Is Divination, particularly the Tarot, for everyone?

[DarkSchneider]

Hey everyone,

So one of the issues that has turned me away from occultism, is my lack of faith in the Tarot, and my desire to see results, without getting the answers to the questions I would ask. Now this may seem immature on my end, but I'm sincerely trying to figure out if this means the cards aren't meant for me to use. I guess why I lack faith is because I'm still skeptical at times, but I'd really like to believe there is a use and purpose for the cards. I know it's not simply that the cards will tell you "the time, place,date etc" of what you ask necessarily, but that the cards tend to show you something deeper about yourself, as long as you're willing to look into the readings with the right frame of mind.

With that in mind, I'd like to ask if I am personally suited for the cards? I've done readings for people with varying results, most of them seeming satisfying to the questioner. Only one occasion made someone scoff at me, and since then I've been discouraged. The rest of the time, the questioners seemed okay, maybe a little puzzled but alright. I realize my own inexperience can mislead these people if I don't do the readings right, so I'd rather not take that responsibility right now if I'm not prepared.

However, when I did some readings for myself, they seemed inconclusive. I asked an Oracle deck about a particular person who wanted to speak to me. The cards suggested he would be a helpful mentor figure in my life-- I never spoke to that person again, probably because it was the internet and the person lost interest after I messaged them. I wasn't messaged back.

I've had one reading that was extremely accurate, about an old romantic relationship that would come to an end. So much so that it made me cry. At first I wasn't willing to accept it, but sure enough it seemed to reveal to me that this relationship wasn't best for me, and maybe in hind sight, I could have prepared myself for it not working out.

Part of my lack of success is due to my resistance to be studious with the various Tarot definition books. I found it hard to accept that there are so many interpretations of the cards, because how are we supposed to know which are the accurate definitions from the less accurate ones? I am impatient right now, and I see that causes me to stumble with results in every area of my occult practices. But right now I need results. Results that will really help shape me into a better, stronger person.

So, generally, do I seem like the type that is unsuitable for divination? Maybe a different method would be more appropriate? I'm a rather visual person, so I thought it would suit me. It's just my lack of study that makes it hard at times, to learn about the symbols and their relevance.

[akimbomoss]

Part of my lack of success is due to my resistance to be studious with the various Tarot definition books. I found it hard to accept that there are so many interpretations of the cards, because how are we supposed to know which are the accurate definitions from the less accurate ones?

I learned some things over time that apply to me. The best reading is the 3 card 'what to do'. Its 1) the issue at hand 2) things to consider or barriers 3) what to do. I find more cards to be too much and less cards (1 card) to be too ambiguous with a lack of context. I never ask close ended questions (yes/no) and I take the answer as a one shot deal or snapshot. Once something in the context changes you kind of have to redo the reading so no reading is really permanent.

Sometimes it's confusing when the 3rd card tells you to do something ambiguous then you have the clarification card.

Oh and Crowley said the card's meanings are user specific so when you look up the meaning of a card look up a nice short definition like the ones that come with the deck. I think 2-3 sentences is enough not those long write-ups.

Also I find using the 'reversed cards' mode better. Just be sure to shuffle your deck by cutting and rotating 180 degrees in addition to the normal shuffling. You can do what the dealers do in the casinos using 2 thumbs & knuckles on the table but it wrecks the cards so I don't do it.

[RoseRed]

No, tarot is not for everyone. There is no divination technique or oracle that works equally well for everyone that tries it.

You don't need 'faith' in tarot. If the cards don't talk to you then then simply just don't. What other methods have you tried?

[Desecrated]

Using them for divination = Depends on the persons is good at divination or not.

Using them to learn about yourself = Yeah that works.

Using them to understand things like kabbalah = Yes.

Using them in other ways = Hell yes.

The cards are created by humans, understand them and you gain understanding of humans.
The cards are created by mystics, Understand the cards and understand some occult systems.
The cards are created by the consciousness and subconscious. Work with both.

[DarkSchneider]

RoseRed,

Aside from the various decks of the Tarot that I own, I've tried staring into candles and I've tried using a bowl of water with food coloring, next to candlelight. It was a while ago, and I'm not sure I did it right, but I was following instructions and suggestions from this site. I do feel like I get answers some of the time, but not always. Anyways, from your suggestions, I'll find something more suitable for me to do. Thank you.

