Today, I want to follow up on my last post, Give Me 3 Minutes and I’ll Make You a Better Tarot Reader, by looking at some of the feedback I received for that post.
A quick look at the Feedback
There were a number of positive as well as negative responses to the post, and while I’m really thankful and happy about the positive feedback, I wanted to take a moment to look at some of the criticism that I received too.
Here are the three main things that people objected to:
- An attack on forums themselves
- An attack on the Qabbalah
- A promotion of other Tarot readers
Attacking Forums
Let me start by saying that it was never my intention to attack Forums. I’ve recently promoted a Tarot Forum called Astrocreeps and Tarot Freaks, on my blog. However, I will maintain that Tarot Forums can be intimidating places, especially when you’re new to a subject.
What I was attacking was the communication that I witnessed between “experts” and “newbies”. My post was on a particular exchange, or thread, that happened to take place in a Forum.
Imagine, for a moment, what it’s like to be really enthusiastic about the Tarot, to join a community of likeminded individuals, and then, after your first couple of posts, be attacked, and in my opinion, unfairly.
Attacking Qabbalah
I never intended to attack the Qabbalah, or Occultists. I’ve studied the Qabbalah for over 10 years, and still do. What I was attacking was the particular thread I followed on a Tarot Forum.
People there are going on about how “Qabbalistic” approaches to the Tarot are the only real ways to become better Tarot readers. No, more than that, better people.
I strongly disagreed with this on two accounts. The first, Qabbalah is only a framework and second, I don’t think a knowledge of it does necessarily make you a better Tarot reader.
However, the main issue I had was the way these “experts” were talking down to people who didn’t know the Qabbalah – dismissing them because they didn’t share the same artificial framework, or paradigm, as them. This says more about their character as people, as it does about anything else.
It’s very easy to make someone feel stupid or inferior if you know more than they do, but is it justified?
Is it appropriate?
What does it say about the hierarchical structure in which the Tarot operates?
It’s only the Tarot – it’s only life!
I do not like it when people use knowledge to belittle others. Annie, who commented on the post, made a really important point “Also, one thing to bring to their notice is that ‘Newbies’ can bring in new and refreshing ideas and we all can benefit from this.”
Ginger said, “This post made me smile….but it is so true….and you know its like this with a lot of things not just tarot. Becoming mired in ego and “expertness” keeps one from growing…in the world of medicine, technology, psychology, all fields…”
Enuff said!
The promotion of other Tarot readers
I understand why people have criticised this. Perhaps with hindsight, I should have said Tarot writers, and teachers as well as Tarot readers.
I picked those three people because I’ve personally learned from them. I find their information to be useful, helpful and innovative – they’ve written information that’s solved problems.
Mistakes
Yesterday, I didn’t make myself clearly understood and that was a mistake. With hindsight, I should have been clearer about my views on Forums, the Qabbalah, and the promotion of other people.
However, I stand by the point I made in the last post. I don’t like the way people use knowledge to appear the “big man.” I don’t like the way the Tarot is still caught up in a hierarchical structure that does nothing to benefit it or promote it.
I disagree strongly with the way people use knowledge as means of control. It’s pointless and unnecessary.
Why did I say that knowing all this will make you a better Tarot reader?
Because open mindedness makes better Tarot readers – and a willingness to share, listen and learn from others.
Image at Avinash Kaushik.
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I personally want to say that I enjoy your articles and opinions Doug, you’re words are colorful and burn bright. But opinions are like artwork, some will be mesmerized, while others turned off. I ‘heard’ your words defending readers and ‘NEW tarot students’ with feelings. And for that, I applaud you. Your post was an awesome reminder to all of your loyal readers, that words DO sting, and to think before we use them. When we are in forum/groups, as well as off the internet, we must ALL be kind and respectful of others, no matter how ‘great’, or how ’small’.
Ditto on what Suzi wrote – I couldn’t say it better.
But I do want to add that “experts” shouldn’t be condescending to “newbies” – they should use the opportunity to educate and to mentor. How I wish I would have had expert guidance when I started out. The difference it would have made….
