Tarot Q&A with Dusty White discussion
What would YOU like to know about the Tarot?
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Dusty
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May 17, 2011 09:14PM
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Today, I would like to know how to attract things/relationships/good health to me using the Tarot. Like some sort of a meditation. I am in the mood today for some reflection forward, any tips or assignments Dusty?
Dusty, thanks for forming the group! I'm a tarot reader and collector. I use a lot of different decks and was wondering what your thoughts were on the Rider-Waite versus the Marseilles versus the non RWS/Marseilles pattern decks (like the multitude of non-RWS decks produced by LoScarabeo which have evocative artwork but don't stay within the established pattern of symbology).
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@Stina You know, I was gonna save those tricks for the ATS book, but since that book is being pushed back until 2012 at the earliest (A4W and the new deck have to come out first) I want to address that. In fact I should get off my butt and do some podcasts on that.
The most basic (but still reliable) is to start with one card to represent your chosen goal. You can use a two- or three-card spread to represent your goal, but one card gives you a more powerful focus, as long as you always keep in the forefront of your mind what that card represents to you (try writing on a post-it and tacking that to the card--over the caption area).
I would recommend spending three days focusing with that card (not all 72 hours, just portions of it). These first three days really cement your intent and allow your mind to wander a bit while meditating/chanting/singing, or whatever you do to focus. This lack of concrete focus, reined in a bit (don't wander off on to different subjects) will allow your mind to attack the problem from various angles and ask what exactly it is that you want. It will look for variations as well acceptable outcomes. Don't be hesitant to put your foot down with your mind and refuse to accept anything you don't want. But definitely keep your mind open enough to let it start calculating, scheming, and plotting out possible avenues. This is the mind doing its part and also interacting with "Nature."
After that you should have a more realistic idea of your desires and a sense that you have started to put into action methods of attaining them. "Started" is enough at this point, unless you spent all 72 hours focused and have already conjured up your goal. Now it is time to draw (you pick) two "clarification cards." You want a car. Fine--you choose the Chariot. But now you want a fast car, (Knight of Swords) and a blue one (King of Cups--WTH he's blue). These two cards reinforce your goal/desire and should be subordinate, so you might pair them up under (below, not beneath) your primary card. Please keep in mind that you need to work this into your chosen belief system. If you want to write some rhymes or chants to empower this further, or burn a candle, do this at the right phase of the moon, lay it out on an altar, all of these things help and this message board is too short to go into that level of detail. Now you focus with your cards for 7 days and take your temperature at that point. If you started on Moonday end on Sunday. Complete one full cycle and check your progress and refine anything as needed. The key here is daily visual stimulus. You need to spend a minimum of 5 minutes (30 is MUCH better, but 15 will work fine if you pay attention) every day focusing, and take times throughout the day (have post-its to remind you to stop everything and focus on what you want. Keep your subconscious active so that you can start reaching out to "Nature" (the gods, your godhead, "God," your guides, your friends, your spirits, whatever you want to call it/them) and get assistance from the ether. There are far more complicated methods but this is the core of any. Nag me later for more. :-)
Mod
Hi Jessica... My style of teaching is vastly different from many other teachers. Fortunately I have been receiving rave reviews and the endorsement from the Golden Dawn and several metaphysical authors. Here is what *I* recommend, although many other people will have their own ideas.
The core working of the Tarot will always be that the cards will speak to you in the reading you are doing "right now." If you find that the cards are not speaking to you then any iPhone app could read someone's future (better than you). I am a HUGE critic of computer divination programs. I have studied divination, magic, and philosophy since birth. I may not be able to fix a car but I can help you fix your life. "I believe" (that is redundant but I want it perfectly clear) that TRUE divination occurs when you can open your mind to the ether (see what I said about about "Nature") and maintain the critical analysis ability of your consciousness (keep your wits about you) with the exploratory, harmonic seeking abilities of your subconscious mind. That "other side" of you reaches out and touches others and connects to bring you all kinds of information--a lot of which is TRASH! This is why you need to "stand on the bridge" like that guy in the Thor movie (just released last week) who stands at the edge of the bridge (of consciousness) and looks out into the void and sees through any obstacle. Your conscious mind is more than simple awareness. It is a gatekeeper, just like that guy, and it filters out the trash. This is a skill you develop (using both "sides" of your mind "top and bottom") over time. When you read properly (accurately) you are taking information here in the material world (card images) and translating them using logic (conscious) and input from the ether (subconscious--which could be from your guides, other people's minds, or other areas too complicated to list in detail here).
