Ahh - a Caulbearer. I'm sure there are some fabulous superstitions etc. about what that might mean for the bearer. I don't know what those are though. I'll have to google...
If he was taught Tarot in childhood - he's been honing his skills for a VERY long time. Luck thing to be taught then.
Re: Dowsing:
There are interesting ideas about how dowsing works - including the function of the more "primitive" senses from the hind or "lizard" brain - and electromagnetic fields.
If you expect the rods to cross they will - yes... but after you've "programmed" these responses into you (cross for yes and split apart for no, for example) - how then do you pick up where the yes and no are exactly?
Fascinating stuff.
One can extend it to using no tools at all. As you say you just "know". (the tools are the medium that helps one express whatever that sense is).
Evidently you are an excellent dowser.
Whether it will speed your Tarot proficiency - I cannot say. No idea.
Maybe ask in the Divination section if any other dowsers have found that it helps them get the hang of Tarot stuff quicker...?
My friend has recently discovered swaying. Forward for yes and backwards for no.
Much handier in front of the shelves at the supermarket when she wants to find out what's best for her to eat
(lots of allergies etc.). Lol. As people do get nervous when they see you fiddling about with gadgets.
Shop assistants can throw you out for that sort of thing.
I was taught - "the stick test" rubbing the tips of two fingers together. They stick for yes and don't for no.
Mind you - I'm not a very accurate dowser.
Depends what I'm dowsing for and how detached I can make myself.
I remember watching a Lady in South Africa dowse for diamonds by holding one over a map and tapping it systematically until she "felt" the spots where diamonds would be.