I've recently (the last six months) began working with tarot cards and doing my own readings. First of all, should I really be doing my own? I have an extremely tough time that I'm going through right now and the cards have actually been very accurate. But could it be that I'm reading into them something I shouldn't? Any opinions? I sure could use some help right now!

Thanks to all!
Gail

Hi Gail,

Sorry to be so late in responding to you!

Yes, it's perfectly fine for you to do your own tarot readings, just be certain to remain objective. Do you happen to have any books on tarot card meanings? That can be helpful when you're just starting out. Also, another thing you can do is ask the question from a different angle and see if the outcome is similar. That can help validate your readings.

Hope that helps and that things get better for you!

Kell

I would love to become more knowledgeable of tarot cards. I have a deck. But what I find is that I become distracted when trying to read the cards because I forget what the cards mean and then I have to go look through my notes, etc. Is there a website or something where there is a simple chart or list for a quick referance to the meanings?

Hi ghostlover!
I guess the best advice that I can give (I'm not like an extremely knowdgeable person here...)is to just start doing daily readings for yourself. Also invest the money in a deck that has a campanion book, you'll find that to be really helpful. The set I bought was the The Gilded Tarot designed by Ciro Marchetti and it included the companion book by Barbara Moore. In it you will find a full explanation of the deck, exercises to complete to help you become familiar with the deck, and also some variations on spreads. The most important thing of all is to find a deck that "feels" right. I know it sounds weird, but I looked at a lot of different decks before I happened across this particular one. The moment I laid my hands on it I knew it was the right one for me!
If you do a daily reading, you'll be surprised at how often the same cards come up, no matter how much shuffling of the deck you do. If there is a particular situation that is troubling you, the cards really do speak to you. (Voice of experience here!) Daily practice will help you become familiar with the cards.
Anyway...I don't know if I was of any help to you...but good luck in your pursuit!

Lizzie

Not sure why I haven't responded to this already.
I have my own deck.
I bought a deck and a how to book. And it is hard to do readings when your looking up and learning card meanings while trying to be intuitive. The logical mind for learning and reading card meanings in a book while keeping the intuitive open is difficult to say the least.

I've done readings of myself many times. I agree with Kell. I don't think that's wrong. It's being objective and not reading into the cards and reading to an outcome you want. In fact I had done a particular reading that came out so well (predicted such happy result) that I had to question it. I thought I was consciously or subconciously altering the reading. I did it several times. And it came out almost identical each time. Imagine shuffling cards and dealing out the same result several times. Not identical cards coming out but always pointing to the same thing and the kicker was only once did the SUN card not come out as the end result card. The one other card that did come out was just as good for the reading I was doing.

With all the other readings I did that came to pass I had to believe that tarot card reading has great validity despite what some nay sayers say.

One way to help a beginner to learn the Tarot is to Smudge the deck with white desert sage and place the deck under your pillow before going to sleep at night. Ask your Spirit Guide to help you understand the Tarot, then doze off. This has been said to work. Just my two cents.

Ravenheart

Interesting suggestion, Ravenheart...

Has anybody here tried it or know someone who has? With what results?

That one I haven't heard. I have heard wrapping it in a piece of your clothing at night and carrying it around with you at all times will help you and the deck become "aquainted" so to speak. I'd be interested in knowing if Raven's suggestion works as well.

Ravenheart,

I am a strong believer in the powers of burning sage, and I wouldn't be surprised if it would have an effect on the Tarot. Sage is a very spiritual herb, and anyone who has never tried burning sage just to chase away the negative from your person and from your dwelling, it is definitely calming and effective. Then, to bring in the positive vibes, burn some cedar needles, as they attract good spirits. I use these two plants, and love their effect. I buy it from an online store in New Mexico, if anyone is interested in a reliable source for it.

wacava, I hadn't heard about the wrapping the deck in a piece of your clothing at night, and carrying it around with you during the day, but it makes a lot of sense to me. It may be useful to get yourself and the deck on the same vibrational level, making it easier to work "in tune" with it.

I have gotten some very accurate readings from the Tarot about myself, and once, years ago... I was doing a reading at lunchtime for a male co-worker, and I had to say that someone close to him would die in the near future. We laughed when he came in the next day, and said he was going to be EXTRA good to his wife, and hoped it wasn't her.

Well, within two weeks, someone "close" to him did die.... a member of our work group who sat right behind him. We were all stunned by the accuracy. This man went to his brother's funeral in another state, and while he was there, he had a massive heart attack and died at age 52. His brother who had passed was even younger, and he was quite upset. For many months afterward, I could sense the deceased co-worker's spirit in the room with me while I worked, and he had a very strange gait to his walk... and I know I heard him coming and going here and there in our work group. He had always been humorous and kind, and I missed him very badly, as did the rest of my group. He used to drop off meaningless little trinkets on my desk after his lunchtime walk... like a little rock he found, or a piece of metal, a rusted screw, or whatever. I missed that. I think he knew I missed him, too.

Some of his humor that I recall as I type this... he would stop by and ask me "What's the difference between a hen?" An odd question, and when I said I didn't know, he would say "That's easy... one leg are both the same!" Goofy, yes, but this was the man I remembered... with a very different kind of humor.

So, yes, the Tarot cards can be accurate in some very profound ways. I have experienced it.

Mare