Thank you for your kind words

I agree, that’s what makes working with the Tarot so interesting – being the perpetual student, and still feeling like there’s so much more to learn

LOL Gemini!

Great article as always! Even though I have been reading for many years, I feel like the perpetual student. I don’t think I’ll ever master all that there is regarding the tarot. But that is what makes it so interesting. As a Gemini, as soon as I think I have it figured out, I’m bored (which is probably why Geminis make lousy marriage partners! LOL) but with tarot, I am never at a loss of learning.

Blessings!
Theresa

Thank you for your words of support

Maybe you’ll to put the link back up in the article

Great idea! I’ve just added the link to the article.

…reminded that practice and experience with Tarot is the first indicator for a tarot reader at any age.

Great way to put it. Like most things, being older isn’t always a good gauge of a persons ability. As this article indicates, practice, passion and enthusiasm are really the keys to becoming a great Tarot reader

Thank you for your comment

Thank you also for bringing the topic of practice to the attention of Tarot readers reading your blog – it is important and inspirational for tarot students in particular to trust that practice and exposure does actually help – it can be hard to tell if one is improving sometimes!

I don’t know how close to 10,000 hours I might be at almost 8 years in, but as someone who has been judged on youth alone when approached for Tarot it comforts me to be reminded that practice and experience with Tarot is the first indicator for a tarot reader at any age.

Thanks Doug, I look forward to your next post!

Thanks for stopping by

However, like Irmata said, the Tarot being a tool that contains such vast and complex esoteric depths, that even after spending over a million hours, let alone, 10,000, one still could discover something brand new altogether.

Both of you make an excellent point. There is something about the Tarot which does make the label of “expert” hard to define – also, it’s actual impossible on some level to achieve this level given the trans-personal nature of the subject.

I guess that’s the beauty of the Tarot. No one can truly ‘master it’ completely, for just when you think you do, something new comes along and wipes the slate clean .

LOL how true

I agree! The only standard by which we can be judged is our own – and this is often the harshest judge of all. I don’t think there will ever be a time that I could claim to be a “master”. There is always something else to learn; some new bit of information that helps me solve a problem that’s been lurking in the back of my mind for days, weeks, or even years. How long is a piece of string?…….what a great way to put it.

What I find fascinating with the 10,000 hour rule is the amount of examples that Malcolm Gladwell gives of people reaching an “expert” level. For instance, a chess player (with 10,000 hours of practice) may have the skill level to compete for chess grandmaster but, there are so many other factors involved with competing at that level which go beyond what can be practiced – Psychological strength in coping with pressure is one.

However, he also points out that by that stage, with the amount of dedication applied (and the essential ingredient of luck included) the person is usually able to compete appropriately.

I’m not entirely sure what side of the fence I sit on with this. In many ways the Tarot itself goes beyond being simple a “skill” to be mastered and enters into something more spiritual – which is hard to claim “expert” with, given its trans-personal components.

I really appreciate reading your comment. Thank you

However, like Irmata said, the Tarot being a tool that contains such vast and complex esoteric depths, that even after spending over a million hours, let alone, 10,000, one still could discover something brand new altogether. I’ve been reading Tarot since I was about 11, and I still find myself learning new concepts with the fresh bright-eyed wonderment of a newbie! I guess that’s the beauty of the Tarot. No one can truly ‘master it’ completely, for just when you think you do, something new comes along and wipes the slate clean .

xoxo
Z