To the rational mind the Tarot makes absolutely no sense. Who would trust a deck of cards, laid out randomly, to offer guidance in any important matter? No doubt that is the reason why the predominate clients, as well as readers are not male; since males tend to be much more linear in their thinking.
However to those who have come to see the synchronicity of life, that nothing happens without a reason, that there is a guiding Force behind everything, the Tarot makes perfect sense. Especially when the Universe is looked upon as not comprised of independent parts doing whatever they will, but of interdependent parts, then that Connection between all things and all action can help explain the process. For instance, today's scientist are finally catching up to the mystics, as quantum physics has shown that no experiment can be objective, that the experimenter's prejudices influence the testing. That there is no separation between the experimenter and the experiment, between subject and object.
The Tarot might be said to do the same, showing the connection between reader and cards. A reading will show what the reader already knows on a subconscious or intuitive level, being that symbology operates from that realm. For example, suppose a man deeply desires a particular person. He is consciously aware of this desire. However, he inquires about his chances of fulfilling this desire to the Tarot. Yet the reading's outcome is the Five of Cups (depicting a sad figure looking down on three spilt cups, while two are full and await ahead of him). Now, unless his desire has so blinded him, his subconscious has communicated to his conscious mind what it already knows and needs. To forget that person and to move on.
What most rational people (critics, if you will) will ask is if the cards were immediately reshuffled would they be the same? Most likely not. The next reading may show the complete opposite answer. How can that be reconciled? If one lives by the premise that everything happens for a reason, then both outcomes have validity. Yet, perhaps not in the way the rational mind interprets it.
The Tarot has many uses, one of those uses, and perhaps its original design, is for the reader to know him or herself. The Tarot, like any book (whether it be holy scripture) or teacher is not there to blindly follow. It's there to reflect upon, like a mirror; to take its counsel inside and to discriminate between which course to take. The man of the example, if he quieted himself and reflected on both outcomes, would no doubt see his attachment to his desire and know he was fantasizing. But the reading would not only show the outcome, it would also show other aspects of his psyche at work. For instance, a card like The Lovers in a position of hindrance, could show this was perhaps an old pattern of looking to another for fulfillment or that it just was not the time to be focusing on romance. Now a few more issues will be needed to be reflected upon by this man, and he will find out more about himself. The Tarot, in this manner, is a great therapist, and much less expensive.
Relationships, too, can be assisted through the Tarot, as it is a way of opening up communication. As relationships progress issues will come up that are generally old issues reemerging. The Tarot will reveal what the blockages are and, more importantly, open up discussions. It can be a wonderful tool for greater intimacy.
Another use of the Tarot, which is more of its mystical aspect, is meditation. Especially with the Major Arcana, by focusing on a particular card and then taking the image into meditation, the aspects that that card represents will gradually come forward. For instance, let us say a woman wanted to bring out more of her intuitive side she might choose the High Priestess to focus upon. Or if she wanted more confidence and self-discipline perhaps the Chariot. Every quality of humanity, as well as the gods and goddesses are represented by the Tarot, from the highest wisdom, compassion and love to lowest greedy aggression and victim playing. So any quality can be brought forth if it is focused upon and desired.
Of course, there is fortune-telling. Many stories exist with a Gypsy reading the Tarot and making predictions, usually with some dire warning or unhappy ending. However, this focuses on merely events, and the Tarot, unless the reader is very psychic, cannot go into great detail. Yet, it can be very helpful in showing probabilities. Remember, back to those quantum physicists who have now demonstrated that nothing can be predicted with a hundred-percent certainty, there exist only probabilities. The Tarot is no different. And the more one delves deeper into the Tarot, one finds that the cards help one to be in the present. After all, one can never get there. Nor leave here.
But perhaps the most important use of the Tarot is simply that it forces one to take time alone, to turn off the television and to disconnect the phone, and to sit quietly and reflect. To get to know oneself, to discover the greatness therein as well as the shadow.
Books You Might Enjoy:
William Wynn Westcott - Numbers Their Occult Power And Mystic Virtues
Anonymous - The Secret Book Of Artephius
Aleister Crowley - The Star And The Garter
John Dee - The Rosie Crucian Secrets
