Anna
I recently asked if I could join a reading circle using scans of the images of the decks found online as I cannot afford to buy the required deck. I was very surprised when I was told that I would not be able to join in with the exchange because some people think there is a considerable difference between reading from a "real" card and a scanned imaged, and they may have felt uncomfortable being partnered with me as a result.
I have not started this thread to debate the decision made by the Circle Host. Obviously, how they run their circle is up to them and I accept the decision that was made.
But I did wonder if we could discuss this issue, because it's the first time I've heard of people thinking this way and differentiating between readings done using "real" cards and scanned images or the cards.
As I wrote on the thread where this issue came up; for me it is exactly the same, whether the card is in my hands or an image on a screen. In fact, most of my readings are done using a mobile phone tarot app, so no doubt there are some people who wouldn't consider my style of reading proper or valid at all!!!
The cards are just tools, aren't they?
The card image is what we use to inform our reading. Whether they are in our hands, on our screens, or just images we can recall in our minds - what's the difference?
Does it really make a difference to be physically holding and touching the card?
It's the reader's ability that matters, not how they are accessing the images, surely?
Is a reading only valid if it is done using a physical tarot deck?
When I have ran reading circles in the past, I have actively encouraged the use of on-line scans as a way of encouraging people to try a deck that might be out of their comfort zone before committing to buy it. My experience has been that readings done using the scanned images where every bit as valid, accurate and useful as those done by readers using the actual deck. For me, it was also important to take into account the fact that people may be on limited resources financially, and I would not want the fact that someone could not afford to buy a deck to prevent them from taking part, and for that reason also I encouraged the use of scans.
On the other side of the coin, of course, the question could be asked: is it fair to deck creators and publishers to read using online scans of their cards instead of paying for use of the deck?
I think this all raises some useful questions and I would be very interesting to hear other people's opinions on this.
I have not started this thread to debate the decision made by the Circle Host. Obviously, how they run their circle is up to them and I accept the decision that was made.
But I did wonder if we could discuss this issue, because it's the first time I've heard of people thinking this way and differentiating between readings done using "real" cards and scanned images or the cards.
As I wrote on the thread where this issue came up; for me it is exactly the same, whether the card is in my hands or an image on a screen. In fact, most of my readings are done using a mobile phone tarot app, so no doubt there are some people who wouldn't consider my style of reading proper or valid at all!!!
The cards are just tools, aren't they?
The card image is what we use to inform our reading. Whether they are in our hands, on our screens, or just images we can recall in our minds - what's the difference?
Does it really make a difference to be physically holding and touching the card?
It's the reader's ability that matters, not how they are accessing the images, surely?
Is a reading only valid if it is done using a physical tarot deck?
When I have ran reading circles in the past, I have actively encouraged the use of on-line scans as a way of encouraging people to try a deck that might be out of their comfort zone before committing to buy it. My experience has been that readings done using the scanned images where every bit as valid, accurate and useful as those done by readers using the actual deck. For me, it was also important to take into account the fact that people may be on limited resources financially, and I would not want the fact that someone could not afford to buy a deck to prevent them from taking part, and for that reason also I encouraged the use of scans.
On the other side of the coin, of course, the question could be asked: is it fair to deck creators and publishers to read using online scans of their cards instead of paying for use of the deck?
I think this all raises some useful questions and I would be very interesting to hear other people's opinions on this.
