Archive for April, 2009

Ultimate Tarot Trainer Helps Beginners Learn Tarot

New Software Offers Common Sense Training in Fortune Telling
 
The popularity of tarot cards has spanned generations, but few actually understand how the cards work, or how to give themselves an accurate reading. Ultimate Tarot Trainer, a new software program, aims to solve that problem by offering beginners a comprehensive learning tool.
 
Ultimate Tarot Trainer provides strategies [...]

New Software Offers Common Sense Training in Fortune Telling

The popularity of tarot cards has spanned generations, but few actually understand how the cards work, or how to give themselves an accurate reading. Ultimate Tarot Trainer, a new software program, aims to solve that problem by offering beginners a comprehensive learning tool.

Ultimate Tarot Trainer provides strategies on how to read tarot cards, laying a solid foundation in tarot card basics. For those just getting interested in tarot, the software helps remove confusion. Designed with the novice in mind, Ultimate Tarot Trainer offers easy to understand keywords and meanings for all 78 tarot cards, as well as 8 different tarot spreads.

“Tarot cards are not just for professional readers,” says Lisa Ray, creator of the Ultimate Tarot Trainer. “Anyone can learn to read tarot cards and give readings for family or friends. They can also use them to gain more self awareness.”

The software was created by Lisa, a tarot enthusiast and mystic software developer. Her passion for helping people learn tarot led her to create this new software that launched in April of 2009. Guidance is provided in a quick but thorough format, teaching the beginner common card meanings, as well as how to put the cards together for a complete reading.

For more information on Ultimate Tarot Trainer, or to download your own copy of this unique software, please visit: http://UltimateTarotTrainer.com

About the Company: Ultimate Tarot Trainer was designed to make tarot reading easy to understand, removing the veil of confusion that has existed for centuries. Thanks to this software, anyone can easily understand how the cards work and how to give readings.

Tarot Cards For Beginners

The world of tarot can be an exciting personal journey, but it can also be very daunting to the newcomer. There are so many cards in each tarot deck and so many different decks to choose from, that it’s easy for the novice to become easily overwhelmed. Add to that the hundreds of tarot spreads [...]

The world of tarot can be an exciting personal journey, but it can also be very daunting to the newcomer. There are so many cards in each tarot deck and so many different decks to choose from, that it’s easy for the novice to become easily overwhelmed. Add to that the hundreds of tarot spreads that are available and it’s no wonder why so many newcomers feel confused.

 
I always like to remind those who are just starting to study tarot, that it is indeed a journey — not a race. With time, patience, and practice any beginner can learn to excel.

 
I also like remind novices of the KISS principle…Keep It Simple Silly. There is no way anyone can pick up a deck of tarot cards and learn everything there is to know in one evening. There is simply too much information contained within the cards. So instead of trying to become an expert reader overnight, I encourage beginners to set smaller goals with the idea that each small goal achieved will lead them further down the path toward self-enlightenment.

 
Here are my recommendations for beginners, based on the KISS principle:

 
Choosing A Tarot Card Deck

Step1: Choose a tarot deck.

 
At first glance, this step may seem a lot easier than it actually is. Do a simple serach on Google for “tarot cards” and you’ll literally find hundreds of decks from which to choose. Don’t become overwhelmed by all the choices. Just find a deck that you like. The imagery on the cards will guide you in your readings so it is key that you choose a deck that you find aesthetically pleasing. There is no use in choosing a deck that doesn’t speak to you or that offends you in some way.

 
A popular deck for those new to tarot is the Rider-Smith deck, or the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. This deck is especially suitable for beginners because so much has been written about it. There are several companion guides for this deck that list the common keywords and meanings associated with each card. These guides serve as a handy reference until the reader feels comfortable enough interpreting the cards on their own.

 
Another tarot deck that is good for beginners is the Morgan-Greer deck. This deck is based on the Rider-Waite deck but features updated artwork.

 
Despite which deck you choose, just know that you are not locked in to using only that deck. Many readers try several decks before they find one they like. Other readers just simply like to use more than one deck. Either way is fine.

 
Getting To Know The Cards

Once you have chosen a deck to work with, you need to become familiar with your cards.

 
For beginners, I recommend starting off by using only the cards of the Major Arcana. This is a much simpler task than trying to learn all 78 cards at the same time. Become familiar with the cards of the Major Arcana and then add cards from the Minor Arcana, one suit at a time. This way you won’t get overwhelmed.

 
Begin by looking at each card and trying to get a sense of the card. Ask yourself, “What images immediately jump out at me? What feelings do I associate with the card? What emotions or actions are the figures on the card displaying?”

