Tarot as divination tool
-
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:56 am
Tarot as divination tool
Okay this is going to be a weird question.
I have the ability to use tarot cards to take a peek into decision making situations, the same way how some Lamas use Mo divination.
How do I get the cards 'initialized' in a Buddhist way? I rarely use the cards except when my intuition (which is very strong) starts being muddled. Usually the cards' answers are the same as my intuition. Can i bring them along to tsog or request a Lama to bless/cleanse them?
hope this isnt too weird of a question...
I have the ability to use tarot cards to take a peek into decision making situations, the same way how some Lamas use Mo divination.
How do I get the cards 'initialized' in a Buddhist way? I rarely use the cards except when my intuition (which is very strong) starts being muddled. Usually the cards' answers are the same as my intuition. Can i bring them along to tsog or request a Lama to bless/cleanse them?
hope this isnt too weird of a question...
Re: Tarot as divination tool
I know one rather traditional Nyingma Lama who told a
(western) student of his that since he was quite good at
Tarot, should use it instead of another system of Mo.
The student in question was an experienced Chodpa
and translator.
If you know a Lama like that, especially if you already
have a connection with him or her, then definitely,
ask. They may well bless this activity.
(western) student of his that since he was quite good at
Tarot, should use it instead of another system of Mo.
The student in question was an experienced Chodpa
and translator.
If you know a Lama like that, especially if you already
have a connection with him or her, then definitely,
ask. They may well bless this activity.
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Sure why not. You may wish to do refuge and generate bodhicitta before using them too.
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
Re: Tarot as divination tool
One way to cleanse the cards is also to put them outspread into the sun for some hours.
And by taking refuge/Bodhicitta they will not be stained again. To keep the good vibration on the cards it is also good to wrap them into a silk cloth and store them in a wooden box.
Sorry, I take these "weird" things seriously.
And by taking refuge/Bodhicitta they will not be stained again. To keep the good vibration on the cards it is also good to wrap them into a silk cloth and store them in a wooden box.
Sorry, I take these "weird" things seriously.
- Karma Dorje
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:35 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
These are not a Buddhist divination technique. They have their own context in the tradition of Ceremonial Magic that should be respected.emptydreams wrote:Okay this is going to be a weird question.
I have the ability to use tarot cards to take a peek into decision making situations, the same way how some Lamas use Mo divination.
How do I get the cards 'initialized' in a Buddhist way? I rarely use the cards except when my intuition (which is very strong) starts being muddled. Usually the cards' answers are the same as my intuition. Can i bring them along to tsog or request a Lama to bless/cleanse them?
hope this isnt too weird of a question...
My advice is not to mix up the traditions into a porridge, but rather if you are going to use Tarot do so according to the context that produced it.
"Although my view is higher than the sky, My respect for the cause and effect of actions is as fine as grains of flour."
-Padmasambhava
-Padmasambhava
Re: Tarot as divination tool
I believe tarot cards originated as a type of playing card, and were later adopted for divination by occultists in general, not limited to ceremonial magickians. There's a least one set of tarot cards based on Buddhist imagery.Karma Dorje wrote:These are not a Buddhist divination technique. They have their own context in the tradition of Ceremonial Magic that should be respected.emptydreams wrote:Okay this is going to be a weird question.
I have the ability to use tarot cards to take a peek into decision making situations, the same way how some Lamas use Mo divination.
How do I get the cards 'initialized' in a Buddhist way? I rarely use the cards except when my intuition (which is very strong) starts being muddled. Usually the cards' answers are the same as my intuition. Can i bring them along to tsog or request a Lama to bless/cleanse them?
hope this isnt too weird of a question...
My advice is not to mix up the traditions into a porridge, but rather if you are going to use Tarot do so according to the context that produced it.
Re: Tarot as divination tool
My theory about the origin of playing cards and ultimately Tarot is that they originated in the small initiation cards used central Asia for initiations.Jetavan wrote:I believe tarot cards originated as a type of playing card, and were later adopted for divination by occultists in general, not limited to ceremonial magickians. There's a least one set of tarot cards based on Buddhist imagery.Karma Dorje wrote:These are not a Buddhist divination technique. They have their own context in the tradition of Ceremonial Magic that should be respected.emptydreams wrote:Okay this is going to be a weird question.
I have the ability to use tarot cards to take a peek into decision making situations, the same way how some Lamas use Mo divination.
How do I get the cards 'initialized' in a Buddhist way? I rarely use the cards except when my intuition (which is very strong) starts being muddled. Usually the cards' answers are the same as my intuition. Can i bring them along to tsog or request a Lama to bless/cleanse them?
hope this isnt too weird of a question...
My advice is not to mix up the traditions into a porridge, but rather if you are going to use Tarot do so according to the context that produced it.
The best deck was and remains the Thoth Tarot of Crowley.
- dzogchungpa
- Posts: 6333
- Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 10:50 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Why do you say that?Malcolm wrote:The best deck was and remains the Thoth Tarot of Crowley.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
- Karma Dorje
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:35 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Tarot cards as we know them have clear astrological and Qabalistic import that are important to unlock their significance for any kind of serious divination. Speculation on whether these meanings were overlaid on some sort of playing cards or intrinsic to their development is irrelevant.Jetavan wrote:I believe tarot cards originated as a type of playing card, and were later adopted for divination by occultists in general, not limited to ceremonial magickians. There's a least one set of tarot cards based on Buddhist imagery.
