What's helped you??

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Share with other students, what has helped you learn the card meanings and associations. Any tips, or thoughts as well!

For me, I have a couple decks. So I turned my Rider~Waite deck into flash cards. I took post-it notes, wrote three keywords on it, and stuck it to the cards~Viola!~flash cards!

I also made myself a chart for the keywords, using a poster board. It has 14 columns, and 8 rows. the first four rows are for major's Fool~Death, Reversed for these, Temerperance~World (six boxes blank), Reversed for these (six boxes blank). The last four rows are for each suit Ace~King. This idea comes from Joan Bunning's Learn the Tarot charts. But this way, they are on one poster.

http://www.learntarot.com/chmaj.htm
http://www.learntarot.com/chminat.htm
http://www.learntarot.com/chmincc.htm

I also do daily three card spreads. I very the meaning of the positions, but keep a journal. At the end of the day, I sit and reflect how the reading came into play for that day, and write it all down.

To help learn the court cards, I have tried to associate the card with someone I know. So, when it comes up in a reading, I can see what "type" of person it is representing. (My mom, Queen of Wands; my sister, page of cups; my dad, the king of wands; my brother, the knight of pentacles; my son, page of swords....etc.)

Okay.....tell us what you have done to help yourself learn the tarot! ;)

:sunny:

[loopy]

Basically every day I study a few cards, depending on how ambitious I feel, and then recite the meanings out loud until I think I've gotten them. The next day, I choose a few more cards, and when I think I've gotten them, I combine them with the cards from the day before and try to recite the meanings of all of them. Then every few days, I do mock readings with my cat, explain the meanings on the cards, and try and relate them all. It's been working fairly well so far. I'm up to card 32. :)

[Dagda]

Great Loopy!

Thank you for sharing! I hope you are retaining all that you are learning! ;)

[loopy]

I think I am, actually. :D That's the amazing part. :D

[Dagda]

WONDERFUL!!

I love to hear how people are learning, and especially that they are making progress!

Keep it up!

:D

[Kiya]

I studied Joan Bunning's site and printed off the keywords for all the cards. I then studied each card, starting with the Major Arcana first, and tried to relate the keywords to the picture. I've actually done this twice now, as I'm finding different nuances in the cards as I read with them.

Also I've started a daily meditation with a single card, where I visualise 'jumping' into the scene in the card and talking to the people within the image. This is the way I've found some of my best insights!!

I also often look at families of cards - all the court cards, or all the threes, or all the wands together. Sometimes you start to see connections between them that you don't see on their own, and this can really help in clarifying a reading. Or completely confuse it of course!! ;)

[Silver Venus]

Wow everyones methods of learnign are so great!!

I started learning the tarot a few years ago and didnt really think about my method ~ I just copied out all the ineterpretations over and over every night for about two weeks with the relevant card infront of me while I wrote about it! I took in quite allot from this and then after the first few days I think I started adding my own feelings and meanign of each card as I copied and write them all out. This worked really well and I read for a few years without learning anymore..as I was at University after a while of crazy partying my pagan and magical interests all got put on the back burner for a few years ~ so Ive lost my first deck of tarot cards :(
Then a couple of years ago I took it all up again and started reading lots and lots on wicca and the tarot and bought my Secret Tarot deck! :) I was amazed that I hadnt forgottton much at all from when I first learnt just a little rusty!

Then I went on a six week/one night a week advanced course last year ~ which really reinforced my belief in the tarot, I lloved it and the poeple I met and leanrt quite allot of new meanings and new spreads and havent looked back since :D

Now I try to do a reading a day (or every other day) and keep a record of all my readings and emotions at the time like Dagda. I practice meditation with allot of the cards ~ where I too like Kiya go into the cards and try to interact with the people/situation of the card, when I get time too and I often put a card by my pillow if my boyfirneds is not staying over so I can try and dream about the card and learn more... If my boyfriends over I try and dream about him ;)

Ive also done a few spells with the Sun card, I found this really fun for visualisation and worked very well :) Ive just recently bought a book on Tarot spells which is really interesting ~ I can post some of these up if you like (when i get it of my friend!) ?

