Are there any Muslims here?

[Saturn Celeste]

Do you think that your ancestors help you with your readings?

 

I don't look at the tarot as superstitious or demonic, but I receive messages from my faith that they are. That's the conflict for me. I've justified it to myself by saying that I'll only direct my questions to the One God, and not to spirits or anything else. If He wants to give me insight, He will. That way I am not disrespecting His sovereignty.  I have to constantly walk that fine line.

 

I've come to feel slightly better about it in the last day. I don't want to feel ashamed to develop these gifts. I've even bought my "first" deck.

 

I'm happy to hear you are feeling better about using the tarot.  My ancestors don't help me but my intuition does like DownUnderNZer[/member] said.  They are simply around me for support.  I even have my cat Pikachu who passed a few months ago with me.  When I read I don't pray to anyone, I just read the cards in front of me.  I do channel my intuition and I know it isn't done at TT&M so much but I also incorporate astrology with my readings.  Astrology has been a part of me even longer than tarot.  For someone starting out like you and one who follows your religion, I think offering your questions to God is a great idea.  I have a friend who is very religious and she's a phenomenal reader!  She asks God to help her with her readings and prays over her cards.  You will find a way that works for you, of that I'm sure!  Tarot cards are a tool, they don't embody anything good or evil, they are just a tool like a pair of scissors are a tool for a haircutter.  The catalyst that makes a deck your own is your intent.  :D

[Saturn Celeste]

 

Do you have dreams that reflect on your readings?

 

Not at all.  My dreams are a whole different medium, they strictly talk to me and go over the hidden side of me.  Having my rising in Scorpio, I do have a deep hidden side and dreams help.

 

 

Do you think that the tarot has more pagan symbolism, or more Judeo-Christian symbolism? Are there any books you would recommend? It just seems like I'm always finding stuff that is associated with New Age beliefs. No offense to anyone who identifies with that, it just that I'm Abrahamic.

 

This really has to do with deck preference.  I have some decks where I don't care to have any religious imagery and other decks that are filled with it.  I'm not one for New Agey stuff either.  I like decks that are historic, humorous, beautiful artwork, and something I can relate to and hope others will too.

[Emilija]

Btw I just remembered that the Islamic world in the middle ages had a hand in the genesis of the Tarot, if you subscribe to the view that it came from playing cards. It seems that Mameluke Egypt was the source of the initial playing cards that trickled through Europe through Italy, Spain, and Portugal, so yeah. :)

 

Take a look at these beauties. I'm adding them to my wish list: http://www.malpertuis.co.uk/site/old-arabian-lenormand.html

 

There are a couple of Middle Eastern themed decks out there, like the Thousand and One Nights Tarot and the Rumi Tarot, which have more Islamic symbolism. I'm keeping my eyes out for them.

[Emilija]

  I have a friend who is very religious and she's a phenomenal reader!  She asks God to help her with her readings and prays over her cards. 

 

Does she read here?

[EmpyreanKnight]

Btw I just remembered that the Islamic world in the middle ages had a hand in the genesis of the Tarot, if you subscribe to the view that it came from playing cards. It seems that Mameluke Egypt was the source of the initial playing cards that trickled through Europe through Italy, Spain, and Portugal, so yeah. :)

 

Take a look at these beauties. I'm adding them to my wish list: http://www.malpertuis.co.uk/site/old-arabian-lenormand.html

 

There are a couple of Middle Eastern themed decks out there, like the Thousand and One Nights Tarot and the Rumi Tarot, which have more Islamic symbolism. I'm keeping my eyes out for them.

 

The Old Arabian is so beautiful! Its theme reminds me of another Lenny, the Rana George Lenormand. The former is aesthetically superior to the latter tho, at least for me. :)

[Ephemeridae]

I am not Muslim, but I also had misgivings about starting to practice the Tarot. I am a scientist, and an atheist besides, so I was saying a lot of things to myself about how much nonsense Tarot is. I will say that exploring Tarot has led me down a path of expansion. I tend more toward pantheism now, and am much more open to things I would have considered drivel a year ago.

 

For me, the bottom line is that it is fun, and helpful, and brings me joy. It is a storytelling device more than anything else, just another way to learn about yourself and the world you inhabit.

 

It's hard for me to weigh in on the devil/Jinn aspect of this because I don't believe in those sort of personified evils as external influences. I believe all of these messages come straight from our own brains and therefore they carry the potential to be holy or evil depending on how you use them.

[Saturn Celeste]

  I have a friend who is very religious and she's a phenomenal reader!  She asks God to help her with her readings and prays over her cards. 

 

Does she read here?

Not here, not online.  She reads for family and friends.  :)

[Emilija]

I want to thank everyone for their responses. :)