My favourite saying is chuck the book..

Every time i hear of someone learning to read tarot or any
other divination cards, they seem to go by the book..
I dont know why but ive never been one for the book, intuition
instinct maybe?

Do we really need to read a book to tell us what the cards mean ?

This came up recently for me - most peeps know I too advocte chucking of books when it comes to divination cards..

I bought a new deck last week (Sacred Circle - wooo they good!) and it came with such a fat book that I was baffled - what could possibly be in it that required so many pages?

Had a look and chucked it after a flick through no use whatsover.

A newbie to tarot would have been put right off ever using the cards reading all that!

I appreciate the deck creator probably wanted to stun us all with the inspiration behind it all, but what a faff! lol

This is an interesting thread. I find myself very drawn to Tarot, but it just doesn't speak to me in anyway. I have two sets of cards which I have sat with, loved, played with, I love the art work on one set in particular, yet I get absolutley nothing from looking at the cards.

So I guess for me the books are useful as I find myself completely devoid of any inspiration / words. Using the books, I can at least get some kind of reading; even though I would prefer not to use another's ideas / suggestions.

However, I agree that intuition / instinct is the best way. I'm just wondering how I can achieve this, or maybe it is that Tarot is not for everyone. I guess it is like most other tools in life - perfect for one, but not quite the right thing for another......

My gut agrees - chuck the book. My experience tends to lead me back to the book though

Rae x

hee hee
I think you hit the nail on the head Rae.. its not for everyone and that's ok.. a tool for one leaves another person cold.

Some decks just don't speak to me either.. I couldn't provide a reading from one that does not resonate. I need to feel that mental "click" when I see a deck, for me that is the difference between a deck I admire and feel is very beautiful, and the deck I have to own.

Rae,

Do u have angel or any other divination cards?

Tarot arent for me, ive two sets only - cant connect to either
of them,they just dont feel like `mine`. Yet give me any deck of
Doreen Virtues cards and im happy as a pig in muck.
I love them all.

They are very accurate and info comes thick and fast for me with them.
You could give them a try if ya havent already..

I have angel cards as well Poppy and I absolutely *love* them, but again, they don't actually speak to me intuitively (and I could cheat a little anyway because they have a short phrase written on each of them ). I use them almost every day however, so I guess it's getting to a stage where I'm begining to remember the interpretations and I keep drawing the same cards

Maybe I should treat myself to a new deck (actually I have a deck on my 'wishlist' that I handed over to my mother in time for my Birthday ) and never actually open the book - that way I'll have to test myself. Hmmm, yes, I might just do that!

Which Doreen Virtue decks do you especially like Poppy?

Rae x

Surely, reading 'meaning' from the book is just imparting someone elses interpretaion ('scuse dislexic not being able to spell)...

I agree Tam, and I think that was Poppy's point in starting this thread.

I would far rather develop the skills of creating my own interpretation. I guess I just need a little more practise

Rae x

Rae,

I wish i could give ya a fast course but unfirtunately i cant..
I found that it was a case of stepping back, not trying to
see anything - and spirit came thru..

You can try too hard and i think most of us do in the beginning.

Look at the card - what do u feel looking at the pic ?
Does anything seem to pop out of the pic at you?
Any shape or colour your eyes are drawn to?

Dont think your imagining what u see or feel, believe in what
your sensing...
Write everything down - it may not make sense now but may in a week
or a months time

Good luck

Ok, so you are all right

I will only end up repeating the wise words of those that have gone before
And those that follow will do the same

Great suggestions Poppy; i will work with those. Thank you
yes, thinking too much and over-analysing are definately two of my 'faults' - I definately need to keep the grey matter out of the way more!
Trying too hard is another biggie.

It sounds as if this will be just the thing I need to take me away from those things that keep my intuition out.......

Rae x

The only time i really did readings id had a little to drink which i guess helped, but it was the wise cracks which were meant as jokes that poped into my head that was spot on.

did my nieces and nephews last June and the only other time my sister asked me for a reading but i just couldnt do it.

I have a block wall that i put up whenever i try to do anything, cant get to the bottom of it, maybe one day ill find the sledge hammer

Sulis ya are a naughty one..

Never drink and read - your leaving yourself open ..

Sounds as tho your guide is a bit of a joker.
Mine is too and i argue with Him and say i cant possibly
say half the stuff he tells me to - but im then told if i dont
he wont talk to me..

He drives a hard bargain

Often our blockages are only due to self doubt. Is it me or is it spirt?
Its spirit so dont doubt - just take all they say cos it will mean something
to the person your reading for,however odd it sounds to you..