It's In the Cards
When it comes to divination, I personally prefer Tarot cards. Tarot has less to do with the meanings of the individual cards than it does the syntax and grammar of the "spread." Meanings shift subtly in relation to where the other cards lie. Plus I love the pictures, filled with arcane symbols that draw one deeper and deeper into the cards' mysteries. Despite the common misconception, the reader is not necessarily a psychic, but rather an interpreter. Intuition plays a part, but it is an intuition born of knowledge. I'm often astonished at how one can read for a total stranger and see described in ten cards randomly drawn and placed in a pattern the precise issue that occupies a central place in the person's life at that moment. The I Ching has some of the same mysterious accuracy, the ability to zero in and define. I've never been able to get with the Ouija board. No matter how much I attempt to convince myself to the contrary, I can't shake the feeling that it's some trace energy from within me nudging the pointer exactly where I want it to go.
posted by John M Crowther @ 6:52 AM
13 Comments:
You really believe that?
Seriously?
Kate, I only can talk about what I've experienced, not why it happens. Do you know much about Tarot?
No. Absolutely nothing. And I've never met anyone who believes in them, either. That, or psychics, or fortune telling or palm reading, or anything like that. Sorry. But to say I'm a skeptic would be a vast understatement.
Kate, your skepticism is fueled by misconception and myth. I can't speak for "fortune telling" or palm reading, but I can tell you that to scoff so off-handedly and patronizingly at Tarot is to close your mind to a world of history, poetry and art. I can also tell you this much, Tarot is not about predicting the future, and anyone who tells you it is is a charlatan. Rather it's about opening windows to a richer understanding of what is now, in the present. To uncover the subtleties and nuances in a Tarot spread is not dissimilar to uncovering multiple levels of meaning in a Shakespeare play.
I don't know where "scoff" comes from. I simply stated that I don't believe what you believe.
So if I'm missing so much, why not help me out?
Read my cards. Just tell me what you need to know to do that.
Tell me one thing about me that you can't find by doing a little computer search of me. That would go a long way in convincing me.
I know it's not your duty to do so, but if you are so firmly convinced that a system where there is no empirical evidence to support any claims that are made is, if fact, accurate, to even the smallest degree over mere chance, I would love to know why, then, you believe it.
You are obviously a more intelligent person than I, if not necessarily trained in the scientific method. I'm really curious why you believe it.
Computer search? I've got to chuckle, Kate. When you put it that way I back off, because it suggests to me this dialogue is a pointless exercise in silliness. I'm guessing there's a thousand things about you a computer search won't turn up. But has it come to this, is the pleasure and enjoyment I derive from mystery to be challenged by Google? Does my "intelligence" deprive me of an interest in that which can't be proved by "empirical evidence?"
I just had a Tarot reading. The results follow below. I'll bet 99% of the people reading this could apply this information to their own lives.
From what I can see, the Tarot is your "religion". That's cool. I have no desire to put you on the defensive about your religious beliefs.
how you feel about yourself nowYou feel that success and achievement are on their way to you. A man of significance will provide his support, whoever it is, he will give you steady support. You feel confident and able to influence people and events, as you have a great sense of your own authority. Expect promotion at work or achieving greater status in life. If you have been a victim of ill will be assured that you will win in the end. what you most want at this momentThe cards suggest that what you most want at this time is a new start, to close this chapter in your life and have a brand new beginning. This is not a time for regret but for rejoicing. Rewards for past efforts will follow and you are sure to have many opportunities presented to you. Life will pick up a pace and the choices you make will have far reaching implications that could change your life dramatically. Any legal issues should be ruled in your favour.your fearsYou fear letting go, yet this place of limbo and indecision is not a good place to be. Are you being emotionally blackmailed so you don’t go? Don’t be the victim. Sometimes we have to have the strength to let go to attract new positive possibilities in our life.what is going for youSuccess, fulfillment and conclusion are near at hand - the successful outcome to a venture, satisfaction in a relationship and efforts rewarded. It is a culmination of events and indicates material wealth and greater spiritual awareness. You may choose to buy that dream house or a wonderfully fulfilling relationship is on offer, enjoy!what is going against youYour negativity and lack of self control are your real enemies. If you are finding certain addictions in your life are taking a hold, be it smoking or drinking for example, look inward for you hearts true strength and self-belief. Change your attitude and be positive and you will reap great rewards.outcomeA period of peace and harmony, life will flow and you will find a way of handling any difficult circumstances with calm confidence. This is also a time for patience, so if you are not sure quite what decision to make about any key issue, take your time you’ll know what to do when the time is right.
The skeptical mind is a worrisome thing... for how can the mind not be open to possibility?
People crack me up when they say they don't believe in miracles... when miracles happen right under our nose each and every day... yet we just don't recognise these "insignificant" events as miracles.
And if you really think about it... many of these everyday miracles have no rational explanation and do not require our complete understanding of them... for us to accept them.
Faith is the key to acceptance of the mystical/spiritual aspect of life... we don't always have to know how... or understand why something is the way it is... it's okay just to "know". And we don't have to know how we know either...LOL
But that's just my opinion... and obviously I am not a scientist.
Okay, so you got an online reading, which is to the Tarot what the daily newspaper column is to astrology. Doesn't count.
I can only chuckle, Kate. You say I'm on the defensive, and yet you're the one insisting on carrying the banner into battle. No, it's not my religion. It's something I know about, appreciate, and get enjoyment from. The same is true about good wine.
But I don't need the cards to know this about you, you can't stand to lose an argument. So okay, I give, you win.
And John... speaking of leaps of faith...
I dropped the bomb over on my blog today... but you'll be pleased to know it didn't go off and there is a happy ending... :-)
Oops... John it looks like our posts overlapped... (apologies)... now my comment (already on the very margin of the topic) is waaay out of context! ah well... ever out of step... c'est la vie...(((chuckles))) :-D
John, Do you know a source on the history of tarot? roger
Your comment, Jean, was perfect! I was afraid maybe it would seem I was responding to you rather than Kate, but that's not you fault.
Roger, every book on tarot has a history, and most cover the same ground pretty much, beginning with a 14th century Italian card game. But even that has roots in various times and places. I'll see what I can find.
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