Syllabus

[Amethyst Rose]

This is a working syllabus..... it's also interactive! If after reading through the syllabus, you have a suggestion of what else I should include in the class, then post it in this thread, please.


PART ONE

History of Tarot

Purposes of tarot
- divination
- past life
- counceling
- meditation
- entertainment
- tarot games
- spell work
- spirit cards, lesson cards, personal year cards

Ethics

Common misconceptions and taboos


PART TWO

Decks
- Oracles
- 78 card tarot
- playing cards
- differences between decks, ie. card names/suits

How to use tarot
- symbolism (colors, numerology, astrology, animals, flowers, dieties, other)
- intuition
- getting to know your cards
- cleansing
- card storage


PART THREE

Major Arcana
- fool's journey
- general definitions & reversals
- analysis of cards


PART FOUR

Minor Arcana
- general definitions & reversals
- analysis of cards


PART FIVE

How to do a reading
- Spreads
- significator card
- single card
- 3 card
- celtic cross
- horse shoe
- 12 month
- past life
- card meanings in certain positions
- card meanings when combined

PART SIX

Reading
- distance reading
- reading for yourself
- reading for friends/family
- reading professionally

[Anubis RainHawk]

AR, This all seems so interesting. I can't what to start. 2 things I would like to suggest though. The 1st is maybe something on the tarot and deities. Many people have talked about how some cards can represent some deites, ie HPS=Isis, Emperopr=Zeus, Hanged Man=Odin. The other thing is maybe something on tarot and spell work. Thanks again for teaching this class!

Anubis RainHawk

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll add them to the list. I'll have to so some serious research on tarot and deities though....cuz I'm not to sure about it. I'm sure it'll be a good discussion though :)

[Goddess Rhiannon]

Could you maybe include something on reversals?

[Amethyst Rose]

Yup, that's included in the card meanings, I'll add it though, just to make it clearer. :)

[Aidron]

There is no set way of storing a deck properly, but allowing each of us to discuss it openly may offer inspiration to other people, through analysis of why we do it.

Perhaps also the rituals we perform related to our deck, whether they be cleansings before we first use them or after each reading, certain things we do each time we perform a reading, tarot guides we have contacted or work with and other things that seem to be a constant with us and our decks.

Also, tarot taboos. As much as some of them may seem ridiculous, perhaps a discussion regarding them would help people decide for themselves what to include if it seems logical to them or what seems to be absolutely ridiculous. Some might be misconceptions, which I've noticed you have listed, but some many people take very seriously I'm sure.

Me and ideas... hmm. When it rains, it pours. :hrmm:

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks Raven, I added your suggestions to the "How to use tarot" section, and combined taboos with misconceptions. :)

[Aidron]

I'm not sure if it would be entirely appropriate given there are many people here who probably never work magic, but what about a discussion related to tarot spells and rituals? Your own situation regarding depression made me think of it, and how if I were in your shoes I might single out one or more cards (The Sun, The Star, and Ten of Cups to name a few) and work with them and the energies they possess in whatever way I deemed suitable to alter things for the better, such as alleviating depression to bring in a new-found sense of hope and prosperity.

Edit: I didn't see it (not sure how or why, grrr) but I presume this will go under spellwork. I need glasses apparently. :fpatricks

Also, if you are familiar with Spirit Cards, Talent Cards, Lesson Cards, and Personal Year cards I've always found those to be fascinating and most people tend to pin me down so I will decipher their own for them. It's a pretty simple method to decipher which ones belong to you involving simple mathematics. If you're unfamiliar with it I'd be happy to show you how it's done as it's quite honestly the most simple thing I've seen done with the tarot to date.

[Valkie]

umm... I really don't know how to put this, so I'll just throw it out and hope you know what I mean.

Who has control? exp. I remember reading somewhere that minor arcana are the areas that you have control over and major arcana are things that are out of your control.

[Amethyst Rose]

Also, if you are familiar with Spirit Cards, Talent Cards, Lesson Cards, and Personal Year cards I've always found those to be fascinating and most people tend to pin me down so I will decipher their own for them. It's a pretty simple method to decipher which ones belong to you involving simple mathematics. If you're unfamiliar with it I'd be happy to show you how it's done as it's quite honestly the most simple thing I've seen done with the tarot to date.

