Interpreting tarot
February 20th 2007 18:58
What I find more intriguing is how to interpret tarot, on the assumption that it does work.
Paraphrasing hugely:
-- Tarot is a sign system for communicating information.
-- What's communicated is practical human knowledge, the answers to a plurality of local questions.
-- It's a rational system. There's a reason each card falls in the specific place it does.
-- The cards have individual meanings, but not fixed ones. And they have meanings like paintings have meanings.
-- What's important is not the individual meanings, but their combinations. One should pay attention to the whole text, and not obsess about each squiggle.
-- There are parallels to dream interpretation.
-- It's not that you receive meaning that's already there; the meaning is created at the moment of reading, requires the interpreter to bring to the reading process.
-- Much depends on the exact question you ask, and the level at which you ask it -- you can inquire about your own life, say, or about the life of the species, and you can speak with different degrees of vagueness. The cards can be used to answer any question. The question puts a limit to the possibilities of meaning. The question creates the answer.
***
Does this stuff parallel language in general?
And perhaps most English words have a similar logic, given that they're metaphorical in origin. Perhaps it's partly because of this that they have openness, flexibility.
-- Meanings of cards not fixed. Vagueness is necessary to human language; you're always meeting circumstances that call upon you to use old words in fresh ways.
Construction and film-making require frequent innovation in tools.
-- Question puts boundaries on meaning. "Chair" in a dictionary is vague; but practical usage will specify.
Frege treats the proposition as the meaningful unit, not the word. Quine treats the whole of language as the meaningful unit.
-- Each author's interpretation is correct. Linguistic communities might differ in their usage of the actual word; but intra-group meaning is relatively stable.
And once you fix the meaning of a particular sign, this in turn affects the meaning of every other sign.
-- The creativity the reader injects is a necessary part of the process. Linguistic meaning doesn't come from author's intention alone, but needs two to tango.
And perhaps every time you speak or interpret a word you use it creatively, you bring something new to the symbol; and it's through many such creative acts that meanings shift.
***
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. The image of Inna Semetsky came from the Monash University website. The images of the Rider-Waite tarot cards were scanned by Paul Caskey.
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Comment by Wendi
The theory behind the Tarot is that we each encounter 22 situations in life, or "check points", if you will. These 22 phases are represented by the Major Arcana. These are the "Power Cards" and trump all other cards in the deck. If a Major Arcana card surfaces, everything else in the reading subsides and coordinates with that card (or those cards). Examples of these phases are youth (dependency on parents), education, love, ego, etc.)
In addition to the Major Arcana are the suits, each suit representing a different element of life. As I've learned it (and it does vary), Pentacles (or coins) refers to one of two things: money, or physical condition. Swords refers to law, order, and logic in regard to action. Cups represent the world of emotion and/or spirit, and Wands corresponds with thought, ideas, awareness, and communication. Each of these four suits also corresponds to a season.
Astrological signs are also represented in the Major Arcana and the suits.
So we're now working with the 22 fundamental phases, the elements, seasons, and "processes" of being human, as well as astrological influences. We can then add to that list numerology and symbology.
Reading or interpreting tarot can and does differ depending on the one doing the reading. This can be compared to two people preparing the same recipe and coming up with different results.
Rather than being pin-pointedly specific, as if to say, "You're going to meet a girl on Thursday at 3:00 who could turn out to be the love of your life", Tarot works quite differently (when done legitimately). Tarot offers more in the way of reflections: This is where you've been... based on where you've been, this is where you are now. Based on what you're doing now, this is what's most likely to surface." It's like stopping into a convenient store to ask for directions when you realize you've lost your way.
I'm not a big believer in the use of Tarot by most in today's world. I cannot doubt and will not debate that there are numerous frauds and fakes willing to rip off the naive and vulnerable. On the flip side, there are people who want the quick fix, the easy answer, or to free themselves from the responsibility of making a conscious decision on their own. Tarot wasn't designed for those purposes.
