I've spent the last month learning how to do Tarot because I've always wanted to know how to do the readings (and it seemed like a cool thing to be able to do at a halloween party..) They're the one divination tool that I usually believe in.. That and my horoscope (Rob Brezny only)... and the majic 8-ball always seems pretty on-target to me, too. What do you think of divination tools? Do they really work?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Answers

Usually they just underscore the answers that the Questioner already knows deep inside.... Well, the cards, I mean. I can't speak for the 8-ball and horoscopes....

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

I don't believe that tarot cards work, partly because the most evil person I've ever known was always reading people's tarot, and I can't believe that she could ever be used as a vessel for divination. Plus, I just don't believe in them on a base level.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

I read Tarot sometimes (I have a deck I like but I'm not very proficient) and have had it read to me, and the reading can usually serve to enlighten the problems asked about. Even if they are just underscoring the questions, that can sometimes be useful. I don't think I put a great deal of stock in them as being divinatory beyond that sense, though.

However, I do have to say that I had a palm reading a year and a half ago that was incredibly, frighteningly accurate. Everything she predicted has, so far, been correct. She told me of my father's illness, my meeting someone and becoming engaged, etc. none of which had begun by the time of the reading.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Magic 8 Ball? "ask again later"

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

If she was evil, then she was probably reading the tarot to benefit herself. You might hit on some accuracy out of luck, but not much else. I, too, had an evil acquaintance who dabbled with cards. She particularly liked to read for new male 'friends' and funnily enough, no matter what the spread actually said, they'd always be told they were about to meet the love of their lives, who just so happened to fit Evil Girl's exact description. Funny how that worked. She also doled out criticism this way, being a passive aggressive jerk at heart, blaming it all on the cards. This nonsense worked well on people who had no clue about the symbolism of the cards. It worked far less well on her more clueful friends. She flat out refused to read for me, for instance, as I actually collect tarot decks and have read them for more than 25 years now.

Frankly, I think tarot cards et al are just tools for slowing you down long enough and focusing you long enough to listen to your own intuition and wisdom speak to you. And when you read for someone else, you're often focusing on them and reflecting whatever information you get.

That said, some readings I've been given have been utterly uncanny. Others have been wildly off target. I generally don't give a lot of information about myself to strangers reading my cards for me. it's interesting tosee what conclusions they'll leap to and how much (or little) they adhere to the traditional card meanings. I've had better luck when reading for others. I never assume I know everything and I ask a lot of questions and tell them what impressions I get. And whether it is the cards or my intuition or their subconscious picking certain items to be read, well, it doesn't really matter which.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Just wanted to add that I have zero aptitude for reading palms or tea leaves. Some people can, but I can't see anything meaningful whatsoever. Or, conversely, I could justify almost anything if I looked long enough. So a star or a box formation on my palm means thus and so? Got you a star or a box right here! I can see it! Later, however, I'll never be able to find it again...

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Gardanna, I have never had any luck with divination. My friend took me to a fortune teller and the first thing the woman said to me was "Hello Party Girl!" (Did I mention I was the woman most likely to marry Alistair Cooke? Says so in my high school yearbook). After that she proceeded to give me somebody else's fortune. Nights filled with passion (my husband had a bladder infection), lucrative job offers looming (contractor at Microsoft. OOOH!). The only other thing I ever tried was the Ouija board. I attempted to contact my dearly departed father and the only thing he would tell me was "chocolate milk." Perhaps I am cursed.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

i once had a tarrot card reading. the lady said i wsa gonna hvave a new man im y life. she was rite!!!! it was my mas 3rd husband.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

I use to read tarot cards for fun until I read for my brothers. It predicted major life changes and a death (of a situation usually, not always a person). I stopped when my mother died soon after that read which did cause major life changes for them (and me). Maybe it was just a coincidence but I stopped. I believe the cards help you focus on the questions being asked and the persons reactions to what you are telling them which can lead to some major predictions.

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

The only divination tools I believe in are dousing rods, but there's no mumbo-jumbo there...they work on pure science (electrostatic charge). The rest of it is soft brain stuff, for sure. When something that has been "divined" comes true, those who are mentally challenged get wildly excited and claim it as "proof." But they're overlooking the fact that, if you toss a quarter in the air long enough, it's gonna land on tails 50 percent of the time. I think this stuff is the mental equivalent of diddling yourself. Harmless and fun, but no connection to anything real.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2000

I'd like to add that, in my experience, men seem to be sceptical of this stuff while women seem to to be more accepting or ambivalent about it. Im not sure what that means, if anything.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2000

Well, I'm harmless and fun too with no connection to reality so does that make me a divination tool?

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2000

Well, you're divine, anyway, Oma. Loved your redneck jokes. The reason they don't hold the Olympics down south is because the only entry would be the 200 meter sister chase. Sister. And I divine you're going to receive something in your mail.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2000

That's just devine Bubba. Can you answer me this, when two people in Kentucky divorce, are they still brother and sister? Just need to know for, umm, family reasons.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2000

I totally believe in Magic 8 Ball. I first used one when I was a little kid learning how to swim and was scared to death of the deep end. So I'd ask stuff like, "will I have to go in the deep end today?"

I tried Tarot for a while, then found palm reading more reliable. I could never get into i-ching or horoscopes. Eventually I gave it all up. Except for the Magic 8 Ball.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2000