The eighth online course from Under the Ancient Oaks is now open for registration. Tarot For Divination begins on January 26 and will run for eleven weeks.
Tarot began in Italy as tarocchi – a card game – in the late 1300s and early 1400s. It wasn’t long before people began using the cards for fortune telling and divination. There is no “original” Tarot deck, just a bunch of very old decks – only a few are still in existence. The most popular deck of our era – the Waite-Smith deck – was created in the early 1900s by Golden Dawn members Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith. Today there are hundreds if not thousands of Tarot decks, with more coming all the time.
This is a class in divination – in obtaining information through non-ordinary means so we can make better decisions. Divination doesn’t tell us what we should do. Rather, it tells us “if I do this, then here’s what will happen.” If that sounds good to you, keep going down that path. If you don’t like what you see, do something to change the outcome.
This isn’t esoteric Tarot. It’s not The Fool’s Journey. It’s not self-help through Tarot. This is divination: asking questions and getting answers.
There are many approaches to Tarot. This is Tarot as I understand it, as I practice it, as I read it. So this is how I teach it.
The Approach
We’ll start by talking about the history and theory of Tarot. Where did it come from? How does it work, or at least how do I think it works? We’ll talk about the process of reading Tarot: ask a question, draw cards, figure out what the cards are telling you.
We’re going to spend a significant amount of time getting familiar with the cards. This begins with learning the consensus meanings. A couple years ago we argued about whether we should read Tarot with the “standard” meanings or whether we should read intuitively. Intuitive reading is great, but I had to learn the consensus meanings before I could develop the confidence to read intuitively. So that’s what we’re going to do in this class.
Once we get familiar with the cards, we’ll learn to read the cards. How do the images on the cards relate to the question that was asked? How do the cards relate to each other? We’ll talk about patterns and combinations, some of the spreads you can use, and how to pick the right spread for the right reading.
And we’ll talk about ethics. Tarot can give you access to some very sensitive information. How do you use that information properly?
Teaching Decks
The primary deck for this class is the Robin Wood Tarot. This was the first deck I ever bought and it was the only deck I had for many years. I find it an easy deck to read with. I saw a review that said it was “a very 90s Wiccan deck” – I think that’s a fair assessment. I like it because it keeps the structure of the more common Waite-Smith deck while using only modern Neopagan imagery.
We’re also going to use the Waite-Smith deck and the Celtic Tarot.
In Module 0 I say that you must have at least one of these decks. While I do recommend that, if you prefer a different deck that’s based on the Waite-Smith system, you should be fine. But the further a deck gets from the Waite-Smith structure, the harder it’s going to be to use in this class. And let’s face it – some contemporary decks are more works of art than divination tools.
We won’t be using the Tarot de Marseille. The Marseille Tarot is very popular right now. It is one of the older decks for which we have all 78 cards, but it’s not the “original” Tarot and it’s not the “most authentic” Tarot. It’s a perfectly good deck, but it’s very different from the Waite-Smith system and I don’t read well with it. So we won’t be using it except for the occasional example. If you really want the Tarot de Marseille there are other people who teach it.
The Modules
0. Introduction (free)
1. Tarot: History and Theory
2. Reading Tarot – A Process
3. Major Arcana Part I
4. Major Arcana Part II
5. Swords
6. Wands
7. Cups
8. Pentacles
9. Patterns, combinations, and spreads
10. Ethics
11. The Art of Reading
UTAO Tarot Facebook Group
Each module will have homework. Students are encouraged (but not required) to post their homework in a new Under the Ancient Oaks Tarot Facebook that is for this course only. Post your readings and what you think they’re telling you. It’s a chance for you to get feedback from a bunch of different people – and a chance to offer feedback on their readings.
I will be more active in this group than I’ve been in the main UTAO Facebook group. I can’t respond to every reading that’s posted, but I’m going to do my best to read them all, and also to weigh in when I have something to add that other people haven’t already brought up.
Participation in the Facebook group is voluntary, but it is highly encouraged.
I’m always available answer class-related questions, either in the Facebook group or privately.
Class Logistics
As with all UTAO classes, Tarot For Divination will be on-demand. Video classes will be released once a week – do them at your own pace.
Module 0 – the syllabus module – is available now. Module 1 will go up January 26 and a new module every week after that. I always include a disclaimer “actual frequency may vary” but I’ve yet to miss a date, and I don’t expect to be late this time either.
K.D. Echols has once again graciously agreed to provide written transcripts for those with hearing difficulties – and for those of you who like to read as well as listen.
Costs and Registration
Registration is open now. Send me an e-mail or use the contact form on the Under the Ancient Oaks website and tell me you want to sign up. I’ll send you a PayPal invoice. Once you pay it, I’ll register you for the class. Most times this will be done within 24 hours, but if you catch me while I’m occupied it may take longer.
The cost is $150 for the entire course.
A limited number of scholarships are available for those experiencing financial difficulties. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, just ask. I’ll take applications until January 21, and I’ll hold all applications until then. I’ll notify everyone of their application status by January 23. First priority for scholarships will go to those who’ve taken UTAO courses before.
If you’re in good financial shape, I hope you’ll consider sponsoring a scholarship, in whole or in part. If you can’t fund a full scholarship, perhaps you can fund a half or a third. Each sponsorship fully funds one scholarship student, and it also counts toward the paid registrations that determine how many scholarships I can fund.
This class is for everyone
This class is intended for anyone and everyone who wants to learn to read Tarot. It’s geared toward beginning and intermediate readers – no previous experience is required. If you’ve never picked up Tarot cards, this is a good place to start.
No special psychic ability is required. If it was, I couldn’t take the class, much less teach it. Learning to read Tarot gave me the confidence I needed to trust the psychic ability I do have (which, as best I can tell, is pretty much average). You may be surprised at what you can learn to see with structured practice.
Questions?
If you have any questions, contact me here or at any of the usual places.
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