What is tarot anyway?

Hi everybody!

I have just joined this group as part of the Washington Tarot Network to offer a sense of community and connection among those of us in the great Northwest who love tarot. I am the Organizer of the Spokane Tarot Reader's Group (96 members) and am happy to be a part of this vibrant and flourishing group.

I am always interested in tarot videos (I have quite a few posted on my About Us page) and just found this one. Scott Womack, Organizer of the Denver Tarot Meetup, created a great introductory tarot video on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.co...

He does a really good job of covering the basics of tarot in his 8 min video.

What do you think?

What an excellent video ... thank you. I have had challenges in explaining what Tarot is and isn't. I appreciated the 'short' class and although I 'knew' all of this, I hadn't been able to explain it to 'new' interested people... Take care Claire Stewart

Claire, you bring up a good point.

As tarot practitioners, we each are ambassadors to the public regarding tarot. I believe that we have a responsibility to practice ethically, and to be able to explain what tarot is, and is not, to those who are either curious or concerned about our practice. It is always good to know how to very matter-of-factly present tarot to those who are interested.

I live in a pretty conservative area, and it took some conscious thought on my part (and a little practice) to be able to explain what tarot is, and is not, in a way that was comfortable. And I also learned to be very discrete around those whose belief systems were not open to any explanation of tarot.

Connie

Hi Connie,

We're so glad you joined us! I started watching the video but haven't quite finished it yet. Your question reminds me though that I've intended to write a short paper or FAQ titled "Demystifying Tarot." I got this idea a few years ago when I was vending my Majors-only deck and Tarot artwork at a local event that was open to the general public (a lavender festival). I was a little nervous about it but was really pleased at the response. But a few of my neighbors, who knew me and liked me, were quite puzzled by the Tarot thing. And I realized that a short FAQ would go a long way towards answering some questions that maybe they didn't want to ask out loud. Hey kind of like a Tarot tract, you know?

I'll put it on my to-do list. :-)

It's pretty cute actually - I'll take a chance and tell people at work about our group because it's an incredible gift to me, and they get this blank look ...

Then within a couple of hours they're back asking me if they could ask a question and could I do a reading. Usually woman, and it's usually the husband that thinks it's a 'bunch of bunk' so they keep all the work I do with them in their locked drawers at work. I was married to 30 years to the same kind of person. It's delightful to be 'out of the closet' about my passion for dream cards, numerology and Tarot.

A lot of people struggle with it, I think and are 'in the closet' .... pretty fun to watch actually. they seem to trust me too ... otherwise ... I'm amusing to have around... All works for me. Always Claire

Thank you, Joanna.

I love the idea of a "Demystifying Tarot" FAQ. Many tarot readers put this type of information in their brochures, in their ads, or on their web pages. It is a perfect thing to put on a Tarot Meetup site.

I read for student events at the local universities (Gonzaga and WSU), and find that I have to have a quick, logical, and non-wooo wooo, explanation of tarot on the tip of my tongue for both the students and professors. I usually present it in that environment as a tool for self empowerment and understanding the importance of symbolism and intuition in our lives. Works well for this group.

But when I read at a Holistic Festival, or Witches Tea, I find that I am speaking to a different audience. And my explanation of tarot taps more into spiritual beliefs and mysticism. I guess my point is, you always meed to know who you are reading for, and flex your readings and explanations accordingly. This is part of the "art" of reading. The wonderful thing about tarot is that it is flexible and it does mean many different things to many different people. Attuning to and engaging with your client successfully at the beginning of a reading guides you in the direction you need to go with them.

BTW Claire, I too was married for 32 years to a man who was as spiritually evolved as a bucket of dirt...salt of the earth, good heart, but totally didn't get me. After our divorce, I blossomed in many areas of my life that had been previously repressed. As I came into my crone years I chose to own what I was, rather than continue living my life for everyone else. What a wonderful change for me! And tarot was a large part of that transformation.

Thanks - I hear you and in my heart 'know' what you're talking about. Joanna's group helped me own my sleeping passion in this area. They're a beautiful, understanding group ... as my daughter would say, '"he people who participate in this group are 'reel keepers' ..(we come from a long line of fishing people ...." take care and see ya all soon, Claire Stewart