Tarot for the 21st Century!
Ask: What makes sense? instead of: What does it mean?
When it comes to a Tarot card, questioners as well as readers generally will want to know: What does it mean?
I'd like to suggest that it isn't particularly helpful to know what a card "means". On the other hand, it is very helpful to ask: What sense does the card make for this question?
In the Rider deck Fool card, for instance, we see the white sun in the background. Various commentators will make the point that this is the spiritual Sun, and that it is always at an angle of 45 degrees instead of 90 because otherwise it would be capable of beginning to set, and since it's the spiritual Sun and always perfect, this decline cannot be possible.
That is part of what the Fool card "means", but if someone wants to know how to get on better with a child, or if there is promotion in their future, this meaning isn't that useful.
If, however, we turn a card and ask: What sense does it make?, we can go places.
Consider the Rider deck 10 of Cups. It shows a couple out of doors, acknowledging a rainbow that promises a brighter future, while their children dance happily.
If the question is about a relationship, and we ask what sense the card makes, then we can say that there will be improvement after what may have been a difficult time (rainbows come after the rain, after all); that people will get along with each other; that there will be time for responsibility (the parents) as well as fun (the children); that people will understand how to treat each other correctly; etc.
On the other hand, the question may be about how some private or individual project will develop. There are no other people involved, so what do we make of the scene?
What sense does it make? The card shows relationships between various people - and this can be the sense of it. Things will go well when the different aspects of the project are in their correct or suitable relationship with each other; you have to get the different parts or factors in a proper order so they can function together, without having to give up or compromise their own nature.
When reversed, it may show that what is currently thought to be important or dominant (like the parent) is going to prove to be less so; and the new idea or recent addition (the child) is going to develop greater influence as time goes by. There is thus a change in the relationship of the different factors.
So. What does a card mean? Forget it.
What sense does the card make? Remember that.
Still offering a free reading to those who buy the Tarot Home Study Course.
I'd like to suggest that it isn't particularly helpful to know what a card "means". On the other hand, it is very helpful to ask: What sense does the card make for this question?
In the Rider deck Fool card, for instance, we see the white sun in the background. Various commentators will make the point that this is the spiritual Sun, and that it is always at an angle of 45 degrees instead of 90 because otherwise it would be capable of beginning to set, and since it's the spiritual Sun and always perfect, this decline cannot be possible.
That is part of what the Fool card "means", but if someone wants to know how to get on better with a child, or if there is promotion in their future, this meaning isn't that useful.
If, however, we turn a card and ask: What sense does it make?, we can go places.
Consider the Rider deck 10 of Cups. It shows a couple out of doors, acknowledging a rainbow that promises a brighter future, while their children dance happily.
If the question is about a relationship, and we ask what sense the card makes, then we can say that there will be improvement after what may have been a difficult time (rainbows come after the rain, after all); that people will get along with each other; that there will be time for responsibility (the parents) as well as fun (the children); that people will understand how to treat each other correctly; etc.
On the other hand, the question may be about how some private or individual project will develop. There are no other people involved, so what do we make of the scene?
What sense does it make? The card shows relationships between various people - and this can be the sense of it. Things will go well when the different aspects of the project are in their correct or suitable relationship with each other; you have to get the different parts or factors in a proper order so they can function together, without having to give up or compromise their own nature.
When reversed, it may show that what is currently thought to be important or dominant (like the parent) is going to prove to be less so; and the new idea or recent addition (the child) is going to develop greater influence as time goes by. There is thus a change in the relationship of the different factors.
So. What does a card mean? Forget it.
What sense does the card make? Remember that.
Still offering a free reading to those who buy the Tarot Home Study Course.
Comment
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Comment by John Ballantrae on July 3, 2010 at 7:12am -
Dear Victoria Evangelina:
>what a simple but so much needed piece of advice!
I think you're right and it is simple, but it can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel with any card and any question.
With the Course, remember I'm always available to give help or suggestions if you want them.
Yours,
John Ballantrae
http://www.thetarot.ca
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Comment by John Ballantrae on July 3, 2010 at 7:09am
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To Lillie Ruby:
>I've had reading where the reader just had the card meanings memorized
I know how frustrating that can be - for the reader too since you know you could be doing a better job. Fortunately, a lot of readers want to get beyond that point, and probably the desire to improve will make it come about.
Yours,
John Ballantrae
http://www.thetarot.ca
and scratched my head over their answer for my question. This suggestion can be the answer!.
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Comment by John Ballantrae on July 3, 2010 at 7:04am
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To Jamie:
Nice to hear from you again. I hope you are doing well.
>It's amazing how sometimes the picture itself has the answers
Good point. I think it's easier to read cards if you trust that the right ones come up somehow when we pick them. Then you're figuring out the answer instead of worrying that maybe you're not going to be able to do it.
I'm working on some other goodies for those who buy the Course.
Yours,
John Ballantrae
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Comment by Lillie Ruby on July 2, 2010 at 5:59pm -
Definately helpful, John. I've had reading where the reader just had the card meanings memorized and scratched my head over their answer for my question. This suggestion can be the answer!.
Lillie
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Comment by Jamie Payne on July 2, 2010 at 3:32pm -
Very helpful John, while symbolism can be important... sometimes it's not enough and we need to look at it in all differn't angles. It's amazing how sometimes the picture itself has the answers and not needing to go deep into the symbolism to find it. I'll spread the word about the study course... thank you for sharing this.
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