Is Tear-O, Tah-Row, or What?

How do you correctly pronounce the word "tarot?" I've heard it said many ways: rhyming with sparrow, carrot (pronouncing the t at the end of tarot, which sounds the strangest), and Tah-Row. I use tear (as in ripping something or tearing something apart)-row (to rhyme with sparrow) and TAH-row interchangeably.

Top 10 Things I Hate About Being a Professional Tarot Reader | Seer Pathways

Great "rant" list of things from Lisa Frideborg Lloyd, a professional tarot reader (who has excellent blogs and sites, follow her on tumblr and twitter, etc.) Top 10 Things I Hate About Being a Professional Tarot Reader | Seer Pathways.



All excellent points, and many I too wish clients would understand. I'll add my own: since at this time, I do the bulk of my readings long distance and on-line, there are a couple of simple but specific instructions I give to clients in order for the reading to happen quickly and smoothly. No matter how many times I restate the directions, there are those who ignore those instructions and simply don't communicate, then wonder why things aren't going the way they're supposed to be going. So damn frustrating! Takes up more of my time to chase after them and follow-up due to their laziness, or stubbornness, or inability to follow clear steps. Okay, that's my little rant.

A Journey, Not a Punishment: A Small Bit of Advice

   

     Often, people new to reading tarot become overwhelmed, confused and frustrated very quickly. There's an expectation that you should know all there is to know about the tarot as soon as possible, and you need to know this before doing readings. 
     The feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated are heightened by the reality of the situation: you can't possibly learn all there is to know in a short period of time. And you can't become a good reader without doing readings! It seems counter intuitive -- how can you become a good reader if you're doing readings when you don't know all there is to know about the cards?
     Reading tomes on the tarot, often contradicting each other at times, soon becomes not only overwhelming, but the excitement and joy of learning about tarot is replaced by sheer frustration. You give up, put away the cards, get rid of the books, and wonder why you can't read cards.
     You can read cards. Anyone can.
     First of all, you have an affinity for the cards. They've called to you -- something about the tarot attracted you. What was it that called to you? Explore that energy. 

     Secondly, learning about the tarot is a life long process, a journey of discovery and learning, of sharing and healing. It doesn't matter if you've been reading cards for two weeks or twenty years, you are always learning, always developing your skills and insights.
     Thirdly, trust yourself, your intuition, your instincts. What deck do you feel comfortable with? What book or books, on-line resources, click with you? Use those, discard what doesn't work for you. Everyone is different. What works for one may not work for another. There is no right or wrong, it's a matter of what best fits your style.
     Remember that tarot is a journey, one that will continue for the rest of your life. Along the way there will be changes, adaptations. Your tastes in decks will change, your reading style, methods of reading and opinions, techniques…all part of that journey, that process.

     Aside from knowing that having tarot in you life is a life long journey, allow yourself to relax. Have fun. Tarot is your friend, not a somber and aloof pontificator from above delivering ponderous teachings.  
     Trust yourself, your intuition, have fun, and enjoy the journey.
     Blessed be!

On Tumblr

I'm really liking my White Wolf Tarot/Tumbling Tarot place on tumblr. Visit the realm, explore awhile.

Tarot Mythology: The Surprising Origins of the World’s Most Misunderstood Cards | Collectors Weekly

In-depth and useful article on the history of the Tarot, which is always changing, morphing, adapting.

Tarot Mythology: The Surprising Origins of the World’s Most Misunderstood Cards | Collectors Weekly: Contrary to what the uninitiated might think, the meaning of divination cards changes over time, shaped by each era’s culture and the needs of individual users. This is partly why these decks can be so puzzling to outsiders, as most of them reference allegories or events familiar to people many centuries ago.Caitln Matthews, who teaches courses on cartomancy, or divination with cards, says that before the 18th century, the imagery on these cards was accessible to a much broader population. But in contrast to these historic decks, Matthews finds most modern decks harder to engage with.