Do you need real life experiences to be able to read Tarot better?

[timelady]

Do you think it's necessary to have a lot of real life experiences to be able to read Tarot better? To see all the different possibilities and paths?

 

The thing is, I have overprotective parents, I've never done things people my age has done and I'm lacking behind most people in terms of experience. I'm what you would call "book smart, but not street smart."

 

So, unlike most Tarot readers, I don't understand the real world or real people well enough. I'm not good at giving advice on most topics because I, myself, don't have any experiences in those areas. I think this is a big obstacle for me in learning tarot and trying to read them from different perspectives. I know all the meanings for the cards, but I feel like I can't move forward if I can't understand the "people" I'm reading for (Why they do what they do, the reason behind their actions, what solutions I can offer them, etc.)

 

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[RavenOfSummer]

I think life experience applies to tarot the way it applies to most things- it’s context for how we interact with the world, or in this case the cards and who you’re reading for. So no two people’s perspectives, or readings, are alike. Life experience can broaden and change your perspective...having said that however, I believe working with tarot broadens and changes your perspective as well. It certainly has for me. I would say, think of tarot as PART of your life experience. Something you can grow and change from. That includes with your ability to understand others. And interacting with people here on the forum counts as life experience as well!

 

Please don’t answer if you prefer not to or if this question is overstepping any boundaries, but may I ask how old you are?

 

 

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[RavenOfSummer]

Just to add- I also think many people have a lot of natural understanding, empathy, and intuition, which can be tapped into regardless of what your experiences have been. And I think most people who are drawn to tarot tend to have those qualities.

 

 

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[HOLMES]

yes and no .

 

yes it helps. but as i grew in the from 16  to now at 43.. pondering, practicing, studying,, letting it go now and then when i needed has helped me be a better tarot reader.

 

despite some natural losses,, i haven't had that much life expereince

[timelady]

Thank you for all your replies so far!

 

The reason I asked this is because a few days ago, I was doing a practice reading with another tarot reader (who's a friend in real life), we took turns interpreting one spread. Our interpretations were similar, but because this friend of mine had more life experiences than I did, not only did she used her intuitions for the reading, but she was able to critically analyze the information/situation even deeper.

 

I don't remember what it was exactly, but it was something like, "because this person did this, therefore it must be because of this" or "this person is asking this question, so when you put two and two together, the reason must be because of this." Everything that she analyzed was accurate. My friend read beyond the cards, she took the possibilities of real life situations and applied them to the cards and expanded the meaning...I hope that makes sense.

 

RavenOfSummer[/member], ahh, no worries, I'm 29 years old... but I feel like I'm in my early 20s compared to other people my age. Throughout my life, I literally travel between school and home, then work and home, and barely went anywhere else (no sleepovers, no hanging out at the mall, didn't join any clubs, parties, or internship in college -- a part of me didn't want to do most of those things anyway lol.)

 

 

 

 

 

[HOLMES]

T Our interpretations were similar, but because this friend of mine had more life experiences than I did, not only did she used her intuitions for the reading, but she was able to critically analyze the information/situation even deeper.

 

was she more experienced in the tarot ? what I mean by that has she been in the tarot longer then you, studied more books ?

has she studied other things like meditin, inuitative studies, perhaps psychology.

[RavenOfSummer]

T Our interpretations were similar, but because this friend of mine had more life experiences than I did, not only did she used her intuitions for the reading, but she was able to critically analyze the information/situation even deeper.

 

was she more experienced in the tarot ? what I mean by that has she been in the tarot longer then you, studied more books ?

has she studied other things like meditin, inuitative studies, perhaps psychology.

 

I'm wondering the same thing as Holmes- is it possible your friend has been working with tarot longer or studied more? It could just be a result of that, if that is the case.

 

The other thing is that applying your own life experience to a reading is a double-edged sword. It's true more experience may give a reader more perspectives to draw from, but it may also cause a reader to bring in their own subjective understanding of what the cards are saying, rather than reading them for what they are, if that makes sense. I really feel that with practice, anyone can develop strong tarot reading skills. It may come easier to some than others, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are better at it. And again, I really see tarot as a life practice, one that expands your perspective and understanding over the course of a lifetime of study. When it comes to tarot, as with life, we're all still learning.

 

And I understand about overprotective parents. I hope you're not in a place now where you feel you're parents are holding you back from having experiences you want to have? It sounds like you don't feel you've missed out on the things you name...just remember it is YOUR life, and you're an adult, so don't let anyone hold you back  <3 And don't let not having certain experiences in the past hold you back from having them now, if it's what you want.

