Written by ShadowWolf and originally posted to TarotL the end of 1997 and beginning of 1998. Reposted here with permission. All materials are copyright protected by the author.
Feel free to post any questions, comments or observations on these lessons to the entire mailinglist.
Evelyn mentioned that some of you wanted a syllabus. I'd hoped to get it out today, but have been wrapped up in some personal crapola. This is a less formal syllabus than I planned of what we are going to do:
1. Introduction to the concepts of divination, history of it, how it works (or doesn't).
2. Introduction to divining with tarot cards, again a basics on some of the rituals, lore, myth and downright strange things time and folks have come up with on tarot reading.
3. History of tarot--basic outline of what's gone on. Not going to be anywhere near as specific as what this list does, but then again its important to get the basics down, then move on. It is also very important to "get" the historical significance of the various times in tarot history--since most divination expertise, as we know it today, comes from the Waite/Crowley decks--at least what we use in the US. In looking at the history you'll see why there was a thread a while ago on the Marseilles deck and so on.
4. We'll do the major arcana. Now, in the other class I'm teaching my book source was limited to Llewellyn, one book only. We've chosen the 78 degrees of wisdom for this class, and I'd like to suggest you get "The Pictorial Key to the Tarot" by Waite himself. When looking at what the cards mean, we will start with what the designer had to say (seems sensible eh?) then take a look at the various and sundry meanings that time, creativity, and imagination- or lack thereof- has given in various sources.
I am not someone who memorizes things, so what this will NOT be is instant pudding on the meanings of the deck. You don't need me or the class for that. What I try to do when I teach is help you learn how to think about each card, and how to keep exploring the symbolism in the Waite deck...with the hope that this will train your mind to question the cards in terms of the number, the suite, the pictures and the symbolism contained therein, the various "histories" behind the card's inception when there is one-- all with the idea that in becoming familiar with the card, learning to really look at it in detail, seeing how that card's ideas come through in various manners, you will become better at how the meaning of each card in terms of divination occurs. It is almost like learning another language, and requires that you put in alot of work.
Speaking of work, make sure you have a notebook to keep things on the various cards together. I'm hoping that the more learned in our group will post on each card and subject--giving you and me both something to add to our books <G>. I've been at this about ten years, and I like to teach. I don't pretend to know everything about the tarot, in fact, I'm pretty aware of all I don't know--which hopefully helps me in teaching you. One thing about the tarot, you never stop learning or growing.
We'll use the Rider Waite deck. No complaints ok? I heard in my last class some good ones, bottom line, even if you hate the deck and it gives you the heeby jeebies (serious, I thought Waite's deck too "nice" to do that, but sure 'nuf, I got that one in), just use tweezers to touch it and live with it for the class.
The format of the class is that I will give you lectures/lessons and exercises. I'll give you at the start of the class some suggested sections for your notebook, and I expect you to do some homework with it, filling it in. You'll post questions, comments, suggestions and interact not just with me but with each other (as we do in the general list).
Questions? I'll post my administrativia this weekend...and then we'll start rock and rolling. Oh, one last thing. I'll generally give you my sources (when I remember) but I don't footnote or anything, lack of time, energy and the been there graduate school thing of way too many years ago--if something bugs ya, just let me know and I'll grudgingly <G> dig up the source)
ShadowWolf