Coping with Tarot

[half/hearted]

I am a Tarot enthusiast - I collect decks, read cards, and meditate on them. I have found that my cards have become a comfort object for me, and that I can distract myself really easily by reading them and studying books on Tarot. Even if you don't read Tarot cards, you could try picking up a deck at the bookstore - they run about $20 USD, usually - and just meditating on some of the calming cards, like Temperance (balance in life) or The Star (hope). Don't linger on cards like Death or the Ten of Swords...look for happy cards. Gaze at them. Picture yourself in that scene, whether it's the joyous celebration of the Three of Cups or the perfect unity of The Lovers. And who knows? You might end up learning to read them

Anyway, that's what's been helping me lately. When I get anxious, I just start shuffling my cards, looking through them, occasionally doing readings on "how can I get through this?" I often get Strength when I ask how to get through something - Strength means not physical strength, but gentle emotional strength.

There are many lovely Tarot decks out there; I recommend the Lo Scarabeo Tarot or one of the Faerie oracle or Angel decks. They are very gentle, calming, and beautiful.

Just my two cents on what's helping me.

h/h

[bibliophilia]

Oooooh, I like this!
I generally use the Crowley-Thoth deck and I can see this being very helpful. Thanks for the idea!

[TerrierQueen]

I've been thinking about this lately. I use Tarot as a meditative tool, too. I do find it very relaxing. =) For me personally, it helps me to clear my thoughts...I've recently had a very rough time focusing, I just can't concentrate on anything. But when I do readings for myself, it makes me look at stressful situations in an entirely new perspective.

[capricorn]

I like the Tarot and find it very useful, although I have gotten out of the habit of reading it regularly
Always found the Fool quite helpful ... in terms of the courage to strike out on your own, and take life as it comes, you know? The Tower also reminds me that what you see as "failure" can often lead to new beginnings and brighter things ...

[TerrierQueen]

Always found the Fool quite helpful ... in terms of the courage to strike out on your own, and take life as it comes, you know? The Tower also reminds me that what you see as "failure" can often lead to new beginnings and brighter things ...

I agree. =) The Fool and the Tower always pop up at the most relevant times, it seems.

[capricorn]

Indeeds.
I think with the Tarot it's so important to not freak out when you get something like 3,9 or 10 of Swords, or Death or The Tower, that look alarming ... just have to look at the warnings they might be giving you and the lessons you stand to learn from them. That being said I knew my life was looking up when I finally stopped drawing 9 of Swords in every reading. lol.

[half/hearted]

So cool to see that there are other folks here interested in Tarot

bibliophilia - I haven't got a Crowley-Thoth deck yet, but it's on my wish list. I figure that if I'm going to understand Tarot fully, I should have more than just Rider-Waite decks! The Thoth approach is very interesting to me and I'll be interested to see how it differs from the RWS decks I have.

I got both the 9 of Swords and the Fool in a reading I did recently about how I was going to quit smoking. The 9S was in the "what you must go through" position, and the Fool was the "outcome." This is actually very hopeful to me - the Fool promises a new beginning, a clean slate, a fresh outlook on life...and I think the 9 of Swords is just withdrawal pain. I've quit before and yes, the withdrawal was horrible, but it'll be worth it to have clean lungs. I look forward to being able to watch comedy shows and laugh hysterically without sending myself into a coughing fit!

[Chey]

I want to get a deck of tarot. I might try to make a deck but I am not sure I have access to a laminate machine.

[capricorn]

I didn't bring my RW deck with me to uni ... today I saw a really awse manga-style deck in a shop which I bought on impulse. I really love it
And it smells nice too, always a plus

[Windswept Thumb]

I often use my Tarot cards to sort out my thoughts. Good to see others use them as well.