Is tarot just for fun?

[serpent]

I've read about tarot a bit, couple sources. Never really heard an explanation for how it is supposed to work. At least as a genuine method of information. So can any one explain to me how it works? If it's just for fun, don't worry, i won't tell.;)

[ShogunRonin]

I don't have immense knowledge in the tarot as I have just started myself although since no one has responded I will give my take on it . I think the tarot is just for fun, although it is still a useful tool at the same time. Useful in making you think about what you are doing, can make you look at situations from differant view points and re-assess methods of achieving you're goals. Although some people I know feel that the tarot is 'speaking to you' as a entity and force that wants to guide you in what you seek. The tarot can be anything you want it to be, but always take things with a pinch of salt.

I think it works through the Kabbalah on the tree of life. Each number card is assigned to a differant sephiroth in the tree of life. For example, 'The Hermit' at number ''9' is assigned to 'Yesod' in the tree of life meaning 'foundations'. Like you find the marking symbol on each of the cards. Hope this helps, anyone else have any views?

[Odin]

There are different spreads or layouts that can be used to answer questions that you may have about certain aspects of your life.

The Tarot can get involved and as deep as you want, the trump cards also known as the Major Arcana all relate to some thing the colors on the card the more the color yellow relates to the element of air, and the tools wands, pentacles, cups and the air dagger also relates to the elements.

As one becomes more learned in the different aspects of the cards you can bring it to another level incorporating the Tree of Life and the 22 paths.

So in short the tarot is what we want it to be, some call it a game and others call it a tool to aide in everyday life

[chronazon]

the tarot can be used to divine the way things archtypally happen in the world. it has been used by kings for political situations, and occultists for a long time. I would like to see an extesion to the tarot made with the usual gang of traditional playing cards. I have a chinese fortune telling system called gong he fot choy that has houses for the sun and moon etc al a bunch of houses.
clubs denote division, spades denote negative energy, such as digging your own grave like what happens to bad people when I see astrological sigils in my mind, they just do that, a spade forms at the bottom, hearts are positive sympathy between people and diamonds positive material energy
i really would like to see this...the numbered cards could be attached as in solitare to tarot cards to denote numeric values in the way you have layed out the cards, not randomly, for the percieved situation. even the minor aracna should be important enough ni their divinitory meaning to attach and figure out the numeric values of every thing that happens, perhaps based on their own numeric values and interrelationships.
the preceding can be used for all types of world situations and events,just as if you run a astrological chart of a time and place while something is going on and figure out what the situation is, perhaps there should be a card for each planet as well, an astrological fortune telling system I would like to see. >>>anyone? I give you permission to sell my idea. you could include all the signs and planets and the constellations, major stars in them, and perhaps geographical planet features and asteriods could all be a part of this. even things in deep space

[suburban_user]

in the occult a tarot deck is generally not used for fun, though i'm sure some get a kick out of it when it's used "properly". the tarot is considered a tool of divination, and reading of the tarot is an art and a subtle language. i believe most that take tarot seriously do so with some caution and develop a strong connection to their deck.. and i'm not sure your average tarot reader would want to let people play a game of cards with their deck or use only 52 cards for a reading.

to chronazon: like adapting almost anything it's going to take much work to not come out half-ass, and by taking out 1/3 of the deck a lot of things are essentially going to need to be rewritten. though creating a tarot deck may be among the highest form of the art, getting it just right is another matter.. i'm not saying a divination with playing cards isn't possible, and i'm sure it's been done.. half-assed.. in a hurry, many times, but it is far from ideal. in the end i'm not sure it's quite "tarot"..

don't get me wrong i'm not trying to put down your idea at all. i actually tempted a similar idea, though using parts from two different colored decks and jokers.. i came to the conclusion "too much work, not enough gained".. maybe i'm just lazy and in the end you should do what feels right to you, and use whatever symbols speak to you.. if you get good at that you might not need tarot or divination at all, though there are many interesting ways of divination.

this is just my experience, which is somewhat limited, but not so much.. just sharing my impressions for what they're worth.

[Balam_del_Monte]

i think it is what it is to the user.
some use it for fun, others use it spiritualy

[Lokia_Zos]

I love the Tarot. I think it's beautiful. I've considered just collecting decks, but luckily me being poor forced me into a creative situation. I've created a total of three reading card decks, and I love each of them. They are multi-purpose, and each has a very different system and lay out. They aren't Tarot per-se, just cards I do readings on. One is a playing deck that I converted into "reading cards", another is made from cut-up text and image taken from many sources, and the last is one that I put personal symbols (alphabet of desire) on and I do readings based on that.
I'm a big fan of Crowleys Thoth Tarot, and not much else Crowley.

I feel the best way to read a standard Tarot is ignore what everyone else has to say about the cards and what they mean. I've found that my interpertations (just garnered from meditation) seem to fall in line with the classic definitions, but not always. I take the deck and each night pretty much figure out whichever card. My entire night is dedicated to understanding that card. I did this with the whole deck, and just read.

I feel tarot gives us access to our subconscious, which has all kinds of answers.

[Plarkenstorf]

Found the Tarot best when discussed with friends, you can hardly challenge your pre-conceived notions when you look for them yourself, the real ones escape your grasp as they're uncomfortable to bear.

All it takes is a friend and a Thoth deck.

[serpent]

Wow, no answers for a long time and now all this!!! I would like to thank everyone who has posted as it is overdue. I had given up on this thread lol. Thank you everyone.

[Mirfalan]

I use Tarot Cards and have had some pretty accurate readings. But what I don't understand is this: how can there be an acient Celtic method or Tree of Life symbolism if the first Tarot Cards were created after the playing cards in 1410? In fact, the cards were not intended for divinition originally, and were not used as such until the 18th Century. Oracle cards, however, were used in 1540.

Also, you may use regular playing cards to divine (http://www.foreshowing.com/playing-cards.html). There is a method. Each playing card has a meaning. In fact, the original playing cards, which originated in Egypt, had suits that resmbled the Latin suits of Swords, Staves, Cups, and Pentacles. So, there really is no evidence to suggest that Tarot Cards were created as anything other than an expansion upon a card game.

Still, both playing cards and Tarot Cards work for diviniation. It is quite interesting.

[Harlock]

perhaps that was the card game, who could produce the most accurate fortune. that would be an interesting game....i think i found a new game ot play with my friend lol

[Mirfalan]

perhaps that was the card game, who could produce the most accurate fortune. that would be an interesting game....i think i found a new game ot play with my friend lol

Ha. Let me know how that works out :)