 
After getting an initial impression of each card, learn some of the keywords that are associated with the cards. Try to see how the keywords are reflected within the imagery of each card. Don’t be alarmed if not every keyword speaks to you. You’ll find that some make far more sense than others. That’s okay. Everyone’s experience with tarot cards is different. Just let the cards speak to you.

 
After you feel comfortable giving a general meaning of each card from the Major Arcana, try giving yourself a simple reading.

 
Your First Reading

 
For your first reading, use only the cards of the Major Arcana. Shuffle the cards until you feel like they have been shuffled enough (use your intuition here). While you are shuffling the cards think of a question. Keep thinking of that question the entire time you shuffle the cards.

 
When finished shuffling, draw one card from the deck. Now study the card’s imagery and try to interpret the meaning of the card within the context of your question. Let the illustration on the card and your intuition guide you.

 
When you become comfortable with doing one-card readings try a two-card or three-card spread. Eventually, you can add the cards of the Minor Arcana as you become more familiar with them.

 
Remember that no tarot reader is 100% accurate so don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t make sense to you during your reading or if you have trouble interpreting the cards. Just relax and try to enjoy the experience.

Tarot Interpretation - Part 2

Technique 2
The second method for interpreting cards is not as widely known. This technique involves relying solely on your intuition for interpreting the meaning of each card.
 
While both methods involve using intuition, intuition readers do not study keywords. They focus on letting the imagery of the card speak to them and develop their own meanings [...]

Technique 2
The second method for interpreting cards is not as widely known. This technique involves relying solely on your intuition for interpreting the meaning of each card.

While both methods involve using intuition, intuition readers do not study keywords. They focus on letting the imagery of the card speak to them and develop their own meanings through this process. As a result, there tends to be less uniformity in meanings across cards.

Step 1 in the Keyword Technique discussed in Tarot Interpretation - Part 1 is the basis for intuition readings.

This is a less structured way to learn to read tarot cards but it poses its own challenges as well. Beginners may get easily frustrated as their own intuition may not be developed enough to allow them to distinguish between the subtleties of 78 different cards.

Each reader’s relationship with the Tarot is different and their learning process will reflect that. For beginner’s, I recommend starting with the keyword method until a familiarity with each card has been established. At that point, I would urge tarot students to really focus on letting their intuition guide their readings.

After all, no two readers interpret tarot cards the same, regardless of their experience level. It is a very personal endeavor.

That’s the beauty of tarot cards!

Tarot Interpretation - Part 1

Interpreting Tarot Cards - Technique 1
 
The first technique used for tarot interpretation is the one with which most people are familiar. This method involves learning the keywords and general meanings associated with each tarot card.
 
The Rider-Waite deck is one of the most recognized tarot decks in the world. Part of its popularity stems from the [...]

Interpreting Tarot Cards - Technique 1

The first technique used for tarot interpretation is the one with which most people are familiar. This method involves learning the keywords and general meanings associated with each tarot card.

The Rider-Waite deck is one of the most recognized tarot decks in the world. Part of its popularity stems from the fact that so much has been written about the deck, that it is easy to find the keywords and general meanings for each card.

I recommend that beginners start by only using the cards of the Major Arcana. These are the 22 cards numbered from 0 to 21 with names like The Fool, Temperance, Death, and The World. By starting off with only the Major Arcana, beginners are less likely to feel overwhelmed by the number of cards there are to learn.

Step 1: Look at each card of the Major Arcana and make a note about your first impressions of the card. What is the picture in the card telling you? What feelings do you associate with the imagery on the card? Positive? Negative? Neutral?

Step 2: Review each card and some of the keywords that are often associated with that card. Look to see how the keywords are reflected within the illustration on the card. Remember that the card’s imagery should guide you in interpreting the cards meaning.

Step 3: Continue the process in Step 2 until you feel comfortable giving a basic interpretation of each card of the Major Arcana. At that point, practice giving one card readings. To do this, ask a question and then use your intuition (or “gut feeling”) to draw a card from your deck. (Remember to only use the Major Arcana cards.) Now look at the card and interpret its meaning within the context of the question you asked.

Congrats! You’ve just completed your first tarot reading.

The second method for tarot interpretation will be discussed tomorrow.

The Royal Court of the Minor Arcana

Within each suit of the Minor Arcana, there are cards numbered from Ace to Ten as well as the Royal cards. Studying the numerology behind each number is beyond the scope of this post, but I would like to briefly discuss the role of each member of the royal court.
 
King:
The King of any suit is [...]

