. My goal was to use her system in planning my 2009 National Novel Writing Month venture. Though I didn’t ‘win’ NaNo, I did discover a lasting interest in tarot, and an appreciation for how it can be used to interpret so many facets of life (much to my husband’s chagrin).
With everything else that started happening in my personal life with the new year, I set it aside until i could devote more time to it.
Pfft.
We all know how well that usually works out. So when I got my iPad in mid-June, I realized it was a good opportunity to start up a more serious review without having lots of books laying around for my husband to look askance at. I picked up two: ”Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis“and “Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners by Joan Bunning“. My new goal was to get a feel for the cards, and to learn how to interpret them without flipping pages for every single one when I was in the process of mapping out a scene or a new character. At the same time I stumbled across Chronicle for iPad, a journal app that has just the right number of bells and whistles to be fun but not too confusing (or expensive!). I had no other excuse. I started up my tarot journal. It’s forced me to interpret cards in my practice spreads and record my thoughts, and when I review the entry later, I can see whether or not the cards had any bearing on that day or its events.
It was fun! And I’m getting the hang of it, a little bit at a time. And as a reward for keeping the thing for a whole month (I have a bad habit of quitting fun new initiatives fairly quickly once the ‘new’ wears off), I got a new deck: Tarot of the Magical Forest. It’s filled with pictures of cute little forest creatures, and for some reason it inspires me with stories that my other two decks don’t. It might be fun to see if L likes them enough to start making up stories during our bedtime ‘dance parties’.
Maybe she’s got a storyteller inside her, too?
Out of curiosity this morning, I picked a spread called “What’s Going On?” from the book “Power Tarot” by Trish Macgregor & Phyllis Vega (p. 243). I’m posting my very general, unspecific interpretation of the individual cards below, but I got a kick out of how accurate it might be depending on my perspective and context.
… and after all, isn’t that what tarot is really all about? About your perspective and interpretation on life around you?
(I wonder what would happen if I take this same spread and apply it to my writing project? I’ll have to try that in a later post…)
Spread: What’s Going On
What’s going on now, including what you cannot see:
1. Justice XI
2. 3 of Swords rev
::: Legal proceedings, but the worst is over. While we cannot recover lost relationships, it will soon be a time for recovery.
Two upcoming events that influence the outcome:
3. The Hermit IX rev
4. 3 of Chalices rev
::: Wisdom spurned and excessive, self-imposed isolation. Too much of a good thing or a sad social event, perhaps a cancelled wedding or relationship gone awry?
Where the issue is headed:
5. King of Swords rev
::: premeditated malice or legal problems leading to an injust decision
What you can expect based on the patterns of the present moment:
6. 4 of Swords
7. 9 of Swords
::: Recharging batteries after a period of intense conflict followed by one of respite and relief. Despair/Insomnia while dealing with severe self-doubts, though the problems likely don’t look as bad in the light of day.
How you can change it if you don’t like it:
8. Knave of Swords
9. 5 of Wands
::: Take action decisively (but not impulsively) with actions (perhaps in the legal proceedings) rather than wait for something to happen to us. Avoid passivity in legal problems or other squabbles. Take action and utilize the energy.
Overall Outcome:
10. The Moon XVIII rev
::: Shedding light on hidden matters after a period of darkness and confusion. Take care to watch for sabotage on the way to this outcome, perhaps from a difficult woman.
[Bwahahahaaaaaaahaha! This last bit cracks me up... 
]
August 10, 2010 at 8:19 am
I’ve done Tarot for 15 years and the one thing I can recommend is, put the books away. You’ll enjoy tarot a lot more if you are not second guessing your intuition. I really enjoyed this post.
August 10, 2010 at 8:58 am
Kevin, thank you!
I’ve been really enjoying myself as I interpret spreads that I CAN read without referencing a book. My goal these days is to record my initial impression/interpretation first, and then look it up to see how I did. If I have time, that is… I’m learning both the upright and reversed meanings — some days are better than others. lol
Do you have any tips or words of wisdom for a beginner like me? I see that you’re a writer – have you ever used it for your projects?
