Tarot Booklets.. Do I really need them?

[Morr]

You know how a lot of Tarot decks come with their own little Tarot booklet?
Does one really need to look over this little booklet upon purchasing a new deck, to understand the meaining behind the cards - or is it not too important, and the interpertation of the cards can be open to whoever doesnt go over the booklet of the specific deck?

Sorry - I've had a bad history with Tarots, and I sorta dropped it for a while, but now I'm attempting to work on my tarot skills again, so I'm starting from scratch.

[asamananara]

I find it's useful to read through them, especially the author's
notes and deck-specific info... it's good to get an idea of
what direction the deck was taken, and why. As for the card
meanings, I have yet to see a booklet which offers anything
beyond the "stock" interpretations, which for me have proved
relatively worthless. It's best to approach each card, especially
the major arcana, on it's own terms, one on one... by establishing
a raport with it's energies through introspection and meditation.

[Faeawyn]

I find it's useful to read through them, especially the author's
notes and deck-specific info... it's good to get an idea of
what direction the deck was taken, and why. As for the card
meanings, I have yet to see a booklet which offers anything
beyond the "stock" interpretations, which for me have proved
relatively worthless. It's best to approach each card, especially
the major arcana, on it's own terms, one on one... by establishing
a raport with it's energies through introspection and meditation.
I agree. Intuition is the most important part in reading, but it's a good idea to know what the creator of the deck hoped each card would say to the reader. And sometimes, they incorporate little symbols on the cards that you may not have otherwise noticed...and they can help add depth and detail to your readings.

[Kalika]

Do you use a book at all, or do you go with how the cards make you feel?

I like to keep the little booklets that come with mine, 'cause they are a quick reference when you do not have the cards memorized.

As for it being necessary... *shrugs* Probably not. Tarot is one of those things that is all about interpretation... and your interpretation of a card may be different than the author's intent. But that interpretation would most likely be what is right for you.

Does that make sense? :)

[Romani Vixen]

I have a hard time without the book. Advise for that kind of situation?

[Thalias_Smile]

I have been using the Thoth deck for a while...and I have decided to try to interpret the cards by instinct--though I still refer to the book, and then look @ my own feelings on indivudual cards. I am attempting to compile my own "book" for this deck, w/my interpretations of each card, or at least cards that seem to be screaming for re-interpretation--lol. So I use a combination of the two...

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I have a hard time without the book. Advise for that kind of situation?

My advice: look at the card and all it's little aspects. Eventually one thing will keep drawing your eye back to it. When you realise it, focus on that object and what it symbolizes to you. I also like to do stream of thought talking aloud. It may feel silly at first, but many times it leads in the right direction.

I was told just to throw out my books and go by the pictures and intuition. It seemed difficult at first but I'm glad I did it! For those that need a little more security while reading, you could use a chart that you hang on the wall. I had one made of poster board. I had 6 rows and 14 columns, measured and marked it off in grids then highlighted the suits with green for the earth suit, yellow for the air suit, red/pink for the fire suit and blue for the water suit. That way it was easily found. Then under the name of the card, I would write 3 descriptive key words to help when I'd get stuck. Here is another option, it's just the Major Arcana and I used pictures instead of just labeling it.

http://www.angelfire.com/mi3/BashaCoves/Worksheet/Major_Arcana.xls

Hope some of this helps!

~D

[Oneira]

I find that sometimes it's the deck style itself that I have difficulty with. Hanson~Roberts or Rider Waite? I don't like them. Too plain for me. On the other hand, Arthurian Legend is great for symbolism and emotional reaction. I also find that I like the book that comes with the full Arthurian Legend set and it has the most gorgeous layout sheet.

With the interpretations, I usually think of what the card symbolises, then check out the meaning in the booklet to see if I was close. :lol: But I've found that often times, the booklet interpretation is really of no use if say there's a career question and you get a love related card. LOL.

[FaerieGothMommy]

Even though i'm a big believer on using inuition and your "inner voice"... i do think the booklets are very useful for beginners - just to help with keywords when reading the cards.
Write down your interpretation, then the keywords & compare. But remember, it's not always what the book says, so don't rely on them to give accurate results, just use for keywords if need be.
I like to read the booklets that come with my deck first time i get them, just to see what the author has written :)