[ali3n]

it can be helpful, but i dont think it's too necessary, :)

as RavenOfSummer[/member] said, your own experiences could keep you from being objective on your readings  ???

also, interacting here, studying others peoples readings and just practicing, can broaden your understanding of different situations too, right?  O:-)

[DanielJUK]

There are areas I have not experienced when I read for others but I have seen that situation come up in films/ tv / books before. I have also not faced many of the situations my sitters are in. How would I cope if that situation presented itself? What is my perspective of it, in a compassionate, sensitive way?

 

When I do the reading, I aim to be impartial so I take no view of it, I just say what I see! But I do give advice as the outcome and what to do and I base it on what I would do.

 

If you feel uncomfortable or don't think you can contribute to some advice or a perspective on another situation, just leave it for them. Give them a reading with what you can see and leave it for them to work out how to handle it.

[Jewel]

The other thing is that applying your own life experience to a reading is a double-edged sword. It's true more experience may give a reader more perspectives to draw from, but it may also cause a reader to bring in their own subjective understanding of what the cards are saying, rather than reading them for what they are, if that makes sense. I really feel that with practice, anyone can develop strong tarot reading skills. It may come easier to some than others, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are better at it. And again, I really see tarot as a life practice, one that expands your perspective and understanding over the course of a lifetime of study. When it comes to tarot, as with life, we're all still learning.

I second this, and what DanielJUK said as well.  Practice is the key.  The interaction between cards modifies the "book" meaning of any given card as a spread as does the spread position.  To me Tarot is a combination of what I actually see in the illustrations, of intuition, and book knowledge.  It takes time to put all that together, as RavenOfSummer noted reading tarot is a skill and like all skills it takes study and practice.  You may not have those same experiences as others, but every day of your life experience your life, so do not sell your own experiences short.

[EmpyreanKnight]

I don't think so. The prophetess-priestesses of the ancient world (like the Pythia of Delphi or the Sybils of various empires/states) lived a reclusive and almost monastic life, but they're well-renowned for the veracity of their predictions. AFAIK they don't use cards and some are more accurate and celebrated than others, but the principle still holds. :)

[DanielJUK]

great point EK! The High Priestess is similar. She sits at the doorway of the conscious and subconscious, she is not actively living her life like other card people. But yet she trusts her intuition (the messages from beyond the curtained door) rather than actively experiencing things that people face. That message would be to trust the message your intuition brings.

 

I do think some life experience is useful for bringing a counselling / advice element to readings though but you can just be empathetic. Divination is all about the confidence and trust in the message mainly.

[Raggydoll]

We mustn’t forget that while outer experiences and circumstances differ vastly from one person to the next, the inner experiences (feelings, thoughts and motivational forces) is much more universal. So if you know all the basic human instincts and feelings then you are experienced indeed. You do not have to be able to relate to the exact circumstances of another person, because that is not only an impossible task but trying to do so can also give some people a sense of them being diminished and not being entitled to their own feelings, thought and opinions relating to their situation. Just hold space for others, so they can safely share a small piece of themselves with you. That is a really good place to start.

[Mi-Shell]

I am certain, that, absolutely yes, life experience aids, enhances and deepens a readers ability to read for other people.

But also, reading cards needs intensive and ongoing study and practice as a solid foundation.

The more you read face to face the more you will learn - about people, about the cards  about life and about yourself.

[Catspur]

This is a difficult question, but I think that real-life experience only helps.

 

This doesn't mean someone shouldn't start reading at 16 if it calls to them. But, for example, I did two readings last week where my ability to empathize and understand the circumstances around the question helped me identify what certain cards meant, and it also helped me steer the querent to the most accurate possible question. Another time I noticed the querent's body language, which helped me understand that we were getting into a very touchy area and both that I was on the right path and that I had to proceed gently.

 

There's more than one way to be a good tarot reader, though. And what works for me may be different than what works for you.

[Daveho]

I’m brand new to reading so take what i say with a grain of salt.

Life experience is one part of the puzzle, reading, meditation, personal understanding and work are all other portions, everyone has a complete puzzle but the pieces are all different.

Having a sheltered up bringing is still a life experience so feelings relevant to that like may be more understood by you depending on your relationship with the upbringing be those feelings of longing and oppression or perhaps a child like optimism, all colours of light shine from the prism.