Does Anybody Else Thinks Tarot is Somewhat Diluted to the point of Meaninglessness?

[jonaswizard]

Hi all.
First, let me tell you, I have been a student of multicultural divination since I was about 14. That was in 1973! I started with the Tarot. I was intrigued, basically, by the pictures. But in my experience as a practioner, and also as a collecter, I am now convinced that its credibility is now seriously in question. Various "New Age" groups have attempted to re-construct; re-invent; re-invest; fan-w@nk the whole concept, but at the end of the day, it's just some geezer drawing some pictures accompanied by a matching book that usually knocks out in the UK for around 10.99, and seldom, if ever, offers anything new, apart from the pictures. Bejasus, we might as well be collecting Rupert Bear Annuals!
Given the fact that most honest Tarot books openly admit that the real origins of the thing are lost in the mists of time, and most reliably, is a medieaval franco-italian card game to amuse the Royal Family, I, for one, would wish to lay to rest the notion that it originated in "ancient Egypt", and that (conveneiently), it's credentials has been lost.
Maybe there was a time that it had some divination value, but now it has been diluted so much, it is just like mixing tap water with pure orange juice to the extent that there is only tap water left (tap = faucet for our USA chums)!
Anybody else feel this way about Tarot?
Jon

[joaniebaloney]

I can't comment on your observations on the tarot, Jason, but might I suggest you refrain from condescending to your USA chums right out of the gate? You are more likely to spark a lively discourse if you assume that if we're educated enough to enjoy this forum, our vocabularies are broad enough to include both taps and faucets. Just a thought. ;-}

Joanie

[candid]

Wow http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/yawn.gif taps AND faucets...

It's been many moons (that means 'years' almost) since I've worked with Tarot. But I do know reputable diviners who use them. In my opinion, there are as many watered down versions of I Ching as there are diluted Tarot versions. My granny used tea leaves, so who am I to comment? http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/kiss.gif

[bradford_h]

Mr Wizard-
I think the bulk of the new age followers and believers have confused unconditional love with unconditional thinking and consequently will believe anything they are told, especially if it's printed in a book and sounds like what they want to hear.
There's breathing in and breathing out, spring and autumn. The bush that is Tarot lore is just getting ready for a major pruning is all. This is done as a matter of course by something called the Centuries, but those of us caught in one part of a single century can tend to get impatient.
The Tarot will find its way. Thankfully, though the diamond be covered with drool, it's still a diamond.

[fyreflye]

I've been studying the yijing since the early '60's when W/B and Legge were the only English translations, and tarot since 1969 when only knockoffs of the Rider-Waite deck could be found in the U.S. I've now got around ten good yijing translations and two dozen serious books about it. During the same period there have been several hundred Waite-Smith knockoffs (now designated "clones") and dozens of feminist, pomo, gay, Celtic, vampire and whatever attempts at something different. All this is the result of reducing tarot to a toy or a fashion accessory for Teen Witches (what a concept!) with new models produced every year much like the automobile industry. As with almost everything else in our society, the consumerist mindset rules.
Anyone who's serious about tarot can get along fine with a Marseille, a Crowley Thoth or a Rider-Waite and learn what they need to know from a half-dozen books, none of them recent. If you are capable of understanding what the tarot is all about you'll never mistake a fashion accessory for an oracle. But don't count on finding many people to share your understanding.

[jerryd]

I have seen the lists of many who read Tarot for fun and collect for profit, there is no doubt some of the readers are proficient and capable of interpertation on a high level. There understanding of the cards I am told is reading meanings and interpretation of the design not just the intended meaning of the cards depiction.. I do not believe it is necessary to own 14 decks to read Tarot but if one wishes to he or she may without my criticism. I hope one day to be able to read one deck well enough to find answers and direction with some certainty. All this is, MHO>

[lynx]

(Jerryd)

You read my thoughts...

(I do not believe it is necessary to own 14 decks to read Tarot but if one wishes to he or she may without my criticism. I hope one day to be able to read one deck well enough to find answers and direction with some certainty.)

Lynx

[jerryd]

Smiles Lynx, Im an Okie originally this may have something to do with the way we think..lol

[lynx]

I hear ya' Okie,I'm right down the road in Texas..So,I know how you guy's are http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/wink.gif

http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/biggrin.gif

Lynx

[jerryd]

LOL Lynx, do you really...LOL Im living in OZ now so I'M no danger to any Texan..LOL

[lynx]

Jerryd Wrote...

"LOL Im living in OZ now so I'M no danger to any Texan..LOL"

WHEW! *wipes brow* http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/lol.gif

[jerryd]

Love you Cat Lynx, I have a kitten, what a mess.

[yellowblue]

Jonaswizard,
Just my humble opinion, but everyone has a 'key' to their "divine" ity. Origins seem for the most to be, as Bradford so aptly put it, covered in the drool.

It all seems to me to symbolize a quest for what we don't know and want to know... getting to the bottom of it (the question), whether we be the diviner or the querent... the drool seems to be each of our supraegos in that we have agendas because of our state which create the the mist.

Cut through the crap (gordian knot) that is created by our humanity. It doesn't much matter about the mist of history (always in favor of the stronger one of that particular time period) which will never be completely objective.

Tarot or Yi Jing or any other divination usually succeeds when we are in a pro-balanced relationship to the one or the all.

History will always provide not only a diluted point but a myriad faceted one. Faith is not to be a blind leap but reason cannot be exclusive either in breaching connectiveness in what is and what is beyond.

beyond, beyond, the great beyond, to thee homage