Dagda ~ is that you in your 'Dagda' avatar? If it is you :) You look exactly how I imagined! Very beautiful and kind :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

SV~

Yep, that is me...in my Dagda...normal forum citizen mode. (That picture was taken on my birthday last year! (I was out dancing....can you tell?? :p )

Blushing.....why thank you for the compliment Silver! You sure know how to make me smile! ;)

I am going to see about getting some film and getting some candid's done. Then, which ever one I deem the best, I think I will use for this name's avatar. :D

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily

I was out dancing....can you tell?? :p

Hands up baby, Hands up!!
Go girl!!

:D

[Kiya]

...but do people have difficulty with cards they actually don't like? I'm drawing daily cards for myself, randomly (if there is such a thing when drawing tarot cards!!!!:)), (I've been through the pack twice systematically) and every now and then I get a card that I really find difficult to read.

For instance, today I drew the 10 of Swords, which is not a pleasant card, and I'm trying to think of someway I can integrate it's lessons into my life for today. Now, it's easy with the Sun, or High Priestess, or the King of Swords, or 2 of Cups, or... well, you get the picture!

I'm trying my best though, but this one's a hard one today. All I'm getting is the cheery 'well, it can't get any worse!" going round and round in my head which, frankly, isn't really giving me more insight than I already had!

Any tips? Or is it just a mental thing that I'm shying away from a card I don't think is very 'nice'?

BB

:bigredgrin Kiya :bigredgri

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Kiya
Or is it just a mental thing that I'm shying away from a card I don't think is very 'nice'?


I have to own up to that too when Im reading for myself! I just pick another one and hope its better!! But still think about the 'bad' one too...

Where you thinking of anything inparticular when you drew the card? Maybe this has something to do with it?

Maybe try a more in depth reading when this happens...

or Maybe try and meditate on the card and see what feelings or if any visions or memories come up?

10 of swords to me means ~ loss or self sacrifice
So may be it means some kind of sacrifice today?

Keep on with what your saying 'well, it can't get any worse!" :D

[Kiya]

...you've got a point. I actually draw my daily card when I get home from work at night for the following morning. Last night, I felt a bit stressed from work, especially that I hadn't got some things done that I should have. And knowing that it was my own fault (spending too much time here!). It wasn't anything that couldn't have waited for a few days, so I shouldn't have been so stressed. And a few things were wrong in the office yesterday after me being away last Thurs and Friday, and I started wishing I hadn't been out of the office.

Wait a sec, does that say martyrdom to you? I think I've got it! So that's where is came from!

Cheers Silver! Thanks for your help!!

BB

Kiya

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I agree with Silver, draw another card or two to see why you have drawn this card for today....If you still get nothing, wait until this evening to see what's happened throughout the day, and see how it all tied in.

I shy away from the "not so nice" cards also. It's human nature! ;)

I also agree to keep with the "it can't get any worse". Since it's the 10 card, the cycle is about to renew itself. If it's not getting any worse, than it has to be getting better...right? ;)

I would suggest leaving the card out where you can see it today, maybe even carrying it with you. If you still have no luck today with a deeper meaning....place the card on your nightstand or carefully under your pillow/head while you sleep. (this should bring about some interesting dreams about the card.)

:D

[Silver Venus]

Glad youve worked out whats it all about!! :)
I sometimes get stressed too about work when Im feeling really lazy~ because you want to be on here all day (its totally addictive isnt it!) and then you suddenly realise ~ oops I have to get on with something and then you really dont want to work...

Work comes first though so just try and spend a set ammount of time here then get on with your work! (Mothering advice there!)

As for drawing your card the night before your day ~ whatever works for you! I personally would say maybe try and draw it the morning you actually wake up for the day but whatever feels right for you will work ~ like you said ~ just belive and it is true!!

Thanks for the feedback and Im :D again i could help.

[Kiya]

I don't think I'll put the 10 of Swords under my pillow tonight... I might get nightmares!!

*sucks thumb and cowers in the corner*

but I will try your idea another night!!!!!

:bigredgri:bigredgri:bigredgri:bigredgri

Kiya

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Okay, I know it's not the ideal card to dream about.....but dreams give us great insights! (even it the subject matter isn't so nice.)

compromise.....meditate for 15 minutes with it. Hold it in your hands, and just let you mind wonder and drift. ;)

[Kiya]

You've got a deal!!

