posted July 03, 2004 05:17 PM         

Well... The Tarot is a tool that can give us access to vast amounts of information. Basically Life is one gigantic mass of information.

Some of it we like, and others of it we do not like. We like weddings and promotions, unexpected windfalls of money and new children on the way... we do not care for spending money to fix the house or the car, taking care of our medical issues or surgeries, and we tend as a rule, not to like the subjects of divorce, separation, loss and death.

However we may dislike them, they are a part of Life... and if you are dealing with the Tarot, you are dealing with Life in all its manifestations and permutations.

My suggestion is to understand that fact and then decide.. do you want to access that information or not? Accessing it brings with it certain responsibilities (another thing we as humans tend not to love) to the person for whom we are reading.

Sometimes the best we can do is to gently warn someone of a difficult time ahead, and perhaps offer suggestions that might help them to avoid or ameliorate the issues that we see.

I suppose it really depends on the use to which you wish to put your cards. Do you want to read for others or yourself? Or would you rather use them as a tool for meditation and contemplation? Perhaps you might wish to use them in working magic?

My advice.. if you fear them... leave them to the side and find something with which you are more comfortable. Or work with them for a while and see how you feel about them.

In as gentle a way as I can manage to say it... you can get over your fear by facing it down. Or perhaps you will decide just to avoid it. My belief is that there is nothing to fear...

What is yours?

Blessed Be...

A

P.S. The whole point of any of the mantic (predictive) arts is to better understand ourselves, others and the world around us. As the admonition carved over the entrance to the Temple of the Oracle at Delphi said: Know Thyself. My question then, is what is there about yourself you would wish not to know? Remember... The Soul always has Free Will Choice. As they say, forewarned is forearmed!

posted July 06, 2004 07:52 AM         

I have heard of that exercise, and did try it. What I found was that I got weird dreams. Not necessarily BAD dreams, but certainly "weird".

If you find that is the case, you can leave the cards near/under the bed or also on a bedside table. In that way, the cards are IN your auric field, and able to absorb your "vibes" as it were.

Hope that helps!

In the Light...
A

posted July 07, 2004 11:06 AM         

A few years ago (about 5) I discovered a book that was very helpful to me. It is "Tarot For YourSelf" by Mary K. Greer. It is subtitled "a workbook for personal transformation". It seems that this book found me actually.

I didn't realize at the time that I needed to take a look within myself to really begin to get an understanding of what my life was about. I was in the midst of a depression that I did not understand (being a Cappy I tended to try to convince myself that I had a handle on everything). I took my time going through the book. It seemed to gently help me journey within and also it assisted me with finding the courage to delve into what the Tarot meant for "Me". I don't know if you are male or female, but I think the author (female obviously) has presented the information in a way that male or female can use easily to explore their inner shaman.

I offer this only as a suggestion. I'm sure you will find many ways to explore this most interesting area that work for you. Use what feels right for you and leave the rest. You'll probably bump into those things later on when you are ready for them and then realize "oh, I think I'm ready for this" or "this makes sense now".

I have found it to be a very important tool of self discovery and I've been fortunate to be able to utilize it to assist others in their self discovery.

BTW (I know you all know this but I'd like to say Lindaland has SO much wonderful information available and it is a great place to network. Thank you Randall and all those who give their time and energy to share. I am honored by you all.

My best to you all.....anakhita

------------------
"Women and Cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

posted August 16, 2004 04:18 PM         

I would never recommend putting Crowley's Tarot under a pillow.. that would certainly induce nightmares. (my opinion only)

I think that the only thing you need to fear is fear itself. The cards are only a tool and posess no powers whatsoever on their own, so I have to say, I can't understand being afraid of them.

If you truly are, there are other divinatory/oracular methods and techniques out there.

Perhaps you would be more comfortable with Doreen Virtue's Healing With the Angels or Healing with the Fairies oracle decks. They are not intimidating in the least.

In the Light...
A