Hi Peters,

Thanx for the tip, have done what you suggested. It was a upward struggle for me at the beggining,
what in fact happened is that i had a Robin Wood deck with booklet and a P. Scott Hollander Giude for beginners. I actually started a "database" on each card, I then acquired a Raider Waite, Universal Goddess, Haindle and Celtic Dragon. Well, this is where the pawpaw hit the fan and squarly also, s*** flying everywhere!! I am fortunate that i own my own business and have a wonderfull hubby, wer'e gay, anyway I studied the Tarot almost 24 hours, and even now have not stopped my study.

But back to the pawpaw issue, it became a confusing mismatch between differing interpritations and symbolism in the decks. Although mostly common factors are to be found, many are totally opposing, as if you don't know. The cycle was to get interpritations from different decks, swaying the reading favourably, not good at all. I then started with the first card, Ace of Swords, as i classified the deck as Swords, Cups, Pentacles, and Wands.

Anyway it took me close to about 3 months to work through them. The major arcanum i started and have gone a far way already. But being the more important arcanum i'm taking my time and frequently change as i derive insight at later stages.

Now, with the minor arcanum i stick to my interpritations and the major use Rider Waite. Researching the Major Arcanum is a vast subject. Including astrological, numerogical, directions, virtues, the why and how of the 21 numbered trumps, the triomfii, march of the trumps and host of other information gleaned not from only one encyclopedia. Some of the information i agree with, others i reject. My point of start is to know how, why, when everything fits together, all the influences astrologically, which houses of the zodiac are ruled by which angel, the influense of the seals and pentacles on the planets, as Dionyssus, Zoroaster and Pythagorus described. Hermes Transmigistus also had an influence as well as a lot of alchemist or guardians of the river of life, not forgetting the tritractus and tree of life in the Cabala.

Another consideration needs to be done regarding the possible combinations from the throw of dice, my view is that Tarot was created as a divinatory tool or result of a combination of other methods of divination. This is absolutely my personal view and may be incorrect, but i don't think so.

Blessed be.

Two of Swords
                                                 









Card Description.
A Woman blindfolded and crossing two broadswords across her chest, she is displayed as sitting on a bench and in the background a view of a rocky beach. Clouded skies with a waning moon.

Meaning: “Balance”.
Here we find a blindfolded woman, protecting herself with two broadswords crossed. With the moon in the waning phase we can see that you need to consult your intuition more than your heart. Above all your common sense should not be forgotten. It also signifies that a truce has or will be reached, a stalemate. This is a position of “calculated trust”, a precarious situation of balance and harmony. This card is not about winning or losing, it’s more impartiality from both parties, an uncomfortable business or personal relationship, based purely on achieving a mutual goal.

Positive:                             Truce, stalemate, an uncomfortable business or personal relationship, reserved trust.
You have or might enter a business or personal relationship in which both parties are working together to achieve a mutual goal. The deal is that, both of you don’t really trust each other enough. You can see this relationship based on a game of chess, by which every move must be well considered and done to only ensure balance. Although you may work together in harmony, always check your back. Make sure that whatever you do, you strengthen your position. Be sure this is what the other partner is doing. You are able to balance the situation using your intellect and experience.


Negative:                                               An unfavorable business or personal relationship, dishonor, trickery and deceit. Release from bondage. Beware of the same situation again. Antagonism from an opponent.

You have or might enter a business or personal relationship which has or will turn sour; both parties are working at achieving their own selfish interests. Be warned that this situation may cause losses due to trickery and false pretences. Don’t exclude yourself; you may have been the one to cause this circumstance. The stalemate reached will soon be over and you will find yourself in the same position again. Put on your running boots and be gone with you, but, be sure that there is a great possibility of deceit and trickery. You may also find that a lot of matters have been hidden from you all along. Expect open antagonism, even hate!

I think I'm out of my league!

No worries....it's just that some of what you had said didn't make a whole lot of sense. Like I told a friend of mine: I'm just psychic enough to know a real one when I see one Given that I had infinite time and infinite resources, sure, of course I would want to learn tarot cards. I just don't have time and thought that I would offer what little knowledge and all the encouragement I could muster

Good Luck,

Peter

Hi Payewacker
This is how i first started to interpret the cards i used nine different packs but all Rider Waite based (no reversals) i also noted the differing interpretations and symbolism in the decks this as given me a lot of information. i did a little, but i didn't take it as far as you on planets houses ect.. but after taking Gems tarot learning classes i now read intuitively i don't think i wasted my time but Gems way was easier

Hi Chrisdee,

Honestly, it took me a hell of a long time and more hours of study as should be spent awake. I wake normally at around 3-4 in the mornings. Bit of insomniac or Guardian of the night!!

One of the biggest problems i have is that i am extremely tenacious. It's as if i have to prove something to myself not to others and being a perfectionist in my success, in all areas of my life, i tend sometimes to overkill.

What is so important to me is not to always just accept things, but to also know how everything came about,

so in that sense you can imagine my frustration when i realised i was spinning on one spot!!!

I absolutely halted and time out, as in immediately.

For a few days i just idled and that was when i picked up the books, cards and all and started again. This time taking it slow and understanding every angle to the lot.

in any event, got to finish my "manual" and i must say it's extensive.

Now the Major Arcanum is a different kettle of fish altoghether.  This is where we start looking at the kabbala and what i now discovered the tetractus and pythagorean influences, as well as pathygorean spread, i posted on the Tarot forum, have a look and let me know what u think!!

Thx for your comments, really appreciate it.

Blessed be.