Thread: Tarot is real

Rorschach's ink blots tell you more about the person who says what you should be seeing; the only correct answer to being asked what you see in any of those cards is Inkblot, otherwise you are lying, and lying rather defeats the point of the therapy...

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Most good therapists need good therapists themselves. Also, better show a stuffed wallet/purse when visiting one; otherwise, it's likely you'll be back home flipping tarot cards for answers. Quite a few of these so-called professionals are as crooked as the roadside tarot readers.

I expected that -- a ridiculous generalization. Based on what? Your experience? Guesswork?

Off Topic:

Originally Posted by astroannie

Actually, the "astro" in my name comes from the Houston baseball team, the Astros. "annie" means a female baseball fan. Which is why I have two different baseball tarot decks and only one traditional (Morgan-Greer).

I would have thought that all to be obvious from your avatar. "Annie" doesn't necessarily denote "fan", though, unless you wish to use the word "ardent" before it. Baseball Annies, according to the lore (citing specifically Ball Four and The Bronx Zoo, previous to Bull Durham), are more like camp followers than rooters. You likely know that but others may not.
/pedant hat for now.

I'm in the Tarot is nonsense camp. But I find it interesting that believers in one set of superstitions deride another set, regardless of the spin.

Originally Posted by Walkio

If the 12th May was the only one she said then I agree it is pretty 'spooky'.

Yup. That's the way it was. Although I don't know about spooky. I've been told by a reliable source about an example of psychic "phenomena" so why not clairvoyancy?

I am a big science fiction reader, and I enjoy writing it. Can I tell it from reality?

Tarot cards are a tool. The fact is that we all send out signals about us which our conscious mind doesn't see. These signals tell us a lot about us, from short-term moods, to long-term attributes. And in some circumstances, these signals can even tell us about our future actions; even before we know ourselves. Tarot cards in themselves don't say anything. But as a tool which can be used to assist with the sending and receiving of these signals, tarot is real enough to be useful. It's just a question of what you expect from them.

Vehemence in one's reaction is a sign of fear, people.

I admit I don't let others use tarot for me. Firstly, I prefer to keep my own council. Secondly, I am self aware enough, thanks. Thirdly, I know I am easily influenced in certain respects. I don't own a deck or know how to use one, yet. I would not use the word never though, since that is only another lesson waiting in the wings. Unlike some though, I believe there is more to it than mere potential for self knowledge. I'd say I believe in energies within energy. Move yours with intelligence, with positive intent.

Originally Posted by astroannie

"works" how? As a tool to predict the future? As a guide for meditation? A knife works by slicing through food, but that explanation doesn't cover how to loosen the peel on a garlic clove by smashing it with the flat of the blade.

Tell me what you think the tarot should be doing and I'll try to answer how it does that thing.

By that I mean, what makes looking at Tarot cards any different than, for example, looking at a painting by Picasso?

Is there an influential force behind the revelation of the cards? As in, the cards revealed for a person are connected to that person's fate or destiny?

Or are Tarot a form of interpretation, like books that attempt to explain the significance of images in dreams?

Tarot is not rubbish but should be treated with great care. I am versed in the deck but do not practice. It's a great symbological tool for stories but the years that it took to learn might best have been spent elsewhere.

In my opinion, Tarot is simply a tool of introspection. It is much the same as reading a provocative piece of literature, admiring a work of art, or listening to a homily at mass. These things bring strong feelings to the surface and make us face them. Tarot forces us to stop and examine the why's and what's of our past and present. Tarot is not so much a tool of divining the future as it is a tool of divining ourselves. It makes us reevaluate the things we do and say and, hopefully, use that information to change what we can change and accept what we can not. For me, it is as simple as that. Cheers.

Ahh, tarot: the proving ground of Darwinian Law.

During my own process of seeking for truth, a deck was given me by a woman who was close but now far away. She believed I possessed the ability to understand and use them the right way, devoid of possible negative influences it may sometimes call up. I used them to help me understand my position here on earth, much the way that Canis has related. I placed them aside at a time when I felt they were no longer required to further this understanding. I believe now that there are better ways.

As Canis stated, works of literature, art, music, and theater can lead us to this same introspection. I prefer that, without having to resort to vicissitudes of vague of augury. I once reveled in sermons of competent priests and ministers, until I grew impatient with those around me, whom I felt were merely ‘winding up God on Sunday’ to paraphrase a line from I song that I love. Our true mission on Earth is not to worship communally but rather to imitate the actions of Our Savior and obey His Father’s commandments. I was raised a Roman Catholic but have veered in favor of a more ecumenical view. To borrow just one Jesuit motto: we must do what we are doing ad maiorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God).If we have the gifts a teacher, then it is our duty to educate and teach the wonders of divine love. If we are students, we mTust study all of the liberal arts in an effort to free our young minds. If we are healers than we must do so, or if we cannot at least ameliorate the pain and give succor to those who may fear the prospect of drawing their eyelids shut for the last time. If we are gifted in science we must find cures to diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and lupus. If we are artists we must move the audience in such a way as to invoke memories, sometimes joyful, sometimes painful, but always to bring about this same introspection mentioned above, or if one is so fortunate, epiphany.

In today’s world of the arts, performers sometimes feel the need to shock rather than enlighten. This, I believe is unfortunate and I would prefer one use the Tarot, rather than patronizing that.