Understanding Tarot: Seeing Beyond the Myths

There are many misconceptions surrounding the Tarot that have
caused much debate. For the past 15 years I have used the Tarot
as an instrument to gain understanding and insight. In this time
I have had to grow into this tool also, learning through
experience what it can and cannot do. Tarot is not a fortune
telling device as often depicted. It is not a magic wand that
lays out an easy future by providing all the answers in advance.
The future is not set in stone, our use of free will determines
what directions we take and if we believe otherwise, we give our
power away to circumstance.

Simply put, Tarot is an instrument used to gain deeper insight &
understanding through symbology and exploration. It is a tool
for personal transformation through the combined usage of
psychology and spirituality. It enhances awareness, and in the
process expands horizons by highlighting choices and scenarios
by laying it all out before us. Living an empowered life means
understanding that the future is not entirely predestined. I
believe we come here knowing and allowing ourselves to have
certain experiences, but we also shape those experiences through
integration of what we have learned. Just like a grade in
school, you have certain objectives and lessons that are part of
the goal plan. Some students will succeed, others will not make
the goal, but each student shapes his/her own learning
experience through effort and application. Tarot, when used
properly, was never intended to be magic, just a tool for
insight to help the querrent make more empowered decisions. It
acts as a sort of study guide, enhancing the learning process
through displaying repeating behavior patterns, potential
consequences/rewards for ones actions, and possible choices. The
Tarot through its series of images tells a story, each card
represents different personality traits, attitudes, actions etc,
and through these pictures a story begins to emerge. The
ultimate outcome is entirely in the hands of the one seeking the
guidance.

As with anything else misunderstood, it is human nature to fear
and label things which can be viewed as a potential threat.
Things that are different are frightening and often labeled as
evil outright, rather than explored. Remember, we live in a
society that burned people alive only a few hundred years ago
because of fears of evil. I am reminded of the famous quote The
only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Human nature in a
fear state is a peculiar phenomenon that causes those in its
grip to say, do, and believe some rather absurd things. The
whole propaganda about Tarot being associated with Satanism and
the Devil is flat out nonsense. No, the Tarot was not written
about or condemned in the Bible or any other holy book for that
matter, as the Tarot did not even come into existence until
somewhere between the 14th and 15th century AD. We must remember
to keep our holy books in context, as they are meant to be taken
symbolically and not literally. If we were to actually take some
of these books literally we would still be stoning women,
sacrificing animals, and smiting our neighbors. As with anything
else, the Golden Rule applies: Do unto others.

The vast majority of us who use Tarot in our daily lives are no
more evil than anyone else. We work jobs, raise families, and
socialize with the rest of the community and do otherwise
perfectly normal things. We don’t all have big head dresses
and speak in funny accents telling others we have mystical
magical powers and can change lives, bring people lovers, or
dole out winning lotto numbers. The charlatans who practice this
kind of thing, and propagate these misconceptions aren’t evil
either, they are just plain greedy and eager to capitalize on
the pain and misunderstanding of others. I have seen just as
much greed in many churches & temples, so i would advise people
to not jump to conclusions, but to research and try to gain
understanding into how this tool works before labeling it as
anything.

Legitimate Tarot Readers, Psychics and other such advisors
believe in building people up as we show them all the options
and potential choices surrounding present conditions, and help
them to come to terms with issues from the past that may be
shaping their current perceptions. A genuine Tarot reader does
not present Tarot as something that only the elite can master.
Many of your more reputable Tarot readers teach and are usually
happy to share Tarot knowledge and personal insights with those
who are learning. The mark of a genuine psychic is empowerment,
not dependency. A truly gifted healing practitioner does not
seek to enslave a querrent to their guidance, but to show them
how to find the connection with their own inner guidance.

Another common misconception is the tendency to link Tarot
Readers and Psychics together into one category. One does not
have to be a practicing psychic to use the Tarot, however many
psychics, myself included, started out on our paths reading
Tarot. Tarot can be a tool to help enhance and aid the
intuition, and that often opens people up to further abilities.
Once I developed psychically, i never gave up my love for Tarot.
I still use it often, in combination with my other abilities, to
read for myself and others. Tarot serves as a validation to my
other senses, and frankly is very old-habit to me so it is
easier. I guess it’s almost like that old security blanket one
reaches for because its comfortable, out of habit and not
necessity.

I use the cards for many purposes, inspiration for writing,
meditation, reflection, asking Spirit for guidance when I feel
confused, etc. The possibilities are limitless, as are the many
different types of decks available. There are decks that
represent many different spiritual paths, styles of art,
languages etc. making it easy to find one that fits right with
the individual. They are not restricted to any one faith system,
there are Christian decks, Kabbala decks, Angel decks and many
more. There are decks for different levels of reading ability as
well. Beginners may find that extremely intricate decks filled
with tons of symbology or a lot of intense artwork distracts
from the learning process. I recommend starting out with a more
standard deck such as the Rider-Waite or Universal-Waite decks,
or ones based on these. Different decks can be acquired once a
feel for the Tarot has been developed. Many of the learning
guides and courses for beginners that are available are
developed around these decks.

When in the market to find a Tarot deck, there are numerous
resources available to review them, see what others have to say
and to view samples of the images. One of my personal favorites
is Aeclectic.net which features images and
reviews of hundreds of decks. The key is finding what one is
naturally drawn to, and I explain more about this in my other
articles, and also provide free Tarot readings as well as other
great resources through my own website:
Spiritual Guidance Tarot.