Sometimes I look at myself, I look at the Tarot, and I ask, “What the Fuck is going on?”
There was a time when I felt so sure about everything. I was sure about who I was, about what the Universe means, about what it all means. As I get older I realise that I’m no longer sure about anything. It’s all a mystery to me. None of it makes sense.
Take the Tarot for instance. A theory goes that it can predict the future because its symbols accurately represent all the forces in the Universe, yet the Universe is a complete unknown. Because the Universe is a complete unknown, the Tarot is also an unknown – a mystery! I’m not saying that the Tarot doesn’t accurately represent the Universe, or that we know absolutely nothing whatsoever about the Universe, just that we can’t actually fully understand what it is that we know, or what is being represented … and I like that!
I like that the Tarot is a mystery. I like that I don’t understand it, that I don’t fully understand what it tries to show me, that I don’t fully understand how it all works. I like the mystery!
And yet in many ways, the mystery has gone.
Modern Tarot
Modern Tarot is not about appreciating mystery, it leaves no room for the appreciation of the unknown. Modern Tarot is about clearly defining what the role of Tarot is.
In the 19th century, scientists were so confident that they were only a few years away from establishing a theory of everything (a unifying theory). They were wrong.
They assumed that the Universe, based on Newtonian physics, was like a big clock — all they had to do was understand the mechanics of it, and they could explain how each individual part was fitted together. Now, scientists have moved away from this scientific certainty towards a Physics that is much more mysterious.
In my opinion, the Tarot could do with following in the footsteps of Physics – a little less certain of what the Tarot is.
Why so serious?
Scientist are known for taking things too seriously. But is the Tarot community any different?
This is how I see the future of Tarot — a return to mystery.
If we accept that the Tarot is basically unknowable, we can let a bit of fun back into it.
Let’s move away from certainty, let’s question everything and open ourselves up to a little mystery. After all, what is the High Priestess for if not to introduce a little mystery?
This video says it better than I can
I don’t really see any difference between the mystery of the Universe and the mystery of the Tarot. They both equate to the same thing (Lon Milo Duquette once wrote that holding a Tarot deck is like holding the Universe in your hand). Perhaps the only difference is that one represents the other (but which one?). They are both vast, unknowable, continually fascinating and surprising.
I watched this spoof video and was inspired to write this post. It sums up the mystery I feel every time I look out at the Universe, or every time I pick up the Tarot … and it doesn’t mind having a bit of fun doing it either. Enjoy!
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23 comments… Let's discuss
Praise the Lord! And the Goddess! And the Great Mysterious! And the Universe! And Tarot.
I love this. Hurray for mystery. I’m so tired of Tables of Correspondences.
Now I have a song stuck in my head. Girls just wanna have fun!
Hi Barbara,
I’m really glad you stopped by and enjoyed the post
The number one tool in the “mystic” is imagination. Anyone who can have fun, love using their imagination and intuition usually always fair better than those of us who don’t.
In the past I stifled my imagination, and I didn’t have any fun. These days I’ve come to realise that having fun and using the imagination is the fastest way to reconnect to the mystery and magic of the universe.
Thanks for the comment and keep on singing
Ah the fervent enthusiasm, usually only seen on the faces of newbies, and reminiscent of a time long forgotten. I think it’s time to go back to basics and refind the Ace of Wands and the spark that that ignited the flame.
Loved this video and loved the post – always food for thought, thank you
Hi Catherine,
I’m glad you liked the post.
Definitely! Anyone of us who have lost that initial spark could really benefit from a Grail Quest
Doug,
Looks like you are anticipating where I am going with the tarot. What ‘is’ is boring. Knowing the Unknown is where the fun lies.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I’m looking forward to watching how you develop those ideas – I’m really enjoying the Videos
F’ckin’ brilliant, Doug. This is such a good [albeit tongue-firmly-in-cheek] reminder to get out of our brains and appreciate mystery and the unknown. Since most of us cannot get to these amazing locations, Tarot is a great substitute.
Hi Kafka’s Ghost,
Thanks for dropping by
Absolutely. The video in this post really helped to snap me out of my brain, which was a great thing. I sometimes forget what it’s all about! And what it’s about, for me, is enjoying the mystery and not knowing what it’s all about
Doug -
I would love to see the mystery back in Tarot. Serious mystery, however.
Going into little old lady mode – I understnad why it was used here, but the “F” word, or any curse word, IMHO does not belong in a blog aimed at the general (Tarot) public.
