Whether you are well-versed in the use of Tarot cards, or whether you are just starting out with them, many of us (yours truly included) start out with the intention of being able to read for ourselves. And then we find ourselves in a weird position: reading the Tarot for other people suddenly looks very easy compared to reading for oneself!
It was during such a time of utter weirdness that I discovered Tarot For Your Self, written by Mary K. Greer.
This book helped me on my journey in a unique way and, of course, helped me find the balance and detachment required to read Tarot cards for myself.
Tarot For Your Self By Mary K. Greer
In the world of Tarot, Mary K. Greer is quite a well-known personality. She has authored several books on Tarot. Each of her books provides a deeper insight and understanding into the cards. She also writes a wonderful, knowledgeable blog, which you can check out at http://marygreer.wordpress.com/.
Today, we’re going to look into her truly awesome book: Tarot for Your Self. In this book, Mary goes on to talk about several different techniques that you can use to create the kind of capability and perspective required to read the Tarot cards for yourself.
Tarot For Your Self: The Contents
The book Tarot For Your Self is also described as ‘A Workbook for Personal Transformation’ – and a workbook it is. Each of the chapters and units contains exercises and meditations that will help you look at the cards from an interesting angle, while deepening your connection with the cards on a personal level.
Apart from the different chapters, the book includes various spreads, charts, exercises, mandalas, visualizations, rituals, and interpretations.
Tarot For Your Self: The Chapters
The Tarot For Your Self book is divided into 12 Chapters, each of which deals with a different aspect of learning and understanding the cards – helping one personalize one’s connection with the cards. Briefly, the chapters guide you through getting to know them, journaling and learning, reading the cards, the Celtic Cross spread, Court Cards, Relationship-related issues, planning and prosperity, conscious creation, healing, crystals and creativity, and design with the Tarot cards.
Tarot For Your Self: The Appendices
The book Tarot For Your Self also has 3 appendices that cover card interpretations, the history of Tarot, and the different correspondences of the cards (like astrology, colors, gems, etc.).
Tarot For Your Self: The Spreads
The Celtic Cross is perhaps the most renowned spread used by Tarot readers worldwide. Tarot For Your Self discusses this spread in great detail, looking at it from several points of view. The book also discusses several other spreads, including a Horoscope spread, a relationship spread, a Yes-No spread, an Either-Or spread, and a Chakra spread, to name a few.
Tarot For Your Self: The Extras
As I mentioned before, the book is more of a workbook. Naturally, it features much more than just spreads and interpretations. The main core of the book is in its various exercises and visualization meditations. For example, the exercises include those that walk you through Finding Your Tarot Profile, Finding Your Court Card, Designing Your Own Spread, and Planning with the Tarot cards. The visualizations include meditations that will take you through the process of Entering a Card and Contacting your Inner Teacher Court Card.
Tarot For Your Self: My Thoughts
I simply love this book! That said, I have had some very interesting experiences while working through the exercises in this book.
When I first started out, the Court Cards were always a bit of a puzzle for me – but the Court Card Party exercise simply helped open them up for me in a way that I had never experienced before!
Another exercise that really made me look at the Major Arcana in a very different light was the ‘Entering a Card’ visualization exercise. I have had some very enlightening experiences with The Star, The Fool, The Magician and The High Priestess cards. Each of them has made me see things so much clearly – not just in readings but also in my personal life!
For example, I was never a risk taker before (seriously, you won’t believe that one now!), until I jumped off the cliff with The Fool. Never again have I been afraid of just taking a chance based on an intuitive leap of faith – and each time, I have found myself rewarded by the experience!
The exercise where I constructed my Tarot Profile was also quite enlightening. For example, I discovered that my Personality and Soul Cards (by adding the digits in my date of birth) are The Lovers. Now, here’s the interesting part: I had once asked the cards what the purpose of my life was, and the card I drew was: The Lovers. Interesting huh!
And no, this doesn’t mean that I have to find a whole lot of lovers in my life! It just means my life is governed by the choices I make and the options I create, especially when it comes to the various interpersonal relationships I have in my life. Its strange how the cards just tell you where what’s at, isn’t it?
Buy Your Copy of this Awesome Book!
Your Turn
Have you read this book? If yes, what are the parts of it that you liked? If not, would you like to? Let’s talk about it in the comments section below.
