Learning Tarot?

[she]

I've just picked up my deck for the first time since getting it several years ago and am giving a good try at learning to read it. I've done some readings for DH and some friends that have worked out well (at least, insofar as the reading resounded for the person, no clue on the truth of it). I don't know how well I'm doing *technically*, I only have the enclosed booklet for reference. I do a spread, write all the meanings down, and then try and find a coherent message out of it. Sometimes I use the well- or ill- dignified meaning as it fits, as the dignity isn't something I'm seeing well (like, how is a trump card dignified?).

I can't do a reading at all for myself. It doesn't really surprise me, I can't do any sort of magical work for myself. Which was the main reason I picked up the deck after all these years anyway :P

I've lurked at a couple of tarot forums and I'm so completely intimidated.
I'm looking for hints, advice, book reccos... anything, learn me up, please! I have the Thoth Tarot, for reference.

[JTA Mom]

When I began tarot, I leaned heavily on tarot made easy. It breaks down the meaning of each card by subject matter (health, money, love, etc). Very very helpful in starting out. Be careful though, because using this book can become a crutch. Interestingly enough, after many years of doing tarot, I was urged to try interpreting the cards first, then checking up on them with 'books'. Amazingly, my interpretations were spot on, and much more in depth than when I was using the book.

The other two books I consult if something is not clear is The Power Tarot which is really good in giving you a concise overview in a few broad categories for each card, and Romancing the tarot for questions relating to romantic relationships.

Try getting a couple books to start out with, and keep practicing. Once you feel more comfy, start branching out and doing a few readings without them. Just open yourself up and listen/feel anything that jumps out at you when you are doing a reading. It's easy to get intimidated, since there are so many cards, but soon you'll get a feel for them.

As for doing your own readings, I find that I really need to check my emotions, kwim? If it's something I'm highly nervous/anxious/scared/etc about, it messes with the reading. My dh also tells the cards, before shuffling, to tell him whatever it is, without adjusting for his emotions/unspoken desires. It also makes reading for someone who is jumpy really hard.

Ami

[DashsMama]

I love the artwork of the Thoth deck, but have always found it very difficult to read. If I were to pick it up again, I would probably ignore the booklet altogether and just spend time relearning the deck by focusing on each card and coming up with my own interpretation for each. This was suggested for the latest deck I used, and it worked very well for me. If you try this with the Thoth deck and still are having problems, you may want to look for a different deck that speaks to you more clearly.

I can't help you with trump cards and dignity. I'm not familiar with those terms as they relate to tarot. Sorry.

[she]

THank you for the book names, I'll look those up!

At this point, I'm still not comfortable with all the cards and their meanings. I still mix up the elements associated with each suite and whatnot, I wouldn't get very far trying to make an interpretation without a book. I heard that Thoth wasn't a beginners deck, but it was the one I felt most drawn to. I hope that in time my readings will only get more detailed as I learn all the symbolism involved.

As for my own readings, I get what seems to be the equivalent to gibberish. I don't know if that's my emotions involved or not. Whenever I try to do work for myself, it feels like I'm throwing my head against a stone wall. I just don't know if it's *my* stone wall, or a metaphysical stone wall of another nature.

[saphire]

I'm coming along in learning to use the cards. I found http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Illus.../dp/1862042128 to be really helpful.
I'm also considering getting a Rider deck to help learn from, my Goddess deck by Kris Waldher is a bit hard to start with.
Also, are you journaling or keeping some type of written record of your readings?