Misterei Posted June 5, 2024 Posted June 5, 2024 4 hours ago, nord_drache said: . . . also what some might see as an alchemy in the interactions. I think some other things are also required . . . ... and maybe finally maturity - with maturity we can consider the unvarnished truth as that, and more. Yes. Alchemy is exactly the Ghost in the Machine. The interaction between reader, medium [cards], and client/sitter. If we take the idea from quantum physics that the observer becomes part of any phenomenon ... then certainly the interaction between these 3 elements [reader, medium, sitter] is an alchemy that produces the phenemenon of a [hopefully] accurate reading. 4 hours ago, nord_drache said: ... Probably the readings for free was so a reader wasn't mercenary or tweaked the results for their own advantage ... This is a new thing which arose since the internet and the "instant expert" culture. I think in past there was much more acceptance that you would "cross the palm with silver" for getting your fortune told. Fast forward to today's psychologized tarot and 1,000,001 "instant experts" [I love that phrase 🤣] and now we have a bunch of whiners who disparage fortune telling and think tarot readings should be free. And [in a way] they're not wrong. I wouldn't pay for some untrained idiot to psychologize me with tarots. However, I HAVE paid for a good fortune teller to make accurate predictions and i HAVE paid for a licensed therapist to psychologize me 😉
gregory Posted June 5, 2024 Posted June 5, 2024 The cards know how they work. We really don't need to.
Misterei Posted June 6, 2024 Posted June 6, 2024 6 hours ago, gregory said: The cards know how they work. We really don't need to. but it's endless fun to conjecture 😉 ... And if the cards KNOW how they work ... do they possess consciousness and intelligence?
nord_drache Posted June 6, 2024 Posted June 6, 2024 Do we really need to know how everything works? (including tarot and many other disciplines . . .) Yes, it is fun to conjecture on it all . . .🙂 I find it interesting how quantum physics has given tarot new credibility as principles of it can explain things about tarot.
gregory Posted June 6, 2024 Posted June 6, 2024 4 hours ago, Misterei said: but it's endless fun to conjecture 😉 ... And if the cards KNOW how they work ... do they possess consciousness and intelligence? No - they function in a vortex of magic. And as any fule kno*, magic is, like, magic ! *apologies to non-Molesworth fans who may not get the allusion.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Molesworth 3 hours ago, nord_drache said: Do we really need to know how everything works? (including tarot and many other disciplines . . .) Yes, it is fun to conjecture on it all . . .🙂 I find it interesting how quantum physics has given tarot new credibility as principles of it can explain things about tarot. I like magic a LOT more than quantum physics. But to be honest - if we KNEW how it worked, anyone could just read, and the joy of listening to the cards would go out of the window. A bit like the consequences of someone being able to PROVE there is a god. Also overthinking can actually destroy things.
Misterei Posted June 6, 2024 Posted June 6, 2024 (edited) 7 hours ago, gregory said: I like magic a LOT more than quantum physics. ... LOL the more I study about quantum physics ... the more it sounds like ... magic 🤣 It's funny / tragic when scientists *prove* something everyone intuitively knows it true. I remember these heartbreaking pictures of a baby monkey feeding from a bottle in a cage and then going to a stuffed animal in the cage. The monkey looked tragic. Scientists were *proving* the baby monkey needed something warm and soft as much as it needed milk. Sadists. This goes off our topic ... but back to how tarots work ... most humans feel there is something to divination. We've used bones, entrails, clouds, bird formations, cards, stars, and everything else to help us travel through time and glimpse the future. Everyone knows there is a *ghost in the machine* but we argue about what it is. God. Physics [quantum effects]. Conscious Universe. Edited June 6, 2024 by Misterei
SamiHirvikallio Posted July 10, 2024 Posted July 10, 2024 Some ideas for this topic: Symbolism and Archetypes: Tarot decks consist of 78 cards divided into major and minor arcana, each depicting archetypal symbols, characters, and situations. These symbols resonate with universal themes and experiences shared across cultures and time periods. When a tarot reader interprets these symbols in the context of a question or situation, they tap into a collective unconscious—Carl Jung's concept of a shared reservoir of archetypes and symbols that influence our perceptions and behaviors. Intuition and Interpretation: A tarot reading involves the intuitive interpretation of these symbols based on the reader's knowledge of tarot meanings, personal experience, and connection to their intuition. The reader uses their psychic sensitivity to perceive subtle energies and patterns, which helps them derive meaning from the cards beyond their literal illustrations. Synchronicity: Central to tarot's operation is the concept of synchronicity—a meaningful coincidence where events align in a way that suggests a deeper connection or pattern. When a person shuffles and draws cards from a tarot deck, the cards that appear are believed to reflect the energies and questions present in the seeker's life at that moment. This synchronistic alignment between the cards drawn and the seeker's situation allows for profound insights and guidance. Reflection and Insight: Tarot cards serve as a mirror reflecting the subconscious mind and the energies surrounding the seeker. Through careful reflection and interpretation, the reader helps the seeker gain clarity, make decisions, and navigate challenges by illuminating hidden aspects of their situation and offering alternative perspectives. Empowerment and Spiritual Growth: Beyond divination, tarot readings empower individuals to take control of their lives, confront obstacles, and embrace opportunities for growth. By accessing deeper wisdom and understanding through tarot, individuals can cultivate self-awareness, enhance their spiritual journey, and make informed choices aligned with their true selves.
