zan_chan
So yes, indeed, after much thought, meditation, and a number of very telling and moving readings, I've come to the decision that this is going to be the final week of Hermann IDS Part I. <insert shocked gasp from gallery>
Hermann and I have reached a point where the love is intense, the Spirit that connects us is honestly emotional, and our readings are effortless. But therein lays the rub. When I began this journey it was because I picked up the Haindl and said, "You know, self, there is no way you could possibly read with this thing right now." And I really couldn't imagine that I'd ever be able to read with it.
And now I can.
I have really taken the word "intensive" to the extreme. I have read at least one full (though honestly two or more for most) biography or history for each of the courts. I've journeyed, I've meditated, I've filled an entire three-subject spiral notebook with notes, thoughts, and recollections.
The Haindl will forever be my close friend, my personal deck, the one that I love above all others. I can honestly say that if, for whatever reason, I was in a situation where I could only have one deck, I wouldn't give it a moment's thought.
But I do say Part I for a reason:
Part of the reason why my current study needs to come to an end is because we've hit something of a knowledge ceiling. I've really been at tarot as whole for a very short time; Hermann's taught me everything I know. But I find myself asking questions like, "Why are the pips arranged in the order that they are?"
So I turn to my trusty Thoth, and the Book of Thoth for some answers, because the Haindl is, after all, Thoth-inspired. But then as I look at the Thoth, I find myself wondering, "Well, sure. But why are these pips arranged as they are? And while we're at it, why is there a Tower in my deck? What is that Tower? Why are any of those trumps there?"
I bought myself a copy of Paul Huson's "Mystical Origins of the Tarot" a while back and never really read it. Lots of dull TdM stuff. Looks like a Majors-only deck with playing cards attached. Thought my buddy emmsma was off her rocker for loving TdMs so much.
Then something funny happened. I bought the Minchiate Etruria on a whim because I thought it looked pretty. And now I'm in love with it. Then I bought the Vieville. And now I'm in love with it. Now I've gone back to Huson and can't put it down.
Before I can crash through the ceiling that me and Hermann have reached, I'm determined to answer a lot of my "Whys". And to do that I'm going to start a new IDS with the Tarot of Marseille.
I haven't actually decided yet if I'm going to just do a general "TdM" thing, or if I'm going to pick one to focus on. I have a bunch of them on the way now (thanks emmsma and wendywu!) and will decide more once they arrive. I honestly think it'll end up being both-- pick one to be my carry-everywhere-destroy-with-love deck, but not feel at all bad about using/studying other TdMs. The Flornoy Noblet is coming from a trade with The Red Queen and that, along with the Thunderbay Conver that Wendy is sending, are high on my list of possible love-decks.
I'm going to finish up this week with my Hermann. Do my last IDS-exchange. That sort of thing. It really isn't going to be easy to put him down. He's become such a huge part of me. I live and breath Haindl. I see his images in everything that I do or touch or feel. But I really do think its for the best that I expand my knowledge base (a lot!) before moving forward.
Also, I'm really excited to start bugging Nicky...I get the feeling that she and I could make a pretty dangerous pair...
If anyone has any kind of advice to offer on any of this it would be hugely appreciated. The whole thing has been eating my brain for the last week or so.
Thanks a ton,
zan
(PS-- if I really go through with this, I'll probably be sitting out of the IDS exchanges for a while to get my bearings, but I will DEFINITELY still be hosting them. Love it!)
Hermann and I have reached a point where the love is intense, the Spirit that connects us is honestly emotional, and our readings are effortless. But therein lays the rub. When I began this journey it was because I picked up the Haindl and said, "You know, self, there is no way you could possibly read with this thing right now." And I really couldn't imagine that I'd ever be able to read with it.
And now I can.
I have really taken the word "intensive" to the extreme. I have read at least one full (though honestly two or more for most) biography or history for each of the courts. I've journeyed, I've meditated, I've filled an entire three-subject spiral notebook with notes, thoughts, and recollections.
The Haindl will forever be my close friend, my personal deck, the one that I love above all others. I can honestly say that if, for whatever reason, I was in a situation where I could only have one deck, I wouldn't give it a moment's thought.
But I do say Part I for a reason:
Part of the reason why my current study needs to come to an end is because we've hit something of a knowledge ceiling. I've really been at tarot as whole for a very short time; Hermann's taught me everything I know. But I find myself asking questions like, "Why are the pips arranged in the order that they are?"
So I turn to my trusty Thoth, and the Book of Thoth for some answers, because the Haindl is, after all, Thoth-inspired. But then as I look at the Thoth, I find myself wondering, "Well, sure. But why are these pips arranged as they are? And while we're at it, why is there a Tower in my deck? What is that Tower? Why are any of those trumps there?"
I bought myself a copy of Paul Huson's "Mystical Origins of the Tarot" a while back and never really read it. Lots of dull TdM stuff. Looks like a Majors-only deck with playing cards attached. Thought my buddy emmsma was off her rocker for loving TdMs so much.
Then something funny happened. I bought the Minchiate Etruria on a whim because I thought it looked pretty. And now I'm in love with it. Then I bought the Vieville. And now I'm in love with it. Now I've gone back to Huson and can't put it down.
Before I can crash through the ceiling that me and Hermann have reached, I'm determined to answer a lot of my "Whys". And to do that I'm going to start a new IDS with the Tarot of Marseille.
I haven't actually decided yet if I'm going to just do a general "TdM" thing, or if I'm going to pick one to focus on. I have a bunch of them on the way now (thanks emmsma and wendywu!) and will decide more once they arrive. I honestly think it'll end up being both-- pick one to be my carry-everywhere-destroy-with-love deck, but not feel at all bad about using/studying other TdMs. The Flornoy Noblet is coming from a trade with The Red Queen and that, along with the Thunderbay Conver that Wendy is sending, are high on my list of possible love-decks.
I'm going to finish up this week with my Hermann. Do my last IDS-exchange. That sort of thing. It really isn't going to be easy to put him down. He's become such a huge part of me. I live and breath Haindl. I see his images in everything that I do or touch or feel. But I really do think its for the best that I expand my knowledge base (a lot!) before moving forward.
Also, I'm really excited to start bugging Nicky...I get the feeling that she and I could make a pretty dangerous pair...
If anyone has any kind of advice to offer on any of this it would be hugely appreciated. The whole thing has been eating my brain for the last week or so.
Thanks a ton,
zan
(PS-- if I really go through with this, I'll probably be sitting out of the IDS exchanges for a while to get my bearings, but I will DEFINITELY still be hosting them. Love it!)