What do you really use the Tarot for?

[EmpyreanKnight]

I know that the Tarot is used primarily for divination, but it seems that some don't agree that it can be used to foretell the future, but to clarify the present spiritual or material state of the querent and his/her surroundings. Others use it more for therapeutic and spiritual purposes, thinking that they'd gain a deeper self-knowledge through the lessons that the cards provide. They would usually access the cards for some light or shadow work. Others prize the cards for the esoteric knowledge they can impart or as a simple tool in their exploration of such systems as the Qabalah. Its practitioners may perform pathworking through the cards to gain an intimate understanding of it. Others use it as part of their rituals, and I've read that some adepts particularly consult the cards to see in advance whether the rites or ceremonies they are preparing to conduct would have a favorable concusion or otherwise. I've read some books that detail how to conduct various magickal procedures using the cards to gain one's desired ends, tho I have yet to try them. Still, others use the cards for more occult purposes, like to communicate with the dead or to commune with nature spirits for example.

 

What about you? What do you really use the cards for?

[EmpyreanKnight]

As for me, I'm a simple guy. I use the cards to glean some information on the future and that's it. I also access it to uncover past events and get a better handle on current situations, but it's really what the future holds that interests me. I know that once I've become adept at this, I'd eventually try to learn the more spiritual/occult applications of the Tarot, but for now this is what I use the cards for.

[Lantana]

Self exploration and divination. I’m in the “why not both?” camp, I suppose.

[Guest]

study guide - flash cards for other studies

 

magic tricks - they look cooler than poker cards

 

communication - using the symbology and oconography to communicate with myself and for explaining things to others that require those symbols

 

divination - for fun and creeping people out...i am not really interested in tomorrow anymore...

 

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

journal prompts on my blog mainly. I don't "read" the cards anymore as a long term problem has

eliminated the memory to do so

[faerybraids]

I use it for many things, including divination and exploring my psyche. I don't really see the point in saying tarot can only be used for one thing or another--surely the personal experiences of others means it has many potential uses and each person needs to find what best works for them? I guess it'd just a mindset I don't understand. The ethics of things like divination can certainly be debated, however.

 

Probably the most mundane thing I read tarot for is inspiration for and exploration of my story plots, characters, etc. (My decks can be pretty cheeky about it, too. Tarot: 'Oh, you want to know how the plot goes? *gives perfect explanation of what each stage of a plot is*' Me: '...') Often I'll use it to give some general advice about a day, but usually in the context of what I need to watch out for or work on instead of exactly what's going to happen in a physical sense. I'm okay with divining about moods and emotional states; things get too misty for me to be comfortable reading about what specific physical events will happen, since I'm much too scared of making a wrong prediction based on what I see and the potential consequences of it (seeing Wicked on stage really cemented that in my head when I was younger). I'd go to another reader for that sort of prediction.

 

The rest of what I do is mainly exploring my psyche. Recently I've also been using it to explore who and what I am in a broader sense, and I've been exploring my connection to the universe through it as well.

[katrinka]

Predictive, seeing around corners type stuff. Lost objects, love and money stuff, mostly.

I am not certified in psychiatry, have no degrees in that field, and therefore don't use the cards for things outside my area of expertise, as I'm not qualified to do that.

[Saturn Celeste]

Once my website is finished and I have some YouTube videos up, I will use them for an income.  As I've said many times, I don't read for myself, only for other people.  I've done over 200 readings in a year and a half and have gathered a nice little following.

[Trogon]

All the above. ;D I actually do all sorts of work with the Tarot, including delving into past issues that are affecting a person today, relationships, foreseeing the future and past lives (though this is fairly recent). I also use it for self-exploration, helping me to deal with my own issues. And, no, I don't have a degree, though I do have training and experience (from my work) in working with people with some psychological issues. Most of the time it is to the extent that the issue comes up in the reading and, sometimes, just bringing it out helps. Other times, I have recommended people to professionals. I have also worked with people who have been searching for a spiritual path.

 

Basically, to me, the Tarot is kind of a Swiss Army Knife kind of tool.

[Bookworm]

Basically, to me, the Tarot is kind of a Swiss Army Knife kind of tool.

 

I love that.

 

For myself, I only use it for self-exploration and getting a new perspective on what's going on in my life.

[High Priestess]

I use the Tarot to communicate with forces much higher or lower than myself outside of the 3D realm in order to gain insight into another person's life or my own. Pulling cards is like reading books of various lengths or just certain chapters about a person to me.

 

Tarot cards have deep archetypal meanings that overlap with other spiritual or religious practices -- The High Priestess as the Virgin Mary, The Tower as Shiva, The Hermit as the monk who gives up life's pleasures in the pursuit of knowledge, etc... While humans created the first cards, I feel strongly that spirit was working through them to bring these to us. Some transcribe Spirit's message into books or sermons, some into cards. In this way, Tarot is our lifeline to the realms beyond the Earth.

 

And it seems to me that every person has some version of the Fool's Journey as a major theme of their life.

 

I think the cards can be used for a lot more than what people typically utilize them for. They seem to me to be a tool that can be modified to enhance what they're used for. However, I feel that often Time is an initiation for the cards to allowing a user to tap into their more powerful magick. In the time I've studied the tarot, I feel a stronger energetic charge to my connection with the cards now than in the beginning of my practice, and have been able to accurately use them for much more than what I was able to when I first started.

[Tanga]

- In readings - to explore and understand the querents present, assist in clarifying the past, and look at possible outcomes and how best to move forward in their lives.