August 10, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I have not used Tarot to gain inspiration for a project. That’s interesting. I’ll have to give a shot.
I have very little advice except to trust yourself. Don’t use the book as a crutch. The most accurate readings come from you and not the book. Go put the book in the attic. You don’t need it.
My wife really wanted to learn to read Tarot. She insisted on having the book with her to read. She finally listened to me and got rid of the book. She is more accurate with the readings she does and she enjoys it more too. It’s all about the confidence you have in yourself. Tarot is all about relaxing, you can’t relax if you are constantly thinking about the book and what it says. Relax!
Someone with 20 years experience may disagreee with me…someone with 30 years will disagree with them. It’s really what you are comfortable with.
The only other advice is: create an ambiance. Use candles, incense and music.
Good luck with it and Relax.
August 11, 2010 at 7:37 am
You mean the 3yo chattering in the background and the cats sleeping on my cards isn’t good for ambiance? lol
I know the confidence will come in time. Once I learn the meanings, I believe I’ll be able to apply them in different ways and note their interactions. My initial read is sloooowly aligning with the original (general) intent of the cards.
August 11, 2010 at 3:03 pm
What deck are you using? I have two decks, but only use one of them. I know this may sound odd, but there is a bond one forms with their deck. The other deck I have is nice to look at but just doesn’t work for me while reading. I know it sounds weird.
I haven’t had my cards out in over a year. This discussion may inspire me to get them out this week.
August 11, 2010 at 3:22 pm
I’m having a lot of fun getting familiar with my new deck Tarot of the Magical Forest. I get a kick out of the creatures’ expressions and am making more connections than with some other decks.
I started with the Gilded Tarot deck. It’s a nice one, too, but I’ve been thinking about using it only for my fiction brainstorming. Something about it lends itself in my mind to my characters, settings, etc. Though that might be due solely to familiarity with it.
I have a Universal Tarot deck, too, but haven’t used it. I don’t really care for it (am I allowed to say that about that deck?!?!!).
August 12, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Yes, it’s fine if you say that about a deck…just don’t expect good readings from it. (ha ha)
I use the Herbal Tarot Deck. It just works for me.
The other deck I have…I forget what its name, but it is beautifully illustrated…stunning…but that’s it.
I’ve really enjoyed talking Tarot with you. Now I’m going to take a few minutes and check out your other posts. Have a good day.
August 13, 2010 at 6:31 am
That’s a pretty deck! I like the stained glass appearance. Do you cook as a hobby, too (is that one reason why it works for you)? I’ve only seen them online, but check out the Epicurean Tarot at http://www.amazon.com/Epicurean-Tarot-Recipe-Corrine-Kenner/dp/1572812540. Each card has an associated recipe… looks like fun.
This is my only tarot-related post to date – I guess you could say I’m cutting my teeth with this one. Working on a few others, though – I can’t stop thinking about it all!
August 13, 2010 at 12:25 pm
HA! No, I don’t cook as a hobby. I use the herbal tarot because I like it the best. For me, it’s the easiest deck to read.
I have seen other specialized decks before, but I haven’t seen the recipe deck. That’s pretty cool.
My wife wants me to illustrate a Shakespeare themed deck. It’s a really neat idea…I just don’t know if I’m creative enough to come up with that many images. It’s nice to have someone who believes in me enough to think I can.
August 14, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I think that’s a great idea! I bet you have more images stored up than you realize. Have you started a sketch book for the deck yet? I personally haven’t read enough Shakespeare to illustrate an entire deck.
Good for your wife for encouraging you!
August 27, 2010 at 9:06 am
What a terrific post! Thanks, Rebecca!
August 27, 2010 at 9:09 am
Oh, thanks Corrine. Wasn’t sure if I should have told you about me “using your name in vain” but I do so love your book. It’s in my closet right now (won’t explain why THERE, but you should take that as a compliment).
Your book was my intro to tarot, and I want to learn it now for so many more reasons. Just trying to figure out my path there.