(Geddit? Cards? Deal?? OK, shut up Kiya)

Thanks for the advice Dagda, I will.
:bigredgri:bigredgri:bigredgri:bigredgri

[loopy]

Kiya, here's why you rock: :D

I've been going through somewhat of a dry spell with my cards lately. At first I was very adament about learning as many cards as I could, but for the last few days my eyes would get very tired very fast and I'd find an excuse to just review my previous cards and go to bed early.

BUT today I grabbed a new card, determined to get back on track, (the Beacon card, 3 of Fire) and when I kept getting stuck I suddenly remembered what you said about visualizing talking to your cards and jumping into the scene. So I closed my eyes and in my head I jumped into the scene, and the gal on my card became this beatiful Amazon and I spoke to her for a minute and actually feel like I know my card now, personally.

So I've decided to take it slow with my cards and get to know them all. :)

And that is why you rock, Kiya my dear. :D :D

(Disclaimer: Everyone else here rocks as well, but Kiya rocks especially at this moment. No infringements intended.)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

;) We understand loopy.....



<<taking notes anyways....:apirate: >>

:sunny:

[Kiya]

That is so cool loopy - I'm glad I could help!

By the way I tried Dagda's idea of sleeping with the card under my pillow (mind you, I did this with the card I drew last night for today - The Star) and I dreamt I was sat on my Grandfather's lawn making daisy chains... go figure!!

Big hugs to everyone today (feeling very smiley this morning!)

:bigredgrin Kiya :D

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

How wonderful Kiya! The Star's keywords are: Hope, Inspiration, Generosity, Serenity! ;)

[Silver Venus]

I had a really wierd one last night ~ Ive been finding it hard to remember all the little details so I asked the moon goddesses to guide me and help me remember my dreams...
I remember everything very precisely but it wasnt such a nice dream last night! I dreamt about a 'thing' trying to kill me, the dream seemed to go on all night and the 'thing' kept on popping up everywhere in different scenerios! It was a bit scarey but I felt in control the whole dream ~ in the end a woman in a club gave me a little bottle of secret liquid and I killed the 'thing' with that so it was mortal, then I fought it and killed it again ~ very strange!

Kiya your dream sounds so nice and cuddly! Ill put the star card under my pillow tonight and see what happens ;)

[Kiya]

Especially the Serenity. I was so content making daisy-chains. I can still picture it now!

Get your daisy chains here!

Funnily enough Dagda, I had a row with my b/f last night, nothing serious, just one of those 'we're both stressed so we're going to bit each other's head off' kind of rows. I felt very much the victim and really felt miserable (10 of swords) but after drawing the Star last night I cheered up considerably.

And of course, because I cheered up....so did my b/f! The Tarot is a very strong tool to use - it gives you a communication link to...somewhere, whether it is your subconcious, your god/goddess or whatever. And to think when I started out a few months ago I thought I'd never be able to 'really' read the Tarot!

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Originally posted by Silver Venus
I had a really wierd one last night ~ Ive been finding it hard to remember all the little details so I asked the moon goddesses to guide me and help me remember my dreams...
I remember everything very precisely but it wasnt such a nice dream last night! I dreamt about a 'thing' trying to kill me, the dream seemed to go on all night and the 'thing' kept on popping up everywhere in different scenerios! It was a bit scarey but I felt in control the whole dream ~ in the end a woman in a club gave me a little bottle of secret liquid and I killed the 'thing' with that so it was mortal, then I fought it and killed it again ~ very strange!