Hey Suzi and Theresa
Thanks ever so much for your kind words and your support
The great thing about blogs is the level of interaction, learning and support that can be achieved. Thank you both once again
Forums are places for debate. They are also supposed to be places where truth can be found through discourse. There is nothing wrong in attacking forum, particularly if they are not doing their job. For some reason tarot students are not good at debate, and I hope this will change.
A lot of what goes in Kabbalah these days is dogma. It has become a quasi religion, and it is time that it is assessed in the clear light of day.
Doug, please keep on speaking out. There should be no sacred cows. I spend a lot of time critically reassessing what I know about Tarot and what others know about Tarot, and I wish that others would do more.
Views on Tarot have become far too narrow and fixated. It is time to look at it anew, and continue to reinvent and reappraise.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks for dropping by, and for your insightful and thoughtful comment
I agree! By critically assessing different approaches to the Tarot we can continue to “reinvent.”
I thought your post was wonderful, and it was something that needed to be said. I’ve thought the exact same thing many times over the years I’ve been on the internet and visiting forums. It’s always hard to stand against the established masses and make a change for the better of everyone. We should always be open to learning new things and considering new perspectives. Keep up the good work, Douglas!
Hi Bobbie,
Thanks for dropping by
I really appreciate your kind words.
I couldn’t agree more. Although this can be a challenging process, it’s always going to help enrich our connection with the Tarot.
Well put my friend.
Bul,
Hi BQ,
Thanks
I think you make very good points about some using knowledge to belittle others, or those who feel that their way is the only way. I think people learn in different ways and at different paces and the best way to encourage others is to allow them to express their own opinions and views and insights.
After all we can all see different things in a tarot card! You may well be able to show me something that I had never thought of and vice a versa.
What you say here ” a willingness to share, listen and learn from others.” is the key to becoming a better reader.
Hi Helen,
I couldn’t agree more. That’s what I find really exciting about Tarot – being shown a different way to look at the same card; or spread
Thank you for your kind words
Another day, another comment to show my support.
Spats on blogs are to be anticipated and, indeed, welcomed. When someone disagrees with our point of view it should make us challenge our own beliefs and explore whether this new viewpoint has anything of truth for you.
I personally don’t get much from QBLH (I write it that way cos I can never remember how many lls or bs the word has got LOL!) with regard to Tarot as far as assisting with divination.
However, I do think that if we are also talking about Tarot as a tool for self-exploration and self-discovery yes, it can serve a useful purpose. But it’s not for everyone, is it?
I think that if you explore QBLH and you can happily work through the various paths, using Tarot cards as your meditations and it helps you learn more about yourself and your inner landscape – it’s fine.
Equally fine if you don’t want to bother with it.
I take a hugely active role in the forum for The Tarot Association for The British Isles and I work hard at ensuring that it provides a safe and supportive environment – especially for newbies (Doug – you can delete that if it sounds too much like canvassing!). The flip side of that is that we might not offer enough professional/experienced areas. I hope that we can remedy this over time – but all forums (fora?!) are entirely dependent upon the members who contribute.
If you have bitchy aggressive members, you will have a bitchy aggressive forum when they contribute. People who moderate the forum have a duty to do in that respect.
Doug – everyone’s a critic
Just stay true to yourself – it might ruffle feathers, but no-one ever made a worthwhile leap forward in politics, art or life without upsetting a few folk.
Best
AX (speaking personally, not representing my whole organisation btw!)
Hi Alison,
Thanks for dropping by
Haha I think I’m going to have to copy the way you spell QBLH
Interesting comment Alison. Especially your thoughts on the QBLH and forums. You’re right – people make up forums and people can either be interested in the QBLH, or not. The fact that we can listen to each others point of view is very important in helping to create a cool environment for people to exchange ideas in.
Thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate it, and I’ll try my best
Hmm, I absolutely support you on standing back over the noobies. Cause Im a partial noob myself. IT is unjustified when new beginners are being put down when they wanted to share their new experience in a forum with the experts.
The so called, “experts” have probably no more brain-sense, or a mind like ours, to think clearly of what lame actions they have done, but in the fact, it is just belittling to them. They feel so superior that they have these inferiors to take down the noobs just because they dont know much. What does that make them? Cowards that are too scared the noobs can somehow bring a little bright idea into the group and they might lose their status/expertise-ness?
