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#032 How I Read Tarot
Oct. 31st, 2017 09:52 amSo sooner or later it was inevitable that I would make some entries on one of my life hobbies - tarot cards. I'm not going to go into my tarot history or anything as I've already covered those before on my (mostly abandoned) tarot blog here and here. In short though I've been reading tarot for quite a while now and continue to do so.
I am currently not reading for others because I prefer to only do so when I can absolutely say I am of calm and clear mind. Obviously with having mental illness this can sometimes be few and far between, but I find that meditating and prayers can result in a temporary mental environment in which we can perform readings. The downside of this method is that we become mentally exhausted very quickly.
I can identify various levels of readings that we can perform, either for ourselves or others. These are the following:
Level one: A reading with little to no input from outside influences (deity, spirits, etc). This would be a very simple and quick reading such as a quick 'yes/no' reading, a clarification on an already existing reading, a quick 'card of the day' without much thought, etc. This type of reading relies mainly on my personal knowledge of that card and the associated symbols and elements.
Level two: A reading with some outside influences. This is the primary way in which I do readings for myself, and sometimes the way I will do quick readings (1-3 cards) for others. In this type of reading I'll read the cards with an 'ear out' for input from Inari, Loki or others. Sometimes a deity that works with the seeker will approach me to speak to them and in rarer occasions a spirit may make themselves known. As I am more fluent at working with animal spirits they are much more likely to make themselves known, along with yokai and other such beings. The input I get when reading can be the complete opposite of the cards traditional meanings and so I often need time to articulate the reading together afterwards.
Level three: This level is less a tarot reading and more a mediation with tarot cards as prompts or keys to knowledge. A single card will be used to spark off a long conversation with deity and once the energy seems to wane, another card can be used as a tool to boost it. These readings are often done for others as I feel the energy level is needed to connect with others over long distances (I rarely do readings face to face).
Of course these levels are not strict and I often use various techniques and energy levels in each reading. Before every reading we do, regardless of the purpose or size we ask for Inari to join us as well as any other deities or spirits that may wish to communicate.
I guess something important to say is also that we do not believe the tarot to be supernatural or magical within themselves - they are just pieces of card. We believe that they are merely tools that can be used for spiritual communication due to their rich symbolism.
I am currently not reading for others because I prefer to only do so when I can absolutely say I am of calm and clear mind. Obviously with having mental illness this can sometimes be few and far between, but I find that meditating and prayers can result in a temporary mental environment in which we can perform readings. The downside of this method is that we become mentally exhausted very quickly.
I can identify various levels of readings that we can perform, either for ourselves or others. These are the following:
Level one: A reading with little to no input from outside influences (deity, spirits, etc). This would be a very simple and quick reading such as a quick 'yes/no' reading, a clarification on an already existing reading, a quick 'card of the day' without much thought, etc. This type of reading relies mainly on my personal knowledge of that card and the associated symbols and elements.
Level two: A reading with some outside influences. This is the primary way in which I do readings for myself, and sometimes the way I will do quick readings (1-3 cards) for others. In this type of reading I'll read the cards with an 'ear out' for input from Inari, Loki or others. Sometimes a deity that works with the seeker will approach me to speak to them and in rarer occasions a spirit may make themselves known. As I am more fluent at working with animal spirits they are much more likely to make themselves known, along with yokai and other such beings. The input I get when reading can be the complete opposite of the cards traditional meanings and so I often need time to articulate the reading together afterwards.
Level three: This level is less a tarot reading and more a mediation with tarot cards as prompts or keys to knowledge. A single card will be used to spark off a long conversation with deity and once the energy seems to wane, another card can be used as a tool to boost it. These readings are often done for others as I feel the energy level is needed to connect with others over long distances (I rarely do readings face to face).
Of course these levels are not strict and I often use various techniques and energy levels in each reading. Before every reading we do, regardless of the purpose or size we ask for Inari to join us as well as any other deities or spirits that may wish to communicate.
I guess something important to say is also that we do not believe the tarot to be supernatural or magical within themselves - they are just pieces of card. We believe that they are merely tools that can be used for spiritual communication due to their rich symbolism.
