Tarot Divination
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Tarot has proven to be a particularly intriguing subject to me, and I recently managed to pick up a Thoth deck at a local metaphysical shop.
I have studied many of the various methods of using the cards for divination, but have yet to find any that particularly "inspire" me. My approach towards these matters tends to be very "DO-IT-ONESELF", and I try and avoid using interpretations of others when investigating particularly the meanings of Tarot cards (NOT to say I immediately denounce the works of others).
I simply would like to hear some input from others who are no doubt more experienced than myself with Tarot regarding the development of my own style and technique of Tarot divination. I am curious as to what basis lies behind the methods already employed, and whether my own would neglect some aspect of this which is necessary to render the operation effectual.
As such a wondrous illustration of the relationships of universal existence, I fail to understand why so many methods of use are so based on SPEAKING; that is, asking a question, seeking some answer or advice. My own opinion is that one could obtain much insight from taking a more LISTENING-based approach; allowing the forces themselves to present themselves and direct the aspirant as is seen fit.
Any guidance/input is always appreciated!
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@Embryon De L'Abîme said
"As such a wondrous illustration of the relationships of universal existence, I fail to understand why so many methods of use are so based on SPEAKING; that is, asking a question, seeking some answer or advice. My own opinion is that one could obtain much insight from taking a more LISTENING-based approach; allowing the forces themselves to present themselves and direct the aspirant as is seen fit."
But you have to ask something to get an answer. I've found this in vision work, as well. Just "Go out and see what you see" is (more often than not) kinda like masturbation - it has its place, but doesn't exactly bear fruit. On the other hand, vision work that sets out to learn a particular thing or accomplish a particular end tends to be more fruitful.
But you do raise exactly the right point regarding your question of methodology. Different people want different things from divination. I read your statement about "allowing the forces to present themselves and direct the aspirant as seen fit," but in practice that's very hard to achieve without having some preconceived framework. For example, at what level are these things presenting themselves? Does the message necessarily have anything to do with you personally? Might it be about tomorrow's news or the weather on Canopus-4? Is it intra-psychic to you, or eventish? Are you trying to open yourself to communication of a particular type or nature of being (or a particular one), or just "whoever drops in"?
And that latter is the key magical issue. What you describe is dependent on elementals, and the elementals that preside over processes of divination are especially fickle and playful. If you give them no agenda, then they make up the game, and don't necessarily let you in on the rules - so, its usually more functional if you set the rules and structures and goals in advance, as carefully as possible.
Now, there is a totally different use of Tarot which has nothing to do with magick, but which uses the cards essentially as a thematic apperception exam - a field for your own psychological projections to put anything on it desired. This is fine as long as you know that this is what you're doing, i.e., using it something like a visual free-association test to pull up wandering mind patterns from your own mind. But don't confuse that with divination.
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I stand corrected, Jim, my use of the term divination is inappropriate.
I suppose my real interest then is use of the Tarot outside of that. Your description of thematic apperception exam seems very limited and more based on a stream-of-consciousness exercise, which theoretically could be performed with any symbol (or anything really). My purpose in this whole topic is the notion of devising a method of using the cards in association with each other, with intent to greater understand the Universe, existence, etc., as opposed to simply answering questions, mundane or otherwise.
Are you familiar with any such methods?
Can you forsee any issue with developing one on my own (based on the function of Tarot itself, or the influence of such Elementals as you have spoken, etc.)? -
It sounds like you're just talking about understanding the pattern of the
Tarot, say, by putting them on the Tree etc.