Tarot, and the Art of Self Transformation

We tend to associate the Tarot as tools for fortune telling, and divination although those of us who are more involved in different aspects of the occult have found many different uses for the cards.  Indeed, there is a whole array of uses for the cards from pathworking, and meditation to creative inspirations, and magickal workings.  Those of you who are familiar with many of the current Tarot books out there have probably come across the theory that one should not conduct their own personal readings.  The cards will read into your own emotions, and you will unconsciously misinterpret the cards to better conform to what you want them to say.  While this might in fact be true, fortunately for us there is a solution.  

Books like Tarot For Yourself by Mary K Greer, and courses from the ATA, and the NYC Tarot School have offered alternatives to the students who want a deeper understanding of the cards, and in turn an understanding of themselves.  It’s been through resources likes these that I’ve worked on a personal study to better understand the cards.  We know of many Western based traditions that focus on personal transformation, and growth through ceremony, and initiation.  Understanding the tarot, and their powerful symbols they represent can in a way also lead us to that holistic transformation.  Literally this is an initiation into the Western Mysteries through the cards.  Just like many followers of the Western Tradition catalogue philosophies, myths, astrological attributes, etc to the Kabbalistic Tree of Life; the tarot hold their own interesting system of correspondences to different aspects of life.

While this may be more apparent in decks such as the Rider – White, and the Thoth deck I see no reason why with careful study we can’t see these attributes in other decks.  To me this is what the Tarot is.  Not just a form of divination but a tool for initiation. The ultimate goal of the tarot is to change our lives, and in turn the lives of others.  This can in fact be a powerful tool for healing.  My personal goal for using, and understanding the Tarot aside from being able to have better control of my life is also to use my developing gifts as a way to help others.  

Those of you who’ve read my older posts know that I was very big on the Golden Dawn, and it’s initiation.  In a sense I failed once again to go through with self initiation.  In the end perhaps it was for the best.  Either it isn’t what I’m meant to do in this lifetime or I’m just not ready for it in this stage of development.  But I knew that I could always turn to the thing that got me started on this path.  I’m pretty sure you already know what it is. While I still wish to explore a variety of topics in this blog I guess you can say I’ve finally found my niche.

I was very disappointed in myself in my decision to stop the Golden Dawn work.  I did however decide to continue with something i should have finished a long ago anyway.  A great man once told me not too long ago that I shouldn’t be too hard on myself or upset.  That through the study of the Tarot I could not only find more practicality for my needs but also self transformation in the way that better fits me.  He also said that God forbid fifteen people out there want to commit suicide, and are looking for help; someone with the desire to heal can in fact push them into that right direction.  Maybe with the Tarot I can help someone, or maybe even heal, I really don’t know.

At the end of the day I know I made the right decision, and so it is done.

~ by marquisinverted on February 20, 2009.