The Tarot: A Hidden Book of Magickal Wisdom

The Emperor (Trump IV ) from the Thoth deck

Recently, I decided I would start studying the Tarot seriously. I had a deck since I was 16, but I never really took the time to really *study* it...like card by card...and I was heavily dependent on the Little-White-Book that came with the deck. I read some earlier posts in this blog with regard to Tarot, and it's true, every, little DETAIL on the card is important: from the colours of clothing, to symbols, to the positioning of the characters in the scene, the Tarot is a Deep Well of Knowledge. It looks like a simple tool...a deck of cards, one may wonder of what spiritual use is it? How can it guide you to make better choices in your life, and help you develop spiritually, emotionally, etc.? However, I have seen that the Tarot is a very powerful tool, one that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's a hidden book in my opinion...of course this is my opinion, and there are no facts concerning exactly WHERE/WHY/HOW/etc. the Tarot originated...there are many theories, and all of them may have some truth in them. All I can say for sure is that wherever Tarot originated from, or who created it, and whteher or not it was a actually a simple deck of playing cards that became a spiritual tool or vice-versa, the Tarot is a repository for the Wisdom of the Ages. It is a spiritual tool and should be respected as such...the symbols and images on them are sacred. I have realized that in studying the 78 cards of the Tarot, it leads you into other fields of the Occult arts: Astrology, Numerology, Symbology, the Kabbala as well as other fields of study such as Mythology, Psychology, etc. The deeper you go the more you realize you have to learn...you can spend your life studying the Tarot.

I have also heard of people using them in Magick spells, to predict outcomes for spells and how it'll affect you, for timing etc. I find this to be particularly interesting as I have never considered how Tarot cards can be used in spells. But the images on the cards are very powerful and they contain very deep occult symbology...you could meditate on them for hours and come away with so many spiritual riches. Some decks are more redolent in spiritual imagery than others...the Thoth deck which was done under the direction of Aleister Crowley is a fine example. Also, each card has it's own "energy"...Aces for example are pregnant with the qualities of their elemental suits....and that's another amazing thing. The Magician in the Major Arcana can probably be considered the role model for those that practise magick everywhere: he stands for a willful, confident, strong person who bends the forces of nature to his will: he makes it happen...Air, Earth, Fire, Water all conspire to materialize his goals. The Suits of the Minor Arcana all bear the imagery of 4 predominantly used Magickal tools: Swords/ Daggers/ Athames, Pentacles, Wands/ Staffs, Chalices.


Anyway...I just thought I would make this post here because I think this is a great topic to discuss and I hope it will stimulate some discussion around here, becuz it's been way too quiet as of late. What are your thoughts, opinions, views and experiences?For those of you who have already started studying the Tarot in depth, how are you progressing, and what are some of your insights?

Learning Wicca

We have become accustomed to a particular learning process in Trinidad. We sit, facing a teacher, in a concrete box and just listen and absorb everything that the teacher tells us is important. We are also told exactly how to apply what we have learnt to our environment. We are told how to think about what we are taught, and just follow instructions. We do not learn to interpret, associate, apply critical thinking.......

Witchcraft, by its nature, is not supposed to have a structured approach. At this time, a movement can be observed to create traditions, which dictate structure and "correctness" in rituals and form. Several Craftworkers are wary of this because it detracts from what this belief was intended for.

Witchcraft takes the individual through a mental process. There is a period of learning yourself, and the things that trigger interest in the individual. It is the act of observing this interest that leads us to pick which aspects of the Craft are suited to us. Those things which we believe in most are what usually works in the creation of personal rituals and spells.

Finding out what you want to learn about is a key part of the journey. Unless you are learning Traditional (insert label here) witchcraft, then you need a teacher in Traditional (insert label here) witchcraft. But you cannot make that decision to learn Traditional (insert label here) witchcraft unless you know that this is where your heart lies. There is an exploration process that you need to do on your own first.

The purpose of this blog, is not to tell you how to learn and what you should learn, but to be a forum for all of us who are interested, and who are learning on our own to discuss and possibly learn from each other.




The expectation, when people join this group sometimes is that someone is going to teach them. I am sorry to burst your bubble, but no one can teach you what your mind responds to......only you can do that. Witchcraft and Magick work best when the person knows what their mind responds to. I am sure that you have heard about teaching methodologies where children respond to visuals, some respond to sound, and some respond to practice.

Well in Witchcraft/Magick, some respond to Tarot, some respond to horoscopes, some to herbs, some to elemental magick....the only way you will learn what perks up your mind is to try them all...experiment...and have fun.

The internet has enormous resources.....don't pay...I haven't found any sites (I have tried about four) that offer any worth really...perhaps except www.witchschool.com. But even then, its geared to the Corelian Tradition, which is a combination of Native American beliefs and witchcraft.

What I have found, is that traditions which are part of your ethnic heritage seem to stike a chord with your inner being. So research and look into those.
The process is a Spiral Dance, which sees you returning to themes and topics, each time going deeper and deeper into the method.

I know this may disappoint some.....but this is really the best way to learn.

Blessed Be