RickInBakersfield Posted July 22, 2024 Posted July 22, 2024 For me, it's kind of like putting your question to the world. It's like having a clear intention. I find it easiest to get clarity if I frame my intention by filling in the blank in the following simple statement " I would like guidance on..." What you put in that blank should really matter. What do you REALLY need help or guidance with? There are two categories of "omens", those that are given and those that are provoked i.e. the Romans were big into that, getting a message from the world. Tarot deals with provoking an omen. To me that's how tarot works. Rick,
laforza76 Posted December 14, 2024 Posted December 14, 2024 This is such an important topic. I personally feel that Tarot works becase we want it to work. So, it does. Humans are powerful-- we actively create this collective experience. If anyone is here because they doubt the accuracy/authenticity of Tarot: believe in yourself first, and all the other things should fall into place. The World starts with you.
WhelanAurenna Posted June 17, 2025 Posted June 17, 2025 This is one of those beautiful questions that has a hundred answers, and I don’t think any of them are wrong. For me, Tarot is a conversation between your conscious mind, your inner knowing, and something greater, whether you call that Spirit, the universe, your guides, or simply intuition. The cards themselves aren’t magic. They’re a tool. A mirror. What makes them powerful is the way they reflect back what we’re already carrying, sometimes just outside of awareness. The images, symbols, and patterns trigger insight in the reader, and in the person receiving the reading. Sometimes the cards highlight energy that’s building. Sometimes they point to emotions that haven’t found words yet. And sometimes they gently ask us to look again at something we thought we’d already figured out. When I read, I’m not asking the cards to predict the future in a fixed way. I’m tuning into the energy around a situation and seeing where it wants to go. Often, Spirit will nudge through with impressions or feelings as I work with the cards, but the cards themselves hold space for the message to land. To me, that’s how they work. Not by giving us all the answers, but by helping us listen more deeply to the answers we already carry. Of course this is my personal experience/opinion, I'm sure there are different perspectives out there. Aurenna 🌿
Chariot Posted June 17, 2025 Posted June 17, 2025 (edited) On 6/6/2024 at 5:02 PM, Misterei said: LOL the more I study about quantum physics ... the more it sounds like ... magic 🤣 It's funny / tragic when scientists *prove* something everyone intuitively knows it true. I remember these heartbreaking pictures of a baby monkey feeding from a bottle in a cage and then going to a stuffed animal in the cage. The monkey looked tragic. Scientists were *proving* the baby monkey needed something warm and soft as much as it needed milk. Sadists. This goes off our topic ... but back to how tarots work ... most humans feel there is something to divination. We've used bones, entrails, clouds, bird formations, cards, stars, and everything else to help us travel through time and glimpse the future. Everyone knows there is a *ghost in the machine* but we argue about what it is. God. Physics [quantum effects]. Conscious Universe. Oh, you saw that horrible monkey video as well. Really awful. But I do think you're right. Just because WE don't know what's 'out there' doesn't mean there isn't some entity 'out there' that knows a lot more than we do. I am happy to let it all be—NOT because I'm not curious, but because I don't intend to make beliefs up to explain things I don't know. Edited June 17, 2025 by Chariot
SvenForkbeard Posted July 8, 2025 Posted July 8, 2025 On 6/5/2024 at 4:49 PM, nord_drache said: Trust (in oneself / ones instinct / the reader one chooses) (remove the T if you like ;)..... remined me of The Decussation we learned here from unpublished sources. You just did it: Subject, Object, How you communicate the matter to others, and The Motive behind it all(SPIRITUS!) This is called Decussation you make and X o the table with Chalk! Like A real Fauatus! then you get: CATENA Entity -desire -drive - Spirit DOMUS X SERPENS Communicative Object Aspect LECTUM subject (personality) I (lectum) just wrote (domus) this on THE WEB (serpnes), WIth My (lectum) Fingers(Serpens - because I (lectum) WANTED (catena) to...^^ This is also manifested in All temple building in all cultures. Long Story! And with the main 3 core symbols in alchemy you can also start a spreds and connect these thre elements to 'The soul' ... Anything is Possible!