So, *my opinion* (disclaimer again) is that your conscious mind needs to be alert and aware but like any good channeling session it needs to drive the car from the back seat. This is NOT EASY at first and is very scary. You have to work the pedals and steer while allowing the subconscious mind to sit up front with whomever it brings to help translate messages into "people words." The end result is that your memorized meanings of each card takes a secondary position to the input you are getting "from the ether."
When you study too hard consciously memorizing the meanings of each card, or spreads, or systems of Tarot philosophy you actually choke off your connection to "the ether" ("Nature") and become an automaton and end up relying on logic and systems. This gives you inferior information. It is like the Buddha when he says that "Only Buddha knows Buddha." He was saying to all of the professors and gurus in his attendance that book larnin' kin only git'cha so fer, boy!"
Thus my recommendations are to ALWAYS "first look at the image in front of you." When you are deep in a reading this will be far more important than rote memorization of cards. The symbols will mean different things in each reading. That is the ONLY WAY that 78 cards can possibly combine to explain every possible thing that can happen in life. Each card in a spread has to pull double or even triple duty. If the odds were only 1 in 78, that would mean that you would die, lose everything, or even end up in slavery within 78 days. (Death card--or the Ten of Swords, maybe even the Hanged Man, the Tower, the Devil)
The cards are both allegorical and direct in meaning. The "easiest way" to learn and master the Tarot is to build your skills listening to what the cards are saying to your "right now." It is uncomfortable at first; I know this, but after a while it is fun and amazingly accurate. Go through your deck and flip each card, asking yourself what you see. Forget the traditional meanings, or force yourself to say the traditional meaning AND THEN find something in the image that is "not the traditional meaning" and say that as well.
Here is an example: Death. Okay, "death," or "big change," or "the end of something and the beginning of something new--but something that is completely different--not just a new edition of the same thing.
Or . . . someone showing up to the party (an actual party, or an event, or "showing up in the general circumstance") and RUINING the existing plan--an usurper whose karmic job it is to stop everyone from having fun.
I hope this helps. If you really want to master the Tarot in a fun and easy way I have to recommend my Tarot book, The Easiest Way to Learn the Tarot-EVER!!, and if you absolutely cannot learn from it better than any other book in history just let me know and I will buy it from you. But until then try the exercise above. Also you can get more examples at the free forums at advancedtyarotsecrets.com
Either way, thanks for reading and I hope you become super great at the Tarot. :-)
Mod
I have ALWAYS hated the artwork on the Waite/Coleman-Smith decks. (Sorry Pam!)
That said, over the years I have developed a deep appreciation for her subtlety, and lamented how it is missed in so many Tarot books. My thoughts on her are mixed, but my sympathies are with her (she died broke and unappreciated).
Waite truly invented the "modern Tarot." He reinvigorated an old system and made it safe and fun for the public to play with divination. Seriously, how many people would get their hands covered with entrails, or really use a crystal ball? Cards are fun and easy to use, if not learn, and anyone can at least try their hand at it. Crowley rebelled against Mathers and Waite and went off to do his own thing, but he was rich (inheritance) so he could do what he wanted--and he did. But still, he drew his deck symbolism in many ways directly from Waite's efforts. For all of his research and knowledge he kept with much of what the GD laid down. USG decks are like Llewellyn books: They are easy to read.
Some scoff at that fact but it is important. Older decks, from the 15 and 1600's are tres cool, and show a style of life and a culture of history that is long-since dead and disproven as holding any validity, but the images are just too much fun and cannot be ignored. I find the older decks lacking in pertinent symbolism and are harder to read (harder to give the level of detail I prefer) but they are absolutely fantastic to study and play with. I prefer decks whose "minor" Arcana's are illustrated, like the Waite decks, but I also understand the school of thought that relies more on a numerological focus.
