Reading About The Past

[ashjey]

We've all heard of reading the future, but has anyone delved into reading about the past? Not exactly reading about past lives, more like readings about events that happened a decade ago, or a hundred years ago. I would be interested if anyone can link me to any articles or texts about the topic. It doesn't seem like a lot of people have an interest in the past, other than their own past lives. And I'm not interested in finding anything specific in the past myself, just curious about the topic. 

[Katie]

I think this is VERY interesting. I have though about doing it but have not done it yet. E g ask What really happened in that situation when...?

 

Katie

[Grandma]

This is an interesting topic.  I've wondered if tarot could be used for recovery of suppressed memory.  And please, no discussion of whether recovered memories are accurate.  That's not my question.

 

Is anyone familiar with this, through reading, study, or experience?  Or does anyone have ideas about whether, and if so how, it could be done?

[Flaxen]

It would be an interesting thing to try although with the caveat that you’d never really know if it was accurate - especially if you were reading about an unsolved mystery.

I’d be more inclined to read on world events, historical mysteries or perhaps incidents from far back in the family tree. 

[Raggydoll]

34 minutes ago, Grandma said:

This is an interesting topic.  I've wondered if tarot could be used for recovery of suppressed memory.  And please, no discussion of whether recovered memories are accurate.  That's not my question.

 

Is anyone familiar with this, through reading, study, or experience?  Or does anyone have ideas about whether, and if so how, it could be done?

I absolutely think tarot and oracle decks could be used in that way. If you’re in a susceptible state and you were to work with an intuitive style deck (for me that’s a deck that feels slightly surreal and contain collages of photos and archetypal symbols, but it might be something else for other people) then I think you could let your mind drift and see which symbols draw you in and who stirs something deep within you. Whether this is a safe or constructive method would be a whole other question. But that’s not what you asked, either 🙂

[Raggydoll]

11 minutes ago, Flaxen said:

It would be an interesting thing to try although with the caveat that you’d never really know if it was accurate - especially if you were reading about an unsolved mystery.

I’d be more inclined to read on world events, historical mysteries or perhaps incidents from far back in the family tree. 

I believe Rachel Pollack has done readings about God and genesis (among other thing). She tend to really push the boundaries and come up with ideas that I find to be both brilliant and incredibly intimidating 😊 

[Grandma]

4 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

Whether this is a safe or constructive method would be a whole other question.

Excellent point.  I would never read for another person this way.  It would not be safe or constructive because I'm not qualified to address problematic issues that might arise.  Any repressed memories delved into (I wrote "suppressed" in my first comment but I meant "repressed') would be only my own and I have a therapist whose mother was a tarot reader to help me with any resulting trauma.  (I just Googled "tarot and psychological therapy" and some interesting-looking articles popped up.  After I read them I might start a thread on the subject.)

 

But I like your ideas, @Raggydoll.  Do you have any thoughts about spreads?  I did one last week which was an adaptation of my signature spread.  I asked 1) what was going on at home when I was a preschooler, 2) what did I already know about the answer to card 1, 3) what did I next learn about it, 4) how did this affect my inner experience at the time, and 5) how did it affect my place in the world at the time?  The result was enlightening.

 

And @ashjey, if I am off topic of what you intended this thread to explore, please let me know and I will start a separate thread.  You mentioned reading about events that happened a decade ago - or in my case six and seven decades ago - and I don't know if you meant including in one's own life, or just out in the world.

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Personally, readings on the past are one of my favourite topics. I enjoy investigating issues.  Sometimes I use readings to help centre or direct my research when blocks are encountered. 

 

 

[ashjey]

Thanks for everyone's inputs so far. It seems a lot of people have interest in this, but theres not much information about it. 

 

1 hour ago, Grandma said:

And @ashjey, if I am off topic of what you intended this thread to explore, please let me know and I will start a separate thread.  You mentioned reading about events that happened a decade ago - or in my case six and seven decades ago - and I don't know if you meant including in one's own life, or just out in the world.

 

I don't feel it is off topic at all, I appreciate it 🙂 

[Raggydoll]

9 hours ago, Grandma said:

Excellent point.  I would never read for another person this way.  It would not be safe or constructive because I'm not qualified to address problematic issues that might arise.  Any repressed memories delved into (I wrote "suppressed" in my first comment but I meant "repressed') would be only my own and I have a therapist whose mother was a tarot reader to help me with any resulting trauma.  (I just Googled "tarot and psychological therapy" and some interesting-looking articles popped up.  After I read them I might start a thread on the subject.)

 

But I like your ideas, @Raggydoll.  Do you have any thoughts about spreads?  I did one last week which was an adaptation of my signature spread.  I asked 1) what was going on at home when I was a preschooler, 2) what did I already know about the answer to card 1, 3) what did I next learn about it, 4) how did this affect my inner experience at the time, and 5) how did it affect my place in the world at the time?  The result was enlightening.

