Reading for yourself

[Emaleth]

Recently my neighbour told me she talked to a professional Tarot rader. The woman told her that it's not appropriate to read for yourself, as the energy should be used for others or something like that. Unfortunately I didn't have to opportunity to talk to the woman myself, so I'm only repeating what I was told.

This idea seemed strange to me from the beginning, it never occured to me that it might be inappropriate to read for yourself. I always considered Tarot to be the tool for communicating with your Inner Guide so the whole point of it is reading for yourself and learning.

Now I'm confused, any thoughts?

Blessed Be

[cherrywind]

I read more myself more than anybody else and I've never had any problems with it. I think the same way you do, they're a tool basically for communicating with yourself and the forces around you, a translator if you will ;). I don't see what would ever be wrong with reading for yourself.

[Altheia]

I usually do daily readings for myself, and every now and then for someone who wants me to read for them....I don't think that there is anything wrong at all with reading YOUR tarot cards for YOURSELF...I mean, they are your tools, and you must master them....so if they weren't supposed to be used by you and for you, then what is the point of them? If I'm not mistaken aren't they supposed to be a divination tool? And doesn't that mean that they are used by the practitioner to help connect with your inner self and the higher dieties? I'm confused now....*picks up cards and walks out of thread with a thouroughly confused look on her face* woah...I need some sleep....doing all of that thinking at once did a number on me. hee hee;) ;)

[Flaire-FireStar]

Hmmm....I did readings for myself long before I did readings for anyone else. I still prefer to read for myself, actually, and continue to do readings when I feel I need them. :)

[tarotbear]

I agree with Altheia-- how can you learn something when using yourself as you subject is the best way to learn?

We all learned to read by reading for ourselves. I no longer ( well, rarely anymore) read for myself -- by choice.

You know, somebody out there comes up with these silly 'absolutes' because it makes them sound like they know something we don't and expects us to buy into them. Don't - be an independent spirit! Among these are (feel free to add any I miss):

You are not supposed to buy your tarot deck; someone else is supposed to buy it for you.

You are suppposed to sleep with your deck under your pillow to 'bond' with the deck.

You are supposed to wrap your deck in black silk.

You are supposed to read facing in a particular direction.


Any others?

You are not supposed to charge for a tarot reading.

[Pan]

Originally posted by tarotbear
You are not supposed to buy your tarot deck; someone else is supposed to buy it for you.

You are suppposed to sleep with your deck under your pillow to 'bond' with the deck.

You are supposed to wrap your deck in black silk.

You are supposed to read facing in a particular direction.

You are not supposed to charge for a tarot reading.

*SNIP!*
Crazy! I can understand the not charging (sometimes) but some people can only do that for a living. Besides, I don't charge.. I take donations! :D;)

I don't understand the reading in a particular direction.. :huh: strange...

[tarotbear]

Loki - under the thread 'Tarot Issue' it is discussed - with inconclusive results.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

bump!

It's my understanding that some folks don't read for themselves or those closest to them because they are too close to the subject at hand....and so thier feelings can muddle the interpertation. But, other than that I see no problems for reading for oneself and as Tarotbear said, that is the way most of learn.

[Azure]

The one thing I can say about reading for myself, is that I tend to take the most negative possible interpretation of the card or cards. But my decks have learned this, and they slap me right back for doing it. :)

My decks are all wrapped in natural fibers - I will say that, but different things - an irish silk scarf, pieces of muslin I dyed myself, a scarf I bought on Portobello Road when I lived in London. None of it is black.

I do usually face North when I read, but that's because of the way my room is situated.

I've never charged for a reading, but if I needed to I would feel okay doing it. I charge when I belly dance too.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

*off topic*
Azure, I didn't know you did the bellydancing thing!
Public Performances? Where, when? PM me if your doing this anytime soon, we'd love to come see the performance!