I do have a problem with decks that call themselves "Tarot" but stray too far from either modern or traditional symbolism. I like many decks because of their art, but when they change an entire card or several cards they screw with the balance of the deck in its usability. Imagine reading a deck where every card was the 3 of Swords. Wow, that would suck. Any decent Tarot deck must be designed to allow the maximum number of possibilities to occur, as life is complex. It is complicated. Life sucks! (sometimes) Life, to be explained or predicted needs a complex system and when you change cards based on your artistic likings but without regard to the balance of the rest of the deck you devalue your deck as usable deck. Try playing poker without the aces, or maybe take the one-eyed jack out and the suicide king (to make the deck "PG") and now you have completely screwed up the odds. It is impossible to have a royal flush in hearts or four jacks, you get the idea...
So I am a bit angry at poorly designed decks, and decks that move the major arcana around (Strength, the Lovers...) or add cards (The Pope...) as they are no longer "Tarot" decks. Now, that said, perhaps there is value in experimentation. Maybe we can improve the Tarot. Or maybe we are like Jack Skellington. Who can say?
Mod
Only if Loki tricked him (yet again) into thinking Sif would show up. ;-)
Dusty, any chance of a Kindle edition of your book? I've been reading tarot since I was ... um. rather for the last 36 years (that sounds a bit better, and doesn't entirely indicate that I'm approaching the big five-oh. Oh crap. I've blown it.)
It sounds like part of your method is similar to mine ... the cards have pictures on them for a reason. Look at them. The first piece of advice I give to new and confused readers is "throw away the little white book, or if you can't bring yourself to do that, throw it in a drawer and don't look at it."
It's pretty cool to see what happens when the Four of Cups doesn't mean the same thing every time you see it.
Oh, wait. I've been reading cards longer than that, just not tarot. I still have my original US Games Gypsy Witch deck that I got when I was in the Fourth Grade ...
Dusty wrote: "In fact I should get off my butt and do some podcasts on that. ..."Have you other podcasts about tarot readers that members can listen to, Dusty? Is there a link? ;-)
Mod
Yaay! Best--advice--EVER!!
Unfortunately this book worn't work in Kindle form. I am so upset too! I finally made some kindle books and ebook technology is so dumb! It's all super basic and you can't do much more than basic html. I have seen something new (fancy new ebook by Microsoft) I like that has videos in it but I doubt it will work on Kindle. Anyway, my current book is a 325 page workbook and was made to write in -- LOTS or places to write in -- so that would not work on the Kindle or Nook either. I am thinking of making a variant, one that is a lot simpler, but it would only be an ebook. I don't know if I want to write that one first or finish my astrology book. I will have to see.
re. "The Pope"--the Hierophant is called the Pope in some decks, so it is not really an "extra" card. I'm crumudgeony about most contemporary decks, though--so few modern tarots have the rich symbolism that is needed for the cards to actually work, don't you think?
Mod
As to modern deck symbolism. It has become a fashion to design one's own deck, just like the endless string of celebrities who start their own clothing line or "deign a perfume." Having been a professional (and highly successful) perfumer I know the fallacy of this. Too many modern decks are completely useless for giving readings of any quality. You might as well design a deck that simply has the name of each card written on it with lots of white space (blank area) surrounding it.
One thing I do like about Pam's art (o.g. R/W) is her subtle attention to detail that gets lost in the banality of her "cartoon style." She did leave us with art that has layers of inference lost in many decks that seek to emulate her work.
All that said "of course" I own the original Hello Kitty deck (uncolored, unlaminated--not really servicable, but it's Hello Kitty!!) which sadly has gone out of print, but has happily been replaced by a more professional version. On my wishlist is also the Gummy Bear Tarot. I would never read with any of these. In fact I always found it next to impossible to read with any of my Salvatore Dali decks--and don't think I didn't try. Those gold-gilded edges really made me feel like a big-spender.
:-p
Mod
I have the Joe Rosales Hello, Tarot (uncolored) as well. When I bought it I didn't know it came with an unexpected bonus ... It's signed. I don't use it for readings, I just keep it on my HelloKitty altar. That deck was pulled because it wasn't authorized by Sanrio. I haven't gotten the Sanrio Licensed deck because 1. it's Majors Only and 2. it's stupid expensive.
Mod
P.S. I have to see if my deck is signed!
Thanks dusty. Your posts are great. I stuggle with the r/w deck. It just doesnt speak to me.
