koolchick said:
Has anyone else found tarot confusing to start with? Like how to know what cards mean in a reading ect. Or is it just me?
When I started reading, I used the one book I had to look up meanings as I went along. I didn't start as an 'intuitive' reader at all.
So, no, I don't think it's just you. Even after reading for years, there is always room for expanding personal meanings, and new decks to explore, so confusion may never end.
koolchick said:
Who is it best to start doing readings for first? People you know well or people you don't know and why
Depend on personality I think. If you are really excited, yet easily discouraged about your ability, and mostly need plenty of encouragement and to get the hang of it, then family and friends are probably best. I should say, willing and enthusiatic family and friends - you'll get plenty of feedback and can easily follow-up and confirm what you read.
If you are a natural skeptic, and more simply curious and exploring - willing strangers, and people you don't know well may be best; it can help to suspend you own disbelief! If you don't mind just jumping in that way.
Also, I don't think there anything wrong at all with reading for yourself. When learning, I think reading for yourself is best of all - you have ample time to go at your own pace.
koolchick said:
Do the cards have same meanings in different pack like does the fool card mean the same things in the golden dawn tarot as it means in say the universal waite tarot and any other decks.
I think all Golden Dawn/RWS clones have the general same meanings. It's a kind of tradition. Depends on the creator and their attitude toward the purpose of the tarot. It's in GD type decks that you see the Fool having meanings such as "New path, innocence, faith..." In some decks and traditions, it may simply mean "foolishness"!
So no, not all the same.
Then, there are many meanings even within one tradition, and that doesn't count all the personal meanings developed and discoverd through giving readings.