 

- For self-therapy - self-examination - figuring out what is "really" going on with me and in my life, when I'm feeling, moody, angry, odd, etc.

 

- In my spellwork - card imagery is great as part of my working intention.

I even print out, colour and personalize cards sometimes (found a pdf -"print your own Tarot"

on Etsy one day...)

 

- Meditation/Pathwork - imagery and colour again is most helpful for my own practice.

And good for setting my intention/mindset/affirmation for the day - or post-day to examine my experience and see what I can further conclude about myself/my actions.

 

- I may use cards to "speak" with my spirit guides.

They're a pretty amusing bunch  ;).

 

- Or to play games with myself - what shall I wear today?... (picks a card)... oh...

a blood red see-through shift-dress like this Queen of Wands?  Erm... maybe not to work!  ;D

Perhaps there's something about the mindset of this Queen of Wands though that could be useful or insightful in my work...

~ Or - OOPs - keep having that annoying dream! (being a lucid dreamer and interested - I usually know what my dreams are about) - maybe I'll shuffle the cards for an image that I can re-set my subconscious towards, to over-ride this boringly repetative dream...

 

Etc. etc. etc.  possibly.

 

[Padma]

Trogon[/member], love the Swiss Army knife comment!  ;D

 

I've always enjoyed using the cards for divination. I enjoy using them for answering questions, and also for insight into the character or motives of others. Sometimes, if I am bored or lonely, they sort of act like friends around the house - always there when I feel like chatting. Something to do. The act of shuffling is very calming as well, I find.

 

I don't have any real interest in using them in other ways.

 

They also make great bookmarks, too :)

[EmpyreanKnight]

I'd like to think that by now I know quite a bit about the Tarot, but I never imagined the plethora of creative uses you guys came up with. I definitely gained some ideas from this thread, so thanks!

[Page of Ghosts]

Mostly for personal insight and guidance. I claim to not do predictive readings but I've come to realise that some of them are actually just that, so I guess I do those sort of readings too ;) Recently my RWS has become kind of an art reference and I feel like it strengthens my relationship to that specific deck - I notice more of the little details in each card and I appreciate it a lot :D

[Guest Empathic_Cap]

Most of the time I use mine as a form a mediumship linked with my dreams. I tend to able to visualise them with my dreams if important messages are needed to be addressed. But never the less I use my cards similar to a seance with the Oujiua board. Another use for Chris is I like to use and create spells, chants and etc for my witchcraft studies in which I’ve successfully done a few times earlier in this year b

[Bodhiseed]

'Swiss Army Knives' are such all-purpose tools! ;D

 

I use tarot as a writing prompt as well as a tool for contemplation and reflection. The cards often show me patterns I need to see that I'm overlooking (or deny). I do such contemplative 'readings' for others too.

 

[MysticoftheDamned]

I use tarot mostly for shadow work, but I also use my decks for dream interpretation, divination, aid in my creative writing and just in general, to know anything I don't know or my intuition picked up on but my ego doubted. I like to treat my cards as my best friend, and just have a story told to me by them.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Welcome to the Forums, MysticoftheDamned! I find myself leaning towards the dark lately. I know that I have to improve on my shadow work technique so I'll be reading more on that this year.

[jema]

They are the filter, the glasses, the colander for my sometimes twisted view of myself and the world.

I am such a recluse (and i like it like that!) so I don't read for others unless the opportunity is there.

 

this year i will incorporate tarot into my bullet journal - we will see how that goes. It will be like a handwritten blog only for me :-D

[Jewel]

I mainly use tarot for self exploration (including shadow work) and development, spiritual guidance, and for gaining different perspectives.  I also use it for meditation,  for creative writing/story telling, or look through the pictures just for pleasure and relaxation.  I also love using the tarot for esoteric studies, the symbolism is so rich and it is all so fascinating to me.  I also read for friends, but not from a divinatory perspective but more of a snap shot of the issue at this time to provide information to the querent so they can make informed choices or make sense of things.  I guess I am more in the psychology camp.

 

Though I have been telling myself this for years, one of these days I am really going to dedicate myself to a very in-depth study of the Thoth deck.  I could probably spend a decade or more exploring that deck and its symbolism.  I have not started this because I know once I really dive in I will probably not have any time for any of my other decks for the rest of my life LOL!

[Hedera]

Pretty much all of the above!

I love the Swiss army knife idea. :)

 

Also, I will often just get out a deck and look at the cards; to enjoy the lovely artwork, and it's a great way to relax.

[Albadawn]

Reassurance. I get a lot of intuitive insight into things - but very, very briefly. For example, when I meet someone my intuition assesses them at shutter-speed, and this generally comes through in terms of "good/bad/ugly" vibe. Then the person begins to make an impression and far too often I will doubt what I picked up intuitively about them. Using the cards helps me to understand the vibes, especially when I felt particularly strongly one way but their behaviour indicates the opposite.

 

I'm also a bit of a worrier, so I use the cards to help me get perspective on a situation.

 

That's what I use the tarot for, in terms of for myself. If I'm reading for others it's a lot more dependent on what the seeker is looking for, but I do lean towards gaining extra perspective. We're all the centre of our own universes and I think it's helpful to take a step back from that and find a bigger picture.

[Audelia]

I love this thread - it's very interesting reading about how others are using their decks :). I predominantly use my cards for personal insight. I'm an INFJ so constantly in my head and always wanting to discover new things about the way I think etc. Tarot is a fantastic tool for self-exploration. I also use it to connect with spirit guides and draw guidance for the collective (which I post on my instagram page: @empressandstar).

 

The only other main purpose is reading for others.