Regardless of imagery that is used, there is no Buddhist tradition that uses tarot cards for divination. There are many methods of divination using mirror, mala, dice, spirit possession, etc. that are intrinsic to Tibetan Buddhism. These have lineages of transmission and instruction and sources in the vision of realized beings.
Why would one make a hodge-podge of two completely distinct systems based on entirely different systems of interpretation? This fanciful deck wants to equate the XXII trump with Parinirvana?! All this shows is that they haven't grasped either system. It can't be taken seriously.
"Although my view is higher than the sky, My respect for the cause and effect of actions is as fine as grains of flour."
-Padmasambhava
-Padmasambhava
- Karma Dorje
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:35 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Agreed. It is a wonderful deck and his Book of Thoth I think is one of his most profound writings. The art of the deck is beautifully executed and the symbolism far more profound that the Rider-Waite.Malcolm wrote: My theory about the origin of playing cards and ultimately Tarot is that they originated in the small initiation cards used central Asia for initiations.
The best deck was and remains the Thoth Tarot of Crowley.
"Although my view is higher than the sky, My respect for the cause and effect of actions is as fine as grains of flour."
-Padmasambhava
-Padmasambhava
- dzogchungpa
- Posts: 6333
- Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 10:50 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
I think we all know what to do:Karma Dorje wrote:Why would one make a hodge-podge of two completely distinct systems based on entirely different systems of interpretation? This fanciful deck wants to equate the XXII trump with Parinirvana?! All this shows is that they haven't grasped either system. It can't be taken seriously.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: Tarot as divination tool
dzogchungpa wrote:Why do you say that?Malcolm wrote:The best deck was and remains the Thoth Tarot of Crowley.
Crowley was a genius.
- Karma Dorje
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:35 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
You know, you could make things easier and just add that to your signature.dzogchungpa wrote: I think we all know what to do:
"Although my view is higher than the sky, My respect for the cause and effect of actions is as fine as grains of flour."
-Padmasambhava
-Padmasambhava
- dzogchungpa
- Posts: 6333
- Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 10:50 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
I don't think you can put images in a signature.Karma Dorje wrote:You know, you could make things easier and just add that to your signature.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: Tarot as divination tool
dzogchungpa wrote:I don't think you can put images in a signature.Karma Dorje wrote:You know, you could make things easier and just add that to your signature.
This is veering awfully close to a metadiscussion.
- dzogchungpa
- Posts: 6333
- Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 10:50 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Damn you, Terms of Service!!Malcolm wrote:This is veering awfully close to a metadiscussion.dzogchungpa wrote:I don't think you can put images in a signature.Karma Dorje wrote:You know, you could make things easier and just add that to your signature.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
- Karma Dorje
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:35 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Or a metastasis.Malcolm wrote:dzogchungpa wrote:I don't think you can put images in a signature.Karma Dorje wrote:You know, you could make things easier and just add that to your signature.
This is veering awfully close to a metadiscussion.
"Although my view is higher than the sky, My respect for the cause and effect of actions is as fine as grains of flour."
-Padmasambhava
-Padmasambhava
- Vajrasvapna
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Fri May 03, 2013 1:45 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
An interesting way to understand the Tarot is based on the theories of Jungian archetypes. From the Buddhist point of view, you can see the cards as the mandala of deities.emptydreams wrote:Okay this is going to be a weird question.
I have the ability to use tarot cards to take a peek into decision making situations, the same way how some Lamas use Mo divination.
How do I get the cards 'initialized' in a Buddhist way?
Before performing a read, you can meditate on the union of emptiness and interdependence, so your reading will be clearer and not affected by the negative emotions of the mind.
My favorites Tarots:
I Ching Dead Moon Tarot Cards by Luis Royo:
The Heart of Faerie Oracle by Brian Froud
´Malcolm wrote: The best deck was and remains the Thoth Tarot of Crowley.
It is very difficult to understand how a Buddhist might recommend something from a black magician, known for the practice of animal sacrifice.
"People these days use whatever little dharma they know to augment afflictive emotion, and then engender tremendous pride and conceit over it. They teach the Dharma without taming their own minds. But as with a river rock , not even a hair’s tip of benefit penetrates the other people. Even worse, incorrigible people [are attracted] to this dharma that increases conflict. When individuals who could be tamed by the Dharma encounter such incorrigible, their desire for the sacred Dharma is lost. It is not the fault of the Dharma; it is the fault of individuals." Machik Labdron prophecy.
Re: Tarot as divination tool
This is the deck I use. I've had some good results. What layouts do you recommend?Malcolm wrote:The best deck was and remains the Thoth Tarot of Crowley.
Too bad his Libers are incomprehensible...
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
- Karma Dorje
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:35 pm
Re: Tarot as divination tool
Uh.... what?!Vajrasvapna wrote: It is very difficult to understand how a Buddhist might recommend something from a black magician, known for the practice of animal sacrifice.
"Although my view is higher than the sky, My respect for the cause and effect of actions is as fine as grains of flour."
-Padmasambhava
-Padmasambhava