Blessings, Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for dropping by
I’m glad you felt comfortable enough that you could post your feelings here
In fact, there have been several people who have contacted me and said how unhappy they were that I’d used such foul language.
I want to take this opportunity to apologies to you and everyone else who has been offended by my use of language. I can’t promise that I won’t ever do something similar again, but I can say that posts like these will be an exception to the rule.
I choose to publish this post, and use the language that I did because I felt that it was appropriate to the content being discussed. It was not done for shock value (that’s not my style) but for fun value. However, I do understand and appreciate that many people find this distasteful. All I can promise, regarding this issue, is that I will only use language like this if I deem it appropriate to the material I wish to present – a design choice so to speak.
Anyway, I want to thank you again for sharing your opinion and hope that I’ve gone some way in explaining my motives
Doug -
It is a pleasure to read your blogs. Offensive is better than boring any day!
That is – the language, not the content. The content is always first rate, and guaranteed to get the bain cells moving!
Blessings,
Bonnie
Nature is amazing and mysterious…it continually blows my mind. The Planet is amazing and mysterious, the Universe is amazing and mysterious..we are amazing and mysterious….thank God…cause if we knew…how f*****g boring would it all be…What else is possible?…
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
I agree, we need a little mystery to keep things interesting – to keep things in perspective
I’m really glad you enjoyed the post
Hi Bonnie…I’ve been thinking about what you wrote–serious mystery, and wondered “serious mystery” as opposed to what? I should wait until you answer that before I continue to babble on, but I’ll babble anyway.
I think that the idea of mystery being brought to tarot can be serious or playful or silly or disturbing or frustrating or any sort. I think it might be easy to confuse “meaningful” with “serious.”
Now I have a new song stuck in my head…that theme song from the movie Harold and Maude. I think Maude was an awesome example of fun and mystery that was meaningful.
For me, every time I look at a Tarot card there is mystery first and foremost. Otherwise, I would be bored…and I’m never bored. I get energized by reading and never tire of the multitude of possibilities that arise. There is an entire universe in one card, unlimited possibilities.
This is the same attitude that I take into my life. Each day is a mystery to be experienced, not solved. I look to the environment for the constant change of the seasons. I look into the mirror and witness my own changes over time.
Barbara – I love Maude…a symbol of life really lived.
We are all simply awesome!
Katrina
Hi Katrina,
What an awesome way of putting it
Barbara -
When I say “serious mystery”, i mean mystery with a purpose. The words “esoteric mystery” come to mind. I personally have a very difficult time being playfull or silly with the cards. Just my nature.
I don;t believe that I have confused meaningful with serious. There is meaning in play – I am just not playful.
Blessings,
Bonnie
Hey Douglas
I must say that I really enjoy reading your blog. You always manage to get me thinking. I was especially intrigued by Catherine’s comment:
“Ah the fervent enthusiasm, usually only seen on the faces of newbies, and reminiscent of a time long forgotten.”
It is easy to become jaded in one’s “tarot worldview” especially after doing it for years and years. Coming back to beginner’s mind is a challenge but a necessity if we are to retain that sense of wonder and awe that tarot provides when we first begin to investigate it. I am always amazed at what tarot can (and cannot) answer…..
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
I’m glad you liked the post
I really like that! Profound!
Hi Doug,
You summed up a lot of what I feel about the tarot as my relationship with it has evolved through the years. At first, when I started working with the cards, I felt like it was a logical system of mysticism that I was getting in to and felt so damn wise. The longer I worked with the tarot, the more I realized I had to learn about the cards and in life proper.
I find the greatest surprise with how accurate these cards, and as a by-product me, can be. And that is one of the most awesome mysteries of all, how much knowledge can filter through and hit me like a tonne of bricks.
Thanks for reminding me of that.
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for dropping by
My early experience of the Tarot is very similar to yours. It seemed to be presented as a logical system that would explain the truth of things.
They say the Greatest mystery (or rather, the Great Mystery) is not the mystery of Spirit, but rather, the mystery of the body. This fascinates me – the unexplainable nature of existence. The day I realised that everything, to all intents and purposes, is unknowable, was the day I felt an enormous freedom come over me. I think that freedom can be expressed through the Tarot.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post
The title of this post made me laugh….true…..and of most of life…not just tarot. Doug the new site set up looks GREAT….i have a lot of reading to do to catch up…<3
Hi Ginger,
Great to hear from you
I’m glad you like the new site (I saw that you have a new look also
) and I hope you like some of the stuff I’ve written 
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