Virtual tarot

lilangel09

A virtual Tarot deck works the same for me as a real deck. I get the same repeaters and etc. as physical decks. (More than just an algorithm at work. ;)) I read the cards myself and ignore the interpretation they offer.

I don't use it as a primary... more like, when I don't have a deck with me and I want to do a reading on the spot.

I prefer physical cards because of the sensation, but I won't hesitate to use a virtual deck for one-card self-readings if it's the closest or only thing at hand. I prefer to use physical cards for other people too, just because it feels more natural when doing a reading.
 

NorthernTigress

Debra said:
I have the feeling of using a random number generator rather than connecting to a mystery, so no.
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A deck of cards is a random number generator. Ask any casino.

And the Mystery is inside you.
 

nisaba

I have a virtual Tarot, and it isn't on my computer or phone. It's in my head.

I'll have a Six Swords day, or I'll see a yellow car with a rego plate beginning XIX, and immediately think "The Sun!", or I'll work with someone who's very Nine Swords, or whatever.

Everything around me is Tarot.

My virtual Tarot is the screen between me and the world.
 

NorthernTigress

Debra said:
The physicality of it matters.
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*bats small-child eyes*
Why?

(Just so you know, I've had this same argument with people over paper books vs eBooks.)
 

NorthernTigress

To clarify, I used to think that somehow the tool I was using was important. Then I discovered the concept of Random Object Divination. That was the first moment that my eyes opened up and I realized that you can literally read anything. ANYTHING. As a matter of fact, I recently discovered that I could do a reading with Nothing. If I'm in the right frame of mind, I can get pendulum-style answers without using a physical pendulum. (Don't believe me? Look for the thread over in Divination.)

So if I can read anything, and I can read nothing, then why can't I read a picture that I see on a video screen?
 

Aset

I've not tried Orphalese, but I've used different websites and the same app as you. I don't find it "wrong" to use the virtual programs, but for my use I think they are currently faulty (though again, I've not used Orphalese). If I were inclined to shuffle, cut, pull from the top, etc., it might be fine, but as it is I only get good readings when I feel exactly where to pull from anywhere in the deck. I've been thinking of ways to try to do this myself by writing my own program, but I'm still a little skeptical. Though I imagine that with the right program and with practice I could maybe come to read as well with a virtual deck as one in-hand.

I think I would require various methods of shuffling, as well as the option of pulling a card not only from a number index, but by actually pointing and clicking. Right now when I'm reading with a paper deck I don't look at it as I'm reading, but I do "see" where to pull from and so it's essential that I can feel with my hands which card is corresponding with the image in my mind, if that makes sense. I don't know how I could recreate that on a computer screen. This has me thinking that the background/colors would also be exceedingly important. I think something like a glaring white background would be distracting.

ETA: Basically my issue isn't with the deck but my "interface" with it.
 

Anna

Barleywine said:
Nope, never have and never will. Personally I find this whole "cyber-tarot" thing just a bit delusional. It's probably why I'm gravitating away from the tarot community and spending more time on the Astrology and Divination forums.
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What do you mean by delusional? Your comment intrigues me.

I can't see why astrology or divination would be any less delusional than tarot cards to be honest.
 

Cerulean

My husband downloaded a three card with a RWS.

He showed me on the Android but I like to switch my decks. Still it was nice he looked for me.



Anna said:
I will admit it; I don't use actual tarot cards most of the time for readings. Prior to owning a smart phone I used the free readings section of the Aeclectic site to draw cards, and these days I use "Galaxy Tarot Pro", a smart phone app for android.

The "app" features a daily card which changes at midnight everyday, and has several different sorts of spread, including 3 cards, 7 card horseshoe, celtic cross and a whole load of others. It's linked up with tarotpedia. It does all kinds of things to analyse the spread too, which I've never used.

The only downside is that you can only use the deck it's programmed with; the RWS. I'd love to see the app expanded so that you could design your own spreads and choose from a selection of decks.

I started using virtual decks when my kids where born. I had neither the time, space, of necessary clean surfaces to lay out actual cards. A quick click on the computor provided the answer to my problem. It was only meant to be a temporary measure until I got my evenings back, but I found that this way of reading was just as good as with real cards and so it sort of stuck. I'm really pleased with how it works for me and the readings that I am able to do with it. It took a little bit of time to settle in, but the readings are now as spot on as they ever where with my physical cards. So much so that I actually don't see myself going back to real cards now.

I wondered if there was anyone else out there using these things as their primary deck?
What do you make of them?
If you don't; are you horrified by the thought of it or would you give it a go?
Click to expand...
 

Anna

Debra said:
I have the feeling of using a random number generator rather than connecting to a mystery, so no.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I thought too.... but then I realised that it was working, somehow, just as well as a physical deck. My daily cards got very, very accurate and my larger readings followed.

It's as though whatever "it" is that enables me to randomly select the cards I need from a pack, has adapted to my new virtual method.

It's just as preposterous as the idea that tarot cards actually work.
 
How do you get you and your querent into the mood? Digital Tarot Decks