SvenForkbeard Posted July 8, 2025 Posted July 8, 2025 On 7/10/2024 at 12:15 PM, SamiHirvikallio said: Some ideas for this topic: Symbolism and Archetypes: Tarot decks consist of 78 cards divided into major and minor arcana, each depicting archetypal symbols, characters, and situations. These symbols resonate with universal themes and experiences shared across cultures and time periods. When a tarot reader interprets these symbols in the context of a question or situation, they tap into a collective unconscious—Carl Jung's concept of a shared reservoir of archetypes and symbols that influence our perceptions and behaviors. Intuition and Interpretation: A tarot reading involves the intuitive interpretation of these symbols based on the reader's knowledge of tarot meanings, personal experience, and connection to their intuition. The reader uses their psychic sensitivity to perceive subtle energies and patterns, which helps them derive meaning from the cards beyond their literal illustrations. Synchronicity: Central to tarot's operation is the concept of synchronicity—a meaningful coincidence where events align in a way that suggests a deeper connection or pattern. When a person shuffles and draws cards from a tarot deck, the cards that appear are believed to reflect the energies and questions present in the seeker's life at that moment. This synchronistic alignment between the cards drawn and the seeker's situation allows for profound insights and guidance. Reflection and Insight: Tarot cards serve as a mirror reflecting the subconscious mind and the energies surrounding the seeker. Through careful reflection and interpretation, the reader helps the seeker gain clarity, make decisions, and navigate challenges by illuminating hidden aspects of their situation and offering alternative perspectives. Empowerment and Spiritual Growth: Beyond divination, tarot readings empower individuals to take control of their lives, confront obstacles, and embrace opportunities for growth. By accessing deeper wisdom and understanding through tarot, individuals can cultivate self-awareness, enhance their spiritual journey, and make informed choices aligned with their true selves. That's What Meme Analysis (Chris) is diving into really.
Christgal1983 Posted November 8, 2025 Posted November 8, 2025 Tarot cards don't work, it is the readers who interpret the cards that makes them work. Different readers interpret the cards differently and that is the fun of tarot.
