What is the function of a Tarot reading?
Jean-Michel David (ed.)
Two years ago, a variety of answers to the question 'What
is Tarot?' was presented in this Newsletter (#12). During
the December 2005 Melbourne Tarot
Café, a similar yet quite distinct question
was asked, for which replies were requested in a thread
on Aeclectic's tarotforum.net.
So...
...what is the function of the tarot reading? with the
question left undefined allowing its myriad senses play
in the replies.
What is tarot?
For me, it gives insights into my life and what's happening
around me, thus usually helping me to make better decisions
for myself.
Except for the occasional grandchild, I don't read for
others, so tarot is useful only in my own life.
Red Emma
It's a clear answer, that if you stick to has no ifs ands
or buts.
carly
Coming from a counselling-psych background, I use tarot
to help the person explore the psycho-spiritual aspects
of their situation to identify strengths and problem areas,
and investigate what the person can do to build on those
strengths and untangle the problems through increased awareness
and action. Thus, for me, the function of a tarot reading
is, in effect, to create a counselling environment with
a focus on active involvement of the readee.
mythos
I believe it is a process for reflecting on the por-trayed
images, then speaking of what such images suggest to our
associations and imaginations...an opportunity to talk
or think of how an allegory, feeling and image can creatively
relate to a situation or question...
Cerulean
I would say that the function of a tarot reading is to
explain and clarify by showing which actions will bring
you to your best or desired conclusion.
tarotbear
To me, the function of a tarot reading is used to give
insight on myself, others, and situations I may be in,
at the present or past. I also use it to divine the future,
so that I may make better choices.
Azarial
The tarot reading is a tool to find alternative ways
of looking at problems and potential solutions. It allows
us to separate ourselves from the questions just enough
to gain a new perspective while remaining close enough
to feel the crux of the issues.
FaerieSage
The function of a tarot reading is to help a person to
get the perspective and insights of any situation and to
let them know how their actions or other people actions
or inaction's can help or affect their future.
Tara Deck
The function of tarot for me is to allow insights into
situations and even just life in general that you may not
have known or thought of as yet. It helps to solve problems
and gain clarity.
Emeraldgirl
The purpose of the tarot reading is to provide a trigger
to jar memories, feelings and ideas loose from the dark
recesses of the mind (heart/soul) and to stimulate dialogue
with the higher self.
firemaiden
To me, the function of a tarot reading is to help querents
gain insight into their past, present, and future; to assist
querents in making difficult choices; and to generally
give querents the opportunity to explore issues and questions
that they would not feel comfortable talking about in any
other context.
Annabelle4
The Tarot can be seen as a kind of algebra of the subconscious,
allowing it to be analysed at the conscious level.
From Wikipedia
I believe The Tarot as with most divination tools. They
help keep you focused, on the issues at hand.
Dancing Bear
The function of Tarot is to enable someone to feel in
control of their future thereby giving them a sense of
hope.
Mimers
The function of the tarot reading is to give one the
information one needs to produce the outcomes one desires
in life.
Major Tom
For me, the Tarot provides a framework on which to hang
a question, turn it around and even inside out, so that
our conscious may look at the question differently and
our unconscious may have a voice to express its view on
the matter.
aja
Asking the Tarot is like asking a neutral yet knowing
outsider to provide useful insight to a problem or question;
it allows us to see the situation from another perspective
in order to make our decisions in life.
Milfoil
For me, Tarot reading provides a means of translating
energies present in the querent's life and universe into
a pattern of symbols and images (cards), that can be used
for insight, meditation, self-improvement, or other magic!
WoodSorrel
The function of Tarot is to help you make decisions and
learn about yourself.
sosuper
I find that Tarot readings help us to ask ourselves question
we would not otherwise ask ourselves. The right ones.
closrapexa
For me a tarot reading is like taking a snapshot of a
situation.
It helps me to see things from different perspectives
or just to see the 'bigger picture'.
A tarot reading helps me to see the options I have and
so helps me to make more informed choices and decisions.
Sulis
For me the tarot cards are markers or guides to a path.
Every person has a different path to lead so every reading
is different even if the same cards are used over and over
again. The reason for this diversity is because of energy
that is prjected into these cards by the reader (if you're
doing it for yourself) or the querent. The energy is reflected
in these cards, and the reader has the calling of interpreting
them.
Tongodiva
I see tarot as a way of putting thoughts, themes and
issues that are in your mind, in all different levels of
conciousness, into a physical, visual form. it lets you
lay elements of your life and mind out, see how they relate
to each other, play with them, analyse them and understand
them. Also, tarot's history and symbolism allows you to
see your own issues in a wider context of history and wisdom.
powdermonkey
It gives us more to consider, more options, or confirms
our own thoughts... it makes us think.
Moonbow*
A tarot reading is to help us meet whatever happens in
the best possible way.
and
The function of a tarot reading is to help a querent/self alleviate anxieties,
achieve goals, and to find meaning in experiences.
Teheuti (Mary)
A tarot reading is a conversation with the collective unconscious, using
the language of symbol and image to access the wisdom of humanity.
gypsy_morrigan
I use a tarot reading (either personal or paid exchange) to get some clarity
of the message(s) that the gods are trying to drum into my thick head
peaceful zazen (Tim)
Voici a miscellany of ingenious thoughts and reflections...all in one sentence
The Tarot Reading puts you in an undefined space-&-time and helps you
to redefine ÒyourÓ space-&-time...
etboa
A Snapshot of Where You Are On Your Life Path
That is what I believe is Tarot's highest purpose. You read the cards to
see where your current actions and reactions are taking you along life's path.
A good reading will show you a ÒsnapshotÓ a still frame of where
you are, where you have been and where you are going if the current climate
and your actions remain the same.
Actions and outlooks can be changed to help arrive at a more positive outcome
if the cards show a less than bright future. People can shore up their courage
and take comfort in the climax of the 10 to know that it can only get better
from there. The outcome card is only the true outcome if you continue to act
and react the way you have been. Even if the outcome card reveals a physical
reality over which the querent has no control, the knowledge of the event or
emotion can make all the difference in the person's mental state when same
comes to call in linear time.
Readers and querants alike can benefit greatly from doing/having regular
Tarot readings and recording them. This is one of the most illuminating things
you can do with the Tarot - if you do regular readings, after a year you will
have an incredibly valuable map to which you can refer to see how you are doing
with your progress toward being the best person you can be and ride the tides
of life's changes with a minimum of despair.
Asradel
Tarot readings allows us to gain insights into situations, ourselves and
others, and encourages responsibility to respond accordingly.
jmd (entry also in Tarotpedia)
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