Demystifying The Tarot Reader

Do any of you remember Miss Cleo? She use to be on late night TV. She was one of the worst so called Tarot reading psychics that really got on my nerves, because I knew this was nothing but a scam..  I guess I watched it every now and again when I couldn't sleep. I found it to be pretty much bad theatre it was so ridiculous and she was so over the top.

This was many years before I 'd ever even been introduced to Tarot, but it wasn't  rocket science to figure out it was all fake, and unfortunately there were many that were duped before the show finally went off the airwaves, never to be seen again.

It's people like Miss Cleo or whatever her name was, she had many aliases, that give those authentic and honest individuals who are ethically study metaphysical matters, a really bad rep, which contributes to the kind of destructive myths and misconceptions surrounding Tarot readers, that can be very damaging.

And so it's a good thing to demystify, and deconstruct these myths and untruths. It's also good advice to use  discernment in choosing your own Tarot reader, before deciding to go ahead and have a reading done, because there are many in this world who's intentions do not reflect a professional integrity.

 
I have found meeting other Tarot readers and getting to know their personalities, one of the fascinating aspects of Tarot. Something else that I have found out, is that some Tarot readers usually have a real interesting story to tell about how they came to be Tarot readers.


The personalities of Tarot card readers are as varied as a deck of Tarot cards. Most that I have met are honest, regular and exceptional folk, empathetic, creative, intuitive, perceptive and intelligent individuals. They have a good sense of humour and are thick skinned philosophers, who love people, and are humble.

Today I learned about one such Tarot reader who wrote an article for the New York Times by the name of Jessa Crispin, She shares her story of how she became a Tarot reader, and I really appreciated her candid, entertaining and very human introduction into the world of Tarot.

We all have a story to tell whether it be our life story or how we became Tarot readers. What's your story?

King of Cups - A Man of Emotion

It has been said, that if you don't deal with your emotions, your emotions will deal with you. I understand this very well, being an alcoholic in recovery for 21 years, because alcoholism is a disease of the emotions.

If you have learned in your family of origin, that expression of difficult emotion is unacceptable, you learn to suppress and then repress the most painful feelings, and if you do this long enough, it can be very toxic in so many ways, and the emotion comes out sideways, affecting health and happiness.

The stiff under lip only leaves you miserable, sick and unattractive.

If the King of Cups could only open up, accept, and verbalize his feelings, life would be much more manageable. Music soothes his soul, and is for him, the language of the heart, but there is nothing that compares to the healing power of emotionally connecting with the verbal expression of words, through language, that is only found within the complex human brain, as we are the only species that speaks language. In other words really speaking the truth from you heart.

When we can describe, and put names to what we are feeling, it helps us to understand ourselves, and puts order into our world. If we can share our burden with another, our problems are lightened. We also give ourselves the opportunity to listen to another's experience, strength, and hope, that can give us a different perspective, to learn, and realize, that we are not alone. Over time and in turn, we can do the same for another, but first we have to save ourselves from ourselves.

Queen of Cups - Emotional Intelligence

 Emotional intelligence is what the Queen of Cups possesses. She follows her intuitive, open heart before her intellect, and drinks deeply from the cup of life. Her emotional generousity defines her very loving nature. I wish more of us could be like the Queen of Cups.

Having emotional intelligence it has been said, is valued  by society. The reality is, it is not the primary manner in which the world is run, politically or socioeconomically. You don't have to look very far to see that we live in a world very lacking in this kind of intelligence. Governments in the Western world mostly provide lip service to the real needs of the individuals who are living with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, abuse, and a long list of other difficulties that so many struggle with everyday. I may sound jaded, but I am simply being realistic. Regardless I can certainly think of individuals who exhibit the character traits and values of the Queen of Cups, that I greatly admire, but still there are not enough of them. People who live life the way the Queen of Cups does I believe are seen as naive, foolish and fool hearty, leaving themselves open to being taking advantage of, headed for heartbreak, and nothing but folly. Living life drawing from emotional intelligence should not be equated with not using your intellect.

Reality is not all based on rational thought and concrete facts. There is much to learn from this beautiful Queen that we can all develop and deepen in our own inner lives and the depths of our souls.

One of the best books I ever read about rational and irrational thought  was Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance  by Robert Persig  as it changed my perception and my thought.

Brains Versus Brawn - Seven of Swords

The saying, 'You attract more with honey, than with vinegar ', comes to mind when I think about the Seven of Swords. It's brains vs brawn. The card urges us to apply our mental energy, which needs to be used in a cautious way. What I am talking about is not simply using our intellect, but using our emotional intelligence.  We can't get the desired end by taking the heavy handed approach. Bullying, using intimidation, or any kind of force will never result in a positive outcome.

This card makes me seriously reflect on the recent events in Canada, the discussion and media coverage that has been happening lately regarding abuse, the rampant violence against women, and against others in general. This discussion though  difficult, is a long overdue and necessary one. I am glad it is happening and I hope it continues to enable proactive change. The whole world could greatly benefit from emotional intelligence.

 I think this card can warn against this behaviour, that can become a continuum and a cycle of abuse, about power and control, in order to get what we want. It will never enable us to get what we want, and will leave nothing, but deep misery, a sense of hopelessness and loss.

Discretion, tact, diplomacy, and a willingness to make compromises is always the best approach when interacting with another, though it may not make one feel good. But this is what life requires and at it's foundation should always be kindness and an emotional generosity toward others, including and extending toward ourselves.

The Seven of Swords is not all dark, as the Moon is lighting the way urging us to use, and to trust our intuition.