nord_drache Posted November 8, 2025 Posted November 8, 2025 On 7/10/2024 at 6:15 AM, SamiHirvikallio said: Some ideas for this topic: Symbolism and Archetypes: Tarot decks consist of 78 cards divided into major and minor arcana, each depicting archetypal symbols, characters, and situations. These symbols resonate with universal themes and experiences shared across cultures and time periods. When a tarot reader interprets these symbols in the context of a question or situation, they tap into a collective unconscious—Carl Jung's concept of a shared reservoir of archetypes and symbols that influence our perceptions and behaviors. Intuition and Interpretation: A tarot reading involves the intuitive interpretation of these symbols based on the reader's knowledge of tarot meanings, personal experience, and connection to their intuition. The reader uses their psychic sensitivity to perceive subtle energies and patterns, which helps them derive meaning from the cards beyond their literal illustrations. Synchronicity: Central to tarot's operation is the concept of synchronicity—a meaningful coincidence where events align in a way that suggests a deeper connection or pattern. When a person shuffles and draws cards from a tarot deck, the cards that appear are believed to reflect the energies and questions present in the seeker's life at that moment. This synchronistic alignment between the cards drawn and the seeker's situation allows for profound insights and guidance. Reflection and Insight: Tarot cards serve as a mirror reflecting the subconscious mind and the energies surrounding the seeker. Through careful reflection and interpretation, the reader helps the seeker gain clarity, make decisions, and navigate challenges by illuminating hidden aspects of their situation and offering alternative perspectives. Empowerment and Spiritual Growth: Beyond divination, tarot readings empower individuals to take control of their lives, confront obstacles, and embrace opportunities for growth. By accessing deeper wisdom and understanding through tarot, individuals can cultivate self-awareness, enhance their spiritual journey, and make informed choices aligned with their true selves. Personally I haven't followed Jung, but much of this resonates. T don't believe the cards themselves can be taken out of the equation, personally owning a number of decks I find they each have a voice and could I say a personality, almost setting the tone of the reading. Probably as being both a spiritual person and a person with a deep faith, everything weaves together and when you think about some of the areas that science highlight - too many coincidences I think. I find that it is interesting how if there are more layers added to the reading they more often than not can agree with each other, reinforcing what the spread says. Can we leave it at it works because it works . . . There is an "alchemy" in the interactions that is hard to define, and I believe trying to analyze the process can be science throwing a fit. Just my thoughts on it.
Nemia Posted November 8, 2025 Posted November 8, 2025 Tarot works. It's a collaboration of tarot tradition (fed from many different sources and resources), author, artist (often, author and artist are the same) and reader. Images are tools of communication. Non-verbal communication is the first communication skill we learn, even before we are born. As young children, we express ourselves with body language and facial expressions, and we understand those signals also from others. Before we learn to read, we look at picture books. Images are everywhere, and we react to them, interpret them, understand them and use them all the time. Every time you see a street sign or logo, you use your non-verbal communication skills. The special thing about tarot is that there's a system behind these images and a strong tradition that has distilled the wisdom of generations. Tarot taps into our unconscious (the personal and the collective), it connects us to esoteric lore, spiritual truths and the whole reservoir of things we know without knowing that we know them. Tarot is so fascinating because it conveys more than a simple one-value message like a street sign does. One card, one symbol can mean a lot of different things, and we have to learn and train our intuition to read them. It's layers over layer over layers, like art, but unlike art, there is a core message that helps us make sense of the puzzle. Combining a number of cards with a question, a spread (with or without positional meanings), and maybe a ritual, and then using our knowledge and intuition to receive an answer, we get a very rich experience. I find that quite unique.
Tanga Posted November 9, 2025 Posted November 9, 2025 On 6/6/2024 at 9:07 AM, gregory said: They function in a vortex of magic. And as any fule kno*, magic is, like, magic ! Tarot is a magickal dance between our best intensions, and the universal forces of: what has been, what is, and what possibly is to come. All hail that intangible mystery that brings it to life!
nord_drache Posted January 20 Posted January 20 The other night I was surprised again how a reading can show an amazing level of accuracy just when its needed. I even changed up the deck I used . . . The spread I use on a regular basis is the 4 card spread - [Current Situation], [Challenge], [Action], [Outcome] & a shadow card . . . I read reversals & use the Quint The cards go face down, to be flipped over in the same direction . . . The result in the general sense is . . . [Positive opening] [An accurate assessment],[An action clear meshing with what's happening], [A warning], the shadow card [An overall possible Aha] The quint adds some perspective . . . When these sort of things happen with no apparent influence on my part beyond intent, reinforces my faith in the process. Thought I would share this . . .