Within each suit of the Minor Arcana, there are cards numbered from Ace to Ten as well as the Royal cards. Studying the numerology behind each number is beyond the scope of this post, but I would like to briefly discuss the role of each member of the royal court.

King:

The King of any suit is the ruler of that suit. That means he not only possesses all the characteristics of the suit, but to a greater degree. He “rules” over the other cards of his suit. The King also personifies the male attributes of his suit.

Queen:

The Queen on the other hand personifies the female attributes of a suit. Like the King, she also “rules” over the other cards of the suit, serving to strengthen the King.

Both the King and the Queen represent authority figures. They are mature adults.

Knight:

The Knight is a servant of the King and Queen. Given his youth (he is a young adult), he represents the qualities of the suit to a lesser degree. He is sometimes seen as a messenger or seeker, symbolizing movement.

Page:

The Page is also a servant of the King and Queen, but even more youthful than the Knight. The Page is often depicted as a child and having child-like, or immature, qualities. The Page can be seen as an aspect of the situation that is beginning to develop.

An Introduction to the Minor Arcana

The cards of the Minor Arcana depict things that are more a part of our daily lives. They signify feelings, wishes, or events that might be fleeting.
 
The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Swords, Cups, Pentacles, and Wands. Each suit represents a different aspect of our daily lives.
 
Swords represent the element of air, or [...]

The cards of the Minor Arcana depict things that are more a part of our daily lives. They signify feelings, wishes, or events that might be fleeting.

The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Swords, Cups, Pentacles, and Wands. Each suit represents a different aspect of our daily lives.

Swords represent the element of air, or the mind.

Associations: Logic, Truth, Intellect, Power.

Cups represent water, or the soul.

Associations: Feelings, Emotions.

Pentacles (or coins) represent the element of the earth, or the body (all that is physical).

Associations: Physical being, Physical needs.

Wands represent fire, or intuition/willpower.

Associations: Imagination, Inspiration, Motion, Potential Energy, Ambition, Effort.

An Introduction to the Major Arcana

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards which are numbered from 0 to 21. They show the Fool’s Journey, which is the path we take from our earliest awareness to finally becoming integrated and fulfilled. Each card represents one step along the journey of inner growth.
 
This journey starts with the Fool, then proceeds to the [...]

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards which are numbered from 0 to 21. They show the Fool’s Journey, which is the path we take from our earliest awareness to finally becoming integrated and fulfilled. Each card represents one step along the journey of inner growth.

This journey starts with the Fool, then proceeds to the Magician, the High Priestess, the Empress, the Emperor, the Hierophant, the Lovers, the Chariot, Strength, the Hermit, the Wheel of Fortune, Justice, the Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, the Devil, the Tower, the Star, the Moon, the Sun, Judgement, and finally the World.

Not everyone goes through these stages in order, and sometimes people tend to go back and forth a bit rather than in a straight line. Some people also skip some of the steps. Everyone’s journey is different.

Overall, the cards of the Major Arcana signify things with deep and lasting meaning. They show universal themes.

Learn To Read Tarot Cards Video

Here’s a quick video I did that introduces beginners to the art of reading tarot cards!

Here’s a quick video I did that introduces beginners to the art of reading tarot cards!

Tarot Certification

Did you know you can get ceritifed as a tarot card reader?
 
In the United States there are two boards of certification in tarot readings. The first one is the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA). To get a certification, a reader must pass some of their tests. The TCBA has seven certifications varying from apprentice to [...]

Did you know you can get ceritifed as a tarot card reader?

In the United States there are two boards of certification in tarot readings. The first one is the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA). To get a certification, a reader must pass some of their tests. The TCBA has seven certifications varying from apprentice to grandmaster. The name of the other board is the American Board for Tarot Certification (ABTC). They have five levels of certification. In addition to the American boards, there are foreign boards of certification available in countries around the world.

By getting certified, a tarot reader gets the satisfaction of knowing they are doing what is acceptable in their field according to the Board that gives them the certification. It also may lead to credibility when doing readings and/or opening up their own practice.

But do those seeking tarot card readings really look for certified readers? I’m not convinced they do. The relationship between seeker and reader is far more nuanced than simply having a certification. Chemistry and trust are far more important.

Who are the real winners from tarot certification? The tarot card readers? Their clients? Or the boards that charge fees for certification?

Follow me on Twitter

I’ve joined the bandwagon and am now on Twitter.
Follow me and I’ll follow you…
http://www.twitter.com/tarottrainer

Follow me on Twitter

I’ve joined the bandwagon and am now on Twitter.

Follow me and I’ll follow you…

http://www.twitter.com/tarottrainer