Building a Meanings System Part 1: Categories Method

 

Are you new to reading divinatory systems such as tarot, Lenormand, or oracle cards? What if your system isn’t a cartomancy one? What if you're not new? Well, look no further. This method can be applied to most divinatory systems, whether it’s dice or an oracle you’ve created. It's nothing new, but it's a great way to build a comprehensive meanings system if you’re looking to do pick-a-pile videos or become more organized as a tarot reader, professional or not.

USING CATEGORIES FOR MEANING

Some learning websites such as Labyrinthos and Learn Lenormand have a meaning for almost every common question asked. When you visit these sites, there are several categories listed for a particular card, each dealing with a common set of topics: love, money, and health are a few examples.

While using a category system is great, readers (no matter how experienced) shouldn't rush into building a complex system. Here are some helpful ways you can get your categories system up and running: 

1. Start with basic life categories. Primary categories such as life areas (i.e., love, money, career), reversed cards, and timing – are good starting areas. For life areas, start small. Most website meanings cover love, money, and career. Once you feel comfortable with a certain amount of categories, hunt around for secondary categories such as personality traits, astrological and card combinations. You also want to make sure you can find someone experienced who has these categories covered on their website or in their book. You can also create your own categories and add information to them as you feel more confident about your interpretations.

2. Modify your system as you gain confidence. Start with references from a favorite expert on the system. For example, Rana George as well as Ciro Marchetti share the different interpretations they have for love, work, and money in their deck companion books. Later, as you gain experience (confidence), modify your meanings. 

3. Questions are vital. If you use only one method from these tips, it should be this one. Questions are powerful, especially the right ones. Asking questions in the reading experience helps get your thoughts and ideas flowing about a card. For example, if you get the 3 of Pentacles (reversed) as your card of the day, you might write these questions in your journal: 

How do I work with others?

How can I improve my professional relationship with others?

What has needed improvement lately in my career or job?

Such questions are centered around a card's theme. I will also be posting more about this topic in a future blog entry (see it here). 

4. Experience space. In your meanings system, create a small space for a few personal experiences of your own with the card. Compare and contrast them to others’ interpretations or experiences. 

5. Pick one system. Work on one system if you're new to reading. If you're intermediate, try building on a system you're familiar with.

Remember, things take time. So does building and maintaining a solid meanings system of your own.

Happy reading,

Monique