Welcome once again to ‘Inquire with Charla’. We at Control My Fate are continuously receiving queries from every corner of the world. Questions about love, romance, chakras, tarot, astrology, and numerology. If it's within the mystical realm, rest assured, someone, somewhere has asked about it!
This is indeed a fantastic question, and the beauty of its answer lies in its diversity! There are countless paths to mastering tarot and oracle readings, and there isn't a definitive right or wrong approach, despite what you might have heard. Trusting your intuition is certainly one key element—which I will touch upon shortly.
Many beginners in tarot reading often overlook the significant responsibility it entails. Reading your own cards demands a level of objectivity which can be quite challenging to maintain—it requires distancing yourself from personal biases. And I can vouch for this, with nearly four decades of experience in conducting readings, it’s decidedly simpler said than achieved!
It's due to this challenge that many individuals opt to have their cards read by others, which is perfectly fine. However, the other perspective to consider is that who has a deeper understanding of you than yourself? Let’s delve into some further misunderstandings related to tarot and oracle readings.
Purchasing Your Own Cards is Perfectly Acceptable
This is a fundamental aspect. You can't possibly perform a tarot reading without any cards, right? There exists a widespread belief that one should not purchase their own tarot cards, a notion with which I respectfully disagree. What if you receive a deck as a gift, but you find the imagery unappealing? Are you destined to forcefully develop an affection for it just because it was a present? Absolutely not!
When you buy tarot cards using money, that money symbolizes energy. It could be energy you invested into work to earn that money, or energy given to you by someone else, perhaps as a birthday gift. In either case, you're swapping one form of energy for another, while also selecting something that resonates with you.
How could that possibly be incorrect? It's perfectly fine to purchase your own cards. However, if you’re in the company of someone who subscribes to the superstition, you could give them your money, allow them to complete the transaction, and then receive the cards from them. This way, technically, you didn't buy the cards yourself!
Learning from a Master isn't a Prerequisite
There are many who may express that Tarot is fraught with risks or that certain oracle teachings can only be imparted by specific individuals. Such notions of superiority are prevalent in some metaphysical circles, and frankly, they ought to be overlooked. Mastery of tarot can be achieved through personal dedication and diligent self-study. You are not obliged to seek guidance from a master or anyone else, for that matter!
However, it is important to note that there are certain guidelines that should be adhered to. Trusting your intuition, as you mentioned, is one such principle. For instance, whenever I encounter the Empress card, I often associate it with the inception of something, perhaps a childbirth or the genesis of an idea. On the other hand, my friend Paula invariably perceives it as representative of a medical environment and caregiving.
The brilliance of tarot is that, as it connects to your subconscious mind during readings, varying interpretations of the same card are perfectly acceptable! The essence of reading tarot lies in its personal significance to you. When you learn from a book, you're merely gaining insight into the author's interpretation. It's entirely permissible for you to harbor differing viewpoints.
Memorizing the Conventional Meanings Isn't a Requirement
Before traditional tarot enthusiasts get up in arms, let me clarify that I am in no way attempting to diminish the significance of the archetypal meanings. Genuine tarot scholars understand that the depth of knowledge about the cards is virtually limitless—the more you delve into the cards, the more there is to discover! The imagery is laden with symbolism from astrology, numerology, and myriad other mystical disciplines.
Just as every tarot book author conveys their personal interpretations of the cards, so too does every tarot deck designer embed their unique perceptions into their designs.
The conventional meanings of the cards can certainly assist you in your comprehension, but there's absolutely no requirement to memorize them verbatim. It was, I believe, Einstein who asserted, “Never memorize something that you can look up.”
Given the abundance of reference materials—including online books and mobile applications—on the various facets of the tarot, there's no necessity to embed dense symbolic meanings into your memory.
Begin with Initial Perceptions
I've reiterated this before, and I'll do so again. Reading the tarot or any other oracle is about interpreting what it signifies for you. The most effective way to achieve this is to rely on your initial impressions. Let's consider the Three of Swords as an example.
Does it radiate joy? Not at all! When I was just starting my journey with tarot, the first thing that came to my mind upon seeing this card was the familiar saying 'two's company, three's a crowd.' Considering the presence of a heart in the image, I deduced that this card likely represented heartache, potentially triggered by an unwelcome intrusion.
Indeed, this card frequently surfaces in relationship readings when there's an indication of an extra-marital affair from the other party!
Consider the Instruction Manual as a Backup
Many tarot decks are accompanied by a small white guidebook, or perhaps even a full-sized instructional manual. Feel free to utilize it, but avoid becoming overly reliant on it. When I'm familiarizing myself with a new deck, I find it beneficial to peruse these guides to understand the designer's intentions. However, it's not imperative to strictly adhere to the meanings provided in the book.
In every scenario, your engagement with the deck should be based on its personal resonance with you, not merely the designer's intended message. Does that make sense?
There will be times when the cards remain silent. This can occur due to a variety of reasons. Just like anything else, the tarot, too, can have its off days! Perhaps it's an invitation to momentarily set the cards aside and attempt again later. However, if you decide to persist, this is when the guidebook proves particularly useful.
Consult the book for the card's interpretation, then revisit your personal perspective. Occasionally, all it takes is a fresh perspective to rekindle the dialogue between you and the cards.
Penning Your Own Tarot Guidebook is Simple
I assure you, I’m serious! Wondering how? Simply take hold of your preferred tarot deck and begin interacting with it. Go through each card and record your initial impressions. During readings, jot down any sudden realizations, the interactions between specific cards, or any new insights you gain.
Even if something seems trivial, make a note of it anyway. All these musings and revelations are the tarot communicating with you. Consider this—how do you suppose others penned their books?
As you engage with the cards, you'll likely—at some point—feel inclined to read what others have written about their meanings. Record your reactions to these interpretations too. Do you concur? Do you dissent? And why so? All these reflections amass a comprehensive reservoir of insights that are unique to you, essentially crafting your own personal guide to reading the tarot.
After all, they are your cards and you're the one interpreting them, so why not compose your very own instruction manual for the process?
You Are Your Own Oracle
This connects directly with the concept of creating your own guidebook. The interpretations of others become irrelevant when you're the one decoding the cards. As you gain proficiency in your personal approach, you may feel compelled to elevate your status, perhaps conducting professional readings or even sharing your unique insights through publication for others to peruse.
While there isn't a definitive set of rules for mastering tarot, certain ethical guidelines must be adhered to. It's perfectly acceptable to propose why, for instance, The Tower can be considered a positive card, despite the majority of references painting it as a cautionary symbol. If you perceive it in a positive light, expound on the traditional interpretations—disruptions, warnings, endings—and then elaborate on why you believe it communicates a different message.
There exist entire decks that completely redefine traditional norms, reordering the sequence, altering the meanings, and so forth. It's entirely within your discretion to choose what aligns best with your personal ethos.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there isn't a single route to mastering the art of reading tarot. The most effective approach combines your personal intuition, an exploration of traditional meanings, and gathering as much information as possible for inclusion in your personal tarot journal.
However, be mindful; tarot is captivating, and once you start immersing yourself in the archetypes and imagery, you may find an irresistible urge to delve deeper, exploring an ever-expanding array of decks, and an increasing number of books. Feel free to indulge in this journey. Who knows, perhaps one day we'll find your insights gracing the pages of a publication as well!