Dusty wrote: "Oh BTW--I got your book Melanie. Had it for a few days now. (Yaay Amazon Prime and their free 2-day shipping!) Reading it as I can squeeze in time :-)"Yay! haha that is great that you have a Hello Kitty deck! Insights can come from the strangest places. There is a fortuneteller on the Nintendo game Animal Crossing, and she is incredibly accurate!
Dusty wrote: "P.S. I have to see if my deck is signed!"If it is signed, the signature should be on the title card.
I actually use madam endoras fortune deck. I know it sounds cheesy. But i like it
That's actually a fairly good oracle deck. Yeah, the name could use some work, but the cards are fun to work with. I have a German Lenormand that gives some very readable results.
Hello! I am an entirely new beginner at Tarot and also to this group. I started a year ago and discontinued after hearing a classmate's comments on the subject. He told me that his grandmother has said Tarot draws evil spirits close. At that time I was using the Tarot for fun but then I started doing basic cleansing rituals. I want to share a story with everyone.
I remember one time I lost a card and I went searching for it everywhere. I checked every back of the card in the deck just in case it was stuck there. I end up buying the same deck over again knowing that with one missing card, it was pointless to do readings. I also did not want to feel that one deck is superior to the other one just because one was completed and the other lost a card. Therefore I shuffle the two decks together and then separated them. I found the missing card and created two complete decks. Till this day, I still do not know why/how that happened.
What I truly want to ask is, what does the tarot draws near? My classmate may say evil spirits but he does not know much of the subject so I would like to know what do you think about it.
Thank you for reading this post! :]
Spirits, yes. Evil, not so much. If you are concerned about that, since you know how to do a cleansing, perhaps you also know how to cast a circle and call protections? You can do that before you start doing a reading.
I feel like I am doing things backwards. For example, I jumped to playing with the cards to cleansing them to ritual circles. I have not yet learned the circles yet but I will soon! Thank you for the response!
Anne, now this is my opinion and what does anybody ever know, but I don't necessarily think that Tarot is drawing spirits near. I like to see the cards as an extension of my psyche that is all knowing. Tapping into my source. Do I believe in spirits? Sure. Have I gotten information from spirits? Yes. But am I divining through spirits, I don't really think so. I have been reading professionally for a very long time and have very accurate readings, and I seriously do not believe that it's the spirits that I am reading through. It's me and my interpretations. But, if you feel comfortable with doing a cleansing ritual or any kind of protection ritual or such, to help you, I say it doesn't hurt. I actually learned once that if you read with a glass of water near by and that it will absorb any bad spirits. I don't believe that cards are some sort of idol or have any power by themselves, I believe in me and use them to punctuate and organize MY thoughts. I shuffle them, not spirits. Thats just my 2 cents. Now to really answer your question, do they summon spirits, I think that is your decision to summon spirits, not your cards, the cards are inanimate objects. They are just laminated pieces of paper with pretty pictures on them that can have as much meaning as you allow them to have at any given moment.
Thank you :] that really reassured me on many other questions. And about the shuffle of the cards, to clarify what I said in the previous post - I was astonish when I found both decks were complete. After looking up which card I lost and what it meant, I realize that in a way it symbolizes me. I believe it was from the sword arena but I forgot the number. I thought that maybe.. if I "find" myself, then I will find the missing card. After I reconnect broken bonds, I brought the second deck. And that is when the card came back. It was a very magical moment for me. The cards may be inanimate objects but I would like to think that they breathe. They need air so I should fan them out once in a while, energy so I put them near moonlight, sunlight and earth. However I am still looking for that one perfect deck - with the pretty pictures and all. I was wondering what is the average price on tarot cards - the not so advance nor beginner type.
most decks run around $20 or less. The price of a deck isn't what makes it beginner or advanced.
Ohhhs I thought if it was more of a beginners deck, then it would be cheaper than a more advance deck. But I understand what you mean. Deck is a deck.
Cost usually relates to collectability. A $20 Rider-Waite-Smith deck is far more useful than a $200 Hello, Tarot.(the Hello, Tarot was an unauthorized Hello Kitty deck that became very collectable when Sanrio ordered it pulled. When they come up on the market, they can go for $200.)