Kiya your dream sounds so nice and cuddly! Ill put the star card under my pillow tonight and see what happens ;)

Ususally when I have dreams like that....it's the stress monster coming out. You were able to fight it and conquer the dream/situation....and so you can in real life. I feel it's telling you that you have the means to get through anything coming your way. You may need some help along the way, even from an unlikely/unexpected source....but it is your determination that sees you though. ;)

Good luck with the Star card! :D

[Silver Venus]

Thats fantasic Kiya!!! I love daisy chains ~ but Im stick in my office now and cant get to a field ~ so can I have one please? :)

I know what you mean about tarot been kind of a therapy ~ You can use the positive, happy cards to really make you positive and happy ~ I think tarot should be used as an alternative therapy! ;) All you need to do when your depressed is meditate on the :sunny: or star :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Funny you mentioned therapy.....it jogged my memory that somewhere on the net I had seen that a pschiatrist used the tarot when working with patients. The patients looked through the cards, and picked them out and then they talked about the card and how it related to the patient and their problems.....If I'm remembering this correctly!~

;)

:sunny:

[Kiya]

...maybe we swapped dreams!!! I'm always having 'stress-dreams' where I have to either do, experience or see something unpleasant. Not really really scarey, just sort of unpleasant.

I'm finding them less unpleasant these days, and I'm sure it's got a lot to do with me making an effort to meditate every day. And making time for myself (used to be an obsessive tidy upper and always had to be 'on the go' - I'm a recovering housework addict) to read, and keep up with my Tarot studies!

If you do place the Star under your pillow....if you dream you see a really really long daisy-chain that hasn't been 'joined up' into a ring - that was the one I was working on when the alarm went off! Tee hee!

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily


Ususally when I have dreams like that....it's the stress monster coming out. You were able to fight it and conquer the dream/situation....and so you can in real life. I feel it's telling you that you have the means to get through anything coming your way. You may need some help along the way, even from an unlikely/unexpected source....but it is your determination that sees you though. ;)

Good luck with the Star card! :D

That is so true!!!! Thanks allot I now can see everything ~ I did have a really stressfull evening! & did calm down before I went to sleep but I suppose it was still in the background and came out in my dream!
I know I have to sort it out and make the situation (with my family really) I was stressed about allot better ~ Im working on it and know I will be back to normal soon ~ just have to get over some silly moods..theyve been getting to me a bit recently with little silly stuff... I love them so much and they love me as much back!! & thats all that matters really! :D

Thanks Dagda!! Your always such a great help :D

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Kiya
If you do place the Star under your pillow....if you dream you see a really really long daisy-chain that hasn't been 'joined up' into a ring - that was the one I was working on when the alarm went off! Tee hee!

That is sooooooo sweet!!!!! Youve really made my day now!! :D I really hope I do dream about that tonight and join up the daisy chain into a circle ~ a circle of us here at Mystic wicks! :sunny:

& maybe we did swap dreams ~ who knows! I used to get allot of running away, or been caught ~ stress monster dreams too ~ until like you I calmed down, stopped rushing around and chilled.
hehe ;) wont you know ~ Im a recovering Tidy & Clean addict too!!

Hopefully we will all be having some lovely beautiful dreams :D

Hey (idea) ~ Maybe we should all co-ordinate and plan to place a card under our pillow a night and then post what dreams we have had the next day? :D

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily
Funny you mentioned therapy.....it jogged my memory that somewhere on the net I had seen that a pschiatrist used the tarot when working with patients. The patients looked through the cards, and picked them out and then they talked about the card and how it related to the patient and their problems.....If I'm remembering this correctly!~

;)

:sunny:

Wow that is such a good idea!! Im so :D they are actually being used for therapy!!

(we seem to be all on at the same time today :D and over crossing these posts like crazy dont we!!) Maybe Mol and Semele should think about a chat room? Has that been discussed?
But then I guess no-one would post anything...

[Kiya]

Let's organise a day and a card! Perhaps we can get some of our friends in the Divination forum who are studying dreams to interpret them!

I am spending way too much time here! Luckily I got tonnes of work done first thing this morning and I'm having to stay late so I'm treating myself to a long lunch hour! A VERY long lunch hour!

[Silver Venus]

Snap! & brill about asking the dream team! ~ Do you want to go over there and ask them? :) maybe if they have tarot ask if they want to join in!
Now all we have to decide is what card we are going to dream with tonight? My vote is the sun.. I good/safe/happy one to start with ~ anyone else agree?

This is going to be such fun :D

[Semele]

Originally posted by loopy
I think I am, actually. :D That's the amazing part. :D


Not to mention all the insight your cat must be getting!!!

