Additional Remarks

There are several things I feel compelled to offer up some sort of clarification on - „some sort of“ due to the fact that I acknowledge that an individuals point of view will always be just that, and any written or spoken expression suffers from the need to be focused by an individual in order to be expressed.

Well, no point in concerning oneself thereover, as there is literally nothing that can be done about that!

First up, „To Do and not to Do“ - there is a multitude of such things when it comes to reading cards, and all of it is from the standpoint of individuals, either adhering to dogma or forgetting that it is their own practice they are talking about. This includes such things as „Do not read when panicked or afraid of the answer“, „Do not read up on people you do not know/so-called third parties“, „Always cleanse your deck before and/or after use“, „Do/do not read on the day of a full/new moon“, „Do not drop your cards in a dumpster if you do not want to get rid of them“, the last one beeing the most practical amongst them.

You may by now have noticed a faint ire beeing woven into the words, my apologies, you are correct. All of the above can not be generalised without issues, and that is my issue with it.

For there are people who certainly perform better when „panicked“, weird, but real. Focus can raise to an astounding level if need be for some people – others fall apart under such conditions. „Do not read [enter condition of choice here]“ can not be generalised. You'll have to find out for yourself.

(Several readers have been reported to have given most precise readings although drunk during the process – something I can not picture myself doing, beeing incredibly weak to alcohol.)

An example: I'm useless when sleepy, capable if something is on the line. A friend of mine is the exact opposite: When sleepy, he „slips through the veil“ (his wording), and from there, he comes back with some of the most precise delineations in quiet a short amount of time. On the other hand, if there is something on the line, he won't touch his cards, for he feels he won't be able „to touch the veil“ at all.

„Afraid of the answers“, same. Some are, before they heard the answer, that is. Once it is on the table, fear dissipates, and clarity sets in. Others won't be able to shuffle their deck due to shaking hands or come close to fainting in expecting the worst!

Same for the „One card draw“ - I always feel a lack in precision, as such, I adhere to a three card draw as a base. The above mentioned friend does not have that issue, he goes for one card, with precision. Reading in lines, on the other hand, is not one of his strengths, which is compensated by a trusted amount of positioned spreads.

For me, there is little need for those, as I find lines of three to five cards do most of the work nicely.

One thing we share in common is a fascination for the differences in dealing (with) the cards, and we found none of the ways lacking. Only thing, what fits for one, does not need to fit for another.

In short, the „To Do and not to Do“ is entirely yours to find out.

Letting others decide that is essentially robbing you of a bunch of experiences worth having.

On „Yes and No“ questions with the tarot. As I have not seen the issue with the utilisation of other packs of cards, I do believe it is an issue in the way of tackling them. A man who knew a bit and a bit more about handling the „I Ging“ did drop a remark on that. „To avoid confusion, always keep the following in mind (when delineating): Good; Not good.“

Same with yes/no and the tarot. Most of the cards in a pack have a leaning towards one or the other side. If you concentrate on that leaning, the issue should vanish. Not immediately, but with a bit of practice.

Which brings us to the next stop on the list: Practice. Is. Neccessary. PIN, wherever.

Without practice, you have no way to figure out what works for you, and how it works for you. Practice is what keeps you going, and what allows you to brace challenges.

It is the most needed fertiliser for someone beeing a reader, and here I include everyone aspiring to be one, for from the first moment until the last of your cartomantic journey, you are going to read the cards, over and over again. Making a split between „student“ and „teacher“ is counterproductive in this endeavor, it only serves to satisfy the idleness of a few, for it simply captures one perspective. In talking with other practitioners of capability, the most fruitful talks for both sides were those where the roles switched so fast that they first became a blur, and then useless.

From that point onwards, you have humans talking about live, and that is where it's at.

For everyone dealing the cards to read them is basically in the same position: There is a problem in front of you, and you have to find ways to deal with it. Whether the problem is your own or that of someone else is of no concern here. You still have to find ways to deal with it.

You might have encountered the same question before, but not at this moment, hence, there is no same question at all. It is always this question in this moment posed by this person you are dealing with, whatever the content might be. And you have to find ways to deal with it, to the best of your ability, otherwise, you would not have turned towards the cards.

The most practical skill you can invest in is to tackle problems with confidence.

Face them, look at them and find ways to overcome them.

Lastly, on „kabbalah“: I find it necessary to mention what the word means, which is „a doctrine of knowledge practised by a few“. There is not only one such doctrine around. It is a vast world we are living in, and which one you apply to the cards (yes, you can, with any deck, not only tarot, depending on your understanding and craftiness) is up to you. There are also various numerologic systems around, some easier to access than others, but that may well depend on the individual, again.

It came to note that some appear to be quiet adamant on accepting only one such system as true for all, which they often refer to as „THE kabbalah“, as described in some tarot-related materials. One serious issue, of which I do not know if it is intentional or due to neglect, only that A. E. Waite was concious about it: It is the „Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil“ you are dealing with, there. Please think about what that implies.

For now, this much shall suffice, and I wish you a most blessed journey along with a (tad bit late) „Happy New Year!“