The 2 Hour Tarot Tutor, by Wilma Carroll

[Dawn]

This is a book that I happened to pick up at the library, published in 2004. It was adapted from Mastering the Tarot, by Eden Gray. Those of you who have JE's audio program will know that JE recommends any book by Eden Gray for learning the tarot.

It has a very different approach to learning the cards than what I've read in any other books. The author's main mantra is "look at the cards and say what you see." She tells you to basically forget about any of the book meanings that you've come across for the cards and just kind of blurt out what you are seeing; the FIRST thing that comes to your mind when you are looking at the card. I really like her teaching style.

Later in the book, she does give a breakdown of common meanings for all the cards, complete with pictures.

Funny story: Chapter two of this book is titled "Sample Readings for the Celtic Cross Spread, or, Burn an Orange Candle and Call me in the Morning!" YESTERDAY, I bought a giant orange candle and burned it all last night, before I even picked this book up to read a word of it. Orange candles are supposed to temporarily restore balance and harmony. Boy, do I need some of that lately;)

[Pam]

SNYCHronicity! I love it when stuff like this happens :)

[Jude]

...The author's main mantra is "look at the cards and say what you see." She tells you to basically forget about any of the book meanings that you've come across for the cards and just kind of blurt out what you are seeing; the FIRST thing that comes to your mind when you are looking at the card.

Sounds right. I would think that the goal, including working with Angel Cards, would be to use the cards without having to refer to the book.

Running out to get my orange candle now... ;)

[Dawn]

Sounds right. I would think that the goal, including working with Angel Cards, would be to use the cards without having to refer to the book.


Exactly! I've always been leery of learning the "book meanings" of the cards; it just didn't feel right to me. On the other hand, it's hard to put the whole picture together in a reading without some basic foundation. This book shows you how to pull three cards and read them (using your own intuition), and then put them together to form a summarized reading.

[Jude]

...On the other hand, it's hard to put the whole picture together in a reading without some basic foundation.

Absolutely. If we didn't have a book, we would probably be lost, at first. I think, too, that in the beginning, the book can help confirm or validate that you're on the right track with what you're seeing, hearing, or feeling.

Later on, to be able to trust your intuition enough to read without the book -- now that is a goal worth attaining! :thumbsup:

[Katherine]

Thank you for the book recommendation. I am taking a Tarot class. I had started it last year and had to drop out when my Dad crossed over.

My teacher is adament about teaching us the history of the Tarot, which is not my cup of tea, but I know it will be helpful. I'm an impatient student.:)

I have two books, "Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom" by Rachel Pollack and a workbook by Mary K. Greer, "Tarot for Yourself". I will be adding the "2 Hour Tarot Tutor" to my library.

I am taking a class with Mary Jo McCabe and she told me that she didn't think my attending the Tarot class at this time was by accident. The other side speaks to us in symbols and we just need to learn the symbols. We need to get our consious mind out of the way.

My plan is to finish the Tarot class, read the books and then put everything on a shelf and go with my intution. Wish me luck:hearts:

Blessings,
Katherine

[Dawn]

There is an advanced spread in this book called the "Seven Sisters" spread. It is interesting because there are NO formal card meanings. There's a format for laying out the cards, but no particular meanings. This threw me, but made sense at the same time, given her "say what you see" way of teaching. I couldn't find information on this spread anywhere, and the book was pretty vague about it. Has anyone used it, had any success with it, or any experience at all? I even went as far as emailing the author to ask her about it. Her response:

"To answer your question about The Seven Sisters Spread --- no, there are no particular placements for the cards. This is free interpretation. You might try focusing on the center card and then look to the surrounding cards for more information. This is a good spread to learn how to link symbols. I have had many great insights with this spread. Again, make up a story based on the pictures. Be sure to take and date notes; and, look back to see what happened. This really helps."