I'm not familiar with these at all, so I really appreciate your help on this.... maybe you can help me write a lesson on them? They sound really interesting.... give me a pm and tell me what you know. :)

[Amethyst Rose]

umm... I really don't know how to put this, so I'll just throw it out and hope you know what I mean.

Who has control? exp. I remember reading somewhere that minor arcana are the areas that you have control over and major arcana are things that are out of your control.

Heh....I can honestly say that I dont' know what you mean. The only control I have over cards is where I use a spread that specifically calls for only a specific suit to be used. Is that what you mean?

[Valkie]

not the person doing the spread... who the spread is for and if they have the control to change things. Like if most of the cards are major arcana, then the issues that the person is asking the question about is out of the person's personal control to change.

[Aidron]

not the person doing the spread... who the spread is for and if they have the control to change things. Like if most of the cards are major arcana, then the issues that the person is asking the question about is out of the person's personal control to change.


Ah, I understand now. When the major arcana cards appear, it's something beyond the control of the individual who the reading is being performed for. Minor arcane represent things completely within their control.

Personally, I'm skeptical about this.

[~Elise~]

Also, if you are familiar with Spirit Cards, Talent Cards, Lesson Cards, and Personal Year cards I've always found those to be fascinating and most people tend to pin me down so I will decipher their own for them. It's a pretty simple method to decipher which ones belong to you involving simple mathematics. If you're unfamiliar with it I'd be happy to show you how it's done as it's quite honestly the most simple thing I've seen done with the tarot to date.

I would love to see this included....it is absolutely a great plus, I feel, to add into a reading.

Elise

[Amethyst Rose]

not the person doing the spread... who the spread is for and if they have the control to change things. Like if most of the cards are major arcana, then the issues that the person is asking the question about is out of the person's personal control to change.

Ah, I see what you mean now. I personally believe that we have the power to change anything that the cards tell us...no matter which cards come up, (I always tell clients that the future isn't written in stone, and any decision they make can change what the cards have predicted) so I won't be teaching that theory in the class. I can mention it as a belief, however, if you'd like.

[~Elise~]

I also hope that there will be some emphasis on Court Cards-- I still feel weak in that area.

elise

[Amethyst Rose]

Emphasis...no. They'll be given the same consideration as every other section. I'll be giving meanings and reversals as well as the fools journey (which is really helpful in understanding them). There's so much information that could possibly be given that I won't drag it out for a long time. That may be be one of the study groups I set up though, for people who think they need the extra help.

[Aleigh]

Emphasis...no. They'll be given the same consideration as every other section. I'll be giving meanings and reversals as well as the fools journey (which is really helpful in understanding them). There's so much information that could possibly be given that I won't drag it out for a long time. That may be be one of the study groups I set up though, for people who think they need the extra help.

A study group for the court cards would be really helpful. I have the hardest time with them!

[Aidron]

A study group for the court cards would be really helpful. I have the hardest time with them!


So do I. Occasionally I want to remove them from my deck completely and give up on 'em they frustrate me so. ;)

[Anubis RainHawk]

A study group for the court cards would be really helpful. I have the hardest time with them!

I agree. They're the hardest to understand for me.

Anubis RainHawk

[Valkie]

just figured I'd throw this one out too since it was mentioned in the tarot forum... past lives readings?

[Raven Reed]

So do I. Occasionally I want to remove them from my deck completely and give up on 'em they frustrate me so. ;)

Ahhh... So glad I am not alone in my troubles with the court cards... I would be happy to be part of the group working on them. I really need help there.

[Amethyst Rose]

just figured I'd throw this one out too since it was mentioned in the tarot forum... past lives readings?

I'll include that with the section on spreads. :)

[Aleigh]

Glad to see I'm in good company with my court card problem. Sometimes I'm tempted to just pretend they don't exist at all. :rolleyes:

[Anubis RainHawk]

It would be cool if we could learn a spread to commune with guides and/or deities.

[Aidron]

It would be cool if we could learn a spread to commune with guides and/or deities.


That might be more easily achieved through meditation and trance work. That was and is my preferred method for meeting and communing with my tarot guide. Just a suggestion to lessen the weight of the class for Amethyst. Covering too much can offer less focus in the long run.

