The Obligatory Tarot

The tarot is a tool of divination. That much is fairly obvious. However, for something that's fairly obvious, you get a lot of conflicting ideas about just what the tarot can do. Let's examine the word "divination."

According to the entirely-too-large Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, "divination" means "1) the practice of attempting to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means. . . 3)⁽¹⁾ perception by intuition, instinctive foresight."
So far, this is obvious.

What people attempt to do with the tarot is foretell the future, just like it says, right there in the first definition. This is all fine and good. The tarot is, of course, an "occult" tool, and "hidden knowledge" is exactly what we all want to know. However, the dictionary doesn't stop at definition one. "Perception by intuition," it continues, "instinctive foresight." While the occult and the supernatural are by far more grand sounding, in reality, the tarot comes closer to being a tool for use with the latter definition of divination.

Whether you believe that your tarot cards truly show you the future, or just suggest images that your subconscious then reads meaning into,⁽²⁾ your intuitive skills are the tools that you use to interpret the tool of the tarot. You cannot merely look at a card sitting in a reading and say "Oh, you have the Priestess in your Goal position⁽³⁾" and think that explains everything. You have to figure out what it really means in Real Life, and the little booklets that came with your cards aren't really that much of a help. You can find a word to fit any meaning you want to put to that card at that particular time, no matter how foolish it is.

Intuition is your key. Somehow, more than "occult" or "supernatural," the word "intuition" scares people. If it's intuitive, it's not rational, it's inexplicable. However, what is intuition but a form of instinct? What is instinct but those impulses that are so ingrained in the synapses your brain and the workings of your body that you no longer think consciously about them, like fight-or-flight or breathing? Using intuition means paying attention to the responses you have to the card. What bells is that card triggering in your subconscious?

Your first responses are important. If you want to say something, say it. If you get an image in your head, examine it. If the card tells you to flip another card over, try that too! If the card reminds you of something, ask yourself why you're being reminded of it.

All of these responses can help you to interpret the meaning of readings. The cards have been laid out in a pattern, and that pattern is speaking, either to your subconscious mind or to something beyond it. Either way, your intuitive responses to the cards are the key to finding the correct interpretation for each card and for the reading as a whole. They may not be the interpretation that would make the most logical sense, and yet again, they may be the most logical interpretation you can find for the card. However, if something feels wrong, it probably is wrong.

It can be extremely hard to know what responses you're feeling to the cards. What is intuition and what is wishful thinking? Where is an off-the-wall image something to be reckoned with, and when is it something left over from last night's foray into dreamland? If it just doesn't seem to work with the rest of the cards, that's a pretty good, though not ironclad, indication that it doesn't work. Use your discretion, and above all, know yourself.

That's the most important commandment for the reading of the tarot. Heck, its the most important commandment for life in general. Whether you're reading for yourself or for another person, you have to know what state of mind you're in, what your biases are in the matter, and what preconceptions you're going in with. You can't be afraid to examine them, and get rid of them if necessary, for truthfulness and self-knowledge is vital to an accurate reading of the tarot.

If you're feeling rushed, meditate first, and clear your mind before beginning. In fact, that's a good idea no matter what. Make room in your mind to feel the reactions that the cards conjure in you, and don't be afraid to go with the flow.

As for whether or not you should let others handle your cards, how you should store them, the whole monkey barrel, do what you intuitively think is right. Read up on what different people suggest, of course, for the more knowledge you have, the easier it is for you to interpret your intuitive leanings. In the end, though, the most important rule in divination using the tarot is if it feels correct, it probably is.