Croat Posted January 22 Posted January 22 I'll add a couple cents worth to this topic... First, I don't believe Tarot cards 'work' at all. I think humans who read Tarot cards do the work. Not being much for woo woo, I see Tarot cards simply as pieces of printed paper that come from factories seeking to make a profit. As an aside, in my inventory 48% of those factories were located in the U.S., 22% China, 12% Italy, 4% Great Britain, and the rest elsewhere. Cards coming from those factories are inanimate physical objects. They have no inherent properties that I somehow bestow into them regardless of usage, ritual, or otherwise. But they do have meaning... in my mind. And that's the key, how my (your) mind reacts to the cards. In that regard, Tarot cards are exactly the same as books, artwork, grand natural vistas, and similar. We experience an inherent reaction, and that reaction can 'leverage' our perceptions beyond our everyday/mundane understanding of the world around us and the people who populate it. And I'll go further to say our mental reaction to Tarot cards is not done consciously as much as subconsciously, what we call intuition. This is where iconography becomes important. Our subconscious intuition is borne of experience, and life experience causes different symbols to trigger and resonate with us in fascinating ways. What I particularly love is how fast that subconscious process is! One might even say impulsive. If I ask someone to tell me the mathematical answer for 13 times 27, most people have to think about it in order to come up with 351. But if I ask them to tell me the answer for 2+2, they tell me 4 in an instant. The answer to 2+2 is not borne of thinking, it is borne of intuition, we just know it and we know it instantly. The same for Tarot cards, at least potentially. If we use and experience them enough their symbols become intuitive triggers just like 2+2. They elicit answers, or at least suggestions, in our subconscious with the reading context already setting the stage. With enough experience we can develop high levels of expertise in this regard. Further, because our subconscious perceptions are developed from direct life experience (as well as education), those intuitive responses typically land in the ballpark. Perhaps not perfectly correct in all cases, but more often than not they are close to spot on. Novices to Tarot cards don't begin with all that intuitive expertise. To the contrary, they are like the person trying to think about 13 times 27. Indeed, thinking is rather the opposite of intuition since intuition is more about just knowing. The typical novice is trying to think about the card, trying to think about connections between symbols and their meanings and how to apply all that in the reading context. They have yet to connect with their intuition, but they will with time, practice, and trust in themselves (i.e., in their subconscious reactions). And finally there is something else that I've found to be true in a Tarot reading. Again this is my 2¢, but perhaps you've found this to be true as well. Eventually your expertise transitions from reading the cards to reading the person, the querant. In other words, the symbols on the cards are still triggering your subconscious intuition within the context of the reading, but at a deeper level you are being triggered to intuitively 'read' the person in front you. In my experience those are the readers who develop the keenest insights. From my perspective, they are the true Tarot masters.
QueenofSwords Posted January 23 Posted January 23 14 hours ago, Croat said: I'll add a couple cents worth to this topic... First, I don't believe Tarot cards 'work' at all. I think humans who read Tarot cards do the work. Not being much for woo woo, I see Tarot cards simply as pieces of printed paper that come from factories seeking to make a profit. As an aside, in my inventory 48% of those factories were located in the U.S., 22% China, 12% Italy, 4% Great Britain, and the rest elsewhere. Cards coming from those factories are inanimate physical objects. They have no inherent properties that I somehow bestow into them regardless of usage, ritual, or otherwise. But they do have meaning... in my mind. And that's the key, how my (your) mind reacts to the cards. In that regard, Tarot cards are exactly the same as books, artwork, grand natural vistas, and similar. We experience an inherent reaction, and that reaction can 'leverage' our perceptions beyond our everyday/mundane understanding of the world around us and the people who populate it. And I'll go further to say our mental reaction to Tarot cards is not done consciously as much as subconsciously, what we call intuition. This is where iconography becomes important. Our subconscious intuition is borne of experience, and life experience causes different symbols to trigger and resonate with us in fascinating ways. What I particularly love is how fast that subconscious process is! One might even say impulsive. If I ask someone to tell me the mathematical answer for 13 times 27, most people have to think about it in order to come up with 351. But if I ask them to tell me the answer for 2+2, they tell me 4 in an instant. The answer to 2+2 is not borne of thinking, it is borne of intuition, we just know it and we know it instantly. The same for Tarot cards, at least potentially. If we use and experience them enough their symbols become intuitive triggers just like 2+2. They elicit answers, or at least suggestions, in our subconscious with the reading