[Aleigh]

That might be more easily achieved through meditation and trance work. That was and is my preferred method for meeting and communing with my tarot guide. Just a suggestion to lessen the weight of the class for Amethyst. Covering too much can offer less focus in the long run.
Raven, this is probably a silly question, but how exactly does that work? I've been learning to meditate recently and want to try something with my tarot cards but I'm so new to meditation I'm not sure exactly how to go about it. I've only done guided meditations so far, except for one weird experience I had the other day that I think was a guide trying to contact me. Any suggestions?

[Aidron]

Raven, this is probably a silly question, but how exactly does that work? I've been learning to meditate recently and want to try something with my tarot cards but I'm so new to meditation I'm not sure exactly how to go about it. I've only done guided meditations so far, except for one weird experience I had the other day that I think was a guide trying to contact me. Any suggestions?


I thought I saw on the syllabus before that Amethyst was covering this in some form, but I don't see it now. My best suggestion would be to pick up "Everyday Tarot Magic" by Dorothy Morrisson, that should give you a good idea of how to go about doing it. However, if you are not very skilled in meditation you may want to choose another route or begin practicing every day before you attempt this. Meditation requires a lot of practice before you can see results generally.

Also, there are two types of meditation. Guided, most often what you will encounter in the western world where the purpose is to focus on something and eastern ones where the goal is usually to empty your mind. Since you have a goal in mind, a guided meditation is what you would want to go for.

[Amethyst Rose]

Meditation is covered in part one of the classes. :) I unfortunately, don't know about contacting spirit guides with tarot cards.... I don't even have a spirit guide of my own (that I've contacted, at least).

[Aidron]

Meditation is covered in part one of the classes. :) I unfortunately, don't know about contacting spirit guides with tarot cards.... I don't even have a spirit guide of my own (that I've contacted, at least).


I'll buy you one then when they have them on sale again at Wal-Mart. :hehehe:

(I'm tempted to parade my tarot guide around and brag just to be mean and silly. :tongueout)

[Eternal Seeker]

Will there be a discussion of how Tarot relates to the Qabalah?

[Amethyst Rose]

Hmmm....let me see what I can find with some research and get back to you on that one. I know nothing of it myself, but if I can find some info on it that's worth posting then I'll put it in the class.

[Eternal Seeker]

It's probably not worth going to that much trouble, unless someone else needs the info. I have a few books that discuss it, so I can reference them after the class.

[Dashifen]

Another possible topic that I've often incorporated into my reads is numerology -- how the number of the card can relate to the meaning. Also, the astrological connections between the major arcana interests me, though I don't know enough about astrology so perhaps that's a topic for a different course.

Also, anyone know about posting card images online? Can we just stick copyright notices along with the images and let people see them? I use the Vertigo deck and it's a limited edition (only 10,000 were printed) ironically produced by DC Comics! They're beautiful cards and I like showing them off to others, but I don't want to break the law (even if no one would know and DC Comics isn't returning my emails on this very question either).

[Amethyst Rose]

Umm... yup, I believe I have numerology and astrology listed under the symbols in part 2....hold on... gotta look...

Edit: Yup... Part Two - how to use tartot - symbology..... they're both listed there.

If you want to post images of your cards, see if the deck is listed with Aeclectic Tarot (http://aeclectic.net/tarot) and if it is, you can post the link in a thread I'll start, to discuss different decks.

[Dashifen]

Edit: Yup... Part Two - how to use tartot - symbology..... they're both listed there.

Active reading, Dashifen _taparoo_

I'll check that site out later, Thanks!

[-Sky-]

What a wonderful lesson plan!You have included so much information and I am sure we will learn from it.
A few suggestions:
-Have you included in any of the lessons tarot spells?I am not familiar with them but I've read somewhere that tarot cards can be included in some spells eg "The Lovers" card is used in love spells,"find-a-soumate" spells etc
-In the different spreads and meditations you included maybe you could add one with the elements.I have the "Sacred Circle" tarot deck and in each book I've found a way of meditating with the four cards of the elements.Would you like me to pm you with the text taken from the book?I think it is very interesting and helpful.

Blessed Be

[badkitty]

I just want to add (though I am late) that I am another person who has always had a rough time with court cards. I think a study group at some point would be great.

[Raven Heart]

What a wonderful Syllabus. You included allot of different aspects in this class and it should be fun to explore them all.
Deep Peace