[Semele]

I wanna play too!!!! Mycards are getting lonely!!! i have neglected them for a few weeks!!! I will place one under my pillow tonight!!!

[Silver Venus]

Great to have you back Semele!!! :D :D :D

[Semele]

Originally posted by Silver Venus
Great to have you back Semele!!! :D :D :D


awe shucks!!! Great to be back!!

[loopy]

Originally posted by Semele



Not to mention all the insight your cat must be getting!!!


I know, right? At this point, he's much better at Tarot than I am. :D

[Sjophynnae]

Merry meet all! I got oriented with the tarot by studing a specific card from several different decks, like the Strength card, and meditating on the meanings, differences and similarities amongst the different pictures on the cards. After awhile I would pick a bunch of cards, and do what I called tarot stories. All of the tarot is interconnected on the tree of life, and it is very cool to utilize your own interpretations with a bunch of cards in front of you without doing a real reading. The Goddess appreciates an open mind and a good sense of humor! Blessed be! Sjophynnae

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Sjophynnae
The Goddess appreciates an open mind and a good sense of humor!


Hiya!! Merry Meet indeed! Its really great to have you here and I can promise you that you will have a great time!! :D

How you learn the Tarot sounds really interesting taking a card from every deck and comparing the images and feelings you get ~ I often do that but didnt think of it when I was learning ~ thats a really good way to learn! & making stories up is brilliant too ~ Its great that you are as passionate about tarot as everyone here :D
Join in and have fun!

May I ask what your name ~ Sjophynnae ~ stand for or means? Becasue its really different and Im intrigued! Or just plain old nosey ;)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Merry Meet and Welcome to the forum! We are always happy to see new faces! ;)

Jump in where ever you feel comfortable! :D


MP~

[Sjophynnae]

Hello again! Feel free to ask me anything, I appreciate your interest in my name. The name Sjophynnae does not have a specific meaning, numerologically it equals one, like my birthdate is. I have a guide named Sophia, she told me to name myself that, I think she just wanted a fledgeling! :D I really like this site, there are not a lot of places to really discuss tarot. What decks you you primarily read from? I mainly read through the Haindl deck! See you later! :) You can just call me Sjophy, keep it short, if you want to! Thanks!

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I mainly read from the Robin Wood Tarot deck. ...But I just got the Sacred Circle tarot deck...so....who knows what will happen with that! ;) I have a total of....7 or 8 decks.

:D

[mark krauss]

Many years ago I read Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein. In the book there is a chapter on tarot. Marion suggest using a form of Celtic cross which she developed as a starting point, then one is to simply look at the cards and let them tell you a story. The method works. At least it did for me. I've never needed to do anything except look at the cards, consider there location in a spread, and the question at hand. I know many people spend years studying the cards, memorizing their symbols and meanings. I wonder thought if certain predetermined meanings are'nt limiting in their interpretation. Not to brag but Ive read proffesionaly at various psychic fairs through the years and I have been told I,m pretty accurate. I don't take credit for this but I do give credit to the method and the teacher.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I agree with you! I think that is an excellent way to learn the cards. I started out doing that....but wasn't very comfortable with it. I then learned a couple of key words for the cards....and I'm much more comfortable with the story-telling aspect. :D Things flow easier for me now. :D

[mark krauss]

By any chance did you find these key words in a certain Llewellyn publication. I can't remember the name now but I did think it was a useful aid at the time.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Actually I found Joan Bunning's site a couple years ago....I use those. :D

I do have various books that I was using though.....Tarot for Beginner's by P. Scott Hollander....I have Tarot made Easy by Nancy Garen also. I liked Hollander's better though, for what it is worth. I have basically abandoned them though.

:D

[Sjophynnae]

My favorite tarot books are the three by Mary K. Greer...Tarot for Yourself, Tarot Constellations, and Tarot Mirrors. When I teach beginning tarot with new students, I always get them Tarot for Yourself. It is an easy learning tool, and it gives you an overview over several different decks. I am presently checking out the Eileen Connolly tarot handbook series. It is good to get a bunch of ideas and then integrate them into your own understanding. It should be fun most of all!!!!!:D Blessed be! Sjophy