Desecrated,

That seems like a sound understanding of what the cards are and what they can be used for. I always figured I was meant to use them in the traditional method, but I don't find that I am as skilled as others. I am appreciative of your input.

Also, sorry, akimbomoss, I thought I replied to you. I am so tired and discouraged today...

I was always using the Celtic Cross or a simple 3 card spread, representing "the past", "the present" and the "future". The guidelines you've suggested to me are appealing, but I will have to try something other than the Tarot, perhaps.

Right now I am interested in spells and defensive magic, to protect and secure myself in these difficult times. I am also trying to build myself up gradually, as I've had a tendency to rush ahead and try to become the greatest magician ever. (lmao) But I'm going to be wise about things, follow the advice provided on this website, keep my cool, and work hard.

[RoseRed]

Baby steps.

Have you ever started a fire in a fireplace or a campfire? Kindling are the small twigs that catch first so that the larger chunks of wood will catch as well. Think of the baby steps like the kindling. Each may seem insignificant on it's own but when you put them all together and use them properly - it's amazing what can be achieved.

[DarkSchneider]

I used to go camping quite frequently so I understand. Thank you for the comparison

All these little steps will build up to some better results.

[akimbomoss]

The best reading is the 3 card 'what to do'. Its 1) the issue at hand 2) things to consider or barriers 3) what to do.

I see the screws have been tightened on the edit post grace period.

I just realized the 3rd card really means "what will happen if I make the issue at hand active?". For example a cruelty card doesn't mean "be cruel" about the subject as that doesn't make sence to me.

Also there is the i-ching and runes. I read about "i-ching benders" once you get the hang of it but expect a hang-over. I never tried them.

I admit I am good at divination. I saw my future 12 years in advance in a lucid dream once. It led me to the significance of the double-being.

Spoiler:

The double-being turned out to be 2 rats and Arthur bruised his upper arm. [clown]

[Sypheara]

I quite enjoy using tarot cards, i find that the best way to get the most out of them is first learn all their meanings, and use that as a jumping off point.

When a card comes up you dont fixate on its meaning, but understanding the base principles, see how it is modified by cards around it intuitively. With a bit of practice, this becomes not as difficult as you may find it. When it comes to duration, i find that air and fire predominately mean a quick outcome, with water and earth being the slower elements which mean an outcome is more longer term.

Your mileage may vary but, from what you have said, i believe you can read and do divination in general. It may just be hat you are not a natural and need practice to become good at it. Some people can just use cards straight off without reading anything information wise, whilst i had to do my combined method mentioned above. Same with my martial arts progress - i have a terrible innate sense of my body positioning etc, but training for 10 hours a week means that althoguh i still pick it up relatively slowly, i have progressed to the point of being an ok swordsman.

i had an interesting reading recently actually when working with Hecate. It was i think 9 of Cups, 5 of Wands, and 5 of Cups. When asked what could solve the conflict and change the future, I was told to focus on the 6 of Pentacles. I saw this as a a warning from Hecate to not just sit on my Laurels but instead mix my emotional and spiritual growth that with continued success and foundation in the physical, lest that dissonance causes me a disruptive internal conflict which will push my schedule back and perhaps even cause me to face a much larger problem with significant personal consequence, due to the 5ths relation with Death. This is a slightly different reading that the 6th of Pentacles would otherwise suggest but this was the image that was powerfully delivered into my head when considered.

[Cybernetic_Jazz]

I can't remember if it was you or someone else but I remember a thread where a member said their biggest complaint was that the cards, when divining, seemed to master the obvious and - like a good symbolic dream - hardly told them a thing they didn't already know. It could be my lack of experience in using them for divining but that's part of why I rarely do spreads with them. I'm hoping that using them in Qabalah study will open up my world both in the Qabalistic sense and also to their divinatory value. For right now though if I only read for myself several times a year I'm fine with that for as long as my gut tells me to stay in that spot.

[DarkSchneider]

I was thinking I should get someone more experienced to do a reading for me. I never had a proper one done for me, except from an ex friend who turned out to be a charlatan. If it's not my job to be a reader, perhaps I am to benefit from a reading from someone who knows what they're doing.