I'm sure I've said much more than necessary, and my thoughts on the subject may well have added more confusion than clarification. Long story short, tarot is more abused and misunderstood in today's world than it is beneficial for most. For those who respect and understand it, its a useful tool when applied properly.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Would this be a fair summary? -- That the difference between your approach and the view you argue against lies in degree of specificity and probability.
You do believe that tarot forecasts the future; it's just that it doesn't do so with 100% certainty, and it doesn't tell you precise events?
Comment by Wendi
For example, I may pose the question: What's likely to happen with my business if I choose to parner with so and so?
The reading is not going to say in great detail events that will unfold, but it may present "issues" or "rewards" that may result from that partnership. If I ask that question and a ten of swords pops up, that lets me know that the partnership will probably be one based on melodrama where mountains are made out of mole hills. Of course, it may still provide financial rewards, but at that point, I have to choose. Are the financial rewards worth the drama of the partnership? I may then choose to ask a follow up question, "What is the best way for me to prevent drama in this potential partnership?" Perhaps the answer will reflect that I'm too analytical and my partner is more sensitive/emotional. If I were to change my analytical approach and take a softer tone, the melodrama could be avoided.
A lot has to do with what the questions are, but more importantly, what the underlying meanings of our thoughts are when we ask the questions.
Here's an example. My mother asked me if she'd find a man she'd fall completely in love with. So I countered, "Does it matter if he loves you back?"
She wasn't fully understanding her own question, so a reading wasn't appropriate and I declined.
Yes, in my wordy way (sorry), I believe you've summarized it fairly. One correction I'd be inclined to make is that instead of saying tarot forecasts the future, I'd say it forecasts possibilities.
Thanks for your patience with me.
W
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
One important idea I think your emendation emphasises is that the future is not set in stone.
Comment by Wendi
You could say that again! *winks*
Yes, from all my wordiness, you have extracted the gem. Not set in stone - I believe there are variables in all things.
W
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Wendi
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Personally I haven't got a superstitious bone in my body. My wifes homeland is drenched in superstions and debunkers. People burying chicken eggs in other peoples yard to cause the misfortune. 'Charming' which is to have a power over a person. The local 'witch doctors' even keep a menu on display with the prices beside each curse. So many rupees for broken leg more for the death of an enemy. The whole thing is quite amuzing. Even the dead president Premedasa had a team of people to guard him from the curses his enemies may caste on him.
I think the best quote I have read is: "Superstition is religion for the feeble mind."
It seems only to harm those that believe in it.
Comment by katyzzz
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True or false Tarot has helped me through some very difficult times, clutching at straws perhaps,
but even straws can be useful in life.
I'd love Wendi to do a reading for me. I have never seen such a lucid account.
Cib's idea for a game is a money spinner, Wendi, he's not going to do it. How about you?
I just love making money for other people, not so good at doing it for myself except in short spurts.
katyzzz
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
But hey, if they help out someone, then there's no harm in them.
Comment by Wendi
Send me a private message. I'd be happy to do a reading for you, but I'd prefer doing it via email.
W
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
I read Tarot professionally and have just come home from a 12 hour shift of readings!
I don't know if I have ever predicted a set future. It's as Wendi, so eloquently explains.
For those wondering on the origins, you have to learn Hebrew. Each Major Arcana comes from one of the Hebrew Letters. There are 22 Hebrew Letters in all, starting with Aleph and ending with Kuf.
The Hebrew alphabet is sacred and each letter needs a day of meditation to "get it," as it has many meanings, on many levels - multi-verses - trangressing time and space. But with central themes as passed down from God to Moses or something like that..
Each letter was transposed onto a Tarot Card and handed down to the original Bohemians - or nomads of the desert - God's People.
The first card is the Magician, the last is the Fool (this may vary from reader to reader, deck to deck) but that just compliments the theory that all travels in cycles... very little in straight lines.
I could go an, but I am tired and I have a day of readings ahead of me again tomorrow. I Must travel miles and I have an earlier than early start.