I am not sure if this is the place to ask but here goes. I have some natural channeling ability. I am blocking as best as is possible. I also use tarot, runes, pedulums, and reikki. Is it getting harder to block because I use these other means of divinitation. Do you have any tips on removing the fear from channeling.
Mod
Well, the first few times I channeled (this was before the popularization of the term) I scared the hell out of myself. Personal fears and religious beliefs are a deadly combination, and both work, independently, and even better when combined to create an ignorance that forms deep in our subconscious. It clogs the psychic arteries.
Tarot and Reiki are forms of channeling, as are the runes. The magic is within you of course; the cards and stones are merely tools to enhance your results and are great training aids. We can confront fear through logic, but logic will never win against emotion.
We can suppress emotion, which has negative results in the long term; or we can respond to fear by allowing the fact that we are nervous and forcing it off to the side with a strong mental shove, thanking our minds for protecting us form the scary unknown but also stating quite clearly that it is not needed at this time. We then enter our exploratory side and choose to look at the experience as a new and exciting journey, or as a scientific experiment that we will take notes on earlier. If it helps, light candles or play music to make yourself feel more comfortable. Say a prayer to your chosen deity. But these are all just to calm the mind. We still must venture into the unknown. Life is all about learning and learning is seeking out the unknown.
:-)
Liz, what is the nature of your fear and how does it manifest?
Mod
I am doing free tarot lessons on video now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnh5cB...
No gimmicks--no BS. NOTHING TOO BUY. Only the best tarot instruction gets through, and it is free.
If you prefer (audio) podcast instruction, my tarot podcast is here: http://easytarotlessons.podomatic.com/
When I channel it seems only nonhuman evil entities find me and tell lies and infest the home I live in. I have stopped for 6 months and done a house cleansing and all is clear but I would like to do it again without the evil ones coming through.
Mod
I am going to try just to do a prayer or something and attempt to block all negativity. I can always do more house blessings until I figure things out. It's worth the effort for me.
Hi!Recently, my friend introduced me into tarot readings, and as a teenager, I was fascinated by it and wanted to get a deck for myself.
However, hearing from my friend, doing tarot summons bad spirits, but without the spirits, readings would not be accurate.
Does all tarot readings requires summoning of spirit? If its a must, is there a way to avoid the evil ones or not even summoning spirits as my intention of tarot reading is just for reference.
And whats the difference in tarot and cartomancy? Till now I only know its difference is the cards used.(Tarot cards and poker cards)
Lastly, do you recommend tarot or cartomancy?
Thanks in advance!(Pardon me for my bad English as it is not my main language)
I would love to learn Tarot. I have a deck as well but don't know how to read them :)
Tarot is not a science to tell you what will or won't happen in your life. That is found by free will and changes YOU make in your life. Tarot leads you by giving guidance, like sign posts. Tarot does not produce evil spirits nor does it attract them to you. If the reader is reputable, the cards will have been stored, blessed, or you and the reader can do a small prayer before the reading. The reason you touch the cards is to get your vibration into them and allows you to see there is nothing funny going on. Never read for yourself. You can ask a question, pull a card for yourself, but never a full reading. If you feel the reader is not a good person, don't let them read for you. Otherwise, enjoy the reading and use it as signs of where your life is heading. But, things can and do change. That is called free will. You control your destiny. Nothing evil will follow you home. If still nervous, take a bath with sea salt when you are home. That is a good way to purify yourself.Ikamisa wrote: "Hi!
Recently, my friend introduced me into tarot readings, and as a teenager, I was fascinated by it and wanted to get a deck for myself.
However, hearing from my friend, doing tarot summons bad sp..."
Liz wrote: "I am going to try just to do a prayer or something and attempt to block all negativity. I can always do more house blessings until I figure things out. It's worth the effort for me."
Cypriania, I wish you were living in Florida because I would have wanted you to do a Tarot reading on me :)
The deck you want to use is personal preference. I have a friend that is a Anglican Reverend, she prefers to use a Crowley deck. Whatever feels right and "speaks" to you, is the deck for you.stormhawk wrote: "Dusty, thanks for forming the group!
I'm a tarot reader and collector. I use a lot of different decks and was wondering what your thoughts were on the Rider-Waite versus the Marseilles versus the..."
