A Twist on the Tarot

At age 11, I bought my first tarot deck. The trusty Rider-Waite-Smith. Like most readers, I gradually obtained more decks and expanded my collection. After decades of experience as a reader, being comfortable using all kinds of decks became an intrinsic facet of my nature. Yet, the most difficult challenge for me with the tarot was to work on “forgetting” the traditional meanings assigned to the cards. I wished to include this technique in my styles of readings, and those assigned meanings, definitions, and keywords had been engraved in my memory for a long time.

Reading the tarot in this manner is not quite the same as intuitive reading, but both share the “forgetting the traditional meanings” technique. There are times when the assigned meaning of a card applies perfectly to the story being revealed in the layout. There are other times where applying the assigned meaning seems out of place, confusing, or obscures the clarity. If that’s the case, this is a good indication that the traditional meaning isn’t part of this particular tale.

It's not that easy to forget the typical interpretations assigned to the cards of the tarot, at least it wasn’t for me. Second-guessing the self comes easily, with the mind repeatedly grasping for the traditional meaning. I’ve learned to flow with the developing interpretation based on the images alone, and the story that seems to be emerging from the progression of those images. Surprising new insights can arrive in connection with familiar cards. Fresh layers of meaning and additional keyword associations can reveal themselves to your intuition.

Over the years I’ve gathered exercises and games for using the tarot which assist with temporarily forgetting those assigned meanings. I’ve shared a couple below that I’ve found helpful (and fun!) to practice.

• If you have, care for, or teach children there are two ways to approach this exercise. The first is to tell the child a made-up fairytale, fable, or story using the cards. The Lenormand Grand Tableaux is a good spread for this, and one that can be used for regular tarot and Oracle decks too. Differently themed decks inspire different types of tales. Rider-Waite-Smith is always reliable, but there are so many wonderful, themed decks out there with which to experiment.

The tale obviously develops in direct connection to the images on the cards as they turn up. Traditional meanings are more easily set aside when engaging in this type of creative play with a child.

• The second approach is to allow the child to tell you a story using the cards. As each card is turned up, the child adds another scene to the story. The child tells you a tale based only on the pictures on the cards instead of pulling from a reservoir of collected meanings, and this can be an eye-opening and delightful experience.

The below suggestions don’t use tarot decks, but they are excellent for stretching the boundaries of the imagination. Since there are obviously no assigned meanings to the items being used, you’re challenged to think in narrative arcs instead of calling forth memorized definitions. Intuitive and story-telling abilities are also heightened.

• Vintage postcards. You can get a random assortment of cards in thrift or junk shops, and online via Etsy, eBay, etc. Order a bunch so you have plenty to work with. Use these as your deck and enjoy the leveling up of your oracle skills.
  

• Old/vintage photos. A lot of thrift and junk stores have these, usually loose, sometimes in photo scrapbooks. Gather together a bunch of different kinds (people, animals, places, nature, random groupings of people). Same practice as with the vintage postcards. Another realm of play and leveling up.
  

• Personal photos. I have lots of loose photos stored in boxes. Immediate family, relatives, and distant family passed down from grandparents. I also have pictures of myself, my siblings, friends, vacations, and party photos – all from various time periods in my life. Giving yourself a reading using random, blind-selected personal photos can be a thought-provoking experience, and one I recommend. Any layout works, but the Celtic Cross is simple and straightforward, and has a definite flow and synthesis. Each photograph in the layout reflects back to you a moment of time in your life. A snapshot that encapsulates a specific memory and/or brings up an emotion. The cards in the layout represent a sort of photographic album within the realm of your inquiry.

What’s the story that seems to be emerging? What memories or emotions surface, and how do they connect together in the flow of images? Are shadow work or healing an old wound components apparent in the reading? Is the reading gently reminding you of your valuable character traits and strengths that you’ve carried with you throughout your life? The personal photos reading is an intimate one-on-one with past versions of yourself, and this can be revealing as well as affirming.

My stalwart intellect holds the traditional interpretations for the cards in a tidy, convenient catalog in my brain, but I love exploring different ways to enhance my proficiency. As a reader yourself, whether novice, expert, or dabbler for fun, do you have any favorite or helpful tarot exercises or games you still indulge in as an accessory to your regular practice?