 

Since the thread starter so kindly gave us the blessing to discuss this further, I took the liberty to sit down and start sketching on some ideas for a spread. Just be mindful of the fact that I brainstormed this prior to my cup of morning coffee, and that all those disclaimers we spoke of earlier needs to be taken into consideration ☺️. And of course - only take what resonates and ignore the rest! 

 

Basically, there are two main columns and then you go one row at the time. On a couple of occasions I separated the adult column into two sections, to explore dynamics and pinpoint contrasts. You'll get the idea once you've read through it all (I hope!). There are lots and lots of cards in this so feel free to improve, modify and shrink it down in any way you like. I promise I won't mind. 

[Raggydoll]

I forgot to say that I would probably use two different decks for this, to separate the two columns visually but also to allow any card to reappear (and highlight important patterns or energies). I am sure that the nature of two decks you end up choosing could also provide additional insights to your own position and understanding of the situation. Just a thought! ❤️

[Starlight]

Hmmm, interesting. I wonder if your spread could help with a younger self (but still an adult) rather than a child, @Raggydoll?

 

(I think this spread could be adapted for shadow work as well, to help pinpoint where to start the work. But that's off topic so I'll say no more. 🤐)

[Raggydoll]

25 minutes ago, Starlight said:

Hmmm, interesting. I wonder if your spread could help with a younger self (but still an adult) rather than a child, @Raggydoll?

Im sure it could be adapted in many ways. Try! 

25 minutes ago, Starlight said:

(I think this spread could be adapted for shadow work as well, to help pinpoint where to start the work. But that's off topic so I'll say no more. 🤐)

Go ahead and try, you have my blessing 😊 And if you want to mention or work on it in your specific thread (or a new thread) about shadow work then that’s fine 👍

[Eric13]

Recently I had something similar to this question. 

When I do readings for people who walk in for a 15 min reading I am just doing a simple past-present-futre type of spread. The sitter didn't have a real question, was just doing it for fun. One of the past cards was the 5 of Pentacles. I'm using the RWS deck. I told her I see two people rejecting what society says is normal and telling them how they should be living and they are going about their daily lives quite happy and pointed out the anchors I see in the stained glass window, showing their stability.

When I finish my readings I ask them if there are any questions, comments. The sitter told me she disagrees about what I said about the 5oP. I was asked what it really means, I respond with there is no absolute definition to one meaning, but given what I felt, this is the essence of it. The sitter then went about telling about how they have had the same partner in life for 31 years, they live on a boat, never wanted to marry of have kids, they both already did, they eat differently, they go to a different type of spiritual church and practice Reiki. 

I listened, I let the sitter say what they wanted and they realized they do live outside of society.

So, my point is, say exactly what you see and feel. Let them have their say, like therapy and the client may realized through their own selves, that what you see, say, is accurate. Because a lot people deny their past, even when it's right in front of them, until they can talk it out to themselves. 

[Rupicapra]

Ooooh what a fascinating topic @ashjey, thank you for asking that question!
I have to say I love the exploring the personal past spreads from @Grandma and @Raggydoll - that is very interesting. There have been a few things happened in my childhood that would be worth to explore. ... I think.... hmmmm.... 

[Raggydoll]

Just now, Rupicapra said:

Ooooh what a fascinating topic @ashjey, thank you for asking that question!
I have to say I love the exploring the personal past spreads from @Grandma and @Raggydoll - that is very interesting. There have been a few things happened in my childhood that would be worth to explore. ... I think.... hmmmm.... 

That sounds great. Just be careful ❤️ 

[Saturn Celeste]

12 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

I forgot to say that I would probably use two different decks for this, to separate the two columns visually but also to allow any card to reappear (and highlight important patterns or energies). I am sure that the nature of two decks you end up choosing could also provide additional insights to your own position and understanding of the situation. Just a thought! ❤️

Break the spread part off this topic and move it to the Spread section!  We can talk about it in there! 😄

[Rupicapra]

1 hour ago, Raggydoll said:

Just be careful 

Will be, thank you ❤️

[Grandma]

Oh my goodness I just discovered to my intense mortification that three and a half years later I NEVER THANKED RAGGYDOLL FOR THIS BESPOKE SPREAD. 

 

@Raggydoll my precious friend, thank you. Designing this spread at my request is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.

 

I look at the spread frequently. I have not felt strong enough to use it but the time is drawing near. 

[Raggydoll]

2 hours ago, Grandma said:

Oh my goodness I just discovered to my intense mortification that three and a half years later I NEVER THANKED RAGGYDOLL FOR THIS BESPOKE SPREAD. 

 

@Raggydoll my precious friend, thank you. Designing this spread at my request is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.

 

I look at the spread frequently. I have not felt strong enough to use it but the time is drawing near. 

You’re very welcome! 😊