context already setting the stage. With enough experience we can develop high levels of expertise in this regard. Further, because our subconscious perceptions are developed from direct life experience (as well as education), those intuitive responses typically land in the ballpark. Perhaps not perfectly correct in all cases, but more often than not they are close to spot on. Novices to Tarot cards don't begin with all that intuitive expertise. To the contrary, they are like the person trying to think about 13 times 27. Indeed, thinking is rather the opposite of intuition since intuition is more about just knowing. The typical novice is trying to think about the card, trying to think about connections between symbols and their meanings and how to apply all that in the reading context. They have yet to connect with their intuition, but they will with time, practice, and trust in themselves (i.e., in their subconscious reactions). And finally there is something else that I've found to be true in a Tarot reading. Again this is my 2¢, but perhaps you've found this to be true as well. Eventually your expertise transitions from reading the cards to reading the person, the querant. In other words, the symbols on the cards are still triggering your subconscious intuition within the context of the reading, but at a deeper level you are being triggered to intuitively 'read' the person in front you. In my experience those are the readers who develop the keenest insights. From my perspective, they are the true Tarot masters. I agree with every single word, comma and dot you said about tarot cards, @Croat. I just to add something (based on my own experience): I am new to tarot as symbols and archetypes, but I do "read" people... not exactly because I wanted to learn this, but because of many things that happened on my background and past, made me someone "wired" to "read" others. Do I like that? Is this "superpower" cool? Useful? It can be whatever you want it to be, you can use it however you want it to use it, just remember: This isn't "just" a skill, this "superpower" comes with a cost, one that the most of the time I do not "enjoy" to pay. The name of this "superpower" to "read" people is: Emotional Intelligence. In my case, unfortunately in a very high level. Do I like my "superpower"? No. Can I turn it off? No, unfortunately. The only thing I can do with it is try to master it as much as I can, so the price I pay for having it is not too high (in emotional and psychological terms). Sorry if this was a little off topic. I just wanted to high a light on something not many people know it exists or exactly what it is. Wish you all a nice day and weekend.
Misterei Posted January 24 Posted January 24 On 1/22/2026 at 10:52 AM, Croat said: Cards coming from those factories are inanimate physical objects. They have no inherent properties that I somehow bestow into them regardless of usage, ritual, or otherwise. Yes and no. The CARDBOARD & INK may not have special powers--but the symbols do. And with time, perhaps my favorite decks become imbued with my vibes? Just as clothing or any other personal item. On 1/22/2026 at 10:52 AM, Croat said: What I particularly love is how fast that subconscious process is! One might even say impulsive. If I ask someone to tell me the mathematical answer for 13 times 27, most people have to think about it in order to come up with 351. But if I ask them to tell me the answer for 2+2, they tell me 4 in an instant. The answer to 2+2 is not borne of thinking, it is borne of intuition, we just know it and we know it instantly. The same for Tarot cards, at least potentially. If we use and experience them enough their symbols become intuitive triggers just like 2+2. ... Novices to Tarot cards don't begin with all that intuitive expertise. To the contrary, they are like the person trying to think about 13 times 27. ... I love how you say this. True 100% On 1/22/2026 at 10:52 AM, Croat said: Eventually your expertise transitions from reading the cards to reading the person, the querant. In other words, the symbols on the cards are still triggering your subconscious intuition within the context of the reading, but at a deeper level you are being triggered to intuitively 'read' the person in front you. I've always done both. It can be a challenge in telephone or email readings, tho. Video chat and in person are my preference. 16 hours ago, QueenofSwords said: ... just to add something (based on my own experience): I am new to tarot as symbols and archetypes, but I do "read" people... just remember: This isn't "just" a skill, this "superpower" comes with a cost ... I developed "reading people" as a survival skill due to childhood circumstances. Yes, some of these lessons were learned at great cost in in dangerous situations and suffering. I personally experience 2 sides to it. inherent subtle perceptions [intuition, psychic] i was born with. learned and can be learned. Micro expressions. Body language. Vocal tone. Behavioral scientists study all these and write whole books about them. 16 hours ago, QueenofSwords said: The name of this "superpower" to "read" people is: Emotional Intelligence. Personally I would say emotional intelligence is a pre-requisite for the job of tarot reader. Or even the role if not a job. Plus Spiritual Maturity to make an excellent tarot reader [as opposed to mediorcre or bad one] emotional intelligence + spiritual maturity + understands tarot symbolism = great reader. 😉
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