But just to answer your probe then, Tarot is totally personal and the 'reader' just interprets those pictures that the combination of the original symbols conjure up. This is where Clairvoyance comes in, as those 'pictures' form and the 'story' unfolds.
Objectivity is what is on offer to the one who has become too subjective in their own emotions, life and (often) drama, to be able to step back effectively and remember to breathe, relax, be patient and trust ... things like that.
Great Post!
Lilla ...
I am also happy to do a reading if someone needs one - PM me.
Comment by Wendi
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Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Part II
Sorry I couldn't get here sooner, but I did an interpretation of these cards of your choice ... in a light hearted way, okay?
Just let me know and I'll post my response here or can PM them to you?
... I found this 'set' hugely interesting btw... did you pick them randomely or give it some thought?
Lilla ...
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Sorry I haven't got back to replying to your comment (and to other people's comments). I'm kind of in Overwhelmeds-ville at the moment where comments are concerned...
Would be delighted if you posted your findings here. Though presumably, since no question's been asked, then the cards couldn't say anything.
I'm not sure what criteria I used to pick them, but it wasn't random. I scrolled through the tarot deck at least two or three times working out possibilities.
Initially was tempted to pick cards like hanged man, death, and the devil, but I thought it'd be too morbid.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
please excuse my longthy delay in returning to this promise... busier than a one-legged bum kicker at the mo...
Hmmm, I have re-read your last comment carefully and realise that analysis is difficult, becuase you consciously tried to piack the cards that you thought were relevant to the topic... that means that an analysis is going to be skew no matter the angle, because you'd usually focus on what you want to know about and pick the cards looking at the blak backs of them...
Haivng said that, the cards you chose (if used to depict your mood at the time you chose them) would reveal a contemplation of past losses, un-requitted love... but there is hope in the two cups still standing.
The Ace of Pentangles suggests that hope leans towards not only financial aspects of life, but the levels of abundace that lie above money... like love, luck and health. SOmetimes it is only a matter of waiting for the right time to come along for the window of abundance to open before you...
THe Heirophant in this context is telling you to refocus back into the here and now. A journey inwards must commence, as you need to define top and bottom, left and right, back and front int he six dimensions around you. Now consciousness is needed.
The end result is not as it seems, but one of choice between love and career, home and work, this or that... not always an easy decision and this one is not, but will be successfull if you can let go... another aspect of this card on the mundane level is a love-triangle is forming around you or near to you.
There, hope that offers enlightenment, or a good laugh at least?
A short interpretation of these cards would tell me that perhaps you were dissapointed over money that was not forthcoming as you had expected, which had thrown you back into your inner world of values to end with a decisiion - often between love (perhaps for yourself) and career/money making enterprise...
It all depends on the circumstances, as you sop rtightly say in your article, if you try to understand it, it'll do your head in, because you cannot intellectualise the Tarot...
Lilla~
PS I never did get a chance to say, you look nothing like your picture...and I hope you are well, (or that you mother is?)... I am missing your interesting posts...
Caio for now...
Comment by Inna
thank you to Adrian who wrote an article in response to the radio show on tarot. I never expected it woudl generate such exchange of posts.
I can see that people are quite interested in tarot (and some are even practicing this art). I woudl be happy to answer questions if they arise. For now, I woudl like to direct people to some of my publications, available electronically. One of the articles has an actual reading (layout) and interpretation, however brief (not verbatim, but edited for the purpose of the article). I would also like to direct people to my article "Integrating Tarot readings into counselling and psychoterapy" in the journal Spirituality and Health International (UK) but I beleve this article is available only in the hard copy.
Anyway, please see:
Really Long Link
also, you might be interested in the following:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
Tarot indeeds "speaks" the language, in the encoded form, and adrian's observation that the code evolves with usage is very true. The system created by the reader, subject and the symbolism of Tarot, has two "variables"--a subject and a reader, so the encoded message will have to take a specific form to correlate itself with those two variables. This might explain why readings are so highly individualistic, yet objective.
regards
Inna Semetsky
Comment by Anonymous