Hi there!

I have been interested in learning to read tarot for a few years, but determined this year to make a big effort - I have a few oracle decks which I can read intuitively, including Froud's Heart of faery - but with tarot I just draw blanks.

Tried journalling and dont get much at all... a little more success with daily draws, but nothing ground-breaking.

 

So - I was thinking maybe Im trying too hard, and I need to bring some play into learning tarot....

What exercises or games do you/ or did you do, to familiarise yourself with tarot?

How can I bring a sense of play into learning tarot?

And any other tips to get past blocks?

 

T.i.a x

Thanks, I have been trying that but dont feel I'm getting anywhere... but thank you! <3

Perhaps, you could participate in some games in the Tarot Fun & Games section. ^-^

 

I've found that Tarot does require some amount of memorizing/understanding. You need to remember some basic meanings, otherwise it's like trying to understand a text in Chinese (or any other language you don't know) purely 'intuitively'. It might work with a language that's close to your native one, but in other cases, you just can't get by without some studying. ;)

I POWERFULLY recommend Lynda Cowles' book The Tarot Playbook.

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/playbook/

 

It is just wonderful. I had it out today over breakfast, and it had my SO - who is not into tarot - in stitches.

I POWERFULLY recommend Lynda Cowles' book The Tarot Playbook.

 

I'll second that recommendation - brilliant book. You learn so much while doing the exercises.

...and even if you didn't, it's worth it for the laughs....

 

(On reading about the next episode of your favourite programme: "Don't worry if it was all wrong. Many tarot decks consider TV to be beneath them.")

Amethyst indigo[/member], if you don't have a simple Rider-Waite deck that's the first thing I suggest you do.  And get a good tarot book.  I recommend these sets because the companion books are awesome:

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/radiant-rider-waite/

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/tarot-made-easy/

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/robin-wood/ and the book is separate: https://www.amazon.com/Robin-Wood-Tarot-Book/dp/0965298418/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0965298418&pd_rd_r=PT4G7D48NABNF3VZQP91&pd_rd_w=QEidJ&pd_rd_wg=kvp9c&psc=1&refRID=PT4G7D48NABNF3VZQP91

 

You do need to put some study effort into learning the cards.  Get a good idea of what each card means so you'll have a bast to connect to when you branch off into different decks and eventually new systems to learn.  So put some study time in, it will make you more confident!  What I did was put out universal readings.  In my intent I would say it was a universal reading and then make up a question you want the cards to answer.  This way you're not reading yourself all the time and  you'll establish a relationship with your cards.  Good luck!  You'll find plenty of help around TT&M also as you progress and have more questions.  ^-^

 

I POWERFULLY recommend Lynda Cowles' book The Tarot Playbook.

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/playbook/

 

It is just wonderful. I had it out today over breakfast, and it had my SO - who is not into tarot - in stitches.

Thanks!  I just ordered that book along with:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1482722682/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062509640/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

They all arrive Saturday!

I POWERFULLY recommend Lynda Cowles' book The Tarot Playbook.

 

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/playbook/

 

It is just wonderful. I had it out today over breakfast, and it had my SO - who is not into tarot - in stitches.

I have this book on my wishlist because I love doing stuff like this.  Good to see a recommendation for it from a trusted source (you).

 

Amethyst indigo[/member] I would also highly recommend 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card by Mary Greer.  The premise of the book is to build your intuitive reading abilities while at the same time giving you some foundations on which to build.  I wish this book had existed when I first started out.  I think combining this with something like The Tarot Playbook would be excellent.

Thank you everyone for your replies - some great suggestions and advice and I will definitely be checking out the recommendations

Thank you everyone for your replies - some great suggestions and advice and I will definitely be checking out the recommendations

A good game that you can play is drawing three to five cards and weaving a story, any story about the images. Concentrate on the images first, then later on when that cones to you easily, you can up the game's difficulty by trying to include the actual card meanings into the tales that you weave. One day when you get so good at this, you'll realize that it can actually be a good technique that you can employ for actual card readings. :)

A good game that you can play is drawing three to five cards and weaving a story, any story about the images. Concentrate on the images first, then later on when that cones to you easily, you can up the game's difficulty by trying to include the actual card meanings into the tales that you weave. One day when you get so good at this, you'll realize that it can actually be a good technique that you can employ for actual card readings. :)

 

Thanks for this, sounds right up my alley

A good game that you can play is drawing three to five cards and weaving a story, any story about the images. Concentrate on the images first, then later on when that cones to you easily, you can up the game's difficulty by trying to include the actual card meanings into the tales that you weave. One day when you get so good at this, you'll realize that it can actually be a good technique that you can employ for actual card readings. :)

 

Thanks for this, sounds right up my alley

A good game that you can play is drawing three to five cards and weaving a story, any story about the images. Concentrate on the images first, then later on when that cones to you easily, you can up the game's difficulty by trying to include the actual card meanings into the tales that you weave. One day when you get so good at this, you'll realize that it can actually be a good technique that you can employ for actual card readings. :)

 

Thanks for this, sounds right up my alley

Thank you, it has!

I think the penny has also dropped that having a tarot practise actually means that - practise! Toddler-scrambled brain here