Too bad, but you know, I’ve gone through a lot of scenarios like this in my life, where the higher ups tries to gain control by belittling or putting down people, but in the end, they are just human with insecurities.
And for the little noobs, it makes them work harder to achieve what they want in life.
The beautiful end~
Hi Maz,
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
I agree, sometimes when we are faced with obstacles, we work harder to overcome them. In this case, criticism can, in some cases, help us learn our subject better.
I think, Doug, the problem with Tarot as a subject on the internet is that there a are a number of people with vested interests, for whom it’s financially beneficial for them to keep the Tarot a mystery that’s mediated via some kind of Tarot illuminati. It’s all the frustrating and annoying aspects of the Hierophant card that they’re embodying. The more people that have their own personal journey with the Tarot, the less custom they will get and that’s the long and short of it as far as I can tell.
There are individuals who seem to feel that the Tarot and indeed the Qabbalah is in some way their property and that to suggest that people get their hands dirty and do their own thing with it is some kind of copyright transgression. As we all know, the Tarot belongs to no one and everyone. It’s not the same as a pop song or Harry Potter. You can do what you want with it.
Coming to the Qabbalah itself and it’s relationship to Tarot – I agree with you there too – as you know, I have also spent years studying the Qabbalah but have the understanding that it’s something that’s projected onto the Tarot rather than the other way around. The power of the Tarot is it’s an information storing system in it’s own right – a universal language of pictures and that should be foremost in our minds before we start projecting any other system of information on to it.
Yes, the Qabbalah can make you better at Tarot, but it can also make you better in bed and improve your photography. It isn’t however sex, photographs or Tarot cards, it’s simply a nice way of setting the table.
Hi Chris,
Great comment, and very funny as well as insightful
Awesome!
Ownership is a dangerous thing in general, but certainly when it comes to abstract knowledge, or understanding. I like your statement on “copyright transgression”. I think you hit the nail on the head with that one
“As we all know, the Tarot belongs to no one and everyone. It’s not the same as a pop song or Harry Potter. You can do what you want with it.”
Couldn’t agree more.
Hi Tabitha Dial,
LOL me too
From my perspective, Kabbalah has nothing to do with the tarot. It is just an unnecessary add-on thanks to Eliphas Levi and the Golden Dawn crowd.
Hi John,
Thanks for dropping by
That’s an interesting perspective and one what that I share, albeit loosely – not just with the Kabbalah, but with other “add-ons”. I’ve been trying to experiment with different decks, that don’t reference these other systems, in an attempt to get a “real world” experience of what the Tarot might be like stripped of these additions.
I like to think of these “add-ons” as producing the current anatomy of Tarot.
Not sure what forum you’re talking about but Internet forums can be dreadful places. Despite that fact, I learned about the tarot in one forum and am grateful for that.
There are many ways to learn tarot and it means so many different things to each of us. I’m glad I learned about the structure and suits, elements and so on. That knowledge gave the foundation from which I could read the symbolic language easily and spontaneously.
If people want to use the cards in astrological, kabbalistic or other frameworks that is their choice. I probably wouldn’t seek a reading from them however because that doesn’t suit me.
A few months ago I saw tarot used as a springboard for mediumship and was most impressed. I think that had something to do with a gifted reader but I have often felt that some tarot readers are natural mediums although they probably would not see themselves that way.
You have an interesting site and I have enjoyed browsing
Hi KS,
Thanks for dropping by
I agree, some Forums can be an excellent resources for learning, and making connections.
People will be drawn to certain frameworks – in my opinion, one framework is not “better” than another; certainly not in any universal way. However, some people are naturally drawn to one type of framework over another.
The Tarot will make sense to an individual in what ever way it makes sense to them. This is an individual position, not a universal truth. To this extent, acknowledgment of an individuals differences is important. When, as I witnessed on the Forum, there is no acknowledgment of individual differences, then we enter dangerous territory. One position can never be any “truer” than another in the Tarot community. The Tarot is irrational – it is read by individuals, and each have their own frameworks.
That makes total sense. This is an awareness of what you like and don’t like – I have very similar feelings with certain approaches people can take to the Tarot.
I’m really glad you enjoyed the post, and the blog