Should Tarot be self taught?
Is an intuitive approach the best way to go?
Part 2.

Victoria writes:

I learned to read Tarot 10 years ago by taking an intuitive approach to the cards. I was encouraged to do this by my then boyfriend, who had been working with Tarot for more than 20 years. Between his help and the help of a close friend, I learned a lot about reading for myself and other people. I eventually bought two reference books that have served as guides throughout the years: Power Tarot by Trish MacGregor & Phyllis Vega and Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis. I’ve found Meet Up groups focused on Tarot and met many fellow Tarot readers whose insights helped me see whole new layers of meaning in the cards. Now when I help someone learn how to read Tarot for themselves, I encourage them to try the intuitive approach: look at the cards, write down any words or ideas that pop up, then use reference books when a card is confusing.

Hi Victoria.

Thank you for your comment.

I love knowing how other readers developed their skills.
There are many paths and that is good because there are many styles of learning.

I have also read Power Tarot and Tarot Plain and Simple. They are both great books.

I also host a Tarot Meet Up group. I find it a great way to share what I know, learn from others, meet kindred spirits and keep each other fired up and motivated on our Tarot journey.

Some of the tips I usually give are in sync with your approach.

Keep a Tarot journal. Pull a few cards each day and write your interpretation.

Write what comes to you first. Read the interpretation from a book, if you like, but only after you have written your own.

At the end of the day, or the following morning, compare what you wrote with what happened.

Were you accurate?

Was the book you consulted accurate?

Did the energy of the cards come true, but in a different way from what you expected?

If you see no relations between what transpired during the day and the cards, write down what happened.

I have found that sometimes the cards are accurate, but it will take a few more days.

Other times I have discovered a pattern, where a certain card will consistently represent something in my life that is not one of the traditional meanings.

The 8 of cups, as an example, warns me of a last minute sleep over for one of my kids, or my husband staying somewhere overnight, usually for a job that took longer than expected.

Once again, thank you Victoria for your comment.