About Tarot

Draft translation. This text was translated automatically and has not been proofread yet — if something reads oddly, it does.

A post for those who are interested in Tarot.

Tarot and me
All my life I have been drawn to mysteries, to everything mystical and otherworldly. Childhood memories bring back pictures of me predicting exactly how a film’s plot would unfold, grasping and sensing the hidden intrigue in the relationships between the characters. I was amazed that an actor playing a role could portray deceit, behave in such a way that it was instantly clear — he’s lying! Imagine that! Being able to act it so that I could see the deceit!
With astonishing accuracy I could sense the connections between people in a group, even when I was seeing them for the first time. In short, intrigue, mysteries and the hidden sides of events have fascinated me all my life.
The words “magic”, “witch”, “Tarot”, “astrology” and “mysticism” stir up curiosity in me and, at the same time, fear. I was brought up by thoroughly “Soviet” parents who worked for the good of the motherland and lived by Soviet values — nursery, kindergarten, school, college, an engineering career, marriage, children, grandchildren… in short, everything the way it should be. In Soviet times, as far as I remember, all mystical currents were kept, so to speak, under a veil. A veil of secrecy, fear, hostility and prohibition. It was not just “unfashionable” — on the contrary, it was immoral and undermined faith in the Soviet foundations.
It was shameful! Going to fortune tellers, village wise women or old sorcerers was nothing short of sacrilege and was branded a disgrace (with “free” Soviet medicine on offer). The word “witch” was considered the worst insult there was, and the word “wizard” brought to mind a slightly “cracked” old man with grey hair and a beard, in a starry hat and with a magic wand (thanks to the book “Old Khottabych” for leaving at least some link with a belief in magic). I remember how widespread fortune telling from coffee grounds “at home” was. That was probably how people managed to satisfy at least some of their interest in the otherworldly.
And religion, the church and everything connected with it were not exactly welcomed either. Which only made me all the more curious and all the more afraid. What I mean is that the values on which my upbringing was built were far removed from a magical, enchanted and mystical perception of life.
But! What will be, will be, and I came to Tarot. With the thought “right, now I’ll learn what the cards mean and start predicting the future” :)) By then I had built up a great deal of life and professional experience and wanted to add to it by mastering this wonderful tool, Tarot, and using it in my work. From the start I saw Tarot as an alternative aid in working with clients in consultations and in my work as a trainer. It’s like going to college, finishing your studies and getting a diploma that says “Yes! You know all the theory”.
I completed a basic course on the Tarot arcana and realised that it was very much like wanting badly to go to the seaside, to the sun, and instead of being there, sitting at home looking at photos and imagining you are there. Yes, you see the picture clearly, you understand all the symbols in it and can even imagine or recall the sensations of swimming, or of a breeze gently blowing over you as you laze on the beach.
For the first time I thought about how one and the same picture can evoke completely different associations, sensations and feelings in another person. Probably for the first time in my life I realised that every person has THEIR OWN reality, and that one and the same picture is tied to completely different meanings for different people! In other words, the arcanum itself is a Door, a point of entry.
With my passion for the unknown, I asked the question: what lies behind the door? A host of questions and doubts arose: how do I use this in consultations if I see my own meaning behind this door and the other person sees theirs? How do I learn to look through another person’s eyes? And are the other person’s ideas right? Are they objective? And is there any point in simply explaining to a client WHAT they see behind this door and handing them back their own meanings?
My motto: “I don’t want half the kingdom! I want the whole of it!”
I thought about what practical value this has and realised that it is not enough to know the meaning of an arcanum (a door) and understand its keys, not enough to be able to see another person’s meanings: you have to become aware of and see your own meanings and images that come with the picture.
And then I really got carried away
I immersed myself in exploring meanings and the Arcana, began to notice distortions and twists in my judgements and in my understanding of one image or another, and realised that this is great (I am not afraid of the word) work on oneself; it is a transformation of consciousness, of sensation, of understanding and, as a result, changes in life that clear the way to oneself — to the real me.
Here I drew an important conclusion: knowing the meanings of the arcana is not enough, you need to get inside your own meanings and see the distortions. The arcana are like reference specimens. You can explain a meaning to someone, but if it does not match their meanings, if their perception is distorted by inner programmes, blocks and fears, the question arises: “what do I do with this?” My answer is to search within yourself, study your own meanings and your own distortions, become aware of them, work through them, and adjust your actions, your attitudes to life and so on.
For me the basic course on the Tarot arcana turned out to be a point of entry. The door behind which there is the smell of true, real life, real feelings, sensations, mistakes and prizes, behind which you start to breathe and clearly catch the smell of rain that is not here yet but already close by, rain that will help to cleanse and wash your soul, thoughts and body, and that brings awakening into life.
The next stage: MRT (Method of Calculated Tarology)
This is where I really wanted to become an Enchantress. And this is where I understood that it is real.
To say that I was surprised to see my birth matrix is an understatement. All my life I had a certain idea of myself; I knew my character, my habits, my preferences, what I love or don’t love, what I like or don’t like.
And only at this stage did I consciously ask myself: “but WHERE did I get these ideas about myself?” Because these methods show how distorted your view of yourself is. How far you have strayed from your own nature.
It was both an inspiring and a sad discovery for me — realising in the middle of life that you are not quite who you make yourself out to be.
Very interesting emotions, I can tell you.
But the spiral was already turning, and the 10 months of MRT flew by like an albatross over a boundless sea. Impatiently looking forward to every class, astonishing discoveries at every session, and most importantly, we were shown how to help people see themselves as they really are, as nature made them, how to accept the energies laid down at birth, touch them, get to know them and hear what we feel about them, how we perceive them, how we relate to them.
Now, looking back, I catch a sense of the extraordinary ease with which I completed this course, and of the drive I have now. And suddenly (somehow quite unexpectedly) this depth appeared, this broadening of awareness, this feeling when you simply know. Because all your channels of perception are working, and you sense, see, hear, feel and touch all these energies. I call it LIFE.

So, here is what I have gained thanks to Tarot:
— knowledge of the 22 main energies
— knowledge of archetypes and life scripts
— knowledge of the laws of the universe
— magical vision
— the ability to see an objective picture of what is happening, as well as the picture another person sees, and my own, which in turn makes it possible to see the differences between my perception and that of others (and this improves communication, when you understand HOW a person sees the situation).
Simply understanding that people see things differently brings respect for other people’s positions and reduces conflicts and arguments to nothing
— understanding myself, my “wants”, my “vulnerable” spots that need work (forewarned is forearmed! :)
— a tool for forecasting the future that shows an objective, real picture, based on calculation methods rather than on feelings or fantasies, and that helps to reveal distortions in your own perception
— mystical, transpersonal experiences
— a tool for psychological correction
— a tool for planning and goal setting
— a direction in which to apply strength and energy

And also — balanced self-esteem, “magical thinking”, a state of being engaged in Life, in creation, in breathing.
A new meaning appeared, new plans and this depth of perception when the world and I are one. My quality of life improved; I found satisfaction, confidence, courage, the strength to move forward and open myself up, unfold to my full power. Were there fears? Of course! They are still there, but this wild surfing has caught me up and carried me away — into the boundless sea of Life.

I invite those of you who had the patience to read to the end to a Tarot course (10-12 months), where I will share the knowledge and skills I have gathered.

As you can see, I have plenty to share!
Write to me in private messages or in the comments for details.
Beginners take priority.
Love to all

Anna Shyman, astropsychologist, Tarot reader, personal development trainer.